Tues.’s Devo - Paul’s Introduction

Romans 1:1-7 I have been drawn to Romans lately so I thought that might be a good place to go next. I think we have a Western church view of sin and righteousness so I’m excited to see what the Word really says about all that. Paul wrote Romans as he was ending his third missionary journey. He had been a Christian for 21 years so he was a mature follower by now. He probably wrote this while he was in Corinth. He had not yet been to Rome but was anticipating visiting there. He is writing this epistle to introduce himself to the Christians in Rome. Romans is full of profound theological truths. He isn’t addressing problems since he hasn’t been there, but he is giving them a general teaching about the righteousness of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul begins by telling us that he is an apostle which by the Strong’s definition is a delegate of Christ with miraculous powers. This would describe Paul to a tee. As soon as he introduces himself he turns the attention to Jesus. He explains that Jesus’ appearance was promised all through the Old Testament. When he came, he was from the line of David through Mary, but also from God which gave him God’s power and holiness. And because of God’s power in him, he was able to raise from the dead. In that day to be an apostle you had to have actually seen the risen Christ. Paul saw him on the way to Damascus so he was an eye-witness that Jesus rose from the dead and lives. Paul explains to them that they are also called to be his. I only know a few people that have had encounters with God and actually saw God, but most of us have accepted Jesus by mere faith. I think God would say to us what he said to Thomas: blessed are they who have not seen and still believe. Lord, thank you for the gift of faith to believe you even though we have never seen you with our eyes.