Burn Again
A dive into Romans and the Power of the Gospel
UNASHAMED: Romans 1 & Why We’re Doing This Study
I want to start with honesty: I’ve realized how easy it is to drift in faith without even noticing. I recently preached about this at Salt Church (you can watch below…)
If we are honest, we can easily fill every moment with noise and distraction through our phones, tasks, busyness chasing some “arrival” and somewhere along the way, we stop noticing God’s presence and the actual power of the Gospel.
Wednesday mornings I have extra time to study my Bible and write (thanks to my in-laws who help us with the kids). I “slept in” and woke up at 6am and burned a candle (If you read The Invitation - you know) and opened my new travel journal. I have a journal dedicated to Bible Studies which really helps my brain haha.
I decided yesterday to start doing a deep study in Romans. I felt a draw from the Holy Spirit to read it slowly, and allow the words to permeate my heart and mind. I like to write out verses that stand out to me, or that require more study, or put a big ol’ question mark when I have no idea what it means!
As I read Romans 1 - this really hit.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Paul doesn’t hold back the Gospel because he understands something that I think many of us don’t totally “get.” The Gospel IS the POWER of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.
When we share the Gospel at church, or on the streets, or with a friend - there is real power there. We are partnering with God to bring salvation when they believe in Jesus and receive forgiveness of their sins.
To take it a step further, In the Gospel God’s righteousness is revealed.
I’ll be honest, I don’t even totally know what that means haha but I think it’s an invitation to meditate on it and I plan to throughout my day invite the Holy Spirit to reveal this revelation to me. (If you’re a girl and wanna verbally process this with me in Ardently - pop in here).
Paul then refers to:
Habakkuk 2:4
4 “See, the enemy is puffed up;
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness[a]
Faith is a Hebrew word emunah
Active Trust: More than just intellectual belief, it is a firm commitment and reliance on God, even in times of uncertainty.
We have an invitation to righteous living, through reliance on God, even when we don’t know (or especially when we don’t know) what lies ahead.
Over the next few weeks, we’re not just reading a book of the Bible, we’re letting God confront, awaken, and shape us.
Practical Step Today:
Take 15 minutes in silence. Put your phone on airplane mode. Ask God: “Where have I drifted? What part of me needs awakening?”
This is the first step to living a faith that’s alive and powerful.
😭🔥