Category: Romans

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

“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.” Verse 14 uses an interesting word to describe Paul’s relationship to the people in the Roman church and to all Roman citizens—“obligated.” It literally means a debtor, or someone who owes a financial debt to another person. How can he be in debt or obligated to these people he has never met (the people in the church much less the people who live in Rome)?  Think about two hypothetical circumstances in which I might be in debt to you. First, you lend me money. I am in debt to you until I pay you back. Second, someone gives me money to give to you. I am in debt to you until I give it to you. This second example is the context to which Paul is referring. He has been given the gospel to give/share with all others. He now lives indebted to everyone/everywhere to give them the gospel. Fact is, we as believers have been given the same gift and same instruction to share it with everyone/everywhere. Most of us (me too) don’t often if ever, have this perspective. We don’t live with that burden and passion to give away and share the gospel as we’ve been commanded. Instead of living as if obligated, the temptation is to live as entitled. How might this perspective shape the way we see, talk to, and serve all of those around us?

The Savior hath given us freely,
Salvation and grace through His name,
He bids us to publish His gospel,
Its words to all creatures proclaim;
We’re debtors to those who are dying,
And never its power have known;
Can we who so richly are favored
Still leave them to perish alone?

They perish, they perish,
Yet Jesus to save them has died;
Go pay them the debt that we owe them,
Those souls who in darkness abide.
Clara M. Brooks

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

We tend to want to overcomplicate the gospel. I wonder if we do that because the gospel itself seems too simple, so simple it’s illogical. We devise ways of over complicating the gospel because surely, salvation can’t be that easy. It can’t simply come down to faith – a secret password, birthright, or a resumé of good works has to fit in somewhere. It’s almost offensively simple. The only thing required for salvation and eternal life is faith in Christ.

The fact that it’s that simple tells us a lot about who God is and who we are. We can do nothing to earn salvation because nothing we have to offer can satisfy God’s holiness and righteousness. We are so sinful, so fallen from God’s glorious standard that we could spend our lives scraping up all we can find to offer to God, and it would not be enough to earn a place in his Kingdom. That is the effect of sin. But it says even more about who God is. God is so loving that he offers his people – all of his people – a way to enter his kingdom and live with him for eternity. Knowing we cannot offer anything of our own, he offers himself as the perfect sacrifice. All we must do is trust in him and accept the gift of his sacrifice on the cross. It’s as simple as receiving a gift that has already been bought. The simplicity of the gospel shows us the depth of our sin, and even more so the depth of God’s love for us.

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

¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

At the time that Paul wrote these words, it would have been hard to swallow for either people group. The Greeks (or Gentiles) would have been annoyed that Paul was saying the Jews have first crack at salvation, while the Jews would have been beside themselves that anyone else could have salvation from God. Paul’s aim here, though, is to humble all his readers and place everyone on level standing.

No single person or people group is more deserving of God’s grace and salvation than any other. The salvation of God is “for everyone who believes.” I am sure that most of us read this and, on the surface, agree. But when we think about it further, we may tend to think, “Wait a minute! What about the evil people? How can salvation be for those that live a life doing wicked and sinful things, only to be given salvation if they believe in Him?” This is where we see the goodness, grace, and mercy of God.

Just take a look at Paul. He was a terrible, wicked man that was okay with murdering those that opposed his views. Mary Magdalene led a sinful life until she met Jesus. Moses was a murderer until he met I AM. The thief on the cross was on the cross for a reason but was given salvation because he simply believed in Jesus while standing at death’s door. That is Good News indeed!

As we look at Romans, our overarching theme is that the gospel is for all people. Who around you needs to hear the Good News of Jesus?

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?

Re:Verse reading–Romans 14:1-21 (day five)

We’ve heard it said thousands of times, “The Christian life is not an ‘individual sport’ but rather a ‘team sport’ “. We are called and commanded to live in community, accountability, and fellowship with other believers. These relationships and friendships can be challenging to say the least. There must be mutual respect, discernment, and sacrifice from each believer for these relationships to reflect the love, grace, and power of God. Whether the image of “church body” or “church family” is used, there remains the sense of commitment, connection, and concern for each other. We must be intentional and deliberate in the way we approach and relate to one another. Look at verse 19, “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”

So, a couple of questions to consider: How aware are we of our influence in relationships with and responsibility for one another? Would the growth and maturity of another believer be enough motivation to practice patience, gentleness, and sacrifice?

Re:Verse reading–Romans 14:1-21 (day four)

Dear Heavenly Father,

It is that time of year again…cooler air, leaves are beginning to change, the harvest is ripe…and we turn our hearts to thanksgiving. It is a time for us to remember your blessings in our nation’s heritage. You have been generous in Your provision. Cause our hearts to be grateful throughout the year though…Your blessings are not confined to November only. Accept our thanks for the gift of life, thank you for family and for friends. Thank you for your Word that teaches us of you. Thank you for forgiveness and salvation.  Thank you for relationships that sharpen us for your service. Thank you for hope…thank you for peace…thank you for the joy of life. Thank you also for the trials that come our way.  Thank you for the difficult times that teach us to trust you.  Accept our gratitude for your limitless supply of grace. You know our hearts…search us and cleanse us for your glory. There is none beside you…we worship you!     In Jesus’ Name We Pray, Amen.

Re:Verse reading–Romans 14:1-21 (day three)

“The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking.” Just what, then, is the kingdom of God a matter of? If it isn’t a distinct way of living, a particular method of conducting our affairs, a penchant for upending expectations, then why are we learning all this stuff? Paul refocuses our thinking. It is possible for us to get into the habit of calling our behavior “counter-cultural”, when it’s actually a version of “I thank thee that I am not like this tax collector.”   Paul instead grounds the kingdom in God’s sovereign intent for humanity: righteousness, peace, and joy. Don’t look for “better behavior”; look for righteousness. Don’t look for agreement among like-minded people; look for peace. Don’t look for satisfaction; look for joy. Where you find those three, you will find God’s kingdom.

Re:Verse reading–Romans 14:1-21 (day two) For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. vs. 15 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. vs 21

In this great body of believers it is not out of the realm of possibility to assume that not everyone will think or act like you. It is also fair to assume that some will think or act counter to what you think wise. Different people have different priorities, this is not a surprise. But if the Body of Christ is to move forward collectively how shall we contend with these differences; especially when they can be so divisive?

Scholar Melanie Ross offers a suggestion in the introduction to her book Evangelical Versus Liturgical? She suggests that we extend the hermeneutic of charity to all those who are ultimately striving for Kingdom work. There are things which we will disagree upon, and some of them may be profound. As we enter this holiday season where we will sit across the table from family and enter into the taboo topics of religion and politics, season your speech with the idea that if we are at the heart seeking to bring others to Christ and we can agree on who he is and what he came to do. This will go a long way towards peace. Happy Thanksgiving.

Re:Verse reading–Romans 14:1-21 (day one)

“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?  To his own master he stands or falls.”  v 4.

It is not my job to pass judgement on another believer.  (I can speak TRUTH to him.  Applied with love, God’s Word is a sharp sword and a healing balm.  See Ephesians 4:15.)  I am forbidden, however,  from being harshly critical of his choices or speculating about his relationship to God as indicated by them.  Too many factors are involved.  Things that I do not know.  I am not his master.  Good thing!

“Therefore, do not go on passing judgement before the time; wait until the Lord comes.  HE will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.  At that time each will receive their praise from God.”–1 Corinthians 4:5.

Are you critical of another believer?  Publicly?  Privately?  God wisely tells me.  Judging others is not my job.