Before the Face of God, Book 1: A Daily Guide for Living from the Book of Romans
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Coram Deo means “before the face of God.” Popular teacher and theologian Dr. R.C. Sproul finds that Paul’s Epistle to the Romans extends a wondrous invitation. We have an awesome privilege to serve before the throne—to live coram Deo.
In 233 brief devotional studies, Dr. Sproul offers Romans as an introduction to all the Bible teaches about God’s holiness, human sinfulness, and the implications of justification through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans provides the overall structure, but this guide leads the reader throughout Scripture, simplifying difficult concepts, illustrating the essential components of spiritual living. For each study a Coram Deo application personally challenges the individual.
This is a systematic look at Christian theology, broken down into manageable servings that can be read in daily quiet times or all at once by anyone who desires to understand the depths of God’s grace.
Top Highlights
“The Greek word doulos, which is the word servant in the kjv, is more accurately translated by the word slave. In the ancient world a servant was a hired employee who could come and go and even resign if he wanted. But a doulos was owned by a kyrios, a master or lord. He was the purchased property of the slave owner.” (source)
“An apostle had to be a disciple of Jesus and an eyewitness of his resurrection.” (source)
“But the irony is this: A person’s only freedom is to become a slave to Jesus Christ. Freedom from Christ means slavery to self. But one enslaved to Christ knows the royal liberation that only Christ can bring. So Paul, in citing his own credentials, looks to his highest virtue—that he is a slave to Jesus Christ.” (source)
“The word Lord has enormous significance because it was the title ascribed to God in the Old Testament. Kyrios, the Greek form of the Hebrew adonai, means ‘the sovereign One, the One who reigns over us.’” (source)
“Coram Deo means ‘in the presence of God’ or ‘before the face of God.’ It refers to living life in a sense of acute God-consciousness. It’s the ‘Big Idea,’ in management jargon, of the Christian life.” (source)
- Title: Before the Face of God, Book 1: A Daily Guide for Living from the Book of Romans
- Author: R. C. Sproul
- Edition: electronic ed.
- Publisher: Baker
- Print Publication Date: 1992
- Logos Release Date: 2000
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible › Meditations; Devotional calendars
- ISBNs: 0801083400, 9780801083402
- Resource ID: LLS:20.20.7
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-10-15T14:32:41Z
R. C. Sproul (1939– 2017) was a respected teacher, theologian, pastor. He was the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries in Orlando FL. He was also first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. His radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online.
Sproul held degrees from Westminster College, Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary, Free University of Amsterdam, and Whitefield Theological Seminary. He taught at several colleges and seminaries including Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary. He served as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, in Sanford, Florida. Sproul’s teaching can be heard daily on the “Renewing Your Mind” radio broadcast which plays in over 40 countries.
Sproul wrote over 70 books and articles including the classic The Holiness of God and several theological articles in Tabletalk magazine.
