Category: Romans
Justified by grace!
Scripture reading for June 16th: Romans 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Romans 3:21-25 “But now a righteousness from God, apart from the Law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.”
After showing that all men, Jew and Gentile, stood guilty of sin before God, Paul gave the simple remedy. God made a way through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice of His body and blood to justify all who would believe. The word ‘justify’ simply means to make right by a legal transaction. All men had sinned and the penalty was death. But God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to come and live in this world as a man, but without sin. Jesus, God’s Son, then offered His blood in place of sinful men’s blood or the blood of innocent animals. This justly satisfied God’s righteous anger against sin and the penalty of death for all who sinned. If we believe God, we are made righteous.
Observations for over-comers: Righteousness cannot be gained by any human works or religion. It is freely given as a gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on their behalf. “Abraham believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
God’s kindness leads us to repent!
Scripture reading for June 15th: Romans 2
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Romans 2:2-5 “Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed.”
The Jews were always looking down on the Gentiles who were involved in open acts of sinful behavior. They judged others in their own blindness that these same things were often going on in their own lives and hearts. Paul was telling them through this letter that all men must be open to God’s kindness and mercy through Jesus Christ. It was God’s kindness that lead men to repent, not His anger and wrath. God’s anger and wrath came as a result of sin through the free choice of men. Their sinful actions brought God’s wrath because He had revealed Himself through nature and through conscience to all men. Faith in Jesus Christ was the only way to righteousness.
Observations for over-comers: Don’t pass judgment on others who may be caught in sin. God is good and kind to us all, which has lead to our own repentance as over-comers! Show grace and call sinners to repent and escape God’s wrath through faith in Jesus Christ! “In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; He will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord Our Righteousness.'” (Jeremiah 33:15-16)
God’s revelation to all men!
Scripture reading for June 14th: Romans 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Romans 1:18-20 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–His eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
Paul’s letter to the Romans is a revelation of the gospel message of righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ. In these verses Paul clearly states that all men have had the opportunity to see and understand God’s eternal power and divine nature through God’s revelation though creation. Even though men have this revelation from God, Himself, they suppress this truth in unrighteousness. They purposely block out what God clearly has revealed. This willful suppression brings an ongoing revelation of God’s wrath upon them because sin brings death! This wrath is seen in God giving men over to their sinful desires. This willful exchange of truth for a lie leads to immorality with ever-increasing depravity.
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers realize that God has revealed Himself to all mankind through creation. They call people to account with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealing the only way to righteousness–through faith! “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)
Glory To the only Wise God!
Scripture reading for July 6th: Romans 16
Paul concluded his letter to the Roman believers with some personal greetings! He mentioned 36 people by name and referenced churches and other groups of believers associated with the individuals. Our God cares and knows each person by name! Good pastors know people by name and care for them personally!”
“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.” (Romans 16:17-19)
Paul warned the believers about people causing division or adding rules or anything that would hinder their spiritual walk. “Keep away from them!” was his simple advice! He also encouraged them to live a pure life and to avoid evil. Some today advocate allowing or experiencing the world so that believers can be more understanding and relevant. Paul taught that it was right for believers to maintain an innocence towards the world and it’s evil and grow in wisdom about what is good! We would do well to put this into practice with our own families! Much of what we call ‘entertainment’ would have to be removed from our homes and lives! We need more ‘wisdom’ about what is good in God’s sight!
“Now unto Him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, . . .by the command of the Eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey Him–to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen!” Romans 16:25-27
The God of Hope and Encouragement!
Scripture reading for July 3rd: Romans 15
Paul identified himself with those who were ‘strong’ in their faith. He understood the liberty that believers have in Jesus Christ. He also knew that strong believers might become prideful and judgmental, as he had been towards followers of Christ before he was saved. In order to encourage the strong believers, he asked them to bear with the failings of the weaker believers. “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on Me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:2-4)
Christ, our example, always sought to please the Father and as a result suffered for it. He was insulted and ridiculed as a ‘friend of tax collectors and sinners‘! Those insults were directed towards Christ and the Father! But Christ was on a mission to save the lost, not condemn them! The Scriptures record the endurance and message of hope that Christ proclaimed in order to help us follow His example. So must we be kind, patient, and encouraging to those who are weaker in their faith. We must accept them as Christ accepted us and cultivate unity and love.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are filled with joy and peace through faith in Christ! The Holy Spirit brings a hope that ‘overflows’ into the lives believers encouraging all!
