Category Archives: scripture

The Romans Challenge: Peace and Mutual Edification

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“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God places a high value on unity. His desire is for us to be connected to each other and Him. Selfishness and sin is what separates us. Unfortunately, this what we are all the most familiar with. Humanity has been experiencing disunity, separation, and discord since the moment Adam and Eve sinned in the garden.

Jesus came to restore us to God’s original design. Jesus prayed this prayer for us:

““My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To be united and live as one, we must lay down our own ways. We need to “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” This will require us to put to death our “me-centered” life. It will require us to think of others before ourselves. It will require us to be like Jesus — laying down our lives for each other:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Mutual edification” is a reciprocal relationship. Where we all give of ourselves for each other. Making “every effort to do what leads to peace” is being determined in our actions to live united and in harmony. This is not easy. But it is God’s will for us. Whatever God desires for us to do He will empower us to do through the Holy Spirit. We must depend on Him! He will help us!

The Romans Challenge: Don’t Quarrel Over Disputable Things

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“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There are some areas that you and I will disagree. This does not mean that I have to prove myself right, or that you need to prove yourself either. It is easy to get hung up on “disputable matters.” In our culture these matters can range from the Covid Vaccine, to “does God have a preference in our Bible Version KJV or NIV…?” And it is so easy to desire to prove our opinions to be right. When we see someone who doesn’t agree with our stand, it is easy to judge them and look at them as less wise, less informed, less spiritual, etc. We can let these matters divide us!

In Paul’s time this kind of division was present. Some people said, “eat only vegetables.” Some said “I can eat meat too.” Others had special religious days that had to be observed. Arguments abounded. Judgements were made. He told the Christians, don’t quarrel, don’t judge. Ultimately, we aren’t the ones who make the call.

“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We answer individually to God in the things that seem to be “disputable matters.” We need to stack them up against the Word of God. If it isn’t clearly defined as right or wrong, pray and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

In the meantime, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, your brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Romans Challenge: One Body In Christ

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“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are one. We are connected, attached, and united to each other. Paul uses the metaphor of a human body. “We have many members, and the members do not all have the same function.” We have unity, but we are also diverse. My part of the body differs from yours. We each have our function. BUT, even though we are different, we NEED each other!

Each of us are gifted in different ways to bring glory to God and to serve Him and serve one another. One persons gifting and abilities is solely for that purpose. No one is better than the other. We shouldn’t “think of {ourselves} more highly than {we} ought to think.”

God has gifted us with His gifting for a purpose. What He has given to us we need to use! If we don’t the other parts of the Body of Christ— the Church will suffer. What God has given to us, our part we play, is important for making the Body of Christ strong and building it up. He wants us to participate in His good plan to have His people united, strong, and on mission to share with others His love. He has given us all that we need and equipped us. The question is, “will I respond ‘yes’ to Him and live connected to Him and His Church?”

The Romans Challenge: The Kindness and Severity of God

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“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭22‬ ‭ESV‬

When we think about God and use the words “Kindness” and “Severity” to describe Him, it seems like we are contradicting ourselves. How can the two exist in a perfect and complete person? The very thought of a severe God or a God of judgement makes many cringe. “God is love.” How can a God who is perfect in love judge and punish?

What we tend to forget is the destructiveness of sin. Sin destroys! It brings nothing but death, darkness, and destruction into our lives. It separates us from God. God knows this. He is perfect, or complete, or Holy. He cannot have imperfection within Himself. He cannot have sin.

God’s deepest desire if for us to experience Him in relationship. He wants for us to be connected to Him and intimate with Him. His desire is for our good. He wants us to be happy in Him. BUT He also knows that sin will keep us from all of this, because sin keeps us from Him.

God’s severity is against sin. He HATES sin! Because He is completely holy (perfect in every way), He must be completely just (upright, honest, true, etc…) The same God who is love and acts only from love also is just and acts only with justice. This justice is exact or “severe.” However, even in judgement God is always working good and He is always judging out of love. His judgements and severity are against the very things that will destroy us. They are against the very things that separate us from Him.

There is a place where God’s kindness and His severity meet — the Cross of Jesus. It was there that Jesus took the punishment we deserve in order for God to be completely just. It was on the Cross that God’s complete kindness towards us was displayed. When Jesus took our punishment, it was so we could experience all of God’s goodness towards us. What is required of us? TO BELIEVE. It is faith in Jesus that gives us the right standing with God.

Jesus we thank You for paying the price for our sin. Thank You for the Cross you bore and the punishment You took for us. Thank You for providing the way for us to receive Your great gift of salvation by faith alone. You did it all! Your kindness and severity have met and we are free when we come to You! We love You! In Jesus Name!

The Romans Challenge: Grafted In

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“If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Long ago Abraham received a promise from God of an everlasting covenant. “I will…be your God.” (Genesis 17:7) God established relationship with him and his descendants forever. God chose His people. God also promised Abraham that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)

You and I (as non Jewish believers) are like a “wild olive shoot” that has been attached or grafted in to the true olive tree which is that same promise/ covenant that God made to Abraham.

Because of Jesus, we belong to God. We are attached to Him! We receive from Him all that we need to live life as God’s people. We are “grafted in” to Him. To be “grafted in” is to be inserted into a body to which it did not originally belong. (Websters 1828) All of us were separated from God. But He has taken us and attached us to Himself. We now live our lives not on our own, but supported by Him.

I love this imagery. It teaches us a truth. “Without Jesus, we can do nothing.” We need to live our lives attached and connected to Him, depending on Him for everything! When we do we will experience relationship with Him and we will live in His blessing.

