Category Archives: Romans

Romans Review

Here’s an acrostic of Romans to remind us about some of the big things we learn from Paul’s letter. The R in Romans is for rich. Romans doesn’t teach us this, but it’s certainly something we learn from spending time in the book. It is one of the richest books in Scripture.  What makes it that way? Continue reading “Romans Review”

Let’s Work Together

The disciples at Rome were having trouble accepting each other (15:7). From what Paul says in 14:1ff, it’s clear that their challenges arose not from the kinds of things we’re used to hearing about causing church divisions (doctrinal issues, personality problems, or squabbles about preachers)—but rather over matters that flowed from their different cultures.  AsContinue reading “Let’s Work Together”

Hidden in Plain Sight

It’s the person looking for glasses that are perched atop their head or someone searching for keys that are still in the door. Paul tells us in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” A familiar verse—so familiar that it contains somethingContinue reading “Hidden in Plain Sight”

Finishing with a Flourish

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!    How unsearchable his judgments,    and his paths beyond tracing out!   “Who has known the mind of the Lord?    Or who has been his counselor?”   “Who has ever given to God,    that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things.    To him be theContinue reading “Finishing with a Flourish”

Election and God’s Righteousness

Going from Romans 8 to Romans 9 is kind of like going from your favorite weather to your least favorite weather. It’s like going from your birthday to April 15 (unless April 15 is your birthday). It’s like going from a world of chocolate—to no chocolate, (Now I have your attention!).  I think our mainContinue reading “Election and God’s Righteousness”

Life in the Spirit

To appreciate what Paul is saying in Romans 8:5-17, a quick review of what’s he’s said so far is helpful. In chapters 1-4, Paul has been concerned with showing us God’s fulfillment of the promises to Abraham through the gospel of Jesus.That’s a mouthful, but it lays down the foundation for Romans by showing us howContinue reading “Life in the Spirit”

Roots and Fruits

In Romans 6, Paul is dealing with a couple of objections he must have encountered more than a time or two in sharing the good news of Jesus with people. The first objection is in v. 1: What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? This goes back toContinue reading “Roots and Fruits”

Stepping into Romans 4

One of the challenges of Romans is that it was written by a man who was essentially a Jewish rabbi before he came to Christ. Then after he surrendered to Him (Acts 22:12-16), he had countless discussions with Jewish people about how Jesus was the fulfillment of everything God had promised through the prophets (26:22-23).Continue reading “Stepping into Romans 4”

Romans and the Atonement

How does God make the world right while maintaining His righteousness? How does He treat a person as if they’ve never sinned when in fact, they have sinned (over and over)? How can He treat the violator of His law the same as the one who keeps it and still maintain both the law andContinue reading “Romans and the Atonement”