DATE POSTED
Sunday, August 8, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

Romans 1 ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes – the Jew first and also the Gentile. ¹⁷ This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Two questions came to mind as I prepared this devotional: “What Is the Good News?” and “What Purpose Does the Good News Serve?”. I would like to answer each question to help you clearly understand what Paul tried to achieve with his Gentile audience:

• What is the Good News? — Christ is the Savior, and the Gospel is God’s power to save everyone who believes.
• What is its purpose? — Through faith, God makes sinners right in His sight.

Now, please allow me time to expand on these thoughts.

What is the Good News?

In our culture today, believers often feel pressure to apologize just for mentioning the name of Jesus in a public setting. The believers in ancient Rome likely faced that exact same dynamic. That is why Paul boldly declared that he had no reason to be ashamed of the Good News about Jesus Christ. He was essentially saying, “Prepare yourselves – I will talk freely about my Lord, without apology, regardless of who is in my audience.”

What a powerful stance for us to take today! We shouldn’t feel the need to review our audience or edit our testimony before speaking about the love and character of Jesus. No one can take away your personal story of what Christ has done in your life. Paul reminds us that the Gospel is the active power of God saving everyone who believes. That means no one reading this – and no one you meet – is beyond the grace and reach of Jesus. The Good News shows us how to move from being lost and without hope to becoming a saved, beloved child of God with an eternal home in Heaven.

What Purpose Does The Good News serve?

Because sin separates us from God, the Good News explains how we can be made right in His sight. To human eyes, living a truly righteous life seems impossible. But consider Paul’s own background: before his conversion, he was known as Saul, a man who actively persecuted the church. By human standards, he seemed like the last person who could ever be saved.

Yet Jesus didn’t see Saul as a lost cause. God saw a man who desperately needed a Savior, and a bold man determined to accomplish his personal goals, regardless of the obstacles. God intervened, Saul responded in faith, and his life was completely transformed. Whether someone has been a notorious sinner or has sat in a church pew their entire life, the path to God is the exact same. As we are reminded in Romans 1:17, being “made right” with God doesn’t mean that we become morally perfect. It means that God declares the believing sinner righteous on the basis of what Christ has done for us. We all need a personal encounter with God through faith in His Son.

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TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Paul laid out the truth plainly, and the choice remains the same for us today. God invites each of us to turn away from sin, place our complete trust in Jesus, and receive His gift of eternal life. If you have never taken that step, or if you need to renew your commitment to share His message boldly, consider His invitation today. God is ready to guide and help you every step of the way.

PRAYER
Lord God, thank You for the life-changing power of the Good News. Forgive us for the times we have hesitated or felt hesitant to speak the name of Jesus publicly. Fill our hearts with the same bold confidence Paul had, knowing that Your grace is available to everyone who believes. Transform our lives, draw us closer to You, and give us the courage to share Your love with someone who needs it today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!