" The GOOD NEWS "

Romans 1:1-16   " Paul, a servant of JESUS CHRIST, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of GOD, (which HE had promised afore by HIS prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)  Concerning HIS SON JESUS CHRIST our LORD, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;  and declared to be the SON of GOD with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:  By WHOM we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for HIS name:   Among whom are ye also the called of JESUS CHRIST:  To all that be in Rome, beloved of GOD, called to be saints:  Grace to you and peace from GOD our FATHER, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

First, I thank my GOD through JESUS CHRIST for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For GOD is my witness, WHOM I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of HIS SON, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of GOD to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;  that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of CHRIST:  for it is the power of GOD unto Salvation to every one that believeth;  to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. "     Romans 1:1-16

     The word gospel simply means  " Good News. " However, this word implies that there is also bad news. The bad news is that all men are sinners (Romans 3:23). The horrendous nature of sin must not be understated, yet sadly it often is.  But our purpose today is to look at the Good News !  What is this Good News ?  It is that JESUS CHRIST the LORD died to pay the penalty of sin required of every single person:  death. 

     Paul repeatedly emphasized " the Gospel " throughout the sixteen verses of our text (vv. 1, 9, 15-16).  It is the only message that delivers sinners from the fate that each of us deserves - eternally paying the price for our own sins.  Paul knew firsthand that the Gospel was the message that saved him and that it was entrusted to him to proclaim to all who would listen (vv. 14-16).  The Gospel - that CHRIST the LORD, GOD's SON, would die and rise again - was prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures (vv. 2-5).  The Greek term underlying the word declared  in verse four also gives us the English word horizon, and it pictures GOD the FATHER spreading across the entire horizon the message that HIS SON died and rose again to save sinful human beings.  It is as if GOD put this message on a huge banner and hung it in the air for anyone and everyone to see and understand.  Thus, the resurrection of CHRIST is an indispensable element of the Gospel message (1st.Cor.15:3-4).  HE is not on the cross nor in the grave - HE is risen !

     Dear Believer,  may you never tire of hearing and meditating upon the simple Gospel message.  This glorious " Good News "  ought to be ardently treasured all the days of our life, and, like Paul, we must proclaim this wonderful news to ALL who will listen. GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
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