BIBLE READING: Rom. 1:16-18

The whole world is guilty before the God of justice because of sin.  No boy or girl from birth by nature is righteous before God.

God is not happy with the wickedness of sinners and because of His nature of holiness and justice, these sinners must be punished.  But His love and righteousness to justify them can be seen from the gospel (Rom. 1:17-18; 3:21-26).

It is only through the preaching of the gospel that sinners can come to know about the great provision God has made because of His righteousness.  Anyone who is ignorant of this cannot make use of it and so will live and die as a sinner and be lost forever (cons. Jn. 8:24).

The gospel has the power to pierce and search the heart of any sinner that is listening to it.  It goes on to convict him unto the needed repentance (Heb. 4:12), and works out faith that brings the saving grace in him (Rom. 10:17; 1:16; Eph. 1:13; 2:8; 1 Pet. 1:23).

As a believer continues to listen to the gospel he/she is continually cleansed and nourished (Jn. 8:31-36; 1 Pet. 2:2).