May 16, 2023 – Tuesday
Romans 1:16-17 NIV
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith to faith, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Habakkuk 2:4
Comments
As we enter the book of Romans written by the Apostle Paul looking at all the references to believe or believing or belief, it is important to know a few things about the book. Most commenters believe it was written between 53 and 58 A.D. with Paul having some 20 years experience as a Christian preacher. He probably wrote it during a three month stay in Corinth on his way back to Jerusalem.
Here is what some modern writers have said about the book of Romans: Samuel Coleridge, English poet and literary critic said Romans is “The most profound work in existence;” Frederick Godet, 19th Century Swiss theologian called Romans “The cathedral of the Christian faith;” G. Campbell Morgan said Romans was “the most pessimistic page of literature upon which your eyes ever rested” and at the same time, “the most optimistic poem to which your ears ever listened;” and Richard Lenski wrote Romans is “beyond question the most dynamic of all New Testament letters even as it was written at the climax of Paul’s apostolic career.” All that being said was to bring to your attention just how profound so many have found the book of Romans. As for me the description I found most descriptive was when someone wrote Romans is the Meat and Potatoes of the New Testament.
The two verses chosen for today, 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from to faith, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” follow Paul’s lengthy introduction. David Guzik tells us these two verses are Paul’s “thesis statement” for this letter to the Romans. He then adds Leon Morris’ comment, “These two verses have an importance out of all proportion to their length.” You have to love how verse 16 begins, For I am not ashamed of the gospel (the gospel of Jesus Christ) and then follows that statement with because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. The power of believing the Gospel resulting from the power of the Gospel itself.
It is that power which we find in the very next verse, 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith to faith, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” It is about salvation and God’s righteousness. Guzik writes, “It is essential to understand exactly what the righteousness of God revealed by the gospel is. It does not speak of the holy righteousness of God that condemns the guilty sinner, but of the God-kind of righteousness that is given to the sinner who puts their trust in Jesus Christ.” He then adds a comment by William Barclay, the ancient Greek word which means I justify is the root of righteousness: “If God justifies a sinner, it does not mean that he finds reasons to prove that he was right – far from it. It does not even mean, at this point, that he makes the sinner a good man. It means that God treats the sinner as if he had not been a sinner at all.” That is God’s Grace through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Bottom Line: We can never underestimate what Christ dying for our sins on the cross means for us or for anyone who believes, truly believes He died for our sins. Through His death on the cross we become justified before God if we dare to believe.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your love for us knows no bounds if we will simply believe in and accept the Grace You have freely given to us. It is a wonder that we become members of Your family in this way through Your incredible mercy. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek