Introduction [The Gospel, Living Worthy of the Gospel (The Book of Romans)]

Introduction

 

 

The time has already come.  The time has come when we Christians do not put up with “sound doctrine.”  Now we prefer to listen to the words of pastors who say what our itching ears want to hear (2 Tim. 4:3).  Even in such a situation, we pastors are supposed to teach the saints by saying only what is in line with sound doctrine (Tit. 2:1), but we are not doing so faithfully.  Perhaps the reason is because we are afraid that the saints will be bored and even hate it if we speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.  Perhaps the reason is because we do not know sound doctrine and do not stand firmly on sound doctrine.  But we must keep in mind that the Bible tells us to speak and teach sound doctrine (v. 1).  Also, the Bible tells us to hold fast sound doctrine (1:9).  At the same time, we must teach sound doctrine to our church members (2:1).  Therefore, we must be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict (1:9).

 

The Book of Romans is a very important guideline for sound doctrine and living a life worthy of that sound doctrine.  The reason is that looking at the structure of Romans, chapters 1-11 tell the “doctrine” and chapters 12-16 tell the “application”.  In other words, because the structure of Romans is the doctrinal part from chapters 1 to 11 and the practical application part from chapters 12 to 16, the Book of Romans is a very important guideline for living a life worthy of sound doctrine.  In particular, since the core of sound doctrine is “the gospel” and the application of sound doctrine is “conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” the Book of Romans is very important book for all of us.

 

So, I chose the Book of Romans, meditated on it, preached it, and then meditated on it again and wrote it like this.  As a pastor serving a church, I wanted to know more about the gospel of Christ, and to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ.  I also wanted to preach the gospel to the saints entrusted to me by the Lord and teach it with my life.  So, I chose the Book of Romans and proclaimed it to our church members every Sunday.  Then, after a few years, I was given an opportunity to organize and revise the meditation manuscripts of the Book of Romans again like this.  May the Lord use this meditation manuscripts to help all of us to understand and know the gospel of Christ more deeply and to live a life worthy of the gospel, so that it will be an opportunity to be established ourselves as the gospel-centered Christians even a little more.

 

 

Pursuing a life centered on the gospel of Christ,

 

 James Kim