Romans 12:2
Do not conform 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.
In my last post, I put forth the thought that God's mercy is what enables us to live the life of a living sacrifice. Paul continues this thought here, letting us know how we can follow through with this monumental task.
I have to stop there for a second, because I do not think that some think being a follower of Christ should not be a burden. After all, didn't Jesus say that his yoke was easy and his burden light? (Matthew 11:30) Yes, he did. But this should be taken in the context of the yoke of the other rabbis of the time, who placed huge lawkeeping rules and regulations on their followers. In comparison to them, Jesus load was much lighter, because it centered on loving God, and did not burden his followers with man-made rules and regulations.
Being a Christian is not easy. We are told in Philippians 2:12, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" In Matthew 7, he warns that not all those who say, "Lord, Lord" will enter into his kingdom. I could go on, but I hope you get the idea, being a true follower of Jesus is not all fun and games.
Paul gives 2 things that we should do in order to endure. The first is not to conform to the pattern of this world. It is my opinion that what he is saying is that we live in a world that is broken, and where sin is rampant. How easy it would be to just go with the flow. And it is not just the world we live in that is broken, it is the church as well. We are an organism made up of broken individuals. We have lived broken lives, and continue to be confronted by patterns of brokenness. A friend of mine often quotes Proverbs 26:11, and it illustrates the point, "As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly." We must break that old, broken pattern of living that we are so familiar with. Paul continually deals with the imperfections of the church in his letters to them. So not conforming to the patterns of this world is a continual battle that we must meet head on.
The second thing Paul says is that we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind. The picture that is painted here is one of a complete renovation. When you renovate, you take out the old, throw it away and replace it with new. We must develop a new pattern of thinking. It is only through this renewal process that true change can take place. The old way was to think of ourselves first. That way is out. The new way is to focus on God. It is not just putting Him first, it is recognizing His place in the universe, His place in our lives, His place in history. It is seeing Him as the Sovereign God that He is, and then seeing our place as only having any hope or meaning that is imparted by God. A way of thinking that appreciates whatever it is that He as to give, just as the Caananite women in Matthew 15, who was content with the crumbs that would fall from the table. To truly understand the meaning of Psalm 84:10, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."
The end result is found in the end of the verse. "Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." If our thinking is transformed, and this can only happen by the mercy of God (Romans 12:1), from the way of this world to a way that understands that whatever we have or whatever is is because of the Sovereign goodness of God, then we can know that we are safe and secure in His hands both for the present and for eternity.
Showing posts with label Romans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romans. Show all posts
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Is it WHY or HOW?
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (NIV)
I recently heard a sermon on this verse. In it, the preacher spoke of our motivation to become a living sacrifice, God's mercy. Something about that statement bothered me, so I did some digging into the passage and found it to be quite enlightening.
Prior to this verse, Paul has a section of Scripture (Romans 11:33-36) where he just bursts out in praise to God, talking about His wisdom and glory, and the fact that we cannot even begin to fathom Him. Then he goes into verse 1 of chapter 12, beginning with the word therefore, which leads me to believe that he is connecting one thought to the other. You could almost replace the word "Therefore" with "Because of God's unbelievable greatness."
The next phrase, "I urge you," is interesting because it has some possible other interpretations. It could be "urge," "admonish," "instruct," or even "to call to one's side." I really love that last one, because that is how I see Paul, as one who wanted his readers to join him.
It is the phrase "in view of" that I struggle with, because it seems to lead me in a direction that I do not want to go. Is our motivation for serving God really that fact that He is merciful? What about those who do not, for a variety of reasons, see Him as merciful? How would they get past such a thought? I believe that Paul saw God as merciful in all situations, but I don't know that he would put this our as our motivation for serving God, nor do I think it was his motivation. But that is how we think in America. You give me something and I will give you something in return. God gives me mercy, so I will serve him. Looking at Paul's previous verses, I don't think he is about to go into such a huge shift of thinking, from saying how wonderful, awesome, and beyond our understanding God is to saying that we should serve Him because of His mercy. So I did some more digging. It seems that the phrase "in view of" is based on the Greek word "dia," which simply means "by" or "through." So the thought occurred to me that perhaps instead of saying "why" we might become a living sacrifice, Paul was stating "how" we can do it, which is only by or through God's mercy.
