Romans

[IKTCA]

I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians;
both to the wise, and to the unwise. (Romans 1:14)

I have heard many believers saying that they were indebted to Jesus. But I don’t remember anyone saying that they were indebted to unbelievers. As far as I can remember, this is the first confession of this nature.

Did the Greeks and the Barvarians do a favor for Paul? I don’t think so. His debt to Jesus was so great that he did all as if he was in debt.

If I followed Paul’s way, I would give to Katrina refugees as if I owed to them. I wouldn’t give a few bills from the pockets. I would write checks for I was paying my debt.

If I imitated Paul, I would lay hands on the sick as if I owed healing to them. I wouldn’t just read a few passages of healing promises. Likewise, I would reach out the sinners as if I owed them hearing of the good news. I wouldn’t just say, “Let the ears that can hear hear,” and walk away.

Lord Jesus,
There is a gap between where I am and where Paul was. If I am to imitate Paul, as you commanded me, I must diligently renew my mind with the mind that was in Paul.

First, Lord, let me see the immensity of my debt to you. Let me see the full measure of your grace and your holding my hand in believer’s walk. Amen.

 

[goldenviolet]

ok, i'm stalking your posts here in fellowship from now on.

this is a very powerful way of looking at our purpose and job here on earth.

 

[IKTCA]

Ever since the creation of the world
his eternal power and divine nature,
invisible though they are,
have been understood
and seen through the things he has made.
So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

Every person is born with the same conscience from God. Whether the person is born in the United States or in Iraq, he receives the same conscience from God.

I came to the United States as an immigrant. I knew nothing about the laws of this nation. Nor did the immigration officials test me of law knowledge. But I have had no trouble living as a law-abiding citizen. It’s because I have the same conscience as the native Americans.

My understanding of the passage is still inadequate. But, conscience is the first evidence that all peoples can understand God’s power and divine nature, and how they are without excuse for not acknowledging him.

Father,
There are many rebellious nations that reject you and your Son Jesus. They are without excuse and to be condemned. But in your mercy you still love the rebellious peoples. Since you care about them so much, we also care about them, and will proclaim the gospel of Jesus to them. Amen.

 

[Heinrich]

Hey you skipped verse 16

 

[Heinrich]

In light of verse 20
I think verse 25 gives some more clarity:
"who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever."

Basicly this goes to the point made in Romans 2 and further in romans 3.. the climax 3:23. ALL ARE GUILTY!
There is no excuse. no buts. nothing.
And our conscience will help us acknowledge this as the truth.

But back to verse 20:
It shows that there is a very very strong testimony for the existence of God in nature(creation) itself.
That is maybe why satan has driven the "evolution" hoax so far. declaring science what is theory. declaring proven what was already proven wrong. ect ect.
Then we can look at verse 22:
"Professing to be wise, they became fools"

God bless you
-Heinrich

 

[IKTCA]

Real circumcision is a matter of heart – it is spiritual and not literal. (Romans 2:29)

There must have been many who boasted circumcision. But not all the circumcised had their eyes of the spirit opened. They see in the literal realm. But those who can see see all in the spiritual realm. To those who cannot see, the cross of Jesus is scornful. But to those who can see, the cross is the power of God to save us.

I must examine myself. What do I see with the eyes of the flesh, and what do I see with the eyes of the spirit? This is what I will be reflecting on for a day or two.

All that I see with the eyes of the flesh are temporal, and all that I see with the eyes of the spirit are eternal. Which must I pursue with flesh and spirit? Will my flesh join the spirit with gladness? Will my flesh submit to the spirit with readiness?

 

[Ceris]

Excellent observations iktca.

 

[deg]

I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians;
both to the wise, and to the unwise. (Romans 1:14)

Brother Rupert, good thoughts on the subject. It's wonderful how you can have read a verse a number of times, yet skip over it spiritually without consciously knowing you've done so. How true it is that the scriptures are closed until they are opened by God himself.

 

[IKTCA]

All have turned aside,
together they have become worthless;
there is no one who shows kindness,
there is not even one.

Their throats are opened graves;
they use their tongues to deceive. (Romans 3:12-13)

As I read this passage, I remembered Genesis. There was darkness, and God said, “Let their be light.” And light came into being. Who would have guessed, when darkness covered all, that light would come?

