Romans 16:25-27

Paul is a champion of the run-on sentence.  His last sentence in the book of Romans has 76 words in the NIV translation.  In its shortest form, he says, “…to God be Glory…” However, he also says so much more.

The God that deserves glory is the one who can establish us as steadfast Christians.  Too often Christians live an up and down experience.  It does not have to be that way.  God wants to stand us on a solid rock in accordance with the gospel that Paul preached.

Paul preached a message about Jesus Christ.  It was a message that paralleled the revelations revealed in Old Testament preaching.  The God deserving glory is the same God who commanded the prophets to preach and commanded them to record their Sermons.  God’s plan to save the gentiles was a mystery for ages.  God had clearly revealed that mystery in the scriptures.  Although God revealed his plan in the scriptures, people did not recognize it until the coming of Christ.  Christ’s life, death and resurrection shined a light upon the scriptures and revealed the truth within.

God’s plan was no longer a mystery. God’s plan was the gospel, and Paul was sharing that good news with the gentiles. They were coming to a healing, redeeming and reconciling saving faith. That faith resulted in a righteous relationship with God, the same God deserving glory forever.  God’s plan is not complete until saving faith brings believers to obedience.  Paul is not speaking of the obedience that arises from fear.  Paul is writing of an obedience that comes from love.  Living in obedience to God allows him to guide us into a life of joy and blessing.  Christians, living in faithful obedient give glory to God.  Their righteous lives also become God’s glory.  It is a glory that is first and forever through Christ Jesus.

An established Christian is steadfast.  A faithful Christian is obedient.  A steadfast and obedient Christian glorifies God, both by what they do and by who they are.