Dr. C. S. Lovett’s
MARANATHA FAMILY NEWSLETTER
March 2025
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ROMANS
Paul wrote a letter to the Romans, setting forth everything he believed about the gospel of Christ. In that way, if something went wrong and he never got there, the Christians of Rome would have a clear and concise statement as to what he believed about sin, salvation, and righteousness. He thought if he could get his statement of faith spread around in the Gentile capital of the world, he would be able to relax. At least he would have, in part, carried out his commission.
It was Paul’s hurting conscience that made him sit down with Tertius and painstakingly choose every word going into the letter. He wanted it to be the clearest and best thing he had ever written—and it was. Picture him dictating to Tertius. You can see now why he put his great mind to work with such care as he chose each phrase. This was going to be his insurance policy. If by some chance he should be killed in Jerusalem, the Romans would not be denied the privilege of knowing what the apostle believed about the gospel of Christ. It was the best his brilliant mind could produce under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Once the document was finished, he sighed in relief. We can imagine how strictly he charged Phoebe to take care of it. When she left the house with the leather pouch tucked under her robe, Paul felt at ease about this plan. Should the trip to Jerusalem go smoothly, Paul would arrive in Rome a few months after his letter got there. But as it turned out, he didn’t get there until three years later.
Perhaps now we can picture how terrible he must have felt arriving in Rome as a prisoner. All those people who had been geared for his triumphant arrival now had to meet him in chains. Think what a blow that we to those 26 congregations all primed to go into action as soon as the mighty leader arrived. As it was, Paul wasn’t able to leave the house where he was confined. What a price he paid for insisting on his way. We are seeing Romans 8:28 at work. Here is the man who wrote, “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord,” and he is living proof of it. By his disobedience, we gain this great masterpiece for the good of all, and we would never have had it if the apostle had decided to obey God; but how much better for him if he had obeyed God in the first place.
THE MESSAGE OF ROMANS
Paul has one announcement he wants to make to the world. God is ready to receive all people who will come to Him based on faith alone. He doesn’t care about a person’s background whether he is the strictest kind of Jew who meticulously sought to conform to the Law or a Gentile who has worked hard to obey his conscience. People are to cast themselves wholly on Christ. If they will renounce their human righteousness and accept salvation as a gift from God, then He will make them as righteous as Himself.
The salvation that Paul offers is of God. Readers meet those two words 59 times in this book. It is God who provides this righteousness for humankind. All anyone can do is accept by faith. Accepting this gift is an act of will. It is the one work a person must do to experience salvation (John 6:29). No one can enjoy any kind of gift until he accepts it. Therefore, if a person will accept God’s righteousness by putting his complete trust in Jesus, then God, by His power, will make that sinner as righteous as Himself.
SO GET A GRIP ON ROMANS
The theme of Romans is salvation through faith alone. The person who masters this book will find himself relaxing in the security of his should. If you let the book fall from your hands and land on the floor so that it broke apart, it would separate into three pieces:
1. The first eight chapters deal with sin and salvation, and the gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ, and will explain them thoroughly. If you lay hold of these first eight chapters, they will equip you to meet the dangerous pressures of our day. Chapter 8 is one of the greatest chapters of the Bible. Read it closely and let the truths sink in.
2. The next three chapters (9-11) deal with promises to the Nation of Israel.
3. And the last five (12-16) set forth the practical outcome of our salvation and how to use it.
Many Christians, ignorant of what redemption really means, are easily moved by the teachings of the false cults that are mushrooming today. Unless believers have a clear insight into God’s plan for saving people and how the Spirit works to deliver us from sin, they can be trapped by the arguments of these cult workers.
All of us are caught in the struggle of the “two natures” as described in Chapter 7. We have an old nature. Until we learn how to live the victory Jesus won for us, that nature can keep us disturbed and doubtful. That is what makes believers vulnerable to Satan’s workers. When we rest in the truths of Chapter 8, they can’t touch us. So stay close to this book. Let the Holy Spirit show you that we are no longer in Adam but in Christ. Start living like that and you will experience the power of God’s promise: “Sin shall not have dominion over you!”
