“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” vs16-17

The gospel is the declaration of God’s righteousness. It is not Christ’s righteousness imputed, but it is righteousness imputed by faith.

The Lord Jesus suffered, obeyed, and died, and He is the JUST CAUSE of salvation. He paid the penalty, so we can go free. He suffered, so we don’t have to, and God is just to forgive sin.

This righteousness is not what we deserve or contribute to, but it is received by faith. Faith does not fill up the atonement, but it receives it. There is no lack to the finished work of Christ, and believing Him saves us. Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved [Rom 10:9]. Righteousness is imputed to sinners who have no righteousness of our own.

1 This is why Paul came with the gospel, because sinners must hear it and saints must be encouraged. He says, “That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome [vs15].” This is the ONLY GOSPEL, and we must preach it with all of our might. Paul wasn’t sightseeing but preaching the gospel. He didn’t travel to be comfortable, but to preach, and this is God’s message to us: We have SOMETHING TO DO with the gospel that we’ve received, which is to get it out. Let us not be slack here, and we’ll reap a reward. He says, “For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you [vs11]."

Today, I was reading about Gideon - the little loaf of bread who knocked down the tent of wickedness [Judges 7:13-14]. We are the same: Insignificant nobodies, sinners who have failed and failed, but we have been called by God to our great commission, and He has equipped us! He says, “Go in the strength you have… Am I not sending you [Judges 6:14]?” The power is His. The might is His, but He uses us to teach others, so let us be used and bless God for this glorious mission. Let us thank Him for shutting every other door and allowing us to minister. Let us give, so we can get, and we will surely get as we serve. “That is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine [Rom 1:12].” God’s people will love us and reciprocate: We’ll see them grow and share.

2 Do not be forgetful of your mission; it is for Jew and Gentile, barbarian and philosopher [vs14]! “I am obligated,” Paul says, “both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish.” The gospel is for EVERY KIND of human being. There are so many problems in the world, but our job is to bring Christ to them. Racism, child murder, rape, and molestation all exist. People are exploited and abused because men are sinners. Surprise. This is not Paradise on earth, and sin has horrible consequences, but we must not be distracted (Gen 45:24].

The job of the church isn’t providing drinking water or jobs; it is preaching the gospel. It is not ending slavery but preaching that we are brothers. It is not overthrowing governments, but calling all to repentance and faith. The gospel must go forward, even if everyone suffers from other things. The gospel delivers from God's wrath and prepares the soul for judgment. The gospel makes people upright who’ve heard it.

3 Do not fear the faces of man, but go on preaching Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation [vs16].” This is the ONLY HOPE that people have.

Someone asked about overcoming fear in evangelism. Remember the hell that they are going to, and you won’t be so afraid: You’ll weep and mourn, and you’ll beg God to give you words. You’ll pray for them and intercede like Moses (Ex 32:32]. You’ll be willing to perish for them like Paul.

Do not fear but go and seize the opportunities. Isn’t it a joy when someone hears? Aren’t you encouraged to see God working? The gospel is the need of every human, so Paul wasn’t ashamed to preach it, because it saved his eternal soul and is the only hope for others.

Preach it, preach it, preach it. God demands righteousness, He’s found it in His Son, and He will impute righteousness by faith.