Read: Romans 3-4
The book of Romans is a letter written by Paul to the early church in Rome to explain salvation and faith. He makes it clear: it is not by works that we are saved, but by faith through the grace of God. We cannot get here on our own; it’s only through Him.
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:23-24
“For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” – Romans 3:28
“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” – Romans 4:7-8
I am a sinner. We are all sinners. Nothing I can do will “earn” my way into heaven—salvation comes only through having a relationship with God, trusting Him, and asking forgiveness for our sins. Growing up in church, we always heard the ABCs of becoming a Christian: admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is the one true God and died for our sins, and confess your sins to Him. And it really is that simple!
But here’s the thing: salvation is just the start. Being in a relationship with God is what changes us. I sometimes wonder: if following the ABCs is enough to get into heaven, why do we also need a relationship with Him? I think it’s because truly knowing and believing God changes how we live; or at least it should.
I am not saying this from a place of perfection. Let me say again: I am a sinner. I was raised in the church (thank you, Mom), but going to church in high school often felt like a chore. When I went away to college, going to church, singing worship songs, and reading my Bible was NOT how I spent my time; even though I attended a private Catholic university (I am not Catholic) and had opportunities to do so. I also never stopped considering myself a Christian.
My freshman year, I went to a small town in Guatemala to teach and help the community. While there, we also shared the love of God. Sophomore year, I joined a Bible study and started listening to worship music again. Then, during the summer and my final year of college (I graduated early), I started going to church on my own, joined CRU, and found my way back into relationship with God. I have had my ups and downs since then, but I am only human. Through it all, I’ve learned that it’s not about being perfect but about trusting God and growing in relationship with Him.
Think of it like marriage. When you make a commitment to your husband (speaking to other women here), you promise loyalty and love. You can’t live however you want and truly uphold that marriage. If you stray from your promises, your marriage suffers. The same goes for your covenant with the Lord. Following Him isn’t just about heaven; it’s about learning to live in a way that reflects your faith.
Discussion Questions
- Have there been seasons in your life when it was hard to walk in faith?
- What helped you return to God or get to know Him for the first time?
Respond below!
A Note from the Author
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about the Bible verse studies, devotionals, and prayers that I put together. While I strive to offer meaningful insights and reflections, it’s important to clarify that I am not a trained or licensed biblical professional. My goal is not to provide expert theological advice but to share my personal knowledge, beliefs, and experiences as I read and reflect on the Holy Bible.
The insights I offer come from my own understanding and spiritual journey. I approach these reflections with the intention of sharing what personally resonates with me and what I’ve learned through my own study of Scripture. I hope these thoughts are helpful and encouraging, but they are based on my personal perspective rather than formal theological training.
This specific Bible study is based off the book A Beautiful Year in the Bible The 52-Week Bible Study for Women by a series of wonderful authors Copyrighted by Alabaster Creative Inc. I do not own the rights to this book and am not claiming to. I am using the book to create my own version of the Bible in 365 days and continue to direct God’s word towards women, more specifically mothers.
Thank you for your understanding and for joining me in this journey of faith and reflection.
Blessings,
Maria Wilcoxon
*The header image is not mine and was taken from answeredfaith.com
Leave a comment