Romans

By Gerald Melton

The person who decides or responds to following Jesus can learn to take spiritual steps to move forward in God's plan in their life. Going from an unbeliever to a mature Christian; a person can take another advancement to growth in Jesus. The end result is to be a servant of God in one's neighbor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lettra Press LLC
• Release date: Aug 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781955363099

Gerald Melton

Gerald Melton has authored three books, The Skills of Spiritual Leadership, Revelation, and Romans. Through a connection with scriptures and God, we will gain time that will count for our accountability day when we give account to Jesus Christ. Romans 14:12. Gerald has learned that we must defensively work our spiritual business through walking in the Holy Spirit. Galatian’s 5:25. By using common since, scripture, and following the Holy Spirit; we can build our house on Jesus the Rock for an unmovable structure designed to serve God in his cause. Gerald’s desire is to help you do just that through the series Be about your Spiritual Business.

Book preview

Romans

Transitioning from serving the creation to serving God

Gerald Melton

Romans by Gerald Melton

This book is written to provide information and motivation to readers. Its purpose is not to render any type of psychological, legal, or professional advice of any kind. The content is the sole opinion and expression of the author, and not necessarily that of the publisher.

Copyright © 2021 by Gerald Melton

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form by any means, including, but not limited to, recording, photocopying, or taking screenshots of parts of the book, without prior written permission from the author or the publisher. Brief quotations for noncommercial purposes, such as book reviews, permitted by Fair Use of the U.S. Copyright Law, are allowed without written permissions, as long as such quotations do not cause damage to the book’s commercial value. For permissions, write to the publisher, whose address is stated below.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN 978-1-955363-08-2 (Paperback

ISBN 978-1-955363-09-9 (Digital)

Lettra Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

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Contents

Introduction

Unit 1: Iniquity

Chapter 1. What to do with the good news

Chapter 2. Apply the good news to our life

Chapter 3. Accepting God’s grace through Jesus Christ

Unit 2: Grace

Chapter 4. Have a faith that brings God’s blessing

Chapter 5. Let your faith emulate Jesus Christ’s example

Unit 3: Growth

Chapter 6. There is power from Calvary to do God’s Will

Chapter 7. A choice between two natures

Chapter 8. The Spirit can help you progress in God’s program

Unit 4: Sovereignty

Chapter 9. Believing in, submitting to, and remaining in Jesus Christ

Chapter 10. Responding in the favorable hour to receive God’s righteousness

Chapter 11. Yield to God and pray for Israel’s faith

Unit 5: Application

Chapter 12. We exercise overcoming love as we serve

Chapter 13. Authority, righteousness, and subordinating ourselves

Chapter 14. Loving God, others, and having a good account

Chapter 15. Ministry outlook and compassion

Chapter 16. Keys to being established

Conclusion

Introduction

Romans: transitioning from serving the creation to serving God.

Romans is a compelling book that influences men and women to transition from serving the creation to serving God and putting all our pursuits in balance.

As a person decides to respond to God by taking appropriate steps to move forward in God’s divine will for their life, they will find that God is more than happy to accommodate them on their journey.

The book helps a person to move from living without Jesus to becoming a full servant of God. All of this helps us move forward in a step-by-step way. We can respond to God, walk with him, become proficient followers of Jesus, and continue with him.

The benefits of Romans are numerous. You’ll know where you and your mentee are spiritually at all times. You’ll know your stance before God as well as the next move to take with grace and have the ability to take it. You’ll learn each phase of the foundation for moving forward, and last of all, you’ll see God is reasonable. You’ll be able to use each stage to move forward in every situation in life.

So, reading this book will assist your obedient discipleship in following Jesus so that you become God’s servant.

Sincerely, Gerald Melton

Unit 1

Iniquity

Chapter 1

What to do with the good news

We are called to declare Jesus Christ.

We all follow someone. My question for you is, Who is your master? Do you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, or are you subservient to the things of this world? God is calling each of us to His salvation and service.

We see in Romans 1:1-7 that we are called to serve God in declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s examine how we can identify the call to proclaim the gospel.

We can identify the call to declare the gospel because upon being born again, we became separated for the work of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)" (Romans 1:1-2 KJV)

Paul was divinely appointed as an apostle for Jesus Christ. Upon our born-again experience, we are now his disciples and followers and as such are appointed a charge of the great commission; which commission is to make disciples, baptize them, and teaching them Christ’s commandments: his commission is our authority. We see in verse one that Paul, as Jesus Christ’s servant, considered himself a slave to Jesus; and to the fulfillment of his ministry to Jesus. Paul was set apart to fulfill this commission and spread the gospel as an agent especially chosen of God.

