September 17, 2021 - Romans 1:16-17

On Sunday evenings I have begun a new study, “What is a Biblical Worldview?” Often, we do not realize we are employing other views into belief system. We are confronted with the question if we as Christians truly have a godly worldview and if we do, are we living it out to others?

Paul’s system of belief is presented in the introductory material of Romans. Paul’s life and course of action was to serve and proclaim his Savior, Jesus Christ! The gospel message is so intertwined with who Paul was that it determined every aspect of his life. In Acts 28:22, we get an insight into the perception of Christianity in Rome when the Jewish leaders came to Paul and stated, “… concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere”. Paul desired to change this mindset among the Romans with the penning of this letter regarding Christ’s gift of salvation.

In verses 16-17, we find the kernel or key thought that Paul will develop throughout the book of Romans. The gospel is the power of God to salvation. That is the summation of the book. God is at work to bring mankind back to a right relationship with Himself. This is attainable by believing, in faith, the finished work of Christ, the Son of God, which had been promised by the prophets and, in particular, Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:4).

Regardless of the misunderstandings and bad reports the Romans had received, Paul is not ashamed of the message or the person of Jesus Christ. He prepared this letter to present the historical and biblical facts to these readers so they could determine their walk of faith.

As we have opportunities to speak into neighbors, friends, and acquaintances lives about the core issues of existence, are we willing to share the truths of Jesus Christ and power of God’s saving work in us? These truths will only be revealed “from faith to faith” (v.17) as we show others through the example of our lives, our love for Jesus, and our hunger to speak boldly for Him.