"To God be the Glory." Many Christians know these words and would quickly agree with these words. "Yes, I want to glorify God." But we fail to live that way. As Paul closes this rich letter about the gospel, He gives glory to God for the gospel. These closing verses remind us why it is so important that our lives - saved and shaped by the gospel - point all attention and praise to God, forever!
"Say hello to Paul for me!" We send greetings like this through others to express love and to maintain a relationship. This is exactly what Paul does at the end of his letter to the Romans. But Paul's list of greetings teaches us more than polite conversation. There’s a strong sense of partnership and a deep bond of love. He warns them of those who would cause division and subvert sound doctrine.
We tell ourselves we are committed to loving them because Jesus tells us to, but we excuse ourselves for not enjoying or caring for them. But in Paul's closing comments in Romans, we see the gospel transform believers’ relationships. Paul cares deeply for these believers, whom he's never met! Love for Jesus and the transformation of the gospel grows us supernaturally to love other believers.
We ask questions to catch up with friends. We want to know what they’re excited about. As Paul begins to close the book of Romans, he returns to "conversational" matters. But when Paul shares what he's excited about, it all revolves around what Jesus is doing through the spread of the gospel. This is Paul's passion, and it's clear that he believes it should be every Christian's passion too.
"Church would be great if it weren't for the people!" Hopefully, you can laugh at a cynical comment like this, but it may be the way you've felt before. While a church family can be a blessing, it can be a source of strife. Because we are all works-in-progress, we have rough edges that can hurt others. How can we find unity in the body of Christ? The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches the best way.
Our culture's attitude of entitlement can creep into the church. We often defend our rights rather than loving our brothers and sisters. But if Jesus used His liberty to lay down His life for us, then we can use our liberty to lay aside our preferences for the good of a brother or sister. Rather than defending our "rights," we pursue righteousness, peace, and joy.
Bienvenido! Willkommen! Bem-vindo! Every language has its way of welcoming someone. The word communicates a warm reception and acceptance of the newcomer into the group. In Romans 14, we are told to "welcome" our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - despite differences of opinion - because God welcomed us. We are to welcome one another without quarreling over disputed issues.
Few sounds stir us to action like the sound of a morning alarm. We wake from sleep to silence it. When going off in a crowd, everyone responds by checking their phone. Its grating bark calls us to action! Romans serves as an alarm calling us to act. Reminding us to love others and walk in the light because the "day is at hand." The gospel compels us to walk in the love and light of the Lord Jesus.
We don't like to be told what to do at a young age. We don't like authority. It’s complicated when authorities don't share our values or beliefs about God. How can the Christian, a citizen of Heaven, relate to human government? The principle in Romans is clear: "Let every soul be subject to governing authorities." We learn when to submit to authorities when we accurately understand why we submit.
What is love? In our culture, love is still seen as a virtue but its meaning is hotly debated. Some think that love is "warm fuzzy feelings," so to feel "hurt" is deemed unloving. Some see love as affirmation and acceptance. In this view, disagreement is unloving. Various false views of love can leave us confused and unsure. But God, who is Love, defines true love for us. He shows true love to us.
We constantly evaluate ourselves and others. Comparison can corrode relationships and creep into the church. But the gospel learned in Romans 1-11 saves and shapes us. It changes the way we see things. Paul describes this transformation in the church. The gospel transforms how we think of ourselves and others in the church. Rather than pride and selfishness, we learn humility and service.
We give ourselves to all sorts of things with something we hope to gain. We give because of what we think it will give in return. This is the way of the world. In the gospel, we learn that when we were enemies of God, He offered us salvation as a free gift by faith. But the gospel not only saves us, it shapes us. We live for God - not to get anything from Him, but because He gave us everything!
The more we understand our salvation, the more we should marvel at His mercy, wonder at His wisdom, and exalt His excellence. In Romans 1-11, God has pulled back the curtain, as it were, and let us glimpse His salvation plan. Let your soul be captivated once again and join the angels saying, "Glory to God in the Highest” as you listen to Romans 11:33-36.
Jesus provided salvation, but will Israel be saved? In Romans 11, Paul affirms that Israel has not been permanently set aside. God's promises to them are still sure. In God's plan, He will keep His promises to Israel and offer salvation to the world. We are humbled, grateful, and amazed by God's mercy. He keeps his promises generously. All Israel will be saved. Everyone who believes will be saved.
We all make excuses. What about those who never hear the gospel? Or those who aren't "chosen" for salvation? Can anyone claim, "It's not fair, it's not my fault, I didn't know..."? In Romans, Paul focuses on Israel and their rejection of Jesus. He considers whether they have excuses to reject Jesus. The answer is clear: Israel and all mankind are responsible to respond to the gospel with faith.
We are often zealous about our own righteousness. This creates problems on the relational level, it is deadly for our souls. Paul explains that Israel's efforts to gain their own righteousness kept them from God's righteousness by faith. While God is sovereign in salvation, we are responsible to believe in Jesus. Our self-righteousness keeps us from submitting to the righteousness of God by faith.
"That's not fair!" I think we’ve said or thought of these words before. God created us with an inherent sense of justice. But with our sinful nature, we develop an oversensitivity to fairness. Paul assumes readers question God's choice to save only some sinners. Paul addresses the question by pointing to God's justice and mercy. His actions are always right. His salvation is always merciful.
"Nothing can separate us from the love of God." Didn't God make promises to save Israel, and yet they rejected Jesus? How do we know God will keep His Word? Romans 9-11 addresses this question to increase our confidence in God's promises and plan for Israel. The gospel does not nullify God's promises to Israel. In fact, it confirms that God always keeps His Word. God's promised salvation is sure!
Jesus loves us. Though we learned this about God, we are often tempted to doubt God's love. "Why is He keeping good things from me?" "Why am I suffering so much?" "How could God love me after what I've done?" Life situations tempt us to doubt His love. Paul addresses these questions to restore our confidence in God's love. We are reminded that nothing - not even our doubts - can hinder God's love.
"Why am I facing this trial? The Bible says God is good, but what I'm going through is not good! I'm not sure how to talk to God about the things I'm feeling." What if we lose hope or reach the end of ourselves? Romans has some of the most assuring verses reminding us that our good, sovereign Father guarantees our eternal security. He is doing good in our lives no matter what evils we face.