No Shame

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world... For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Paul writes from joy and debt: thankful for active faith, unhindered by hindrance, and unashamed of a gospel that is the very power of God.

Jesus Is King of Kings

It has been a rather eventful week. I received a text message about 10:00 on Tuesday night from someone within the church asking, "Give me some words of encouragement, Pastor." I responded, "Jesus is the King of kings." He is on the throne, and we need to recognize, as His people, that His kingdom is different from the kingdoms of this world.

This last Wednesday I taught the seniors' Bible study from John 19, where Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate. The Jewish leaders informed Pilate that Jesus was calling Himself a King, seeking to make Him appear to be an insurrectionist—which He was not. When Pilate pressed, Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were of this world, then would My servants fight." It is vital that we, who are part of the kingdom of God by grace through faith, recognize our dual citizenship. Our earthly citizenship may be of a nation, but our eternal citizenship is of heaven.

Some people are bothered by the election results this last week, both nationally and locally; some are rejoicing. In a crowd this big, there are some of both. But Jesus is on the throne. He raises up one and puts down another; promotion comes from the Lord. God has allowed the leaders that are leading us as a people for such a time as this. I posted an article on our website titled "God voted Obama," and some people didn't like it. But ultimately God chooses who will lead. We should never, ever trust in an earthly politician—salvation is of the Lord.

Consider that Paul is writing to a church in the capital city of one of the most wicked regimes that ever existed. About ten years after writing this letter, Paul himself would be beheaded by decree of Caesar Nero for proclaiming the gospel. And yet in chapters 12 through 15, Paul exhorts these very Christians to obey those placed over them in authority, recognizing that they have been placed there by God. That was a hard pill to swallow then, and maybe it is for us now. I am praying for President Obama, who inherited a really bad economy and has a lot of work to do, and we need a lot of prayer as a people and a nation. But the gospel of Jesus Christ is far better than politics. I am looking for the day when Washington is not our biggest concern at all.

Thanksgiving of Supreme Importance

In Romans 1, Paul is laying the groundwork for what he will say to a young church filled largely with new believers who had no common heritage or cultural background. As I've prepared to teach Romans again, I'd forgotten just how weighty each of these verses is. My planned timetable may be a little ambitious—I had said we'd finish by May or June of next year, but that's very unlikely. Amen, we have until Jesus comes back.

In verse 8 Paul says, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." Several important things stand out. First, thanksgiving to God should be of supreme importance to us, as it was to the apostle Paul. We will soon celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday, which is fitting and good, but it is sad we only do that one day a year, and sadder that it is often preempted by football and turkey. Our days should always begin with thanksgiving. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Paul writes, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

One reason Israel came under God's judgment was their lack of thanksgiving; they failed to recognize all that God had given them. To be thankful means we take time to observe and examine what we have. Notice, too, that proper thanksgiving is made through Jesus Christ—He is the only acceptable channel. And thanksgiving should be specific, for who God is and what He has done. Paul gives thanks for faith. Are we thankful for the faith of our children, family members, neighbors, and co-workers? There is rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents; heaven gives thanks for saving faith, and so did Paul.

Faith That Becomes Newsworthy

It's interesting that Paul gives thanks for faith, because faith is a gift. As I mentioned last week, Romans 12:3 says God has dealt to every man a measure of faith. I believe God has planted a seed of faith in the heart of every human being. But that faith must grow into saving faith—trust and confidence in the King of kings—and faith grows by the fertilizing effect of the word of God, for "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

This is why Paul exhorts us in Romans 10 to preach the gospel, quoting Isaiah, "How beautiful are the feet of them that proclaim the good news." Now, feet aren't all that beautiful to us—we keep shoes and socks on them. But in Middle Eastern cultures, especially among Arab and Jewish peoples, feet are considered one of the vilest, dirtiest parts of the body. You may remember the Iraqi people striking Saddam's statue with their shoes, or the shoe thrown at President Bush—deeply offensive acts. Remember Jesus washing His disciples' feet, the lowest servant's job that none of them would do. So when Scripture says, "How beautiful are the feet of them that bring good news," the awesome reality is that the gospel is so glorious it makes even the dirtiest part of us glorious. He transforms us by the gospel.

