Scott Lane

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.

Different Vantage Points

Re:Verse reading–Romans 1:18-32 (day five)

Last summer I traveled to Alaska with our Chapel Singers. One of the highlights was a trip to Denali National Park. Our travel literally took us around what is now called Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley). There were several places to stop and see this magnificent landmark. Each one provided a different, yet amazing view of this mountain. The different vantage points when combined, gave me a better understanding and appreciation of the vastness and beauty of whole mountain. If I had only seen one side or perspective, it would have been spectacular, yet I would have missed seeing and experiencing SO much more.

In Romans chapter 1, Paul shares glimpses or snapshots of God’s character and nature. (Same Holy and Loving God- different vantage points) God’s Power (v. 16), God’s Righteousness (v. 17), God’s Wrath (v. 18), God’s Glory (v. 20).

If we don’t continue to observe and be in awe of the many facets of God’s Nature and Character, we will miss seeing and experiencing SO much more of Him.

Good Theology

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

In the first part of Romans chapter1, Paul does an amazing job of theologically expounding on who Jesus is and how He connects to the Gospel. It is strong, clear, and concise.

He also has theological thoughts and insights about how faith operates when Christians are gathered together. “¹²that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

Paul makes it clear that encouragement can come to each believer- from the strongest in faith to the weakest- from the newest to the most seasoned. Every one of us fits in these parameters somewhere.

Let us gather Sunday with anticipation and joy- from the weakest to the strongest- from the newest to the most seasoned. Let us be encouraged by vibrant and authentic faith as we pray, worship, study, and influence each other!!

Litmus

Re: Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:2-6 (day five)

Every year we take our children to the doctor for their annual physical check-up/exam. Some visits bring pain and agony, while others are relatively pain free. But, it is necessary to track our children’s health and well-being.

It’s a similar practice for me. Every January I read the same book, “Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health” by Donald Whitney. It’s a way to help evaluate my spiritual health. Some “visits” are painful and others are encouraging. One of the “Litmus Tests” Whitney administers, is to check the way we see, feel, and express concern for others (primarily non-Christians).

He writes, “No one who is indwelled by the Spirit of Jesus can remain unfeeling toward the temporal or spiritual needs of others made plain. Growth in Christlikeness involves perceiving those needs sooner than before, and not just when they become obvious to everyone… There is no Christlikeness in throwing money at a physical need or in dutifully reading a few Bible verses to an unbeliever and apathetically sending him on his way to hell”

Read Colossians 4:5-6 Say “Amen” or “Ouch”!!

Distinguishing

Re: Verse reading– Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 6:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25 (day five)

Acts 4 ³²And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul.

There are many distinguishing marks of a person who has been given new life and a new heart in Christ: hunger for the scriptures, different strategy for battling sin, love for Jesus, love for others, and a love for the church (people/family of God). This love for the church results in more than appreciation and affection for other believers. Yes, something deeper and more significant happens to believers that who are called and placed by God to worship, serve, and be a light together. One of the distinguishing marks of a church (people) filled with Holy Spirit is unity. Only the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit can unify a group or body of believers in mission, purpose, priority, and activity. The presence and power of God are clearly on display when His children and church are unified and are joyfully and intentionally deepening friendships/relationships with each other.