We must allow such a connection to our born-again experience because God called us out of the umbrella of this world to the blood covering and life-changing regenerating work of God by his Holy Spirit. Like Paul, we are to serve Jesus over ourselves. We are like a man drafted or volunteered in spiritual training. Jesus Christ develops us as we volunteer. As the transformation of civilian to soldier takes place, the soldier increasingly becomes more valuable as one grows as a maturing soldier.

We must allow ourselves to identify and be called by God in our faith, so we walk with God and share his good news. We are separated unto Jesus Christ to share the gospel story. As we share the good news, we will win souls out of this world to God’s Kingdom.

We can identify the call to declare the gospel because we have heard, believed, known, and share in this good news about Jesus Christ.

"Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" (Romans 1:3-4 KJV)

Like Paul, Jesus Christ and the good news is our message to declare. Jesus Christ is the man of our gospel; he is the gospel. He was born of David’s lineage by God’s design and fulfilled the Messiah’s requirement in birth, life, and death. As the suffering Messiah, he was mainly unknown to most because he didn’t seem to meet their standard. In his divine-human nature, he was the Son of God in weakness; and after the resurrection was declared the Lord Messiah in power. Jesus will return in power when he comes to judge the nations at his Second Advent. It is this Jesus, our Lord, who saved us and made us an heir. Jesus Christ, a seed of David in the flesh, now in power by his resurrection, has saved us by his work while he was in weakness (the flesh) before his resurrection.

It was by Jesus Christ’s work done in his flesh (or before the resurrection) on the cross that allowed an opportunity for us to get saved because he, in his flesh, bore our penalty. But his Messiah Lordship was declared to us in power by his resurrection: his resurrection is proof of his deity and eternal power. Jesus, so it seems, had to go back to Heaven before setting up his millennial Kingdom; or he would remain in the first Advent state, but now can come in power.

This good news we believed and saved us so that we can enter God’s service by sharing the good news. We have a message to declare: this Jesus of power will convert those you tell who believe.

We can identify the call to declare the gospel because, by faith, we obey the call to know Jesus Christ and share him with all we meet.

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: (Romans 1:5-6 KJV)

We now, having been obedient through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, have our deliverance from servitude to the created order (creation) unto service to the living God. Satan designed obedience to nature (the creature), but Jesus restored us to sonship to God through his work for us and in us. It is by Jesus we have received grace. It is God’s grace through Jesus, which brought us salvation. Our obedience by faith in Jesus Christ enables us to yield to God in good faith. God restored and made us acceptable and useful as a servant and son of God.

We are objects of God’s love and are called to bring God’s light (the light of Jesus Christ) to every community we enter. We are not here just for self-preservation but to boldly share Jesus with all people.

Let’s not just focus on how God has delivered us but also on his power to make us his valiant servants. We know Jesus enables us to walk in victory, and he is our power before others. We also know he will save those who believe our testimony.

We can identify the call to declare the gospel because the need for all unsaved persons demands the very best diligence of sharing the good news.

"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:7 KJV)

Paul wanted to reach not just those who already knew Jesus Christ but the unreached; so that he could have fruit among them. We should reach lost souls that we might bring precious souls into God’s Kingdom also. Obedience to soul-winning requires our very best. Paul intended to reach unsaved people in Rome! He called them beloved. God counts all unsaved people dear under the hope that they will listen, believe, and respond to his invitation to repent and believe in His Son for salvation.

Only our very best response is acceptable in reaching the unsaved people groups and individuals in serving God.

We are very grateful and indebted to those who poured their hearts out to us, even in our stubborn attitudes. We have such a privilege to share the good news with sinners too. We can take a Christlike attitude with people and win many.

We, also, are called to serve God by winning precious souls to God through Jesus Christ. If we refuse, then those persons will be lost. So, let’s put all we have got into God’s work of winning souls to Jesus Christ.

Christians owe the Good News.

We need to know that as Christians, we have a debt to pay. This debt is not of finances, nor is it of gratitude, but of sharing Jesus Christ with all we meet.

In Romans 1:8-15, we see that we must serve others by approaching them from a position of indebtedness. Let’s see why our approach and motive must be correct as we share the gospel with others.

We must delight when others grow in faith by our daily prayers.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; (Romans 1:8-9 KJV)

When we pray for people and see them grow and thrive, it is a reason to rejoice in God. We can dialogue with God within and without about his great deeds done. We can give thanks for those we have the privilege of interceding in prayer. Let’s be happy when the faith of those we pray for soars. God wants us to do all we do for others as unto him. As we mention these to God, we ought to stir up the gifts God gave us to minister to them.

To see them grow is a reason to give praise to God for their maturity. Let’s look and take notice of the growth of others, which we pray into their lives, giving all thanks to God.

