May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 14-15

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter eighteen Gospel Unity, which covers Romans 14:1-15:13.  My focus today is v15:1-13, which my commentary refers to under the heading "The Lord's Example." In these verses, Paul builds on my discussion yesterday to further the case for church unity. We are encouraged to see how we have "an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (v15:1).  I know I too often seek to please myself, whether that is out of being right or to just find comfort by lack of action - convicting indeed! We are again told to build others up (v15:2). We are reminded of Christ's example that He did not seek the easy path of pleasing himself but instead willingly submitted His life for us - see v15:3. Paul tells us that we should review our Old Testament to find hope to follow Christ's example and "to live in such harmony with with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v15:5-6).  We exist to glorify God - remember this! OT is referenced that we should be clear about God's saving plan as it was written in the OT - therefore we should not stand in the way of God's great design and work - unite among believers, weak and strong - we are all brothers and sisters in Christ!  Paul wraps up today's verses by providing scripture from Psalm 18:49, 2 Samuel 22:50, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 117:1-2, and Isaiah 11:10. 

My commentary stress humility - so that we may put the needs of others first.  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I have been weak - You have placed other more mature believers in my path to build me up...to strengthen me in my faith - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessing.  My sin continues...worry, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14-15

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter eighteen Gospel Unity, which covers Romans 14:1-15:13.  My focus today is v14:13-23, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Love." Here, Paul picks up where he left off (see post yesterday) and focuses again on how we must avoid judgement of one another in the church - unity is important. He uses ceremonially unclean foods again as the example to make his point that "[t]he kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (v14:17).  Service, honor and worship of God (akin to "matters of importance" level 2) from yesterday's commentary are important in God's eyes so there is where we should focus (as well as "matters of importance" level 3). We are to pursue "what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding" (v14:19) and "not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God" (v14:20) - we must not do so for any unessential/inconsequential/debatable matter of faith (level 1).  

My commentary looks at today's verses and emphasizes that, particularly for stronger or more mature believers, are not to flaunt freedom in Christ in front of weaker, less mature believers - we are not to put any "stumbling block" or "hindrance" in the way of a believer (v14:13) as this would not be "walking in love" (v14:15a).  We are warned not to "destroy the one for whom Christ died" (v14:15b). Once again - church unity is important! We are encouraged to follow Paul's lead by looking at his words from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. The commentary goes further on the subject of "flaunting" freedom in Christ with weaker believers by warning us to look at v14:22 and to see that we are not "to broadcast your views on disputable matters, trying to convince people that you are right."  A useful saying is provided: "[i]n essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty, but in all things charity."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are an awesome God who loves me and who has saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your grace and mercy.  I am often impatient with younger, weaker believers.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Romans 14-15

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter eighteen Gospel Unity, which covers Romans 14:1-15:13.  My focus today is v14:1-12, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Liberty." With the start of Romans 14, Paul moves from a focus on living in the light (with urgency) and on loving others (including  enemies), to a warning that we not judge other believers over inconsequential matters and not to "quarrel over opinions" (v14:1). Paul argues his case that regardless of whether someone "observes the day," "eats,' or "abstains," as long as they honor and give thanks to the Lord - their worship is proper in the eyes of the Lord.  "Honor of the Lord" and "thanks to God" are mentioned thrice and twice respectively - underscoring Paul's point. Paul wraps up these verses with a sober reminder how all will face the Day of Judgement (including with reference to Isaiah 45:23), implying that our primary focus should be that each invidividual believer pursue holiness and their own journey with God. 

My commentary points out that Paul sought to drive unity among believers who focused on strict adherence to cultural and social practices (i.e. eating, etc.) versus those who ate "anything" and found freedom from the law - the commentary refers to the latter as perhaps stronger more mature Christians and likely Gentiles in Paul's day as Jews were more likely to follow the Mosaic ceremonial law even as believers.  Regardless, Paul, again drives unity among both camps around the gospel and Jesus Christ.  The commentary goes further to describe "three levels of importance" (1) matters essential for salvation, (2) matters important to the faith and the church but not important for salvation, and (3) matters of indifference--debatable nonessentials/preferences.  We should unify around (1) and (2) and not let (3) divide the church. Stronger believers should not condemn or judge weaker believers and vice-versa. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who placed supportive and encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ in my life - those who don't judge or condemn me for inconsequential matters.  They also encourage and support me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings!  My sin continues - again worry!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose Your as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Romans 12-13

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11-12

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter sixteen Living in View of That Day, which covers Romans 12:17-13:14.  My focus today is v13:11-14, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Live in the Light." As Romans 13 closes, Paul urges believers to act - we've seen and experienced the Light and now we must put into practice what we preach and hear. He gives us warnings against debased living...against living in the flesh.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

