We are not apostles like Paul, but as Christians we are all servants of Christ Jesus. Paul opens the book of Romans by reminding us that we are not our own. We belong to Christ; we are His slaves.

At the center of Paul’s message—indeed at the center of God’s message to humanity—is the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. It is in Christ, who is both God and man, that we find forgiveness and eternal salvation.

We miss God’s plan entirely if we fail to understand who Jesus is. The truth about Jesus is essential to the Christian faith and to our eternal destiny. Thankfully, the Bible gives a clear answer regarding His identity.

Faith in Christ and obedience to Christ cannot be separated. If He is truly our Lord, we will gladly and consistently obey Him. Indeed, obedience to Him is a measure of our faith in Him.

Do you know who you are? That question is so important that Paul begins his letter to the Romans by reminding his readers that all who have faith in Jesus Christ are loved by God, belong to Christ, and are, by God’s grace, saints.

Consistent prayer is indispensable to the Christian life. Thankfully, the Bible not only gives us instruction regarding prayer but also gives us examples to follow. The apostle Paul is one such example.

The best gifts we can give or receive are not those we can touch or hold. They are spiritual gifts that have eternal value. Paul gives us a glimpse of some of these invaluable gifts in this first chapter of Romans.

What are your priorities in life? What do you see as your obligations? Paul’s personal perspective reminds us that, as followers of Christ, we should be eager to take the gospel to the lost world around us.

The one thing we all need is something we cannot earn or buy. We all stand condemned before God apart from the righteousness that He alone gives only through faith in Christ. Thank God for the wonderful, free gift of His righteousness.

We do not know God as we should if we do not grasp the concept of His holy wrath against human sin. This is an uncomfortable thought for many, especially unbelievers. But this truth, which is both terrifying and comforting, is undeniable.

The revelation of God in His creation speaks for itself, and it speaks eloquently to all humanity of His existence and power. Salvation, however, comes through the revelation of the gospel message of the Bible, and that is something wemust deliver to unbelievers.

It is our duty and privilege to give God glory as well as our gratitude for His blessings. To fail in this is to identify with those who reject God and sink into their own corrupt and foolish speculations and godless idolatry.

Sin always has consequences, and one of the most significant consequences is that it leads to more and more sin. Thank God that by His grace we do not have to be slaves to sin.

As believers we must never succumb to the pressures of a godless world to give our approval to sinful lifestyles. Rather, we are to stand boldly on the Word of God, which is the only hope the world has.

Those who abandon God quickly spiral downward into a depraved mind that justifies, approves, and applauds evil. It is a sad reality we can observe today, but just as real is the hope that is always present in Jesus Christ.

As believers we must never succumb to the pressures of a godless world to give our approval to sinful lifestyles. Rather, we are to stand boldly on the Word of God, which is the only hope the world has.

God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience are abundant, and all people benefit from them. Enjoying these common blessings, however, does not grant immunity from His righteous judgment. In fact, these blessings should draw us to Him in repentance.

The wrath of God is an inevitable reality for all who continue to reject the Lord. It cannot be ignored, but it can be avoided by the grace of God.

God is impartial. His righteous standards do not change, and they are applied to every person equally. We can offer no excuses for sin and unbelief. Our only option is to repent and place our faith in Jesus Christ.

Does your life attract people to the Christian faith or turn them off to it? It is important to remember that the reputation of God’s people in the world affects the way people in this world view God.

Many Jewish people in Paul’s time scrupulously adhered to religious ritual, believing, like so many today, that this is enough to gain God’s acceptance. The apostle rejects such thinking and points to the truth that only a heart changed by God finds acceptance with Him.

Many Jewish people in Paul’s time scrupulously adhered to religious ritual, believing, like so many today, that this is enough to gain God’s acceptance. The apostle rejects such thinking and points to the truth that only a heart changed by God finds acceptance with Him.

It is never right to do wrong. This simple, biblical truth puts to rest all the justifications and excuses for sin. No one is exempt from God’s standards or from His judgment. Excuses will not take us to heaven; only the grace of God can do that.

The Bible is clear in declaring the truth about humanity: we are all sinners and held under the dominion of sin. There is nothing righteous in us to commend us to God. Yet it is only when we acknowledge this honest, divine assessment of us that we can find the ultimate solution.

While words can encourage, help, and heal, the apostle Paul offers his divinely inspired warning that words are most prominently used as weapons. Indeed, fallen humanity is characterized by deceptive, destructive communication.

When God is forgotten and His Word ignored, any sin can be justified—and often is. Ultimately, this spells disaster, for apart from Christ there is no peace, no fulfillment, no satisfaction, and no hope for eternity. This is the plight of all people who do not trust in Christ.

