Good morning,
The book of Romans teaches us about the doctrines of salvation, justification, and sanctification. Chapter one reveals Paul’s passion for what he does. He shares with us ten attitudes or marks of true spiritual service. Then he explains about God’s wrath concerning sin.
The sins referred to in verses 18-32 were all committed in the Book of Genesis and caused a worldwide flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. They exist today. Since God has not changed, He still condemns these sins and will bring judgment to those that do them.
Be warned.
Today we will look at verses 1-17.
Paul’s greeting (1:1-7)
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 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.
Ten attitudes/marks of true spiritual service (1:8-17)
a. A thankful spirit (1:8)
b. Concerned about others (1:9)
c. Willing spirit to pray (1:9)
d. Submissive spirit (1:10)
e. Loving spirit (1:11)
f. Humble spirit (1:12)
g. Fruitful spirit (1:13)
h. Responsibility (1:14)
i. Ready to preach (1:15)
j. Not ashamed of the gospel of Christ (1:16)
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
As we read these verses, how many of these attitudes and marks of true spiritual service are we performing? A good starting point would be to ask if we are a servant of Jesus Christ and separated unto the gospel?
God did not write the Bible as a book for reading, but as a book for doing. Its principles are helping us know what to do in the service of our Lord Jesus.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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