Read Romans 1:16–17
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 1:17
On May 24, 1738, a discouraged missionary went “very unwillingly”
to a religious meeting in London. There a miracle took place. “About a
quarter before nine,” he wrote in his journal, “I felt my heart strangely
warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an
assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine,
and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
That missionary was John Wesley. The message he heard was the
preface to Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans. The Scripture
that brought Luther out of mere religion into the joy of salvation by
grace, through faith, was verse 17: “The righteous will live by faith.”
The Protestant Reformation and the Wesleyan revival were both the
fruit of this wonderful letter.
Imagine! You and I can read and study the same letter that
brought life and power to Luther and Wesley! And the same Holy
Spirit who taught them can teach us! You and I can experience revival
in our hearts, homes, and churches if the message of this letter grips
us as it gripped people of faith in centuries past.
Something to Ponder
What do you think would need to happen in order for you to experience
revival of life and power in Christ?