Missions and the Book of Romans

I am preparing to begin this Fall a new series on the book of Romans. That means right now I am immersed in Romans. I am soaking in Romans and about Romans nearly every day.

One of the things that has struck me most in studying Romans this time around is that missions flows out of the book. To be sure, Romans is an intensely theological book in which Paul argues that the Gospel is by faith alone. In the Gospel, Paul writes, a righteousness from God is revealed that is by faith from first to last (1:16,17). Therefore (8:1), there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans is at its core a theological argument. But, from the theological center of Romans comes a missiological application. Because of the nature of the Gospel, Paul says, “I am not ashamed of it.” In other words, he is willing to evangelize across the street and around the world. Already by 1:14 he writes, “I am under obligation both to go to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish.” Indeed, part of the reason that Paul wrote Romans was because he believed God was calling him to go to Spain. Romans is in part a missionary support letter.

If you are someone who loves the Gospel and loves doctrine, in light of Romans, let me ask, “How are you doing with missions?” It is one thing to be energized by listening to sermons and to do intense theological study. (I thrive on that myself). But, the book of Romans reminds us that if we really get the Gospel, then we will be zealous about sharing it with other people across the street and to the far ends of the earth: From Toledo to Togo, from Toronto to Timbuktu, from Terra Haute to Tokyo.