Category: Romans

Without Excuse

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

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” vs. 20

One of the things I like about social media is the ability to share pictures. Pictures you have taken yourself, or ones you have found that capture your heart. A Texas sunset, mountains covered in snow, a colorful bird, and the babies-so many babies. Often the individual that posted the pictures will marvel at the beauty of creation. Design, form, structure, and artistry are all a part of this miracle we share.

This is why the architects of the great cathedrals would create such vast and grand structures to worship the Lord. They were designed to take your breath away and make you think how great our God truly is.

Man is without excuse. We need only step outside and look around to see evidence of the Lord. We can try to justify our desires and our actions, but the truth of creation will ultimately demand that we reconcile his plan against our own. Whatever it is, how could it measure up to God’s perfection? Let it go.

The Wrath of God

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

“For the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of men.”—v 18.

Can the LOVE of God be reconciled with His WRATH?  Does the Eternal One have two perfectly balanced, internally consistent aspects to His nature?  “Yes”, say the Apostles.

Wrath is the other side of God’s love.  Protective.  Strong.

None of us is surprised, or offended, to see a Father rage against an enemy who threatens the daughter he loves. So, God rages against sin and its terrible consequences.  Except, He doesn’t rage.  His wrath is not a burst of anger. (wrong word in Greek).  Wrath is a settled, fierce, eternal opposition toward evil. Dangerously calm it is.

Two attitudes are desirable from us toward this Great Mind, Great Power.  “You shall LOVE the Lord with all your heart.”—Deuteronomy 6:5.

“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, He is to be FEARED.”—Psalm 96:4

All called

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

“Paul . . .called to be an apostle. . .to all who are in Rome. . .and called to be saints. v 1, 6.

It is finally here!  September 6.  “Forward in RE Verse”.  The beginning of a new year for our church.  New classes.  New schedule.  A new study in Romans.  Exciting!

In preparation for this day, the leadership team sponsored an “all call” initiative.  The goal was for every member to receive a phone call (or text or email or tweet) inviting them to be a part of the new, next chapter.

It makes sense.  By the CALL of Christ that we become Christians.  We are “those who love Him, who are CALLED according to His purpose”–Romans 8:28.  By the CALL of Christ we know our assignment.  Apostle.  Saints.

Did you get a call? This week? From one a leader in our fellowship?  Hopefully.  Have you, over time, received a call from the Lord?  Yes!  Yes, you have!

Deep Calls to Deep

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

On occasion someone will suggest to me that they need to swim away from the shallow shore of the Gospel into deeper theological waters. There is truth to that, of course. Both Paul and the writer of Hebrews write that Christians should move beyond spiritual milk to eating solid fare(Hebrews 5:2,1 Corinthians 3:2), although they seem far more concerned with Christians becoming fully discipled than having superior knowledge. From the beginning, Paul’s letter to the Romans makes it abundantly clear, once you have left the shore for deeper waters, when your toes can no longer touch the bottom, you discover that you haven’t moved beyond the Gospel at all, but are now submerged in its immeasurable depths. There is no part of life that the Gospel does not reach; it is our hermeneutic for all of life, the lens we peer through, the ocean in which we swim.

You don’t graduate from the Gospel, you dive into its depths. Will you join me? I can’t touch the bottom, but the water is just fine.

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. “12 that 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!!

Under Obligation

Re: Verse reading–Romans 1:1–17 (day four)  Why was Paul not ashamed of the gospel? …because it is the power of God for salvation.  Paul knew that the ‘good news’ of Jesus…His sinless life, His death on the cross, His resurrection from the dead and His ascension into heaven…had power over sin, death, and eternity.  Paul knew that there was no other event, or action, or relationship that was more important than this ‘good news’.  Fear of man, fear of ridicule, fear of persecution or even fear of death…nothing was so bad as to miss the message of the gospel.  Paul said he was under obligation to tell everyone about the gospel.  What about you?  Do you feel an obligation to tell others about Christ?  Are you willing to take the risk to share the righteousness of God?  For Paul, it was a privilege to share.  May God grant us the eagerness to share the gospel with everyone who we come in contact with!

Pleasantries

Re: Verse reading—Romans 1:1–17 (day three)  

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Sometimes when you read an email, the more that people use pleasantries up front–“Hope you’re having a great day”, “I pray you’re well”, “How have you been?”, etc., the more you anticipate unpleasantness. What sales pitch will you hear? What favor will you get asked to do? What will the writer try to convince you to give up? You know the drill. Paul, though, was blessing his readers, not buttering them up. Would they read things in his letters that they wouldn’t like–things that would be hard to accept? Absolutely. But Paul prayed for them that grace and peace would operate in their souls so that they could receive the revelation of reality. May we use such words in the same way.

Grateful for Y’all

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

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. vs. 8

This is the NASB translation, but may provide some evidence that Paul was also writing to the church in Texas. This is as close to y’all as we will see in scripture.

The write of Hebrews says this: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (10:24). If we are in the business of helping, serving, and loving others then it stands to reason that we ought to let others know when we see them serving well. In the midst of a society that was intolerant toward the gospel, Paul went out of his way to give thanks to those in the field who were serving well. He acknowledged their struggle and declared that he was “not ashamed” of the good news that he and they were declaring. I can imagine what a boon to the Roman believer’s spirits to read these words from Paul. May they encourage you also as you serve a world that is increasingly intolerant of God’s love. Serve well.

Not ashamed

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

“I am not ashamed of the gospel.”–v 16.

Do you know what shame feels like?  I do.  Hesitant to say what you think or feel.  Worried what people will think. Anxious. Inhibited.

The Bible says that a new sense of self, a new confidence comes to people who are in Christ!  On the day of Pentecost, as an effect of being filled with the Holy Ghost, the disciples experienced a confidence they had never dreamed of. (Acts 3:13) God intends this same boldness for us.

In Romans 1, Paul uses a powerful word.  Aischuno meant deformed.  Epi-aischuno (literally “upon the deformed”)  referred to feelings common to people with handicaps, feelings of being inadequate or incapable.

I DON’T feel that, says Paul.  Not any more.  I am competent in Christ!  God loves me and has given me His powerful message.  I am NOT ASHAMED!

Do you know this Christ-confidence, this release from fear?  You can.