My commentary reminds me that Paul's urgency is important because we never know the hour of our own demise nor the hour of Jesus' promised return (Matthew 24:36). We are urged as well to review similar text in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8.  We must "cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Similar text is found in Ephesians 6:10-17.  How we do this is with and through Christ and the Holy Spirit as He enables a Christ-centered life. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are an awesome God and You provide the full armor of God and You are a lamp for my feet - thank You for walking with me and protecting me as I go.  I am grateful!  Yet I am undeserving of how You bless me and how You provide salvation.  My sin continues - worry primarily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 12-13

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter sixteen Living in View of That Day, which covers Romans 12:17-13:14.  My focus today is v13:8-10, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Love Your Neighbor." Perhaps underpinning my post yesterday, which discusses how to submit to earthly authorities, as they placed in our lives by God, today we see the primacy of love above all commands.  This is consistent with Jesus' words in Matthew 22:34-40 where the Jewish leaders sought to test/trap Jesus by asking him what the most important commandment is; Jesus responds with how we are to first love God, then to love others as "[o]n these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

 

My commentary refers to v13:10 where it says that "love is the fulfilling of the law" by describing the law as "train tracks" whereas the Holy Spirit is the engine: "[w]ithout Christ the law is powerless; without the law, love is directionless.  Because of Christ, the Holy Spirit has been poured into believers' hearts, enabling us to love; and Spirit-empowered love involves keeping God's commands."  We are encouraged to see how loving is a permanent obligation. My commentary points out that both Jesus' and Paul's words (v13:9) on loving others refers back to Leviticus 19:18. We are further encouraged to see how love involves looking for ways to "bless others" - to listen, care, give, etc. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of love for me.  It is my proper response to worship You and love others as You love me.  I am so grateful that You love and You first loved me as a sinner - thank You Jesus for such grace and mercy.  I am not deserving of such grace and mercy.  I continue to sin and often fail to love others as You love me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, or he is God's servant for your good.

Romans 12-13

Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. Romans 13:3-4

 

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I started chapter sixteen Living in View of That Day, which covers Romans 12:17-13:14.  My focus today is v13:1-7, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Look at the State Rightly." In these verses, Paul pivots from chapter 12 (see post yesterday), where he implores us to not retaliate against those who persecute us and cause us harm. He ends with a command to "overcome evil with good." In 13:1-7 the focus is on doing good in the context of governing authorities (v13:1). We are to recognize that governing authorities are authorities placed in our lives by God - v13:1-2 (see also Colossians 1:17).  We should not fear authorities in our mission to do good (v13:3-4) but we should fear authorities when we sin - and we should fear God as well on this count (v13:4-5). Paul uses an example of this how we are to pay taxes to government, to pay respect, and to honor authorities (v13:6-7).

My commentary describes how God placed authorities in our lives to "carry out judgement in the present age."  It is also described as not popular among many as starting with Adam and Eve we are rebellious. In the United States, dissent is a form of expression of freedom of speech. We are reminded that Paul wrote this during Nero's reign in Rome and his intent was to avoid fighting or ignoring Roman rule in light of Christ's Heavenly rule.  Yes, Jesus reigns, but He also places rulers above us.  We are however to submit/obey only to the extent that these rulers do not push us to sin as we are to "obey God rather than people" (Acts 5:29). Regardless of whether earthly rule is pleasant or painful it is by God's design and He has "His purposes."  Praying for our leaders is encouraged. Even in the face of challenging political times (i.e. persecution), there are no fewer needs to serve - do good.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is good to me - all the time!  I am blessed to live in the USA where it is not oppressive as it is elsewhere - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of this blessing as my sin continues...daily.  Worry, lack of leadership, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord”....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12-13

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord”....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-19, 21

 

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I started chapter sixteen Living in View of That Day, which covers Romans 12:17-13:14.  My focus today is v12:17-21, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Leave Vengeance to God." As I posted yesterday, once again, the focus today is for believers to be "counter-cultural." God wants us to act in such a way that others see Him in us.  This of course requires us to submit to Him - through daily scripture reading, prayer, worship, service, etc. - and allow Him to work through us. It is certainly not natural for us to avoid vengeance or even for us to avoid the thought of vengeance; it then goes beyond natural human custom for us to treat someone who harms us with hospitality (v12:20). This requires the Holy Spirit to move within us to cause obedience. I am often reminded of true stories and examples of how God moves in us to draw others to Him through forgiveness - check this out - a classic for sure and a great example of God at work!

Scripture is clear - love and forgive others as God has done for us - see John 13:34 and Ephesians 4:32. 

 

My commentary points to Paul's use of both Deuteronomy 32:35 and Proverbs 25:21 as divine inspiration for Paul in verse v12:17.  We are reminded that God's wrath exists, is real, and He can just as easily exercise His wrath on us (as all are deserving of such wrath - Romans 6:23) - so should be clear that we are to leave wrath and retaliation/vengeance to Him.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of mercy, compassion and forgiveness for me - thank You Jesus!  Of course I am completely undeserving of such mercy, compassion and forgiveness as I have sinned greatly and I continue to sin - worry, anger, harsh words, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.