With this paper, we begin a study of the book of Romans. It will not be a commentary, for I am not a scholar. I know little Greek, and no Hebrew at all. However, I believe the Bible was not written for scholars, but for people who wanted to know more about the God who created heaven and earth. It was written to tell them about Him, and to help them have a life-changing relationship with Him, which would last for all eternity. It is in this perspective that we will approach our study of this book.
In an age of skepticism, and cynical doubt, many long for a deeper faith, and more assurance of some meaning to their life. I believe that Paul, in his strong assertions of faith, and his inspired knowledge of the Savior, gives us many insights into deeper faith, and greater hope. For us weak, mistake-making human beings, a rigid,
doctrinaire religion is most discouraging. Deep down inside, we know that we fall far short of the Christian life we profess to believe. In this book, we will find much comfort in hearing from one who also felt the weight of his failures, but who discovered a higher calling than his own perfect obedience. Even as he decries his failures in life, he exults in the wonder of God's grace, found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is this magnificent message that he passes on in the book of Romans. Those who look for legal proof of their correct religion will find no comfort in Romans. It was not written for the religiously perfect, but for us stumbling ones, who long to have a walk with Him whose righteousness is beyond us, but who offers to share it with us.
It is hard to find words to express the power of this first paragraph in the Roman letter. Paul states the salient fact that sets Christianity aside from all other world religions. It is not its sublime philosophy, its high morality, or its deep insights into human nature, although all these do apply. Instead, it was the dramatic historical fact of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why? Because, Paul says, that fact authenticated Him as the Son of God. It is that name that God called Him, with the voice from heaven, at His baptism and His transfiguration. "This is MY SON", God said. Then, Paul states the astounding fact that we are all called to belong to Jesus Christ. In other words, God sent His Son to call all of us to be in His
family— through Jesus, to be a part of the very family of God. And, as we shall see, the condition was not perfect obedience, but absolute faith in Him, and acknowledgement of Him as the Lord of your life. All world religions pale into insignificance by the side of this offer from the God of heaven.
If you, like the rest of us, struggle with your doubts, fueled by your personal failures and mistakes, it is assuring to have a solid historical fact to hold on to. When I feel unworthy, and distant from the
goodness God represents, it is a relief to know that God does not expect to have perfect children. Forgiveness is in His every word, and the history of His dealings with mankind, especially in the Cross, leave open the door for all to come into His family, if they really want what He has to offer. This is what we will find in the book of Romans.
