READ Romans 16:21-27

Notice this morning Romans 16:25-27, "Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."

The clear teaching of these verses is that God is able to establish the believer. The one thing people long for is to be secure, strong, and firmly established in life. God is able to fulfill this longing. God is able to establish and strengthen a person and to give him or her a strong life.  Indeed our strength is found in Jesus Christ.

Of note is that our Lord is able to stablish us according to the gospel. The word translated as "stablish" has the idea of ‘strengthening’ and ‘stabilizing.’ The gospel of Christ has the power to do both. Moreover, preaching is a major means for imparting such strength and stability. 

The full revelation of the mystery of the gospel had been withheld until that time, but now has been made manifest by “the scriptures of the prophets.”

Moreover, the propagation of the gospel has been commanded by the everlasting God to be “made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” The Great Commission is clearly in view. Moreover, the correlation between obedience

and faith is clear. Faith produces obedience (Hebrews 11:8).  However, faith in itself is an act of obedience in turning to and trusting in God. The two principles are closely interrelated.  

The epistle concludes with the benediction, “to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” Indeed, God is the source of all wisdom and His infinite wisdom, by comparison, is only wise. Glory is brought to Him through His

Son Jesus Christ and will be forever. The third amen in the last eight verses actually ends the epistle.

Note the following from Romans 16:25-27:

1.  The believer is established by the gospel.

2.  The believer is established by the preaching of Christ.

3.  The believer is established by God's revelation of the mystery.

4.  The believer is to praise God in all things.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  How would you rate your Christian life?  Are you established or in need of strengthening?

2.  God is the One who is powerful enough and wise enough to establish you.  How does this great truth help you praise God during times of despair, temptation, great suffering, testing, persecution?

3.  If you are having trouble praising God in your life right now, where or to whom can you turn for help?

4.  Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement today? How can you use this passage of Scripture to lift up someone else?