Category: Romans
Jews need salvation!
Scripture reading for June 25th: Romans 9
Paul had a great desire to see his own brothers, the Jews, saved! In fact, he was willing to be cut off from Christ in order to see them come to know Christ! (Romans 9:3) This was the same attitude that Christ, Himself took when He went to the cross on behalf of His brothers! Paul had the Holy Spirit and he reflected God’s heart for the Jews as well as all people!
The Jews should have been the first to recognize Christ. They had the law, the covenants, and the promises of God through the Old Testament Scriptures as well as the lineage of Christ flowing from their line through Abraham! But Paul went on to point out that not all who descended from Abraham were God’s children of promise! (Romans 9:7-9) It was through Isaac that offspring would be reckoned. And even Isaac’s offspring, twins Jacob and Esau, found God’s promise flowing through Jacob and not Esau! This was announced before they were born! Not all Jews were part of God’s plan. Was God unjust?
Paul concluded that the Jews missed out on God’s promise. “What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.” (Romans 9:30-32)
We learn that we can all, like the Jews, miss God’s promise by trying to work for our right standing with God. We must simply believe in Jesus Christ and rest in the promise of righteousness by faith that has always been the way of God’s children. Have you trusted in Christ?
Law of the Spirit of Life!
Scripture reading for June 24th: Romans 8
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4)
Paul explained that he found deliverance from the sinful nature and the condemnation of a life of sin through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was a man like us, but without sin. He was made to be a sin offering for sinful man to pay the penalty for our sins–through His death! Now, through the gift of the Spirit, (from God our Father), we have been declared righteous! This is the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead that now gives eternal life to our mortal bodies! (Romans 8:10-11)
Paul next explained that those who are set free from the law of sin and death now live by the Holy Spirit. They must allow the Spirit to lead them in the way of Jesus the Son. In fact, the Holy Spirit confirms that we are children of God, adopted into His family! “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:15-16)
The new way of the Spirit!
Scripture reading for June 23rd: Romans 7
The way of Jesus Christ is not a set of laws or rules that one keeps to be right with God! Paul, a devout Jew before conversion, knew the futility of trying hard to keep God’s law and wrote about the experience to help those familiar with the law to experience the new freedom found in following Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
“So my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to Another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” (Romans 7:4-6)
Paul explained that the law of God was given to help man know what sin was. When Paul was young, before knowing God’s law, he was alive and unaware of the laws demands. When he learned the law, sin came to life in him and brought death to light. He became aware that he was ‘utterly sinful’ and a ‘slave to sin’. (Romans 7:13-14) He tried hard to keep the law, but failed repeatedly because of his sinful nature! (Romans 7:18-21)
But Paul found relief from his state of condemnation and death through Jesus Christ! Through the ‘new way of the Spirit’ he was released from the law, made alive, and set free to produce fruit for God! This way is available to all who would believe in Jesus Christ the Lord!
Grace delivers from sin!
Scripture reading for June 22nd: Romans 6
Someone has said that ‘sin takes you further than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and extracts a price higher than you want to pay.’ Sin is pleasurable for a season, but it always leads to bondage, darkness, and ultimately death–both physical and eternal! When the Gospel of God’s grace was preached, some falsely claimed that we should sin all the more so that God could receive pleasure in forgiving the sinner!
Paul explained that the true message of the Gospel of grace was not freedom to sin, but freedom to ‘sin not’! “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:1-4) This new life was in Christ Jesus, the One who never sinned and was now alive forever!
Our baptism is a drama that we personally and intentionally testify of our faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. As we are immersed in the water, we are saying that in Christ’s death, our old nature of sin was put to death through Christ’s sacrifice of His body and blood. We are buried with Him in baptism, signifying death! We are then raised from the water, signifying our identification with His resurrection to a new life! The old nature of sin has been buried and a new man has emerged, free from the power and penalty of sin!
Grace brings power over sin!
Scripture reading for June 19th: Romans 5
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God, our Father, is a giver of life and righteousness! As a ‘sinner,’ man could do no works that would bring him right standing with God. Sin brought death to all men–the original promise to Adam as the penalty for disobedience of God’s command. God knew what man needed and through His love gave a gift that was most precious–His only Son!
Not only that, but His Son would come and die for the sins that mankind had committed and pay the penalty for sin in His death. He was then raised from the dead to live forever as the Lord Jesus Christ! “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” (Romans 5:9-10)
So through Adam, sin entered the world and death came to all Adam’s offspring. It came, because all of them subsequently personally committed sin (disobedience) against the known will of God, either by His law or through conscience. Death reigned through sin and held men in its grip.
But God sent His Son, the man Jesus Christ, as a gift to sinful mankind! Jesus, unlike Adam, obeyed His Father God, completely and died to bring justification to those who would believe on Him. Through the Gift of the Father, grace was made available to sinners to save them from death and give them eternal life! The power of sin and death was forever broken by faith in Christ Jesus!
Abraham’s faith example!
Scripture reading for June 18th: Romans 4
Abraham and Sarah’s story is recorded in the first book of the Bible; Genesis chapters 12-25. The Jews traced their origin to this couple and held them in high regard. Paul used their story to illustrate how God has always justified people who believed Him.