Caring for others is a particular interest we have in sharing our faith. It is God’s love working through us. Let’s apply ourselves to impact others’ lives.

We long to connect with our prospect in the hope of imparting a spiritual gift(s).

Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. (Romans 1:10-12 KJV)

Paul requested this mutual edification between himself and his potential audience from God. It is the prosperous journey Paul longed for whereby he could impart blessings to the Romans. Paul sought this kind of connection. The successful trip Paul asked God for was a relationship that he might heal and impart a gift so that the Romans would be established. To establish them is why Paul attempted to make contact with the Romans so that he might build love and spiritual maturity in them.

Let God move your heart to connect and share your faith with others. Attempt to try to communicate with others to edify and establish rapport.

Start by asking God to open a door for you to share Jesus Christ, the Word, your testimony, and to impart yourself. Your prayer will allow you to minister to them. Then God will use your faith to work His love into their lives.

We must approach our target with the hope of their salvation by our testimony.

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. (Romans 1:13 KJV)

Paul expressed to these brethren that he longed to come to them. He communicated that he desired their salvation, maturity, and growth in God’s plan for them. But he was often hindered. He told them that he didn’t want them ignorant of that fact. He wanted them to know what his delay was. Paul had purposed to come but was hindered. He expressed his intentions in verses 10-12 to build up God’s people. Paul wanted the fruit of establishing Christian followers.

We must move forward with the hope of reaching out to people and influencing them for Christ. Many times we move forward with no intention of impacting any people.

Go to God and intercede and address these persons with the hope of impacting them for Christ. We can be an instrument of God in reaching souls. We can be the ones to change souls for Christ.

We must consider our message about Jesus Christ as a debt we owe to all who have not heard the good news.

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. (Romans 1:14-15 KJV)

Paul expressed how he was ready to give all of himself as God’s man who is indebted to share Jesus Christ with all people. Paul called himself a debtor. We owe the world the good news. We must be ready to preach, pray for, and go to the lost with the hope of Jesus Christ.

The way the good news came to us is how it goes to others through testimony! As one shared it with us, we share it with others.

We must be prepared at all times to share Jesus Christ. We must think the message through and determine to share it in an unbiased way.

So, we see the importance of sharing our faith with all we meet. We might bypass one who will receive the truth; therefore, we need to make haste to share Jesus with all we meet.

Let us realize that faith is essential for transformation.

Have you met with success or failure when you tried to change? Perhaps you could not take off the weight? Maybe you could get educated and then pursue your degree. Faith in Jesus Christ brings God’s power to change your life.

We see in Romans 1:16-18 that faith in Jesus Christ is essential as God’s means of transforming a person. Let’s see why faith in Jesus Christ is critical as God’s means of changing a person.

Faith in Jesus Christ is essential as God’s means of transforming a person because faith believes (and is a requirement for the new birth).

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16 KJV)

When a person believes, he or she exercises confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ and all he said and did. This confidence in Jesus Christ activates His salvation on our behalf. This salvation is the power of God that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him highest in the heavens. It is this faith activated that is the power of God, which saves both Jew and Gentile. The gospel is the power of God and moves God’s ability to save for those who believe. God’s hand is open to all people at present, which is all who believe.

It is the preaching of this Gospel, which stirs up our hearts that have been dead in sins and worldly matters. The Word quickens us and makes us new in the person of Jesus. What could take us years to change? God can change in a single hour upon his movement upon people.

As we put faith in Jesus Christ, he will transform us from a world lover (a world-dominated view of life) to a belief (faith and trust in God). We must change how we approach God so we can obtain all God designed for us.

Faith in Jesus Christ is essential as God’s means of transforming a person because faith obeys (it’s a future that belief creates).

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17 KJV)

When we live by faith, we are putting God’s Word into action. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is faith obeyed that allows God to declare us righteous before him. It is this righteousness revealed in the gospel when we believe in Jesus Christ. Having confidence in the gospel of Jesus Christ is our righteousness. This gospel is God’s righteousness explained. According to our repentance and faith, the gospel is available to us, but as we say yes to it and respond, then God imputes Jesus’s righteousness to us.

This favor and work and belief from God sets us free from the cold hearts we used to have. All this began at the new birth and continues as we abide in Jesus Christ. When a baby is born physically, that child starts a growing process that stays with him or her all their lives.

To activate salvation, one must obey the gospel by exercising faith or belief in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith should grow all one’s life. That will assist the person in maturing into Christlikeness.

Faith in Jesus Christ is essential as God’s means of transforming a person because our confidence in him doesn’t compromise (perseverance of faith evades ungodliness).

