Memesplanation Short - Romans 1:1-2
Romans 1:1-2
Paul, a loving and loyal servant of the Anointed One, Jesus. He called me to be his apostle and set me apart with a mission to reveal God’s wonderful gospel. I write to all his beloved chosen ones in Rome, for you are also called as holy ones. May his joyous grace and total well-being, flowing from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, rest upon you.
My commission is to preach the good news. Yet it is not entirely new, but the fulfillment of the hope promised to us through his prophets in the sacred Scriptures.
Today, we start Romans fresh, in chapter 1, and walk through, a 1-4 verses at a time, except for chapter 8, which we just finished. I couldn’t help myself. I love that chapter. This is Paul’s introduction to the ekklesia at Rome, which he did not plant, and had never visited before. This is who Paul sees himself to be, a loving and loyal servant of Jesus. He is an apostle, but that comes after relationship. Then he greets them in grace and full shalom in Jesus. Get your relationship with Him first, just as Paul did. Don’t get mixed up, as so many do.
Memesplanation Short - Romans 1:3-4
Romans 1:3-4
For the gospel is all about God’s Son. As a man he descended from David’s royal lineage, but as the mighty Son of God he was raised from the dead and miraculously set apart with a display of triumphant power supplied by the Spirit of Holiness. And now Jesus is our Lord and our Messiah.
Who is this Jesus, anyway? He is writing to a group of Jesus followers, but wants to be sure that they don’t get it confused. The gospel is all about Him. This is almost Paul saying, you can trust me, I know Jesus, too. This is the foundation of why I am writing to you, that being our shared faith. Jesus is man and God. He is our savior, and the one who has reshaped our very lives. He is our anointed Lord. I do not know most of you, but it feels apt to say something like that to you, now.
Memesplanation Short - Romans 1:5-6
Romans 1:5-6
Through him grace cascaded into us, empowering us with the gift of apostleship, so that we can win people from every nation into the obedience that comes from faith, to bring honor to his name. And you are among the chosen ones who are called to belong to Jesus, the Anointed One.
Jesus is the source of all of this grace and life-changing reality. He has sent out some, like me, that some from every nation might be won into faithful obedience to God. You have already made the commitment to Jesus, and I recognize that. I have heard many good things about you and your lives, your faithfulness to the Lord in the face of persecution, and your love for the rest of the Body of Christ. Find your all in Him, today.