Romans 1:1-7 (Rena's thoughts)

Here we are at the begining. To follow (we hope) is a collection of thoughts and meditations on scripture. We're starting in Roman's because Rena made an executive call as the eldest and creator of this blog. Join in as we learn from each other and together. Feel free to add your own thoughts and questions and comments. 

Romans 1:1-7 (NIV)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— ² the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always love the way Paul begins and ends his letters. They are like a bookcase which surounds the main volumes and wisdoms nestled on its shelves. Paul wraps all that he writes in pray. And here at the beginning he tells us what this whole letter is going to be about.

Romans was most likely written by Paul when he was living in Roman Corinth. Romans is a letter to the Roman church. It speaks to the plan that God has for salvation and the grace we have in our faith in Christ. (For more information check out this introduction at About.com). Paul was writing not only to the Hebrew people who had be transplanted in Rome, but also the others (gentiles) who grew up in very different faiths.

Paul was a scholar of the Jewish faith. He knew of the promises made to the Jewish people. His culture had been worshipping Yahweh, and waiting for the promised Messiah for hundreds of years. Paul not only presents Jesus as this Messiah, but makes a powerful statement. 'by his resurrection from the dead:  Jesus Christ our Lord'. For Paul this statement is fundamental, the foundation on which everything else is built. Because Jesus has risen, salvation, grace, love, joy, and hope, are possible not just for the Jews, but for any who would call him Lord. For Paul it is of utmost importance that the Roman believers understand fully what the resurrected Jesus means. 

It is important to me that as we (the Moore kids) start this devotional, that we remember that it is Christ who should be at the center of what we believe and what we do. The simple and profound realization that Jesus didn't just come to die, that he came to be raised, would permeate our lives. Sister and Brothers we are called to belong to Jesus and to be his holy people. I pray that realization would grow in us and grow through us.

~Rena