ROMANS STUDY #DAY1

Romans 1:1 - 3:20

As many may have heard, in the book of Romans, we learn a lot more about our salvation than most of the other letters in the new testament. 

As a start, we need to understand why this letter was written. The answer is also in the text; in verses 10-12 Paul outlines why he longed to be in the midst of the church in Rome. His reason was TO ESTABLISH THE CHURCH IN THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.
This is also why we need to learn this book. It has the fundamentals of our salvation, for our enrichment.

Now,in the first seven verses are Paul introduces himself and the One who sent him, Jesus.

The two words he uses to introduce himself are very important to understand;
BONDSLAVE: one who chooses to be a slave, out of love for their master
APOSTLE: which simply means, the sent one

He introduces Jesus as the Good News, which was prophesied in the old testament. Then, he introduces Him as the Son of God, thereby, validating the Messianic mantle of Christ, and Him as being an equal to God (because the messiah had to be one without sin; one without sin had to be God). I addition, he points out how His resurrection validated (not made; but just put a stamp for the non believer) Jesus as the Son of God.

In verses 8-17, Paul goes into detail concerning the gospel and how we, as the church, should live within the parameters of the gospel.
In v9 talks about praying for one another; this is something that shouldn't be optional amongst Christians. In the same verse, he speaks about serving God wholeheartedly, which validates his status as a BONDSLAVE not a SLAVE. He, then continues to speak about how valid and relevant the gospel (Jesus) is for all mankind (everyone and anyone). He speaks about the power of the gospel that saves all who believe, and not according to social, academic, ethnic, etc status. The gospel is for all; JESUS IS FOR ALL.

The next passage of our reading, up to Romans 3:20 highlights the problem IN THE CHURCH; the problem of people living in sin as a result of PRIDE, HARD-HEARTEDNESS, SELF-ENTITLEMENT, FOOLISHNESS, and the like.

Paul speaks about how the people in Rome knew of God but not God; how they knew the law but lived in contrary to it; how they saw themselves as righteous when they were far from it; how they did not acknowledge God as God with the way they lived, choosing to worship idols (creation) instead of God (Creator); how people thought being part of the church was enough to get them in right standing with God, though living vile lives; how people rebelled against God, willingly (v21)... I can go all day...

DOES ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR? Selah

IN SUMMARY
There is a problem in the church, which the church, her rules and regulations offer no solution to.

Stay blessed