The Power of Gratitude and Faith: Living Out the Gospel

There's something extraordinary about watching someone do the impossible. Picture a climber scaling a skyscraper with no ropes, no safety equipment—just skill, preparation, and courage. What drives someone to take on such a challenge? When asked, the climber responds with childlike wonder: "Why not? It's going to be so much fun."

This attitude of gratitude, encouragement, commitment, preparation, and courage mirrors something we find in the opening chapter of Romans—a letter that has shaped Christian theology for two millennia. Here we discover not just theological concepts, but a living, breathing approach to faith that transforms how we walk with God daily.

Gratitude: The Antidote We Need

"First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you."

These opening words from Romans 1:8 aren't just polite pleasantries. They reveal a profound spiritual truth: gratitude is an antidote to the poison we ingest daily. We live in a contentious world bombarded by negativity—from news broadcasts to social media feeds, from difficult relationships to our own internal struggles. We consume mental and spiritual toxins constantly.

Gratitude heals. It counteracts bitterness, resentment, and despair. It's not merely a nice virtue to cultivate; it's a biblical requirement woven throughout Scripture. But here's the key: gratitude must begin with Christ. Before we list our blessings—family, opportunities, health—our primary posture should be thankfulness for what Jesus has accomplished for us.

When we gather for communion, remembering the broken body and shed blood of Christ, we engage in an act of worship rooted in gratitude. We acknowledge that our greatest debt has been paid, our deepest need has been met, and our eternal destiny has been secured—not by our merit, but by His grace.

If God were to rank all virtues throughout human history, gratitude would surely be near the top. It transforms our perspective, heals our hearts, and positions us to receive God's peace and joy even amid life's storms.

Serving in the Spirit

"For God whom I serve in my spirit by preaching the gospel of his son is my witness that I continually remember you."

This phrase from Romans 1:9 reveals something crucial: it's possible to serve God with our bodies and minds while missing the Spirit. We can preach, teach, volunteer, and engage in ministry activities without spiritual vitality. Churches can even grow under such leadership—for a while.

But this isn't the way. True service requires communion with the Holy Spirit. We must submit ourselves to His leading, allowing our spirit to connect with God's Spirit in everything we do. Whether we're formally preaching or simply living out our faith in daily conversations, we need the Spirit's power and presence.

This applies to all believers, not just vocational ministers. When we walk, talk, work, and interact with others, we're called to do so in the Spirit—allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our words, attitudes, and actions.

The Gospel: A Who, Not Just a What

Throughout Romans 1, the gospel is described in increasingly rich ways. First, we learn that the gospel centers on a person: "the gospel of his son." Without Christ, there is no gospel. The good news isn't merely a set of principles or a moral code—it's the person of Jesus Christ.

Second, the gospel is "God's power for salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). This salvation isn't just a ticket from hell to heaven. It's comprehensive rescue and restoration—deliverance from sin and evil, healing of our brokenness, and restoration to right relationship with God.

The gospel is both simple and complex, free yet costly. It requires everything we are—body, soul, and spirit. It demands total surrender, making us slaves belonging to God. Yet this slavery is perfect freedom, this cost is worth everything, and this surrender brings abundant life.

Faith as a Verb

"The righteous by faith will live" (Romans 1:17).

We often think of faith as a possession—something we have, like an object in our pocket. But faith is not a noun we own; it's a verb we live. Faith is active, ongoing, dynamic. We walk by faith, live in faith, and grow in faith as we continue to connect with God.

Righteousness is revealed as we walk by faith. It's not a one-time transaction but a continual journey. God calls us to be lifelong learners, perpetually growing in our understanding of Him and His gospel. Even mature Christians don't know everything about the gospel—its richness is unsearchable, its depths unfathomable.

This means we must actively practice our faith. As we do, our faith muscles grow stronger. When we have little faith, we can ask God for more, and He will give it. Faith isn't static; it develops through use, through trials, through daily dependence on God.

Not Ashamed

"I am not ashamed of the gospel" (Romans 1:16).

In a world that increasingly marginalizes Christian faith, this declaration carries weight. Shame is weaponized everywhere we look—people trying to shame us for our beliefs, values, and convictions. But denouncing shame is powerful.

Jesus made it clear: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before God's angels. But the one who denies me before men will be denied before God's angels" (Luke 12:8-9). Following Christ isn't a private decision we make once and then hide. It's a public, ongoing acknowledgment of His lordship in every area of life.

Western Christianity sometimes reduces faith to a childhood prayer or momentary decision, as if that alone secures our eternal destiny regardless of how we live afterward. But genuine faith transforms us, compels us to live differently, and emboldens us to proclaim Christ without shame in both public and private spaces.

Living the Gospel Daily

The opening verses of Romans preview the entire letter's themes: the universal reach of the gospel, the necessity of faith, and the righteousness of God revealed and received through believing.

These aren't abstract theological concepts meant only for academic study. They're meant to shape how we live each day. When we practice gratitude, we find peace amid chaos. When we walk by faith, righteousness is revealed in our lives. When we refuse shame, we become bold witnesses to God's transforming power.

The gospel costs us everything but gives us infinitely more. It demands our whole selves—body, soul, and spirit—but offers complete restoration, eternal life, and intimate relationship with our Creator.

So today, let gratitude be your antidote. Let faith be your action. Let the gospel be your power. And live unashamed of the One who gave everything for you.