Fully Devoted: The ChurchSample

Romans, Part 4: Adam, Sin, Jesus, and Life

Romans was written by Paul to the divided Christians in Rome in an effort to bring them together as a united Church. 

The Christians in Rome are divided into two main factions: the Weak and the Strong. The Weak are Jewish Christians who see the Jewish Law as a requirement for all Christians. The Strong are mostly Gentile Christians who do not believe it is God’s will for Christians to live according to the Old Testament Law. 

In the first movement of this letter, chapters 1-4, Paul was showing the Roman Christians that all of them were under the power of sin, but now, all of them have been redeemed by the grace of Jesus. Not through obedience to the Law, but through allegiance to their King. 

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. ... Romans 5:1-2 NIV 

In the second major movement of this letter, chapters 5-8, Paul reminds his readers of the grand narrative God has been writing from the beginning, and helps them see their part in that story—a story that moves from Adam to death, and then from Jesus to Life. 

… sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned … Romans 5:12 NIV

Paul brings his readers back to the beginning, a very good beginning. Until, through Adam, sin entered the world. With sin present, death soon followed. 

But sin and death are not the end of the story. Because eventually, Jesus and life would arrive and change the narrative forever. 

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Romans 5:15 NIV

Through Adam, sin and death invaded. Through Jesus, grace and life are pushing them out. This is the point Paul wants us to see when he says “the gift is not like the trespass.” Sin and death are powerful, but they are no match for the redemptive power of the gospel. 

Chapter six is structured around two questions that are often raised in response to the radical and scandalous grace of God. 

… Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Romans 6:1 NIV

… Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? ... Romans 6:15 NIV

To both of these questions Paul answers with a loud: “By no means!” 

To the second question he adds:

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 NIV

As disciples of Jesus, we do not live according to the Law of Torah, but we do live in obedience to Jesus. Faith is not just agreeing that something is true. Faith is trusting in Jesus as Lord. It’s not just agreement with an idea, but commitment to a person. Faith is trust based on evidence that leads to obedience. Therefore, genuine faith in Jesus will lead us to “offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness” (Romans 6:19 NIV).

As we turn the page and step into chapter seven of this letter, we step into one of the most disagreed upon sections of this already highly debated letter. Different theories have been put forth as to what Paul really means in Romans 7:7-25, and while we may not have complete certainty on all the details, we can look at everything we’ve learned so far to discern what Paul is doing. Based on the context of everything that came before and comes after, it seems safe to say Paul is using this section to show that trying to live by the Law alone based on our own efforts is not enough to transform us into faithful disciples of Jesus. We need the grace and Spirit of God. 

And with that, Paul ushers us forward to the solution of sin, death, and condemnation. 

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4 NIV 

It is in this chapter that Paul lays out the power of the gospel to free us from the power of sin and empower us to live by the Spirit. Through the gift of the Spirit that is now living in us, all of us have been welcomed into the family of God as children. Jews and Gentiles. The Weak and the Strong. And there is nothing in all of creation that can “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39 NIV).

Journaling Questions  

• What verses stand out to you the most from today’s reading? Write them in your journal.  
• What questions do you have about the scandalous grace of God? Write them in your journal. Process with people you trust.  
• In your own words, describe the connection between trust and obedience.

Memory Verse

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV