Against its will,

all creation was subjected to God’s curse.

But with eager hope,

the creation looks forward to the day

when it will join God’s children

in glorious freedom

from death and decay.

Romans 8:20-21

So now there is no condemnation

for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

…(And remember that those who do not have

the Spirit of Christ living in them

do not belong to him at all.)

Romans 8:1, 9

…just as Christ was raised from the dead

by the glorious power of the Father,

now we also may live new lives.

…we are no longer slaves to sin.

For when we died with Christ 

we were set free from the power of sin.

…consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin

and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:4, 6, 11

But God showed his great love for us

by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

So now we can rejoice 

in our wonderful new relationship with God

because our Lord Jesus Christ

has made us friends of God.

Romans 5:8,11

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. 

For we know how dearly God loves us,

because he has given us the Holy Spirit

to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 5:5

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith,

we have peace with God

because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Because of our faith,

Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege

where we now stand,

and we confidently and joyfully look forward

to sharing God’s glory.

Romans 5:1-2

We are made right with God

by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

and this is true for everyone who believes,

no matter who we are.

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.

People are made right with God when they believe

that Jesus sacrificed his life,

shedding his blood…

Romans 3:22, 25

When people work,

their wages are not a gift,

but something they have earned.

But people are counted righteous,

not because of their work,

but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.

Romans 4:5

God promised this Good News long ago

through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.

The Good News is about his Son.

In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line,

and he was shown to be the Son of God

when he was raised from the dead

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 1:2-4

“…I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses

said would happen—

that the Messiah would suffer

and be the first to rise from the dead,

and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

Suddenly, Festus shouted,

“Paul, you are insane…!”

Acts 26:22-24