The Apostle Paul addressed the importance of the g-o-s-p-e-1, which means "good news." Because of the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins, God will "impute righteousness" to us (count us all right) because of our faith in Christ and his atoning blood. The apostle goes on to say:

"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).

This is God's plan to save us. Nothing else will work. "Good deeds" - yes, they are fine and God is proud of us, but how many should I do? Strong "will power" - yes, we should strive against sin but we will always sin even after we become Christians. So what do we do for righteousness? God has provided a way for us to be "counted right" with him. Jesus paid our debt, or penalty, for sin. You can't receive a gift like that and not love the giver and that makes us want to serve God and honor Christ. Believers wear Christ's name honoring him "the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" (Acts 11:26). Churches honor him with their names - "churches of Christ" (Romans 16:16) and "church of God," (Acts 20:28) of whom Christ is head (Ephesians 1:22-23).

We all need a saviour, for just as Adam sinned, when we reach the age to be accountable for our actions, our sins will separate us from God. Even those who have never heard of Christ are responsible, for God said:

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).

The Bible teaches that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). It is by God's goodness that we are led to repentance (Romans 2:4). His goodness touches our hearts when we hear the gospel and learn how much Jesus loved us. We all have a sin problem, for we can see ourselves in this category of sins:

"Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, "

"Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents " (Romans 1:29-30).

As we view ourselves in the mirror of God's word, we see our need for a Saviour. Even good "Aunt Mary" or the "good moral man" down the street, and that "teen-ager that didn't have a chance," are all guilty of sin. Consider the laws of the land - if we didn't have traffic lights and stop signs we couldn't get anywhere and would be killing each other in wrecks. When we violate one law of the land, we are guilty and must pay the penalty. It is the same with God's laws; one violation separates us from God, and we need the blood of Christ to cleanse us.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

"There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one" (Romans 3:10).

God loves us and is not willing that any should perish, but that an should come to repentance. We cannot be good enough to earn salvation by "being good" or "keeping commandments," we must appeal to the atonement of the blood of Christ. We do this by having faith in Christ, confessing our faith, repenting and putting Christ on in baptism (Romans 10:9-10). God will "declare us righteous" as we become a "Christian." Yes, God is satisfied with the sacrifice of Jesus for my sins, and if God is satisfied - I know I am.

"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (satisfaction) through faith in his blood, to declare HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God" (Romans 3:25).

Calling - The Bible says that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord win be saved (Romans 10: 13). The Apostle Paul explains further by saying, "how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? How can you believe if you have not heard and how can you hear without a preacher (Romans 10:14)? There is a message we must hear.

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

See the pattern again? A "teacher" and a "learner" who hears and believes the message, repents, and turns to God. When man obeys God's commandments on salvation, he, in a sense, calls on God to save him as he has promised and God does. God adds us to his church (Acts 2:47), the body of the saved, as we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27).

Commitment - It is more than just saying "God save me," when we call on God; rather, it is a commitment of our lives to service. Our time, talents, love and devotion all belong to God.

"I beseech you therefore, brethrer4 by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:l).

Conforming - We will not be "instantly" like we should be or want to be, but it is a transforming done by God from above and the Holy Spirit within the Christian. God is the potter and we allow his hands to clay with a "yielding spirit" and a "willing mind." "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 12:2). As we begin to walk with God we strive to "mortify (control) the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13) letting God's spirit lead us. Once we let the "flesh" lead and we did as we pleased without thinking of what God wanted in our lives but now we are learning to walk according to the spirit's gentle leading. The word of God is the "sword of the spirit."

"There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Chris t Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit" (Romans 8:1).

No condemnation to those in Christ Jesus- that really is "good news." By faith peace has been made with God. Christ has a "gift of grace" for each of us, when our faith leads us to obey God, putting our faith and trust in his shed blood (Romans 5:1-9). How do I enter Christ?

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST were baptized into his death?

"Therefore ye are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4).

We bury the "old man" and his desires and yield our fives as "instruments of righteousness" (Romans 6:13). We are "married to Christ," members of Ws church, the "bride of Christ" (Rev. 21:9), (John 3:29). We are saved and must be "faithful unto death" (Revelations 2:10, 19:7-9 and 9:15).

The Bible tells us how to live out our faith. God tells us we are a family and each member has abilities to use for God. All members make up the one body, the church, and just like the parts of our own body when they are all working and healthy, the body is healthy and growing and maturing (Romans 12:9-21).

In living our faith, the Bible tells us how to handle difficult people and bad situations in life. If we are acting within the word of God, his help is promised. God can change people's hearts and alter circumstances. Living my faith involves my being subject to "rulers" (Romans 13:1-4).We cannot exist in a "disorderly society." It starts in the home with children and wives obeying husbands, respecting authority in schools and the nation. In God's church we are subject to the elders.

"Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (Romans 13:7).

If we are walking by faith, it will involve our conduct to our fellowman. We are the children of "light" and we should not walk in "darkness" (error), no longer fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. Love will fulfill God's law.

"Owe no man anything, but to LOVE one another. for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8).

 

1. God says we can't excuse ourselves saying we didn't know there was a God because the "_______________ ___________" of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, so we are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

2. The Bible says that "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." - Find the scripture from our lesson._____________ (Romans).

3. Name the 7 sins mentioned in Romans 1:30. ______________, _______________, _______________, ______________, _________________, ______________, _______________.

4. The Bible teaches that the "wages of sin is _______________ but the gift of God is fife through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

5. As Christians, we are told to "present our bodies a _______________ _______________, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).

6. Through a study of God's word we are not to conform to this world but "_______________ what is that good, acceptable and perfect, ___________ of God (Romans 12:2).

7. Christians are assured that there is _______ _______________ " to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit" (Romans 8:1).

8. We are taught in the scriptures that "so many of us as were baptized into ______________ _____________ were baptized into his ________________ (Romans 6:3).

9. Is baptism described as a burial or sprinkling in the Bible? __________________ (Romans 6:4).

10. Does the Bible teach that we as Christians should be subject to rulers? ______________(Romans 13:1-4).

QUESTION FOR STUDENT - Have you answered the "Call of God" in "obeying the

gospel"? Yes or No ________________

May we assist you in some way? ____________________________________________________________

NAME__________________________ LESSON RECEIVED____________________

ADDRESS_______________________ LESSON RETURNED____________________

________________________________ GRADED BY____________ GRADE________

I will promptly grade your answers and mail you the results.

Or, write for the free Bible course to be mailed to your home.
I will promptly grade them and mail you the other lessons.

Prev | Home | Next