Everyone has a God-shaped hole in the heart, and only God can transform and satisfy.
The subject of the letter is faith, faith in Christ Jesus. salvation comes to us not through what we do, but from Whom we put our faith in. It is God’s forgiveness and love that rescues us, not our own efforts. Paul argues that Salvation is not a matter of obeying the Religious law, or even a case of obeying natural laws or morality. It is a Gift from God.
That does not give a license to do what we want, as followers of Our Lord and Our Friend, we are obliged to live lives of love, faith and service. Paul argues that those are a response to Salvation and are not a way to earn Salvation.
Romans is not a light read by any means. a lot of theology about the Christian message, as well as practical advice about every day living. The theology is important because it explains why Christians believe and behave the way they do. Believers who reflect and understand what and why they believe are more effective and better equipped to be vessels and servants for the God that created us.
We are all guilty. Paul put out a list of wrongdoings that get between us and God, not just the big sins like murder and stealing, but what we call everyday sins, like gossip, cheating,and causing strife.{1 v29}. Paul is pointing out that everybody has fallen short of what is right. None of us can claim to be guilt free.
Romans 3 verse 21 to 4 verse 25: Paul explains how anyone can be made right with God. The answer lies in a free gift. God set Christ Jesus to be our sacrifice, to take the punishment that we should bear for our wrong doings {sin}. This is how Jews and gentiles are bought together, this it is not in wrong doings, but by faith in Christ Jesus.
Paul uses the story of Abraham to Illustrate this. God accepted Abraham not because of his good deed, but because of his faith. {4 v 31}
Romans 5 v 1 to 21: Paul explains how the need to be redeemed come about. Through Adam’s decision in the Garden of Eden, we are all infected with sin. It is part our human nature. And just as one man brought sin into the world for everybody, so one man brings forgiveness into the world for us all {5 v 18}
A New Start: Romans 6 v 1 to 8 v 17. Once we have a new freedom in Christ Jesus we can not carry on as before. Once we accept Jesus, as Lord of our lives our old self is dead. We should be like Jesus and live our lives for God. Now we shouldn’t try do what is right, we are now living through acceptance of god and should be faithful to what He wants for our lives.
God Bless
OFJ