Month: November 2015

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day five)

When you think about “the current times” what goes through your mind? Evil? Uncertainty? Terrorism? Divided Country? Persecution?

Paul had a completely different approach and theology of “the times”. He proposes in Romans 13 that “knowing the time” is a motivation for an attitude of love and acts of love. Throughout Romans 12 and 13, Paul gives a brilliant theology of “the times” worth noting. 13:11 “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.”

A look back to chapter 12 reminds us that we ought not be naive or unaware of the dangers, temptations, and darkness that are present in the current times. We are to avoid conformity. However, in chapter 13 he offers another perspective. In the current times there is also hope, opportunity, and certainty. “Awaken from Sleep”, “The day is near”, “Salvation is nearer”, .

How do you think about “The Times”? Is there a balance between realism and optimism? Is there concern and joy? Is there motivation to love and show God’s kindness and Glory to anyone/everyone?

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day four)

Paul talks about the fear of authorities and the wrath that will result if we fail to subject ourselves to the rulers over us. An even greater motivator than fear of our authorities should be our consciences. (Verse 5) When we transgress a law, we are not only breaking that civil or criminal law, we are setting ourselves up in opposition to God. A clear conscience before God is more important than paying whatever penalty is due for our transgression. A clear conscience does not always assure that we are not guilty before God, but it is a good place to start. When we can see how our sinfulness breaks the heart of God and brings on us His judgment, it becomes important that we follow all of His commands and maintain a clear conscience before Him. In Psalm 139, the psalmist writes, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” It is a key to our living in a love relationship with God.

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day three)

“Let everyone be subject…” Apparently there is no such thing as everlasting life without submission to others. Whether in biological submission–“honor thy father and thy mother”–or in spiritual submission–“the one in authority is God’s servant”–life that lasts places itself in the presence of others in order to obey or serve or listen or grow. Even the Godhead lives in eternal deference to each of the persons of the Trinity: “[The Son] can  only do what he sees his Father doing”; “[The Spirit] will speak only what he hears”; “This is my Son; listen to him.” Any life that is eternal will always lay itself down for others. There is no life outside of such a fellowship. Let us obey whom we must obey, and serve whom we must serve. Therein lies life.

 

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day one) Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. vs 8

If you have ever take any kind of Christian financial planning course you have probably encountered this scripture. It is the most beautiful debt, the debt of love. Not a kind of love that is saccharine, but one that is altruistic. We care deeply for the well-being of our fellow man. Jesus, above all, loved us enough to die for us. If we accept this gift of love, then our duty becomes burden to love others. Are you serving? Can you identify the needs around you? Are you willing to meet them? This, is the fulfillment of our purpose. Owe nothing except that which Christ has given to you.

Re:Verse reading–Romans 13 (day one)

“For it (government) does not bear the sword for nothing. . .it is a minister of God. . .who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”–v 4.

Election year in our nation.  Clear thinking needed.  Church and state are not “separated”.  Not in the mind of God.  Both have assigned functions.  Both answer to Him.

The state exists to “bring wrath on the one who practices evil”.  The symbol is “the sword”– the legitimate use of force.  Law enFORCEment.  To check evil tendencies and to “praise” those who do good–v 3.

The church exists to be “the body of Christ”, to extend His presence, His name, His will into the world by Holy Spirit filled life.

The state enforces boundaries.  The church lives in the Spirit.  The believer is to respect both out of love for God.

Should a believer ever oppose an unjust government?  Let’s think together this week as we read Romans 13.

 

Re:Verse passage: Romans 12 (day seven)

“Fervent is Spirit, serving the Lord”–v 11.

Can you name something that is useless or unappetizing when cold?  A campfire?  Spaghetti?  A church?  Less about temperature.  More about intensity.  “Fervent in Spirit” describes a believer “on fire”.  Emitting light and warmth, spending himself (being consumed) in service, igniting others.

Did Paul already know Christians who had lost enthusiasm?  Probably.  Jesus warned of it. “Because lawlessness is increased most people’s love will grow cold.”—Matthew 24:12.  Love and Law are connected. Apart from courageous obedience, their relationship suffered.  Passionate, fervent, love for Christ disappeared.  Brrrr!

Honest now, are there signs of a temperature drop in your life?  Is there intensity?  Courage?  Are others ignited by your witness and example?

“For this reason, I remind you to FAN INTO FLAME the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”–2 Timothy 1:6  What will you do, today, to keep the fire going?

Re:Verse passage: Romans 12 (day five)

The Old Testament system asked for animals to be brought to the altar, sacrificed and burned for atonement. Jesus came, died, rose again and became the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sin(s). What now? A new approach and perspective on atonement is prescribed. Romans 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

The altar is still an image and picture of God and His relationship with His people. We are exhorted to still come to the altar (alive) not to make an atoning sacrifice for our sin, but a living sacrifice, because atonement has already been made. R.C. Sproul says, “To be a Christian means to live a life of sacrifice, a life of presentation, making a gift of ourselves to God… that is the appropriate response to Him and for Him.”

Re:Verse passage: Romans 12 (day four)

How do I live the Christian life?  What should it look like?  Someone must have asked Paul these questions, because he covers the answer very clearly.  Beginning at verse 9, Paul spends the rest of the chapter painting a radical picture of what the Christian life should look like.  Some of the instructions we might could have guessed…love without hypocrisy, abhor what is evil, cling to what is good…these are not so surprising.  Bless those who persecute you, associate with the lowly, never pay back evil…now those are just not common.  Feed your enemy, overcome evil with good…are you kidding me?  Paul is saying the Christian life does not look common…he is saying it should look like Christ.  It goes back to verses 1 and 2…present yourselves as a living sacrifice, acceptable to God…do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Why?  So we can prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Re: Verse reading — Romans 12 (day three)

“Overcome evil with good.” In our world of “culture wars” and “love wins” and “right and wrong side of history”, we can come to believe that we fulfill our calling by striving to keep the forces of the devil from advancing. But the question is not, “Will evil conquer the world?” Rather, the question is, “Will we become good?” Paul tells us to become transformed by the renewing of our minds, and to set our minds on things above instead of earthly things–on the good that must take root in our lives rather than the bad that threatens us in this world. Self-inventory in the presence of our Lord is always the harder task. But unless we submit to his transforming discipline, we will never think like Christ when it comes time to act against evil.