A GOOD NEWS WORD FOR A BAD NEWS WORLD

Read Romans 1.

We are going to get a bird’s eye view of the book of Romans by reading and reflecting on a chapter each day. Today’s devotional will set the stage for the study as we are introduced to the Gospel as a good news word for a bad news world.  Here’s the key text:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” (1:16-17‬)

Four times in the course of this chapter, Paul uses the word, “Gospel,” (v.1, 9, 15, 16). The term means, “good news.”  The good news is that God loves us and sent His Son to die for us, so that by faith in the crucified and risen Christ we can be saved.

What makes the good news so good is that there is incredibly bad news.  It is like a jeweler who displays a diamond on a piece of dark velvet, which brings out the luster and beauty of each facet.  Paul will shine the light on the radiance of redemption by first laying out the dark contrast of our sin, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” (v.18-19‬)

As a prosecuting attorney, Paul will make his case, presenting the evidence before the Judge of the guilt of humanity.  In this chapter, he establishes the crimes of the heathen against God.  The pagan populace knew there was a Creator.  Creation bore testimony. But instead of glorifying God, they began to worship the creation, because of the depravity of their minds.  This depravity of belief became marked by increasing degeneracy in behavior.

What hope is there for such people?  The only hope for us all—the Gospel.  Jesus has provided a way for the heathen to get to heaven—the royal road of redemption.  It is the only way, and the Way is a person, Jesus. The sad news is a word of guilt and judgment, but the glad news is a word of grace and justification!