I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Rom. 1:15-17 (NIV)
Dear Lord Jesus, I share Paul’s eagerness to preach the gospel today; yet my target audience isn’t Rome, but my own heart—though my heart has a lot in common with ancient Rome! Thank you for convincing me that there’s nothing more than the gospel just more of it. My comprehensive need of grace is met by your inexhaustible supply. Out of your fullness, I continue to receive grace upon grace (John 1:16).
Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness, holiness, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30). I trust you as my substitute before I own you as my example. You fulfilled the demands of the law for me (Rom. 10:14), and now you’re fulfilling the beauty of the law in me (Rom. 8:4). Because God has hidden my life in yours, he cannot love me more than he does today, and he’ll never love me less (Col. 3:1-5). Your life for me is my guarantee of redemption; and your life in me is my “hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).
And now, sealed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor.1:22; John 7:37-39), I know God as Abba, Father—who has adopted me and loves me as much as he loves you (Rom. 8:15-16; Eph. 1:5; John 17:23). Nothing can separate me from the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39), and nothing can separate me from the God of love (Heb. 13:5).
Lord Jesus, these are not just verses and doctrines, but my life and joy, peace and liberty. Because the gospel is true, I want to live and love to your glory, until the Day you return to finish making all things new, including me. So very Amen I pray, in your merciful and mighty name.
