How Christ transformed a broken, defeated man
The Book of Romans is considered by many to be the best theological book in the Bible. “Yet this epistle, probably more than any other single book in the Bible, has influenced world history in dramatic ways.”1 “Many theological leaders, including Augustine, Luther, Melanchthon, and John Wesley, have claimed that Romans changed their lives and ministries more than any other part of the Bible.”2
In Romans 1-8, Paul addresses the sinful nature of mankind by answering questions, addressing problems, and by teaching that it is only through our faith in Jesus Christ that we are freely justified before God. By studying the teachings of Romans chapters 1-8, we can see the effects that sin has had on the natural world, human identity, human relationships, and our culture.
We know that God created the universe because He has told us so (Gen. 1:1-28). But Paul teaches us that we also know that God is real through His creation. He states, “Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Rom. 1:19-20).
“Most people reject the evidence of God's existence that He has built into His creation.” Unfortunately, man has chosen to reject God despite the evidence of His existence. Paul writes, “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them” (Rom. 1:32).
Today it’s not any better. Not only are there people rejecting God, but through the courts, they are removing God from our judicial system, our schools, and even trying to force us to believe the way they do and accept their sinful behaviors as good.
As humans, we obtain our identity one of two ways. One way is through ourselves - what we do, who we associate with, what professions we are in, where we live, our cars, our hobbies, etc. Getting our identity through worldly things leads to an empty life, and eventually death. Paul tells us that no one is righteous; we don’t do good, we have no peace, and we become worthless (Rom. 3:10-18).
The better way is for us to obtain our identities through Jesus Christ. Getting our identities through Him brings us victory (Rom. 8:37), a close relationship with Him (Rom. 8:38-39), removes condemnation for our sins (Rom. 8:1), brings us into the realm of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9), and brings us into being co-heirs with Jesus for God’s gifts of salvation and eternal life (Rom. 8:17).
God has given us guidance for holy human relationships. He gave us His definition of proper sexual relationships, which is sex that is reserved for a man and woman who are married (Gen. 2:24). Furthermore, He gave us explanations on what is considered sexually immoral to Him, and what types of sexual behavior brings death (Exod. 20:14, Lev. 20:10-21). But people were choosing to practice sexual immorality despite this knowledge. Paul spoke sharply against it, teaching that engaging in that behavior will bring the wrath of God, first by turning them over to their depraved mind, then ultimately through death.
Reading this passage shows me that sin is timeless. Just like Rome, America is suppressing the truth of God, and turning to idolatry and sexual immorality. Our courts and legal system is supporting sexual immorality, and persecuting those who stand by the word of God. And when our highest court chose homosexual marriage over marriage defined by God, The White House displayed the color rainbow supporting the sinful lifestyle of the homosexual community, speaking on behalf of America that our country has chosen to turn against God in favor of sin.
The Roman culture, like modern-day America, was a melting pot of different people and cultures. In chapter 1, Paul addressed the sins of the pagans (unbelievers) who rejected God, and in chapter 2 he addressed the moralist (both Jewish and Gentile believers) who were self-righteous, and the Jews themselves who were hypocrites.
For the pagans, Paul showed how they rejected God and turned to sexual immorality and idolatry (Rom. 1:23-25). The moralists were self-righteous. They ignored the principles of God that He will use to judge man. And the Jews were hypocrites (Rom. 2:17-3:8). They believed that they were saved because of their special relationship with God, their circumcision, and their knowledge of the law. And in all three, Paul exposes their sin and teaches us that all of their behaviors will bring the wrath of God against them.
Our current American culture is no different. The millennials are turning from God in large numbers, and the atheist movement is becoming larger and more aggressive. America is promoting sinful lifestyles and persecuting those who stand up for God and His commandments. And we are, as a nation, looking to ourselves, our beliefs, and our behaviors as a scale of righteousness, rather than from the Word of God.
Studying Romans 1-8 has had an impact on my worldview. My eyes have been opened to the beauty of God’s creation by Him revealing Himself through it. Additionally, before being saved, I spent most of my life rejecting God and living as if He didn’t exist. This study has really driven home the sin of my rejection, and makes me want to live for Him every day, and to stay in constant contact with Him.
Looking at human relationships in Romans has made me realize the seriousness of sexual sin, and has fortified my desire to live a sexually clean life. The human identity component reminded me of the importance of getting my identity through Christ, and not the world.
Seeing the culture in Paul’s time has derailed the belief that things are worse today than back then. Most of the sin and struggles Paul dealt with are the same sin and struggles that we deal with today. This has emboldened me in my fight to live in a way that is pleasing to God. And just like the sin is the same, the answer is also the same – we are made righteous with God only through our faith in Jesus Christ as our savior.
“The letters of the New Testament offer a window into the struggles and victories of the early church.” Studying the natural world, human identity, human relationships, and culture in Romans 1-8, we can see how sin today is very similar to the sin back then, and how we have deviated from the lifestyle that God requires. However, God’s answer is the same today as it was then; that we are justified righteous before Him through our faith in Jesus Christ. “And all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24).
Constable, Dr. Thomas L. “Sonic Light.” Notes on Romans. 2016 edition. Accessed June 11, 2016.
http://www.soniclight.org/constable/notes.htm.
Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Journey into God’s Word: Your Guide to Understanding
and Applying the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008. Accessed June 11, 2016.
https://www.mywsb.com/reader.
Elwell, Walter, and Robert Yarbrough, eds., Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and
Theological Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group, 2005.
Towns, Elmer, and Ben Gutierrez, eds., The Essences of the New Testament: A Survey.
Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2012.