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1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.Romans 1:1; KJV. Paul, in his letter, introduces himself as a servant of Christ and states his purpose: to reveal God's righteousness through faith in Jesus, the Son of the Living God. Paul says he has wanted to come to Rome, praying that he would be successful in teaching the gospel, and that the believers would receive spiritual gifts to increase their faith. Paul, a converted Pharisee, is not ashamed of Christ's gospel because it leads to salvation. And Christ's salvation unites Jews and Gentiles, for in Christ we are all equal. Giving reasons why salvation is needed, the Jews had the Law but did not keep it. And the Gentiles made idols of every known thing, turning the glory of the eternal God into things with no power or lasting presence. This turning away from God corrupted the people, and sin entered into them and every part of their lives. So they enjoyed sinning, and all the people who were sinning with them, caring not for the judgment that awaits them. For this reason, Christ came to pay that debt of the judgment of death in His own body, becoming the door to heaven and eternal life in Christ. The lesson: the Gospel is divine wisdom, with the power to save sinners. Humanity is guilty by rejecting God. Sin grows when God is pushed aside. Faith in Christ brings His covering of righteousness. The world needs Christ because He alone can fix the human heart, turning what was evil into something good. Amen.