"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" (Romans 1:16-17)

• God's wrath is being revealed because of man's sin.  (1:18-21; 28-32)

Romans 2  --  The moralists are guilty! (2:1-16)
                    And the Jews are guilty! (2:17-24)

• Even the so-called "good people" are guilty of sin.  God's judgment is righteous and true.  The Jews are also guilty.  (2:1-4; 5-6; 11; 16; 17-24)

Romans 3  --  All are guilty!  But there is hope!

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24)
 
• We are all guilty of sin before God, and we cannot be saved by our own efforts or good works.  But, God will save us "freely" because of what Jesus has done for us.  (3:9-18; 19-20; 21-28)
• Other verses:  James 2:10; Rom. 6:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

Romans 4  --  We cannot earn our salvation!

• We trust in God, not in ourselves.  It is by faith that we are justified -- that is declared righteous or "right with God."  We are not righteous in and of ourselves, rather Jesus' righteousness is given to us.  (4:1-5; 16-17; 22-25)
• Other verses:  Isaiah 64:6; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 3:9; 1 Cor. 1:30

Romans 5  --  Being saved by faith in Jesus, we have peace and joy!

• We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, who reconciles us (fixes our broken relationship) to God by His death and saves us through His life. (5:1-2; 6-8; 9-11)
• Salvation is a free gift.  (5:12; 15-19; 20b)
• Other verses:  John 11:25; John 20:31; Rom. 3:22, 24; 2 Cor. 5:18-19; Rev. 22:17

Romans 6  --  How do we receive this free gift?   Since it is of grace and is free, can't we just keep on sinning?

• While we cannot earn our salvation, it is a free gift, we still must accept it in obedient faith.  We do so when we die to our old selves and are born into newness of life in the waters of baptism.  In baptism we are symbolically united with Christ in His death and resurrection.  (6:3-7; 17-18)
• Other verses:  Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12; Rom. 1:5b; 16:26b

Romans 8  --  We are now a free and Spirit-filled people -- sons of God!

• We no longer live under the death penalty of sin, but rather we are alive and filled with the Spirit of God.  We are sons of God!  We are safe and secure in Christ!  (8:1-2; 5-8; 9-11; 14-15; 31-39)
• Other verses:  Rom. 6:11; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Gal. 3:26-27; Gal. 4:6-7; Gal. 5:16-25; 1 John 3:21-24