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I find it necessary to sometimes stop and step back far enough to get a bigger perspective, to see a bigger picture for context so I can see better how things fit together. I have been richly blessed by an on-going intense immersion in the book of Romans over the last few months but today I felt the need to review how the detailed pieces fit together and get a better view of the picture that they collectively form.
One thing that became more clear to me as I perused over what I have learned so far is the links and associations of different passages to the two groups first identified at the beginning of the book. I had not noticed that before today and it will help me better understand what I am reading from now on. Here is my overview of Romans to this point.
The context of the letter (1:1-18)
who am I
what is my relationship to you and my thoughts toward you
what is our relationship to God and His thoughts toward us
Two groups of people in the world
open sinners in rebellion (1:18-32)
religious people trying to not look like sinners, trusting in the Law (chap. 2)
the groups are different but are all under sin (3:1-20)
God's real children
those from both groups formerly who trust in the righteousness of Jesus (3:21-31)
Abraham as an example for us (4:1-22)
The Gospel (4:23—5:11)
Two opposite legacies that we must choose between (5:12-19)
How to relate to sin and the Law
conflicting ideas about how to respond to grace (5:20—6:6)
do not stay in slavery to sin (6:7-23) (related to first group from chapter 1)
do not stay married to the Law (chap. 7) (related to second group from chapter 2)
How to live in freedom from both sin and legalism (chapter 8)
live by the Spirit of God (living from the heart Jesus gave you)
pay attention to what you pay attention to
do not live as a slave but remember you are adopted (rest and receive)
live with Him – be identified with Him (joy)
practice active communication with God
prayer communicates to Him – the Spirit can pray in and for us
listening to the Spirit receives communications from Him
allow yourself to be conformed by God's providences and promises
remember who you are
live in the total assurance of God's unconditional, unstoppable love as a conquerer
