Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 17 | Day 5
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Thank Jesus that he came to save you!
Bible Reading: Romans 16:25-27
Read these verses three times slowly.
Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Reflection & Questions
We have reached the final verses and the final reading in the letter of Romans. Paul ends where he began with the gospel and the glory of God. He is blessing the church in the verses and reminding them of what everything is all about.
What is the gospel?
- It is the good news “about Jesus Christ.” Our message isn’t a list of rules or even a way of life. It is a message about a person, about a God-man, who loves us deeply. It is a message about a relationship. It is He who saves us and transforms us!
- It is a message that God “is able to establish you”. To establish means to “acheive permanent acceptance or recognition.” That is what God does in the gospel – He brings renewal, purpose and unmatched security. In Christ we are permanently accepted.
- It is a message of “obedience that comes from faith”. Whereas other religions say, obey and be saved, the gospel says, believe and then obey. In other words, in the security and strength of being saved by Jesus, learn how to live as one loved by Jesus. Follow His teaching and find the joy and freedom of His ways.
The gospel is an amazing message. And in a way, that’s no surprise because it comes from “the only wise God!” There is no other and there is no comparable wisdom. To Him be all the glory forever!
- What amazes you about the message of the gospel?
- Do you feel “established” in Christ? Why or why not? If not, talk to a Christian friend who is further along the journey than you about that.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to the reading today.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: Romans 16:25-27
Read these verses three times slowly.
Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Reflection & Questions
There’s a lot to figure out in these very last verses from Paul. The biggest message is the same as the beginning of Romans: “to God be glory forever!”
Paul uses the word “gospel” again. What is the gospel? It is the good news “about Jesus Christ.” The good news isn’t about a list of rules that we have to follow. It isn’t about a certain kind of lifestyle that we have to live. The good news is about a person who is a God-man who loves us so much! The gospel is about our relationship with Him and about how he saved us and changes us.
The gospel is about how once we accept Him as our savior, we are permanently accepted as His children – we are securely His! And it also means that we don’t have to be perfectly obedient to be His. We are saved and through that salvation we will want to work hard to obey Him. We know that by obeying Him we will find joy because that is what He gives us when we follow Him.
The gospel is an amazing message. It comes from “the only wise God!” There is no one, not one person or being who can compare to God and His wisdom. And that is why we will give God all the glory forever – because He is the best!
- Does the gospel feel like good news to you? If so, why? If not, find a trusted adult to talk with about understanding the gospel better.
Pray
Thank God for being so wise and wonderful. Thank Him for giving His son to take away all of our sin. Ask God how you can take all that you have learned from Paul’s letter to the Romans and use it in your life today!
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
