My pastor asked me to introduce a teaching series on Romans to our congregation.

I laughed.

"Haaa..ha..haaaaah...haah...haa! You want me to do what! Romans?!"

"Romans," he replied. He was serious.

"You're serious," I said.

"I'm serious," he replied.

He was serious.

"Why not just ask me to introduce world history," I replied jokingly.

He didn't laugh. He was serious.

"You're serious," I checked one last time.

He was serious.

So yesterday I spoke to our congregation about Romans. It was serious.

Here are 10 things I learned in preparing for that presentation. Maybe not the "top" 10, but more of the first 10 that popped to mind.

1. Romans is BIG.

2. Paul was a genius.

3. God is BIG.

4. God is a genius.

5. No one can ever "know" Romans.

6. I'm no longer concerned whether I'm justified, glorified, sanctified, or deep fried; I know that I'm loved, and that's enough for me.

7. I wouldn't want God's job.

8. Many of my brothers and sisters in Christ are very much concerned whether they are justified, sanctified, etc.; I love my brothers and sisters in Christ, so it also concerns me.

9. God is Jesus-shaped.

10. I wouldn't want Paul's job.

Grace and Peace,
Raffi