Friday 02 August 2013

Background

Paul writing to the young church in Rome summarised whatsalvation through Christ meant, giving Roman Christians guidance asthey strove to form a new Christian community, and work out what itmeant to live together as the body of Christ in Rome.

Notice he spoke of salvation in the plural. The gift ofsalvation is to be shared and worked out by the whole communitytogether. Collectively they were restored to being a God-likepeople through faith, and through trust in the way of and person ofChrist. This enabled them to find peace (verse 1); the hope ofsharing in the glory and lustre of God (verse 2); but it alsobrought suffering (verses 3-5). However suffering would build theircharacter and would not disappointor damage their well beingbecause God's love had been poured into their hearts through theHoly Spirit (verse 5).

This is a vision of the Christian community as a sign andforetaste of God's kingdom breaking into the world there and then,and also now. This is a vision of a community choosing life andlove, and putting behind the ways of death and false love.

In verse 6 Paul writes about that while they were still in theirungodly, messed up ways as a people together, God had showed greatlove by dying for them. Jesus died for them before there was anyevidence that they would be able to live as a Godly community, as alife-giving, rather than as a life taking people. The Romans wereinvited to believe together in Jesus, put to death their old ways,and through the power of the Holy Spirit pass over to living outthe heavenly, kingdom ways of God.

To Ponder

• What difference does it make to how you live out your Christianlife if you think of salvation as a gift shared rather thanindividual?

• In what ways is or might your church be a sign and foretaste ofGod's kingdom breaking into your community?

• In what ways has your faith brought suffering to you personallyor together with your church?