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Grace, Apostleship, and the Obedience of Faith | Romans 1:5
Romans 1:5 shows what flows from the risen Christ: grace, calling, gospel mission, the obedience of faith, and the glory of Christ among the nations.In this episode of Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything, Dave Jenkins explains that Paul received grace and apostleship through Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul’s apostolic office was unique and foundational to the early church, but the grace that saved Paul also sent him into gospel ministry.This text helps us understand the obedience of faith. Christians are justified by faith alone in Christ alone, apart from works. Yet the faith that receives Christ produces a new direction of life marked by obedience, repentance, holiness, and joyful service to the Lord.Listen or Watch
Grace Comes Through Jesus Christ
Paul did not earn his calling, deserve mercy, or make himself acceptable before God. Christ confronted him, saved him, and called him. The same is true of every believer. Forgiveness, justification, adoption, eternal life, and perseverance all come by the grace of God through Jesus Christ alone.Grace leaves no room for boasting. It humbles sinners, produces worship, and moves Christians to tell others about the Savior who has shown them mercy.Grace Calls Christians to Serve Christ
Paul’s apostleship was a unique office given by the risen Christ. Christians today do not possess that apostolic office. Still, the principle remains: grace does not leave God’s people idle. The grace that saves also calls believers to faithful service.We do not serve Christ in order to earn His acceptance. We serve because, in Christ, we have received His grace. Our homes, work, gifts, relationships, time, and resources belong to the Lord.The Gospel Brings About the Obedience of Faith
The obedience of faith does not mean that sinners earn justification through obedience. We are justified by faith alone in Christ alone. But genuine faith receives Christ as Lord and begins bearing the fruit of obedience.Christ is the ground of our confidence and righteousness. As we look to Him, we fight sin, submit to Scripture, repent when we fail, and follow Him in the daily details of life.The Gospel Is for All the Nations
The gospel is not limited to one people, language, nation, or culture. God is gathering a people for Himself from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Because Jesus Christ is Lord over all, the church must proclaim the gospel among all the nations.Some Christians go, others send, give, pray, and faithfully speak of Christ to the people God has placed around them. The gospel that saves us is the gospel we are called to carry to others.Everything Is for the Name of Christ
Paul’s final purpose is clear: “for the sake of his name.” Grace, ministry, missions, faith, obedience, and salvation all exist for the glory of Jesus Christ.The goal of Christian ministry is not to make our name great. It is to proclaim the name above every name. If Christ is known and honored, He is enough. We have received grace so that we might live for the One who gave it.Key Scriptures
- Romans 1:5
- Genesis 12:3
- John 3:30
- Romans 16:26
