Romans 9 is about God's absolute sovereignty in choosing those who would receive his gift of eternal salvation. Who are God's chosen people, "Israel"? Is it the "Jews"? Are they biological descendants of Abraham? This chapter teaches that God had a plan for some to be chosen and some not to be chosen. He chose some to be objects of his judgment and fit only for destruction, but God also chose to pour out the riches of his glory upon those he prepared to be the objects of his mercy. He selected His chosen elect from both the Jews and from the Gentiles. He did this sovereignly, showing mercy to some just because he wanted to, and he chose to make some people reject Him by hardening their hearts. "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but (only) on God's mercy" (v.16). Paul quotes from Hosea concerning the Gentiles and the Jews---- 1) God says He will chose some (Gentiles) whom he formerly did not call and whom He did not formerly love and 2) God says that the descendants of Abraham have become great, but only a small number will be saved and this the Lord has done "with finality". Let's then rest in the hope and peace given lavishly by the grace of God, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Romans 8 is about the peace, freedom, and blessings we have now in the Spirit. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ ( v.1) and nothing on earth or in heaven can separate us from the love of God (v.39). Paul says that when "the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace"(v.7). As children of God, we eagerly anticipate "sharing in his treasures and ... sharing His glory" (v.17). We were called according to his purposes, chosen in advance, to become like His Son. And since we have been given right standing in His Son, "overwhelming victory is ours through Him" (v.37). Need encouragement? Read this chapter often !

In Romans 7, Paul describes how though we are now free from the control of our sinful nature, we continue to struggle with sin. "So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin." "Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. "(v.24-25). Enough said !

Romans 6 explains that in Christ we are now able to live free from the power of sin and can therefore now choose to obey God. Even though we still often fail to resist temptation and even cooperate willingly with our sinful nature, the power of sin in our lives is indeed defeated. Because of our union with Christ , we share in His victory over the penalty of sin and death. Because we stand "acquitted" from His judgement, we need never fear death. Let the freedom that we experience in receiving God's love and grace motivate us to live for the glory of God through Jesus and enjoy eternal fellowship with Him !

In Romans 5, Paul explains about the joy that we experience when we enter into a peaceful relationship with God. We are no longer in a position deserving of God's wrath, but have been made right in God's sight by our faith in Jesus. Paul says, "Christ brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand". I praise God daily for the joyful rest we have in looking forward to being with Him forever and sharing in His glory. Paul talks about how we can even rejoice in times of conflict and trials, since God uses those times to strengthen us and build our confidence in our salvation. We should not become discouraged when we face temptations and problems, but remember that God sent his Son to die for us while we were still sinners. "Since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment (v. 9)." Christ took our sins upon himself and took our punishment, so now "we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God" (v.11). Furthermore, we "live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ" (v17). Sing and rejoice that we now live under God's new rule of wonderful kindness and grace !!

Romans 4 explains that man is justified through grace by his faith. God's righteousness was given freely ( ie. like a gift) to Abraham simply because he believed and trusted in God, not because of any works or obedience to the law. "To the man who does no work , but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited to him as righteousness"(v.5). Paul further explains by using a quotation from David, which speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works, "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered, Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him" (v 6-8). Paul says again that righteousness promised by God "comes by faith so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed ... to all those who are of the faith of Abraham"(v.16). "The words, 'it was credited to him', were written not for Abraham alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--- for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead... for our justification" (v.24-25).

Romans 2 and 3 are about the eternal condemnation of all who put their faith in themselves or the law. "For all have sinned and fall short of God's glorious standard" (3:23). "No one is good--not even one. No one has real understanding; no one is seeking God. All have turned away from God; all have gone wrong. No one does good, not even one" (3:10-12). However, Paul says that God has provided a way of being right in His sight, not by obedience, but by the way promised in scriptures long ago. God's chosen people can be saved, no matter who they are or what they have done, when they put their faith in Jesus Christ to take away all their (past,present,and future) sins. "For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us" (3:25). Can we do anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds, but only on our faith. (3:27). We can rest in the fact that God will keep this promise and remain faithful to us, even when we are not faithful.