The Greatest Gift Ever Given

Romans 1:16-18 / The Greatest Gift Ever Given

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:16-18

These passages reveal why the gospel is good news. We were all under the wrath of God because of our unrighteousness, but through faith in Jesus anyone can have that wrath satisfied and replaced with righteousness in God’s eyes. This is the best new in the whole world!

God has a standard of righteousness that we fall short of in our sin. This is the central issue at the heart of all sin. And when we miss His mark for righteousness we induce His wrath.

That’s the bad news, but the Good News is this: When God sent His Son He was extending us the righteousness He demanded of us. Verse 17: “For in [the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

What we learn in the Gospel is that God didn’t compromise on the righteousness He demands. He won’t sweep sin under the rug and pretend it’s not there. He never lowered the standard of righteousness. Instead, He poured out His wrath on His Son, showing His righteousness in punishing sin and satisfying His own wrath toward anyone who puts their faith in His Son.

How could God punish sin without destroying us? He had to send His Son to pay the penalty for our sin.

The Gospel reveals the righteousness of God. It shows how far He was willing to go for His beloved creation. He gave His only Son to save us. When our unrighteousness left us under His wrath, God gave us the gift of righteousness in Christ Jesus.

This is the sobering, joyful reality behind Christmas. So, this Christmas, Praise God for the gift of righteousness that we have in Christ. It’s the greatest gift ever given.

In Christ,
Pastor Kevin