Week 43: Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Week 43: Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Paul’s Letter to the Romans, although a genuine letter, is also a kind of Christian manifesto of freedom through Jesus Christ. It is the fullest and grandest statement of the gospel in the New Testament. It proclaims freedom from the wrath of God revealed against all ungodliness, freedom from “the dark little dungeon of our own ego” (Malcolm Muggeridge), freedom from ethnic conflict, freedom from death and the fear of death, freedom from pain and decay in the future redeemed universe, and freedom to live in love for God and our neighbor.
Romans has also had an enormous influence on the church, not least at the time of the Reformation. Luther called it “really the chief part of the New Testament, and … truly the purest gospel.” Calvin added that if we understand it, “we have an open door to all the most profound treasures of Scripture.” And William Tyndale, the father of the English Bible, described it as “the principal and most excellent part of the New Testament … and also a light and a way in unto the whole Scripture.”
Above all, it contains Paul’s own commitment to the gospel. In verses 14–16 of the first chapter he writes, “I am obligated…. I am eager…. I am not ashamed of the gospel.” May we experience the same eagerness!
Sunday: Universal Sin and Guilt
Monday: Divine Demonstration in the Cross
Tuesday: Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
Wednesday: The Steadfast Love of God
Thursday: God’s Plan for Jews and Gentiles
Friday: Transformed Relationships
Saturday: The Weak and the Strong