OK, here we go! There is absolutely no way that I can do justice to these chapters! A full blog post could be written on just about every verse! I'll just be pointing out a few things or else these posts are going to get really, really, really long.
Romans 1:16-17 contain the thesis of the book of Romans. It is about the Gospel--the good news about Jesus Christ. More specifically, it is about the saving power of the Gospel. Even more specifically, it is about believing (trusting, resting, etc.) in the saving power of the Gospel. The reason that there is saving power in the Gospel is because in it the righteousness of God is revealed. Our greatest need is righteousness in the sight of a holy God. The Gospel takes care of that need. It both cancels out our debt (our sin) and gives us a credit on our account in the form of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. This transaction happens as we abandon our trust in our own works and place our entire trust on the finished work of Jesus Christ--that is where true saving power resides! It is what causes the just (those justified by faith in Christ) to live!
Romans 1:18-32 is a powerful description of the fallen condition of man. It it not a pretty picture. Whenever you come across a portion of Scripture such as this, it is a good time to take some time to examine your own life. If this characterizes the normal activity of your life, then you need to repent of your sin and turn to Christ by faith, because this type of sin manifested on a regular basis in your life gives the testimony that you do not belong to Christ! These portions of Scripture are not just to show us how not to live, but rather they exist to show us our need of Jesus Christ to save us from this type of lifestyle!
As we read through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we noticed on a regular basis the harsh words of Jesus against the external religion of the Pharisees. Paul continues this theme in chapter 2 of Romans. The conclusion of this chapter (2:28-29) explains the point that he has been attempting to make throughout the chapter, namely that external conformity to the letter of the Law is not what God demands from people, but rather inward heart transformation. It is for this very reason (as we shall see throughout the rest of this book) that salvation is all of God, for not one of us can "circumcise" our heart! This is the work of God!
Romans 3 contains another description of fallen humanity, yet this time, the point is to show not just the sinfulness of mankind, but also to utter inability of mankind to save himself. How can one come to God for salvation if he has no understanding, if he doesn't even seek after God of his own will, if he doesn't fear God? This condition of inability is pervasive notice the number of times the terms "all," "none," and "no one" are used! Because of this utter inability to save ourselves, salvation (also justification) is by grace--it's a gift, not something that we earn. But just as all gifts cost the giver something, this wonderful gift cost Jesus His life! God put forth Jesus "as a propitiation" (vs25). This means that Jesus bore the wrath of God that was against our sin. This is how God can remain just (He punished our sin in Christ) and the justifier of the one who believes in Jesus (vs26). This is the wonderful truth of double imputation! Our sin was imputed to Him, therefore He died; His righteousness was imputed to us, therefore we live! He died in our place receiving what we deserved. We live in His place receiving what He deserved. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
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