Encamped in the Foundational Book of Romans

Encamped in the Foundational Book of Romans

I've been spending a LOT of time in the Bible, studying Romans in particular, in preparation for the Bible Studies I host. All "The Journey" posts are basically an outflow of the studies I've done in this regard. Now, although I'm close to the end of Romans, I will be honest an say that I myself am not ready to leave Romans. There is a conviction within me to stay encamped here and work through it again. The Word of God is truly living and active, and right now it has a hold on my heart. There are yet deeper truths to source from this incredible book. On the other hand, it is a foundational book, which attests to its importance. One should not push on until these foundational topics are fully comprehended and integrated, into the mind, not only for me, but for you too, the readers, who connect with and share in my posts. I trust that you will benefit from this lingering in Romans as much as I am currently.

The Journey: Part 14 - Confirmation of our Spiritual Foundation

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 14 - Confirmation of our Spiritual Foundation

Having come through many of the key points in the foundational book of Romans, and having learned from Romans chapters 6 and 7, and from the lessons learned by the Corinthian and Galatian churches about the perils of living by the flesh or by the law, we are now reaching a milestone in our journey of learning to grow in spirit and maturity in Christ.

Of course, we should not press forward without ensuring that we practice the things we have learned. We need to ensure that our learning is not just head-knowledge, but that it is truly edifying the spirit of our mind, that it is becoming a lifestyle, not just a fleeting burst of revelation that is soon forgotten again.

The Book of Romans: Our Spiritual Establishment and Solid Foundation

Romans is a foundational book, providing a believer with the fundamental doctrine of salvation, justification, and positional sanctification through the cross of Christ. Yet, the more I read it, the more I see how the truth it presents is structured to detach and separate us from this world, and prepare us to receive a mystery revelation regarding God's plans for our redemption, to the glory of Jesus Christ. 

We are only officially informed of the details of this mystery, in other letters, and in particular, that of Ephesians, but even in Romans, Paul lays out in our doctrine, details that are aimed at getting our minds and focus off of this world and its vanity, and set on the faith that there is something greater ahead, a mystery that is going to be revealed, and that cannot compare to what we currently have here.

So, Romans is meant to draw us away from this world, and activate our faith, so that we can see what God has planned for us from before the foundations of this world (Eph.1:4). Let's have a look at some key statements and verses that prove this point.

The Journey: Part 13 - Established in the Doctrine

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 13 - Established in the Doctrine

The purpose of Romans to Galatians is to establish our faith according to Paul's gospel. Notice how the book of Romans ends,

Rom.16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Romans to Galatians is about establishing you. It has to do with laying the foundation of your faith. It's to take your faith and to establish it according to Paul's gospel, and this is in accordance to the commandment of the everlasting God. God has commanded all men to be in obedience of faith to what He has made known,

Rom.16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The Journey: Part 12 - What is it to walk by faith and in the Spirit?

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 12 - What is it to walk by faith and in the Spirit?

In the very first verses of the book of Romans, Paul mentions the following,

Rom.1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Through the next few chapters of Romans, we are provided great detail about our justification and spiritual sanctification. Essentially, Paul tells us what happens in the spiritual realm, the operations of God on our spirit, far out of reach from our workings and control. This salvation we receive is the "from faith" part. All we can do is trust that through the cross of Christ and through the operation of God, we are saved to the uttermost.

The Journey: Part 11 - Let Us Settle Our Spiritual Position in Christ

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 11 - Let Us Settle Our Spiritual Position in Christ

The letter of Romans is written to existing believers who have already been saved by the gospel of grace. In this regard, Paul is now laying a strong foundation that will keep believers stablished (stable) in the faith, so that they will not be tossed to and fro by all manner of false, man-made doctrines.

In the previous posts of this series, labeled, "The Journey", we have covered key topics from Romans chapters 1-7. In summary these topics are as follows,