Head: Know God's Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God's Way

Read Romans 1

Head

The writer of Romans, Paul, was a Jewish leader before becoming a follower of Jesus. His name was Saul then and he knew the scriptures and religious laws very well. Before he had an encounter with Jesus, he was responsible for the persecution of several Christ followers. Jesus changed his name to Paul when his heart changed to love and follow Jesus.

Romans is a letter to the church in Rome, Jew and Gentile believers. In the first few verses Paul called himself a “servant of Christ Jesus” meaning he owed his life to Jesus. He said he was set apart for the gospel of God and explains the trinity: God who promised the gospel in the Old Testament, Jesus who was the human form of God, and the Spirit who declared Jesus the Son of God and raised Him from the dead. Paul started his letter explaining who God is and how that affects the church in Rome. Verse 5-6 says “Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”

Heart

The same is true for us.

We are called to belong to Jesus. He wants to have a relationship with us and to partner with us. When we choose to follow Jesus, he gives us grace and apostleship. Our sin is forgiven when we bring it to him and he gives us a mission and authority to accomplish that mission, making us apostles. He invites us to partner with him to show others the love and grace of Jesus. The Spirit of God lives in us and helps us as we go. Later in Romans 1 Paul tells us that the gospel is for everyone who believes. No one is left out when it comes to Jesus so everyone we encounter needs to know about the love of God and the grace found in Jesus.

Hands

Have you made the decision to love and follow Jesus? Is he Lord of your life? If he is, write down explaining the following:

• What was life like before Jesus was Lord of your life?
  
• How did you come to faith in Jesus?
  
• What is life like after Jesus became Lord of your life?
  

Prayer: Dear God, you are mighty. You are powerful. You are Creator and Savior. I know I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I know Jesus is the only way I can be forgiven and redeemed. I put my trust in Jesus and invite him to be Lord of my life. Thank you for saving me. Help me to know you and love you more. Help me to do what you want me to do. I want to share your love and grace with everyone I meet. In Jesus’s name, amen.