Romans Unveiled
Introduction
Why should you study the book of Romans?
Paul’s epistle to the Romans is one of the most systematic explanations of God’s sovereign plan for salvation that you will find in all of Scripture. He covers every aspect of our redemption, justification, and sanctification. He explains in great detail why we need to be saved, how we can be declared righteous before God, and how to overcome our sinful nature so that we might live the victorious Christian life. One added feature that is so important in this epistle is how the Apostle Paul wrote of his own personal struggle with his obedience to God’s law. And not only that, but he also revealed how he personally overcame this struggle and found freedom and victory over his sin nature. In very practical terms, Paul explained how we ought to live out our Christian lives by loving one another, even in the difficult times of life. He also revealed God’s purpose and plan for the Jewish people, and the Lord’s faithful intention to fulfill His promises to them, and to save His chosen people at the end of time. If there is one New Testament epistle you should want to fully understand and apply in your life - it is this one!
One specific reason Paul wrote this epistle
The most obvious reason Paul penned this systematic presentation of the gospel was because he did not know if he would ever actually get to visit Rome in person. This lack of assurance was based on the fact that as he traveled to Jerusalem certain prophets within the churches he visited along the way told him that bonds and afflictions awaited him. Luke recorded Paul’s own words when he declared, “Now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:22–24). Therefore, while Paul was still in Corinth, he wrote this epistle sometime between 57-58 CE, which was at the end of his third missionary journey. This epistle revealed just how much Paul loved the people of God, and wanted them to have a complete knowledge of the truth, and the practical understanding concerning how God would transform their lives.
Romans 1:1-18
Paul’s introduction and greeting (1:1-7)
Paul wrote, “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:1-7).
A bondslave of Jesus Christ (Vs. 1)
Paul began this epistle by first declaring himself to be a bondservant of Jesus Christ, which literally meant that he saw himself chiefly as a slave of Jesus, and one who had chosen to serve his Master out of love. This was a powerful recognition of how Paul saw himself. This concept of a bondslave came from an Old Testament teaching where Moses commanded the people of God, “Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them: if you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever” (Ex. 21:1-6). Therefore, a bondslave was a servant by choice, because he loved his master and wanted to serve him the rest of his life.
Do you realize that God desires you to also become His bondslave? This position was not just for the Apostle Paul, but for all who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and who want to commit their lives to His service. Paul declared this fact when he wrote to the slaves and free men during the first century. He declared, “For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men” (1 Cor. 7:22-23). Paul saw himself as a debtor to Christ, because he realized that Jesus had purchased him from the slave market of sin. This is why Paul chose to serve Jesus all the rest of his days (Rom. 8:12). So, is this the attitude of your heart? Have you presented yourself to Him as His bondslave? No one can force you to make this decision. You must make this choice willingly within your own heart.
Called as an apostle
The word apostle means a messenger who is sent out to declare the message of the King of Kings. Paul was called directly by Jesus Himself on the road to Damascus to be His messenger of the good news of the Kingdom of God (Acts 9:1-9).
Separated to the gospel
Paul also declared that he was separated to the gospel of God. The word separated means to be set apart. In other words, Paul believed that God had set him apart for a specific purpose, which was to preach the message of the good news of the grace of God. Paul told us how he came to this conclusion when God had spoken to him through one of the prophets in Antioch. Luke recorded, “Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’” (Acts 13:1-2).
It is important to note that Paul declared to the Romans, “You also are the called of Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:6). If you are a believer in Jesus, you too are a called one, whom God has chosen for a specific service in the church. Do you know what your gifts are, and how He would have you use them? What has God separated you for and called you to do in His kingdom? Jesus taught that every disciple of His should, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Testifying to others of God’s grace in your life is one of the most basic aspects of His calling upon your life (Mark 5:19).
However, there are also specific gifts God has given to all believers. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been given to each one of us. He said, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” (1 Cor. 12:4-7). Don’t miss what Paul said in these verses. He declared that, “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one.” This means that you have at least one spiritual gift! So, what is the gifting God has given to you, and are you exercising your gifting for the profit of others? If you are unsure about what your gifts might be, or how to use them in the kingdom, then you should take this topic to God in prayer, and get some counsel from your pastor as to how you might know these gifts.
