INCLUDED AMONG THE GENTILES

Romans 1:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.


Greetings from Paul

1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 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. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.


The Good News (the gospel) is all about God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Paul points to the three main elements of the Good News … the birth … the death … the resurrection … of Jesus Christ.

When we read a newspaper, we seldom find good news. It is usually the horrific that grabs the headlines. When there is good news, it seldom makes the front page. Another thing about good news is that it is not always good for everybody. What is good news for one person may mean something negative for another.

The Good News of Jesus Christ is good news for everybody who believes. Christ came to His own (the Jews) but they rejected Him. Yet it is still good news for those (Messianic Jews) who believe. The Good News was also shared with non-Jews or as the Bible refers to them … the Gentiles. God’s plan of salvation included everyone … Jews and Gentile. That means, if I have to make it any plainer, you were and are included in God’s plan. You are loved by God, no matter how unworthy you may feel. Yes, you are called to be one of His holy people. The Father calls you to be His child.

That’s good news!