Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Thursday after the Fourth Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Romans 1:16-32 (NKJV)

1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Devotion

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

This verse is often separated out from the previous verse. But as was stated yesterday, this is the reason for St. Paul’s desire and readiness to preach the Gospel to the people of Rome. His desire to preach the Gospel is so that those who hear might believe what he preaches. The Gospel is “the power of God to salvation.” “For everyone who believes” has salvation. Those who are justified have, and live, by faith. There is no salvation, no justification, apart from faith.

St. Paul explains this further in the rest of the chapter. The unrighteousness of man is revealed in their thoughts, words, and deeds. This unrighteousness in man has led to the rejection of the Lord God. They have denied the truth that is revealed both inherently in nature, and more clearly revealed through the Word of God. The preaching of the Holy Scriptures about the Christ reveals the truth. It is this truth that St. Paul desires to bring to the people in Rome so that they might hear, believe, and receive justification and salvation.

This is what preachers continue to do today: they unmask the lies of the world—the sins that people cling to—so that people no longer cling to their works, but cling to the perfect works of the Lord Jesus and not be ashamed to find salvation in Him alone.

Prayer: Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by Thy governance that Thy Church may joyfully serve Thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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