The Finished Word

Paul presents his Gospel to the assemblies of Rome, a message about God’s righteousness or wrath for all men, Jews and Gentiles alike . Paul described the Gospel message in his Letter to the Romans . It was the “ power of God for salvation ” to all men who accepted it. Due to our sin, two forces are at work in the world, righteousness and  wrath . God provides the solution to our plight through Jesus and the announcement of his Good News. His salvation is available to all men and women through the “ faithfulness of Jesus Christ .”

Men are not justified before God from the works of the Mosaic Law, but rather from the faith of Jesus Christ . Paul demonstrates that all men have sinned in his letter to the Romans . Jews and Gentiles alike violate God’s revealed will, therefore, no one is justified before Him “ from the works of the Law .” Jews have the Mosaic Law but fall short of its requirements. Gentiles have the witness of their conscience yet live and even revel in their sins. If no one is set right before God “ from the works of the Law ,” how are we reconciled with Him?

In his  Letter to the Romans , the Apostle Paul argues from plight to solution. The Gospel that he proclaims is the “ power of God for salvation .” Due to sin, two forces are at work in the world –  Righteousness  and  Wrath . In his Son, God has provided the solution to the desperate plight of all men that is now available to all on the same basis - “ from the faith of Jesus Christ .” Moreover, this “ Good News ” was promised beforehand in the Hebrew scriptures and is now being fulfilled as the Gospel is preached.

“Wrath” consistently refers to the final judicial sentence of God on His enemies in the Book of Revelation . The “ wrath of God ” is not synonymous with the plagues unleashed by the series of Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls of Fury. Despite the devastation they inflict, impenitent men refuse to repent. The Greek term translated as “ wrath ” refers to the judicial sentence of God on His enemies on the day of judgment, the everlasting punishment men earn because of their sins, failure to repent, and allegiance to the Beast.