Before Romans was a book of the Bible, it was a letter written from Paul to the church in Rome.  Paul considered himself a slave to Jesus.  He wanted to do everything He could to tell others about God.

Paul first started encouraging the Romans in their faith (1:8).  He assured them that he was praying for them (1:9-10).  He tell them that he wants more than anything to come see them (1:11-13).  He had heard God was moving in Rome, and Paul wanted in on the action.  However, he wass humble enough to stay where God told him to.

It really made me wonder (and I hope you ask yourself the same question) – would you be so willing to obey?  Especially if obeying meant the opposite of what you wanted.  

One of my favorite verses in Romans 1:16, which says in the ESV version, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

I used to think this verse meant that if someone held a gun to my head and asked if I was a Christian, I should say yes.  When I was in high school, though, I learned that I shouldn’t only be willing to die for Christ, but also to LIVE for Him!  

The study I’m doing also talked about how easy shame of the Gospel can sneak into our lives.  Sometimes it can be quiet, like not speaking up when we should.  Sometimes it can be agreeing with someone to ‘keep the peace,’ but really we should have spoken truth.  Sometimes it can be more blatant, like lying to save our skins.  As a parent, it can be holding firm to an unconventional parenting method God is calling us to, despite society telling us it’s wrong or weird.  As a writer, I’ve been told I won’t make it unless I add more secular entertainment (sex). 

We have to actively fight against this shame.  We need to hold to the Gospel – the GOOD NEWS – boldly.

The first bit of Romans shows us how sinful we are, to the point that “God gave them up,” (1:24a) and uses terminology like “the wrath of God” (1:18).  

It is important for us to see how sinful we are.  It important for us to see what those consequences of sin are.  Paul takes his time making that point.

God doesn’t leave us in our sin, though, so neither does Paul dwell here for long.  

Paul starts talking about the “righteousness of God” (3:21).  He said, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:23-24, ESV).

I’ve never looked at the breakdown of Romans before, the different sections it’s in.  I’ve never seen the building blocks it’s made of before.

The book of Romans has helped spurn more revivals that any other book of the Bible.  It makes sense to me now.

We all sin.  We all have certain sins we struggle with in particular.  

No matter what sin we struggle with, though, God sent His Son Jesus to die for those sins.  Jesus told those sins and clung to them while He died on the cross.  We are forgiven.  We just have to accept that gift of forgiveness. 

Then, as Paul talks about repeatedly in Romans (1:5, 2:4, etc.) us accepting His forgiveness should prompt us to tell others about Him.

Today, I want to encourage you to thank God for what He’s forgiven you from. 

If you are not a Christian and have questions, I’d love to talk to you!  Just hit the “Contact” button above.  Even if you can’t formulate specific questions, just let me know your thoughts.  I’m happy to talk with you about them.

Then, if you are a Christian, pray about who you can tell about Him.  

When I was in college, I was part of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.  They have a program called 2+.  That means we were supposed to have two people we were constantly praying for and looking for chances to spend time with and, ultimately, share Jesus with.  I currently have two people I am praying for, and I encourage you to do the same.  (Feel free to not stop at two, that’s what the + is for!)

And if there is any way I can pray for you, just let me know!  Evangelism can be scary – only because Satan wants it to be.  I’d love to help encourage you in this! We don’t want to be pushy or make others feel like we’re forcing our beliefs on others, but if we have great news – shouldn’t we want to share it with others?