The gospel that Paul preached was promised by the prophets (Vs. 2)
Paul then reminded the Romans that this gospel was not a message that he invented, or that had originated in his mind. He wanted to make sure that everyone knew that the gospel he preached was not promoting some new doctrine, but was in total harmony with the predictions of the prophets of the Old Testament. Now you might ask, where do the prophets predict the coming of the gospel? One of the best passages that reveals the coming gospel is found when God called Abraham to come into the land of Israel. God promised to Abraham, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:2-3). The word families in verse 3 means every ethnic group or clan on the earth, or all nations. Paul commented on this promise to Abraham in Galatians 3:8 saying, “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘in you all nations shall be blessed.’” Note that God does not say that He will only bless the Jewish people and the nation Israel. No! God promised to bless all nations and ethnic groups, which would include the Gentiles. This is how Abraham preached the gospel in the Old Testament. Then the ultimate descendent of Abraham, Jesus Christ, gave this opportunity of blessing to the entire world through His death and resurrection. The work of Christ then opened the door of blessing and salvation to whomever would believe in Him (John 3:16).
In addition, Psalms 86:9 declares that all nations will worship before the Lord one day. In Isaiah 60:3, we are also taught that the Gentiles will come to His light and find His salvation. In Hosea 2:23, God told us that those who were not His people, referring to the Gentiles, would one day be His people. Daniel also shared that in the end times all peoples and nations will come and worship before the Lord (Dan. 7:14). All these Old Testament passages are clearly proclaiming that the gospel of grace was promised to all nations. I’m so thankful that God loves each and every one of us, and has opened the door of salvation to all who will believe.
The gospel is specifically concerning one man, Jesus. (Vs. 3-4)
This gospel that Paul preached had its primary focus on one man in two specific ways. Paul wrote that this gospel he had been given to preach was, “concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:3-4). Paul first asserts that Jesus, “Was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.” This declaration was asserting the fact that Jesus was born of a woman, meaning that He was a physical person who came in the family lineage of King David. This was an essential fact for anyone to fulfill the prophecies of Scripture concerning the Messiah. The Messiah must a human being that would one day ride in Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, that He would be killed as a sacrifice for the sins of men, and rise to sit at the right hand of the Father (Zech. 9:9; Is. 53:3-8; Dan. 9:26; Ps. 110:1).
Second, Paul then added that this Jesus was also, “Declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” The word declared means that he was determined, or proven, to be the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead. This man came through the physical family lineage of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and ultimately David. Both Mary’s and Joseph’s lineage were from the house of David, thus again fulfilling the prophetic Scriptures. He was a man, fully human, born like every other man, but more than a mere man; He was also fully God come in human flesh. Jesus proved that He was God by the miracles He did, and also by the greatest miracle of His own resurrection from the dead. His resurrection was the ultimate proof that Jesus was more than just a man, because He had victory over death itself. In John 2:18-19, when Jesus was asked for a sign to prove His authority, He pointed to this ultimate sign and proof when He told them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” The Apostle John commented on this statement by adding that Jesus referred to the temple of His body. So, Jesus declared that His resurrection was the ultimate proof that He was the Son of God, and the Messiah of the Jews, predicted to come in the holy Scriptures.
The resurrection of Jesus is a foundational belief for every Christian. Paul will declare later in this epistle, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10). Therefore, the resurrection is the fundamental proof that Jesus was and is the Messiah foretold in the Scriptures. But also believing this fact is the common foundational belief of all those who are saved. Have you confessed with your mouth, and believed in your heart that God the Father raised His Son Jesus from the dead? Your heart must believe this fact, and your mouth must confess it.
Through whom we received grace (Vs. 5)
Paul goes on to declare that Jesus was also the one who granted him the grace to become obedient to the faith. He wrote that through Jesus, “We have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations” (Rom. 1:5). Note that through Jesus, Paul had received something very important, God’s grace! God’s grace refers to His goodwill, favor, and kindness which are freely given to all those who believe. Paul received the Lord’s favor and kindness that led him to repentance (Rom. 2:4). Notice the word Paul used to describe how he experienced this grace. He received this grace! He didn’t say that he achieved God’s grace through his good works or personal efforts. Why would this word achieved be objectionable and abhorrent to Paul? Because receiving is the nature of grace, and the only way you may ever obtain God’s favor and goodwill. There is nothing you can ever do in order to achieve His grace; you can only receive it. One of my favorite verses in this epistle is one where Paul explained the absolute necessity of receiving grace, and what the results would be if you do receive it. He taught, “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17). Note again the usage of this word received. I say again, there is no access to God’s grace except by receiving it by faith (Rom. 5:1-2). When you do receive it, you will experience the abundance that God offers to those who believe. This grace brings with it the gift of righteousness, which enables you to reign in life. This phrase, to reign in life, means to reign as a king in this life, which describes a triumph over the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Reigning in life is simply Paul’s description of the victorious Christian life, which again may only be experienced by receiving the abundance of God’s grace, and His gift of righteousness. It is also very important to understand that the word receive in Romans 5:17 is in the present tense, which means that you must continually receive this grace daily to experience this victory.
