Romans 8
Hello COAH,
As we will be preaching through Romans 8 for the next four weeks, I encourage you to take some time to read the first 7 chapters of this wonderful letter. Everything written in this letter comes back to Paul’s thesis in Romans 1:16-17 which says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” We must always remember this as we are reading through Romans.
This letter addresses in depth the reality of humanity outside of Christ, the importance and meaning of justification by faith, and how the Christian must live knowing that we have been saved, not by our own works but by the grace of Christ alone. In His mercy and love, we now have the power of God, which is the gospel.
To encourage you to read Romans, here are some tips on how to approach this letter. On one of John Piper’s “Ask Pastor John” episodes, he suggests trying to find answers to five questions that will help to read and understand Romans.
First question: What was my condition before Christ saved me? In other words, what would be my condition now if God had not powerfully moved in my life to save me? We must let Scripture answer this question rather than from our experience.
Second question: What did God do to save me from that condition? We need to know what God did for us.
Third question: What did God do in me to save me? God reveals what He has done in each of us by His Spirit and sovereign grace. This question addresses how the gospel has transformed us.
Fourth question: how then should I live? What does my life look like if I was saved like that? By what power can I live this life? The gospel is the power of God that helps us defeat sin and live the Christian life. Answering this question gives us insight as to how we should conduct ourselves with those around us; family, friends, church members, neighbours, co-workers, strangers, and even enemies.
Fifth question: What does God have in store for me? This addresses our future. As we walk in the Spirit in this life, what is the future hope we have in God?
By no means is this THE only way to read Romans. But as you do, I pray that you will be encouraged when God answers these questions through His Word. May you approach His Word with humility to hear, listen, and obey. And may each of us be captivated by the gospel; that individually, and as a church, we may be filled with this gospel and the love of Christ.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim