DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON ROMANS 1:5:
“THE FACE OF GRACE”
- As shared by Rev. Don Schink © 2010
“THE FACE OF GRACE”
- As shared by Rev. Don Schink © 2010
“THROUGH HIM AND FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE, WE RECEIVED GRACE AND APOSTLESHIP TO CALL PEOPLE FROM AMONG ALL THE GENTILES TO THE OBEDIENCE THAT COMES FROM FAITH.” (New International Version)
It is through the Lord Jesus Christ and only through Him. In John 14:6, we read the very words of Jesus, “Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”” All roads do not lead to heaven as so many would like us to think these days!
It is for His name’s sake. There is no room for legalism. It is by the loving grace of God in Christ that Paul and his companions are called. It is by the loving grace that he is empowered to serve.
Paul and his companions have received a special calling to reach outside of their own people, the Jews. Their calling is extended to the Gentiles. They were no longer to look down on others with prejudice, as they had been. They were no longer to look down on others as “dogs,” as they were accustomed to do. They were no longer to consider the Gentiles as beneath them. This becomes possible through faith!
Paul’s authority is from Jesus, Himself. It was not from man. He had received his apostolic commission directly from the Lord Jesus Christ. His conversion and calling on the road to Damascus was clear. There wasn’t a single doubt in his mind. In Acts 9:3-6, the Bible says, “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. (4) He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” (5) “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus Whom you are persecuting,” He replied. (6) “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”” Can you imagine having such an experience? It is amazing. It was such a clear experience and calling that he would never forget it!
God’s ultimate purpose was unmistakable. It is quoted in Philippians 2:10-11, where we read, “That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” God’s purpose is clear. It is to preach the Word with the emphasis on grace. There is the call to obedience by faith.
In Romans 10:9-13, the Bible says, “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (11) As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” (12) For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, (13) for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” In Romans 10:17, the Bible says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.”
“The obedience that comes from faith” has the motivation factor of what I continually refer to as “an attitude of gratitude.” It is why we do what we do. We have come to accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord by faith. We are His kids and gladly so. A friend came to me years ago, saying, “Pastor Don, I get it! It is obedience. I don’t want to disappoint Him after all that He has done for me! I don’t have to. I want to!”
In Joshua 1:8, the Bible says, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
In 1 Samuel 15:22, we read, “But Samuel replied, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
In John 15:10, Jesus said, “If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love.”
We do so due to proper motivation. It is love. When our hearts and lives are in line with God’s Word and His will, we gladly do so. It is not a burden. It is not out of obligation. It is not done out of duty. It is a joy! We desire to please Him Who has made the supreme sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross for our sins. He is truly our best friend and we gladly and obediently respond to His love and grace.
For further questions or comments, please email me at: PastorDonNM@gmail.com.
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