Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Paul is grateful to God for the Romans and their faith. He thanks God through Jesus because He alone can give us access to God the Father. “[He is] the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [Him].” (John 14:6)
Notice, also, that Paul does not thank the Romans for their faith. He thanks God because He is the soure of their faith and every other thankworthy thing within them. The same is true of us.
The Roman’s faith was being talked about around the world. That is an impressive commendation. It is interesting that it was their faith being talked about. The buzz was not about their buildings or their programs or their preachers or their music or their great numbers. Instead, the buzz was about their faith. Would that our churches today be known for their faith in God.
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. (Hebrews 11:1, NLT)
