Learning to Live by Faith Instead of Fear
Evening Scripture
Romans, Chapter 1
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God — the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong — that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed — a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Evening Reflection
Many Christians seem to find the cross of Christ much easier to grasp than the Holy Spirit of Christ dwelling within us. Oh sure, you say you have faith in Christ – but living that out in your everyday life can be a challenge. We can certainly explain Christ’s sacrifice for us, but we struggle to explain the Holy Spirit within us.
As you look at your life, do you wonder how you could still be living the way you do? How can you have the Holy Spirit within you when you still feel jealousy, anger, or lack of compassion? How about the occasional lies? Or maybe you feel a bit too focused on what the world offers. Then, add in all of your worries – kids, jobs, finances, diagnoses and more – and somehow it doesn’t feel like the Holy Spirit is at work in you, right?
Sometimes you question, both yourself and God. How can God still love me when I live this way? Well, Paul tells us to have faith – and our faith will overcome all of those things. Like when you travel, you can’t fly the plane, instead you must trust the pilot. God is so much more.
In Romans 1 we learn all people face judgment for sin (v. 18-32.) But first and foremost, Paul declares that the gospel is the “power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (v. 16) and through the gospel, God’s righteousness is revealed “by faith from first to last” (v. 17). Faith allows us to replace God’s judgement with peace and a gateway to His grace. Salvation is not earned by anything you could possibly do or not do. Salvation is through trust in Jesus – through faith in Him. When you truly grasp this, you can then be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). You can stop your striving, end your fear, and begin trusting God’s promises.
Yet, faith is not just for salvation, but for the way we live. Paul quotes Habakkuk and tells us “The righteous will live by faith” (v. 17). Through Christ, you are righteous. It means knowing the gospel – trusting Christ and walking in the Spirit (Romans 8:2), guided by God’s truth rather than our fears, our worries of failure, or of God’s wrath.
Evening Prayer
Father,
Please help me to live as you would have me live, with a foundation of faith in Jesus. Help me to trust in the righteousness of Christ rather than my own strength and my own actions. Help me to live my life by the fruit of His Spirit. With compassion, mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Amen.
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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Japheth Mast
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
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Originally published Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
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