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18 KJV)

Those persons who hear the truth and reject it and compromise with evil will experience God’s wrath eventually. If we sincerely see God, then we can escape the wrath of God through the person of Jesus Christ, who bore our sins in his body on the tree. The Wrath of God is being poured out on the sinning unbelievers. This wrath will come from heaven against ungodly men (without God). These unbelievers suppress and quench the truth that would have brought them salvation.

The world is just busy waiting to be judged and cast into hell, but the godly (those with God living in them) will live. We each can choose to accept Jesus Christ and live for God, or we can reject that goodness.

Will you press on in your faith in Jesus Christ and nurture and exercise it for maturity in Jesus Christ; this will help you avoid compromise, then you can move forward with the victory.

So, have and exercise your faith in Jesus Christ. You can ultimately reject Jesus Christ, but this passing world will claim you. Let us press on until we receive the prize of our high calling.

We must handle Truth wisely.

Do we filter what comes into our minds and life? We decide what program on TV and Radio to listen to. We determine if we will read the bible and go to Church. Our way of handling truth either helps us or hurts us.

In Romans 1:18-21, we see the need to know why holding the truth in unrighteousness brings judgment. Let’s see why having the truth in unrighteousness brings wrath.

Holding truth in unrighteousness brings judgment because it leads to ungodliness.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18 KJV)

Here is the reason we see in scripture why we must set our hearts on the truth of scripture as it pertains to all of life; that all who hold truth in unrighteousness suffer the wrath of God. Divine displeasure and righteous vengeance come against those who have the truth in error. Our spirits are alerted to heaven’s, coming anger toward man’s rebellion against God. Are we listening to God and developing our heavenly hearing? When a person holds the truth in unrighteousness, they deceive themselves by hiding the truth from the heart.

We all have closed our hearts to God and his truth from one time to another. Through Jesus Christ, our hearts can be opened again. We did this because we wanted to serve ourselves.

To hinder godliness in our life is to say, I’ll do it without God. Living without God is ungodliness. We must keep a tender heart toward God.

Holding truth in unrighteousness brings judgment because it causes a person to distort the knowledge of God.

"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them." (Romans 1:19 KJV)

People can stonewall God or put up a wall and say, get through if you can God. That means they hear the truth but make it unfruitful by doubting its power and compare it to the wrong things they perceive as accurate over the Word of God. God spoke to them, but they hardened their hearts and won’t let God move in them. The truth is known to them because God makes his truth known to people, but instead of acting on God’s Word, they filter and nullify it through their godless way of thinking.

This choice to ignore the truth causes a false idea of God. They quenched the Word of God and the Spirit’s power to change them. As the Word is spoken, it moves people to form opinions, but because they did not act on the biblical testimony, their ideas become distorted. People can hear God’s Word occasionally and yet not get what God intended to happen in their lives because they trust their own opinion over obeying God’s Word.

Stay in the truth of scripture and abreast of it. When you get it, keep it, and build on it. Let the message of the Word lead you to action and service to God and his people. God’s Word will produce fruit in you.

Holding truth in unrighteousness brings judgment because it blinds people to God’s testimony bringing guilt upon them.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" (Romans 1:20 KJV)

Paul declares that nature itself shouts as a testimony of the truth of God’s existence and Godhead. These truths of a great Creator of what now is can easily be understood and received as the works of God’s hand. God’s power and eternal existence are evident in creation; therefore, any unrepentant unbeliever is without excuse. We have a testimony from the visible things God created coming from what is invisible. From the creation, we have a vision of the Godhead and God’s power. God, in his might, made the universe; it did not happen by chance. Therefore, all men are without excuse that rejects the God of the created order.

Anyone who uses chance for how the world came into being is putting their soul and those they influence in unbelief, and they will be guilty. By quenching the biblical truth of creation, men put themselves into a state of serving creation over God.

We must stay abreast of Bible teaching so that the world’s ideas don’t corrupt our faith. Holding the truth in high regard will safeguard our souls. Let’s protect the Truth in us.

Holding truth in unrighteousness brings judgment because it produces vanity and darkness in the heart.

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." (Romans 1:21 KJV)

As people who knew God and publicly reject him, or who could have known God: put God out of their lives. The bible says they become vain in their minds, hearts, and way of life. These people had some knowledge and sank into depravity. When they heard and understood the truth, they did not glorify God, so God gave them over to stupid inner personal darkness. That is what happens to those who want to live life without God.

This darkening of the soul can happen to anyone. People become reprobate or unworthy, unacceptable, evil, and rejected. King Saul wanted to exercise his kingship without obedience to God; so, he tried and lost his dominion.

All of us have a legacy we leave. If we live with God in the priorities of life, then we will leave a significant impact. But to attempt to do it without God is a