The Consummation Of The Gospel— The Practical Church Life
THE CONSUMMATION
OF THE GOSPEL— THE PRACTICAL CHURCH LIFE
There are eight sections of the book of Ro mans: introduction, condemnation, justification, sanctification, glorification, selection, transfor mation, and the last section, the conclusion (15:14—16:27). In this last section of Romans Paul shows us some experiential and practical matters. He presents a full unveiling of the ulti mate consummation of the gospel. I use the word "unveiling" because so many of the precious things have been veiled. I want to point out some of the treasures that are hidden and concealed in the last section of Romans.
None of Paul's other epistles has such a long conclusion as does the letter to the Romans. Why is the conclusion so long? I doubt that any of us would compose a letter in this way. However, Paul was wise and deep, knowing that after the section on transformation he still needed to pre sent the ultimate consummation of God's gos pel—the practical church life. Furthermore, he