Romans 1:1-17 Thursday, 17 September 2020
“For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, “The person who is put right with God through faith shall live.”-Romans 1:17 [GNT]
Paul in the book of Romans states the theme of the letter, ”The gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end.” Paul explains how all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, needs to be put right with God, for all alike are under the power of sin- “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom.3:23). The Gospel message carrying the power of God, talks to us about the righteousness of God and how by faith in Jesus Christ we are made right with God, the Father.
Romans 1:16-17 brings us two aspects of the Gospel:
It is the Power of God for those who are being saved
In it the Righteousness of God is revealed
Power of God: 1 Corinthians 1: 18 says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Those who think themselves “wise” or “powerful’ by the world’s standards look foolish to God as His wisdom and power and are found in Christ (1Cor.1:24) and those who embrace Him will receive it. In 1Thes.2:13 Paul talks of the effectiveness of God’s Word when received rightly: “…because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” It has the inherent power to bring salvation to souls and transform lives – but only who receive it by FAITH!
Righteousness of God: God always deals with man on the basis of His righteousness rather than the righteousness of man. This is a righteousness that God Himself provides; it does not find its origin in man. God imputes His righteousness to the believer’s account by the believer’s trust in Christ’s work. God’s righteousness is perfect; but we do not have perfect righteousness in ourselves. None of our ‘good” works could ever fetch us the righteousness of God. Isaiah 64:6 says, “…And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;” It is God who must give us that righteousness through His Son Jesus Christ!
The gospel unveils God’s righteousness. God always bases His justice on His own righteousness. The gospel message is the only way to obtain the status of righteousness of God in our lives- the righteousness by which a believer is declared right before God is not due to anything in him or her. It is done for us through the work of Christ on the cross- Jesus paid for the ransom for you and me with His life! When a person receives the finished work of Christ on the cross to save Him from eternal death, God imputes His righteousness on Him! It is by faith that he receives it and is able to stand right before God.
Salvation is obtained by faith, faith in the Son of God who shed His blood on the cross for the redemption of all mankind. God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ. Would you do so?
PROMISE: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Listen: ‘The Power of the Cross’