So I did a little more digging. I found that the word "mercy" in this verse is not the usual word that is translated mercy in the New Testament. Instead of using either of the Greek words "eleeo" or "eleos," which both carry the idea of granting mercy or kindness, he uses the Greek word "oiktirmos." This word has a meaning "the bowels of compassion," or what we might today call "a heart of compassion" or even "pity." So is Paul really saying our motivation for serving God is that He pities us? Or, is Paul saying that because the Almighty God of the Universe takes pity on us, we can serve Him as a living sacrifice? I have to believe the second choice not only fits the text, but also the overalll message of the Bible.
Perhaps I seem to be splitting hairs here, but I think the implications are huge. Under scenario 1, I see God's mercy as my motivation for serving Him, my service is a repayment, an obligation. But Paul has just stated in Chapter 11, "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" (Verse 35) It is as if God gives us a gift, and then is so enthralled when we give Him back what was His in the first placde. Besides, who likes repaying debts? I don't. If my bank called today and told me all of my debts were cancelled, I would be thankful. I might even want to do something to show my appreciation. But I would eventually get over it. This is not the basis of a live change. Should we really base our response or relationship with God on this kind of thinking?
But under scenario 2, things change. Our lives as living sacrifices are not viewed as an obligation, but rather as a priviledge that is granted each and every moment by a God who has compassion on us and takes great pity on us. This is another reason I see Paul calling us to join him in this rather than commanding or urging us to do this. Look back at Romans 11:33-36, and the incredible picture Paul paints of God. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to serve such a God? But how could we ever hope to do so, when God is so beyond us? And the answer lies in God's great compassion for us. So now I can live each day as a living sacrifice, I can be holy and acceptable to God only because of what He has done for me in Christ. And this is true and proper worship.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (NIV)
I recently heard a sermon on this verse. In it, the preacher spoke of our motivation to become a living sacrifice, God's mercy. Something about that statement bothered me, so I did some digging into the passage and found it to be quite enlightening.
Prior to this verse, Paul has a section of Scripture (Romans 11:33-36) where he just bursts out in praise to God, talking about His wisdom and glory, and the fact that we cannot even begin to fathom Him. Then he goes into verse 1 of chapter 12, beginning with the word therefore, which leads me to believe that he is connecting one thought to the other. You could almost replace the word "Therefore" with "Because of God's unbelievable greatness."
The next phrase, "I urge you," is interesting because it has some possible other interpretations. It could be "urge," "admonish," "instruct," or even "to call to one's side." I really love that last one, because that is how I see Paul, as one who wanted his readers to join him.
It is the phrase "in view of" that I struggle with, because it seems to lead me in a direction that I do not want to go. Is our motivation for serving God really that fact that He is merciful? What about those who do not, for a variety of reasons, see Him as merciful? How would they get past such a thought? I believe that Paul saw God as merciful in all situations, but I don't know that he would put this our as our motivation for serving God, nor do I think it was his motivation. But that is how we think in America. You give me something and I will give you something in return. God gives me mercy, so I will serve him. Looking at Paul's previous verses, I don't think he is about to go into such a huge shift of thinking, from saying how wonderful, awesome, and beyond our understanding God is to saying that we should serve Him because of His mercy. So I did some more digging. It seems that the phrase "in view of" is based on the Greek word "dia," which simply means "by" or "through." So the thought occurred to me that perhaps instead of saying "why" we might become a living sacrifice, Paul was stating "how" we can do it, which is only by or through God's mercy.
So I did a little more digging. I found that the word "mercy" in this verse is not the usual word that is translated mercy in the New Testament. Instead of using either of the Greek words "eleeo" or "eleos," which both carry the idea of granting mercy or kindness, he uses the Greek word "oiktirmos." This word has a meaning "the bowels of compassion," or what we might today call "a heart of compassion" or even "pity." So is Paul really saying our motivation for serving God is that He pities us? Or, is Paul saying that because the Almighty God of the Universe takes pity on us, we can serve Him as a living sacrifice? I have to believe the second choice not only fits the text, but also the overalll message of the Bible.