It is absolutely essential that you remember that you may only receive this abundance of grace by faith! Paul made this point so clear to the Galatian church who wanted to return back to following the law. Paul asked this church an important question. He asked them, “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Gal. 3:2). The answer to this question is obvious. There is no work you can accomplish that will allow you to experience the power of the Holy Spirit. You may only receive the Spirit by believing prayer. If you don’t come to God in faith when you pray, you will receive nothing! James declared, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:5-7). Ask for God’s grace in faith, and receive it today!
Paul also declared later in this epistle that only by faith can we access God’s grace. He wrote, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2). Therefore, by faith, receive God’s grace for whatever need you have today. Faith is the key to accessing God’s grace for whatever you need. Don’t miss the abundance of His available grace for you!
Your obedience (Vs. 5)
Paul declared that this grace that he had received is what enabled him to be obedient. But, note what obedience he referred to. It was to be obedient to believe. You must never forget your first obedience is to the faith. To understand Paul’s declaration, you must realize that we are all commanded to believe. This command must be obeyed! When the Philippian jailer asked Paul what he needed to do to be saved, he commanded him, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). This statement is in the imperative in the original language which means that it is a command. It is clear then that we are commanded to believe, which makes faith in God a choice. This is why Paul described grace as enabling him to experience obedience to the faith.
To more fully understand this concept, Paul explained that, “Through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3). This means that each man and woman in this world has a measure of faith, but all men do not have faith in God. Paul revealed this truth when he wrote to the Thessalonian church and asked for prayer. He asked, “Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith” (2 Thess. 3:1-2). But taking this statement at face value, how can Paul then say that all men have been given a measure of faith? Because faith in God is a choice, and some choose to not have faith in God.
So how do all men live by faith? Let me give you some examples. Every person who drives their car down the road must believe that the other person coming the opposite way will stay on their side of the road. If people did not have faith in this fact, they would never drive their car again. All people who shop at a grocery store, believe that the food they purchase is good and does not have poison in the package. Therefore, everyone has a measure of faith, but we choose what and who we will put our faith in. Men either believe in themselves, they trust in some idol that this world has exalted to be pursued, or they choose to believe and obey God. Who do you choose to put your trust in? When you choose to put your faith in Him, God will also give you the grace to be obedient to Him in your behavior. Change in your behavior is a natural result of simply believing in Him! Be assured, this choice to surrender in obedience to believe will enable you to obey Him in every area in your life. Choose to be obedient and believe in Him!
To whom was this epistle written? Vs. 7
Paul finished this introduction with his hope and prayer for all the believers at Rome, and for all who would follow Jesus. He said, “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:7). Paul writes to all these believers with his heart felt desire for them. He expressed his greatest desire for them, that they might experience God’s grace and peace in their lives. Isn’t this also your greatest need before Him? My prayer is that God’s grace and peace would also be multiplied in your life as you study this awesome epistle.
Before we move on from this introduction, I don’t want you to miss two very important thoughts that Paul expresses in these last words. Note how he described these believers. He addressed them as beloved of God and called to be saints. These are two phrases that are very important, because they describe the heart and desire of God for all Christians.
