The Book of Romans ~ Lesson One

"Greetings"


Romans 1:1-7 (NLT) This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
   And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.
   May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

I want to start off writing this study on Romans by saying this; it is one of the most quoted books in the New Testament and yet it is also one of the hardest to understand. Before I began writing this morning I bowed my head and asked Jesus to make it plain to someone like me who just wants to know more about Him. So, if you are reading this, you are reading words from someone who just wants to know Jesus more. You are not reading the words of a learned theologian, but words that come from sitting at Rabbi Jeshua's feet. I hope that I can express to you what I learn from Him. Pull up a pillow and sit with me as we soak in what He has to say.

Here's a little FYI about the Book of Romans: It was written around 56 A.D. when Paul had arrived on his last visit to Jerusalem and was brought up on charges by the Jerusalem high priest and his cronies. Paul had been transferred by a Roman Centurion named Claudius Lysias, to Caesarea by the sea, to Governor Felix who would hear the charges against him. Paul spend two years in custody there before he plead his case to King Festus and his evil sister Bernice. They would have let him go, but Paul appealed to Caesar and was sent to Rome. After a grueling winter, full of shipwrecks, snake bites and such, Paul finally ended up in Roman around 58 A.D.

We open the book with a greeting from Paul to the believers in Rome. (The Book of Romans is actually a letter to the church there.) Paul begins his letter with this: "This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News."

What does it mean to be a slave to Jesus if in Him we are free? Paul was indeed a prisoner of the Romans physically, but spiritually he claimed that he was a slave or servant of Jesus. Where is the freedom in that? Let's see...

The Greek word for "slave" is "doulos" and means, "one owned as property of another, a servant whose rights and services have been obtained by his master." A slave lived totally dependent on their master. Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus and there he became dependent on his true Master, Jesus. In the world's eyes this isn't freedom. But, through spiritual eyes, there is not only freedom, there is eternal hope. Paul knew this and was grateful for it.

Galatians 5:1 (NIV) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Jesus paid the price for our freedom from sin's death grip on us. Our loyalty belongs to Jesus when we accept this freedom from His hand. He paid the price on the cross to redeem us, to purchase us and we are His. There is true freedom when we come under His leadership and protection. Paul knew this very well and was proud to proclaim it right off the bat in his greetings to the Roman church.

Paul goes on to say this about himself, " I am called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God." (NIV) He had seen Jesus and got his marching orders. God gave him a role to play telling others about the Gospel (Good News) of Christ Jesus. This message wasn't new, it was planned before the beginning of time. Redemption is found in Christ alone and now the time had come to reveal it to all mankind. Paul took this very seriously.

Acts 13:38-39 (NLT) “Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God—something the law of Moses could never do."

The Good New is this: Jesus is the only One who can fully offer forgiveness and reconciliation to God. Now the offer is given for everyone. It's free. He paid the price. All we have to do is accept it.

Paul's aim was to preach this life-giving message to everyone, both Jew and Gentile. God took him to places that reached people that may not have heard the Good News. Paul knew that by being a servant to the Most High, he would be taken to places and see things that would blow anyone's mind.

Are you willing to go where God leads you? I say,"yes" and at the same time, I tremble when I think that He may take me somewhere I don't want to go. (For right now I write from my dining room on my computer and teach women the Bible.) The day I gave my life to Him, is the day my future became His.

I leave you on this first lesson with Paul's greeting found in the last part of verse seven. "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace."

I can't wait to see what Jesus will teach us. Thanks for studying with me. I would love to hear from you and what He has shown you. Shalom chaverim! (Peace friend!)