Disease cannot be properly treated until it is properly diagnosed. So it is with the human condition. The apostle Paul makes it clear that sin, and the resulting separation from God, is mankind’s terminal “disease” and that the solution is not found in man but in God alone.

Our own righteousness can never gain us acceptance before God. But that which we lack, He provides through faith in Jesus Christ—the righteousness of God Himself. What a glorious gift He has given to unworthy sinners like us.

Romans 3:23 gives us a concise, accurate diagnosis of our natural condition as human beings. It is not a pleasant portrayal, but it is one we must accept if we are to understand our need and God’s gracious work on our behalf.

The work of Jesus Christ in justification, redemption, and propitiation gives us greater appreciation for the character of God. And the more we understand these truths, the more amazed we are that He grants us all these benefits through faith alone.

God’s gracious gift of justification by faith favors no people and excludes no people. There is no place for boasting; we are all invited to humbly place our faith in Christ alone because we are all sinners in need of His grace.

The person of genuine faith will demonstrate it, not by a sinless life, but by trusting in Christ alone to declare him righteous before God. Romans presents Abraham as a wonderful example of such faith.

Biblical doctrine is always relevant to life. The great truth of justification by faith alone grants us the blessedness of knowing our sins have been forgiven, covered, and taken away, never to be counted against us.

Certain observances are important as expressions of faith. However, we must always guard against the subtle danger of rituals, signs, and symbols gradually taking precedence in our lives over a personal relationship with the Lord through faith.

To insist that we need to pay for God’s gracious gift to us is to reject the gift itself. It is supremely important that we grasp the message of Romans that salvation is a free gift given unconditionally by our gracious God.

True, lasting hope cannot be based on ever-changing circumstances, whether good or bad. Hope is found in knowing God and trusting Him, the one who is all-powerful and always faithful.

There is no lasting peace in our lives without having peace with God. And that blessing of peace with God is ours through faith in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

The gift of grace grants us access to God’s presence and a new status as His redeemed children. But pain also is a gracious gift from God, which He uses to produce in us Christlike character.

Through faith in Christ, we receive the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. His presence within us equips and empowers us to walk with God and serve Him. He is the constant Helper we all need.

We do not, and cannot, earn God’s love. Instead, we can rest in the assurance that He is a God who loves people who are helpless sinners and His enemies. His love is a gift, not a reward. 

The substitutionary death of Jesus Christ not only saves us but also secures us. Faith in Him gives us the assurance of knowing we are saved, reconciled, and safe in Him forever.

The Bible alone gives us a proper perspective on life and death. It explains the origin of sin, its universal impact, and the death it has brought to humanity. The Bible also gives us the solution to sin and death. The apostle Paul tells us the answer is in the life Christ gives us.

God’s Word tells us how deeply and thoroughly sin has infected and affected us. But this truth only highlights the abounding, inexhaustible grace of God, a grace that is greater than all our sin. 

A proper understanding of God’s grace does not excuse sin; it makes sin abhorrent to us. Indeed, we cannot live a life of sin.

Water baptism is a picture of Spirit baptism, which identifies us with Christ’s body, the church, and with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Such an intimate connection with Christ leaves no desire to ever go back to a life dominated by sin. 

We cannot live correctly if we do not think correctly. This is a fundamental principle of Scripture. In Romans 6, we find this principle set forth concretely with three key words.

The grace of God is essential to our salvation. Grace is also central to living the Christian life. The internal, transforming work of grace motivates us to live for Christ, not conform to unbiblical expectations.

We are all slaves to the one we serve. As Christians we are slaves to God. This means we obey Him and lead lives characterized by righteousness.

Romans 6:23 is one of the key Bible verses in setting forth the basic gospel message. It informs us of our great problem—sin that leads to eternal death. But it also gives us the solution—the grace of God that freely gives us eternal life.

In the opening verses of Romans 7, the apostle Paul explains the great truth that we who are saved through faith are freed from the law and united with Jesus Christ. The result and evidence of this union is a spiritually fruitful life.

The Christian life is a growing relationship with the living Lord. As that relationship flourishes, it will naturally produce a Spirit-controlled life that mirrors the character and conduct of Jesus Christ.

As followers of Christ, we are freed from the law. However, the law still serves a purpose. The law does not save anyone; rather, it reveals people’s sinfulness so that Christ can save them. 

In Romans 7 the apostle Paul affirms, and illustrates from his own life, that every believer is engaged in a continual, lifelong battle against sin. It is an agonizing struggle, and defeats will be suffered, but ultimate victory is assured through the power of Jesus Christ.