First, Paul addressed the believers as beloved of God. The word beloved is a very intimate word in Greek. It means to be dearly loved and cherished by another. It’s a word reserved for the closest of relationships you might have. Do you realize that God feels this way toward you? Do you believe that you are dearly loved and cherished by Him? Or do you believe that God just puts up with you, but His attention is fixed on others who are more important? If you want to experience a deeper and more intimate relationship with God, you must believe that He cares for you as His dearly loved one. The Apostle John declared that knowing and believing God’s love was a vital part of abiding in Christ and in God. John wrote, “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). Therefore, you must know and believe this testimony given in God’s inspired Word. Why? Because believing that God loves you in this special way is central to your faith in Him. David declared that the reason he trusted in God was because he believed in God’s lovingkindness toward him. He wrote in Psalm 36:7, “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” If you struggle in trusting God, I can assure you that in some way you are questioning God’s love for you. Many times, people come and ask me, “If God is such a loving God as He claims, then why did He allow ________ to come into my life?” This question reveals a tremendous weakness in a person’s relationship with the Father, because they are questioning His character and heart of love toward them. If you want to overcome your weakness in faith and get your heart right before Him, ask Him to show you why you are holding resentment toward Him, and ask His forgiveness. Then ask Him to reveal His lovingkindness toward you. How will He reveal His lovingkindness? Just stop and compare your sin with His great grace. Look long at the cross of Christ, and what He did for you there. If you need counsel over this issue, do so quickly, because the longer you wait the harder your heart will become. I believe the purpose of every communion service you attend is to help you remember His passionate love for you that was displayed at the cross, where He shed His blood!
Second, Paul addressed all these believers as saints of God. What does this mean? The Greek word saints refers to those set apart or sanctified by the work of Christ. The church does not have the authority to declare someone a saint just because they do some great humanitarian work for others, or some miracle they have performed. No man or organization can declare you a saint, because God has already declared every believer a saint. A saint is one who is being sanctified, which simply means that you have been saved and purified from your sins. So, rejoice in the fact that God has declared all those who believe in Jesus as saints. When Jesus commissioned Paul the Apostle, He told him that his ministry would be to the lost and that he would, “Open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18). Note that Jesus explained that those who would receive the forgiveness of sins are those who are sanctified by faith in Him. Therefore, if you have received the forgiveness of your sins, then you are set apart by Jesus as a saint, because you are beloved of God! Rejoice in the position you have in Christ today!
Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer (Vs. 8-14)
Paul now continues on in this epistle by declaring his thankfulness for the testimony of the Christians at Rome, and which was known by the rest of the church. Paul wrote, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Rom. 1:8). What a testimony! He had never been to Rome, but Paul had heard the reports from other believers of the faith of the Roman church. He doesn’t tell us specifically why their faith was so noteworthy, but the fruit of their faith was obvious to all. This testimony of their faith should be a challenge to each of us, and to every church. What kind of testimony do you have? Do others see the reality of your faith, or the lack thereof? What testimony do each of our churches have in our communities? Are we a light at our job, with our friends, and to our family? Our personal testimony is the reason Jesus told the demon possessed man that he healed to, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you” (Mark 5:19). This is where your testimony of faith begins, by just telling others what God has done in your life. The second part of your testimony is where people around you get to see you live out your faith in good times and in bad times. May each of us live out our testimony in both of these ways. These Roman believers had a testimony that was so powerful that it reached around the world. May your testimony reach into the world of someone close to you!
Prayer as a spiritual service (Vs. 9)
Paul goes on in Romans 1:9 to describe his prayer life. He declared, “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.” This is quite a statement revealing the scope of Paul’s prayer life. He continually prayed for this church and for its growth and maturity. From his statement in verse 8 concerning their faith, his prayers were definitely effective. However, most believers struggle with prayer, and consider it one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life. Many believers lack consistency in their prayers, and some lack the confidence that their prayers make any difference at all. How about you? Do you have a daily time of waiting upon the Lord? If not, why not?
I have found after counseling believers for over 50 years that it is a struggle of faith and time. It requires real faith to pray to an unseen God especially when you don’t usually see quick answers to your prayers. It takes even greater faith to pray when you don’t know the people for whom you are praying. Yet Paul prayed without ceasing for the church at Rome, and for people whom he had never even met. How could he do this? It was because he considered his prayers for this church a spiritual service he was rendering to them. Did you know that prayer is a real spiritual service that you can perform every day? I don’t think we believe that prayer is a real service to God, or else the prayer meetings in church would be just as well attended as the preaching services.
