"What Is Your Greatest Need?" (Romans 1:16-17)

Our passage says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16-17). In Romans 1:18-3:20, Paul speaks about the universal need of righteousness with these words, "There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God" (Romans 3:10-11). The question is, "What is your greatest need?" For those who are sick, you may believe, "My greatest need is to be healed of this sickness!" For those who are not employed, you may believe, "My greatest need is to get a good job and provide for my needs!" For those who are single, you may believe, "My greatest need is to find a mate!" For those who are in difficult marriages, you may believe, "My greatest need is to find harmony in my marriage!" While all of these are legitimate and important needs, none of them are your GREATEST need! From God's perspective, the greatest need of every person, whether he or she is aware of it or not, is to be declared righteous by God! Your greatest need is found in the gospel of which Paul speaks! He says, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed." When you trust in Jesus for salvation, God declares you righteous or justified! Paul says it best with these words, "Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). The word "justified" comes from the Greek word for "righteous" and means "to DECLARE righteous!" This powerful declaration includes: pardon from the guilt and penalty of sin as well as the crediting of Jesus' righteousness to your account. This provides for your greatest need, the righteousness needed to be accepted by God! This is the awesome grace and mercy of God! Grace gives, mercy withholds! Grace gives what we do not deserve (salvation). Mercy withholds what we do deserve (eternal separation from God). Salvation is the greatest need of every person. Being rescued from God's wrath and judgment that we deserve because of our sin, is our greatest need! Your move. Be encouraged!