But what is it about the Romans' faith that could be newsworthy, spoken of throughout the whole world? I suggest that faith becomes newsworthy when it moves those who have it to action. Faith that is mere mental acknowledgment has little consequence, but faith that becomes active by works is truly newsworthy. The proof that belief has become reality is how it transforms day-to-day practice. In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul gives thanks remembering "your work of faith, your labor of love, your patience of hope." James 2 asks, "What does it profit, my brethren, though a man says he has faith and has not works? ... show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

We are not saved by works, but we are saved for good works, and the works of faith prove it is vital and real. These Roman believers were transformed in how they lived; they had become the light of God in a very dark place. As Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world... Let your light therefore so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Peter calls us "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, God's own peculiar people," called forth to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

God Is My Witness

In verse 9 Paul writes, "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." The idea of God being one's witness is exceedingly important, because we can easily fall into a practical deism—living as though God is far away and uninterested in the affairs of our lives. When elections don't go the way you hoped and you start to freak out, you need to be reminded: God is here, right now, in the midst of this. The fear some Christians have indicates they've failed to recognize that God is here with us. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit; Christ in us is the hope of glory.

Paul prayed without ceasing—he practiced what he preached. He lived bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, anxious for nothing, letting his requests be made known to God, so that the peace of God guarded his heart and mind in Christ Jesus. In a world filled with trials and persecution, he could have peace, because Jesus said, "In the world you will have much trouble, but in Me you might have peace... I have overcome the world."

Paul served God in spirit, not according to the letter of the Law, set free by the gospel to serve in spirit and truth. His service was a spiritual act of worship. As he writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whatsoever you do, whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God." Every aspect of life, even the mundane, can be worship—eating a meal, drinking a bottle of water, even driving in traffic on the 15 Freeway, if it is done unto the glory of God. We often filter worship through coming to a building on Sunday morning, but worship is far broader.

Why restate that he serves God in the gospel? Twenty times in the first nine verses Paul references God and Jesus Christ. Roman culture, heavily influenced by Greek paganism, had an abundance of gods, yet Paul emphasizes that there is one God whom we serve—one God who is holy and powerful, who extends grace and a calling, who must be proclaimed among all nations, who loves us and grants peace by forgiveness, whom we serve and pray to without ceasing. God is supreme. He is to be worshipped.

Prayer, the Overlooked Service

Paul says, "I make mention always of you in my prayers." Prayer is one of the ways we serve God, yet it is one of the most overlooked. Because of Christ's work, we have access before God, the King of kings, at any time; His throne of grace is open to us. We can pray for our own daily bread and also for the needs of others—those right around us or on the other side of the world. There was a study—and remember, 80% of statistics are made up on the spot—that found the majority of even pastors pray a maximum of seven minutes a day, not including grace before meals. If prayer is a service in God's kingdom, it is one of the most overlooked.

Paul's prayers were specific. Though he didn't know everyone in the church at Rome, he brought them before God, interceding on their behalf. And he prayed that God would make a way for him to come and minister there. He longed not just to see them but to impart a spiritual gift to strengthen and establish them—and even then it was mutual. He says he wanted to be "comforted together with you by our mutual faith." One of the great experiences in visiting other believers is the mutual encouragement that comes. You go on a mission trip intending to bless people, and you almost feel guilty because you are so blessed in the process. Paul wanted to minister in Rome knowing he would be blessed when he did.

God-Ordained Hindrances

In verse 13 Paul writes, "I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, but was hindered." He had not only prayed but actually endeavored to visit, yet a door had been closed. To this point Paul had been on three missionary journeys through modern-day Turkey, Greece, and Macedonia. He would eventually reach Rome, but not as he expected—he would arrive as a prisoner under Roman guard.

Here is an important truth: hindrances in life and ministry are often God-ordained and purposeful. We get frustrated when everywhere we turn we cannot get where we want to go, yet God is doing a work. In Acts 16, the Spirit of God kept Paul from going into Asia Minor; surely part of Paul was exceedingly frustrated. And I am thankful Paul was hindered from reaching Rome to this point—would we even have this letter had he simply walked over there? The God-ordained hindrance inspired the authoring of this very epistle.

