I'm of the opinion (and I know that opinions are like noses; everyone has one) but nevertheless I am of the opinion, that never before in the history of the church has it been more important for us to lead and inspire people to a life

of faith. We have all been created by God to live a life of faith.

In Christianity today there is so much said and taught about faith and the importance of faith. Yet for the majority

of people today there remains a gross misunderstanding of faith, which in turn has lead to great confusion in the

church.

For many, “the faith walk of the believer” has become so complicated and cluttered with formulas, principles and requirements that many

have given up on even trying to walk and live a life of faith. In many respects living a life of faith has only been available to the mature, the strong, the healthy, and the bold.

But believe it or not, but for the most part people we will come into contact with are weak, hurt, wounded and afraid. Most live less than

ideal lives and many are going to fail to live up to high and lofty disciplines and expectations. It is not that people don't want to aspire to ideals and standards it's just that the standards are so high, and there are so many, that the majority simply can't. I like what Martin Luther once said: “We should constantly remind one another of the truth of the Gospel lest we

become discouraged and give up!”

That is why I believe the Gospel is called good news! (Luke 4:18-19) KJV 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed

me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of

sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Note Jesus did not say that he is anointed to preach to the successful, but to the poor, not the bold hearted, but the broken hearted, not the victorious but the captives,

and not the people who have 20/20 spiritual vision, but to the spiritually blind.

This is why I believe that Paul said in Romans 1:14-17 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. (the weak and the strong) 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. [KJV]

The first thing I see here is that he says the gospel is for the Greeks and the Barbarians. He is talking about the Greeks as the cultured,

and the sophisticated as opposed to the Barbarians who were seen as the uncultured and unsophisticated. He even talks about the wise and the unwise and I believe that we can add, the strong and the weak. Paul says that the gospel and a life of faith is not just for the strong, the bold and the mature but is for the weak, the meek and the immature also.

The second thing I want to note is that Paul did not just say, “I'm ready to preach to you that are at Rome” or “I'm ready to preach up a

storm in Rome” or “I'm ready to preach to you some good advice” or “I'm ready to lecture on the life and times of Jesus Christ” or “I'm

ready to teach you the secrets to success in life”

If that is what Paul was saying then it means he could have preached anything. But what he said was, “I am ready to preach the gospel to

you that are at Rome also” The moment that Paul uses the phrase, “the Gospel” it becomes a specific message. The good news message

of the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ, and everything it accomplished for all men, for all time as a free gift of God's goodness, grace, mercy, love and forgiveness.

The next thing that Paul says is “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:…” So much of what is preached and taught in the church today is not “good news” but “good advice.” Some times when we compare the preaching of “the Gospel of Christ” or “the Gospel of peace” with the “good advice” generally preached and taught with such high degree professionalism and excellence, it appears as if we should be ashamed.

Now there is not anything wrong with “good advice”, and most people can do with good advice, and many people need good advice. But it lacks just one very important thing, “the Power of God”

That is why Paul says “…for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” Paul says that he is not ashamed because

the preaching of “the Gospel of Christ” or “the Gospel of Peace” is the power of God unto Salvation.

Salvation

SAVE, SAVING, sozo "to save," is used (as with the noun soteria, "salvation")

This word salvation does not just mean to be saved and going to heaven, but it speaks about deliverance, preservation, healing, wholeness, prosperity, peace and much more. It is a word that includes all of the good things promised to us in the word of God.

It is only when we will preach and teach the gospel (the good news of the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ, and everything it accomplished for all men, for all time as a free gift of God's goodness, grace, mercy, and love.) that people will experience all of the

benefits of salvation.

Paul now tells us why the Gospel is the Power of God, because in it is the revelation or the revealing of the righteousness of God.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: [KJV]

The best way that I can try to explain this, is that when people hear and believe or have faith in the Gospel (the good news of the finished

work of the cross of Jesus Christ, and everything it accomplished for all men, for all time as a free gift of God's goodness, grace, mercy,

and love.) it reveals to them that they are now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. It is only at this point that a man is able to live

and experience a life of faith.

Only the Just can Live by Faith

17 “…as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” [KJV] What a powerful statement. Note again, Paul does not say the mature, or the strong,

or the disciplined, or even the bold will live by faith. He said “The Just Shall Live by Faith”

The man who has heard and believed the good news of the finished work of Christ and receives the righteousness of God by faith is the

man who will live and experience a life of faith.

The Amplified Bible says it like this; (Rom 1:17) “The man who through faith is just and upright [righteous] shall live and shall live by faith.” [AMP] Living a life of faith is available to any man who believes and is fully persuaded and totally convinced that he is the righteousness of God because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

This makes a life of faith available, not only to the strong but also to the weak, not only to the wise but also to the unwise, not only to the bold but also to the meek.

My friend living a life of faith is now available to you also. Go and enjoy the benefits of your faith today.