16 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.

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

— Romans 1:16-17

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

— Isaiah 61:10

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

— Philippians 3:9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

— 1 Peter 1:3

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

The Bible resoundingly supports this truth that the gospel is for Gentiles and Jews alike. The gospel is for everyone who will believe. The Gospel of John wrote that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life. At Pentecost, Peter quoted the prophet Joel when he declared, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Indeed, the final chapter of the final book of the Bible – Revelation – invites the thirsty and those who wish to “take the free gift of the water of life” to come.

In our natural human state, we live unrighteously, corrupted by sin and in rebellion toward God. Against the backdrop of human unrighteousness, the gospel reveals that God’s righteousness is not merely a standard that condemns us, but a gift that rescues us. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God satisfies the demands of justice while extending profound mercy. He coordinates a way for rebellious humans to be justified—declared righteous—not by their own flawed efforts, but through faith in His Son. (Inspired by BSF’s Study of Romans)