Book of Romans: Review by #LATeamRoyalty
The Book of Romans was written by Apostle Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit while in Corinth. The book of Romans has a lot of great lessons in it, one of which is that “man is justified by faith in Christ Jesus.” The book of Romans should be where every new convert starts their journey. This book is rich with the Gospel of Christ. This came from Peace Itimi, my precious team member, “The Gospel means “News that is too good to be true”. It is something that causes our jaws to drop in shock, in surprise. The content of the gospel is an abnormal, an aberration to our minds. The Gospel is the unveiling of God’s goodness towards man. (Romans I:XVI) – it is the Power of God in the area of Salvation.”
Chapter1-4
Here, Paul explains that the Gentiles are in sin and are in need of justification and salvation. In chapter 2, Paul also explains that the Jews are also in condemnation and in sin because of their unbelief in the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul concludes in chapter 3 that no one is righteous, if they are seeking salvation on their own terms. He states that all have sinned, both Jews and Gentiles, and that all mankind is in need of justification and salvation from sins. Again, Peace Itimi says, “Like the days of Noah, the floods of judgement are coming. The earth under the influence of disobedience’s wrath is experiencing convulsion. Only the Loving-kindness and Tender-mercies of God keeps this collapse at bay. God goes a step further by providing the Ark of Covenant. A covenant revealed in the Gospel, a covenant written in blood, a covenant dispensed by the Spirit.”
At some point, the book of Romans reveals that the Jew’s religion had devolved into a system of salvation by works. They believed that in the outward display of keeping to the tenets of the Law of Moses they could merit salvation. They did not understand that the Law of did not absolve them from sin and that justification only came by faith in God, demonstrated by obedience, not by keeping the Law.
Apostle Paul in Chapter 4 proves using Abraham that one does not have to be circumcised or be under the Law of Moses to be justified. Abraham’s obedience and faith – before he was under the covenant of circumcision- was accounted unto him for righteousness. God kept His promise to Abraham because of his faith. Peace Itimi says, “We don’t become sons by reason of our deeds. But because we are Sons by the Spirit even our deeds are graceful.”
Chapter 5 reveals the multitude of blessings that we have in Christ. The justification through faith in Christ brings us into a right relationship with God. Only through Christ can we have atonement and know the depths of God’s grace, love and mercy (Hallelujah). Chapter 6 shows us the method by which God has chosen for us to demonstrate our faith in order to receive justification and that is in baptism. In submission to water baptism our faith is imputed to us for righteousness. We die to sin and death itself.
Chapter 7 focuses on the Law of Moses and its termination. We see the purpose of the law, its emphasis and its effect on man’s conscience. Paul demonstrates that the Law of Moses died at the Cross and we are now under the law of Christ. Christ fulfilled and replaced the Law of Moses bringing into effect His law of faith. Chapter 8 teaches that there’s no power on earth to forcibly, against our will, remove us from the love of Christ once we have been justified by faith in Him.
From chapter 9-11, Christ is rejected by the Jews. Here, a true Jew is defined. Israel believed that they were saved because of their ethnicity and that only they were meant to have salvation. All who are justified by faith are the spiritual seed of Abraham. The Gospel’s rejection by the Jews made possible its acceptance by the Gentiles. Peace Itimi has this to say, “By choice many reject the goodness of God. If we say that God is love, then to reject God is to reject Love. Once we walk outside love, then we walk in darkness. By choice many choose to look upon scripture with prejudices, with their opinions distorting the Word. By choice they question the veracity of the Holy Writ.”
Chapter 12 is about the quality of our spiritual life and how we are to deal with others, both friend and foe. Chapter 13 teaches us how we are deal with those in governmental authority over us and the urgency of salvation. Chapters 14 and 15 deal with matters of mutual respect and judgment and the example we have in righteousness in Jesus Christ. In Chapter 16, Paul’s example of love for the brethren in his greetings to certain members of the Church at Rome is seen. Finally, in chapter 16; 17-20, Paul admonishes us to remain faithful and holy and mark those who cause division.
The LA family.