The book of Romans is one of the books I feel as though I have studied individual chapters or sections a plethora of times but had never really studied the book as a whole before. This past week at the Institute we had the opportunity to do just that.
While the book of Romans does have some historical content, I feel as though Paul had a couple of overall themes throughout the book. One of the main themes was God’s righteousness. The other theme was that we are all sinners and need God’s grace and salvation. Paul writes that as sinners we must have a personal relationship with Jesus. Paul wrote this book on his way back from his third missionary journey. The book was written specifically to the church in Rome to encourage them in their faith.
I love the way that Paul starts out the book. He starts it by identifying who he is and who God is. He refers to himself as a servant of Christ, an apostle who was set apart for the Gospel (1:1). He continues by stating that Jesus is God’s Son, the Lord, and a descendant of David (1:2-4). Paul continues by encouraging the Roman Church. He tells them to not be ashamed of the gospel and to live by faith- not by the law.
As the book continues Paul writes about condemnation and why the Gentiles and Jews are found unrighteous. Paul not only writes about the unrighteous, but he also talks about the immoral and the nonreligious. He writes that all men, regardless of their lifestyle, deserve God’s judgment.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Romans 3:23
But despite how much we deserve judgment, God has given us the opportunity to have life in him by choosing to have faith. Paul writes that we are not justified by our works (so that no one may boast in their good deeds), but rather we are saved through faith. God sent His Son to pay for our sins.
“But God Demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
I love how Romans 6:1 asks if we shall keep on sinning because of God’s grace and that verse 2 answers by saying no. By choosing Christ you are choosing to no longer live in sin but rather live in Christ. As a Christian you are to obey the law out of a desire to worship God, not because it is something you are forced to do. The Law should prove to yourself how much you need His grace. Paul writes that as Christians we are to set our minds on things above and walk in the Spirit because we are going to endure many trials and much tribulation. Through this we should be eagerly waiting for redemption.
Paul continues by writing to the Romans about how they must be sanctified, experience restoration, and apply what they have learned to their lives. They must worship God with their minds and bodies.
Overall I loved this study of Romans. Growing up I had always heard of the Romans Road, which goes through a lot of the book of Romans but had never really taken time to really look at the book of Romans as a whole. Now I feel as though I have a much better understanding of the meaning of the cross and Christ’s death.
