The Christian, of necessity, lives in two worlds. One is the world of here and now, which we experience with our physical senses, and which demands our attention to keep the animal self alive. However, we also live in the world of the spirit, which is not perceived by our five senses, but which demands our attention, if there is to be any meaning to this temporary existence in the physical world. This world is only experienced through the avenue of faith. Its comfort, assurance, peace and joy are all dependent on the measure of our faith.
In the letter I wrote to all of you, proposing a study of the book of Romans, I said we would look for practical lessons, which would impact our lives. If I should reduce all the problems of the religious world, and the individual problems we each face in our religion, to a single cause, it would have to be our lack of faith. I know this sounds prosaic, and most people will say, "Yes, I know. What else is new?" It is this very attitude which causes us to make no effort to increase our faith, or to study the causes of weak faith. As a result, we remain uncomfortable Christians, doubtful of our salvation, and finding that our Christianity doesn't help us find peace, or happiness, in our daily life in the present world.
Paul addresses this problem in Romans, and offers us assurance beyond our doubts, and in spite of our fears. In the first 17 verses of the first chapter, he mentions faith 6 times. It is the central theme of the teaching of Christ, and the sine qua non of our entire religion. Getting all the doctrinal points correct, the organization and structure in place, and building large churches all become insignificant, if, in the process we do not build stronger faith in every individual member of the body. If what we have does not build faith, we do not have the truth! It is as simple as that.
Having said that, I hasten to add that the faith we are talking about is not just believing the facts. Any Christian robot can accept the facts, and obey the rituals. Faith is much more than this. It is not the issues we debate, nor the doctrinal correctness we claim. Faith is an inner dynamic, which goes far beyond ritual obedience, and transforms the one who has it into one who thinks and acts like a child of God. The religious world will never be converted by the facts, until those facts become the life-changing influences of the followers of Christ, and give them the peace and joy that the world will never know. It is this kind of faith we will find in the book of Romans, and the ways by which it can be achieved.
First, let us examine Paul's use of the term in this first chapter. In his first reference he talks about "the obedience that comes from faith." Right away we need to realize that he is not talking about legal obedience, where a person understands the rule, and obeys it. He is talking about following in the footsteps of One in whom you have complete confidence. This is not a Christian soldier obeying Jesus Christ, who is the General of the army. It is a member of the family, imitating an older brother, in whom he has ultimate trust. The difference is great. One keeps the rules, the other changes the life. Remember,
we are called to be sons, not tin soldiers.
We will pursue this further in the next paper, but before closing this one, I must dwell a moment on the beauty of the calling Paul mentions three times. First, you are called to "the obedience that comes from faith". Not the obedience that comes from force, or constraint, but which comes from faith in the Leader. Second, "you are called to belong to Jesus Christ". Not called to join the army, but called to be one of the family...to belong to the Son. Finally, "called to be
saints". Not called to be legal members, but called to be like Jesus...to be saints, made holy in His shed blood of forgiveness. It is wonderful to know that God wants me in His family enough to send me the call, by His Son, to come and belong to Him. There is no comfort in being a member of the organization, but there is great peace and comfort in being in His family, protected by His love.
The book of Romans is a book of grace, accepted by faith. Those who teach a rigid, legal religion, see God as a demanding ruler, ready to condemn those who fail to obey every command. Paul, in this first chapter, pictures God as a loving Father,
calling...inviting... offering, even at the sacrifice of His Son...an eternal walk with Him, for all who will put their complete faith and trust in Him. This is the comforting contrast we will find in the book of Romans.
