“Just for a Moment”

Rev. G.J. Van Aalst, Klaaswaal, the Netherlands

Translated from a rubric of De Saambinder

Reading lenses

When one reads the Epistle to the Romans, it is quite possible that the reading of it is difficult even though the contents thereof are so fundamental for the understanding of the entire Scriptures. This epistle was not the first one written by the Apostle Paul, but it has been placed immediately following the Book of Acts and there received a place of honor among the books of the New Testament. This well-seasoned fruit of the Spirit is also sometimes called the lens through which the entire Word of God is to be read. It is a necessary “aid” in the reading of the entire Old and New Testament. When reading God’s Word, it is necessary to continually compare Scripture with Scripture and thus to visualize it through the lens of the Epistle to the Romans.

At the end of his third missionary journey, following many experiential exercises and official experiences, Paul, through the compelling operation of the Spirit, was driven to leave behind these sixteen chapters for the church of all ages. The Epistle to the Romans also testifies of rich official experiences and profound experiential exercises. Subjects such as misery, deliverance, and gratitude, the relationship between law and gospel, Jew and Gentile, predestination and responsibility, can all be found therein. That is why it is so remarkable how extensive and practical the marginal notes are in the Epistle to the Romans (since most of our readers either do not have nor can they read the Statenvertaling, we would recommend either the Haak translation of the Statenvertaling or, e.g., the Westminster reference Bible). Quietly take some time to meditate on this spiritual testimony of Paul by reading it verse by verse, along with the marginal notes, and doing it prayerfully, looking for light from Above.

Taking the first three chapters together, we can say that they speak of “bad” people, “good” people, and “all” people. Chapter one speaks about the Gentiles, chapter two about the Jews, and chapter three speaks about both. Chapter one speaks about the youngest sons, chapter two about oldest sons, and chapter three about both. Chapter one speaks about people who live in open sin, chapter two about people who live a separated life under conviction of the revelation of the Word, and chapter three speaks of both. First the apostle lists the marks of the Gentiles, then the condition of someone who lives in an outward separation and under the ministration of the covenant of grace, and then again about all people: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

By drawing from the Old Testament, Paul highlights man’s biblical picture. For that he especially frequently draws from the Psalms. What is his purpose for doing that? That the mouth of all people shall be stopped and that the entire world, both heathen and church people alike, will see and know themselves condemnable before God. There is nothing more that can be brought in against it. The righteous sentence of God has been pronounced upon all of us. It only awaits the fulfillment, and who knows how soon? Have you already taken it to heart? What a privilege it is when we can see our own image in this manner in the mirror of Romans 3, when we may go silently over the earth and have learned to agree with this, our picture, with a hearty “Amen; that is true and certain!” How the gospel shall then prove to be a power of God to blessed salvation! It will be as powerful as dynamite. Your entire peaceful, pious, and holy house is then disintegrated with the revelation of the Mediator. He is the firm Rock of Zion’s salvation.

God’s Two-sided Goodness

It is well that those people who always have so much to say about God’s goodness (love) realize that God’s goodness has two sides. The mercy shown to His people is also shown in the destruction of the enemy. It is like the rays of the sun which soften butter but cause clay to harden.

— Rev. A. Schot

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