Are you ‘weak’ or ‘strong’?
Scripture reading for July 2nd: Romans 14
“For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (Romans 12:3) Paul had exhorted the believers to dedicate their bodies to God and renew their minds with His word. He had instructed them to think soberly about their own lives, calling, and gifts. Some, however, were not as strong as others in their faith and walk of liberty with the Lord.
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:1-4) Some of the believers with ‘stronger’ faith were passing judgment on those who limited what they could eat to vegetables. Those with ‘weaker’ faith were also passing judgment on those who ate everything. Under Christ’s New Covenant of grace, each person would answer to God in matters like diet that were disputable.
As New Testament believers and children of God, we must seek to please the Father by walking in faith. It is Christ who will enable each believer to stand before the Father through what He has done on our behalf. We must not judge one another on matters that are disputable!
Love fulfills the law!
Scripture reading for July 1st: Romans 13
God wants His children to overcome evil with doing good. (Romans 12:21) He has poured the love of God (Agape) into our hearts through His gift of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) God’s love always desires and does what is best for the total well-being of a person, even one we might consider our enemy!
Paul goes on to instruct the Roman Christians, Jew and Gentile, about the power of love. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandments there may be are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself. ” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10)
God’s law was really all about love! If you love another man and his wife, you will not commit adultery with his wife! This shows a lack of love for each of them and for God who commands you not to commit adultery! If you hate another person made in God’s image or plot to murder as a result, you lack love gifted to you by God the Father! If you steal or covet another’s property, you are not acting in love but in lust and selfish desire! Love always does what is best for our neighbor and fulfills God’s laws! This truth should minister grace and freedom to Jew and Gentile! Let the agape love that God has abundantly and freely give you flow out towards others today and please God!
God’s mercy inspires devotion!
Scripture reading for June 30th: Romans 12
“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided you continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22) Paul had warned the Gentile believers and churches severely concerning their continuance in the kindness of God. God would not show favorites! He cut off the Jews who did not believe in Christ or continue in faith and He would also judge believers who fell away from trusting in God’s mercy!
“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)
It is God’s mercy to us that inspires our devotion. As we understand how good and kind God has been to us through the sacrifice of His Son, we offer our bodies to Him as a sacrifice. Christ was the final blood sacrifice, and now in the New Testament times we are urged to willingly become ‘living sacrifices’! We no longer use our bodies to promote our selfish desires but learn what pleases God through prayer and studying His Word.
Our minds must be renewed because our thinking determines our actions! In order to test and approve God’s good and perfect will, we must train our minds by studying and memorizing His word. Through a dedicated body and a renewed mind that is transformed to think God’s thoughts we will please Him and continue in His mercy!
Grafted in by faith!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Romans 11
Paul concluded his section of the Roman letter dealing with his own people by using an example of an olive tree. Olives were cultivated in Israel and God had used other agricultural examples to teach throughout their history. He also used the Gentiles salvation in his example to “arose my own brothers to envy and save some of them.” (Romans 11:14)
“If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either. . . .And if they do not persist in their unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:17-21,23)
Paul likened the Gentiles to wild olive branches that because of faith were grafted into the tame olive root of the nation of Israel. They were now nourished by the sap from that root. The Jews, because of unbelief in Jesus Christ had been cut off the tree, natural branches now without nourishment! God wanted both Jew and Gentile to be part of the tree, and if faith was found in the natural branches, God could and would easily graft them in again. If the Gentiles departed from faith, they too would be cut off–God did not show partiality! Let’s all hang onto the Root!
Believe in your heart, confess with your mouth!
Scripture reading for June 26th: Romans 10
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, the did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”
Paul prayed for the salvation of his Jewish brothers and sisters! He personally knew their zeal for God, having himself been so zealous that he persecuted Christians and had them arrested and even killed. His own zeal was not in accordance with personal knowledge of Christ. He sought to establish his own righteousness by zealously keeping the law and standing against Christ. This changed when he personally met Christ and acknowledged His Lordship!
Paul explained the way of Jesus to his own brothers and to us as well. “”The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming; That if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heat that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”” (Romans 10:8-11)
The way of Jesus is so simple! We believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord! Have you believed this simple word of God? Today is the best day to respond in faith! You will never be sorry!