Sorry yesterday's post comes late.
A note on the Letter to the Romans: This is one of the most influential books in the New Testament and some say that this is the most important because it lays out the gospel. Many people even memorize Romans and some study it daily. It's also a very difficult book with a lot being said in these few chapters. May the Lord give us wisdom and clarity as we seek to understand and know God more fully through the reading of His word.
April 4 - Romans 1:1-17
Verse 1 - Paul introduces himself as servant first. This word is "doulos" in Greek and really means slave. Then, he uses the word "apostle" to describe himself. Apostle means "one who is sent." This word is designated for the few that are personally called by Jesus and for those who knew him personally. Most likely his title as servant would've been enough but remember Paul's history. He persecuted Christians and in some ways he needed to prove that he is now with the Christians, that he isn't faking it.
Vv. 2-4 - Paul mentions that the gospel is from God and this gospel isn't anything new. It was mentioned thousands of years prior through the prophets of the Old Testament and Jesus is the one to fulfill and complete it through his death and resurrection.
v. 12 We are spiritually strengthened by mutually encouraging one another. Gathering together is an integral part of our spiritual growth. Without meeting together and sharing our faith - one cannot grow as a Christian.
v. 16 I'm not ashamed of the gospel... Paul lived this out to the point of his death.
April 5 - Romans 1:18-32
Paul lays down the basis for the need for salvation..our sins.
v. 18 What causes the wrath of God? the ungodliness of people, their sins
the problem is that...
vv. 19-23 the fact that God is great is obvious (plain) through all the things He has created. Just look all around you. Yet, they would rather take the created things (the stuff around us) than God himself. They would rather be foolish than wise.
v. 25 they served the creature rather than the Creator. Look at a magazine rack at a bookstore. How many magazines are called "GOD"? Nope. Food and Wine, Leisure magazine, Rockstar, Pop, Skiing.... you get the point..
God gives them over to their own sins.. pretty much, God allows them to have what they choose. They chose sin, they can have it. God won't force you to honor him.
So their choosing sin led them to dishonoring their bodies, acting in unnatural relations (homosexual acts), gossip, murder, etc.
v. 32 and even though they know that sinners are deserving of death, they do it anyways. And, not just by themselves, they encourage others to sin as well.
our sins, as we do them and as we even encourage sin, are deserving of death. So, begins our journey into the power of the gospel for us to save us from death!
To the unsaved this may be nonsense but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18)
we are all like OMG the Lord died for me!
ReplyDeleteim gonna repent and ask for forgiveness, because its a certain holiday.
we shouldn't do that. just because someone tells u to repent and thank him and pray, or just because its a holiday, it doesn't mean wer not allowed to talk to Him.
He died for us because He loves us so much. He loves His Son jesus soooo much but would still give up HIS ONE AND ONLY SON to die for US, even wen we curse, betray, and hate God.
His love is mightier than an earthquake. its bigger than His own heart.
He died for us the sinners beyond repair.
What I think is the most amazing thing is that we are part of the Gospel. We are actually part of God's words, and he purposely made some room for us to fit in. It's like a popular guy/girl speeking grandly about you in school. But, this is only 8(sideways) times better. The creator is speaking greatly about us, and yet we are ashamed. We should be proud.
ReplyDelete