The ‘what’ of the Christian message is familiar to most people. The ‘why’ and the ‘how’ however are much less well known. In this passage Paul begins by putting his name to the letter and then briefly telling about  the ‘what’ before he goes on to the ‘why’ and the ‘how’. We find that the gospel (good news) was promised in the Old Testament Scriptures, it is about God’s Son, descended from David (in one sense) and resurrected from the dead. We also catch a glimpse of Paul’s heart, addressing the believers in Rome as ‘beloved’ …… showing his care and concern for them and hope to visit them.

This first part of the chapter finishes with Paul giving a glimpse of the ‘why’. He says he is not ashamed of the gospel, the momentous truths about Jesus dying on the cross and rising again from death, because it is God’s way of saving people. Next we get a glimpse of the ‘how’ …..  it is through faith. Faith is ‘confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’.

Verse 17 is the key. It contains a quote from the Old Testament … “the righteous man shall live by faith”. Another way of saying this is ‘the one who through faith is righteous shall live’. Its not about what we have accomplished or by being a ‘good person’ but freely receiving, through faith, what has been accomplished for us by Jesus Christ on the cross. In this way we receive His perfect right-ness, like wearing a spotless garment, creating a right relationship with God. Forgiven and set free. It is the great leveller in the church.