THE NARROW ROAD TO SALVATION (Revisiting the Book of Romans) By Robert Wurtz II
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matthew 7:3-14).
Every book in the bible works together for a common purpose. The book of Genesis tells us how things began. The book of Revelation tells us how things will end; but the book of Romans tells us how to be right with God.
It is commonly believed among people in the world, that if a person were to live a good life and keep the golden rule they would make it to Heaven. They believe that if the good deeds somehow outweigh the bad deeds, God will be pleased. Many think that so long as they just keep the Ten Commandments and obey the laws of the land, it will be sufficient. However, the Bible paints quite a different picture. Salvation is not based on a man's merit or works; it is provided through the finished work of Christ (Romans 9:11, Ephesians 2:9, Titus 3:5). There is only one way to Heaven, and it is through the front door; and that door is Jesus Christ. As it is written... I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture (John 10:9). Man cannot save himself, even if he were able to live a perfect life. The Law served to reveal God's personality and Man's rebellion; it was not intended to save anyone (Galations 3:21). Gentiles who never knew the Law are without excuse; the same as the Jew who knew the Law, but did not keep it. Everyone is guilty before God and in need of salvation.
The World Renown Faith of the Gentiles
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also (Romans 1:1-14).
THE CHURCH AT ROME
The Book of Romans was written by Paul the Apostle to the world renown Church of Rome, at a time when the Gospel had already spread past Rome. Romans is the most formal and systematic of Paul's epistles, and it is written to Believers. The main theme of Romans is that righteousness comes as a free gift of God and is receivable by faith alone (sola feday). Along with that fact, Paul defines the reality of a changed life. Without change, there is no salvation. Although many have taken the 'Roman Road to Salvation' as the only form of faith and practice necessary to please God, there is a definite context to all of those scripture verses. Romans stands at the head of the Pauline epistles because it is the longest of his letters, but it is also Paul's most important epistle. Repeatedly in its history, the Church has found in this epistle a catalyst for reform and new life.
Augustine and Romans
In the fourth century a troubled young man, sensing a divine command to open the Bible and read the first passage he came to, read these words: "Not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill lusts thereof" (Romans 13:13-14). 'In an instant,' says Augustine, 'the light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.' In the 16th century a young monk found release from his struggles with God by claiming salvation by grace through faith (Romans 1:17; 3:24).
Martin Luther and Romans
This truth caused Martin Luther to turn to Christ at a time when it was the death penalty to have a copy of the Scriptures, or teach them in English. Romans, perhaps more than any single book of the Bible, has exerted a powerful influence on the history of Christianity, especially the Protestant Reformation.
Our Beloved Brother Who Writes Things Hard to be Understood
There can be no doubt that Romans is an exposition of the content of the Gospel by the greatest mind in the early Church-the apostle Paul. The epistle bears Paul's name as author (Romans 1:1). Paul most likely wrote the epistle during his third missionary journey as he finalized plans to visit Rome (Acts 19:21). His three-month stay in Corinth, probably in the spring of A. D. 56 or 57, would have provided the extended time needed, to compose such a commentary on the Gospel.
Romans was written to a church that Paul did not found and had not visited. He wrote the letter to give an account of the Gospel in preparation for a personal visit (Romans 1:11). Paul wrote most probably from Corinth, where he was completing the collection of money from the Macedonian and Achaian Christians for the "poor saints" in Jerusalem. After delivering the money, he planned to visit Rome and, with the Roman's support, to travel to Spain. The epistle, therefore, served as an advanced good-will ambassador for Paul's visit to Rome and his later mission to Spain (Romans 15:22-33).
The Power of God Unto salvation
The great theme of Romans is God's power to save. The Romans understood power; when Paul wrote this epistle to the capital of the ancient world, Rome ruled supreme. The Gospel, however, is nothing to be ashamed of in comparison; for it, too, is power-- indeed the "power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile" (Romans 1:16). In the gospel both Jews and Gentiles find access to God, not on the basis of human achievement, but because of God's free grace bestowed on those who accept it by an authenticatable faith.
ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD
Paul emphasizes that everyone without exception stands in need of God's grace. This was apparent in the case of the Gentiles, who, instead of worshiping the Creator, worshiped the things created (Romans 1:25). But the Jews, in spite of their belief that they were superior to Gentiles, were also salvationally bankrupt apart from Christ. The Jews knew the revealed will of God and they judged others by it; but they failed to see that they were condemned by the very Law by which they passed judgments on others (Romans 2:1-3:8).
Thus, "there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:22-23). The good news of the Gospel, is that God's love is so great that it reaches mankind even in their sin. The form it took was the death of the beloved Son of God on the cross. The only righteous human in the eyes of God, Jesus, died on behalf of all of the unrighteous. Therefore, God pronounces people justified, not when they have attained a certain level of goodness-- thus excluding justification by works-- but on condition of REPENTANCE and SAVING FAITH (Romans 5:8-10). Such grace can be received only by grateful and trusting surrender through turning from self to God, which is FAITH. That Faith will bring change, and that change is revealed in who we make to be our master; either Christ or Sin (John 8:34).
The Just Shall Live By Faith
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
A Snapshot of Today
These verses in Romans are an accurate account of many in the World today. Man has not changed in their rebellion against God, nor in their depravity, for 6000 years. Every generation follows the same path, and everyone of them do it as though they were the first to do so. Fornication is not new, homosexuality is not new, claiming that there is no God is not new, matter of fact, there is no new thing under the Sun (Ecclestiases 1:9). The 'new morality' is 'old hat' in the eyes of a God that has already destroyed the World once over man's rebellion. God has demonstrated His love for man while man has mocked Him in return. No matter who you are, you know better, you knew better, and you will always know better. Trying to forget God is as old as Cain. You will not be judged because you didn't know better, you will be judged because we were born knowing better, no matter what our rebellion does to our beliefs. Man chooses to forget God, because he loves his sin.
