Romans 1:5-7: "The Good News Salutation Part III"

Paul has just told us about who Christ was, that is: the Son of God. He now wants to explain what His life, death, and resurrection accomplished for us in vs. 5-7.

Paul continues by saying that it is through death and resurrection of Christ that we (Christians) "have received grace". Grace is unmerited favor. The gift of salvation is free, however, it cannot be earned by human effort. It is only through the lovingkindness of God that He even allowed salvation to be extended through us. In Ephesian 2:8-9 we read, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." We are clearly taught that we are forgiven our sins and all the wrong we have done or will do has been cleansed by Christ's blood. We are also taught, that we are dead in our sin with no recourse apart from Christ. Lastly, we need to understand that left to ourselves we would only seek our selves and we have turned away from God. Put all of these thoughts together and you get the picture of someone that is hopeless, and eternally lost with no chance of doing anything to help themselves. That pretty much leaves it all up to God. This, in fact, does not leave a person unresponsible for their actions. As humans, we do have the responsibility to act on the grace we have been shown by God (for more on these read this post). However, we must see that apart from God and the work of Christ on the cross, we have abolutely no hope. This is all in order to glorify God. This way God gets all the credit for saving us "that no one should boast." This is a theme that will run througout Romans as Paul often speaks of God wondrous grace to the believer.

We also see in this section, that we not only receive grace, but apostleship also. We often might think of the word apostle to be strictly linked to Paul and the chosen men of the NT. However, the simple meaning of the word apostolos is translated "one who is sent". MacArthur writes, "It is possible that Paul was speaking of the specific grace of apostelship, but it seems more probably that he was referring to, or at least including, the grace by which every believer comes into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ . . . every person who belongs to God through faith in Christ is an apostle in a more genreal sense of being sent by Him into the world as His messenger and witness." Paul goes on to tell us as believers that we should use our gift of grace and apostleship "to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name's sake." What we learn from this is that it is not merely a "faith" in Christ that saves us, but obedient faith. Let's not misconstrue this. I am not preaching a works based salvation. Instead, as the bible clearly teaches, our faith will only be geniune when we have can see obedience. MacArthur explains, "It is not that faith plus obedience equals salvation but that obedient faith equals salvation. True faith is verified in obedience." This can practically be seen everyday. If I tell my wife I love her and yet everyday put her down, discourage her, and abuse her; it would merely show that I am a hypocrite and liar. We can all say we believe in Christ, but it will only be those who live their lives in an obedient pattern to Him that will see eternal life. May we never be the one He says, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matt. 7:27).

Paul continues in his salutation, to help the Roman Jews further understand God's plan of salvation as it includes the Gentiles. It is our job as Christians to share the gospel with anyone who will hear it. It is our responsibility to tell them about Christ. It is often said that witnessing is the only thing we can do on earth that we can't do in Heaven (besides sin). What was formerly a mystery to the Jews, Paul was helping clear up here in his introduction. In Col. 1:26-27 we read, "that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed ot make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Paul has explained who he is, who Christ is, what Christ had done, and the benefits we receive by being in faithful obedience to Christ, and now he is explaining that this also includes the Gentiles.

Lastly in v.7, Paul addresses all his fellow believers in Rome and explains a couple more benefits we have in knowing Christ. Those who know Christ are "beloved of God" and have "peace from God". It is amazing and comforting to know that once we accept Christ into our hearts, that we are now His beloved. Whereas before we were at emnity with God, we now received His everlasting love. Whereas before we were continually at battle with God, we now are at peace with God.

What an amazing job Paul does of clearly explaining the whole gospel to us in a brief salutation at the beginning of his letter to the Romans. This was one long thought on his mind as he opened his letter. If you notice the first 7 verses are one long sentence. What an amazing way to start such an amazing book of the New Testament. I am excited to dig in....