Romans and the Reason for the Season

Romans has long been my favorite book of the Bible. It was the first book I ever interacted with, the first book I memorized Scripture from, and it has been foundational to my thinking and understanding about what God and the Christian life are all about. As I was listening to it yesterday, I couldn't help but think about how fitting it is for this time of year, how it's message leads us to rejoice this season that the Church has set apart to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Romans is a message about the gospel, or the "good news." In fact, Paul says that the the good news is so good that it is "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes"(Romans 1:16).
You see, humanity has a problem. I have a problem, you have a problem - all of us have a problem. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (3:23). Basically, this means that all of us have turned away from the true God and worshiped other things (1:18-23). And because we turned from the true God, we have also ended up doing all sorts of things to hurt ourselves and each other - from selfishness to murder (1:24-32). We have judged and condemned others (chapter 2). As Paul said, ALL of us have done it. I am not exempt. Neither are you.
Yet, Paul tells us that God has continued being kind to us so that we would return to him (2:4). And in his kindness, God did the ultimate act of kindness he could. Some would call it the ultimate Christmas present. He gave us his Son. Jesus came into the world while we were unable to help ourselves and he gave his life for us (5:8). He died and rose again so that we would not have to be judged for our sins (3:24-26), and we could be at peace with God (5:1). He died so that we could be reconciled to God (5:11). What amazing love is this!
So, how do we respond to such a great gift and incredible offer? By faith (3:24). We receive God's gift by putting our trust and our hope in Him. And that is how the gospel has the power to save us. Those who believe are free from sin. They are free from the "wages of sin" which is death and separation from God (6:23). We are free from the influence of sin - in other words, we can live lives that God meant for us to have, loving him and loving others (chapters 6-8; cf. Luke 10:25-28). We can give our lives serving each other, sharing the good news, and living as we ought in the world, wherever we are (Romans 12-16).
The message of Romans is the message of Christmas. God gave his Son to save us from sins and to give us relationship with him. What will you do with God's amazing gift?