Romans 1:5 Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

Two differences in translation between the NIV and the Japanese strike me. The first is that where the NIV says “received grace and apostleship,” the Japanese says, “received the work of an apostle of grace.” The NIV seems to place emphasis on “apostleship” as an office, whereas the Japanese emphasizes that it’s a job to do. Likewise, the Japanese brings out the meaning of “apostle,” which is, “one who is sent, a messenger.” The second difference is that where the NIV says, “among all the Gentiles,” the Japanese says, “among the people of all nations.” That may be a quibble on my part, because as a Jew Paul was used to thinking and speaking in terms of “the Jews and everyone else,” but on the face of it the Japanese includes the Jews on an equal basis, along with everyone else. All of that aside, the biggest thing that hits me from this verse is “the obedience that comes from faith.” (The Japanese agrees with many English translations and says, “the obedience of faith.”) Whereas some people might take this as “obedience to the tenets of our faith,” to me it is much more the simple reality that if we really believe Jesus is the Son of God, we will be obedient to Him. (That’s the feeling of the NIV.) When we view Christianity as an organized religion we get into all sorts of mess. It is indeed a religion, as we define religion, but at its heart it is a relationship with the Lord, and we lose sight of that to our peril. That is what sets Christianity apart from every other religion, because no other religion posits a very personal Lord and Savior like Jesus. Jesus Himself defined it in terms of love and obedience: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) Again, Jesus said that the greatest of the Old Testament commandments was to love God. “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38) You can’t love someone you don’t believe is real, and if you really love Him, you will be obedient to Him.

I’m reminded of something I read not long ago from an interview with Jim Baker, who had a spectacular fall from being a “televangelist” into adultery and all sorts of mess. The interviewer asked him “When did you stop loving Jesus, that you got into all that.” Baker replied, “I loved Him, I just didn’t fear Him.” I think Jim Baker didn’t know what genuine love was. I too have disobeyed God because of failing to fear Him, all the while thinking I loved Him, but Jesus’ words are very clear. My disobedience put the lie to my claims of love. My faith is inseparable from my love for Jesus which is inseparable from my obedience to Him. James pointed out that even demons believe in Jesus, but they certainly don’t love Him or want to obey him. (James 2:19) I must not let my “faith” stray from my personal relationship with the Lord of Glory, who loved me enough to die for me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all that You have taught me over the years about love, faith, and obedience. May I continue to grow in that and lead others to do likewise, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!