Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.
What an amazing testimony the Roman Christians have throughout the whole world! What did Paul mean that their “faith” was being “proclaimed throughout the whole world?” Probably everywhere Paul went, he had heard that the gospel had been well received in Rome, which at that time was politically the center of the world. The persecution of Christians in Rome had instigated a mass exodus of believers. They were dispersed all over the Roman Empire, so their faith was proclaimed wherever they went. It was for this reason that Paul longed to go to Rome, but at the time of this writing, Paul’s heart was filled with thanksgiving to God. He wanted them to know, first of all, how grateful He was to God for His grace outpoured to them. The fact that the gospel had reached the Romans probably made Paul’s ministry of the gospel more acceptable.
Let’s notice that Paul’s gratitude to God could not be offered without the mediation of Jesus Christ. He wrote, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all.” He could not approach God’s throne to give thanks, and they would have no faith to be proclaimed were it not for the redemptive, reconciling work of Jesus Christ. Jesus brought him and the Roman believers as one into the presence of God.
This verse reminds us that we not only are saved through the life of Jesus Christ, but we continue receiving the benefits of His gracious intercession. Just as the Jews could not pray in the temple without offering a sacrifice for their sins because God is holy, Paul understood he could not pray and give thanks to God without the blood sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God, to cover his sins and make him acceptable to God. He knew that was also true of his Roman brothers and sisters in Christ. God is to be thanked through Jesus Christ for His work in all of our lives. As we live to love with Jesus today, let’s remember to thank God for the testimony of those who have gone before us and planted a faithful witness. Their faithfulness adds validity to our testimony. Jesus’ name is exalted, and He receives the glory and honor.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
