Read Romans 1
Highlights:
Paul's mission to preach the Gospel to the Romans (Rom. 1:15-17). The wrath of God is . . . against all . . . unrighteousness of men, who hold the Truth in unrighteousness (1:18). God judges it (2:1-16). Jews and the Law (2:17-29). No one is righteous; all have sinned (3:10,23). Redeemed through Jesus (3:22,24).
Sin cut off man's relationship with God. Genuine repentance is a fundamental requirement to saving faith. Sadly, today there are many who continue to commit some of these sins: Being filled with all unrighteousness (every kind of wrongdoing), fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate (quarreling), deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection (unloving), implacable (ruthless), unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (Rom. 1:29-32). Some even say they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but their lives show no evidence of being transformed. This people honoureth Me (the Lord) with their lips, but their heart is far from Me (Mark 7:6).
Jesus said that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations (Luke 24:47). There will always be repentance where there is genuine faith. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out (erased; wiped clean) (Acts 3:19). God . . . commandeth all men every where to repent (17:30).
The confession of one's personal sinfulness is the first step to all true repentance. The sincere believer never seeks to excuse himself or blame or compare himself with others but instead, like the publican, he cries out: God be merciful to me a sinner (Luke 18:13). Through the Holy Spirit, he is convicted in his heart and sees himself as a sinner in rebellion against God.
How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? . . . Knowing this, that our old man (unrenewed self) is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. . . . Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. . . . Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness (Rom. 6:2,6,12,16)?
Thought for Today:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).
Cross References:
For Rom. 1:17: See Hab. 2:4. Rom. 2:24: See Is. 52:5. Rom. 3:4: See Ps. 51:4. Rom. 3:10: See Ps. 14:1. Rom. 3:11: See Ps. 14:2. Rom. 3:12: See Ps. 14:3. Rom. 3:13: See Ps. 5:9. Rom. 3:14: See Ps. 10:7. Rom. 3:15: Is. 59:7. Rom. 3:16-17: See Is. 59:7-8. Rom. 3:18: See Ps. 36:1.
Word Studies:
1:13 let hitherto, prevented; 1:21 vain, morally misguided, empty, worthless; 1:29 debate, strife; malignity, depravity of heart; whisperers, gossipers; 2:22 commit sacrilege, rob temples; 3:2 oracles, the Scriptures; 3:25 propitiation, satisfaction, reconciliation, appeasement; remission of sins that are past, forgiveness of former sins.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Gov. Sean Parnell (AK), Rep. Gary Ackerman (NY), Rep. Jo Bonner (AL), Sen. Tom Harkin (IA), Rep. Lamar Smith (TX), and Rep. Tim Scott (SC) • Country: French Guiana (168,000) on the northern coast of South America • Major language: French • Religious freedom • 85% Christian; 9.5% non-Religious/Other; 2% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Amidst uncertainty, seek the guidance of God (Is. 42:16).
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 6:13