Today I want to share something that's powerfully stirring in my heart as we kick off our new series "My Roman Empire." We're going to be reading through the book of Romans together throughout the entire year. I have the privilege of starting us off with the first three chapters, which contain some of the deepest truths in all of Scripture.
Understanding Paul's Letter to Rome
Let me tell you about Paul, the author of Romans. His testimony is one of radical conversion. Paul, previously known as Saul, was a fierce persecutor of Christians. He hated Christians and even murdered them, until he had an encounter with God that changed everything. As he introduces himself in Romans 1:1, he writes simply, "Paul, a bond servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God." Just that introduction alone carries such depth - he chose to be a servant to Christ.
A Church with a Powerful Reputation
One thing that really convicted me was how Paul begins his letter to these believers. In Romans 1:8, he writes, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world." This raises an important question for us: If people were to report about our faith today, what would they say? Would there be enough evidence in our lives that we would be known for our great faith?
The Reality Check We All Need
Now, much of Romans 1 and 2 contains what feels like bad news. Paul doesn't sugarcoat anything. He tells us in Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Our culture tries to tell us we're all good people, that if we just live kindly and do our part for social causes, we'll make it to heaven. But Paul tells us in Romans 1:18 that "the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth."
The Good News That Changes Everything
But here's where it gets good - Romans 1:16-17 declares, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes... For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last." This is the heart of our message and the remedy for our condition.
My Journey as an Ambassador
When I was 19, I went to Bible school in the Philippines. Coming from St. Cloud, Florida, I wasn't prepared for the wall of humidity, the overwhelming number of people (Manila is still the most densely populated city in the world), or the heartbreaking poverty I witnessed. Being American made me stand out - my skin, my accent, everything about me was different. I quickly learned what it meant to be an ambassador. Everything I said and did carried extra weight, whether I wanted it to or not.
Rekindling Our First Love
Recently, my daughter got a rotary phone for Christmas, the kind you have to spin to dial. Teaching her how to use it reminded me of when I was dating my now-husband. I would sneak into the kitchen late at night, timing it perfectly to pick up the receiver before it rang when everyone was sleeping. I'd stretch that long cord under my door just to talk to him. That's the kind of passion we should have about sharing Jesus - we should be so excited about our relationship with Him that we can't help but tell others.
A Challenge to Be Unashamed
The message of Romans 1-3 is clear: we were lost and dead in our sins, but Jesus is the ultimate remedy. When we truly understand how broken we were before Christ, we can appreciate all the more how He has put us back together.
That's why Paul could say with such conviction that he was not ashamed of the gospel - he knew both the depth of his need and the power of the solution.
Conclusion: Living Out the Gospel
Paul understood something profound - that the gospel isn't just good advice, it's good news. And good news is meant to be shared. Whether culture tries to silence us or cancel us, we have what people desperately need. Just as I wouldn't hide a cure for cancer if I had it, how much more should we share the cure for our spiritual condition?
The gospel is the power of God for salvation, not just for getting us to heaven, but for transforming us right here, right now. When we understand this truth from Romans 1-3, we can't help but be passionate about sharing it with others. Maybe today is your day to rediscover that first love, that passion for sharing the greatest news ever told.
