The Gospel 1 This is a continuation of “The Counterfeit - TopicsExpress

The Gospel 1 This is a continuation of “The Counterfeit Gospel” series. I could no longer call it that because I don’t want some new reader confusing the rest of what is written. Let us now look at an overview of Paul’s letter to the Romans which is his presentation of the Gospel. In chapter 1 Paul begins with a greeting and then he tells the Romans what he knows about them. Then he begins his sermon with a reference to the Gospel, in that, “it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…..” After introducing the Gospel he begins to build his case as to why it was necessary and what the ramifications were. He introduces and explains the problem of sin. In chapter 2 he shows how all mankind is accountable to God for their sin, whether they are Gentile (not under the Law) or Jew (under the Law). He declares that all men are subject to God’s judgment. Chapter 3 declares that righteousness is demanded, but, no one would be declared righteous based on the Law because no one could keep the Law. Then, righteousness through faith is introduced. In chapter 4 Paul goes back to Abraham and shows how a justification by faith was first revealed in Abraham. He goes on to point out that this justification was based on Abraham believing God, not on his ability to obey a law. Chapter 5 begins by revealing Jesus Christ as our mediator. He compares Jesus with Adam. He shows that sin and conflict entered through the one man, Adam, and all were guilty because all sinned. Then Paul shows that through the one man, Jesus Christ, all who believed would be declared righteous having peace with God. Now, in Chapter 6, Paul moves to the point that through Christ we have been freed from the bondage of sin. Paul uses an analogy that while we were in Adam we were slaves to sin. He shows that once we are translated from Adam to Christ we become slaves of righteousness (v.18). In verse 22 Paul makes this statement, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” Paul is comparing and contrasting being enslaved to sin (v. 6) and slaves of God (v. 22). There is a common understanding that the Greek word doulos should be translated bondservant. According to the ESV Study Bible doulos is translated slave, bondservant or servant depending on the context. In this context, Paul is using “slave” in both cases. It seems Paul is saying you can either be a “slave” to sin or a “slave” to God. If the Gospel stopped there it would be a good choice, but the Gospel is better than that. In chapter 7, because Paul is on the “slavery” theme, there is a natural move back to the Law again. Paul takes us through a legalistic scenario. A slave is obligated to carry out every command from his master. It seems that although Paul was under new ownership, he found himself still under the influence of his old master. A simple transfer of ownership was not enough to change him. In this scenario he cries out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Then he gave us the answer, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Chapter 8 is the climax of the letter. The Gospel is presented in view of our inability to be good slaves. It reveals Christ kept the law for us and gave us his Spirit to lead us instead of having a code of conduct to be our guide. This Spirit would reveal us as sons of God. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.(Romans 8:14-17 ESV) God didn’t want slaves, He wanted sons. Though He would have been just in purchasing us as slaves, it was His plan to set us free and adopt us as sons. Sorry for the length, but a 2 part overview would cancel the point. I will reserve comment until the next post. Same Time, same channel.