Romans
Romans continues the story of Paul. Here he writes to the Romans about Jesus and God.
Paul speaks of the nature of God. He made everyone. Those who misuse his name suffer. They lose their knowledge of him as they fall to base desires. All who judge others will be condemned. No one may escape the judgment of God. The glory of God may be attained by Jews and Gentiles alike through worship and repentance. Some day to come, Jesus will return and pass judgments for God. The Jew has no advantage in this; circumcision does not guarantee holiness. Everyone sins and God will forgive everything because only he is truly good. Paul speaks of Abraham and David in describing who is holy:
"Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision." Romans, 4: 7-10
Topic Tracking: Revision 11
Topic Tracking: Faith 7
Paul asserts that the covenant was meant not just for Abraham but for anyone who keeps God's faith. Belief in Jesus is this faith. He maintains that Jesus died when they were weak in order to make them strong. Just as through the offense of one, many may die, through the death of one, many were cleansed. He says that even though God is so full of grace and forgiveness, men should abandon sin. Sin brings death whereas Jesus brings eternal life.
Law rules over men while they live. If a woman's husband dies she may marry again without sin. God will deliver all men from the sins of the body. Whoever follows Jesus will not be condemned. If this pursuit, men must abandon carnal desires. Men are merely children of God, brothers of Christ. They will be saved by hope not deeds. No one should be able to separate the people from the will of God. Paul swears that nothing will part him from his love of God. He is sorrowful that he cannot bear the pain of his brothers to make their lives easier. He recounts Moses and the deeds of God and the prophets.
Topic Tracking: Faith 8
Topic Tracking: Gender 9
Paul says that he desires his brothers to be saved because they have not upheld Moses' laws. He recognizes that the children of Israel have not been obedient to the laws. Despite sin, God has not cast away his people. Even when they killed his prophets, he forgave them. Paul addresses the Gentiles concerning the Jews, "through their fall, salvation has come to the Gentiles to provoke them to jealousy." Romans, 11:11. He tells them that the olive tree has been broken at the branches, but that these branches could be replanted. Israel will be saved; the people will turn back to the Lord.
Paul entreats the people to turn back to God's ways, to not think themselves higher than any other. They are all part of the body of Christ; their enemy is their friend. Every spirit is the servant of the higher power. They must keep God's sacraments, the commandments. God will strengthen weakness. Who serves righteousness serves God. In this way, strong men should support the weak. Gentiles should serve God just as the Jews do. Paul says it is his duty to go and inform the uninformed that they may obtain salvation. He commands the leaders of the churches to be vigilant in virtue and keep the word of God.
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