The good news of Jesus is the power of God for salvation.

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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  ^{Romans 1:16-17}

The word of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, reveals the perfect righteousness of God, the path to salvation, and has the power to transform souls. Those who hear the gospel, believe, and submit to the lordship of Jesus are deemed righteous, forgiven, and reconciled to God by the atonement for their sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. This is revealed to all with faith, and it is in this faith that we endure to the end.

Those who reject God are given over to themselves.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, ^{Romans 1:21-22}

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: ^{Romans 1:24}

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: ^{Romans 1:26}

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (proper); ^{Romans 1:28}

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. ^{Romans 1:32}

The result of God’s judgment is that he gives man up to the lusts of his heart, to his reprobate mind. Man is free to do as he pleases, and his natural, unfettered desires lead to dramatic immorality, depravity, and perversion. We can see society progressively degrade as man falls further and further into the abyss of a godless, hopeless, and meaningless existence of wasted opportunity. Hearts are hardened, and the light of the truth fades. They claim to be wise, shunning the word of God, but instead are fools worthy of the eternal damnation to which they are headed.

Compliance with rules, rituals, and traditions is useless for salvation.

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. ^{Romans 2:29}

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. ^{Romans 3:20}

The children of God are those who believe in their hearts. The moralistic, legalistic, religious man who sits in pious judgment of others will himself face God’s judgment. These pillars of empty religion, deluded that they are the chosen, are no better than those they judge and will not escape accountability for what they have done in this life. Being unrepentant and confident that their religion or lineage has provided salvation, they are instead storing up the wrath of God at judgment. There is no salvation in attempted adherence to the commandments, sacraments, or traditions of religion. The law is the measure that provides the knowledge of sin.

The Problem – no person is righteous enough.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre (grave); with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.  ^{Romans 3:10-18}

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. ^{Romans 3:23}

All men are by nature unrighteous and will be judged, then condemned to an eternity of punishment. There is no fear of God in man, and we all deserve the wrath to come.

The Remedy – justification with God by faith in Jesus Christ.

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.  ^{Romans 3:22-26}

The righteousness of God is attributed to man by faith, not by works, in Jesus Christ. This unmerited gift from God is available to anyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, was resurrected from the dead, and submits their life to Him. By Jesus’s work on the cross, we can be redeemed from the penalty of sin; forgiven, reconciled, and declared righteous in the eyes of God. Jesus’s blood on the cross is the propitiation (appeasement) for our sins.

Our standing with God – we have peace, grace, and hope.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom (Jesus) also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:1-6

By faith in Jesus Christ, we are declared righteous and reconciled to God, and are no longer his adversaries (the past). By faith, we live in his grace – unmerited and undeserved favor – receiving the continual gift of forgiveness for our sins (the present). We eagerly anticipate a future where we will radiate God’s glory and reflect his perfect, holy character. Our sanctification will be complete, sin will be removed from our existence, and we will finally be like Christ (the future).  

In right standing with God, the “tribulations” (tough times) we endure mature us in our faith. As we persevere through life’s challenges, our character is developed as we are sanctified and made more like Christ. Through this, our trust and reliance on God increase, and confidence in the promises to come deepens. We endure because we live in the love and strength of God through the Holy Spirit that lives within us.

 Christ died for his adversaries.

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. ^{Romans 5:7-11}

God’s great love for us is demonstrated by his provision for salvation (including the sacrifice of his beloved Son) for the ungodly, people who are at enmity against him. We are saved from God’s coming wrath and reconciled to him by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Serve God, no longer living for your sinful desires.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. ^{Romans 6:11-14}

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. ^{Romans 6:18}

Though we stand in grace and receive the mercy of forgiveness every day, we do not let sin rule over us. We serve God and are no longer slaves to sin. Let God reign in your life and pursue a righteous, holy, obedient, grateful life that pleases him. You are a slave to what you seek. We were slaves to sin, headed to death; but now we are slaves to Christ, headed to eternal life.

The price of sin is death, but the gift from God is eternal life.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^{Romans 6:22-23}

This is as clear as it can be.

Christians struggle with sin until their mortal life is over.

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. ^{Romans 7:23-25}

The struggle with sin dogs the Christian throughout his life on earth. While we are in our mortal bodies, we sin. It is a trial for Christians to resist without succumbing to temptation and enticement.

There is NO condemnation for those in Christ.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  ^{Romans 8:1-2}

Though we struggle with sin, we who are in Christ will not be condemned but will enjoy everlasting life and peace. This is because the righteousness of Jesus is imputed to us by his work on the cross. Those without Christ are at enmity with God. Carnally minded souls cannot please him; for them, condemnation and death await.

 We are children of God, heirs to his kingdom.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ^{Romans 8:14-17}

Those in Christ are the children of God, heirs to an incomprehensible and staggeringly magnificent inheritance. That inheritance is heaven (access granted because in Christ we are holy and blameless before God), and to be partakers in the glory of God.

