We begin Romans today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Romans 1:1-6:
1 From Paul, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God, 2 Which He promised in advance [long ago] through His prophets in the sacred Scriptures— 3 [The Gospel] regarding His Son, Who as to the flesh (His human nature) was descended from David, 4 And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 5 It is through Him that we have received grace (God’s unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the nations, 6 And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him.
AMEN! Our God did NOT have to come up with a plan for our Salvation when Adam and Eve sinned! He created them KNOWING that at some point, given a free will, mankind would eventually sin (make a selfish decision to do something their own way instead of God's way) and would be seperated from Him. Before He ever uttered a Word of creation, He already had His PLAN in mind for buying us back! Ephesians 1:4-6:
4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. 5 For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]— 6 [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
AMEN and THANK YOU LORD! THAT is why Paul said THIS in verse 16:
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance,
There IS salvation in NO OTHER, so let's make sure that we are charing this great GOOD NEWS with everyone we can while THEY still have time to BELIEVE and RECEIVE what GOD has prepared for us! Here is Hillsong with "God So Loved":
Shalom in Him!
