Explore the Bible: September 6 - The Baptist Record

Romans 1:13-25 • True Power

By Laura Lee Leathers

Recently, I shared with a friend that I had been asked to write the quarterly commentary for the book of Romans. She reminded me that Dr. Adrian Rogers called it “the Magna Carta of our faith, the Constitution of Christianity.”

Picking up my copy of the Adrian Rogers Legacy Bible, while reading the introduction, I found this quote from Martin Luther: “This epistle is the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest gospel….It can never be read or pondered too much.”

Dr. Rogers then writes, “As you read you will soon discover that the author of the book is Paul. The hero of the book is Jesus, our Justifier. And the theme of the book is the Gospel.”

Jesus and the Gospel — that’s it!

Also notice Paul’s credentials: “a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God” (vs. 1). He was totally surrendered to Jesus and sharing the Gospel. This is why He could address the subjects of sin, salvation, sanctification, God’s sovereignty, and service throughout the chapters.

Gospel Power (Rom. 1:13-17)

For some unknown reason, Paul was prevented from visiting the believers in Rome. He writes that he was thankful and praying for them. He longs to see them, to impart a spiritual gift, and to encourage them in mutual faith. Paul needed their kinship.

Paul states that he is “a debtor (v. 14), he is ready to preach (v. 15), and he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ (v. 16). Why? Because “it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” True power! It’s the power to transform lives and then to live a life of godliness (2 Peter 1: 3).

Has there ever been a time when you were ashamed to share the Gospel of Christ, or are you seeking ways to share your faith with boldness and courage? Paul knew Christ and shared the message of salvation not only with the Jews but with everyone.

Divine Revelation (Rom. 1:18-20)

In the beginning, God created everything. Man knew God, the truth, and righteousness. But when sin entered the world, man rejected God, thereby suppressing the truth to live the way they wanted.

Paul begins by emphasizing the people’s unrighteousness and the fact that God’s wrath is being applied to them. Humanity doesn’t want to see or know their sin sickness, or their need for Jesus.

Recently, while driving from Mississippi to Montana, I found myself saying words like beautiful, awesome, and breathtaking to describe the vast terrain or bodies of water. Creation is the evidence that God exists all around us. Therefore, humanity is without excuse because God is not concealing Himself from mankind.

People do not want to know God, worship Him, and honor Him. Not only do they deny the existence of God, but they deny His power, and many worship creation, not the Creator. The bottom line, man is without excuse.

Worthless Thinking (Rom. 1:21-25)

“From idolatry to immorality is just one short step” (Warren W. Wiersbe). We see that description vividly described in verses 21-32. Oh, the depths and depravity of sin.

Without Christ, people have become futile in their thoughts. Their hearts turn cold. And sadly, they think they are enlightened, but in reality, “their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

Notice the three phrases: “God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts (v. 24 CSB), God delivered them over to disgraceful passions (v. 26), and God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right (v. 28).”

Self-destruction, eternal death, and spiritual darkness are only a few words to describe the depravity of man’s heart. Paul’s summation: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen (v. 25).”

Since the beginning of creation and man’s choice to sin, the world has desperately needed to hear and know the truth of the Gospel message. You and I have a responsibility to seek opportunities to share the love of Jesus and His gift of salvation.

Leathers is a member of First Church, Lexington.