(Rom 1:5)  “By Whom (Jesus) we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations,…”  Consider that phrase, “obedience to the faith”. The Scriptures teach there is not true faith without obedience. Some claim Christianity without a shred of visible obedience. Such a claim is false. Salvation brings to us the love of the Holy Spirit for our Savior and God. It brings a desire to be obedient.

(Rom 1:5) “By whom we have received grace and apostleship,….”  “Apostle”: sent one.  Well, we are not apostles, chosen personally and sent out by the Lord Jesus. But we are “sent out” to tell the glorious good news – the gospel – of sins paid and salvation through repentance. Your commission and mine (Matt 28:18-20).  Add the gospel to your thankful expressions today!   

(Rom 1:5) “By whom we have received grace….”  The grace (favor we receive but do not deserve) by which we receive salvation and day by day blessings, is all because of Jesus. It is because of His sinless life, He offering of Himself to die in your place, and it is because of His victory over the grave (v.4). I do not stand by any merit of my own. My merit is my Savior!   

  (Rom 1:4)  “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”  The resurrection proved He was and is Who He claimed to be – the Son of God!  He was holy, and yet took our place in suffering and death. That holiness was recognized publicly by His resurrection!   

 (Rom 1:3) “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; (4)  And declared to be the Son of God with power,….”  Isn’t that what you would expect? God’s Son would possess God’s power, over all things: weather, molecules (water and food), His enemies (demons and Satan), every type of sickness. You would expect Him to be more intelligent than any other person. Yes, the Scripture is true. He was declared to be the Son of God with power!

(Rom 1:3) “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”  Our Lord Jesus was born a Hebrew, a Jew. How can we possibly love Him and not love His people, His heritage? We would very much love Him if we were people of the Word. As we read again and again the pages of Scripture, we embrace them wholeheartedly as the people of God. Abraham is our spiritual Father, David’s Son the King of our life!

(Rom 1:1)  “Paul,….separated unto the gospel of God, … (3)  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,….”  The “good news”, the Gospel of God, is all about, in, and through His only begotten Son. To not plainly lift up the Lord Jesus – His life, His sacrifice for us in death, and His resurrection – is to fail. There is no new life, no victory over sin and Satan, no hope, without the possession of Him as Savior. So, think often and speak often of His glorious Person!

(Rom 1:1) “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (2)  (Which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)”   Eternal salvation through victory over Satan was promised the very day Adam and Eve fell into sin. From that point more and more was revealed of this event. Praise God, He always keeps His promise as seen in this event, the Lord Jesus Christ paying for our sins on Calvary’s cross. Having risen from the dead, possessing eternal life, He now offers the same to those who repent and believe.

(Rom 1:1) “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”  We who have been saved, have been adopted by God. He is now our Father. As such we seek to immulate the life of Jesus. While on earth He said,  (Luk_22:27)  “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.” Jesus in heaven has assumed his place as Son; so will we when we pass this life. Until then, as our Lord, as Paul, serve the Lord by ministering to others.