This is why we need verses like Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." That's hard for us, especially the type-A personality who has to fix it and make it happen. Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps." Pastor Pat used to have a magnet on his filing cabinet—"Man plans and God laughs." We can go kicking and screaming, or we can say, "Lord, Your will be done." In 1 Thessalonians 3:11 Paul prays, "Now God Himself our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you." Lord, You make it happen; I lay it before You.

A Debtor to Preach the Gospel

Why was Paul so vehement to reach Rome? Verse 14: "I am a debtor both to Greeks, and to Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also." Paul counted himself in debt to share the gospel—obligated, "I must do this."

Why a debtor? First, because freely he received, so freely he ought to give (Matthew 10:8); he had received a great gift intended for all humanity, so he had to carry it to those who had not heard. Second, because God loved the whole world (John 3:16), and the love of Christ compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14). Third, because he had been given an apostolic call and commission to go. We are debtors too, obligated to carry this gift to those who have not received it. The illustration has been used many times because it works: if you found the cure for cancer, it would be a crime not to share it. We have been given the cure for sin and death in Christ Jesus, and it is a sin to hoard it.

The question is whether we are ready. Have we studied to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth? Paul charges Timothy, "Preach the word; be ready in season, and out of season." Paul was ready to preach, ready to go wherever God willed, ready to do hard and unpleasant work, and ready to die—"I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." He was ready because he had prepared.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Then comes this great statement in verse 16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Every one of us knows the temptation to be ashamed of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul says the gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing—to the Greek mind, a stumbling block. The idea that God became a man, gave Himself for our sins on the cross, died, was buried, and rose the third day is absolute absurdity to many. Yet Paul says it is the power of God unto salvation, because "the foolishness of God is wiser than men." God knows what He is doing.

Underline those words: "for every one that believes." John 3:16 says God so loved the world that whoever believes in Him should have everlasting life. This phrase is perhaps our biggest contention with those who hold a reformed soteriology, which says salvation is only for a group God has elected—not for whosoever will. Let me be clear: we here at Cross Connection do not hold to that reformed position. Some within our church may, and we will not pick a fight or kick anyone out over it, but our position is this: whosoever will, may come.

Our position is Romans 3:22, "the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." It is Romans 10: "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him." Romans has much to say about predestination and election, which we will address as we go, but it must always be filtered through these same verses from the same book.

The implication is that, because salvation is available to all humanity, we are compelled to preach the gospel to all humanity in every place. This is why Paul was compelled toward Rome, calling himself a debtor to Greeks and Barbarians—and "Barbarians" simply means Gentile foreigners, not cavemen. The gospel is for all peoples, in every place, at every time. Although Jesus came to the Jew first, by the line of Abraham, the gospel is not just for Israel. We wholeheartedly affirm the availability of salvation to all who call on the Lord. We preach to everybody, because all sinners need salvation, and the gospel is the power of God to bring salvation to everyone who believes.

The Just Shall Live by Faith

Verse 17: "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Those who are justified are justified by faith, not by the works of the Law, which we'll examine over the coming weeks. Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4, "The just shall live by faith."

These words are quoted three times in the New Testament—here in Romans, in Galatians 2, and in Hebrews 10—and each place emphasizes a different part. In Romans, the focus is the just: those who are justified by grace through faith. In Galatians, the focus is live: we not only are saved by faith but live by faith. In Hebrews, the focus is faith itself—the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," without which it is impossible to please God, "for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek Him." "The just shall live by faith"—the rallying cry of the church. Jesus paid it all; all to Him we owe. Sin had left its crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your grace; we thank You that, as we will see in Romans 1 and 2, there is nothing we could do to make ourselves right, nothing we could do to save ourselves—but Jesus, You made the way. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift You offer is eternal life. Thank You for salvation, Jesus. Thank You that You have made the way open and call to us, "Whosoever will, let him come." Thank You for the work that we ourselves could not do. And Lord, would You compel us by Your love to share the gospel of grace with others. Use us to be Your ambassadors this week, we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.