Romans 9

Do we realize how much autonomy we give God when we pray those words? What if God’s will becomes hard to accept? What if His plan doesn’t use us as we had hoped? These and many other questions could be posed because God is sovereign and He will do what He jolly well wants to do.

God’s will ALWAYS has our best interest at heart. Once you’ve learned that, you can pray the “Our Father” with much more abandonment.God takes down one and lifts up another. In the end, all will be reconciled and His Kingdom will have come.

Romans 7, 8

The Spirit and the Law – the two contending influences in the life of the believer. Paul identified this struggle in these chapters and vividly exposed the tension between them. He even called himself a wretched man revealing the consequence of this struggle in his mind. (Legalistic Christians are not happy)

He jubilantly declared that Christ Jesus had delivered him from the internal war by showing him the joyful life available by being led of the Spirit.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Thee because he trusteth in Thee. [Is. 26:3]

Romans 6

This is a pivotal passage in Scripture! It clarifies what the Believers’ response should be to controlling sin.

Sadly, our emotions and learned concepts can lead our spiritual well-being astray. Let’s see what The Word says is the truth.

• Through Christ, we are DEAD to the control of sin … we don’t HAVE to obey its voice in our ear.
• Through the power of grace, we can choose rather to be obedient to the Holy Spirit’s voice when He gives us instruction.
• Even if we sin, God’s grace is sufficient to cover us … but we are not to continue to let our flesh have control.
• Whomever we obey is our master. Christ purchased us with His blood and promises Eternal Life. Sin as a master only brings death.

Romans 5

Grace is greater than our sin. Sin’s power and control are no match for grace. As we pray for and minister to sinful people, we must acknowledge and trust the power of grace.

Grace is unmerited favor and undeserved kindness. God’s grace appeared when Christ died for our sins. Through faith in Christ, the greatest sins can be gone, made clean. There is no impossible sin case.

Romans 4

These were the words of the Apostle Paul when justifying his message that gentiles (the uncircumcised) were also recipients of God’s grace freely given. In that Abraham was justified by faith BEFORE he was circumcised, Gentiles can also claim him as their father. That’s why he was known as the father of MANY NATIONS, not just the father of the Jews.

The Church is made up of a beautiful variety of people groups, all made possible by salvation through faith in Christ provided by God’s amazing grace. We don’t deserve it. We receive it because He loves us.

Romans 2, 3

Sin entered the world through Adam. One man did it. He messed up. Lest we judge him, we are reminded that we too brought some sin into the world, the perfect world that God created for us to enjoy.

Whether its one sin or a gazillion sins, its enough to disqualify us from God’s heaven. But, One Man Christ Jesus took the rap for our sins and gave us a ticket to heaven. It was His grace and mercy that lifted us up into heavenly places with Him.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: … For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.[Rom. 5:12,19]

Romans 1

Romans were of all the people groups Paul taught one of the most carnal. They loved to please their flesh and justified it with their pseudo-doctines. Paul prominently announced that they were called rather to holiness, living a life that reflected God’s values in all they did.

Holiness is not a one time experience, but a lifetime of choices that all reflect God’s values. It’s the little things … your thoughtlife, your motives, your work habits, your sexual urges. When they all could be exposed to heaven and all the world with no shame, you are moving in the right direction.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: [Ps 139:23]

Acts 27, 28

Paul must have been a very thorough teacher. Having read his epistles, we gather that he was precise in explaining the doctrines of Christ. One such day in Rome at his temporary residence, he taught from morning to evening, explaining how the law and prophets all pointed to Christ. He withheld no energy in preaching about Christ and God’s Kingdom.This was his burden. This was his mission.

A scripture I often refer to when describing Paul’s teaching style is 1 Col. 1:28, 29. This is from the J.B. Phillips paraphrase.

We proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, ALL that we know about Him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. This is what I am working at all the time, with all the strength that God gives me.

Acts 24-26

Paul’s mother must have been a strong woman to raise him and not lose her mind. No doubt his personality was AAAA++++. Mothers with a child like this have a special calling and special grace to raise them. God by His nature will never put more upon us than we can bear. Think of Mary and Elizabeth who raised Jesus and John the Baptist. God was most assuredly involved in their upbringing, guaranteeing they would be equipped for the mission He had called them to.

If you find yourself with one of these children who seem to present unique challenges, keep praying and keep them in church. You will have been a partaker in their success and reward.

Acts 23

Paul knew how to push the reaction buttons of the two religious political parties of his time – the Pharisees and the Sadducees. His political taunt did indeed stir up a great contention between the parties that made the Roman authorities fear for his well-being. Violence, lying, false narratives and political pride were at the heart of the irritation very similar to the present culture in the U.S. (Parties will do anything, say anything, falsely accuse anyone to advance their agenda regardless of the true facts.

No doubt there were good people on both sides of the argument. Paul merely used the uproar to advance the Gospel and get the chance to appear before government leaders to testify to God’s truths. May we likewise esteem to witness for Christ.