“My God is the God of…”
How would you complete that sentence?
In Romans 15, Paul uses six phrases to describe our God, but we need to read his words carefully. Dots are being connected throughout the chapter by the Holy Spirit himself. Much more that an introduction to or description of our Creator, we are being taught how to live. “God is … therefore…”
He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (15:6), the Father of a Son who “did not please himself.” Instead, this Son offered himself as a sacrifice for sinners, fulfilling a thousand-year-old prophecy for his Father: “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me” (15:3). Therefore…
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. (15:1-2)
“God is … therefore…”
He is the God of endurance (15:5) who is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Pet 3:9). Therefore…
…welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (15:7)
He is the God of encouragement (15:5) whose sacred writings are able to teach, reprove, correct, and train us, making us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 3:14-17). Therefore…
…whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (15:4)
He is, in fact, the God of hope (15:13) who is able to fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we might abound in hope. Therefore…
…you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. (15:14)
He is the God of peace (15:33) who has confirmed his promises to the patriarchs in order that all, Jew and Gentile, might glorify him for his mercy. Therefore…
…live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (15:5-6)
He is the God of endurance who has not forsaken us, the forsakers. He is the God of encouragement who provides fuel for the heaven-bound. He is the God of hope who is able to purge what harms us and fill us with joy. He is the God of peace who teaches us to bear with and welcome one another. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” (15:9)
When life gets tough and the path ahead seems uncertain, Romans 15 is worth remembering. “God is … therefore…”