The extraordinary letter of passionate Christian theology

We are beginning a new study! Paul’s letter to the Romans is saturated with Paul’s passion, his love and devoted service to God. Eugene’s Peterson states in his introduction of Romans:

“The letter to the Romans is a piece of exuberant and passionate thinking. This is the glorious life of the mind enlisted in the service of God. Paul takes the well-witnessed and devoutly believed fact of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth and thinks through its implications. How does it happen that in the death and resurrection of Jesus, world history took a new direction, and at the same moment the life of every man, woman, and child on the planet was eternally affected? What is God up to? What does it mean that Jesus ‘saves’? What’s behind all this, and where is it going?” –Peterson

“These are the questions that drive Paul’s thinking. Paul’s mind is supple and capacious. He takes logic and argument, poetry and imagination, Scripture and prayer, creation and history and experience, and weave them into this letter that has become the premier document of Christian theology.” –Peterson

We have used the Roman’s Road, a group of passages from the book of Romans to help others receive Jesus as their own. We rely on this letter to guide our own thinking as we daily live for Christ, laying down the stuff of this world and it’s concerns to prepare ourselves for our eternal home. We know from this letter that it takes daily personal sacrifice to be an “offering” back to God, our Creator and “be changed from the inside out”. (Rom 12). Yes, this letter helps we who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior to learn how to allow Jesus to be LORD of our lives.

Now…Paul’s introduction:

Romans 1, The Message

I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God’s words and acts. I write this letter to all the Christians in Rome, God’s friends.

2-7 The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God’s Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! And I greet you now with all the generosity of God our Father and our Master Jesus, the Messiah.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Jesus Christ who saved us, redeemed us and bought us back at a high price. We come before You with gratitude and praise. We ask that over the next few months that You take us deep into this letter that tells how to think and behave in ways that make You smile, ways that bring us into focus of how You love, show mercy and extend grace. Go with us. May Your Holy Spirit’s power work in us, saturating our minds of You, turning from this world’s thinking, back to only You.
In Jesus Name, Amen