Our suffering is insignificant compared to our inheritance.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ^{Romans 8:18}

Suffering we experience in this life is insignificant compared to the peace and joy of our assured future in Heaven. God understands our trials and struggles; he hears our prayers and gives us the strength to endure.

For God’s children, all things happen for their good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  ^{Romans 8:28-29}

God works everything we experience and endure (the good, the bad, and the terrible) for our ultimate good. The result is that our character is developed, our faith is tested and strengthened, and we are conformed to the qualities of Jesus Christ. The objective is not a life of comfort and ease; it is to make us worthy to be the brethren of Jesus Christ.

God’s purpose will always be accomplished.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? ^{Romans 8:30-31}

God determined before the foundation of the world those called to faith, and that they would be justified (deemed righteous) and glorified (made perfect, sinless humanity). There is no chance the saved Christian will fail to reach heaven. Our salvation is assured, our fate is in God’s hands, and we should rest and rejoice in that fact.

We are forever secure in the love of God.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ^{Romans 8:37-39}

There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. Those in Christ cannot lose their salvation.

God is sovereign and makes choices.

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. ^{Romans 9:15-16}

Our righteous, sovereign God chose the souls destined for heaven before the beginning of time. Salvation from the penalty of sin is predicated upon one’s faith, which is also a gift from God. He chose you, provided you with the gift of salvation, and gave you the ability to accept that gift. Therefore, salvation is entirely by the grace of God, not by any actions one may take. The sad news is that man has the free will to reject it all.

Righteousness is by faith, not compliance.

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; ^{Romans 9:30-32}

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. ^{Romans 10:3-4}

The Jews were zealous in their study of the scriptures, yet they were ignorant of the meaning. They did not understand the unattainable standard of righteousness that God demanded, and believed themselves worthy because of their attempted compliance and their lineage. There is no salvation because of lineage or for the self-righteous.

They did not grasp the provision of Christ in that he frees men from the condemnation of the law. They did not realize that faith is in your heart, not with a rabbi, priest, in a temple, or anywhere else. They did not understand the far-reaching nature of God’s grace and that all mankind (not only Jews) could come to saving faith. Christ is the end of attempting to attain righteousness by compliance with the laws of God or the rules and traditions of man.

Faith brings righteousness.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ^{Romans 10:9-13}

Salvation is available to all men who believe that Jesus is God, that he defeated death in resurrection, and make the Lord of their lives. Those who believe in their heart, are happily obedient and submissive to Jesus, are those who are deemed righteous, called the children of God, looking forward to the promised inheritance. Salvation is attained by faith, not by utterance.

Faith comes by hearing the word of God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ^{Romans 10:17}

Faith in Jesus comes from hearing the “good news.” It is then the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart that brings faith and salvation from hearing the gospel.

God’s wisdom and will are beyond man’s comprehension.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen ^{Romans 11:33-36}

Here, Paul’s doxology praises the infinite, incredible, incomprehensible will and ways of God. Mankind is not capable of grasping the mind of God. His plans are beyond our ability to fathom. Man has given nothing to God, and he owes mankind nothing. He is the beginning and end and all things. All things are from him, for him, and he holds all things together. Fear God, be eternally grateful that our creator loves the world unto salvation.

Live for God, reject the world, and prove his perfect will.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ^{Romans 12:1-2}

Souls redeemed by the grace and mercy of God should give all that they are to him. Live in the word of God and do not seek the temporal pleasures or profane objectives of the secular world. The body is where our humanness resides; be disciplined to resist sin and control the desires of the flesh. The mind is where we struggle with sin; strive to choose righteousness and not be conformed to the Spirit of the world; that is Satan’s domain. Submit to God and prove that his will is good, reasonable, and perfect.

Be ready, Jesus’s return is imminent.

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.  ^{Romans 13:11-14}

Be good, be righteous, and walk in the light because the end of our time and our glorification is closer than ever before.

Every person will give an account of themselves to God.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. ^{Romans 14:11-12}

Every person will stand before God and face his judgment. Those who appear before God in their own spiritual filth (unrighteous) will be condemned to an eternity of punishment. Those who appear wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus will be saved from God’s wrath and will be rewarded for their good works.

Filled with joy and peace.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. ^{Romans 15:13}

Our faith in God brings us joy and peace through our certain hope of salvation and inheritance.

Beware false teachers

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. ^{Romans 16:17-20}

Beware those wretched souls who teach error, bad doctrine. They are enemies of the cross who serve their appetites and are marked for destruction. Don’t argue with them; avoid them. Be wise and pursue what is good, be ignorant and innocent of that which is evil. Do not get involved in heresy, be set apart (sanctified) because Satan will shortly be defeated.