Romans is by far my favorite book of the entire Bible. I enjoy it because it's terribly complex and yet full of grace. This letter holds some of the most fundamental themes in the Bible. In chapter one, Paul is writing to the Romans because he desires to visit them, to teach them regarding salvation through faith, and he also speaks about sin. The theme of salvation by faith is woven throughout the book of Romans as best stated in Romans 1:17, "The just shall live by faith." This verse is incredible and holds a key element to the life of the believer. The term "just" is from the Greek work "Dikaois" and it means righteousness, or more simply - having a right standing before God. Paul wrote this book to the Romans because he felt called by God to preach to Gentiles, and so he wrote this letter to the Romans.
The Gentiles were thought of as inferior, because they were not Jewish. The Jews were given the oracles of God (Romans 3:2) and they were in fact God's chosen people. Paul's desire was to show the Gentiles that they were not less than because God came for all people and His desire was that all would be saved. Paul wanted to clear up some wrong teachings and point them salvation by faith. I love Romans 1:17 because it takes a complex issue such as justification and salvation, and basically points out that it is by faith and faith alone that a believer is made righteous. The active tense of live in Romans 1:17 is also interesting because it deals with the here and now. We are righteous today because of our faith in what Christ has done at one point and time. Not only were we made righteous when we were first saved by faith, but we are also to live out our sanctification through faith in Christ's power as well. Paul longed for the Romans to realize that their righteousness or right standing before God had nothing to do with their ancestry or their outward observance of the law. This was controversial because people put their faith in their acts of righteousness or "superiority" instead of His one act of righteousness. This meant hope for the Gentiles who were probably discouraged or dejected because of their under privileged position.
Paul goes on to speak of the sins which Christ came to save sinners from. These unrighteous deeds found in the chapter include idolatry, rebellion, sensuality, murder, homosexuality, and a wide array of sins which result from the rebellion against God's authority. These sins invoke the "wrath of God", or the necessity to judge sin. In order for Christ to be a perfect sacrifice, He has to be fair. He must judge sin because justice is an attribute of a Holy God. Paul speaks on the topic of idolatry, immorality, and homosexuality and I thought this was interesting since these subjects are nothing new. It says in Romans chapter one that these people have a craving for evil, they have allowed their hearts to become hard and God gave them over to what their flesh desired. They chose to allow anger, unforgiveness, disobedience and rebellion against God's authority to harden their heart and God gave them over to this state. This was not God's heart,(Romans 5:8) but He will never force salvation upon anyone. God has revealed himself to all mankind through creation, so nobody can claim they were not told.(Romans 1:20) This chapter is crucial because it states that God gave these people over to a reprobate mind. The law of progression had it's way and they chose to give in to their flesh and continually reject God. He let them continue in the sin which brought about moral corruption upon themselves.
This is a devastating reality in our culture today as laws are now being redefined. People want to adjust the law to make room for their ever changing ethics. Situational ethics is a problem because our culture does not seem to be satisfied, nor aware of the devastating consequences of sin. God made laws and the commandments to be a means of protection, and His desire is for them to be life giving, not burdensome. Marriage is important because marriage is a representation of the relationship with Christ and his church, as we are the bride of Christ. Traditional marriage is glorifying to God because it defines the relationship between God and man, and it also upholds the family unit.
Matthew 5:13-16:
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? ... You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
The purpose of the church (Christians) is to be the salt of the earth and make disciples of all men. In order to be salt, Christians need to stand for what is right. They need to establish their presence through the values they uphold, by making disciples of all men, by voting for truth, and by preserving the family unit through righteousness. The church is also to be a place of love where people can come and be saved. But how does the church deal with these controversial issues? Well, Christ came for everyone. Jew, Greek, man, woman, everyone. Romans is a great example of this. But, sin is real and so are the consequences. People reap what they sow and this will never change. It is important that the church be a place of love and safety, but also a place of truth.
The basic nature of God's Justice: Galatians 6: 7-9 (KJV)
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. "
Christ's desire is for all men to be saved(Romans 1:16), and Christians need to grasp this. They need to preach God's word, all of it, and The Holy Spirit will do the convicting. The sword of the Spirit is the only weapon which is able to penetrate the bones and marrow and go deep inside to bring the soul to Christ not only for salvation but for ongoing conviction of sin.
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Our culture is getting darker, hearts are continually getting harder, but Christ's message of love and Redemption is still the same. It will never change. When making disciples of all men we need to be loving, gracious, and speak truth. The truth is that God is just and the consequences of sin is death. (Romans 5:8) Salvation can only come when a person realizes their sin and their need for a savior. When the word is preached, the Holy Spirit can convict, and the sinner can turn from their sin unto a loving Father who is Holy and Just and ever ready to come in and take residence. May our hearts desire be to see people come to the saving knowledge of salvation by faith and not through the law. May we strive to be a source of salt which is salty enough to remain the only preservation left here on Earth until Christ's return.
