“The Just Shall Live by Faith”
Romans 1:1-7
(Introductory Message)
Pastor Wayne J. Edwards
In writing his letter to the Romans, Paul’s main desire was to put into one comprehensive work all that he had been taught and all that he had learned since his conversion experience on the Damascus Road.
- His goal was to define, describe, and defend God’s plan for man’s redemption, as revealed in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.
- However, not only does the book of Romans address the deep doctrinal and theological issues, it also speaks to the very moral issues we face today. The book of Romans speaks to us:
- Psychologically – how a lost sinner can be delivered from the guilt of their sin.
- Spiritually – it answers our despair with a sure hope for the future.
- Nationally – it tells us how to respond to our government, even when we disagree with its policies and positions.
- Supernaturally – it contrasts God’s infinite power of God over man limitations.
- Theologically – it teaches us about the relationship between the flesh and the Spirit and between law and grace.
The Apostle Paul lived out the truth he taught in Romans 12:1-2, in that he was willing to pay the price to develop:
1. A Biblical Mind – A Biblical World View – “Have this mind in you, which was in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5
- From the first day of his conversion experience, Paul abandoned every other pursuit of life to learn as much as any human being could about the man, Jesus.
- He desired to bring every thought captive to the obedience to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5)
- Paul did not receive his knowledge of God from any man or any agency of men, but through direct revelation from God. (Gal. 1:1)
- Having already been educated in the knowledge of the Old Testament, Paul used his training to illustrate or to explain a doctrinal truth that Jesus Christ taught him.
- Everything Paul wrote was based upon his knowledge of the Holy Scriptures because he had taken the time to develop a Biblical Mind.
2. A Determined Will – A Christ-Centered Life – “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live! Yet, not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
- Oswald Chambers describes this life as the “abandoned life” – Paul was abandoned to Jesus Christ.
- He spent 15 years of labor as an evangelist, preacher, pastor, and missionary.
- What were some of the hardships he endured during his 30-year ministry? (See 2 Cor. 11)
- At the close of his life, he said his only desire was to be found faithful to the One who had called him unto Himself.
3. A Loving Heart – A God-Inspired Passion – “The love of Christ constrains me.” – 2 Cor. 5:14
- Paul had a great sense of God’s love. (Romans 5:5)
- Paul had a great love for God. (Romans 15:30)
- Paul had a great love for Israel. (Romans 9)
- Paul had a great love for the Church. (Romans 16)
