Romans 1:1-5
We all love good news. The Old Testament records God’s prophets promising the world that good news was on its way. The promised good news was about the Son of God who was born incarnate as a man from the lineage of David. Through his death, and his resurrection by the Holy Spirit, Jesus became our hope of salvation. That hope of healing and redemption is the good news. That hope is only the gospel to those who hear it and believe it. Good news that has no one to deliver it is worthless to those left in darkness. Those who hear and do not believe or refuse to obey are no better off than those who have never heard.

The gospel came first to the Jews. To many it was worthless because they did not believe or would not obey. However, the early church grew among the Jews, and among them the gospel spread. God did not intend the gospel to be for the Jewish people alone. God had a plan, and he called Paul to be his missionary to the gentile nations. Paul accepted his calling and responded in obedience. It was not an easy task, and Paul recognized God’s grace made it possible. Paul carried the gospel in person, but he also spread the gospel through the written word. The book of Romans was part of his effort to spread the gospel. In a time when most letters were less than 90 words, the book of Romans was over 7000 words. Considering the time, labor, and actual expense that went into Romans this is clearly much more than just a letter. Writing Romans was an act of mission and ministry.

Before He became a Christian, Paul was a Jew and had many reasons to hate the Romans. Paul shared the good news with the Romans because the love of God had replaced the hatred of humanity. When we accept the gospel, the grace of God will allow us to share it with those we once hated.