Section 4
Finally, Romans unfolds to us that God is ex pressed in the church life (Rom. 16). The Body of Christ is spiritual and universal. It has to be expressed practically in various localities as churches. God is expressed in Christ, Christ is expressed in His Body, and the Body of Christ is expressed in the churches. As we come to Ro mans 16, we discover that God is in the local churches. On the one hand God is in our spirit; on the other hand He is in all the local churches.
THE CONSUMMATION
OF GOD'S WORK
In Romans 1 we find the word "creation"; in Romans 16 we find the word "churches." It is quite easy to say how God created: He spoke the word, and creation came into being. However, it is difficult to say how He produced the churches. God had to perform a work in various stages as part of a lengthy process which included redemption, justification, reconciliation, regen eration, sanctification, transformation, confor mation, and glorification. As a result of this lengthy process, God has made the churches. The churches are the peak, the consummation, of God's work and building. He cannot go any higher. Therefore, the book of Romans ends with