Written ~ 10-11-2023
Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
The “Good News about Christ.” Finding Salvation in Jesus Christ is Good News! As believers we should want nothing more but to spread this Good News. Sometimes, it’s done with words, sometimes actions. We are to live for the Lord every moment of everyday.
The Book of Romans is a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, he thanks God for their faith in the Lord and in his greeting to these believers he explains briefly what the Good News is, see here in Romans 1:1-7,
1 “This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach His Good News.
2 God promised this Good News long ago through His prophets in the holy Scriptures.
3 The Good News is about His Son. In His earthly life He was born into King David’s family line,
4 and He was shown to be the Son of God when He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to His name.
6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be His own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.”
Let’s place ourselves within the contents of Paul’s letter to the Romans. We fall within the Gentile category! So when verse 1:6 says, “…you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ…” then again in 1:16 where it says, “…It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile…”that’s us! My hope is that we would personalize the Scriptures, to know they are written for us today as much as they were written for the people in the days of the prophets and apostles from the Bible.
In many of my journal pages I have mentioned how much I absolutely love Paul. I can read the letters he wrote to believers over and over again and not tire of his encouragement and practical instruction, this remains true to how I feel about the opening statements from Paul to the Romans. He is excited to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and encourages believers everywhere to have the same enthusiasm and not to be ashamed of getting the Good News out to everyone.
It has been well established through Scripture that the Good News of Salvation and Life Eternal is found through our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. It is through our faith in Him that we have been saved from the penalty of sin. Verse 1:16a says, “…I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ…” Have you ever felt a little shy about speaking up about your relationship with Christ for fear of rejection or ridicule? I must confess that I have. The boldness I have in writing escapes me when I try to speak to someone face to face, I get tongue tied and my mind turns to mush. I know what I want to say, but it seems to turn to a puff of smoke when I try to convey what I’m thinking into actual words. So when I read this letter from Paul, I feel like he is speaking directly to my heart. I am not to be ashamed, why? Because “…it is the power of God at work…” so even though I may feel a little apprehensive at times, it’s through the Holy Spirit’s power that the Good News message spreads.
I have to share this… I have a small devotional book that I read from time to time… I decided to take a look at today’s reading, it couldn’t have been more perfect for our message today from Romans 1…
Here’s what the devotional says for October 11…
“Speak the words I give you to speak. Say what I give you to say, for from your mouth everyone will hear the passion of your heart, which I have given you. You shall be as My mouth.”
Isn’t that perfect!
Listen to what Proverbs 15:23 says,
“Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time.”
Also it says in Romans 10:8,
“…The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart. And that message is the very message about faith…”
As believers we should be excited to share what God has done through Jesus Christ. Verse 1:17a says,
“This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight…”
How are we made right before God? By accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior… the rest of verse 1:17 says,
“…This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’”
So, there we have it! If you have already placed your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, you already have the first means to start sharing the Good News!!! For those who are still not sure what this Good News is all about, keep your eyes and ears open and be ready for the “Power of God to be at work in your heart…” My prayer will be for the one who hasn’t yet accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, to make the decision to follow Him. Awakened your faith to those unseen things and trust God will meet you right where you are. My prayer is also to those whose hearts burst with the Good News, that we wouldn’t be ashamed, that God through His Holy Spirit would use us in a powerful way, to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
~AMEN~
If your heart is longing to be right with God, say the following prayer, ask the Lord to come into your heart and life and begin your new life in Jesus!
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you! And just as Jesus said, “Peace be with you.”