“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.”

Romans 1:16 (ESV)

This week, we would like to share with you a devotional we studied during our time serving in Mexico.

Romans 1:16 is the theme verse of Romans. Paul uses these words to set up the letter that he is writing to a church where division is clear. The Jews were kicked out of Rome and the church at Rome began to grow with new, Gentile (non- Jewish) believers. However, the Jews were eventually let back into Rome and the church experienced a great deal of friction as Jewish Christians were trying to conform Gentile Christians to their ways.

Paul writes these words to demonstrate a concept that our nation desperately needs to hear. This concept is as follows: it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, what color your skin is, or what side your fall on; the Gospel is for EVERYONE. Every tribe, tongue, and nation. Racism and division has no place in the Kingdom of God.

This is so applicable to today. Instead of choosing sides, let’s recognize that we are all sinners in need of grace. WE ARE ALL SINNERS. When we choose sides, we say that we are the good guys and they are the bad guys. That is wrong. There is no “good side” and “bad side.” We are simply sinners in need of saving. So instead of picking a side and condemning the other, let’s be unashamed. Let’s preach the Gospel. The only way we will change our nation and bring unity to our people is through the power of God to Salvation for everyone who believes. EVERYONE who believes.