Tag: Romans 2:4
Day 4: Breach the door!
Scripture reading for May 14: Revelation 3:18-20 “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me.”
Our training officer brought a training aide to the station. It was a heavy iron door with a lock meant to help us learn how to breach a door to reach those inside needing rescue. We were divided into teams of two and put on our gear. We were given the assignment to open the door. We did inward opening doors one way, and outward opening doors the reverse. We used our axes as hammers and our halogen tool as a pry bar. Working together, we could gain access to this tough steel door with the proper technique.
Today’s passage, however, gives us a different perspective on how our Lord Jesus instructs us about breaching locked doors of the human heart. Each person has need to put on their spiritual gear. The gold refined by fire is our faith that comes from hearing and obeying God’s Word. Our faith is always tested by the fire of trial and persecution. It is meant to prove genuine like pure gold, reflecting the image of our Lord Jesus. We need the white robes of Christ’s righteousness which comes by faith through grace. Our Lord loves us and brings needed correction and discipline to help us, not harm us.
Next Jesus revealed how He breaches our heart door. He doesn’t use a halogen tool or an axe, but patiently knocks on the door, waiting for us to open to Him. If we willingly open, He will come in and share bread and drink with us in sweet communion. It’s His goodness that leads us to open our door. (Romans 2:4)
Prayer: Father God, we love to breach doors in our training and sometimes need that in rescuing those trapped in a fire. But help us to be gentle and knock when sharing Your love with others. Amen.
Day 3–Dealing with Offense
Scripture reading for April 29: Matthew 18:21 “Then Peter came up and said to Him (Jesus), “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
One of the most serious maladies of the soul is bitterness coming from unforgiveness. We are to guard our hearts because out of them flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23) When offenses come, (not if) we must handle them promptly and according to God’s example in Christ Jesus. A bitter root of unforgiveness in the heart will yield poisonous fruit coming from the inner man through the mouth and even the body in hurtful words and actions. We must choose to forgive by giving the offense to God and allowing Him to handle what is needed. Only God knows the heart of the person and can truly deal justly with the person and possibly lead them to repentance. When we forgive we exhibit the grace of God in Jesus Christ for all.
Peter was very impetuous. Following a prideful argument with several disciples about who was the greatest, Peter questioned Jesus about forgiving his brother who sinned against him. He asked how many times he was required by law to forgive. He generously offered seven times as a possibility. But Jesus simply astounded him with His answer of ‘seventy-seven’ times. Some versions say ‘seventy times seven’ which is more impossible to remember or count. That was Jesus’ point: don’t keep score, but show mercy!
Paul, writing to the Ephesians, instructed them to be kind to one another and tenderhearted. He understood Jesus’ character and example. It was goodness in God that opened the door for repentance. (Romans 2:4) When we forgive, we loose the person to experience God’s grace. We give a concrete example of Jesus’ grace for us.
Prayer: Father, as responders we sometimes become entangled in offenses like those we help. We need Your mercy and claim forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Form in us a tender heart and kindness towards those who offend us. Help us to forgive promptly and joyfully and pray for those offending. Amen.
Day 5–Bless as You Serve!
Scripture reading for March 20: Matthew 5:43-45 “”You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.””
Acts 20:35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
As we finish this week on being a servant of our Lord, it is good to be reminded of the words of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Servant/Leader. Normal human behavior is to love those who love us and to hate those who hate us. This creates a culture of division and strife that binds up those involved in it. Jesus taught His followers that God’s adopted children must change their own ways to accurately reflect their heavenly Father.
God is Love and His Love gives blessings to all, the just and the unjust, the good and the evil. He sends rain to all, showering them with blessings. The sunshine of His Love is rising on all mankind and His goodness leads people to repentance. (Romans 2:4) God’s Love for the world of lost mankind moved Him to sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to demonstrate that love by giving His life-blood to pay for our sins.
As first responders, we can apply these truths to our lives each day. We must be hard workers and help the weak, giving them aid and blessing them with goodness. Even if they may treat us with disrespect or appear as enemies, we can pray for them and bless them. Remember, hurting people often hurt others. Even Jesus was reviled by those He came to serve and save. It cost Him His life, but the reward of seeing lost souls come into God’s family was worth it to Him. (Hebrews 12:2)
Prayer: Father God, thank You for serving me, even when I was self-centered and rebellious to You and Your ways. What a blessing I have received in adoption into My Father’s forever family. Use me to help the weak and give blessing to the hurting. Amen.
Gentleness and Respect
Scripture reading for November 11: 1 Peter 3
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3: 13-17
In our culture, gentleness and respect for others who mistreat us is almost unheard of. There is the desire for revenge and bad words and name-calling is often the response. This may escalate to acts of revenge, violence, or even murder. Early Christ followers were living in a similar pagan culture and Peter had advice for how believers should prepare themselves to respond.
