Romans 6 explains that in Christ we are now able to live free from the power of sin and can therefore now choose to obey God. Even though we still often fail to resist temptation and even cooperate willingly with our sinful nature, the power of sin in our lives is indeed defeated. Because of our union with Christ , we share in His victory over the penalty of sin and death. Because we stand "acquitted" from His judgement, we need never fear death. Let the freedom that we experience in receiving God's love and grace motivate us to live for the glory of God through Jesus and enjoy eternal fellowship with Him !

In Romans 5, Paul explains about the joy that we experience when we enter into a peaceful relationship with God. We are no longer in a position deserving of God's wrath, but have been made right in God's sight by our faith in Jesus. Paul says, "Christ brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand". I praise God daily for the joyful rest we have in looking forward to being with Him forever and sharing in His glory. Paul talks about how we can even rejoice in times of conflict and trials, since God uses those times to strengthen us and build our confidence in our salvation. We should not become discouraged when we face temptations and problems, but remember that God sent his Son to die for us while we were still sinners. "Since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment (v. 9)." Christ took our sins upon himself and took our punishment, so now "we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God" (v.11). Furthermore, we "live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ" (v17). Sing and rejoice that we now live under God's new rule of wonderful kindness and grace !!

Romans 4 explains that man is justified through grace by his faith. God's righteousness was given freely ( ie. like a gift) to Abraham simply because he believed and trusted in God, not because of any works or obedience to the law. "To the man who does no work , but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited to him as righteousness"(v.5). Paul further explains by using a quotation from David, which speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works, "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered, Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him" (v 6-8). Paul says again that righteousness promised by God "comes by faith so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed ... to all those who are of the faith of Abraham"(v.16). "The words, 'it was credited to him', were written not for Abraham alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--- for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead... for our justification" (v.24-25).

Romans 2 and 3 are about the eternal condemnation of all who put their faith in themselves or the law. "For all have sinned and fall short of God's glorious standard" (3:23). "No one is good--not even one. No one has real understanding; no one is seeking God. All have turned away from God; all have gone wrong. No one does good, not even one" (3:10-12). However, Paul says that God has provided a way of being right in His sight, not by obedience, but by the way promised in scriptures long ago. God's chosen people can be saved, no matter who they are or what they have done, when they put their faith in Jesus Christ to take away all their (past,present,and future) sins. "For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us" (3:25). Can we do anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds, but only on our faith. (3:27). We can rest in the fact that God will keep this promise and remain faithful to us, even when we are not faithful.

Romans 1 begins by explaining the facts of the "gospel" or Good News. Paul says that Jesus came as a human by natural descent, was from the line of David, died and was raised from the dead, and made God's grace available to us. Paul then explains that through Christ, we have been given the privilege of being called and the responsibility to share what God has done, so others will believe and bring glory to His name. Paul says, "For I am not ashamed of the Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes...and makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith" (v.16-17). In other words, believers are declared right with God because of faith (in Christ) alone. In the remaining verses of chapter 1, Paul explains that God will show his anger to those "who push the truth (of God) away" and that all people everywhere know this truth instinctively. People can clearly see in creation the evidence of God's eternal power and divine nature and they have "no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God" (v.19-20).

In Acts 27-28, Paul and other prisoners are taken by ship to Rome. Guided by the Spirit, Paul offers advice to the ship's officers about how to proceed, since the weather was becoming rough. They didn't listen to Paul and soon encountered typhoon wind, but Paul reassured them that an angel of the Lord had revealed to him that none would perish. He told them, "So take courage For I believe God. It will be just as He said." The sailors listened to Paul and took action to follow his advice (v.32). It says that Paul also persuaded them to eat with him. Paul gave thanks to God before them all and "everyone was encouraged"( v.36). In the end, everyone escaped the storm and arrived safely ashore. Eventually in Rome, Paul speaks before a group telling them about the kingdom of God and taught them from the books of Moses and the prophets. He lectured them from morning until evening and some believed. Paul's final words to them was from Isaiah, "Go and say to my people, You will hear my words, but you will not understand; you will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes-- so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them." This scripture quoted by Paul at the end of Acts reminds us again that we are to boldly proclaim the Kingdom and the teachings of Jesus, but only God can draw people to Himself and direct their response in faith to His calling.

In Acts 26, King Agrippa gave Paul permission to speak in his defense. Paul began by "begging (Agrippa) to listen patiently"(v.3) as he gave a very thorough summary of his testimony. It says that Agrippa was "well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies". Paul explained that his hope was "in what God had promised our fathers" and "it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me" (v. 8). He further explained , " I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen-- that the Christ would suffer and ... rise from the dead"(v.23). And, "what I am saying is true and reasonable... the king is familiar with these things and I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." It is remarkable that God had placed Paul in a position that he might give such an amazing presentation of his life testimony and the truths of Jesus' resurrection to King Agrippa. King Agrippa replied to Paul, " Do you think that in such a short time, you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul responded, " I pray to God that not only you, but all who are here listening to me today may become what I am." Although, Agrippa rejects the invitation, Paul demonstrates again his passion for sharing Jesus with the lost. We can be used by God to share the gospel, but God chooses who He will call. Only God can change the hearts of man. Are you presenting yourself daily to God's kingdom work? What are you passionate about that could be more important?