Today we begin Romans, I will not apologize for the word of God. Instead, I will teach Gods word boldly, truthfully, and as accurate as I find it in the scriptures. We do not teach hate, but Gods Word. To love someone, is to tell only the truth. God’s truth is all I will teach. With that being said, Romans was written about 60 A.D. You might remember Felix was replaced by Festus at this time, in Acts 24:27. After much investigation, I believe this was written in Puteoli (Acts 28:13) and not in Rome. Romans chapter 1 and verse 1 reads.
Romans 1
Rom.1:1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Yes, called to be an apostle. Some would tell you Paul was not an Apostle, but would you believe Peter? Let’s go to 2Pet.3:15-16, and it reads.
2Pet.3:15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
[16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Saying that Paul not only a brother in Christ, but wrote many of the books of the New Testament. That he wrote many of the complicated scriptures as well, making them easy to understand. Back to Romans and verse 2 reads.
Rom.1:2] (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
[3] Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
John 1:14 “and the Word became flesh”.
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:
Speaking of Heb.2:14, and it reads.
Heb.2:14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Back to Romans and verse 5 reads.
Rom.1:5] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
[6] Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
[7] 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.
Saints are “set aside ones” or his Elect. Are you called.
Rom.1:8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
[9] 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;
Don’t overlook “serve with my spirit”. It is the spirit and not the flesh that we serve him with.
Rom.1:10] Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Here is where I think it is just before his voyage to go to Rome.
Rom.1:11] For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
[12] That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
[13] 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.
One can strengthen another in Christ.
Rom.1:14] I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
To all ethnos, all races. To those educated and uneducated.
Rom.1:15] So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
This is written in the prophet Habakkuk 2:3-4 and it reads.
Hab.2:3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
[4] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
So, this is written for the “end times” and will be explained in a moment.
Rom.1:18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
It is written in his Word. Manifest is “made known”, he will open the eyes “If” you read it.
Rom.1:20] 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:
Even nature knows what is right and what is wrong.
Rom.1:21] 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.
Because they mock God, God hardened their hearts.
Rom.1:22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Wisdom comes from God, again they mock God. John 9, because you claim to see, your sins remain.
Rom.1:23] 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.
God is not flesh he is Spirit. But man cannot understand unless God gives it to him.
Rom.1:24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Do not stop reading if you are homosexual, this could be your only chance to hear the Word of God.
Rom.1:25] 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.
[26] 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:
[27] 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 recompence of their error which was meet.
[28] 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;
Doing these things which are detestable to our Father. Here is what the Father will do. And then this is what is left of the soul, and verse 29 reads.
Rom.1:29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
[30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
[31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Again, let’s read Habakkuk 2:3-4.
Hab.2:3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
[4] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Did not Rom.1:25-31 sound familiar, is not this happening today. Back to Romans and verse 32 reads.
Rom.1:32] 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.
Those that know Gods word know the judgement is death. But some churches teach falsely that it is ok to be homosexual. This is a lie and it is evil in our churches today and we must embrace them that never heard this truth. If you want to hear what God has to say about homosexuality, read Lev.20:13, Lev.18:22, and also in Due.23:17-18. It is an abomination to God to commit homosexual acts. To those that are homosexual and never heard this truth from Gods word, repent. That’s all, just repent, for we all have sinned. Repentance is a change of heart(mind). Meaning we don’t want to do them again, having heard the truth. And it is not the unpardonable sin. Meaning it is pardonable upon repentance. Think not that God hates you, but read his word and find solace. I want all to read Psa.51 with me.
Psa.51:1] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
[2] Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
[3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
[5] Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
[6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
[7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
[8] Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
[9] Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
[11] Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
[12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
[13] Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Think God hates sinners? He was hung on a cross, his arms ripped from socket, they spit on his face, they crammed a crown of thorns on his head. He did this for us. So that on repentance, he would blot out our sins and give his Salvation to us. God is love, he gave himself for you and me. But truth is truth, homosexuality is a sin. So repent. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible