RomansNäide

Romans 1
The power of Sin, the power of Grace

As Paul closes Romans 1, he holds up a mirror to the world—a world marred by sin and rebellion. It's a confronting picture. Paul doesn’t sugarcoat the consequences of a life separated from God. The list he gives isn’t just a warning to others—it’s a sobering reminder of what happens when people exchange truth for lies and drift further from God’s presence.

What’s most striking isn’t just the individual sins listed, but how sin multiplies. Sin rarely stays isolated. Left unchecked, it grows. It becomes a pattern, a mindset, a lifestyle. And worse still, Paul notes that people begin to “approve of those who practice them” (v. 32). Sin begins to normalize itself. The more it is accepted, the more it spreads. And soon, we’re not just walking in darkness—we’re leading others there too.

That’s why Paul’s words are so weighty. He’s not trying to shame or condemn us—he’s trying to awaken us. In the light of God's holiness, all sin is equal in that it separates us from Him. Whether it's pride or gossip, greed or envy, it all reveals our need for a Saviour. And that’s the beauty of the gospel. Jesus didn’t come to point a finger—He came to offer freedom. His grace doesn’t downplay the seriousness of sin; it overcomes it.

When we truly understand what we’ve been saved from, it changes the way we live. It humbles us. It stirs gratitude. And it challenges us to walk differently—not just for our own sake, but for the sake of others.

Paul’s final challenge is piercing: Are we helping people get closer to God—or further away? Is our example pointing people to truth, or blurring the lines? Is our faith as visible and compelling as the boldness of a sinful world?

This passage calls us to be light in the dark. To not just avoid sin, but to lead others toward holiness. Not with arrogance, but with love. Not by condemning, but by living in a way that reflects the grace we’ve received.