Read the books of I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, I Thessalonians, and II Thessalonians.
Pay particular attention to Galatians 2:15-23, 1 Corinthians 1:18 )and 1 Thessalonians 1:6 Nine of Paul’s letters were addressed to specific local churches or churches located in specific geographic areas within the Roman Empire. The epistles tend to deal with two general topics:
- Doctrine: The “teaching” of our Christian Faith – orthodoxy
- Doing: The “application” of our Christian Faith – orthopraxy
The letter to the Roman Church we have seen sets out the doctrine of the Gospel (Ch. 1-11), i.e., what the Gospel is. He then explains (Ch. 12-15) what it means to be a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1-2) as he explains the “what” of living the Gospel life. At the end of Romans, Ch. 15, he discusses some logistical information about his plans to visit and then gives some closing words of greetings.
In these letters to the churches, we are considering this week, Paul admonishes the local church that he had founded in Corinth and then in Second Corinthians, a letter of forgiveness and reconciliation, he continues to correct and instruct how God’s grace must be at the core of the lives of all who call themselves Christians.
The church in Galatia had apparently been misled by someone who placed emphasis upon the law rather than grace. Paul writes this aggressive letter to set them straight about their freedom in Christ. Where this Christian freedom is exercised, where the Word confronts the world, there will be conflict. So, Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica, commending them for their faithful service even though they are being persecuted for their faith. He encourages them to “excel still more” (1 Thess 4:11).
- What is the relationship between law and grace?
- What is the relationship between Christian freedom and responsibility?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in our lives?
- What role does affliction and suffering play in the life of the believer?
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