A Journey Through Romans

Read Romans 1:1-17

I am sure that we all could do with some good news as we are daily bombarded with death and destruction, war and want, fighting and fear.  

It’s part of the human condition that when good news appears, we have an overwhelming desire to share it with someone else.

Paul in the letter to the Romans was excited about the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ. As you read these opening verses do you feel the excitement, its almost contagious. In verses 1-5, Paul gives a summary of the gospel for which he claims he has been set apart.

Then in verse seven, Paul wants to share this excitement with others, “To you all then, loved of God and called to be Christ’s men and woman, grace and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.” J B Phillips

Basil Hume - former Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster has a novel way of portraying the Gospel of Christ as “God who looks for us.” In his book “To Be A Pilgrim.

“When adults play hide and seek with young children, the children can never lose. It would be a bad game if adults hid in some place where they could not be found. We make certain that we can be found. If, by chance, the child still fails, then we go in search. Is there not something similar in God? He gives us any number of opportunities to find Him. And even if we become distracted and stop looking, He will take an initiative — a happy experience possibly, or one involving tragedy or sadness - and come looking for us. He wants us. Never doubt that. It is foolish to hide from Him.”

Prayer 

Lord, thank you for calling us to be a people of God. Help us to use the gifts you have given us so that you can give us more of your many kind blessings for the benefit of your people and this as yet outside.  Amen Rev’d Dr David Watson