“…that all nations might believe…” Romans 16:26c

Winding down his letter, Paul made a bold statement: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (v.20) The grace of Christ is sufficient to supply the Believer with what is needed for the moment: courage, trust, faith, etc. To non-believers, the words “God of peace” seem inappropriate with crushing Satan under the feet of those who walk by faith. They do not see the war that is raging for the souls of mankind.

The very reason people do not have peace is by believing Satan’s lies - lies which have not changed since the beginning of time. Here are a few examples of the lies: one need not fear judgment; choose your own destiny – be your own God. The saying is true: Know Jesus and you’ll know peace. No Jesus leads to no peace. Jesus, The Prince of Peace, is the only answer to a life that knows no peace.

Paul then sends the Roman Christians greetings from those within his support team: Timothy, Lucius, Paul’s relatives – Jason and Sosipater; along with Tertius, Gaius, Erastus and Quartus (vv. 21 – 24). What had begun as a small missionary enterprise was quickly becoming a movement of vast proportions. From Peter’s sermon at Pentecost to the churches Paul and others established, the great awakening of Christianity spread quickly. It was not about a religious practice; it was about a personal relationship with the risen Christ – available to all who would call upon His name.

Paul closed the letter by pointing the church at Rome once again to Christ:

“Now to Him Who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God so that all nations might believe and obey Him – to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” (vv. 25 – 27)

Notice that the gospel became personal to Paul… he claimed it as his own, just as all Christians should. The good news of Jesus Christ becomes personal because with Jesus, one enters a personal relationship. Those who have invited Jesus into their heart claim Him as their personal Savior. His story becomes our story. My gospel (my good news) is that my Savior is not lessened in power by becoming your Savior. His salvation is not divided, it’s multiplied.

Through the centuries, those professing to be wise have touted their understanding about the secret of life. Paul declared that the secret is now “outed”. There is no more hidden mystery. God wants everyone to know about His love for the world (read John 3:16-17).

The Great Commission was included in both the letter’s opening and closing remarks: that disciples would be made from all nations who would glorify the name of Jesus. Paul not only reminded the Roman Christians of The Great Commission, he also reminded them to be people of The Word – he pointed them to the sacred texts. People of faith are people of The Word – like Priscilla and Aquilla who counseled Apollos for a clearer understanding of prophetic fulfillment through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Word became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Becoming a student of The Word is simply nurturing a closer relationship with Him.

Are you ready to share your gospel to others so THAT ALL NATIONS MIGHT BELIEVE? You have the tools to be equipped for it: your conversion story, The Word, and the Holy Spirit Who will guide you. You can impact all nations by readily sharing with those who are coming to our country… and who will share with their families back in their home countries.

I hope you have enjoyed our discovery of five understandable words through the book of Romans. I have decided to leave the Facebook universe, as it is becoming increasingly less respectful of one’s personal information and freedoms of speech. Please make the effort to check out my website Monday through Friday for my daily vignettes to encourage your continued spiritual development: www.5understandablewords.com

If you wish to contact me, please do so at the following email address:

steve@5understandablewords.com

Have a blessed day…