Romans: The Righteousness of God in Christ

The book of Romans is essentially the Christian Manifesto. In it, the apostle Paul presented just about every major Christian doctrine, including:

• The wrath of God
• The grace of God
• The plan of God for Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews)
• The will of God for our everyday lives

Here's the picture Romans paints: we're all born under the wrath of God and slavery of sin. But the good news is that Jesus came to set us free from sin and death, bringing salvation by God's grace through our faith in Him. That's the theme of the book of Romans: the righteousness of God has come through the gospel of Christ.

Think for a moment of the criminal on the cross, a person the Roman government deemed unfit to live on the earth. But because of his faith, Jesus declared him fit to live forever in paradise (see Luke 23:32-43).

That's the message of Romans. You don't earn heaven by working really hard and being religious. It's people who realize they're sinners and place their faith in Jesus Christ who are saved.

If you can get a hold of these basic gospel truths in Romans, they will change your life.

Think It Through

When did Jesus die for you (see Romans 5:6-8)? Take a moment to soak in this truth and respond to Him in worship.Read Romans 6:11-14. 

What does it mean to be dead to sin?List all the things that cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ (see Romans 8:35-39).Romans 12 kick-starts the practical section of the book. 

Read the whole chapter, then consider how you can apply one of these commands to your life today. 

Think It Through

When did Jesus die for you (see Romans 5:6-8)? Take a moment to soak in this truth and respond to Him in worship.Read Romans 6:11-14. What does it mean to be dead to sin?List all the things that cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ (see Romans 8:35-39).Romans 12 kick-starts the practical section of the book. Read the whole chapter, then consider how you can apply one of these commands to your life today. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth that all have sinned, that there's none righteous in Your sight, and that we're all abiding under the wrath of God, because it's in understanding the bad news that I can appreciate the good news: Jesus died on the cross to redeem me to Himself. Help me rest in that good news today.

Land and Explore

This book is pregnant with truths you as a Christian should be familiar with. Check out this series from Pastor Skip on Romans .