First, Peter told those suffering, that if it was for righteousness, they would be blessed by God. His presence and peace would guard their hearts and minds. They were not to fear those causing the suffering, but understand that God was at work in their lives and would use those suffering unjustly to reflect the peace of Jesus and joy of salvation to them. If they asked the reason for their peace, they should be ready to share the Gospel with them in gentleness and reverence. It is God’s kindness that will lead them to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
A second reason is to have a good conscience towards God. When we patiently suffer and entrust ourselves to God, we bring shame and conviction on those who are reviling us and our good behavior. We also have God’s blessing of His peace and presence which God uses to spark repentance in those slandering us. If we were to respond like the world, our conscience would bring us under conviction and those slandering us would not see anything different than the culture they live in.
In examining your own actions and attitudes towards those who slander you, do you reflect this world view presented by Peter? What kind of blessings from God can come to those suffering injustice patiently? Has anyone ever asked you to share your hope and joy?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ’s example of suffering injustice with prayer and patience. Help me to patiently endure unjust suffering and respond by living in Your peace and joy. Increase my ability to wait for the opportunity to share the reason for my hope with gentleness and respect. Amen.
Hearing the Word of God Famine?
Scripture reading for September 14: Amos 8-9
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land–not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the Words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the Word of the Lord, but they will not find it.” Amos 8:11-12
We are so blessed in America! According to the latest statistics in 2021, we have nearly 330,000 Christian churches across our land. We have services broadcast on television, cable, internet, and radio each day of the week. Christians should be out in the community sharing their faith and the Word of the Lord each day. We should not have a famine for God’s Word or have to search for it! It is readily available! Access to Bibles is not restricted here either, and, indeed, most households have more than one.
Amos lived and ministered among a people who were religious and went to church each Sabbath day to hear God’s Word! They had prophets like him who spoke to them regularly. To come into the adult world of that day, children had to memorize the Books of Moses before their thirteenth birthday. What happened that they would have this famine in their land? Can a person or people have the Word of the Lord and still have a famine for it?
When we ignore the Lord Himself and disrespect the light that we have from Him, we go into darkness that is deeper than before! These people had the truth and rejected it! They willfully went their own way and neglected to apply what was made known to them. This brought God’s wrath and judgment on them. This should be a strong warning to us today in America! To whom much has been given, much will be required!
God’s mercy is evident even in these dire prophetic writings of the prophet Amos. (Amos 9:8-10) God promises restoration after the shaking of judgment. He promises to restore the nation again and plant them in the land that He gave to them. (Amos 9:11-15) God’s goodness to a stubborn people is amazing! It draws us to repentance and faithful love again! (Romans 2:4) Let His mercy bless you today! Take advantage of the blessing of having God’s Word as your living Bread! Eat and be satisfied!
Multitudes in the valley of decision!
Scripture reading for September 10: Joel 1-3
“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; The earth and sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for His people; a stronghold for the people of Israel.” Joel 3:14-16
This book of Joel is an appropriate reading for our day! Joel was a prophet of God who spoke to God’s people during a terrible plague of locusts. (Joel 1:4) God used this locust plague to speak of their coming judgment if they failed to repent and turn to Him. (Joel 1:13-14) Joel called God’s people to fast and prayer for God’s mercy. A trumpet was to be blown calling all to God’s temple for serious intercession. Joel spoke to them about the ‘day of the Lord’ being near and their need to be ready.
The preparation for this coming ‘day of the Lord’ was preparation of the heart. The custom for fasting was to put on sackcloth and sprinkle ashes on their heads. They would cry out in weeping before God, symbolically in mourning for their sins. But God was after something else. He desired a broken and contrite heart! (Psalm 51:17) (Joel 2:13) God through Joel called all the people together to rend their hearts. They were to say, “Spare Your people, O Lord.” (Joel 2:17) God’s grace and compassion was the motivation for the fast. The goodness of God always leads His people to repentance! (Romans 2:4)
The answer from God to this fast was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the whole land! (Joel 2:28-32) (Acts 2:14-21) As they came to fast, all would be anointed with God’s Spirit! There would be signs and wonders among God’s people, young and old, men and women! This would happen right before the ‘day of the Lord’! Everyone who would call on God would be saved! (Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13)
Joel ends with a vision of the coming ‘day of the Lord’. Joel sees multitudes of people gathered in the valley of Jehoshaphat. There God enters into judgment against the nations that have rejected Him and His people. There are multitudes who will be judged and eternally lost! (Joel 3:1-2) This will be a terrible day for the unsaved when the lights of heaven grow dim and eternal darkness covers their souls. But God will be a refuge for His people! Whose side will you be on? Maybe it’s time for another fast!