The Apostle James taught that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). Many times, we don’t see that our prayer avails much, but our prayers are still doing a tremendous work whether we see something or not! That is what faith is all about. Real faith deals with things that are not seen (Heb. 11:1). I know this is a fact, because several times I have been able to see the results of my persevering prayers. God was working, but I just couldn’t see it. One of the best examples I can give you is my 50 years of prayer for my own mother’s salvation. It was only after she moved into my house, so that my wife and I could care for her, that I realized that God had placed people all around her in her condominium complex who had been witnessing to her. As I was moving her things out of her condominium, I got to meet these people. God had been working, but I just couldn’t see it until that day. Then, just before her death, she ended up calling on the Name of the Lord. So, don’t give up praying for your loved ones. The effectual working of His power through your prayers is a very powerful service you are rendering to the Lord, and to the people you care about. If you truly believe that He is at work when you pray, then you will pray often, and you will pray fervently!
I have also met people who have said to me, “I don’t have any spiritual abilities or gifts. I don’t know what I could do for the Lord.” Many years ago, one man in our church who was blind, had undergone multiple amputations, and was bedridden because of his advanced diabetes, said these exact words to me. I told him, you can pray. Ultimately, this man became the head of our prayer chain and was greatly used of God. He was rendering a spiritual service that I’m sure he is being greatly rewarded for today. Therefore pray, because there is real power in prayer.
Paul believed in the power of prayer, and this is why at the end of this epistle he asked the Romans to pray for him. He wrote, “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. Now the God of peace be with you all” (Rom. 15:30-33). Why did he make this request? Because in Romans 1:13 he told them that he had been hindered from coming to them. Do you ask others to pray for you? If you believe in the power of prayer, then these requests will also come from you, as they did from Paul. I believe that the great success that Paul experienced in his ministry was due to the prayers of God’s people. My encouragement to you is to pray for others, and let them pray for you!
Why did Paul want to visit the Roman church? (Vs. 15-18)
Paul declared, “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:15-18). Paul wanted to visit the Roman church because he wanted to preach the gospel, and to teach the saints there of God’s power to transform their lives. Why?
The gospel reveals God’s power (Vs. 15)
This introductory statement is important to understand, because Paul revealed why he was so eager to preach the gospel. What do I mean? Notice the word for is repeated four times in this section. In these verses Paul revealed the reasons why he was so eager to preach the gospel to them. A good synonym to use in place of the word for would be since or because. Therefore, because of these four reasons Paul was so excited to preach the gospel to them.
First, Paul was eager to preach the gospel, because he was not ashamed of the gospel. Why did Paul bring this issue up? Because many times we are ashamed to preach the gospel to others. Sometimes we are ashamed because we are embarrassed and afraid to be mocked or ridiculed for our beliefs. But in reality, this is being ashamed of the gospel. Believers have told me that they are ashamed to be known as a believer, because Christians are portrayed by the media as foolish, corrupt, and unscientific. This fear is not uncommon. Paul warned Timothy about being ashamed of the gospel because of his fear. He was simply afraid of getting persecuted (2 Tim. 1:6-8). I think that fear is a primary reason why Christians are sometimes ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Think about this, isn’t it fear that holds you back from sharing your faith? Here are two basic reasons why fear can dominate you.
Fear can dominate you because you have no power. In Acts 1:8 it declares that we will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon us, “and you will be My witnesses.” In Acts 4:31 it reveals that when the disciples prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness. The infilling of the Holy Spirit is the source of the boldness that you need to witness. Without that boldness you will be fearful and ashamed. If you sense that you have fear and feel ashamed of the gospel, ask God for the power of His Spirit to come and fill you, empower you, and embolden you to speak His Word. If you do, He will give you power to be His witness!
I have had numerous situations in my life where I was sitting next to someone, and I knew the Lord wanted me to share the gospel with them. I knew that I had the answers they were looking for, and yet I felt ashamed to even bring up the subject of Jesus. Everyone feels like this at times. When this happens to me, I simply pray silently in my heart, “Lord, fill me with Your power right now, and give me boldness to speak.” Instantly I will sense that boldness fill my heart. Therefore, I challenge you to pray when you are in these circumstances. Try it just once and see what happens. You will be touched by the power of God and filled with boldness.
Another reason fear can dominate our hearts is because we just don’t know how to answer people’s questions. However, the Scripture teaches that the righteous man studies how to answer (Prov. 15:28). Christians must study the Word and apologetics so that they might know how to answer the questions that come our way. In 1 Peter 3:15, we are told that we are always to be ready to give an answer for the reason of the hope that lies within us. So, are you ready to give an answer to those who ask? If you have no answers, I assure you that you are going to be afraid to speak up. If you are serious about starting this study, do an internet search for The Big Book of Christian Apologetics: An A-to-Z Guide By: Norman Geisler.
