In his letter to the Romans, Paul emphasizes the central theme of the Gospel’s saving power, which reveals the righteousness of God. Humanity, born with a sinful nature, is inherently inclined to sin, making us “sons of wrath” and separating us from God. As our own worst enemies, we are unable to bridge this gap on our own.
God’s righteousness and justice demand atonement for sin. In the Old Testament, Israel atoned through the blood of innocent animals, as life is in the blood, symbolizing the exchange of one life for another. However, this sacrificial system was flawed; it was a temporary solution that failed to address humanity’s persistent sinful nature, leaving God weary of its ineffectiveness.
Before the creation of the world, God planned a permanent solution: sending His Son, Jesus Christ, in human form yet without sin, to bear the punishment we deserved. On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world, offering a perfect atonement. God accepted this sacrifice, requiring only that we believe and trust in His Son to receive salvation.
True belief, however, demands repentance—a turning away from sin—and a transformation into a new creation, striving daily to emulate Jesus in thought and action. Paul compares this lifelong pursuit to a race, with the ultimate goal, as he wrote to the Philippians, being the resurrection into a glorified, eternal spiritual body like Christ’s. Let us, therefore, press on toward this goal, seeking to reflect the image of Jesus in all we do.