Week of March 22, 2009

Get ready! This week's selected readings move from nail-biting narrative to mind-stretching monologue. The Apostle Paul's Mediterranean island-hopping adventure cruise (Acts 27-28) easily holds our interest, but we tend to lose our concentration during his 132-word greeting to the Roman churches. (Romans 1:1-7) However, we haven't chosen to open this most holy book as a simple diversion from the network news or latest reality show, so let's remember we need God Himself, by His Spirit, to bring these ancient words to life. We also need God's Son, Jesus Christ, who gives salvation to us who believe, and who is our only hope for meeting God's standard of moral perfection-Paul calls it "righteousness."

If you read the previous chapters in Acts, you know that Paul, this hero and defender of the faith, endured hunger and cold, imprisonment, beatings, stoning, and nearly constant danger-all for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For some 20-30 years following his conversion, he remained eager to preach this beloved gospel in spite of the cost. This first century missionary constantly proves he is "not ashamed" of the good news concerning God's plan for dealing with sinners.

Even more amazing than Paul's persistence in spreading the gospel, is God's provision in giving the gospel. Though "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23) God doesn't leave us in this hopeless state. The work of Christ on the cross has changed us from sinners to saints. He took our sin and gave us His righteousness. Now, having received Christ, we live by faith-just like Paul.

1. According to Paul, who are the righteous? the unrighteous? What are their respective rewards?
2. What does Paul say about hearers and doers, circumcised and uncircumcised, Jew and Gentile?