Weekly Devotional: Rebellion (1 in Romans series)

Many Christian figures in history named Romans as their favorite book of the Bible. For instance, John Stott tells in his commentary that the great reformer Martin Luther said of Romans that not only “should every Christian know it word for word, by heart,” but that they should occupy themselves with it “every day, as the daily bread of the soul.” William Tyndale, a translator of the Bible, also urged his readers to learn it by heart, for “the more it is studied, the easier it is; the more it is chewed, the pleasanter it is.” Others who were affected by reading it were Augustine of Hippo and John Wesley. (As cited in John Stott, The Message of Romans, IVP, 1994, pp. 19–22.)

Romans has been so important over the centuries because of the deep and rich theological truths about salvation and sin that Paul shares in it. And not only that, but the latter part of his letter contains practical instructions on how to live. We can find much to stretch and encourage us as we read what the apostle wrote to the church in Rome.

Paul had never visited this church, but heard of the divisions in it, especially among the Jewish and Gentile believers that formed it. He desired that they would find unity across their differences, and that mutual respect and love would mark their lives. After all, they were all sinners in need of Jesus’ grace and redemption. And they were all one in Christ.

When you read, keep in mind that Paul’s letter is half of the story. We don’t hear the other side of the conversation – the issues that he was addressing in the church there in Rome – but we can made an educated guess. And although he wrote this letter such a long time ago to this particular context and place, yet we can find God’s truth in it speaking to us and to our situation.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them (Romans 1:16–32 NIV).

The wrath of God – not a very cheery way to open up our set of readings on Romans, now is it? As modern people, we often shy away from speaking of God’s wrath, for it feels so hard and final, especially for us who live in a relativistic society that rails against judgement and black-and-white truth. But Paul doesn’t hesitate to name the major problem at the heart of the human condition – we’re all sinners who need God’s redeeming love and grace (as we will see in Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”). So although this passage can make for uncomfortable reading, we also can find hope in it, for it names the truth of what we know through our actions – we fail God and others and need the Lord’s grace and help.

Paul in this passage explores what happens when people rebel against God and his laws. When they follow their own desires and refuse to bow the knee to their Maker, their minds and hearts become darkened and they become fools (vv. 21–22). No longer are they infused with God’s wisdom and understanding. As the Lord gives them over to their lusts, they become imprisoned by these wrongful desires and become filled with wickedness and evil, as we see in the list in verses 29–30: “envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful…”

But we can escape the consequences of our sinful actions through Jesus’ sacrificial act on the cross. No longer are we defined as gossips or boasters, but as God’s redeemed who are filled with his Holy Spirit as they spread his love and grace. Thanks be to God!

For reflection: “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name” (Edward Mote, 1797–1874).