Romans 12

The Bible does not encourage communism where all things are common. It does encourage benevolence whereby we share with others that which we have.

The prophet told the widow to make him a cake from the flour and oil she had left. She did, and thereafter never had to refill her supply of oil … God supernaturally kept her supply full.

The liberal, giving soul shall be made fat, flourishing.

Romans 10,11

The writer, after giving an explanation of the how and why the love and gospel of God was shared with the Gentiles, he pauses and takes a long look into the deep wisdom of God. He quotes from both Isaiah and Job as he expresses his amazement at the infinite wisdom and love of God to us.

It is a moment of realization … that God is go great and all-knowing and we are so finitely dependent and helpless apart from His merciful gesture of love and acceptance to us through Christ.

This approaches the true meaning of awe.

Romans 9

God said, “I will have mercy and compassion upon whomever I want.” He is the potter and we are the clay. We can’t ask him, “Why did you make me this way?”

Wouldn’t it be ridiculous if my lawnmower told me, “I don’t want to mow your lawn anymore. I want to be your truck.” As Homer Simpson would say, “Doh!”

Whenever we accomplish anything for God, we must acknowledge His mercy in granting us the privilege to work for Him. We apply our efforts in the direction he points us. If we are a lawn mower, we make the best looking lawn possible.

Note: John Oliver is VERY SICK. Please keep praying. His life is in the balance. The Lord’s will be done.

Romans 8

John introduced me to my wife of over 50 years. I am eternally grateful to him and the Lord for our marriage.

John is in Dublin Methodist Hospital right now struggling with the Covid virus. He is at risk because of his age and his bad heart. Please pray. His life is in the balance.

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:39

Romans 7

The author of Romans identifies the struggle between doing what is right and what is sin. Whether we totally understand his theological explanation or not, we can relate to the struggle we experience when we are pulled toward what the law describes as sin. Everyone is at their own degree of obedience … ONLY Christ Jesus was sinless. The writer previously declared, “All have sinned and come short.”

This life is a chance to grow in grace, God’s strength to do what we should. I look back at behavior I displayed when a young man, and I am appalled. Thank God I’m not the man I used to be. I see growth. Jokes I used to find funny now turn my stomach. God’s Word has has a profound effect on my inner man.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s devotion, because the writer gives solid solutions in Romans 8.

Romans 6

Whereas we used to be slaves to sin, through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, we have been made slaves to do what’s right. We can now ask ourselves, “What’s the right thing to do here.”  When we were our own master, we did what pleased us or what our lust desired. Now, when we are tempted to sin, we no longer obey the pull to please ourselves. We now desire to please Christ. If we sin, we confess our sin to Him and receive forgiveness so we can turn our direction towards His will.

Lord, I want to please You in everything, every thought, every action.

Romans 5

The first musical cantata I performed at Hope Temple in 1974 was called “God’s Love Gift.” Romans 5 clarifies how magnanimous this gift was. God gave His Best, Christ Jesus, for us who were totally undeserving of anything. In fact, many despise God and trash His love openly. Yet, His love still reaches. (The very next year, we performed “His Love Reaching.”)

So great a salvation … such great love … for people so undeserving. But in this we see how compassionate and generous true love is.

Lord, grace us to love like this.

Romans 3,4

Abraham is called the father of the faithful. Romans 4 highlights one of his prominent qualities … his faith did not waver or stagger. Other translations say …

He did not doubt, distrust, hesitate, display lack, question, or focus on his own impotence or hopelessness.

Rather, his complete posture was established in the adequacy of God rather than the inadequacy of man.

Which realm do we live in? Do we live in the “faith in God” category or the “woe is me?”

Maybe we need to change the pasture we’re living in.

Romans 2

If we judge or criticize sinners, we are already guilty of the same.

It’s so easy to slip into a pattern of thinking that elevates ourselves above others. What’s needed is a heart change … the writer of Romans calls it a “circumcision of the heart.” The uncleanness and judgmental attitude of our inner being needs to be overcome by Christ’s love, mercy and forgiveness.

Hypocrisy was the attitude that really set Christ off.

Acts 28, Romans 1

The writer of Romans makes it clear … we belong to Christ. He purchased us by giving His life to redeem us from the penalty of our sinful lives. His blood was shed FOR US. His life was sacrificed that we might live instead. He did not deserve death. We did.

Peter calls us a purchased possession.

Since we belong to Christ, we ought to conduct ourselves in total obedience to His teachings.