Romans by Scott Risley (2019)

Paul uses the analogy of a body to describe the Biblical model of Christian community--one in which each member has a specific and indispensable role to play. In contrast to the traditional clergy/laity model, this pictures a community of believers in which each person is meaningfully engaged in ministry, service, and loving others.

In contrast to the common clergy-laity model, Paul describes a church that acts more like a body, in which each member has a specific and indispensable role to play. Within the body, God has a ministry for each person, and has given to each one spiritual gifts to build up the body. Relationships within the church should be characterized by sacrificial love for one another.

Paul echoes the words of Jesus, that the entire Old Testament is summed up in loving God and loving others, and that love should be the central characteristic of the church. This message is just as important for us today, as we continue to see declining relationships and an epidemic of loneliness; a relationship with Jesus and community within the church offers hope for deep, fulfilling friendship.\r\n

Paul tells the Roman church that the entire law is summed up by the command to love one another. In Roman culture, as in our culture today, there is confusion about what love is. The biblical definition of love is to give of oneself in every area for the good of another, without regard to personal gain. This is the way God loves us and is the way He wishes his people to love one another.\r\n

Paul exhorts the church to love one another. The Bible's definition of love is a giving of oneself in every area for the good of another; it is forgiving, sacrificial and emotional. There are different levels of relationships--casual, close and intimate--and in each kind we should consider how to initiate Biblical love.

Part of Biblical love relationships is resolving conflict in an God-honoring way. While we may naturally be tempted to flee conflict, be overly aggressive, or pursue legal action, a Biblical response to conflict is one of humility that doesn't avoid, but rather seeks to restore the relationship in a way that honors God and is loving toward the other person.

The Book of Romans is considered by many to be the clearest and most thorough explanation of the Gospel in scripture. It has influenced many game-changers of the faith, including Martin Luther and John Wesley. This letter makes clear that salvation is by faith alone and, as Paul writes in chapter one, demonstrates that the Gospel "is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes."

In Romans 1, Paul makes the case that God has made Himself plainly known through his creation so that men are without excuse. Modern scientific findings show a remarkable level of fine-tuning in the universe, suggesting an infinite and extremely intelligent creator God.

Romans 1 teaches that God has made himself known through his creation, but that people suppress the truth with their bias. From the fine-tuning of the universe down to the DNA of cells, the breathtaking design of the universe strongly suggests an infinite intelligent creator, one whom we can know personally if we turn to Him.

Romans 1 claims that God has made truth evident within us and can be plainly seen, though some people suppress the truth in unrighteousness. One way God has made truth evident within people is the universal values of morality and free will, but some naturalists and Darwinists today argue that these things do not exist--although they themselves are unable to live consistently with these beliefs. We should critically examine these ideas and seek a worldview that accurately describes our observations and allows us to live in a way that is in harmony of our worldview, rather than forcing us to adopt two conflicting sets of beliefs and values.

Paul addresses unrighteous judgment between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Such judgment is hypocritical since all have fallen short of God's perfect standard and are saved by faith alone, from first to last. This teaching has application for today, since we are not immune to judging others by our own standards and Christians do not always have the best reputation in this area.

Paul explains humanity's problem with God--that all have fallen short of God's perfect standard and deserve judgment. Now he transitions to explaining God's solution to our problem: forgiveness through faith in Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. When we place our trust in Christ we are freely forgiven and can enjoy humble unity with one another.

Paul uses the Old Testament to demonstrate that salvation is by faith and not by works. He cites the life of Abraham who, the Bible says, was found righteous because of his faith, not because of his good deeds, obedience to the law, or following rituals. It is the same today; we are saved when we put our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. We are saved by faith, from first to last.

Paul explains that the reason all are sinners is that we are all descendants of Adam and inherit spiritual death through him. However, when we choose to begin a relationship with God, we are placed "in Christ" instead, and inherit Christ's righteousness and then spiritual life and can begin to be changed from the inside out.

Paul describes the process of spiritual growth for the Christian. Just as we cannot be reconciled to God through our works, neither can we grow spiritually through self-effort. Rather, we must know what our new identity in Christ means is true of us, consider it true of ourselves as an act of faith, and present ourselves to God for His purposes.

Paul summarizes spiritual growth, explaining that we are no longer slaves under the law, but free under grace. We should focus not on our performance or feelings, but on what God has already done and who we are in Christ. Focusing on the former will lead to failure and despair, but as we focus on the latter we gradually begin to see our felt condition line up more and more with our true position in Christ.

Paul describes the futility of trying to live under the law. Living under law brings us to a place of despair and the realization that we are helpless to change ourselves. Freedom comes only by ceasing to strive to follow the law and instead, living under grace in dependence on God to transform us into more Christ-like people.

After explaining the role of the law and how it leads to bondage when we try to live by it, Paul now describes a life of freedom as we live by the Spirit--one that delights in spending time with God and enjoys a relationship of love and trust with our heavenly father.

Paul explains that God uses suffering in the life of the Christian to break away the outer man so that the Spirit can shine through us. Though unpleasant, when we take a godly perspective on suffering and draw near to God in trust and humility, he can use suffering to refine our character and make us more effective in ministry.

In this difficult passage, Paul explains God's sovereignty. While some interpret this chapter to mean that people do not have free will to choose whether to turn to God, a closer reading shows us that Paul is speaking of God's sovereign choices in regards to nations he uses - in this case, the largely Gentile church - over the nation of Israel.

Paul addresses pressing questions in the mind of his audience: Why do most Jews reject Jesus? Has God's plan failed? How should Jews and Gentiles be viewed today? While some Christians suggest God has rejected Israel and replaced it with the Church, these chapters of Romans show that God is working through Gentiles for a time, but will one day move his focus back to the Jews, for God always keeps His promises.

In contrast to the Old Testament sacrificial system, Paul calls on believers to worship by presenting their lives as living sacrifices to God. This second decision is not about salvation, but choosing to be all in for God and experiencing the full benefits of the Christian life.