Some decisions in life are small and relatively insignificant, while others can be truly life-changing. As we move from the Acts of the Apostles to Paul’s Letter to the Romans, we’re faced with one of the most important choices anyone can make, the choice to follow Jesus.

Romans is one of Paul’s final letters and serves as a powerful summary of the Good News he devoted his life to sharing. In many ways, it’s his spiritual testament: an appeal to people to recognise their need for God, who offers a new life, a new future, and lasting hope.

Paul begins by addressing the root issue: our tendency to resist God’s will and pursue our own desires. This rebellion leads us deeper into sin and separation from him. Yet Paul doesn’t leave us without hope, he points us to Jesus, who breaks the power of sin, forgives, restores, and heals. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are at the very heart of this transformation, opening the way for us to enter a right relationship with God.

Paul speaks of the new identity offered to those who follow Christ:
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:15–16)

As God’s children, we are clothed in grace, joy, peace, hope, glory, and above all, love. This love isn’t just for us to keep, it’s to be shared both within the church and with the world around us. We’re part of a family that reaches out with open arms.

Paul offers one of the most powerful assurances in all of Scripture:
I’m convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below, indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38–39)

Finally, Paul urges us to respond to God’s mercy:
I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Romans 12:1–2)

This is the vital choice, to follow Jesus, be transformed by his Spirit, and live with hope, purpose, and love.

This is one of a series of posts outlining all the books of the Bible. Previous Next