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. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17

Rome had built an extensive road system by which their troops, chariots, and goods could travel. There is a saying, “all roads lead to Rome.” The Roman Empire was taking over the world in its day and right in the middle of their advancement Jesus came to bring the gospel to a downtrodden and oppressed people. I imagine there were house churches all along the Romans road and Paul made it his aim to minister to them.

These 2 little verses are packed with important truths for the reader to know. While many might have been ashamed to go proclaiming a message to people who thought he was speaking of ‘a dead guy that attracts the lowest sinner and tax collectors.’ Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God!” Paul didn’t worry about what other people would think. He did what God called him to do and so must we.

We learn that the gospel has power to bring salvation. In a system of slavery at the time. Freedom was for those who had money, fame, power, or influence, but the gospel was freely given to anyone who believes. Rome knew about power. It had conquered and continued to conquer for over a 1000 years but for all it’s power, Rome was powerless to become righteous. It was powerless to make itself right in the eyes of God or man.

The philosopher Seneca called Rome “a cesspool of iniquity” and the ancient writer Juvenal called it a “filthy sewer into which the dregs of the empire flood.” Rome was brutal and overpowering. Rome was fraught with sin. The only peace with Rome was if you were under its control. These same descriptions could have been said of me before I believed in Christ. The gospel reveals the righteousness of God. When we believe the gospel – the gospel has power to make us righteous by our faith. It has the power to make us right with God and with man. This faith in Jesus Christ is all we need to be justified and as we walk by faith it is all we need to believe and remember to continue in this righteousness that was bought and paid for by the blood of Christ.

If you don’t know Jesus today and you would like to know Him or you would like to share this gospel with someone who doesn’t know Christ…

Here is a simple tool to share this gospel with you called the Romans Road:

1. Because of our sin, we are separated from God.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

2. The Penalty for our sin is death.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. The penalty for our sin was paid by Jesus Christ!

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

4. If we repent of our sin, then confess and trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will be saved from our sins!

Romans 10:13 For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:9-10…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The only requirement is to believe – do you believe?

I remember the moment vividly when I read these verses in the Bible but it was Romans 10:9 “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” that made me sit back and say out loud, “ IT’S THAT EASY!?” and I heard God for the first time say, “Yes. It is that easy.” Hearing Him took my breath away. His voice was full of peace. I took a deep breath, and I believed what the word of God said that day. I prayed for Jesus to come into my heart and He became my Lord and Savior! Nothing about how I see, hear, learn, and live life has been the same. Belief is powerful! To believe the gospel is to believe that Jesus came and died for you and your sin and that has the power to set you free from sin and birth you into a whole new life and calling.

If you made that choice to believe please post a comment and tell me about it, so that we may celebrate! Amen

All is grace,

Starla