[3] LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES – Romans

JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

 Read Romans Chapters 2 ─ 3

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Romans 3:20 NIV

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 Paul speaks especially to the Jewish believers in these chapters. He teaches them the reality that every human being has sinned in God’s sight. Some are obviously sinners by the wicked deeds they do – but then he goes on to tell them that they too have transgressed God’s laws.

The only hope for all of mankind is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He wrote, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (3:22-24)

These new believers needed to be taught that just as they had received Christ by faith, now they needed to live their lives in that same faith. A truly righteous life would not come from observing the law, but by trusting in the Son of God who wrote the law.

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 Thank you Lord, that in spite of my sin, You paid the price on the cross so that I could live an abundant Christian life by faith. Help me to apply this truth to everything I do for my family, in my church and out in the world – that in everything I would trust in You.

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 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.  Romans 3:27 NIV

ROMANS

[2] LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES

ENCOURAGEMENT

Read Romans 1:1-19

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong– that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith Romans 1:11-12 NIV

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The church at Rome was established by Jewish believers who came to faith at Pentecost. (Acts 2) Paul wrote them this letter to encourage them and build them up in a full understanding of the Truth. He also encouraged them to build each other up through the abilities God had given them.

 

Reports of the ongoing spread of the gospel brought tremendous encouragement to Paul. He said, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” Romans 1:8 NIV

Paul had suffered much for preaching that Jesus …was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead… (1:4) But in spite of this he said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (1:16)

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Dear Lord, grant me the ability to share my faith, realizing that it is not my ability to convince, but the power of the Holy Spirit that will bring men to faith. Help me to be a source of encouragement to other believers.

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For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17 NIV