Author: Aaron Hufty

Re:Verse passage – Romans 11:33-36 (day two) 

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. v. 36

This passage reminds us that the riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge are beyond comprehension. It reminds us that there is so much unknowable about God, and yet we are allowed to participate in his work. Sometimes when I get around people who are more talented singers or conductors, better thinkers or writers, or just taller people in general, I tend to fall back and hide. Whether I don’t want to appear inadequate or just want to learn from them, I often choose not to participate. The Lord invites our participation. He has created us to be a part of the good work he is doing around us. Talk about incomprehensible! He does want us to grow and learn from his bounty, but he is not asking us to shrink away from full participation in the gospel. We will spend the rest of our lives trying to understand the mind of God, but it is on the job training! Give God the praise for his incredible love for you today.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 10:5-13 (day two)

 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” v. 11

Have I done enough? Has this question ever plagued you? Perhaps it was on a test, a job, a relationship; whatever it was, there may have been a nagging feeling like there was more that could have been done. Inevitably then, you are left wondering if what you have done will be rejected. This is not how we are designed to live in faith. One of the great truths of our calling in Jesus is that through him and by him we have security. We didn’t earn it, and we can’t lose it. Do you see how this should transform your outlook? Trying to do more to earn position or respect is exhausting. Knowing you are loved frees you to love and serve others. The ‘doing’ now becomes an outpouring of gratitude for what Jesus has done for you. Jesus is enough.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 9:30-33 (day two)

 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, v. 32

When you look at the law, particularly the commandments, where do you find grace? Don’t get me wrong, they were given by the God of Grace and Glory, but their intent was not mercy. Their intent was to be a plumb line for righteousness, and as such unattainable. No one is perfect. That is what the sacrificial system was for; to achieve atonement and forgiveness. Over time the law was viewed more as a merit system. Rather than helping people to see their need for forgiveness, it was viewed as a scorecard. This is a tendency that we all much acknowledge. We get so enamored with following the rules that we often forget why the rules were put in place. We take our eyes off the running of the race toward the giver of peace. The law has always served a purpose, but a pursuit of faith is where our assurance must lie.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:31-39 (day two)

 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. vv. 38-39

Ok, once more for the kid in the back…NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. Read it again, and again, and again. Do you struggle with this truth? Perhaps you feel as though there is a limit to God’s patience. Maybe you feel such guilt, shame, or fear which limits your understanding of God’s compassion. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Paul is writing this to an audience that needed to hear this reassurance. If these words are written in scripture, you can bet it is because they needed to be heard, and still need to be heard. We struggle against this never-ending love because we don’t have that capacity in our own hearts, and we are being convinced that God uses the same yardstick as we do. That is a lie straight from the deceiver. God’s ways are not your ways. He does not measure as we measure. Look at that list that Paul gives us in this passage. There are some pretty weighty forces, but none are stronger than the love of God. Take a deep breath, and let the love of your eternal father bring you peace.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 6:1-14 (day two)

 but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. v. 13b

We are prone to sin. Let’s get that clear from the beginning. Paul however makes it clear we were dead, but are now alive. How much are we focusing on living a resurrected life? As adopted children and heirs to the kingdom, how does this change your outlook and mission? Don’t misunderstand me, we must always confront our bent nature; but we must act in the power of the Spirit to live with purpose. How can this mindset change your understanding of your calling? Jesus’ resurrected life was filled with purpose and power, and we should live as though it was meant for us as well. Present your whole self as an instrument of righteousness and get to work.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 5:1-8  (day two) 

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. v. 6

Nothing you do, have done, or will do will ever earn your salvation. Period. How often do you need reminding of that fact? Even among believers we can have a heart knowledge that Christ has given himself for us as a free gift, but something in our head struggles to come to grips with this truth. Don’t buy into the lie that your past is a disqualifier. Mercy isn’t mercy if you have to earn it. Feeling unworthy of the gift is understandable and often very humbling. But make no mistake, this gift is the distinguishing marker for all believers. Christ died for you. Accept that gift. Now go and tell others.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 3:21-31 (day two)

Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. v. 27

Have you ever been in a group where a leader asks a question and someone almost trips over themselves to answer? It becomes less about knowing the answer and more about showing off. There is a natural tendency in most of us to demonstrate a kind of superiority over others by virtue of experience or knowledge. Often our hope is that this will curry favor with the leader, or somehow raise our worth in the eyes of the others in the group. The efficacy of this trait is debatable, but scripture leaves no room for doubt about this characteristic in our faith walk.

We bring nothing worthy of righteousness. If we did, it would nullify the work of Christ and make his death meaningless. Even the ‘best’ of us must come to the realization that without the gift of God’s grace, we completely fall short. This in no way should discourage you. The exhausting path you are on to try and prove your worth can be set aside for the all-sufficient love of Christ on the cross. Your value is in and through Jesus, not in addition to him. Stop trying to measure up. Surrender and be filled with the measure of grace.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 2:5-16
(day two) 

to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; ⁸ but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. v. 7-8

This isn’t a passage about your works and earning your salvation; rather it is about your focus. Those who have allowed the gospel to penetrate their hearts have evidence of Christ in everything they do. It doesn’t make them perfect, but the work of the gospel begins to re-focus how we live. To those who refuse to allow this message to change them, it is also evident. Our focus determines our path. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, our lives should calibrate towards his. Those things which cause turmoil, struggle, or hurt should be laid at his feet and viewed in the light of the cross. Even if they are not removed from your path, how you deal with them is changed.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 1:14–17 (day two) 

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. v. 14

The first chapter of Romans seems a perfect segue from our summer study of discipleship. As we have spent the past three months tackling what it means to be a disciple, Paul thrusts us into work of sharing the gospel. Cultivating our relationship with the Lord and training in our understanding of what it means to follow him should inexorably lead us to the position of sharing with others. Paul states in this passage that he is not ashamed of the gospel. Are we? If the good news has moved us from a place of death to life, why do we hesitate to share? This message is for all, and if we don’t share it, who will?