Devotional thoughts for Wednesday

Wednesday 7. January 2015 

Epiphany 

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel, which He promised beforehand through His Prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among the all the nations. (Romans 1,1-5 ESV) 

The opening sentence of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans manifests for us the Glory of Jesus Christ. He summarizes the life and ministry of Jesus in one long sentence. Jesus is both man, descended from David, and God, for He is the Son of God. Paul mentions His death and resurrection; the Holy Spirit gives us the grace Christ has purchased on the cross and proven in His resurrection. 

Note also that Paul teaches the doctrine of the Holy Trinity without using the word "Trinity". In fact, the word "Trinity" does not occur in the Bible, but the concept and doctrine of the Trinity is found in both the Old and New Testaments. Here in Romans 1 Paul refers to all three Persons of the Trinity. 

Paul also mentions that grace and faith are for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Many of the Christians receiving and reading this epistle were Gentile Christians living in Rome. Many of them were probably Roman citizens, too. Paul tells us that the gospel is for all the nations, and the Holy Spirit spreads the gospel across all the world so that people will hear it, receive it and believe it unto everlasting life. 

Prayer: O Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. grant us Your Holy Spirit so that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen.  (B69, Treasury of Daily Prayer)