Master the first eight chapters of this book and you will live the last five (12-16) in the power of God. If you grasp only one book of the Bible, make sure it is this one. Now you understand why Paul sent it to Rome . . .
VIA SPECIAL DELIVERY
C. S. Lovett
Copyright © 2025 Personal Christianity. All rights reserved.
TESTIMONIES
SUPER BLESSED: “It has been said that ROMANS is the most profound of Paul’s letters and I agree. I’ve been laboring in Romans for years and much seemed beyond me. But now I have been privileged to secure a copy of LOVETT’S LIGHTS ON ROMANS and with the Spirit’s help I now understand it all. I feel super blessed for now, I can answer the questions put to me by our adult Sunday school class. May God grant His riched blessing on your ministry!” (Mrs. L.L.—MD)
FORMER CATHOLIC: “I am a former Catholic and was never able to understand the book of Romans but I was blessed to find a copy of you LIGHTS ON ROMANS in our church library. What a beautiful experience it has been for me to finally understand this amazing work of the apostle Paul.” (Mrs. R. B. –A L)
SHARED WITH PASTOR: “Our church is studying from the book of Romans on Bible study night. I always take my Bible and your LIGHTS ON ROMANS, which helps out a great deal. I let my Pastor use it one night and he didn’t want to give it back. I’m writing mainly to ask you to send him a copy so that this will encourage him in his ministry for the Lord.” (C.G.—O L)
DELICIOUS: “Dr. Lovett, I’ve always admired the personal touch in your books but your treatment of the GOSPEL OF JOHN is delicious! I marvel at the way the Lights open up the deeper meaning of the verses. I teach an adult Sunday school class and I can’t wait to start sharing these exciting insights with my students.” (Mrs. F.O.—(OH)
GREAT IMPACT: “I first heard of you through a missionary who said that your book DEALING WITH THE DEVIL had a great impact on his life and had played a significant part in turning his ministry around. I located a copy and it was so good that I purchased another to give to our pastor. I found the book to be so very helpful in my own life that I want to read more of your books.” (E. H.—KS)
CHANGED LIVES: “Your Lovett’s Lights are being passed around and others are learning and being changed by them. I cried through your SERMON ON THE MOUNT. That book has such an anointing on it. It has helped me to understand so many things and I look at them in a different light. Bonds have been broken in my life and God has set me free! I came out of a cult.” (Mrs. J.B.—PA)
SINCE YOU ASKED
Question: “Dr. Lovett, when I read the passage, ‘Many are called, but few are chosen’ a question arises in my mind. I try to figure out the difference but feel I need help with this one. Will you help me?”
Answer: I think we can say everyone is called by God, “For He is not willing that any should perish but everyone should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). If He didn’t call everyone, He could be accused of favoritism. Therefore, we can say that everyone who hears the Gospel is called of God. He gives us free will, allowing us to make the decision. That is our part. God keeps books and one of those books is called the “Book of Life.” (Rev. 20:15). In that book, are the names of all who have responded to God’s call, these are called “CHOSEN.”
Because God foreknew they would choose to answer His call, He was pleased to enter their names in the Book of Life. In His family, He wants only those who want Him. So when He foresaw those who chose Him, He chose them. That is the only way a person can get in the Book of Life.
RESOURCES
LOVETT'S LIGHTS ON ROMANS (2024): 360 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $15.99 HERE.
LOVETTS LIGHTS ON ACTS (2023): 407 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $15.99 HERE.
LOVETT'S LIGHTS ON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (2022) 372 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $15.99 HERE.
LOVETT'S LIGHTS ON JOHN (2021): 381 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $15.99 HERE.
WITNESSING MADE EASY (2019): 213 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $14.99 HERE.
DEALING WITH THE DEVIL (2018): 242 PAGES. Available on Amazon.com for $14.99 HERE.
THE PREPARED LIFE (2017): 159 pages. Available on Amazon.com for $13.99 and is also available on Kindle for $7.99 HERE.
CONTACT US
If you would like to send us a letter, comment, or prayer request, you may contact us at:
PERSONAL CHRISTIANITY, PO BOX 918, MIDDLETON, ID 83644
626-338-7333
www.cslovettbooks.com
info@cslovettbooks.com
“Preparing for His Appearing” Since 1951
