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Pastor's Blog December 2, 2021
"View of God in Romans XXXIX"
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In speaking about what appears to be the entirety of his letter to the Romans, Paul states, "But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:15-16, NASB).
Paul has written throughout his letter on several points that touch on God, humanity, and our salvation in Christ and the Holy Spirit. Many of those points are expressed in bold, confrontational, and shocking language - points about how grace is more powerful than sin, how God's obedience in us leads to true freedom and identity, how Jesus' deity and humanity provide salvation for us, and how the Spirit's work ultimately brings about the end of this world and the beginning of the new, unending one. But do you notice WHY Paul states he has written boldly on some points?
It was "because of the grace that was given me from God." God's own character and example of giving grace to Paul led the apostle to write boldly to other believers about the experience they've already had with God. In fact, Paul recognized that God's character and grace were what had made him "a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles." Paul's gospel ministry to the Gentiles was for the purpose that "my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit."
It wasn't Paul's vocation as a "priest" of the good news of Jesus Christ that would provide salvation to the Gentiles, nor was it Paul's ministry that made the Gentiles "acceptable" or produce their sanctification. Instead, Paul's gospel ministry and calling by Jesus Christ enabled him to discern God's saving work for the Gentiles, and that God graciously chose to use Paul's efforts in that endeavor. It was the Holy Spirit who sanctified the Gentiles and made them acceptable; Paul was simply a recipient of God's grace like his Gentile brothers and sisters.
Friends, God wants you to know that your experience with himself is based on his grace and what he has already been doing in you.
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God bless,
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
