The Gospel in Romans
The Bulletin, 1/6/25
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The Gospel in Romans
Early in Romans, the Apostle Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). While you likely know that gospel means “good news,” and perhaps that 1 Corinthians 15 explains it as Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, Paul goes a different direction in Romans.
What unfolds over the chapters that follow lays out a beautiful picture of why this news is so good. The gospel is…
Justification (5:1). This is the process by which we are reconciled to God. Mankind has a sin problem that we cannot solve. Though God loves us, we cannot be at peace with Him or live in His presence in our sins. This means eternal life with Him is impossible, unless He intervenes—and intervene, He did. Our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (3:21-26).
Sanctification (6:22). This is the process by which we grow from being fleshly-minded, sinful people into Spiritually-minded, righteous people (8:5). Though we will never be perfect in this life, and our growth will not be a straight line upward, sanctification makes us more like Christ and less like ourselves year by year, decade by decade.
And glorification (8:29). This is the process by which we are transformed from being fallen creatures into beings fit to dwell in God’s presence for all eternity (8:29). As Romans 1 shows, apart from God man grows debased, almost animalistic (1:28). Our only hope to escape this decline is in Christ, who glorifies our humble state.
Through faith in Christ. We can neither justify, sanctify, nor glorify ourselves by our own good works (3:19-20). It is only by faith in Jesus that this change can be received. This faith must dictate our entire lives, including our repentance, our baptism, and our daily walk. But we do those things out of faith that He is sufficient to save us, and not to save ourselves.
What joy this good news should give us! Thanks be to God for turning the sinful and helpless into beings prepared for indescribable glory.