Our Impartial Judge

Today we started reading through Paul's letter to the church in Rome. (for me, one of the most difficult letters to fully understand) In this letter, he gives us a wonderful presentation of how the gospel of Jesus is so much better than the Law of Moses. For us, (the non-Jew) the good news is that we are included in God's plan of redemption. Jesus died for everyone! The Jew and the Gentile. He died for every single person that has ever lived and every single person that will ever live. (John 3:16, Acts 10, Matthew 28:19)

In the first chapter, Paul gives us one of his most often quoted verses. "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." (v 16) This verse causes a person with an honest heart to question whether or not they are ashamed of the gospel of Jesus. Do we keep it to ourselves because of fear of rejection? Do we, at some level believe that people think it is silly to believe in a God that we cannot see? Are we ashamed to tell others about a crucified and risen Savior that died to take away the sins of man? Do I take every opportunity that God gives me to communicate the most important message that a person will ever hear? Tough questions! How do we answer?

Secondly, Paul tells us that God's power to save is contained in the gospel. The only means of salvation is found in the gospel message! Can God go outside of that means of salvation? I guess He has the ability to do that, but He seems to have tied His own hands in this matter. "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Next, Paul tells us that our part in this salvation is belief. This belief is not merely a mental ascent.... the Greek word translated “believes" takes into account that when we believe we act on what we have learned. James drives this message home in the second chapter of his book. "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." (James 2:18, 19) The demons believe.... I wonder if they will be saved. Of course not; simply believing doesn’t change anything, only belief that causes us to change, to act is the belief referred to here.  

Lastly, Paul tells us that the salvation that is brought through the wonderful gospel of Jesus is for the Jew and the Gentile. Everyone receives the same salvation! (read Romans 2: 6-11) It took the apostles a little while and some direct communication from God to understand that the net had been enlarged and would now bring a harvest of souls from the entire world. The great commission communicated it (Matthew 28:19), but they didn't understand it until Peter met Cornelius. (Acts 10) You and I, if we are non-Jews should greatly rejoice when we read this verse. Without Jesus, without His sacrifice and without that sacrifice being for all people, we would be lost and without hope in this world. But God had a better plan… the gospel. And contained in that gospel message is salvation for everyone, for the Jew first and then for the Gentile.

Good news? Great news! So let's get busy telling it, unless we are ashamed. Am I ashamed of the gospel or will I open my mouth and communicate the eternity changing plan that contains God's power? May God bless you as you tell it to friends, family, strangers.... everyone.