Paul wrote Romans to a largely religious audience—Jews who were trying to earn God’s favor through their own efforts. Their faith was based entirely on performance. They were meticulous about outward rituals of holiness—tithing even on garden herbs, measuring their steps on the Sabbath to avoid breaking the Law, and blowing trumpets before they prayed. But their hearts were far from God. That’s why Jesus rebuked them, saying, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves” (Matt. 23:15). 

God Is Not Impressed with Your Checklist 

Jesus’ words were stronger than horseradish. Did you know that this same religious mindset exists today? If you’re feeling confident because of what you do, the book of Romans will make you mad. It’ll expose you. Some people compare themselves to others and think they’re doing pretty well. But Romans destroys that way of thinking. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). For those who take pride in their own righteousness, Romans is a hard pill to swallow. But who wants to be the best sinner that ever went to hell? 

Religion today is just as performance-driven as the legalism of Paul’s day. The rules may look different, but the mindset is the same. Instead of keeping Old Testament laws, many Christians believe they have to go to church, pay tithes, and read their Bible a certain amount to earn God’s blessing. Those things are good, but if we think they make us right with God, we’ve missed the Gospel. Grace isn’t something we achieve—it’s something we receive. 

In Romans 1:18–20, Paul showed us that we don’t have to beat people over the head with their sin because there is an intuitive knowledge on the inside of every person. Romans 2:4 tells us that it’s the goodness of God that leads people to repentance. Yet the religious mindset steps in and says, “No, you’ve got to put fear in them! You’ve got to make them aware of how ungodly they are.” But Paul was saying they already know. 

Romans 1:20 makes it clear that even God’s eternal power and Godhead are understood, and Paul spends the rest of chapter 1 showing that everyone, at one time, had God reveal His wrath against their sin. But people can deaden themselves to it. They can walk away. As it says in 1 Timothy 4:2, you can sear your conscience with a hot iron so that it no longer functions and no longer convicts you. But that’s not how anyone starts out. Everyone knows in their heart that there is a God and that they are not Him. 

Why Even Atheists Cry Out to God 

I’ve been around people who claimed to be atheists and said they had no conviction over sin. But I guarantee you, when the bullets were flying and the bombs were dropping in Vietnam, these same people who claimed they didn’t believe in God were crying out to God for mercy. It’s a mind game. 

There may be some reading this right now who think, I don’t believe in God. But I guarantee you that’s not true. If I stuck a gun to your head and cocked it, you’d cry out, “Oh, God!” The truth is, people distract themselves to avoid facing this reality. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” But people don’t like to be still. They keep themselves occupied with music, videos, social media—anything to avoid that quiet moment where their hearts begin asking, “Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is life all about?” 

Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” Paul dropped this bomb right at the start—salvation comes by faith in God’s grace, not by our performance. And just like in his day, religious people today struggle with this truth. They think, You’re saying you don’t have to be holy? Most believe that good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell. But that’s not what the Bible teaches. 

Stop Begging and Start Believing 

I would say that, as a whole, the majority of people who claim to be Christians are living beneath their privileges. They’re settling for a watered-down version of Christianity that falls far short of what Jesus paid for. 

Maybe that’s you. Maybe you’ve been taught that salvation is just about going to heaven when you die and that all you can do now is endure this life as best you can. But that’s not what the Gospel teaches. The Gospel is not a survival plan—it’s a victory plan. 

Think about this: Jesus didn’t suffer and die just to forgive your sins while leaving you to struggle through life sick, broke, discouraged, or bound by fear. He paid the full price for your healing, provision, peace, and freedom. Every single thing you will ever need was secured for you at the cross. And yet so many live as though they’re still waiting for something more, something extra—when in reality, it’s already been given to them. 

God Is Not Holding Out on You 

If you’re wondering why you’re not seeing these promises in your life, it’s not because God is holding out on you. It’s not because you haven’t done enough to earn them. The simple truth is, you can’t earn what has already been freely given. That’s the whole point of the Gospel. It’s not about your worthiness; it’s about His. It’s not about what you can do; it’s about what He has done. 

 The problem is, we’ve been conditioned to think that God’s blessings must be worked for, that His power is reserved for the few who “measure up.” So we disqualify ourselves. We let guilt, shame, and doubt convince us that we’re not good enough, not holy enough, not spiritual enough to receive His goodness. But if that were true, then grace wouldn’t be grace at all. 

The same Jesus who saved you when you were at your worst is the same Jesus who heals, provides, and restores—freely, completely, and unconditionally. You don’t have to beg Him for what He’s already given. You just have to believe and receive. That’s it. 

This Truth Changed My Life 

This is something that’s near to my heart because I know what it’s like to struggle, waiting on God to move—only to realize He had already given me everything I needed through Jesus. When I got ahold of this truth, it changed everything for me. That’s why I’ve been sharing it for decades. I want you to experience the same freedom and confidence in God’s provision that turned my life around. 

So let me ask you: What are you still waiting for? What lie has convinced you that God’s promises aren’t for you? Because the truth is, they are. Right now. Today. Everything Jesus bought with His blood is yours, not because you’ve earned it, but because He loves you. 

All that’s left for you to do is believe. 

If you’re struggling with feelings of unworthiness or trying to earn God’s favor, Romans will set you straight. Just like it did for me, it will revolutionize your understanding of grace.  

Don’t wait another day to step into the freedom and assurance that’s already yours. I encourage you to explore all of the Romans Highlights resources available to you and start experiencing this life-changing revelation for yourself.