THE PROGRESSIVE EXPERIENCE OF PAUL IN ROMANS

Morning Meditation 1/18/2013

The progressive experience of Paul as seen in the “I am’s” of Paul as seen in the Book of Romans.

I AM CARNAL

Romans 7:14, "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."

He speaks here of his old sin nature. This is true of every Christian.

I AM WRETCHED

Romans 7:24, "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

When by the light of God’s Word we discover our true state in His sight it is enough to make us the most wretched people on earth. It is only when we do become wretched that we cry out “O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death” that we can say with Paul, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

I AM NOT ASHAMED

Romans 1:16, "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."

This is one who has experienced the saving power of God as revealed in the gospel of Christ. Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory (1Cor 15:57).

I AM A DEBTOR

Romans 1:14-15, "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."

Now that he has received salvation through the grace of God he becomes a debtor to the unsaved, whether they be Greeks or barbarians, wise or unwise.

I AM PERSUADED

Romans 8:38-39, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Here the apostle Paul unveils to us his deep, unalterable conviction concerning the unchangeable love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is an unqualified blessing to know that when we are saved we are secure in Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

I AM THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES

Romans 11:13, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:"

Ask Paul what he is, as regards his mission, and his answer is ready, “I am the apostle to the Gentiles.” He received his calling from the Lord and he knew it.

I AM SURE

Romans 15:29, "And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ."

It is a great blessing that when we go in God’s name we go in God’s power, and the fulness of the Gospel of Christ. Although Paul went to Rome in chains he went in the fulness of God’s blessing.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White