Dots

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

“…being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” The mind is capable, Paul declares, of figuring out that the universe had a beginning, because physical existence is non-self-creating. Therefore, a non-physical force must be responsible for that beginning. A non-physical force is, by definition, spiritual. Any critical examination of that reality will yield the realization–the revelation, if you will–that God exists, that God is the Creator, and that God has set the universe to function in one particular way. The mind can connect these dots. There is no validity, then, for us to claim that we could not possibly have known of God. The question is, now that we know, what are we going to do?

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

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.

Something > fear

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

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something is more important than fear.”–Franklin Roosevelt.

It is a virtue ignored in the modern world.  Dismissed.  Sometimes, even by believers.  The fear of God!  A holy self-suspicion. A fear of God’s unbending and coming and holy judgement on our lives and choices.  A fear of offending Him, or making (and believing) excuses.  Not alarm and anxiety, but assurance of mercy offered to those who serve Him with sincerity.  Our Re: Verse passage this week says, “Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.”–2 Corinthians 5:11.  Do we?  Do we know this fear as a real and motivating experience?  Does it MOVE our hearts and DISLODGE our silence?  Does it cause us to face our fear of rejection because we fear something ever worse?  Is Paul alone here or do we also know the fear of the Lord?

Purchased Life

Re: Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:2-6 (day four)  It is for love of Christ…He died for us…He brought forgiveness and life through His resurrection.  Because of His work, we are new.  Everything in our lives is new as a result of His work of reconciliation.  By faith, we trust Him…receive forgiveness…and become ambassadors for Christ.  Ambassadors are sent by one sovereign to represent him in another country.  Christ has sent us to tell of his work of reconciliation here on earth.  Galatians 2:20 says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  Out of reverence to Christ, we walk in a manner worthy of Him.  As His ambassador, we must represent Him accurately to the world.  Are you living a crucified life?

Impending

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

“Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.” The clock tower of a church in Dallas reads “Night Cometh”. Wow. What a killjoy for a church’s image. Well, it’s not culturally attractive, but it sure is scripturally sound. These are in fact the very words of Jesus in John 9:4. If we were to consider with greater seriousness the reality of the impending judgment of God on this world, we might worry less about image and soften our hearts more towards people we encounter on a daily basis. We could make a practice of speaking these words as part of our morning devotion each day: Night cometh. How would these words begin to shape the way we live with others?