Issue 1,010 – Romans – March 22, 2023

I finished my speed read through the Old Testament and am now hoping to finish the New Testament before Easter. My Lenten plan is not a deep study but a quick overview of the big picture. It has given me plenty of things to go back and look at more deeply.

I read through the four gospels on Monday. Yesterday, I had time to read and work through Acts and Romans.

Acts, more formally known as the Acts of the Apostles, details some of the early church’s history. It might be better entitled the Acts of the Holy Spirit at work in the Apostles.

Romans is a much more theological work and presents a deep and profound proclamation and explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If I had to pick a favourite book of the Bible, I would default to Romans, followed closely by the Gospel of John.

God has used this letter as a tool to bring many people, both famous and unknown, to faith. Augustine came to faith by reading it, and Martin Luther found peace in it and transformed the world. John Piper considers it pivotal to his pastoral work. Piper says, “So Romans became not only the interpretation of my conversion; it became the confirmation of my calling to the ministry.”

If Paul’s epistle to the church in Rome could be distilled into one key phrase, it would be, “Salvation is by faith alone, by grace alone, in the finished work of Christ alone.”

Romans encapsulates at least four key points (and elaborates on them.

We need saving.

“but now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:21-23

The price of sin is the forfeiture of life.

“For the wages of sin is death,” Romans 6:23a

Christ loves us and died on our behalf.

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Salvation is by faith.

“if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11

In many ways, those verses form the themes of fundamental Christianity. in theory, professing Christians know them.

Yet, we often forget the truth and try to earn favour with God through our own efforts or think we can clean up by ourselves. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those thoughts of self and works are lies straight from the pit of hell and smell like smoke.

We are saved despite our best efforts. We can be saved despite our sins. Our salvation is in the hands of a perfect, holy, righteous and loving God.

Hold fast to the truth of salvation by faith and give God the glory for His incredible gift.

Be Blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

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