By Robert E. Jackson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Compelled
Romans 1:1–7 ,13–17
The Gospel Described (1–7)
Paul is compelled to write this letter to a church he didn’t know personally. Nevertheless, he desires to influence, encourage and strengthen this strategic church located in the greatest city and empire of his day.
As a servant of Jesus Christ, Paul isn’t called and set apart for fame, power, money or recognition. Instead, God chose him by grace to make known the gospel to Jews and Gentiles. The Greek word for gospel (euangelion) shows an excitement over the announcement of this good news.
The power of the gospel is not found in human lineage but in the Spirit who confirms Jesus’ deity and raised Him from the dead.
A central component of the gospel is the cross, which was an instrument of shame, torture and death. The gospel demands that people who follow Christ must take up their cross and follow Jesus. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was right when he said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”
These words seem incomprehensible to most of us in American Christianity. Our self-focus and materialism leave us uncomfortable with the thought of denying ourselves of anything.
Paul not only embraced this gospel but also was elated to proclaim God’s grace to all in Rome.
The Gospel Debt (13–15)
Because the power of the gospel changes lives and nations, Paul longs to go to Rome. Jesus set Paul apart to preach to all types of people, and Rome is the perfect melting pot to share the gospel.
Interestingly, various languages of the world sounded like “barbar” to the “educated” Greeks. Therefore, the people who spoke these different languages were called Barbarians.
Paul writes with intensity that he is obligated to share the gospel with everyone; he has been entrusted with this good news and would be a poor steward if he did not preach Christ. Paul’s realization of grace and the truthfulness of the gospel provided an inner compulsion to share Jesus Christ. Paul owes a great debt to his Savior and Lord; therefore, his work was never done.
Until his dying day, Paul was fighting the good fight and running the race.
While it is difficult for me to imagine how Paul could live with such a burden, perhaps it is harder for me to grasp why so many professing believers live complacently without any sense of obligation to share Jesus. We, too, have a great gospel debt.
The Gospel Declared (16–17)
Far too often, we desire to be the greatest rather than the least of these. We can be ashamed of the command to come, serve and die.
Not Paul. He willingly gave his all to follow Christ. He was not ashamed of the gospel that involves a cross, suffering and death.
Why should he be when he realized this gospel was the power of God for salvation to anyone who believes, beginning with the Jews. The power of the gospel transforms death into life.
What the law could not do, the gospel does. Sinners, who cannot be made righteous by works, can discover the power unto salvation and experience the righteousness of God. Verse 17 is a key verse in our understanding of justification by faith alone.
Righteousness begins with faith and ends with faith. To be justified is not to be “made” righteous, but to be “declared” righteous.
In sum, the gospel unleashes the power to change people who accept it by faith. God declares people who respond to this good news as innocent before Him. Praise the Lord! The transforming power of the gospel changes lives.
The beauty of the gospel compels believers to spend their lives sharing this good news with others.
When is the last time you have shared this gospel with someone who needs to hear it?
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