The Deep End

Rowing through Romans

The Book of Romans ends up with one of the Apostle Paul’s favorite preaching techniques. I like to use the acrostic O.A.R.S. to identify it.

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets [O.pening], according [A.lleging] to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations [R.easoning] for the obedience of faith:

Romans 16:26 (bracketed terms added)

The Apostle Paul had “opened” the Scriptures of the Old Testament and “alleged” that the New Testament revelations of Jesus Christ are a fulfillment of those Scriptures. He had “reasoned” with his readers, as the Holy Ghost inspired him to answer questions concerning both the Jews and the gentiles about God’s fairness and righteousness.

And the purpose of this O.pening, A.lleging, and R.easoning, was the S.haring of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Romans 16:25 (emphasis added)

Here is a review of the previous lessons on Romans:

1. God’s Reason for His Delivery
2. From Thanksgiving To Thanksliving
3. Making the Argument of Grace through Faith
4. Six Thoughts which Remind Us that We Cannot Achieve Righteousness on Our Own
5. Dr. Law and Dr. Grace(*)
6. The Paycheck You Don’t Want To Receive
7. The True Jewish Justification
8. It’s Just Faith
9. Rehearsing Repetitive Romans Reigns Really Recognizes Right Reckoning
10. Free FROM Sin, Not Free TO Sin
11. The Reckoning
12. Failure To Yield
13. Marriage and War
14. Destined for Victory
15. Fitted by God
14. Ignoring the Obvious
15. Bold Mouths, Beautiful Feet, and Blindfolded Eyes
16. The Work that Won’t Work
17. The Castaways
18. Therefore and Wherefore
19. Sacrificially Submitting Surrendered Sanctified Service
20. The Anatomically Correct Church
21. Saved, Sure and Serving? Or Suspicious, Sedentary, and Slothful?
22. Heaping Helpings of Holy Hatred? Or Refusing Revenge for the Right Reasons?
23. Love Demonstrated by Obedience
24. Light Wakes You Up
25. Doubtful Disputations Deter Doxological Demonstrations Displaying Desired Decorum
26. Real Joy Vs. Fake Joy
27. Preferential Treatment
28. The Certain Hope
29. Going Belly-Up

(*) most read post in series