For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of 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’s words in Romans 1:16-17 are not merely a burst of “rah-rah” enthusiasm; they come from a deep conviction in his heart. He’s not unashamed because his message is popular, or impressive, or easy to explain. He is unashamed because of the way God has acted through the gospel (good news) of Christ.
At the heart of these verses that we will study together this week is the counter-cultural truth that righteousness is not something that is achieved, it is revealed through Jesus. The gospel doesn’t tell us how to climb up to God; it announces how God has come down to us in Christ. What we could never earn through effort, or morality, or religion, God freely gives us through faith.
That is why Paul reaches back to Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous shall live by faith.” The truth is that walking with God has always been this way – whether in the Old Testament or the New. It’s not about self-reliance or our spiritual résumé, but by trusting the promises of God.
And this truth gives us a deep assurance because it means that our righteousness is not dependent upon our performance. If it were, we’d probably never rest, as we’d always be trying to achieve more. Rather, our confidence is in Christ. As Paul says in Galatians, salvation is no longer “I who live,” but “Christ who lives in me.” As we prepare to gather for worship this week, may we find ourselves with a faith that rests in the power of the gospel of Christ.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Aaron
Paul’s words in Romans 1:16-17 are not merely a burst of “rah-rah” enthusiasm; they come from a deep conviction in his heart. He’s not unashamed because his message is popular, or impressive, or easy to explain. He is unashamed because of the way God has acted through the gospel (good news) of Christ.
At the heart of these verses that we will study together this week is the counter-cultural truth that righteousness is not something that is achieved, it is revealed through Jesus. The gospel doesn’t tell us how to climb up to God; it announces how God has come down to us in Christ. What we could never earn through effort, or morality, or religion, God freely gives us through faith.
That is why Paul reaches back to Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous shall live by faith.” The truth is that walking with God has always been this way – whether in the Old Testament or the New. It’s not about self-reliance or our spiritual résumé, but by trusting the promises of God.
And this truth gives us a deep assurance because it means that our righteousness is not dependent upon our performance. If it were, we’d probably never rest, as we’d always be trying to achieve more. Rather, our confidence is in Christ. As Paul says in Galatians, salvation is no longer “I who live,” but “Christ who lives in me.” As we prepare to gather for worship this week, may we find ourselves with a faith that rests in the power of the gospel of Christ.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Aaron
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