Romans 15:8-13 - God's Promises Give Us Hope

Today, Saturday April 17 God’s Promises Give Us Hope Romans 15:8-13 “For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” (vs 8-9) One of the key words in the closing chapters of Romans is "ministry." In fact, Paul used three different Greek words to discuss the theme in this last section of Romans (15:8-16:27). This word is used in Romans 15:8, 25, 31 and 16:1. It is the simple word for a servant or service. In particular, in the first part of this section Paul uses the example of Jesus Christ who “did not please Himself” (15:3), and how “Christ became a servant to the Jews” (15:8) for the purpose of confirming the promises made to the patriarchs concerning the future salvation of the non-Jewish believers, the Gentiles! In other words, we have a promise making God, Who always keeps His promises! The Old Testament Jews failed to share these promises with the Gentiles but the early New Testament Jewish believers like Peter, John, Paul and others, were faithful and obedient to fulfill God’s command to share the Gospel. Thanks be to God!!!!! Because of this, today we Gentiles have the Good News! And we now can have hope. Paul quotes at least four Old Testament passages in this section of scripture that speak of the promises of God to the Gentiles and the hope they can also have because of God’s mercy! Do you have this hope today? God’s promises of mercy, salvation and hope are for all of us! Trust and receive this hope through Jesus Christ! God bless!