The Mystery RevealedSample

Day 8: Kate Powell, a Braveheart

Romans 15-16

I love the seemingly random parts of scripture - the genealogies, the lists, the repetition of various phrases. Given by a God who is constant and orderly, they are never random.

At first glance, the relational list of Romans 16 seems to be tacked onto the end of the letter, like a very long postscript. However, taken in the context of Romans as a whole, it reveals the destination to which we are actually headed. Romans maps out how we move from individual sinners and enemies of God to becoming part of Christ, being sanctified and forming his one Body. Life after the cross is not the life of an individual but the plural life of all believers together in Christ. I am co-crucified with Christ and we are born again.

The gospel culminates in the local churches, with Romans 16 providing a role call of churches that are clearly dear to Paul. As individuals are transformed through Christ into one Body, this Body connects and is expressed through the local church.

We see in verse 20 that Satan gets crushed under the feet of the Christ-filled church. As the local church matures, it overcomes Satan, not the individual. No wonder there is so much opposition and rampant division. Let us be the ones that bless the local church rather than slander it. Let us be the ones who are kind to pastors. Let us receive one another in the Lord in a manner worthy of the One we love.

Prayer: Father, establish me according to the gospel, the proclamation of Jesus Christ. Make me true in the innermost places. Lead me by Your Spirit. Root me deeply into relationships with brothers and sisters in the faith. May I be a blessing to Your Body and Your churches. Be glorified in my life. Amen.