Perhaps I seem to be splitting hairs here, but I think the implications are huge. Under scenario 1, I see God's mercy as my motivation for serving Him, my service is a repayment, an obligation. But Paul has just stated in Chapter 11, "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" (Verse 35) It is as if God gives us a gift, and then is so enthralled when we give Him back what was His in the first placde. Besides, who likes repaying debts? I don't. If my bank called today and told me all of my debts were cancelled, I would be thankful. I might even want to do something to show my appreciation. But I would eventually get over it. This is not the basis of a live change. Should we really base our response or relationship with God on this kind of thinking?
But under scenario 2, things change. Our lives as living sacrifices are not viewed as an obligation, but rather as a priviledge that is granted each and every moment by a God who has compassion on us and takes great pity on us. This is another reason I see Paul calling us to join him in this rather than commanding or urging us to do this. Look back at Romans 11:33-36, and the incredible picture Paul paints of God. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to serve such a God? But how could we ever hope to do so, when God is so beyond us? And the answer lies in God's great compassion for us. So now I can live each day as a living sacrifice, I can be holy and acceptable to God only because of what He has done for me in Christ. And this is true and proper worship.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore So Paul is using this word to tell us to look back at what has been written for a cause, and then, just to make sure, he gives it to us.
we have been justified To be justified means to be shown innocent, or for us to be righteous. What is it that we really want out of life? Not what do we want now, but what do we really want? I think that one thing that would become ultimate, if we knew for sure there was a judgment day, would be to be found righteous. To know that heaven was our destiny. Paul is sure. Sure there is a heaven, and sure of his being found righteous. Not because he is perfect or sinless, he even thought of himself as the greatest of sinners. No, it is his faith that justifies him. So now, Paul can have peace with God and with himself because of that faith.
peace In order for peace to exist, its opposite must also exist.
with God Peace is not easy or in all circumstance. Peace with God means emnity with the world. We have to make a choice.
through our Lord Jesus Christ No other way. I had an interesting experience this week. I was doing a 20 minute persentation for a class I am taking. During the presentation, which was to other teachers on the use of manipulatives in the classroom, I mentioned Jesus as an example of someone who taught by making connections to what people already know. The class was critiquing each person. One person wrote, "Keep Jesus out of the public schools!" I thought, "You can't do that, because He is everywhere." Just because some will not acknowledge Him does not take away from who He is. And He is the way.
Therefore So Paul is using this word to tell us to look back at what has been written for a cause, and then, just to make sure, he gives it to us.
we have been justified To be justified means to be shown innocent, or for us to be righteous. What is it that we really want out of life? Not what do we want now, but what do we really want? I think that one thing that would become ultimate, if we knew for sure there was a judgment day, would be to be found righteous. To know that heaven was our destiny. Paul is sure. Sure there is a heaven, and sure of his being found righteous. Not because he is perfect or sinless, he even thought of himself as the greatest of sinners. No, it is his faith that justifies him. So now, Paul can have peace with God and with himself because of that faith.
peace In order for peace to exist, its opposite must also exist.
with God Peace is not easy or in all circumstance. Peace with God means emnity with the world. We have to make a choice.
through our Lord Jesus Christ No other way. I had an interesting experience this week. I was doing a 20 minute persentation for a class I am taking. During the presentation, which was to other teachers on the use of manipulatives in the classroom, I mentioned Jesus as an example of someone who taught by making connections to what people already know. The class was critiquing each person. One person wrote, "Keep Jesus out of the public schools!" I thought, "You can't do that, because He is everywhere." Just because some will not acknowledge Him does not take away from who He is. And He is the way.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Romans 3:21-23
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Is therer anyone out there who honestly believes that they have the right to stand in the presence of God? Is there someone who thinks that they are good enough to have favor with God? What about for even just one day? Can we say that even for one day? Can we stand before God and say, "Surely You remember that day I took that mission trip and worked on that home for that poor family?" Even on a day like that can we say that we totally gave ourselves to the Lord, with no thought of malice or self? That we did not argue about how things need to be done, or our mind wander about the cute person next to us, or just that self-righteous idea of, "Okay God, you owe me one now."
