A Letter with Eternal Weight

Welcome to the forty-fourth book of the Bible. If you’ve been reading only the New Testament with us, this is your sixth book—and the first of the epistles, a term meaning “letter.” The Apostle Paul wrote Romans around AD 56–57, while he was in Corinth, preparing for a long-desired visit to Rome (Romans 1:10–13). As we saw in Acts, Paul eventually made it to Rome—but not as a free man. He arrived under house arrest, a prisoner for the Gospel (Acts 28:16).

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

One of the first verses I ever memorized—and one I’ve taught to children in AWANA—is Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

When I ask a kindergartner what “ashamed” means, they rarely know. But I remember being told as a child, “You should be ashamed of yourself,” especially when I lied or disobeyed. Though no one gave me a definition, I understood that I had done something wrong and should feel the weight of it.

Today, we live in a culture that has little shame. But Paul reminds us we should never be ashamed of the gospel—even when it’s unpopular or costly.

When God Gives Us Over

A few verses later, Paul writes:

“Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts…” (Romans 1:24).

Why would God give up on people? It’s a hard truth. But Scripture teaches that when people persist in rebellion—after hearing the truth, seeing His creation, and resisting His grace—God allows them to follow their desires. He doesn’t force obedience. He desires love born of freedom, not coercion.

Jesus told His disciples to shake the dust off their feet when people rejected the gospel (Matthew 10:14). Paul echoes this: when people suppress the truth and exchange God’s glory for lies (Romans 1:18–23), God lets them go.

A Story from the Nursery

My sister ran a small daycare. She loved the children, but occasionally one child would be so disruptive that she had to ask the parents not to return. It broke her heart, but for the good of the others, she had to make that call.

God is patient, but He is also just. When someone becomes a danger to others—when their sin poisons the environment—He may let them go their own way. Not because He stops loving, but because He honors their choice.

Sin Is More Than Sexual

Although Romans 1 is often cited for its condemnation of sexual sin, Paul lists many others.

• Arrogance, boastfulness, pride
• Envy, slander, insolence (disrespect for authority)
• Disobedience, greed, malice (Romans 1:29–30)

These are not lesser sins. Our culture celebrates them, but they still represent rebellion. God doesn’t force us to abandon them. He lets us choose—and warns us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

The Power of Grace

Without understanding how vile our sin is, we cannot grasp the beauty of what Jesus did for us. His atoning sacrifice offers forgiveness, but not permission. Those who love God will keep His commands (John 14:15). That includes repentance.

We can’t do this alone. The power of sin is too strong. That’s why we need Jesus not just as Savior, but as Lord—to reshape how we see our actions and desires.

A Personal Reflection

God didn’t force me to follow Him. He used my wife and son to place me where I could hear the Gospel. He opened my heart, just as He did for Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3–6). But for others, the pull of sin is so strong that they refuse to let go—and God lets them have what they want.

A Call to Honesty

As we continue through Romans, we’ll see how all of this fits together. But for now, ask yourself: What sins has God allowed me to hold on to? Be honest. If you’re brave, ask Him to show you. It may break you—but it will also drive you to the feet of your Savior.