In
the Book of Romans Paul sets forth his most complete and detailed explanation
of the Christian life. He defines the gospel. Man is made right with God not by
the law of Moses, but by the mercy of Christ. It cannot be a matter of keeping
the law because man in his sinful nature is unable to live up to the high
standards of the law of God, which is an expression of God's Holiness.
In
Paul's analysis, man's standing before God does not rest on what man does but on
what Christ has done for him. And based on what Christ has done for us, He is
worthy of our whole‑hearted allegiance, loyalty and devotion.
Paul
expounds the great doctrines of justification, sanctification, and
glorification. The effect of these profound truths on every one, Jew and
gentile alike, produces a powerful influence in the world. It was the
foundation and bulwark of the Reformation.
It
is a great compass to guide us through the maze of false teaching that is
rampant in the world today. It is Paul's letter to sinful mankind, as it is. It
points out how lost helpless and hopeless people can find deliverance in Christ
and what this deliverance includes. It all focuses on one point; the cross of
Christ.
There
are parts of Romans that some people find hard to understand. This is because
in some parts of his letter, he deals with a problem that to us is no problem
at all. When Paul wrote the letter it was a live, burning issue. The question
was "could a gentile become a Christian without becoming a Jew
first?"
Today
of course, no one thinks in those terms. In fact, we normally think of
Christianity as a gentile religion. But we must remember that Christianity
started among the Jewish people and was made up of people from that religion.
There were powerful Jewish leaders of that day who were determined that it was
going to stay that way. The Jews believed that the law of Moses was the final
expression of the will of God and therefore every man alive was obligated to
live under that law. For that reason, one of the great doctrines of this
epistle is that of justification by faith. He announces it as a simple truth.
"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1).
He
sets it forth in this epistle as in no other. Step by step he systematically
unfolds the great truths of Christ. Justification implies that a person who has
been charged with a crime has established his innocence and is thereby
justified and set free.
The
first part of Romans declares that the whole world is under the condemnation of
the law. "Now we know that whatever things the law saith, it saith to them
who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may
become guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no
flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
(Romans 3:19,20)
He
goes on to bring us the good news that even though the law may condemn us,
there is an answer in Jesus Christ. “But now the righteousness of God apart
from the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Even
the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon
all them that believe, for there is no difference. For all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:21‑24)
In
the latter part of the book he calls upon us to submit our lives to the will of
God as revealed in Jesus Christ. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to
this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
(Romans 12:1,2)
As
we live in harmony with God, the call goes forth to live in harmony with each
other as brothers and sisters in Christ. “Now the God of patience and
consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ
Jesus, that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5,6).
Study
the Book of Romans for a good foundation in the Christian faith.
© Copyright
2002, LeRoy Eims