We are wicked, and the Law and the Prophets testify to this. If you don't believe me, just read the 10 commandments. How many have you kept? If your score is not 10 out of 10, you have failed. How many have you kept when you extend that idea that even looking lustfully at a woman is adultery? Forget about murder, when Jesus says that even calling someone a fool puts us in danger of the fires of Hell? Not only does the Law show God's righteousness and perfection, it reveals our unrighteousness and imperfection. (Not a wildly popular sermon topic, but a topic the Bible does not shy away from.)
So what a wonderful gft and revelation when we discover that the righteousness we do not have is given to us through Christ! Given. As in we don't deserve it, we did not earn it, but we can possess it. We all fall short, but through faith can be justified freely though the redemption that came by Jesus.
And if that were all that there were to it, it would be a great ending. But it isn't. You see, the word faith does not just imply a head knowledge, but also conveys the meaning of "a conviction." So it is not just believing that saves us, but the change that takes place because of the conviction of our hearts when we see what He has done for us in giving us His righteousness.
That is what I want and need to see more of each and every day.
Is therer anyone out there who honestly believes that they have the right to stand in the presence of God? Is there someone who thinks that they are good enough to have favor with God? What about for even just one day? Can we say that even for one day? Can we stand before God and say, "Surely You remember that day I took that mission trip and worked on that home for that poor family?" Even on a day like that can we say that we totally gave ourselves to the Lord, with no thought of malice or self? That we did not argue about how things need to be done, or our mind wander about the cute person next to us, or just that self-righteous idea of, "Okay God, you owe me one now."
We are wicked, and the Law and the Prophets testify to this. If you don't believe me, just read the 10 commandments. How many have you kept? If your score is not 10 out of 10, you have failed. How many have you kept when you extend that idea that even looking lustfully at a woman is adultery? Forget about murder, when Jesus says that even calling someone a fool puts us in danger of the fires of Hell? Not only does the Law show God's righteousness and perfection, it reveals our unrighteousness and imperfection. (Not a wildly popular sermon topic, but a topic the Bible does not shy away from.)
So what a wonderful gft and revelation when we discover that the righteousness we do not have is given to us through Christ! Given. As in we don't deserve it, we did not earn it, but we can possess it. We all fall short, but through faith can be justified freely though the redemption that came by Jesus.
And if that were all that there were to it, it would be a great ending. But it isn't. You see, the word faith does not just imply a head knowledge, but also conveys the meaning of "a conviction." So it is not just believing that saves us, but the change that takes place because of the conviction of our hearts when we see what He has done for us in giving us His righteousness.
That is what I want and need to see more of each and every day.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Romans 2:16
on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secret hearts of men.
Paul uses a simple little pronoun, but I think it speaks with a loud voice. He says, "according to my gospel." What I don't think he means here is that the Gospel is his, that he owns it or created it. What I do think he means is that there is the Gospel that he preaches, and the gospel that others preach.
Paul's Gospel is what he received from Jesus Christ himself. Who better to explain the Gospel to than someone who was so knowledgeable of the Old Testament? Paul was a perfect choice for this assignment, but not a perfect choice for a disciple of Jesus' ministry.
Can you see how that might have played out? Eleven of the disciples walking with Jesus through the fields with Jesus on the Sabbath, plucking the heads of grain and eating them (Matthew 12:1-8), and Paul, lagging behind admonishing the others, "You shouldn't be harvesting on the Sabbath, guys!"
But after it was finished, Jesus taking Paul and showing him how it all fit together, how the Old Testament was fulfilled in Himself. No wonder Paul was so strong in the faith! Oh the wisdom and the sovereignty of God.
So according to Paul's Gospel, God judges the secrets of men. In other words, God knows our hearts. There are those who preach a gospel different from Paul. Preachers who, either for bad motives or because they just don't get it, preach a weak, impotent gospel message. And he is saying God knows! He knows men's hearts. He knows if you are passionate about Christ or just going through the motions.
