HIDDEN, REVEALED, PROCLAIMED, BELIEVED, OBEYED, AND ESTABLISHED

 

Romans 16:25-27  Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him -- to the only wise God be glory for ever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (NIV)

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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What a wonderful final paragraph for Paul to write to the believers in Rome. It is a summary of the gospel through which the church came into being. Of course God knew about sin even before it entered the world, and He laid down a plan to rescue His people from its grip. He chose that salvation would come through Jesus; but His people needed to be prepared, and so the Old Testament narrative is studded with hints of Christ's ministry.
 
But the mystery of the gospel was hidden until Pentecost. Even during the ministry of Jesus the disciples did not really understand. Even the resurrection was a puzzle to them. But when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the apostles could see the whole plan of salvation and understood God's revelation in the Old Testament scriptures. The apostles' task was simply to proclaim Jesus Christ as God's answer to sin and rebellion in the world; and to encourage people to believe in Jesus and do what He commanded.

This gospel still applies to every group of people in the world. Therefore we can safely take Paul's letter and use it to explain the gospel to anybody. It is only through God's wisdom that salvation's plan was conceived and executed. Although it is certainly true that all who believe have great blessings, and are no longer under the wrathful condemnation of God, ultimately the purpose of the gospel is that God should be glorified for ever - because of His amazing wise kindness in saving people through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. The church is the evidence that Jesus saves! And God gets the glory.

Prayer:  Ever wise God. Thank You for planning the way of salvation even before the first sin was committed. Thank You too for Jesus who fulfilled all of Your plans when He died and rose again. I am sorry when I have lost the wonder of the gospel and the cross, forgetting Christ's costly sacrifice and Your salvation plan. Please help me to see more clearly how much You have loved the world and help me to commit myself to working with You in encouraging people to put their trust in Jesus. In His Name. Amen.