“Recently, we’ve been watching the latest series of Race Across the World, with teams racing across Canada with limited resources. It’s been heart-warming to witness the kindness of strangers who offered free food, shelter and transport. All the travellers needed to do to accept these generous offers was say “Yes”.

Who would say “No” in their shoes? Their joy was a delight to behold. Romans 1:16 is in some ways a summary of Paul’s letter to the Romans. The Good News he is proclaiming is that salvation (with the fullness of all that means) is available to everyone who says “Yes”.

While I am eternally grateful for God’s amazing offer of salvation, there are a couple of uncomfortable challenges in this verse, too. Firstly, do I act as though I’m ashamed of the gospel? In a culture that often says I should be ashamed; do I take every opportunity to tell others the Good News? Paul knew the risks of sharing the gospel. But he felt compelled to because of his desire for others to know Jesus. He says there is no reason to be ashamed of such universal Good News.

Secondly, do I limit those who might benefit from God’s grace? What about those who are not like me or who I just don’t like? Those who don’t behave like me? Those who hold different views to me? Paul was writing to the almost exclusively gentile Christians in Rome (Claudius had banned Jews from Rome until shortly before this letter was written). The “Apostle to the Gentiles” was at pains to point out that salvation was still on offer to the Jews, too. It’s available to everyone – we are all the same in Christ. We aspire to be generous and unconditional. Am I? Are you?”

“Knowing that Jesus is talking to the Father about me is a source of great inspiration. There He is, the Son of God, Saviour of the world, talking to God about me – asking Him to look after me, provide for me and guide me into a life of purpose. I couldn’t have anyone better talking to the Father about me.

During this Easter time, remember there is always a death before a resurrection. We may experience the end of a job or a ministry program we run, but where there is an end, there is the opportunity for a new beginning – resurrection!”