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December 7th
The bible reading today is in Romans 1-3 and Acts 20:1-3.
Some noteworthy facts about the book of Romans...
1. The writer of the book of Romans was Paul...he wrote it from Corinth during his third missionary journey.
2.The church in Rome was experiencing a season of peace since it would be several years before Ceasar Nero would burn Rome to the ground and blame the followers of Jesus for the crime...which led to murderous persecution of the church in Rome. Obviously, God would use the letter to strengthen the church for what lay ahead.
3. The church in Rome was probably started by some of Paul’s converts during his three missionary journeys.
4. By the date of Paul’s writing, the church in Rome was made up of Jews and Gentiles...primarily Gentiles.
5. Some have said that Romans was a survey of Paul’s theology. And if it was, it was not complete. Nowhere in Romans does Paul teach on Communion, the Resurrection, or the Last Days and Second Coming of Christ. However, Paul’s teaching on the doctrines of sin and judgment and salvation in Christ is unequaled in detail and thorough explanation.
6. The impact of Romans on spiritual leaders of the past is also notable...
In May of 1738, a failed missionary to the American Colonies reluctantly went to a small bible study where someone read aloud Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans.
The failed missionary was John Wesley...and the Roman’s reading particularly dealt with the change that God wrought in the heart of a man who placed his faith in Christ. John Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed”.
That night, in London, John Wesley trusted “in Jesus alone” for his salvation, and an assurance was given to him that his sins had been taken away. “
Martin Luther’s spiritual life was greatly impacted by the book of Romans too. The monk, Luther, taught biblical studies at the seminary in Wittenburg Germany. One day he meditated in Ps 31:1...”In thy righteousness deliver me.” This puzzled him. How could a righteous God deliver sinners? Sinners deserve condemnation at the hands of a righteous God.
Then Luther kept thinking on Romans 1:17 ”...he who through faith is righteous shall live.”
That passage from Paul became the gate to heaven itself for Luther. The monk Martin was saved that night and the reformation was begun in his heart...by way of the message of Paul to the Romans.
Continuing in the reading...“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”
