Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Romans 1 and Psalm 97

Today we begin our journey through what is widely recognised as the greatest letter of the New Testament – Paul’s letter to the Romans. In many ways it is his theological explanation of the Gospel he preached. Most likely he wrote the letter in the early spring of 57AD while in Corinth (Acts 20:1-3) just before returning to Jerusalem to take them the offering for the poor (Acts 21). He wrote it to prepare the way for a visit to Rome, which he hoped and planned to make very soon (Romans 1:11 & 15:22-25). Little did he know that he would travel there courtesy of the Roman judicial system (as we have just seen in Acts 24-28). The fact that his letter went ahead of him to Rome explains why the Roman Christians were so excited to hear of his pending arrival and even travelled out to meet him along the Via Apia (Acts 28:11-16).

Today’s reading is Romans 1 and in it Paul starts to set out the foundation of the Gospel message. This Gospel, he says in v.16, is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” But before we can experience that saving power, we have to ackowledge our desperate need for God’s saving grace. So Paul proclaims in no uncertain terms that we all stand guilty of sin and rebellion against God. Absolutely none of us can stand before God on our own merit. And we all need to grasp that we are “without excuse” (v.20) because God has revealed Himself and His will to us through nature and through our consciences (v.19-20).

As we read Romans 1 it is very easy to think about other people when we read of the ways we human exhibit “godlessness … wickedness … impurity … and depravity”; e.g. idolatry, sexual impurity, greed, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, insolence, arrogance, boastfulness, disobedience to parents; faithlessness, lovelessness, mercilessness. But looking at others is a pointless exercise. As Christians, we ought actually to be looking at ourselves in the mirror of Romans 1 to recognise the depths from which Jesus has saved us … and be profoundly grateful.

Life Application: Look in the mirror and be grateful!