Romans 1 - 3

Paul writes to the believers in Rome, thanking them for their bold witness to their city.  The reputation of these followers of Christ had reached around the Empire.  Paul's desire was to visit these saints and encourage their walk with God.  The city did not deter him, he was ready to preach the life-altering message of the gospel to them and their city.  The gospel message was clear:  man had violated a holy God's righteous laws and stood inexcusable before Him.  Whether they had committed the actions themselves or approved of those who engaged in such heinous practices, they were guilty.  It was not a matter of keeping the law, for the law only showed where it had been violated.  It was not a matter of nationality, for both Jew and Gentile were guilty before God.  It was not a matter of identification, for those both circumcised and uncircumcised were guilty.  The only group that had an advantage were those who took God's side of the issue and accepted His verdict of guilt as true and correct.  These are they who turn to a holy God and ask for His divine grace and mercy to be extended.  His righteousness is granted by faith in Jesus Christ's redemptive work of propitiation.  Righteousness, then, is not something personally achieved but is something individually granted to us by God.