I was listening to a podcast recently where the preacher was using Romans 12:1 as his text. He was preaching about the life-change that one should pursue as a follower of Christ. Good stuff. Until he said, "We don't need to beat ourselves up, we don't need to pretend we haven't done anything good for the Lord, because most of us have. We don't need to go on a guilt trip. We all know that nobody's perfect."
So close...and perhaps so far. Just as men were perhaps getting "cut to the heart," (Acts 2:37) we soften the blow. Rather than encourage people to "work out their salvation with fear and trembling," (Phil. 2:12) we let them off the hook. Maybe because such words might not be the way to grow the church. Whatever the case, such words are not a part of Paul's Gospel nor mine.
Paul uses a simple little pronoun, but I think it speaks with a loud voice. He says, "according to my gospel." What I don't think he means here is that the Gospel is his, that he owns it or created it. What I do think he means is that there is the Gospel that he preaches, and the gospel that others preach.
Paul's Gospel is what he received from Jesus Christ himself. Who better to explain the Gospel to than someone who was so knowledgeable of the Old Testament? Paul was a perfect choice for this assignment, but not a perfect choice for a disciple of Jesus' ministry.
Can you see how that might have played out? Eleven of the disciples walking with Jesus through the fields with Jesus on the Sabbath, plucking the heads of grain and eating them (Matthew 12:1-8), and Paul, lagging behind admonishing the others, "You shouldn't be harvesting on the Sabbath, guys!"
But after it was finished, Jesus taking Paul and showing him how it all fit together, how the Old Testament was fulfilled in Himself. No wonder Paul was so strong in the faith! Oh the wisdom and the sovereignty of God.
So according to Paul's Gospel, God judges the secrets of men. In other words, God knows our hearts. There are those who preach a gospel different from Paul. Preachers who, either for bad motives or because they just don't get it, preach a weak, impotent gospel message. And he is saying God knows! He knows men's hearts. He knows if you are passionate about Christ or just going through the motions.
I was listening to a podcast recently where the preacher was using Romans 12:1 as his text. He was preaching about the life-change that one should pursue as a follower of Christ. Good stuff. Until he said, "We don't need to beat ourselves up, we don't need to pretend we haven't done anything good for the Lord, because most of us have. We don't need to go on a guilt trip. We all know that nobody's perfect."
So close...and perhaps so far. Just as men were perhaps getting "cut to the heart," (Acts 2:37) we soften the blow. Rather than encourage people to "work out their salvation with fear and trembling," (Phil. 2:12) we let them off the hook. Maybe because such words might not be the way to grow the church. Whatever the case, such words are not a part of Paul's Gospel nor mine.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Romans 2:6-11
He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.
Did Paul just say that God will "render" (also translated "reward," "pay," "give") according to our works? What about sola fida, by faith alone? But you have to keep reading...
Yes, we are rewarded by our works, but not by the work itself, but by the motivation behind that work. Those whose works seek to honor and glorify God get eternal life. Those who are self-seeking and obey unrighteousness, get wrath and fury.
My mind immediately goes to the story of the Pharisee and the tax-collector. (Luke 18:9-14) Both men prayed. Prayer is good, so does this mean that both men get rewarded the same? Jesus says no. The Pharisee's prayer was self-seeking and unrighteous. He was praying to God, but he was also prayig to the audience at hand, and his prayer only sought to glorify himself. Reward: He was not justified. The tax-collector, who wouldn't even look up, who was not playing to an audience, and simply asked for mercy, according to Jesus, was the one who went away justified. Both men prayed, both had the same work, but they were judged differently because of their motives.
It is the same thought that Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31, where he says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Righteous living is not so much about what you do as why you do it. That is why some can count one day as holy, and others count everyday the same. The key is to be fully convinced (Romans 14), and do it to the Lord.
This blessing is not just in the eternal reward either, because the peace that comes as a result of this attitude is one that is given now. Like the peace that Paul felt while being in prison, fastened in stocks, that still enabled him to sing praises to God (Acts 16).
There is no peace in exaulting yourself. There is no honor in placing yourself at the top.
