He got there in the end!

Well, as Eddie McGuire would say, “It’s been a big week in ROME!” All manner of outpouring and accolades for the retiring Pontiff.  Only the second to retire in Papal history.For us, the beginning of a big Lent in Romans!  The Apostle Paul, whose magnum opus is the letter to the Romans got there in the end. He is said to have died in Rome around 67BC, beheaded by Emperor Nero – a nasty piece of work.It’s my prayer that, as you read (most importantly) and study Romans together, you will have new insights into the love and grace [favour] of God towards you and the lengths to which he has gone for you.Last week Dean reminded us that there are three main issues being addressed by Paul: firstly, the Jews and Greeks [Gentiles] were at each other over what Christian faith should look like as a ‘lived’ reality - what matters and what doesn’t matter.  This is addressed in chapters 1-8.  The answer is really something of a surprise!Secondly, in chapters 9-11, like the hinge on a seesaw, Paul explains to the ‘strong’ how gracious God has been in welcoming Jew and Gentile into his family and how ridiculous it is for either group to get uppity, because everyone is  there as a free undeserved gift. God can let you in or chuck you out at his discretion.  Get thankful and gracious that you are in!Thirdly, chapters 12-16 address how the Roman Christians – and all Christians – should live in light of the love and grace of God in Christ gifted freely to all.  The world – Paul’s immediate interest is Spain - will not have the opportunity to receive this ‘salvation’ if the Roman Christians can’t stop boasting about their righteousness and get on with the job!The genius of Paul is that Romans can be read on so many levels,  whether by a professor of Jewish law, a free-church gentile, a law abiding Pharisee or a member of St Philips. All can find in Romans what they need to receive: the depth of God’s love and forgiveness in Christ, a brisk challenge to resist making ‘my way’ the main game and a powerful disarming of any self righteousness or deservedness of our place before God. It’s no wonder that the key verse of Romans is, in my opinion, 8:38 which, paraphrased is: “Nothing, but nothing, nothing, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” So, greet one another as God’s beloved.As you read Romans this Lent, I’m reminded of Perry, a young chap who did a year in community with us.  He wanted to leave early. Perry never gave much of himself.  We encouraged him to stay.  “No,” he said, “I think I’ve got what I came for!” To which the Dean of studies responded, “Maybe, Perry, but has God got what he brought you here for?”Romans can be hard work.  Most things that are worth it are. Make sure God gets what he brought you here for as he opens your mind to his. God bless you in your travels.Malcolm