Scott Lane

“The Times”

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day five)

When you think about “the current times” what goes through your mind? Evil? Uncertainty? Terrorism? Divided Country? Persecution?

Paul had a completely different approach and theology of “the times”. He proposes in Romans 13 that “knowing the time” is a motivation for an attitude of love and acts of love. Throughout Romans 12 and 13, Paul gives a brilliant theology of “the times” worth noting. 13:11 “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.”

A look back to chapter 12 reminds us that we ought not be naive or unaware of the dangers, temptations, and darkness that are present in the current times. We are to avoid conformity. However, in chapter 13 he offers another perspective. In the current times there is also hope, opportunity, and certainty. “Awaken from Sleep”, “The day is near”, “Salvation is nearer”, .

How do you think about “The Times”? Is there a balance between realism and optimism? Is there concern and joy? Is there motivation to love and show God’s kindness and Glory to anyone/everyone?

A New Approach

Re:Verse passage: Romans 12 (day five)

The Old Testament system asked for animals to be brought to the altar, sacrificed and burned for atonement. Jesus came, died, rose again and became the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sin(s). What now? A new approach and perspective on atonement is prescribed. Romans 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

The altar is still an image and picture of God and His relationship with His people. We are exhorted to still come to the altar (alive) not to make an atoning sacrifice for our sin, but a living sacrifice, because atonement has already been made. R.C. Sproul says, “To be a Christian means to live a life of sacrifice, a life of presentation, making a gift of ourselves to God… that is the appropriate response to Him and for Him.”

Have It vs. Get It

Re:Verse reading–Romans 9:1-8, Romans 10:1-21 (day five)

It’s a burden that teachers carry, the desire for their students to “get it”. Whether to learn a behavior or understand a concept, the good teachers always speak in these terms about goals and objectives for those in their classes.

Paul has a burden for a deeper and more meaningful goal. He is burdened for salvation to capture the hearts of his “kinsmen”. Romans 9:1-2 “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.” Romans 10:1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” Paul’s burden is for his brethren to “have it”- a saving encounter with Jesus. He knows what we should know. When you “have it”, the Holy Spirit works in the heart and mind of the believer so that they “get it”. As we share the gospel and pray for the salvation of friends, neighbors, and others, our desire and burden should be for them to “have it” first and foremost.

Opinion, Persuasion, Conviction

Re:Verse reading–Romans 8:18-39 (day five)

Within Evangelical Christian Orthodoxy there are all kinds of faith statements and personal points of view. Yet, we leave room to disagree in some cases(opinion), less room for others to disagree with our stronger beliefs and interpretations (persuasion), and no room for disagreement or wavering on certain points (conviction).

Paul makes a “conviction” statement in verse 38. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor 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.”

In your own faith and doctrinal beliefs, which points and issues fall into these categories? Paul certainly had many beliefs that he was unwilling to bend. What are your convictions (non-negotiables)? What hope, strength, and comfort come from them?

It’s What you Do

Re:Verse reading–Romans 8:1-17 (day five)

Have you seen the Geico commercials? They have branded the tag line, “It’s what you do”. There are several silly examples. If you’re the band Europe, you love a final Countdown; it’s what you do. If you’re a golf commentator, you whisper; it’s what you do. If you’re a fisherman, you tell tales; it’s what you do. In other words, there are certain and unchanging traits that people have.

A similar kind of logic is being made for the Holy Spirit in Romans 8. Look at verse 11, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” The Holy Spirit who dwells in Christians is exactly the same person who raised Jesus from the dead. Just as the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, so the Holy Spirit will raise the bodies of believers from the grave.

If you’re the Holy Spirit, you raise people from the dead; it’s what you do.

May It Never Be!

