The Power of God

Any serious reader of the Scripture finally comes to a time when they willingly wade into the deep swirling theological waters known as the letter to the Christians at Rome.  Early in our journey when we are green in the faith, we might rush into the reading with a kind of eager enthusiasm so we can be one of those who can say, "I read Romans," but such a reading is not likely to really do much damage to our preconceived notions about the essence of the Christian faith.     

It is actually a writing which has had life changing impact on some of the church's great spiritual leaders.  Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Wesley are three whose faith was shaped by the words of Romans.  And, in their case, it not only altered the direction of their lives, but gave impetus to what God was doing in the world through the church.  One ought not undertake a reading of Romans lightly.  It is, after all, by its own admission, "the power of God."  (Romans 1:16).    

Preachers are prone to get into Romans with preaching and find themselves unable to find the exit door.  Long years ago while in Vidalia I set out to preach through the book of Romans and six months and some forty sermons later I found the last chapter.  It probably did the preacher more good than those in the pews who must have gotten weary with the listening.  And while I must confess to some degree of relief when it was done, there was also at the end a renewed spirit and a new understanding of things known which is usually the result of choosing to wade into theological waters over our head.