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My Favourite Bible Verse…
DAVID DUCKITT
Services Manager
‘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.’ Romans 1:16
“Recently, we’ve been watching the latest series of Race Across the World, with teams racing across Canada with limited resources. It’s been heart-warming to witness the kindness of strangers who offered free food, shelter and transport. All the travellers needed to do to accept these generous offers was say “Yes”.
Who would say “No” in their shoes? Their joy was a delight to behold. Romans 1:16 is in some ways a summary of Paul’s letter to the Romans. The Good News he is proclaiming is that salvation (with the fullness of all that means) is available to everyone who says “Yes”.
While I am eternally grateful for God’s amazing offer of salvation, there are a couple of uncomfortable challenges in this verse, too. Firstly, do I act as though I’m ashamed of the gospel? In a culture that often says I should be ashamed; do I take every opportunity to tell others the Good News? Paul knew the risks of sharing the gospel. But he felt compelled to because of his desire for others to know Jesus. He says there is no reason to be ashamed of such universal Good News.
Secondly, do I limit those who might benefit from God’s grace? What about those who are not like me or who I just don’t like? Those who don’t behave like me? Those who hold different views to me? Paul was writing to the almost exclusively gentile Christians in Rome (Claudius had banned Jews from Rome until shortly before this letter was written). The “Apostle to the Gentiles” was at pains to point out that salvation was still on offer to the Jews, too. It’s available to everyone – we are all the same in Christ. We aspire to be generous and unconditional. Am I? Are you?”
Andy Rushworth
Pathways Officer
“Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” Romans 8:34
“Knowing that Jesus is talking to the Father about me is a source of great inspiration. There He is, the Son of God, Saviour of the world, talking to God about me – asking Him to look after me, provide for me and guide me into a life of purpose. I couldn’t have anyone better talking to the Father about me.
During this Easter time, remember there is always a death before a resurrection. We may experience the end of a job or a ministry program we run, but where there is an end, there is the opportunity for a new beginning – resurrection!”
Baaba Hewton
Mission Operations Team Administrator
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
‘God does and continues to fill us with so much peace and joy that we will have no reason to doubt His love for us. Personally, this verse reassures me that God is my source of joy. He will give me peace, and my faith in Him will continue to grow. I have no room to entertain fear.’
Baaba joined CA in June 2022 and lives in Sheffield. She grew up in Kuamsi which is in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and she has recently completed an MA in International Relations at the University of Sheffield. Baaba’s loves exercising, sleeping, and eating.