Simply Roman

Bible Matters 556:  Simply Roman

Paul was told that he would preach the gospel to the Romans.   He spent 15 days learning God’s gospel of Love that Jesus delivered to this earth from Peter and Jesus’s brother James.  Mark and Luke also walked with Jesus as disciples.  Mark and Luke walked with Paul.  Paul had high regard for Mark’s doctrine.  Mark was profitable for the ministry. 

2 Timothy 4:11 – Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

This one verse is thrown around at Christian services weekly, offering the promise of everlasting life or being saved, just by believing in Jesus as Lord. 

Romans 10:9 – If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord.” And believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

It is amazing how the lost can believe in this one verse, as all that matters.  With no regard for sin because of false preaching or false teaching, you go out and live your life for the glory of you, enjoying alcohol and drugs.  The feeling of being numb to the world.   Getting drunk is no big deal, except this one witness verse cautions you against drunkenness.   According to this one verse, you won’t see the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:10 -Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

It is clear from the truth in God’s word that those that do the will of God the Father shall inherit the kingdom of God.  Paul knew the importance of knowing the truth out of the mouth of two or three witnesses.  If a man cannot be put to death out of the mouth of one witness, then God’s gift of everlasting life is not available out of the mouth of one witness.

1 Timothy 5:19 – Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Deuteronomy 17:6 – At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

The preponderance of evidence is overwhelming.  All eight New Testament witnesses delivered this same 6 point gospel. 

1.   Believe in God the Almighty (Romans 1:16,17; Romans 3:10-12,18; Romans 10:17)

2.  Repent of your sins and surrender to God (Romans 6:1-2; Romans 8:12-13, 21; Romans 12:1-2)

3. Judge no one (Romans 2:2-3,5)

4. Love God (Romans 8:21; Romans 8:28; Romans 10:10-11)

5.  Love your neighbor (Romans 13:8-10)

6.  Endure to the end for the gift of everlasting life (Romans 14:8-12; Romans 5:21; Romans 6:22)

Paul laid out this gospel of Love, beautifully in Romans.   In a dream, Paul was commanded to be a witness for the Lord in Rome.

Acts 23:11 – And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

Paul knew that he had to deliver God’s gospel of Love to the Romans.  With all the wars started in Europe, that gospel of Love has been lost for the last 2000 years.  God is telling the world, that he expects us all to live his gospel of Love, period.

To live that gospel, God wants your good works!   You are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

The power of God and works of the Jewish religion were known all the way to Rome.  So, when Paul was sent by God to go to Rome, Paul knew that he had to speak against religious works.  Religious works that were not required for the salvation message delivered by Jesus.

Romans 4:1-4 – What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Once you believe in God, shall you continue in sin?  God forbid.  You repent and turn from sin.

Romans 6:1-2,14-18 – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Always be ready to share good works with your neighbor.   Peter and Paul fought against works of religion.  Both advocate for you to perform good works of love.    Do that which is good and be afraid to do evil.  

Romans 13:1-4, 12-14 – Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.   The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Perform good works, walk in righteousness and be ready to feed the flock of God.  Not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind.

Romans 5:1-2,21 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:4 – That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.