Father, help us to know what it truly is to live connected to You… “grafted in.” We know that Jesus came so we could experience a relationship of oneness with You — attached, united, connected, indivisible, and inseparable from You. Your desire is for us to receive Your “nourishment” and to be supported by You. We are not meant to live apart from You. This connected relationship is new to us. It’s not something we understand because all we have known in our lives is the separation that sin caused. But we desire to know You and experience You in this relationship You have provided for us more and more each day. In Jesus name!

The Roman’s Challenge: The Origin of Faith

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“So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 ESV

“If only I had more faith…”. I’ve thought that many times. “Maybe if I would squeeze my eyes tight enough and think about it enough, I will be able to believe for something big.” But faith is not something we generate on our own. It is a gift. The Scripture says we have all been given a measure of it. (Romans 12:3)

We receive this gift of faith through hearing. Which is to listen to; attend to; obey; and observe what is commanded. (Websters 1828)

In our walk of faith, we can all trace back the moment when someone, somewhere, spoke to us about Jesus. We heard the Word. Then we believed.

Faith continues to grow in that same manner. Our lifelong walk of faith becomes a strong pattern of believing and trust as we spend time in God’s Word. When we hear the Word (listen to what we have read) and obey the Word. Our faith will grow. We will see that God’s Word is the Truth. It is life. It will sustain us.

If you find yourself thinking as I have before, “I need more faith.” Or “I need stronger faith.” Or “I need my faith to grow.” God has given you and I all we need to live a godly life. May I encourage you to spend time in the Word of God.

You won’t be disappointed!

The Romans Challenge: Beautiful Feet

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“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Following the footsteps of Jesus is a beautiful thing. He lived His life here on earth displaying God. Whatever He did from talking to the outcast woman at the well to touching the untouchable leper, was a display of His Heavenly Father’s heart. He came to make God known. He has called us to be like Him. We were meant to not only know God, but to make Him known. This is what it means to walk as Jesus did… to follow Him.

The people that God has placed around us need to hear about Him so they are able to believe. They can’t hear about Him unless we tell them. We cannot tell unless we are sent. Jesus told His disciples , “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) You and I, as believers, are His disciples too. He is sending us too!

Wherever God sends us and to whomever we share His love, we are following the very footsteps of Jesus. We are doing beautiful things, and we are serving Him with Beautiful feet. These are the feet that are willing to go into all of the world and share what Jesus has done.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

The Romans Challenge: Salvation’s Certainty

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“As the Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”” 
Romans 10:11 NIV

The world is full of get rich quick schemes and self-improvement plans. It seems like the role of “life coach” is a booming prospect in a lot of circles. We, as humans, like to think we have found the answers to improve our lives and make us happy and rich. But time and time again, our plans fail…

There is only one way for us to truly be changed. There is only one way to find contentment and peace. This is found in a relationship with God. You and I were created for relationship with Him. We will not find what we are looking for chasing the latest fads and schemes.

The problem that causes all the discontentedness and disconnection in our lives, isn’t our lack of self realization. It is SIN and it is living according to our selfishness. Simply put, we need a Savior.

Jesus knew exactly what we needed when He came to provide the way for salvation. What is broken in us can be made new when we confess Jesus as Lord of our lives (turn our lives over to Him), and when we believe that He truly is our Risen Savior. God’s promise of New Life in Christ is certain. If we believe and if we call on Him, we will be saved. We are assured that we “will not be put to shame.”

God’s plan to renovate our spiritual hearts and to make us new are not some fantasy we chase. God’s promise of eternal life is certain. We won’t be disappointed or disgraced in the end. Plans for life change that fall outside of the truth of Scripture will always fall short. Because “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Thank You God that You have provided all we need for us to have Your New Life that You offer us! Thank You for the certainty of salvation. We know You promises are true. What You say You will do. When we come to You and believe we won’t be disappointed. We “will not be put to shame.”

The Romans Challenge: The Enemy Within Us

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“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are at war! Our enemies — the devil, the world (the ungodly state or corruption on earth), and our flesh (our unrenewed, corrupt nature) want us to be destroyed!!

We are always going to face temptations because as Paul said, “evil is right there with me.” Our enemy is ruthless and relentless. He does not call a cease fire. He does not take vacations. He is always plotting and scheming against us.

Our greatest enemy is our flesh. This is because it desires to make the choices. It desires to dictate our behavior. And its influence is hard for us to see because it is within us. It would always have us to choose evil and to follow the way of the world and listen to the voice of Satan — the deceiver.

Our awareness of our enemy helps us to also be aware of our dependence upon God! We need Him!

If sin and our sinful nature are at war within us, Jesus has given us victory! We can live free in Him! 

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!...”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus has paid the price for our sin. He offers us forgiveness and cleansing from the sin that has held us captive. He has given us the Holy Spirit within us to empower us to receive and obey His Word.

Jesus has given us everything we need to live victoriously in this war against sin that wages within us!

The Romans Challenge: Holy, Righteous, and Good

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“So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Law ( God’s commandments) are not the problem. Sin is!

God gave the Law to the Jewish people so they could get an understanding of His character. God also gave the Law so sin could be revealed. The Law was intended to point out to all of us how much we need a Savior.

For example the Ten Commandments:

These are good moral laws that we should abide by, but have we?

If we have broken just one, we have become a lawbreaker. We have sinned.

The problem is not the Law, that is “holy, righteous, and good.” The problem is us. We are all sinners desperately in need of a Savior, and our Good God has provided for that need — Jesus!

Thank You Father for sending Jesus! What we could not do on our own, You did for us. Long ago You gave us Your Law so that we could understand how much we need You to give us a new heart — a heart that desires to obey You! Thank You for Your gift of salvation that changes everything in our lives and helps us to walk after Your Way!