Romans 1:14-17 - Daily Devotion - 3 June 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

14 I am obligated both to Greeks and Non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. 17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tara Sing

When I was in youth group, we would learn a memory verse every term. Through putting together puzzles, playing hangman, making up actions, and singing them to popular tunes, we etched God's word into our memory. I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I know I was a teenager when I learned Romans 1:16 in this way. Back then, in the early 2000s (or as my children say, the olden days) I never really gave much thought to why our youth group leaders chose the particular verses they did. But twenty years on, I am so glad they picked Romans 1:16.

There have been moments where I have been teetering on the edge of speaking up for Jesus, of sharing the reasons behind different life choices, when perhaps awkwardness or embarrassment would have overcome and silenced me. And I have, in those moments, remembered that I don't have to be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

There have been times where I have been nervous to explain the gospel, or hesitant to point out to others that they are in need of saving because although they think of themselves as good people, God sees them as sinners. Especially as I meet new people and form new friendships with parents at school, or people at the gym, I can feel uneasy about sharing my faith, unsure of my words, stumbling in my efforts. But Romans reminds me that the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. It's not about how winsome my explanations are, or how cleverly crafted my argument is, or how prepared my scripture lessons are, it is God's power that saves.

If Romans 1:16 isn't a verse tucked up your sleeve, I highly recommend looking it up in your Bible now and adding it to your memory verse repertoire. It's a verse that reminds you of your blessed position, saved by the gospel of Jesus, made righteous by the righteousness that is revealed in the gospel, and it gives you confidence to speak of the gospel's saving power to everyone you meet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.