“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.”

Romans 1:16–17. The Theme of the Epistle to the Romans

Paul declared that he was “ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome” (Romans 1:15) and then introduced what many have called the theme of the Epistle to the Romans—the gospel of Jesus Christ will bring salvation to everyone who lives by faith in Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:16–17). Much of the content of the rest of the epistle relates to key terms and ideas found in these two verses:

Gospel. The word gospel is the English translation of the Greek euangellion, meaning “good news.” Paul preached the message of the gospel, which is “God’s plan of salvation, made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Gospel”; scriptures.lds.org).

Salvation. Paul taught that salvation meant both resurrection (see Romans 6:5; 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:22) and forgiveness of sins (see Romans 3:25; 4:7–8). Salvation means “to be saved from both physical and spiritual death. All people will be saved from physical death by the grace of God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each individual can also be saved from spiritual death as well by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Salvation”; scriptures.lds.org).

Faith and believeth. “Believeth” (verse 16) and “faith” (verse 17) are translations of the Greek verb pisteuō and the related noun pistis. These terms can mean both “faith” and “faithfulness.” For Paul, faith in Jesus Christ was not just mental agreement with the idea that Jesus is the Son of God, but wholehearted acceptance of Jesus Christ and trust in Him as the One who offered Himself in Atonement for our sins. This deep trust leads to a life of faithfulness, manifested by repenting of sins, being baptized, and trying to live as Jesus Christ taught (see Acts 16:30–33; Romans 6:1–11; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11). “Faith in Jesus Christ … is manifested in a life of obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel and service to Christ” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Salvation”; scriptures.lds.org).

Jew and Greek (Gentile). The Jews were the surviving members of God’s covenant people, Israel, to whom He had revealed the law of Moses over one thousand years before Christ. Paul used both the terms Greek and Gentile to refer to people who were not born into the house of Israel.

Righteousness and just. These and other related terms in Romans (justify, justification, righteous) are translations of the Greek word dikaiosune, a legal term that refers to uprightness, justice, and that which is right. God’s work of justification means that He sets right all that is wrong, including restoring people to a right relationship with Him. To be justified by God means “to be pardoned from punishment for sin and declared guiltless. A person is justified by the Savior’s grace through faith in him. This faith is shown by repentance and obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Jesus Christ’s atonement enables mankind to repent and be justified or pardoned from punishment they otherwise would receive” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Justification, Justify”; scriptures.lds.org; see also Romans 3:21–28; 4:6–8; 5:10, 19). (Institute New Testament Manual)

True discipleship is found in our inward commitment, not just in our actions.

It is clear that God is very much interested in the heart of a person.  See 1 Chronicles 28: 9 ¶ And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a ^aperfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord ^bsearcheth all hearts, and ^cunderstandethall the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou ^dseek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Jesus declared, “ I am he which ^asearcheth the ^breins and hearts ” (Rev. 2:23).  John Taylor said: ‘We may deceive one another, and, in some circumstances, as counterfeit coin passes for that which is considered true and valuable among men. But God searches the hearts (1 Sam. 16:7, Ps. 139:23-24.Jer. 17:10) and tries the reins of the children of men. (Ps. 26:2, Rev. 2:23) He knows our thoughts and comprehends our desires and feelings; he knows our acts and the motives which prompt us to perform them.’ (Journal of Discourses)

Jesus told the Pharisees, “God knoweth your hearts” (Luke 16:15).  God has always opposed those who would do things outwardly while the heart is far from Him.  Jesus spoke against the Pharisees of His day:

Matthew 15: 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their ^amouth, and ^bhonoureth me with their lips; but their ^cheart is far from me.

“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”

See my blog on Elder Renlund’s talk Abound with Blessings

We are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ through His atoning sacrifice. Immortality (resurrection) is a free gift we all receive because of His grace. Eternal life is also a gift of grace, but it is conditional upon each individual’s own best efforts. Those who make their best efforts to follow Christ are promised His help, strength, and assistance to do works they could not otherwise do (see 2 Corinthians 9:8). Through His grace we receive a measure of faith (see Romans 12:3), and through faith (confidence and reliance upon Christ) we please God (see Hebrews 11:6). Our faith is perfected by our works (see James 2:22). Therefore, we gain eternal life through Christ by living His commandments and being perfected in Him (Moroni 10:32).