Vital Things 

Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute, gave an address in Columbus, Ohio in 1900 on “The Place of the Bible in Uplifting the Negro Race.” He reported 640 Bible students at Tuskegee at the time. His speech included this line: 

“The men doing the vital things of life are those who read the Bible and are Christians and not ashamed to let the world know it.” 

Reflection

The apostle Paul begins his letter to the Romans by demonstrating that personal belief has public consequences. Paul has confidence in the gospel and in God’s power. He has already preached in Athens and Corinth and Ephesus. Now he wants to preach in the most influential city in his time—Rome. Do you have his confidence? What “vital things” need to be done in your community? What would change as more people are made right with God?