FROM A GODS EYE VIEW Romans 1:7 KJV 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. FROM A GODS EYE VIEW As the epistle opens, we are introduced to Gods view of the belivers in Rome. Paul begins with a greeting, which acknowledges that these people have a special place in Gods heart. Pauls Roman brothers and sisters were not called to be apostles, as he had been called, but to be saints, a word that was commonly used for believers back then. The words apostle and saints both carry the idea of being set apart, or called to holiness. Linguistic scholar W. E. Vine says, This sainthood is not an attainment, it is a state into which God in grace calls men. Saints are deeply loved and share in Gods life and mission. Pauls greeting demonstrates his recognition that all believers are members of one body, Gods family. Prior to this, Paul had completed a number of missionary journeys in the eastern Mediterranean region, quite a distance from Rome. He had been planting churches in a number of major metropolitan centers throughout southern and western Asia Minor (present-day Turkey, Greece, and Albania). The Roman Empire indirectly helped to spread the Gospel. Travel throughout the region was fairly easy by the days standards. Roads were good, language was unified, and people were free to travel without fear. Rome was heavy on Pauls heart, but he wouldnt be able to visit the city until the second stage of his church-planting agenda. Though Paul deeply wanted to spend time with these believers, he planned to do so later on his way to Spain. Paul longed to go to Rome both to meet the saints there and to minister to them, but due to other responsibilities, he was prevented from doing so. This letter was his way of serving the believers in Rome even while he was physically absent from them. A letter is still a wonderful way to encourage a friend, build a relationship, and serve the kingdom of God. SOMETHING TO PONDER Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer thoughtfully reminds us, Everything depends upon the FINISHED WORK of Jesus Christ. This is the divine power behind Gods work of grace. God has no alternative plan. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Gods concluding message to a needy, sinful world. Paul discerned that his major mission was to plant the seeds of the Gospel as far and wide as the Spirit would lead him. He saw it as Gods answer to our enslavement to sin, to self, and to Satan. In Christ Jesus, God had entered history as the LAMB OF GOD, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING Saint Augustine: Here again [in Romans 1:7] Paul has emphasized Gods grace rather than the saints merit, for he does not say to those loving God but rather to Gods beloved.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 04:09:55 +0000