The Good News of the Gospel
Romans 16:25-27: "Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."
These three verses comprise the doxology of the book of Romans. They pull together Paul's well-crafted message and drive it home. What was once a mystery has now been revealed - the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Jesus the Messiah, all the prophetic writings have come to fulfillment. Jesus was God incarnate who dwelt among his people and now dwells within his people through the Holy Spirit. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for the atonement of sins; Jesus was the light of the world, the bread of life, the way to the Father.
The good news of the Gospel was no longer just for the Jew but for all the nations. The Lord chose the nation of Israel to be his holy, set apart people, to reveal his glory to the world. Jesus came and lived a perfectly holy life among his people. Jesus came as that one who was set apart, and Jesus perfectly revealed the glory of his Father among the nations. Through his sacrifice, these nations are invited into a relationship with a holy God. Paul emphasized that all who come to faith in Jesus are made holy and will bring glory to God through their profession of faith.
Just as Paul wanted to strengthen the believers in Rome, so he wants to strengthen you in the faith. You have received the mystery. You have seen the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. You have been invited into the covenant with the one true God. When you profess your faith in Jesus Christ, you are an instrument for his glory.
Are you living as that instrument of glory? Are you pointing beyond yourself to the one who resides within you, to the one who sits on the eternal throne? This is your calling. You are a son or a daughter of the king. May we step up and step out and live with this intentionality and focus.
Reflection:
How does the Lord want you to step up in the good news of the Gospel this Christmas season?
These three verses comprise the doxology of the book of Romans. They pull together Paul's well-crafted message and drive it home. What was once a mystery has now been revealed - the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Jesus the Messiah, all the prophetic writings have come to fulfillment. Jesus was God incarnate who dwelt among his people and now dwells within his people through the Holy Spirit. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for the atonement of sins; Jesus was the light of the world, the bread of life, the way to the Father.
The good news of the Gospel was no longer just for the Jew but for all the nations. The Lord chose the nation of Israel to be his holy, set apart people, to reveal his glory to the world. Jesus came and lived a perfectly holy life among his people. Jesus came as that one who was set apart, and Jesus perfectly revealed the glory of his Father among the nations. Through his sacrifice, these nations are invited into a relationship with a holy God. Paul emphasized that all who come to faith in Jesus are made holy and will bring glory to God through their profession of faith.
Just as Paul wanted to strengthen the believers in Rome, so he wants to strengthen you in the faith. You have received the mystery. You have seen the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. You have been invited into the covenant with the one true God. When you profess your faith in Jesus Christ, you are an instrument for his glory.
Are you living as that instrument of glory? Are you pointing beyond yourself to the one who resides within you, to the one who sits on the eternal throne? This is your calling. You are a son or a daughter of the king. May we step up and step out and live with this intentionality and focus.
Reflection:
How does the Lord want you to step up in the good news of the Gospel this Christmas season?
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