“For I am not
ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving
everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” – Romans
1:16 New Living Translation
The
Apostle Paul was once a Jew who sought to kill the followers of Christ, but his
Damascus Road experience changed all that. Now he declares to Roman believers
in this correspondence that his newfound faith doesn’t make him ashamed in the
least. The Gospel message he has now embraced is the power of God manifest in
his life. He has experienced it first hand and can now testify to its saving
power. The message: believe and you will be saved.
The word ‘believe’ can be defined in
several ways, but it essentially means, “to accept something as true”. You have
placed your faith in such a belief, in this case, the existence of God and his
ability to forgive your sins. It is not
a mere acknowledgement of a truth, but rather a total acceptance that
what you are being told is THE truth. The Good News of the Gospel isn’t just a
message, but the message of a life changed with eternity in God’s presence as its
goal.
Why is it that the Jews were to be first?
It wasn’t because they were God’s favorites, but because the Messiah would come
thru them. With all the years they had spent attempting to live out God’s moral
principles it should have been them that understood, recognized and accepted
the Messiah for who he was, but they did not. God knew this would happen, thus opening
the door of salvation to all non-Jews / Gentiles. Share the Gospel message when
God opens a door of opportunity and lead others to the path of truth that
brings life. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.
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