In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he introduces a revolutionary concept that shifted the way we understand our relationship with God. He wrote to believers in Rome, a mix of Gentiles (non-Jews) and Jews, who had embraced Christianity but were struggling with integrating their new faith with old Jewish laws like circumcision, dietary laws, and observing specific religious festivals.

These early Christians were at a crossroads, trying to navigate their faith amidst conflicting views on what it meant to follow Jesus.Paul, known for his mission to the Gentiles, firmly argued against the need to adhere to these old Jewish laws for salvation. He stressed that faith in Christ alone was the key to being right with God, a stance that challenged the prevailing belief that Christianity was just a branch of Judaism requiring adherence to its traditions. This was a pivotal message, especially in a time when many Jewish Christians believed that following Jesus meant continuing to observe the law. Paul’s stance is clear in Romans 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” This verse encapsulates the essence of Paul’s argument: salvation comes through faith, not by following a set of religious rules.

It’s a declaration that faith in Jesus is sufficient for salvation, making the rituals and laws of the Old Testament obsolete for achieving righteousness with God.But Paul didn’t stop there. He knew that merely understanding this concept wasn’t enough; it had to transform how believers lived their faith. He envisioned a Christianity where followers of Jesus lived out their faith in grace, not bound by the fear of not measuring up to the law. This vision is encapsulated in Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Here, Paul reassures believers that their lives are governed by God’s grace, freeing them from the tyranny of sin and the law. So, what does this look like for us today? Paul’s message in Romans is as relevant now as it was then. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not a transaction based on how well we follow religious rules but a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This means living a life that reflects the freedom and joy of being in a relationship with God, not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude for what Jesus has done for us. In practical terms, this means our faith should lead us to live differently. Instead of being trapped in a cycle of trying to earn God’s favor, we’re called to live in the freedom of God’s grace. This could look like extending forgiveness because we’ve been forgiven, showing love to others without expecting anything in return, or serving those in need not to earn points with God but as a response to the love and grace we’ve received.

Paul’s letters, especially Romans, encourage us to embrace a faith that transforms our lives—a faith that isn’t about following a list of do’s and don’ts but about living in a relationship with God that’s real, vibrant, and marked by grace. In today’s world, where performance often defines value, Paul’s message is a liberating reminder that in God’s kingdom, it’s not about what we do but who we believe in—and that makes all the difference.