Re: Verse reading–Romans 6 (day five)

Freedom is a funny thing. Every year for the past 25 years of youth ministry, I watch a new group of High School graduates enter a new chapter of life. One of the most significant dynamics that marks this new chapter is Freedom. In fact, I tell our graduates, “you will never have more freedom than you do during this new season of life.” As they move into the work force or university life they finally get “to do what I want to do”. Their response to this newfound independence is very telling about their view of Freedom. Paul writes in chapter 6 of Romans His answer to the same issue as it relates to newfound freedom in Christ. Question: “Do I get to do what I want to do, now that I am saved and forgiven?” His response, “May it never be!” In other words, “NO!!” I like what C JoyBell C. says, “Freedom is not the absence of commitment, and to be committed to something or to someone does not mean the loss of freedom”.

Helpless

Re:Verse reading–Romans 5:1-11 (day five)

Romans 5:6 “For while we were still helpless”. I’ve seen glimpses of “Helpless” in a few scenes from my experiences: Over 16 years ago- our newborn baby girl who was unable to feed, clean, or clothe herself. Recently- a terrified father sitting in the front passenger seat unable to turn, stop, or accelerate the vehicle while aforementioned daughter learns how to drive/aim a car. There is a common thread in these pictures. Both helpless characters in these pictures were “unable” to have any control to influence, change, or fix their circumstance. We don’t like to think of ourselves as “helpless”. Yet, in a spiritual sense, that’s how the Scripture describes us, and how the Lord sees us. We are all Helpless in that we are unable to change or correct our spiritually dead condition. What a kind and generous God we have, that offers life (rescue, hope, and salvation) to us, the helpless.

What does the Scripture say?

Re:Verse reading–Romans 4:1-25 (day five)

Romans 4:3- For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” In a culture where there are SO many different views and interpretations of the scripture, Paul gives us the best example for a starting place in our approach to understanding the Bible. Seems like lots of people these days “interpret” the scripture to mean whatever they want or whatever will endorse existing beliefs and behaviors. That approach often starts with “What does the scripture mean?” But the better starting point is, “What does the scripture say?” The Bible is crystal clear about SO many doctrines, principles, and prescriptions for living in relationship and fellowship with God. We need not hurriedly apply our own preferences and presumptions in interpreting the Bible. We need to start by asking the simple question, “What does the Scripture say?”

All

Re:Verse reading–Romans 3:21-31 (day five)

Romans 3:23 is a good reminder that God looks at the human race far differently than I do. It is easy is to compare my sins to the sins of others. I imagine that some sins are worse or more deplorable than others. The scripture leaves NO room for that kind of thinking/reasoning. There are no “unsatisfactory, poor, satisfactory“ levels of sin. I remember asking a group of students how many of you are included in the group “all”. Everyone raised a hand. Of course that’s the point isn’t it? All of us, each of us, belong in this group!! No grades or progress reports are given. Everyone has failed- a discouraging thought indeed.

But, the despair of the “all” in verse 23 finds great hope in the “all” in verse 22. (Look it up). The righteousness of God needed by all (Romans 3:23) “who have sinned”, is offered to all (Romans 3:22) “through faith in Christ”.

Both/And

Re:Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day five)

⁴Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? Many people have inaccurate pictures or views of God. 1) God is a “wise and loving patriarchal figure” (grandfather in the sky) filled with wisdom and knowledge, but not actively engaged in the lives of His children. He won’t challenge or confront sin, idleness, or apathy. He’s too loving to do that sort of thing. 2) He’s a “genie in a bottle” ready to answer and fulfill all our requests and petitions at a moments notice.

Each of God’s character traits (Love, Kindness, Sovereignty, Righteousness, Holiness, etc.) exist for the purpose of His Glory AND our good. They both go together. To separate them is poor theology at best, and manipulative theology at worst. John Stott says, “For God’s kindness leads us towards repentance. That is its goal. It is intended to give us space in which to repent, not to give us an excuse for sinning.”

We must seek to find and understand both God’s Glory and our good as we worship, follow, serve, and grow.