LENTEN READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

DAY 25

Reading: Romans 1:1-8:39

This morning's reading takes us into the book of Romans, the first, and probably the most important, letter or “epistle” in the New Testament. As you may have noticed Romans is not “about” the Romans but rather it is “to” the Romans and it is not written to all Romans but specifically to the church or the body of believing Christians in Rome .

The New Testament is divided into several sections. The first section is made up of the four Gospels. The Gospels are the four different narratives or accounts of Jesus' words and deeds. Second comes the book of Acts which, as we have seen over the last few days, gives us the history of the early Church. The third section is made up of the apostolic letters (letters from the apostles). These are letters from Paul, James, John, Jude, and the anonymous author of the letter to the Hebrews to various local Christian bodies. Finally comes the book of Revelation which occupies its own special category.

Some people believe that the gospels take priority over the apostolic letters because they tell the story of Jesus whereas the apostolic letters are just the writings of the apostles. This is a terrible misunderstanding of the New Testament. The gospels themselves were authored by apostles. They are apostolic writings. So the apostolic letters are just as important and just as infallible and just as inspired as the apostolic gospels because both sections share apostolic authorship.

Moreover, the words of Paul you read in Romans and in the other epistles are just as much the words of Christ as those recorded words of Jesus in the gospels. How so? Well let's look at two key promises that Jesus made to his disciples on the night before he died.

The first is found in John 14:

“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

Here Jesus promises his disciples that the Holy Spirit will personally remind them of his teachings and not only his earthly teachings but will teach them “all things.” Those in the room with Jesus that evening were, in other words, given divine authority to teach and proclaim the very word of God. Thus the gospels and letters they wrote and those written by others that they commissioned and approved represent divinely inspired and superintended truth.

The second promise is found in John 16:

“When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own: he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking what is mine and making it known to you.” (John 16:13-14)

Again Jesus promises his disciples that his own ministry of proclamation will continue through them. The Spirit, he says, will “take what is mine and make it known to you.” What an amazing promise.

And, finally, lest you have any doubt that the written words of Paul are the very words of Christ let's take a brief look at 2 nd Peter chapter 3:

“Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters…His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other scriptures.” (2nd Peter 3:15-16)

The entire passage is amazing but the last three words especially so: “the other scriptures”. Peter, the Chief of the Apostles, considered Paul's letters to have the same level of inspiration and authority as scripture scripture.

Why am I belaboring this point?

Because the Apostolic letters, especially Paul's letter to the Romans, are foundational to the Christian faith.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul lays down some of the basic pillars of Christianity. In the first three chapters we learn that all human beings, gentile and Jew alike, are sinners. That we are guilty before God and that there is nothing we can do to make ourselves righteous. If left to our own devices, efforts, and strength no one would be saved.

Then, in the middle of chapter 3 God, speaking through Paul, reveals the glorious truth. Although we cannot save ourselves, God has made a way for us to be saved. In Jesus' death God punished all the sins of humanity. And in Jesus' perfectly righteous life Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf.

Thus, whosoever is willing to give up his or her own efforts and trust in the person and the work Jesus Christ, will be declared righteous and receive eternal life. That person's sins, past present and future, will be nailed to the cross of Christ and the righteousness of Christ will be credited to him.

In chapter 4 Paul goes on to reveal that faith has always been the only way to be declared righteous in the sight of God. In chapters 5 and 6 Paul tells us that all those who believe and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit have been set free from sin. We can and do sin, but through the Spirit we have the power not to sin if we cooperate with him. This cooperation is not what accomplishes our salvation. Salvation is something that comes to all who believe on the basis of Christ's work, not our own. But once saved Christians are given a new heart and a new mind: the mind of Christ.

In chapter 7 we learn that even though we have the Spirit and even though we have new hearts and minds, we will often fail and fall into sin because we must constantly struggle (with God's help) against our old dying nature.

Finally in chapter 8 we are given a glorious assurance that nothing will separate those who believe from the love of God.

These truths are vital and essential ones.

As you read through the book of Romans, read carefully. In fact, don't just read. Study these teachings. They are from the very throne of God. They are intended to equip and form and train your heart and mind.

Thank God this morning for his servant Paul, for the inspiration of the apostolic letters, and most of all, for the sweet salvation that comes through Jesus Christ.

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