Paul addressed the Christians in Rome. He referred to himself as "called to be an apostle" and "separated to the gospel of God," which he noted was "promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."
Whew.
And then he added that so too were the recipients of this letter "called of Jesus Christ" and "called to be saints."
Paul also told them that he prayed always for them and was seeking a way to come to them. He often tried to come but "was hindered" by the Spirit though he is ready to preach the gospel to them and all in Rome. He declared, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes..."
The just shall live by faith.
Then he talked about the wrath of God. God has revealed Himself to men in creation, "His invisible attributes are clearly seen"...and are "without excuse." But man suppresses the truth and is ungrateful, so that their "foolish hearts were darkened." Man proclaims to be wise, but he is a fool. He even worships created things instead of God.
Therefore, God permits them to worship the lust of their hearts by dishonoring themselves with one another and exchanging the truth for a lie. God gives them over to their abominable passions for the same sex so that they suffer the consequences.
Because they do not want to know God, He gives them over to their perverted mindset and to continue practicing these wicked thoughts and behaviors:
- filled with unrighteousness
- sexual immorality
- wickedness
- covetousness
- maliciousness
- full of envy
- murder
- strife
- deceit
- evil
- gossip
- backbiters
- hating God
- violent
- proud
- boasting
- inventing evil ideas
- disobedient to parents
- undiscerning
- untrustworthy
- unloving
- unforgiving
- unmerciful
According to McGee, the Book of Romans teaches the total depravity of man who is "irrecoverably and hopelessly lost." Man has no righteousness of his own apart from God's righteousness. Man does not pursue God, nor does he understand God. God will never force us to serve Him; we must come willingly. It is His decision to call us, and He will only use those whom He calls.
The gospel was promised by the prophets from the Old Testament. God loves mankind and provides a way to save mankind. It is a loving relationship with Him. He loves us and gave Himself for us. "Grace is God's method of salvation."
THE CALLED/ELECT
The called are the elect. They are the ones who have heard the call. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). "He calls, and you answer. If you have answered, you are among the elect, one of the called of Jesus Christ." These are called saints, ones set apart for Him. Saints exalt Jesus Christ, when He becomes their Savior. It is not our behavior that makes us a saint, but rather our faith in Jesus Christ. Are you set apart for Him?
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because it has the power of God unto salvation, and he was obliged to God and the world to share the good news, which he received from God. The gospel is to everyone, regardless of who. It is personal and individual --- "whosoever will may come." Open to all, but limited by those who will believe.
According to Dr. Stifler: the effect of the gospel = salvation; the extent of the gospel = worldwide, everyone; and the condition of the gospel = faith in Jesus Christ.
The just shall live by faith: "God places a lost sinner in Christ, and He see him in Christ. The believer is absolutely accepted because of what Christ has done for him. The only method of procuring this righteousness is by faith." Justification (by faith) is when a sinner trusts Christ and may stand before God complete in Christ and His righteousness.
THE WRATH OF GOD
As per McGee, the wrath of God is God's feeling about sin, not His punishment of sin. It is His holy anger. When we die, we will experience God's righteousness or His wrath.
By the way, man is not improving himself, nor is he improving the world. Man is moving further from God. Man has knowledge of God, but he turns away from God. Paul lists what man was up to in his time, and it is still true today.
- Man does not glorify God
- Is ungrateful
- Is vain
- Foolish heart is darkened
- Thinks he is wise, but is really a fool
- worships creation instead of the Creator
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| Paul Writing Epistle to the Romans |