PAUL’S LETTER to the Romans is right on the heels of the four gospels, which tell the story of Jesus, and the Book of Acts, which speaks of the nascent birth and development of the Christian church. In the canon of scripture, it is Paul’s first epistle, and it’s placement emphasizes what the early church fathers deemed of primary doctrinal importance. His introduction ends with the key anchor scripture for all of Paul’s theology. “The righteous will live by faith.” (Rom. 1:17c; cf. Gal. 3:11, Heb. 10:38, Hab. 2:4)
This is also one of the most important doctrinal points of all Protestant evangelical belief and practice. Just to be clear—the righteous will live by faith in Jesus. Reformed theology restates this dogmatically: “Salvation is by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone.” This is at the core of everything that Paul expresses throughout all his letters. It is not the only thing, but it is a main point. We would do well to make it a main point of our personal theology also, for good theology is a sound basis from which to respond to all of life’s challenges.
There is a strength at the core of any community, any organization, any faith enterprise, that comes from shared beliefs in foundational principles. People who share those kinds of values have the distinct possibility, not only of getting along with one another, but in getting things done. In the Christian community, these core values, and especially the shared primary value—faith in Jesus—bring the current generation of believers into the living stream of the history of Christianity that began with the birth of the church, and has now extended through two millennia into our time and place. The legacy of the saints before us becomes our responsibility to pay forward.
That legacy is not merely words, nor is it limited to actions. It is endued with a warmth of relationship; the longing of the wholeness and wholesomeness found in Jesus is a longing that extends to the desire to be with others who share that same emotional and spiritual need. As such, it is the basis for a healthy community. Paul says, “I long to see you that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Rom. 1:11a) And so also, that same emotion is felt in those of us who awake on a sunny Sunday morning in eager expectation of assembling together in praise and worship of the one who is the basis of our faith. These values draw us together, and what has been done by those who share those values has accomplished more and lasted longer than any other organization on earth.
There is no doubt that Christianity is organized around shared values, but the differentiating aspect that defines Christianity separately from all other organizations is that first and foremost it is a living organism. It is an organism that has been alive for two thousand years and on, but whose inception stems from the origins of creation. For those who believe in Jesus, we are given an expanded view of time, space, and matter that makes sense of all of creation; this is part of our heritage as believers, and we appropriate it by faith. And in this we receive for our own what Jesus referred to, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
One of the driving forces of Paul’s life is to encourage others in their faith—this permeates all of his letters. He had experienced tremendous discouragement in his life, and was encouraged by Barnabas at a particularly low point early-on in ministry. Largely rejected by the freshly-birthed Christian community, Paul had retreated to Turkey for a period of time, but “Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch.” (Acts 11:25-26) It was from this turning point that Paul’s effective ministry began, and it was during the performance of his vital ministry that he recorded his letters as a legacy of encouragement to all Christians of all times. As we look into his theology of faith in Romans, we find this infectious intention of good will towards others: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Rom. 1:11-12)
Faith is not a sterile intellectual concept; it is a dynamic power for life that energizes spirit, soul, and body. It is a basis for hope in times of despair, and a shared core value at the foundation of the best of friendships. Faith is the greatest encourager; it is leavened by love, it believes in miracles, and it always hopes for and sees the best in others. There are many encouraging verses in the bible, and it is good to meditate upon them in order to train our thoughts away from a world filled with strife and towards one filled with pleasant possibilities. Here is one affirmation fully worthy of such consideration: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 12: 23-25) The encouragement we get and give from living out the scriptures together is a never-ending source for replenishment of the energies of life.
As it is with your faith, so may it be with your soul : “According to your faith let it be done to you.” (Matt. 9:29) May your faith be made complete in Jesus; may you share faith with others.
Q. Will there be opportunity for me to share faith today?
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