1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First , I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request , if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established ;
12 That is , that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13 Now I would not have you ignorant , brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto ,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
16 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.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written , The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 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:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened .
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools ,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet .
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind,to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The chapter start out THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.
WHO are the JUST?
Those people who have been justified before GOD by the Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF. CHrist has taken a sinner who comes to HIM in FAITH believing only in Christ that HE by HIS finished WORK upon the Cross of Calvary has the power to FORGIVE and cleanse us from our sins and JUSTIFIES US as one of HIS OWN before almighty God the FATHER. The JUST(ified) shall live by faith in the Son of GOD!
The great Apostle Paul goes on to say the people of Rome that ALL of you have been called by GOD to accept CHRIST the Son of God as HE ALONE has paid the penalty for your sins and will pardon and forgive you.
Paul then goes on to describe his apostleship and gives his testimony.
Lastly he reveals what happens when people do not place their faith in the Son of God. The wrath of God is kindled against them for all eternity.
FOlks, you have only one life here upon earth to live. In this time you were given life by the creator of all things, you have to make a choice to either ACCEPT GOD the SON or REJECT HIM and HIS FREE pardon of SIN and ETERNAL SALVATIOIN and a home in Heaven He has prepared for you!
You say, I can never be good enough to come to HIM. Well, you don;t have to be. He already knows what we are because HE became a man and knows what is inside of men and women. He made us remember?
He wants you JUST AS YOU ARE. Let HIM change you from the inside out. It will take some time but it is well worth it.
A thousand years from now you will never regret it but be ever grateful of heart that HE LOVED YOU that much.
The end of those who reject God is destruction forever in a burning fiery hell where you are tormented without end and you will not die there.
Don't think it will be a fun time with your friends there. You will never see them because of the black darkness. You cannot see anything. You will only feel the pain of being burned and stung by things you can't see. Over and over again.
Ask Christ to save you today before it is too late and you never have that chance again.
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