We are all, like Paul, called to be saints. Not because we excel in doing good, but because God has loved and forgiven us.
Worship with Holy Communion this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School / New member orientation
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
Devotions for the week:
Gospel as Salvation May 3, 2015, Romans 1:1-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
Even though Christians understand that we are saved by faith and not by works of the law, it is still tempting to believe that we go to heaven because we are good, not because God is good. We often want to believe others may not go to heaven because they are bad. But our world is not made up of such absolutes. God saves not based on our goodness or badness. God saves because of God’s goodness. Salvation is ours because we have a righteous God. Salvation is ours by faith through God’s grace.
Follow the book of Romans, as Paul explains humanity’s relationship with God’s righteousness.
Sunday, Romans 1:1-17, Gospel as Salvation
Monday, Matthew 9:10-13, Call of Matthew
Tuesday, Romans 2:17-3:8, The Jews and the Law
Wednesday, Romans 3:9-20, None Is Righteous
Thursday, Romans 3:21-31, Righteousness through Faith
Friday, Romans 4:1-12, The Example of Abraham
Saturday, Romans 4:13-25, God’s Promise Realized through Faith
What is Paul’s purpose for writing Romans? How does he describe God’s righteousness?
- What sins do you consider unforgivable? What sins can be easily overlooked? Does God make a distinction between the two?
- What shames or embarrasses you about your life in faith? What would make that shame or embarrassment lessened?
Bless: Saving God, reveal the beauty of your grace to us in the reading of the scriptures today. Amen.
