Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
Today our Bible Reading also includes the second half of the explanation of Romans by the folks at The Bible Project. Check out that video below. They do a wonderful job showing how Paul weaves all the chapters together to tell the beautiful story of the Gospel.
This morning as I read chapter 5, I’m simply amazed at the grace of God. Sin entered the world through one man (Adam) and yet because of the grace of God, we are able to be justified of that sin by one man (Jesus). I love how Paul puts it in verse 19,
“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:19
In the moments where I feel far away from God and more like Adam than like Christ – I love how Paul reminds me that, “where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” (5:20b) Thank you Lord, for your unconditional love and extravagant grace.
In these last few chapters Paul has been trying to help his Jewish readers understand that their circumcision isn’t a badge of honor or some ticket to heaven. He continues in that conversation here in chapter four. Verse 10 & 11 remind us that circumcision wasn’t the way in which they were justified – but a symbol of their heart transformation. In the same way, my baptism isn’t a badge of honor. My baptism is not proof of my salvation. It’s an outward symbol of a heart transformation that already took place. It’s simply as a sign or a “seal” as verse 11 says in the NIV. As we see in verse 16, we are saved by faith – not by works. My baptism is not my salvation. Just as the Jews couldn’t hold their cicumcision over the heads of the Gentiles – neither can I hold growing up my entire life in a church over someone else’s head. We are all sinners who can be saved by the amazing grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Today as we open God’s Word we jump right into the deep end of theology. Much of this section of Paul’s letter is dealing with the problem of human sin and the righteousness of God. God is holy. He is perfect. He is other. We are his creation and we are made in his image – yet we are given free will. As a result – we used our freedom to disobey God. Romans 3:9-18 gives us a clear picture of the depravity of the human situation. Both Romans 2 and 3 talk much about the law and our great need for a savior.
The powerful thing about God’s Word is that it’s living and active. Because the Holy Spirit indwells inside the believer – He can help us see scripture with fresh eyes every time we read it. I love how the Lord helps me see something new and learn something every time I read it. This morning as I read Romans 2 & 3 again the one phrase that sticks in my heart is Romans 2:4, “Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” That is Good News! The omnipotent, omnipresent, omniseint God of the universe – the one who is above all could have chosen to let us stay in our sin. But because of his great love for us and his unfailing kindness – he leads us to repentance through the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Nathan Neighbors 