Day 262 – Romans: What to believe
“Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous – not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” Romans 3:9-10 NLT
Read Romans 1:1 to Romans 11:36
Paul begins his message to the Romans by vividly portraying the sinfulness of all people, explaining how forgiveness is available through faith in Christ, and showing what believers experience in life through their new faith. In the first section, we learn of the centrality of faith to becoming a Christian and to living the Christian life. Apart from faith, we have no hope in life.
Paul clearly sets forth the foundations of the Christian faith: All people are sinful, Christ died so we can be forgiven; we are made right with God through faith, and begin a new life with a new relationship with God. Like a sports team that constantly reviews the basics, we will be greatly helped in our faith by keeping close to these foundations.
Our sin points out our need to be forgiven and cleansed. Although we don’t deserve it, God, in His mercy, reached out to love and forgive us. He provides a way for us to be saved, and Jesus Christ’s death paid the penalty for our sins. It is good news that God saves us from our sin, regardless of who we are, where we come from, or what we have done.
To enter into a wonderful new relationship with God, we must believe that Jesus died for us, rose from the dead, and forgives our sins.
Prayer: Father, thank You for laying out the foundation of our faith in the book of Romans, and may we use it as a reference book to align ourselves with You and search our hearts regularly. Thank You for Your mercy towards us. Amen.
