“Even the Romans”

( — A Poem for those who believe themselves to be ‘Counted Out’ )

They said: You were born of iron, not light,

A shadowed name, a bloodstained rite.

Too hardened, too heathen, too far from grace —

Yet God looked deeper than your face.

They said: You bear no prophet’s seed,

No holy mark, no righteous creed.

But you — who trembled when Truth drew near —

Were seen by Heaven. Loud and clear.

For Justice is no man’s tribal song,

Nor bound to those who ‘had it all along’.

God’s favor is not bought or earned —

But welcomed, when the heart has turned.

Even the Romans, sword in hand,

Were given room to make a stand.

From slayers to saints — the path remains:

Through faith, through loss, through love, through chains.

Do not let your origin blind your soul,

Nor think that mercy won’t make you whole.

For Christ was sent for all who fall —

Not just the temple’s perfect hall.

The prophet’s reward is not locked in blood,

But in the welcoming of holy flood.

And you — yes you — who dared believe,

Shall surely, in the end, receive.

Take heart, then — ye wounded, ye formerly fierce, ye ones who were told you belong to the Beast.

The path remains. The cross still calls. And the throne of grace was built for all.

——— Biblical Background ———

Certainly — the perfect quote for that is from 1 Timothy 1:13, where Paul (formerly Saul) speaks of himself:

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.”

— 1 Timothy 1:13 (NIV)

This ties directly into Paul’s past — how he once persecuted the early Christians, yet God saw fit to transform him into one of the greatest apostles. He was a Roman citizen, a Pharisee, and a zealot for the law — yet faith in Christ made him new.

You may also want to reference this supporting line from Acts:

“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

— Acts 9:4 (KJV)

That was the moment everything turned.

💡 Together, these verses proclaim:

🕊️ No matter how dark your beginning — if you turn toward Christ in sincerity, your ending can shine eternal.

Mattew 10: 40-41.