Romans 1:16-17

Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

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.”

– Romans 1:16-17

Devotion

Here Paul gives us a summary statement concerning the Gospel or Good News of Jesus. This message of Jesus coming into this world to reconcile mankind to God has the power to save and transform lives! In itself, the Gospel has power, innate power. It has power for a very definite thing: “It is the power of God unto salvation.” Salvation is the all-inclusive term of the Gospel, and it simply means “deliverance.” It embraces everything from justification to glorification. It is both an act and a process. It is equally true that I have been saved from the penalty of sin, I am being saved from the power of sin, and I will be saved from the very presence of sin. The Gospel is for the entire human race. Then Paul declares a wonderful truth, “For in the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed.” God is holy and His character demands righteousness. But the righteousness Paul is referring to here is not self-righteousness that is produced by human effort. Instead he proclaims a righteousness that comes from God when we put our faith in the person and work of His Son. The righteousness of Christ is credited to the account of those who are trusting in the completed work of Christ. One day we will stand before Almighty God and He will only see the righteousness of His Son.

The Big Question

Are you relying on self-righteousness to make you right with God? What is the basic problem with performance-based religion? Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Has your life been transformed as a result of trusting in the person and work of Christ? Remember this, “The just shall live by faith.”

Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.