— by Pastor Damilola Akinyera
First, I’m fascinated by vs 7.
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.
It is ALWAYS Grace and Peace!
Of the 27 New Testament books, 18 begin with a greeting of peace — a greeting of peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Interestingly, GRACE is always mentioned first before PEACE!
‘…Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ….’ (2Thess 1:2)
‘…Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord..’ (2 Peter 1:2)
‘…Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…’ (Phil 1:2)
‘…Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ..’ (Eph 1:2)
‘…Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…'(Gal 1:3)
‘…Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ…'(Romans 1:7)
‘…Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come…'(Rev 1:4)
Hmm… In every instance, it’s Grace and then Peace, not the other way around. This is because until you experience the GRACE of God, you can’t have peace WITH God!
A careful check of all the new testament passages… Where this phrase “Grace and Peace” is used to start the greeting… You will never come across Peace and Grace!
Another thing to know in Romans 1 is that Paul loved and longed to go to Rome that he might impart them with some spiritual gifts to strengthen them! (Vs11)
There are theological debates as to what these spiritual gift refers to… But one thing is sure, it is a gift of Grace. And conveyed the gospel he preached.
When Paul says I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, he wasn’t just showing his commitment to preach. He was affirming he would not be ashamed to preach the Gospel of GRACE!
In vs 18, by default and man’s fallen nature, the WRATH of God is revealed!
In vs 17 By the preaching of the gospel of Grace, the Righteousness of God is being revealed!
Ain’t it pathetic that today, many preachers are ashamed of the gospel of Grace? Hmmmn…
And your experience of whatever is being revealed is a matter of your spiritual location!
To know the six reasons why Paul refused to be ashamed to preach the gospel of Grace… Kindly revisit the teaching we did at one of our conferences titled: The Gospel that brings Assurance. Click here to access it.
In vs 17 and 18, We learn that there are 2 things being revealed. If you must be in any of the “revealed”, then be in the revelation of the righteousness of God! This explains the urgency of preaching the true gospel.
The importance of preaching the Gospel of Christ… Is that we are opening people up to the righteousness of God and consequently delivering people from experiencing the wrath of God!
In the Righteousness of God, God gives you up to Jesus to keep you justified apart from your works. But in the wrath of God, God gives the wicked up to be condemned in their wickedness they’ve chosen! We must not rob people of the right revelation! The righteousness of God! Not your righteousness! The one of God! (Phil 3:9 explains better)
The righteousness of God is not worked for. It is a gift! And it is only revealed by the preaching of the gospel of Grace!
In explaining the wrath of God, 3 different times this phrase is used: God gave them up to… (Rom 1:24,26,28)
With this, I welcome us to the book of Romans! Where the Righteousness of God is revealed in and to us!
Hallelujah.
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