Did Paul just say that God will "render" (also translated "reward," "pay," "give") according to our works? What about sola fida, by faith alone? But you have to keep reading...
Yes, we are rewarded by our works, but not by the work itself, but by the motivation behind that work. Those whose works seek to honor and glorify God get eternal life. Those who are self-seeking and obey unrighteousness, get wrath and fury.
My mind immediately goes to the story of the Pharisee and the tax-collector. (Luke 18:9-14) Both men prayed. Prayer is good, so does this mean that both men get rewarded the same? Jesus says no. The Pharisee's prayer was self-seeking and unrighteous. He was praying to God, but he was also prayig to the audience at hand, and his prayer only sought to glorify himself. Reward: He was not justified. The tax-collector, who wouldn't even look up, who was not playing to an audience, and simply asked for mercy, according to Jesus, was the one who went away justified. Both men prayed, both had the same work, but they were judged differently because of their motives.
It is the same thought that Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31, where he says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Righteous living is not so much about what you do as why you do it. That is why some can count one day as holy, and others count everyday the same. The key is to be fully convinced (Romans 14), and do it to the Lord.
This blessing is not just in the eternal reward either, because the peace that comes as a result of this attitude is one that is given now. Like the peace that Paul felt while being in prison, fastened in stocks, that still enabled him to sing praises to God (Acts 16).
There is no peace in exaulting yourself. There is no honor in placing yourself at the top.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Romans 2:4
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
When we presume, we make an assumption based upon our own thoughts, rather than taking in the sum of the evidence. For instance, we might presume that someone has good or bad intentions in an action, based on our previous experience with that person. Many times, if we do not have any previous experience with that person we might then base our presumptions on similar types of persons. This is called stereotyping, and while in some instances might be correct, it is unfair to judge someone by the acts of others.
In this verse, presumptions are being made about God. If I were God, I would not hold someone accountable for their mistakes, because I would be a kind and loving God. Or since God has shown me a kindness in this area, He will also show me kindness and grace in all areas.
I want to take a look at the word "forbearance." It carries the meaning of tolerance or self-restraint. So then God has shown us kindness and self-restraint and patience. If someone restrains themselves from doing something, can we expect that to continue no matter what? Even in turning the other cheek, do we believe that that is appropriate in every instance? When we restrain ourselves, we look past our desires so that we might help others for their ultimate good. I might restrain myself from telling someone what I really think in order not to hurt their feelings. But yet there are other times when it is appropriate to voice my feelings for their good. Or I might restrain myself in dealing with my children in some ways, but I will not restrain myself in dealing with them in every way.
God is kind, and He restrains Himself from punishing us when we deserve it. He does this because in His grace, He desires that we come to salvation in Christ where the price for that punishment has been paid. His purpose is not to condone or forget the offense, but rather that we repent and turn from that offense.
So don't make the presumption that God will continue to dismiss your sins, so you can just continue to live in them. That might be how we want it to work, but that is not how God works. God's kindness has a purpose.
When we presume, we make an assumption based upon our own thoughts, rather than taking in the sum of the evidence. For instance, we might presume that someone has good or bad intentions in an action, based on our previous experience with that person. Many times, if we do not have any previous experience with that person we might then base our presumptions on similar types of persons. This is called stereotyping, and while in some instances might be correct, it is unfair to judge someone by the acts of others.
In this verse, presumptions are being made about God. If I were God, I would not hold someone accountable for their mistakes, because I would be a kind and loving God. Or since God has shown me a kindness in this area, He will also show me kindness and grace in all areas.
I want to take a look at the word "forbearance." It carries the meaning of tolerance or self-restraint. So then God has shown us kindness and self-restraint and patience. If someone restrains themselves from doing something, can we expect that to continue no matter what? Even in turning the other cheek, do we believe that that is appropriate in every instance? When we restrain ourselves, we look past our desires so that we might help others for their ultimate good. I might restrain myself from telling someone what I really think in order not to hurt their feelings. But yet there are other times when it is appropriate to voice my feelings for their good. Or I might restrain myself in dealing with my children in some ways, but I will not restrain myself in dealing with them in every way.
