Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began (26) but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith – (27) to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
The letter to the Romans was written by the Apostle Paul in preparation for his anticipated visit there. This towering epistle addresses the problem of man’s sin, the matter of salvation and matters of application of doctrine as outlined in Romans. Paul ends this letter with an exuberant doxology praising God for establishing man in faith through the completer work of Christ Jesus. A doxology is a saying/singing of praise or glory or honor – an example of which – appropriate to the season – is where the angels appeared to nearby shepherds in a field singing glories to God at the birth of the Christ child.
The verses we study today tell us that the ultimate goal of the gospel is all and eternal glory to God. But man’s happiness and God’s glory are not at odds as God gospel is claiming the faithful so that our lives glorify Him. God’s plan for our unearned salvation is the now disclosed secret kept since the world began – that in the substituionary death and resurrection of the historical Jesus Christ, man, through faith, is saved. Prophecy all through the Old Testament points to Christ as savior. All Scripture points to Jesus as redeemer and savior.
God will keep those of true faith steadfast. The saved must stand for God by their transformed lives which proclaim the truth of the gospel – belief informs behavior. Paul’s outburst of praise reflects on the wisdom of God’s plan for redemption. Proclaiming the glory of God comes from the realization that man had/has nothing to do with man’s salvation – our good works do not and cannot merit redemption. Salvation is a gift from God.
Rejoice in this Christmas season which marks God’s time of the incarnate Jesus and the mercy of God made man for our sins and for our salvation. Thanks be to God.