The second reason Paul was so eager to preach the gospel was because the gospel reveals the power of God to save those who will believe it. When you speak or preach the Word of God to others, you are ministering His power to their hearts. His Word and truth have the power to save. In Hebrews 4:12, it declares that the Word of God is quick, and powerful. Don’t try to convince someone with your human wisdom - just share the truth of the Word of God. The Bible declares that the Word of God is powerful and it always accomplishes its purpose when it is communicated (Is. 55:11). How does it do this work? Because every person that hears the gospel has to make a decision, to accept or reject it. The Word of God always accomplishes this purpose in men’s hearts. There is no neutral place in a relationship with the Lord. Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matt. 12:30). Peter taught that the Word of God is so powerful that it is actually the means of our salvation. In 1 Peter 1:23 he wrote, “We have been born again, not by corruptible seed but by the incorruptible seed of the Word of God.” Why is this true? Because His Word naturally produces faith in the hearts of those who will receive it, and faith is what saves us (Rom. 10:17). Faith unlocks the power of God to transform every soul who will believe!
The Word of God is also called the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). The Word cuts through the darkness, and lets the light of God’s truth shine into men’s hearts. Because it is the truth, Paul said, “I’m eager to share it, because the Word is so powerful it can save anyone who will believe!” So, speak God’s Word to others if you want to see them come to faith in Christ and be saved.
The third reason Paul wanted to preach the gospel was because the gospel reveals the righteousness of God. What is God’s righteousness? God is righteous in all His ways. He is morally right and just in all that He does, because this is His character and nature. David declared, “For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright” (Ps. 11:7). When a person reads about the works of God in Scripture, they will see God’s righteousness in all that He does. As a person comes know God personally, they begin to understand that, “The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Ps. 19:9). They come to realize that He is a holy God whose love is always revealed in the perfect measure of mercy and justice. The Apostle John declared just how righteous God was by sending His Son Jesus to take upon Himself our sins. John wrote, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2). What does it mean that Jesus is now our Advocate? The word advocate means helper or intercessor. This means that God saw our sin and determined a way to intercede for us so He could save us. The Father placed the punishment that was due to us on Him. This is how God can be just and righteous by punishing our sin, and also how He could be merciful to forgive us. All God required was that we would simply believe in what Christ had done for us. So, the gospel not only reveals that God is righteous, but it also reveals the fact that we can obtain a righteous standing by faith before the Father. Faith is the key that unlocks this gift of righteousness to anyone who will come to God through Jesus. This is why Paul declared that in the gospel, “The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Rom. 1:17). The gospel reveals how a person can be accounted righteous and justified before the Father. What a glorious thought that we who are not righteous in any way can receive a righteous standing before God, simply by putting our trust in Jesus and the work He accomplished for us (Rom. 3:21-22). This is the gift of righteousness that Paul will develop throughout this epistle (Rom. 5:17).
The fourth reason Paul wanted to preach the gospel was because he knew what would happen to men if they refused to put their trust in God. The gospel also reveals the wrath of God against all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). In the next chapter you will see exactly what unrighteous men do that deserves God’s wrath as they reject the Father’s outstretched hand.
The book of Romans is a balanced message. We need to hear about the righteousness of God, and also about the wrath of God. We all like to hear about the love of God, but there is another side to the gospel message that deals with wrath. This message of wrath should motivate you to care that there are many people who are lost, and who need to hear the gospel message. There is no way for them to extract themselves from their sin and the judgment to come. Think of it, you are the only one who has the message that can rescue them from certain destruction. If you don’t share the gospel, those people will experience the wrath of God. If they don’t know the truth of the gospel, how can they believe? Someone has got to share this message of hope with them.
It is much like a doctor who has the knowledge and the ability to cure disease and help someone who is dying. What would you think about a doctor if he walked by somebody laying on the street who was bleeding to death and he did nothing? You would probably think that this doctor did not really care about people. You have the cure for the fatal disease that our world has contracted. If you don’t share the gospel, then you are just like this doctor. If you do care, then you will share the gospel as often as you can. Each day there are people all around you with whom you can share the message. Won’t you ask God for His help to proclaim His truth? They may reject the gospel. They may make fun of you. They may want to argue with you, but at least you have made known to them the love of Christ. It’s their decision at that point, and the responsibility is upon them. You have done your part. This is why Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). May you share the good news!