Romans 1:16-17 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"
Paul is writing to the church in Rome and this passage serves as the thesis for his letter and his ministry. This passage drives everything he does. He states that righteousness from God is revealed in the gospel and is now available to everyone through faith in Jesus Christ. No longer is righteousness sought after through good works, rituals, and personal achievement. No longer is righteousness available to Jews only. Now righteousness is available to all through faith alone. Paul as a Jew takes the time and effort to make it perfectly clear that our salvation, our righteousness, our right standing with God, is through faith in Jesus. Our ancestry, family line, and our personal good works and best effort no longer affect our standing before God-as if they ever did! Now it is all about Jesus.
How much faith do I put in my good works? How much faith do I put in what I've accomplished? My vocation? My past? My family? My goodness? How much faith do I actually put in Christ? What do I think really saves me, truly reconciles me to God? It is so easy to get caught up in doing, doing, doing, and doing more good works to earn my righteousness. I need to remember my salvation is through faith in Christ.
Dear Lord, help me to put my faith in you and not in me. Amen.
Paul is writing to the church in Rome and this passage serves as the thesis for his letter and his ministry. This passage drives everything he does. He states that righteousness from God is revealed in the gospel and is now available to everyone through faith in Jesus Christ. No longer is righteousness sought after through good works, rituals, and personal achievement. No longer is righteousness available to Jews only. Now righteousness is available to all through faith alone. Paul as a Jew takes the time and effort to make it perfectly clear that our salvation, our righteousness, our right standing with God, is through faith in Jesus. Our ancestry, family line, and our personal good works and best effort no longer affect our standing before God-as if they ever did! Now it is all about Jesus.
How much faith do I put in my good works? How much faith do I put in what I've accomplished? My vocation? My past? My family? My goodness? How much faith do I actually put in Christ? What do I think really saves me, truly reconciles me to God? It is so easy to get caught up in doing, doing, doing, and doing more good works to earn my righteousness. I need to remember my salvation is through faith in Christ.
Dear Lord, help me to put my faith in you and not in me. Amen.
