Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - No Condemnation in Christ by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 8:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." - Romans 8:1 KJV

There is a difference between conviction and condemnation. The Holy Spirit may convict us when we sin. He may show us something that needs to change. He may lead us to repentance and obedience. But condemnation tells us that we are hopeless, rejected, and beyond God's grace. Romans 8 tells us that for those who are in Christ Jesus, condemnation is not their standing before God.

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - The Struggle With Sin and the Law by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 7:14-25 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:" - Romans 7:22 KJV

Romans 7 is one of those passages that makes us stop and say, “I understand exactly what Paul is talking about.” Paul describes an internal struggle. He knows God's law is good. He desires to do what is right.

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - Dead to Sin, Alive to God by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 6:1-14 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:11 KJV

Romans 5 ended with one of the most beautiful statements in Scripture: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” But Paul knows that someone might misunderstand that truth. If God's grace is greater than our sin, does that mean we can simply continue living in sin? Paul's answer is immediate: “God forbid.”

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - Adam and Christ: From Death to Life by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 5:12-20 KJV 

Key Verse:  "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)" - Romans 5:17 KJV

Romans 5 introduces one of Scripture's most profound contrasts. Paul places Adam and Jesus Christ side by side. Through Adam came sin and death. Through Christ comes grace, righteousness, and life.

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - Peace, Grace, and Hope by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;" - Romans 5:3 KJV

Paul has just explained that we are “justified by faith.” Now he begins to describe what that justification produces in the life of a believer. The first result is peace: “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” What a wonderful place to begin.

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - Abraham, The Father of Faith

Bible Reading: Romans 4:16-24 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." - Romans 4:21 KJV

Paul continues explaining justification by faith by taking us back to Abraham. Abraham is one of the most important examples of faith in Scripture. God had promised that Abraham would become the father of many nations, yet the circumstances surrounding that promise seemed increasingly impossible.

Daily Devotion: The Book of Romans - Justified by Faith by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Romans 3:24-31 KJV

Key Verse:  "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." - Romans 3:28 KJV

Romans 3 has brought us to a humbling truth: none of us is righteous on our own. We have all sinned. We have all fallen short. And the law cannot save us because none of us has kept it perfectly. So how can a sinful person ever stand righteous before a holy God?