The amazing reality is that, by the grace of God, sinners can stand uncondemned before the holy God. This is not only possible; it is certain for all who trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. That wonderful truth is clearly stated in Romans 8:1.

Faithfulness in seeking to honor the Lord in the everyday responsibilities of life is the primary measure of a Spirit-led life. Paul introduces us to the concept of walking according to the Spirit as the norm for the Christian.

What is your mind set upon? What occupies your mind more than anything else? To thoughtfully consider this question is to contemplate your relationship with God and whether you can truly call yourself a friend of God the Holy Spirit.

The work of the indwelling Holy Spirit is essential to a consistent Christian life. He empowers and directs us. We must simply yield to Him as He teaches us through the Bible and energizes our relationship with our heavenly Father.

As believers in Christ, we are fellow heirs with Him of all God has to offer us. That inheritance means temporary suffering in this world but assurance of eternity in the presence of God in a perfect world.

As we follow Christ and pursue godliness in the midst of this ungodly world, we look ahead, longing for the day our groaning will become glory. We do so with the certainty of that coming day and the assurance of the Holy Spirit’s intercession. 

As we follow Christ and pursue godliness in the midst of this ungodly world, we look ahead, longing for the day our groaning will become glory. We do so with the certainty of that coming day and the assurance of the Holy Spirit’s intercession. 

Through all the trials of life and all the confusing events that seem to make no sense, we can cling to God’s promise. He is in control, He is at work, and He is working everything out for our good and His glory. This is the amazing promise unveiled in Romans 8:28.

Our salvation in Christ is certain and secure. This is because salvation is solely God’s work, and He has linked us to Himself with an unbreakable chain of divine actions.

Our salvation rests solely upon the gracious work of God. Likewise, our salvation is eternally secure because of His completed work; no person and no power can take away what God in His grace has given. 

We who are saved by God’s grace know God’s love for us is constant; it endures. His love never abandons us, even through suffering and death. His love is established and secured in the work of Jesus Christ, and it gives us assurance that we are His and we always will be. 

Past privileges are no substitute for personal faith, as Israel’s experience teaches us. Yet Israel’s faithlessness does not alter God’s eternal plan. Jesus Christ will be honored forever. Let us be sure that through faith in Him we are part of honoring Him both now and forever.

We will never fully grasp the sovereign election of God, but as followers of Christ, we can rejoice in the truth that God chose us. And that is why we chose to believe in Christ. It could be no other way, for the work of salvation is solely of God.

God chooses us! That is a wonderful truth we followers of Christ can rejoice in. In fact, we can rejoice in all God’s sovereign choices because they demonstrate His holiness, justice, mercy, and grace and bring glory to Him.

God’s sovereign choice works hand-in-hand with our faith in Christ. He chooses us, and He works to bring us to Christ. And in the end all glory is His, for it is all His work. Paul takes us deep into these truths as he concludes Romans chapter 9.

Unbelievers may be proud and passionate and even very religious in their unbelief. They do not need our condemnation; they need our love and compassion and our prayers. Paul’s attitude toward his unbelieving brethren is an example for us all.

The righteousness we all need to be acceptable to God is readily available to us and absolutely free. It comes not from our faultless performance but from a faultless Person—Jesus Christ.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a simple message. It just needs simple messengers like us to faithfully communicate it to our world.

People do not reject the gospel because it is too difficult to understand. Salvation by grace is just something they do not want. Yet we can be confident God is still working and patiently waiting on unbelievers, appealing to them through us, as we proclaim the gospel of Christ.

Rejecting Christ has serious eternal consequences for individuals and even nations. But unbelief does not alter God’s plan or His work of seeking and saving individuals. Neither does it cancel His eternal promises to us. 

God’s eternal plan is being worked out today, though often out of sight; but it will one day be revealed in all its fullness. That is His promise and assurance to both Jews and Gentiles who put their trust in Jesus Christ. 

God’s grace leaves no place for arrogance. As we understand His gracious work of salvation in our lives, we should humbly, thankfully, turn our thoughts toward the Lord, acknowledging Him for who He is, exalting Him, and submitting to His transforming work in us.

God’s plan for Jews and Gentiles, for believers and unbelievers, is clearly set forth for us in Scripture. So, too, is His “exit strategy,” the divinely established means of reaching a new, eternal home once we leave this world behind. 

It is impossible with our finite minds to fully grasp the mind and ways of God. But the Bible makes this much very clear: Who God is and what He has done—and is doing—demands that we give Him all glory, forever. 

