Into the Heart of Romans
A Deep Dive into Paul’s Greatest Letter
New Creation, New Image, New Covenant + True Humanity, True Davinity
Pages 17-26
Romans 2:7-11 (NIV) To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
Romans 5:15-17 (NIV) But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Romans 8:28-30 (NIV) We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
The Bible teaches that humans were created to be God’s agents in His world, “not saved from the world, but for it”. How does this vision of our vocation, fulfilled in Jesus and shared by His followers, reshape the way we think about our purpose, our work, and our role in God’s ongoing redemption of creation?
How does understanding sin as a failure to reflect God’s character (rather than only as guilt) change the way you see your purpose, your relationship with creation, and your need for resurrection life? In what ways can you more fully reflect God’s wisdom, goodness, and care in your daily life (at home, at work, or in your community)?
Paul presents Jesus’ work as “the true and ultimate Exodus”, not rescuing people from the world, but renewing God’s covenant for the sake of the whole creation. What difference might it make in your faith and daily life if you saw salvation not as escape from the world, but as participation in God’s renewal of it?
Paul teaches that those who receive God’s gift of covenant membership will “reign in life” (Romans 5:17) and be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). How does this vision of sharing in Jesus’ glory and vocation as true image-bearers shape your understanding of what it means to live as part of God’s renewed family today?
Paul describes “glory” as both God’s own presence dwelling within us and the restored human vocation to reflect His character and rule in creation. How does this double meaning of glory (God’s indwelling presence and our restored dignity) shape the way you understand what it means to live as a truly “glorified” human being in Christ? Where in your life do you most sense the tension of already sharing in God’s glory, yet still waiting for its full realization?