Romans 1:16-17

"(16) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (17) For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last just as it is written: "The righteousness will live by faith." "

Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel, i.e. what he preaches and what is found in the Bible, because it is the way of salvation. I think we get stuck when we come across this word salvation, what does that even mean? Well, we all know that salvation has something to do with being saved, but saved from what? Simply put, we're being saved from ourselves. We all sin and sin leads to death so obviously we need to be saved. We can only find this salvation through the power of God. Paul isn't ashamed of the gospel because he is bringing life! We shouldn't fear either, though it is clear to me that this is MUCH easier said than done. Tonight I was asked how I decribe myself to strangers. I certainly don't start off saying, "Hi, my name is Julie. I'm a Christian." And why not? Am I ashamed? Maybe. I think it'll take more time than I have to write this post to figure that out. What about you? Is it just me who has issues publicly acknowledging the salvation of Christ?

Okay, I'll be honest, verse 17 confuses me. The gopel reveals a righteousness from God? Is this the same as saying it reveals rightness or truth? I'm not really sure, but I am sure that Paul is writing the word of God when he says the righteous will live by faith. The righteous is anybody who has accepted the word of God and they cannot be righteous if they do not have faith in Him. I'd like to zero in on the word "live". The righteous LIVE by faith. I think this goes back to the issue of being ashamed of the gospel, ashamed of being Christian. If we are living by faith would we not be. I am asking God as I type to help me live by my faith, because it is certainly there. I hope that God will help every Chritian live thier faith so that we can show others the way to salvation. Consider introducing yourself first and foremost as a Christian before you go into your family and job.