Sacrifice is at the heart of all true worship of God. God calls us to offer our lives, in every part and in every detail—everything we say, do, and think—in sacrifice to Him and in gratitude to Him. This is worship, and it is the only reasonable response to God and His work.

If we want to make a difference in the world, we must be different from the world. And that is possible only by being transformed by God’s Word. 

The will of God is not something we should fret about or agonize over. If we are following God’s written Word and seeking to please Him, we can be sure we are walking in His will. 

It is not uniformity but unity that is needed in the church, the body of Christ. As diverse members of that body, we have each been uniquely gifted to contribute to the unity of God’s family to His ultimate glory.

God gives the spiritual gifts and the faith to exercise them effectively in His church. Our responsibility is to faithfully and humbly employ them in His service. This may not always bring thanks or praise, but it will bring glory to our God.

The Lord calls all His children to live consistent, godly lives. The Bible does not leave us to guess what such a life looks like. The apostle Paul gives us some key elements of godly spiritual maturity in Romans 12.

True godliness is not measured by religious ritual but by a continually growing development of Christlike qualities reflected in a godly mindset, private devotion to prayer, and selfless actions to meet the needs of others. 

Being gracious to others is not easy. It requires a selfless, humble spirit that desires the best for others. With God’s grace as a model, however, we are fully equipped to live gracious lives and overcome evil. Paul offers some practical principles for a grace-centered life.

Government is a God-ordained institution designed to restrain evil and promote good. We are to honor and obey government. And because government is established by God, we honor Him when we pay the taxes we owe. Paul’s message on this topic is very down to earth.

Love for others is not just a good and wise activity; it is a divine obligation. Love is a debt we owe, and as we are paying it daily, we are establishing a lasting legacy and testimony to the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our time on this earth is short—shorter than we may think. God wants us to live in light of the full salvation that soon will be ours. Let us put on Christ and put away all works of darkness!

The Christian life is filled with issues that Scripture does not directly touch on. We must not let these issues impair our unity in Christ or distract us from following Him as our Lord.

God has left many things unanswered in His Word. He did this, not so we would argue and judge one another, but to encourage us to develop our own convictions before Him, knowing that He is the only one who can rightly judge our lives and our service to Him.

The Christian life is not primarily about being right on all the issues we face. It is far more about learning to balance our liberty in Christ with love for our brother as we seek to protect one another from spiritual harm.

As we consider how to use our liberty in Christ to God’s glory, we are helped by dedicating ourselves to the principle of keeping a good reputation before God and man in all we do.

God is making every believer into an eternal masterpiece to reflect His glory. That should lead us to treat one another with even greater care, deference, and devotion than we would give to a prized, but temporary, possession.

God wants us to help out those who are weaker in the faith, or struggling. We can best do that by imitating Christ in four key ways: bearing patiently with the weak, acting selflessly, living sacrificially, and taking on the role of a servant.

In order to maintain the unity that God wants us to have, we must embrace three things: the Scriptures in their entirety, fellow believers without exception, and our Sovereign Savior, Jesus Christ. In Him we can stand strong together and triumph over our enemy, Satan.

God gave Paul the work of encouraging, instructing, and preaching and ministering to people. He calls us also—each in various ways—to fulfill the same work among people all around us.

The Christian life is a journey. We start at “It’s all about me” and head toward “It’s all about Jesus.” Today we learn from the apostle Paul three ways we can learn to be humble and grow in magnifying Christ in our lives.

The plans and hopes we have for our future may not turn out the way we desired. God is sovereign, and He does not owe us an explanation for what He does. But like the apostle Paul, we can trust Him and know that He will arrange things for His glory and our greatest joy.

Paul, the great apostle and missionary for Jesus Christ, keenly recognized his need of prayer and repeatedly implored God’s people to pray for him. Today we look at the concerns he shared and the lessons we can take from them.

Although the Bible is full of rich doctrine, it is not a theoretical or academic book. Jesus Christ came to save people, and many of them are named in His Word. We can learn many things from reading about these people, most especially that God knows us and treasures us in His Son.

As Paul wraps up his letter to the Romans, he gives us two timely and urgent cautions. We are to watch out for false teachers in our midst who seek to lead us astray, and we are to seek wisdom in what is good and innocence with regard to the evil all around us.

The gospel was given to real people who believed and served and loved and often suffered for the name of Jesus. The people we read of in this passage are people we will meet someday, and they remind us that no one is too insignificant to be part of God’s gallery of grace.

Paul fittingly closes his foundational epistle to the Romans with a doxology—praise to the God of all wisdom, truth, honor, and eternal blessing. May we join in praising Him with our lips and our lives.