God is kind, and He restrains Himself from punishing us when we deserve it. He does this because in His grace, He desires that we come to salvation in Christ where the price for that punishment has been paid. His purpose is not to condone or forget the offense, but rather that we repent and turn from that offense.
So don't make the presumption that God will continue to dismiss your sins, so you can just continue to live in them. That might be how we want it to work, but that is not how God works. God's kindness has a purpose.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
- For I am not ashamed of the gospel This might sound like a silly or obvious thing to say, but I wonder how well we realy understand what it means to not be ashamed of the Gospel. Because it is not the same thing as being ashamed that we go to church. In fact, it might just mean the opposite. Sometimes church is all about our works and righteousness and what we do. The Gospel is all about what God has already done. It is a state of humility rather than a state of pride. It is me saying that I want Jesus, not saying Jesus wants me. It is falling at God's feet and worshipping rather than worshipping and expecting him to take notice.
- because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes This is just a continuation of the previous thought. To really get the Gospel we must understand that God brings salvation, he rescues us from the depths of sin and destruction. This gift is offered to all who will believe it.
- first to the Jew, then to the Gentile I admit, I struggle with this. Does it mean that the Jews are His first choice, or is this simple stating the chronologically, salvation was first offered to the Jews, and then to the Gentiles? I like this understanding, because it shows that God is a God of providence and a God of order, and it makes it less about me and more about Him.
- For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed It is not my righteousness, but Christ's righteousness that is imparted to me.
- a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith So what does it mean that it is by faith? Another word for this is fidelity, so I immediately think of marriage and what it means to be "faithful." Again, I see it as a result of falling in love and making a pledge to another that no matter what, you will be true. In sickness and in health. In good times and in bad. My fidelity is not based on circumstance, but it is the foundation of the relationship.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Romans 1:5
Romans 1:5 "Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith."
I have decided that I will get a little more devotional in writing for a while. No particular pattern, but I will attempt to stay on a "Gospel" theme.
I decided to start with Paul, and just 5 verses into Romans and what a verse. So much packed into one verse.
I have decided that I will get a little more devotional in writing for a while. No particular pattern, but I will attempt to stay on a "Gospel" theme.
I decided to start with Paul, and just 5 verses into Romans and what a verse. So much packed into one verse.
- Through Him I did not do it, it was done through Christ. He did what not even Moses (the law) and Samuel (the priesthood, man) could do, He stood before God and God took notice. (Jeremiah 15:1-2) I must forever recognize my dependence on Christ alone.
- and for his name's sake I am not at the center of God's world, He is at the center of His world, and for that I am so thankful. Imagine putting the imperfect and making it the cause of all that God does. That would make his actions imperfect. But He is at the center of all that He does, and all He does is right. And when I put Him at the center of all that I do, then I am right. This is not legalism, putting obedience or law at the center, but putting Him at the center, worshipping Him, loving Him, responding to Him.
- we have received grace We have been gifted by God to know Him and to love him. Another word for grace is favor. The same word the angels spoke to Mary when they told her she would be the mother of the Christ. As Christians, we are also highly favored by God, that He has revealed Himself to us through His Son. This is an honor that we do not deserve, but one which we must respond to. When we see that the favor of God rests upons us, should we not also respond as Mary did, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 2:38)
- and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles With grace comes responsibility. When Mary saw the favor that God had given her, she also accepted the task He placed before her with a humble, obedient attitude. When Saul met the Lord on the road to Damascus, his life was forever changed by the recognition of God's grace and favor. God does not save us to a life of ease and comfort, He does not save us for our own sake, but does it for His sake. And the lives that we then must live should also be for His sake. (Isaiah 43:25) Perhaps this is the reason Jesus told His disciples the importance of counting the cost of discipleship. (Matthew 16:24) The thought of picking up a cross surely must have been vile and digusting to His audience. But what better way to get the message of humility and acceptance of a task across that to make it a task that is so burdensome one could not take it on without dependance on God?
- to the obedience that comes from faith. Not just obedience, or not obedience for the sake of obedience, but the obedience from faith that God has placed his grace and favor upon us, and we respond out of reverence and awe rather than a sense of obligation and duty.
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