But you don’t have to take THEIR word for it (or mine!) You can go to the the Word of God yourself and see it change YOUR life! Then you’ll have proof of your own.

In my podcast today, I’m including some highlights from Romans and which verses changed the lives of Augustine, Luther, Wesley and me. I’ll also share the song "Worth of it All" and a prayer to encourage you in your faith. You can watch the podcast at this link or read some of the highlights below.

AND, Starting in October, I’ll be hosting a LIVE, ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUP through the book of Romans. I’ve written a study guide to go with it called Romans: Lessons in Renewing Your Mind which we’ll be using each week for 12-weeks as we read through this life-changing letter to the Romans written almost 2,000 years ago.

You can sign up for the online class at this link (plus some other classes I’ll be teaching this fall on playing the piano, writing a book, and a special book discussion group). Watch the podcast or read some highlights below, then join me for a class next month!

Lesson 8 from Romans: Lessons in Renewing Your Mind
"Bring Redeemed by Jesus"
Scripture Reading: Romans 3:21-31

While it may sound simple, don’t underestimate what God can do in someone’s life through a few verses from the book of Romans.

It was while reading the book of Romans that a man named Augustine put his faith in Christ, back in 386 A.D. He was sitting in the garden of a friend, weeping as he thought about the wickedness of his life. Some children nearby were singing “Tolle, lege. Tolle, lege.” which means “Take up and read. Take up and read.” A scroll of the book of Romans was laying open next to Augustine, so he “took up and read”. The first few verses he saw, in Romans 13:13-14, described the condition of his life―and what to do about it:

“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13:13-14).

Augustine put his faith in Christ that day, and became one of the greatest theologians and leaders in the history of the church.

It was while reading the book of Romans that another man named Martin Luther put his faith in Christ, about 1,000 years after Saint Augustine. Luther was an Augustinian monk who was burdened by the weight of trying to do enough good works to get into heaven. But that burden was finally lifted when he read a verse from the book of Romans. Romans 1:17 showed him that he wouldn’t be declared righteous by his good works, but by his faith in Christ:

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith’” (Romans 1:17).

Martin Luther put his faith in Christ that day, and went on to lead a reformation that has impacted lives all over the world.

It was while listening to someone reading Luther’s notes on the book of Romans that John Wesley put his faith in Christ, several hundred years later. As Wesley listened to Luther’s introductory comments about Romans, Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed,” as he described it, and he committed his life entirely to Christ. John Wesley, and his brother Charles, went on to found the Methodist movement, also contributing many of the great hymns of the faith that we still sing today.

And Paul’s words to the Romans are still affecting people today, almost 2,000 years after they were written, as it was while reading the book of Romans that I put my faith in Christ, too. As I was reading Romans 1:18-32, I realized that I was a sinner, too, and needed a Savior. Now here I am today encouraging you from what I’ve learned from the book of Romans so you can share it with others.

These are just a few of the lives that have been touched by reading just a few verses from the book of Romans! So don’t underestimate the power of a few verses from this book to change lives. If you’ve been redeemed by Jesus, tell others about it, using the Roman Road if you want as a way to help them understand the good news of Christ. And if you haven’t yet been redeemed by Jesus, I’d encourage you to keep reading the Bible so you can put your faith in Him today.

If you’re up for a challenge, I’d also encourage you to commit to memory these four simple verses from Romans: 3:23, 6:23, 5:8 and 10:9. Memorizing scripture is a great way to renew your mind, and as you keep these particular verses at the forefront of your mind, they’ll also help you as you talk with others about how they can be redeemed by Jesus, too.

Perhaps you’re reading this today and you’re like Augustine, or Luther, or Wesley, or me, and these verses that I’ve been sharing from the book of Romans have somehow sparked your thinking and moved your heart in a way that you, too want to commit your life to Christ. If so, put your faith in Him today for everything in your life. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. Do what Paul encouraged the Romans to do and you’ll be saved, too:

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Will you pray with me?

Father, thank You for sending Jesus to redeem us from our sins. Help us to share that life-changing message with those around us. Open our eyes today to those who need to hear this message, and open their hearts to be receptive as we share it, so they can put their faith in You as well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You can get a copy of Eric’s book Romans: Lessons in Renewing Your Mind in paperback, audiobook, or downloadable PDF at inspiringbooks.com