God’s story in our identity

Many people believe that deep down, most of us are inherently good—that given the chance, we’ll choose what’s right. If we stack up enough good deeds over a lifetime, doesn’t that earn us favor with God?

During Paul’s time, the Jews sometimes acted as if they had a monopoly on the spiritual market. In fact, the first church council recorded in Acts 15 discussed whether the Gentiles should be accepted into the church and if circumcision was necessary for them. The decision was made that the only requirement for joining the church was not based on nationality or religious ceremony but solely on faith in Jesus. Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, is the path of salvation for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike.

All men and women, Jew and non-Jew, are separated from God, yet everyone is without excuse. We saw last time in Romans 2:12-16 that the moralist disagrees with this statement. The moralist is convinced that doing good deeds will earn them a right standing before God.

The apostle Paul did not write the letter to the Romans using bullet points. This is not an executive summary. Paul is a lawyer making a case. He emphasizes specific needs and raises questions. He starts with the “why?”. 

Paul wanted to personally deliver a message to the Roman believers, but every time he planned the trip, something got in the way. So, while he was in Corinth on his third missionary journey, he found out that a woman named Phoebe was planning to go to Rome. He asked her to deliver the letter for him. This letter was written and delivered in AD 58. 

Weekend Recharge

Weekend Recharge

God reveals himself to humanity through his creation. The Bible states that the heavens declare the glory of God (Ps. 19:1). He has also set eternity in our hearts (Eccl. 3:11). We are made in God’s image, with a moral awareness, and we know that there is something beyond this life. Deep in our souls, we know God exists.

Paul explained the theme of his letter in Romans 1:16-17. He boldly stated that he was not ashamed to proclaim the good news about Jesus, because it was the only way for people to have a relationship with the living God. The gospel (“news of victory”) provides the power to have a right standing before God and to live for God.