“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about–but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:1-3)
Abraham did not work for God’s favor, but simply believed God that he would have offspring. Although Abraham was later obedient to God in the matter of circumcision, he was declared righteous before this ‘work’! Paul explained that circumcision was ‘a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.’ (Romans 4:11) Abraham thus could be the father of all who believe, circumcised or not. God has always used faith to bring righteousness, never works or keeping the law! The promise of righteousness by faith through God’s grace is guaranteed to all who believe! (Romans 4:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Abraham became the ‘father of many nations’ through believing God’s word that he and his wife would have offspring more than the stars of the sky! At the time Abraham and Sara were both beyond the years of child-bearing. In spite of this, “he did not waver through unbelief, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.”” (Romans 4:20-22) Abraham trusted God to do what He had promised! Have you trusted God for His promised gift of eternal life?
Righteousness given by faith alone!
Scripture reading for June 17th: Romans 3
Is there anyone in the world that is righteous–has right standing before God? Various religions have attempted to answer this question by offering ways that man can perform in a certain way and become right with God. Atheists and humanists claim that there is no ‘God’, and therefore man is free to do what feels good to him. Any hint of future reward or punishment is just a figment of the imagination. But Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, brings the truth to light about righteousness.
Even though the Jews had many advantages because of their history and God’s own written record of His law to them, they still had not kept God’s commands. The Gentiles, not having God’s law, had a form of it written on their hearts so that they too were without excuse before God on the issue of righteousness. (Romans 2:14-15) Paul concluded with a quote from the Psalms, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, who seeks God.” (Romans 3:10-11) God’s laws only bring a consciousness of sin to Jew and Gentile alike. All are guilty before God and lack right standing.
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from 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.” (Romans 3:21-25)
Righteousness is available to all by faith in Jesus Christ! This truth brings right standing with God on His terms!
God knows no ‘favorites’!
Scripture reading for June 16th: Romans 2
The charge that God is unjust and has ‘favorites’ has been around for years. Different groups and churches have used this idea to proclaim that they are God’s ‘favorites’ and the only way into God’s favor is to become a part of their group. The Jews of Paul’s day had this idea and Paul addressed it in his letter to the Romans.
The Jews felt that they were God’s ‘favorites’ because of their history. God had chosen Abraham and built a nation of people around this man’s response of faith to obey and follow God. God had redeemed this people from Egyptian bondage and given them His holy Law. The Jews condemned the Gentiles because they broke God’s laws and passed judgment. Paul warned the Jews to be concerned about their own performance and be quick to repent!
“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 thins, 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 to repentance?” (Romans 2:2-4)
God knows the truth about each person and He will judge justly. “For God does not show favoritism.” (Romans 2:11) We as men do not know the truth about others and are often blind to our own faults and sins. God has offered mercy to all men, Jew or Gentile through Jesus Christ. His kindness should lead us to repent–change our minds–about our own sinfulness and allow God to change us. God will judge men’s secrets on the day He chooses through His Son Jesus Christ! (Romans 2:16)
Receiving offerings!
Scripture reading for August 2nd: Romans 15:23-16:7
Paul explained to the Roman church his calling to reach the Gentiles and to preach to those who had never heard about Christ. He had been hindered from coming to visit them. He wanted to have their fellowship and invite them to assist him in going to Spain to preach the Gospel there. This would be new territory.
Paul explained where he was headed now. He was going to Jerusalem to bless the church there. Paul had received offerings from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to help the poor among the church in Jerusalem. Many of the Jews who had believed in Christ were cut off from their families and often lost their jobs. They were persecuted for their faith and this resulted in poverty and need. Because the Gentiles had shared in the Jew’s spiritual blessings through Christ, Paul told them that they had an obligation to share with these Jews their material blessings. Paul stated that these Gentile churches had given generously and with joy! (Romans 15:26-27)
“I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen.” (Romans 15:30-33) Paul’s great need as a missionary and apostle was prayer from the church. Prayer is as important as giving finances in accomplishing the work of God. Paul asked for protection from the unbelievers in Judea. He was aware of the potential danger to his own life and knew prayer would make a difference. He asked that God to enable him to serve the church in Jerusalem with excellence through his offerings and ministry. Paul also anticipated coming to the Roman church and having a time of refreshing with them as well. What great insight into the heart of the apostle Paul and his ministry through these last chapters of Romans!
Abounding in hope!
Scripture reading for August 1st: Romans 15:1-22
Paul concluded this letter with another admonition to the strong in faith. Believers are to bear with the failings of the weak and not just seek to please themselves. Our goal should be to build up our neighbors, not judge them! (Romans 15:1-2) Jesus set the example for us by offering Himself in our place to take the penalty of our sins! What we deserved fell on Him.
God wants His people to dwell together in unity and hope as they follow Christ! (Romans 15:5-6) The Scriptures teach us how to have hope by the stories of God’s miraculous power and by the record of Christ’s example. Jesus prayed for His disciples and those who would follow Him from their ministry. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.” (John 17:20-21) Unity is maintained as we walk in the Spirit and allow the Word to dwell in us. We have hope for the future because of the promises of God for those who believe. The best is yet to come!
Both Jew and Gentile must accept one another because Christ accepted them both! “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) This is the practical benediction from Paul to this group of Roman believers. What an encouragement it is to them to hear from the Apostle Paul that God is a God of hope! He wants all believers to be filled with joy and peace as they trust in Christ for their every need. As they are filled with the Holy Spirit, the power of God’s hope will bring them encouragement and perseverance through any and all trials.
As you think about this passage today, remind yourself that God is the God of all hope! Hope is not found in our world or it’s leaders. Their promises may or may not come true. But God has the power and ability to make good on His every word! Hope abounds in Our Lord forever!