The Song of Gospel Praise.

Setting goals and achieving them is a reflection of God's image in humans. Focusing on one thing has proven to produce great success for many entrepreneurs, although their achievements are only temporal. The ultimate goal of the Gospel is to spiritually and positionally restore us in Jesus Christ back to our original spiritual condition and purpose in the eyes of our Creator. The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it this way: "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." How is this done?

The book of Romans gives the answer. First, we must be restored to our Creator through salvation. We must be reconciled to God through His Son. Then we must replicate God's glory and character in our living (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Doxology

Romans 16:25-27 is the final doxology of this letter. The word "doxology" literally means "word of glory" or praise. Other doxologies in the Bible include 1 Peter 4:11, Revelation 1:5-6, and Jude 1:25-26. Paul ended the doctrinal portion of his letter with a doxology in Romans 11:33-36.

The Gospel begins and ends with God and is known through Jesus Christ. Our practical living is the same. God's gift of His Son enables us to live like Him. Living according to His character brings great enjoyment of God.

He Is Able

The whole doxology consists of one long sentence that can be simplified as follows: "Now to Him who is able ... be the glory forever. Amen." The primary attention is given to God. The first attribute that Paul emphasizes is God's ability. The word he uses for "able" is where we later got our word for "dynamite." He has great power and is able:

• to save (Hebrews 7:25)
• to keep (2 Timothy 2:12)
• to guard (Hebrews 2:18)
• to raise our bodies from the dead (Philippians 3:21)
• to grow us spiritually (Ephesians 3:20)
• to show us multiplied grace in giving (2 Corinthians 9:8)

To Establish

Paul's doxology rehearses 4 elements from his letter. This is one of them. Romans 1:11 expressed his desire for the Roman church to be "established." He wanted God to strengthen and make firm their understanding of their position in Christ and how to live His character. Paul wanted to be used by God to do this. God establishes the church through equipping us to encourage and strengthen each other, using the same grace that saves us. Romans 12, 14-15, and 16 are all full of examples of this.

All of the Christian's life has one goal: to glorify God by living His character. We can do it in Jesus Christ, and we do it together.

Application Points

• Meditate on the above list of what God is able to do for His children. As you seek to live Christ's character, don't quit! He makes us persevere.
• How are you being used by God to help establish fellow believers?

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

• Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12, 1 John 3:1-3 – Salvation begins and ends with God.

A Hymn to Encourage: "I Will Praise Him"

When I saw the cleansing fountain
Open wide for all my sin,
I obeyed the Spirit’s wooing,
When He said, Wilt thou be clean?

I will praise Him! I will praise Him!
Praise the Lamb for sinners slain;
Give Him glory, all ye people,
For His blood can wash away each stain.

Though the way seems straight and narrow,
All I claimed was swept away;
My ambitions, plans and wishes,
At my feet in ashes lay.

Blessèd be the name of Jesus!
I’m so glad He took me in;
He’s forgiven my transgressions,
He has cleansed my heart from sin.

Glory, glory to the Father!
Glory, glory to the Son!
Glory, glory to the Spirit!
Glory to the Three in One!