Every man was evil; every word of man was evil. Deceit was the way of life in all nations and languages. Then, Jesus came. Those who used to speak evil and poison became to know the truth. Some were murdered by the prince of the world, but many lived and witnessed Jesus.

What a transformation! Dry bones coming to life is one thing. But evil hearts becoming shining stars is another. Who would have guessed? Who would have prophesied that a follower of the Devil would become a believer and write this devotional? Who would have conceived such a notion?

All by the power of God. All by the will of God. All by the word of God.

Though the church was ten times more corrupt than now, I would not despair. Though the church was ten times more powerless, I would still have hope.

Father,
By the power of your word, you will raise a holy nation of believers. Though others may say impossible, I believe that the dry bones of my church will become witnesses of your glory and honor. And by the power of your word, you will make martyrs out of alcoholics and criminals.

Father,
Only let my eyes see the beginning of this great transformation before I am buried in a tomb. Amen.

 

[IKTCA]

the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe (Romans 3:22)

God is offering the best of him, his own righteousness, to me. This offer is plainly before me. It’s mine to keep only if I want it.

I used to seek knowledge and understanding, or certain gifts. But I have never asked this big: God’s own righteousness. I didn’t even know until now it was to become mine only if asked for.

But I am hesitating, not because I am afraid of losing worldly gains or coming persecutions, but because it is too big for my mind to comprehend, like a hat five sizes too big. What if I cannot fit?

I must decide before this night ends. Finally, I come to a conclusion. God will provide. His grace will provide. If I struggle to fit in this big hat, God will make my head grow to fit the hat. He is all powerful.

Father,
Your righteousness I receive through faith in your Son Jesus. I want to have your righteousness, though I cannot comprehend its width, depth, or height yet. According to your word, I ask you to give your own righteousness to me. Amen.

 

[IKTCA]

But to him who does not work but believes on Him, who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is accounted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

A humble heart does not see his works but Jesus. This is called faith, and God considers him righteous. Like the servants who say, “We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do,” his eyes are fixed on Jesus. This is called faith.

But an arrogant soul sees his works. God does not consider him righteous.

Father,
Now I see humility is wisdom. Humility leads me to faith. Humility leads to your righteousness. Let me not learn from arrogant souls. Amen.

 

[IKTCA]

Therefore, having been justified with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have access by faith into this grace,
in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

The more I read this passage, the more my heart warms as if I was reading a different epistle of Paul. I have always regarded Romans as a dry book to read. Not any more. I am certain Paul’s heart was warmed while he was writing this letter.

All words are full of grace, poured from his heart that resembled Jesus’. No unfaith can stand before this pure confession of faith.

Father,
Bless the hearts that come before you through this letter. Let the spirit of Paul do witnessing to me, urging me to come closer to Jesus in humility and meekness.
Amen.

 

[IKTCA]

Those who receive the abundance of grace
and the free gift of righteousness
will surely exercise dominion in life
through the one man, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)

My soul is stirred by the words, “exercise dominion in life.” I was a dead man, not almost dead but surely dead. But I came alive, not barely alive but in dominion in life.

That’s what I am, in life, trampling on death, through Jesus Christ.

Father,
Let this life permeate to all fibers of my soul and be etched to my bones. Amen.

 

[IKTCA]

If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. (Romans 6:8)

The first half of Chapter 6 shows how clearly Paul understood death and life. I ask myself if death is as clear to me as was to Paul. My honest answer is no. I KIND OF understand dying in the baptism of Jesus. I KIND OF understand living in the resurrected Christ Jesus. But not as clearly as Paul.

As recent as yesterday, I thought I knew life and death. But as I read this chapter, I realized I was mistaken. I am going to read and re-read Chapter 6 this evening, with prayers in-between. Hopefully, the Lord will have mercy and place the knowledge in me.

 

[IKTCA]

Therefore, my brethren,
you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ,
that you may be married to another – to him who was raised from the dead,
that we should bear fruit to God. (Romans 7:4)

There is in me the flesh desire that rebels against the law. I can let my life consumed by this fight between the flesh desire and the commands of Jesus. Or, I can accept this exhortation of Paul and soak in the grace of God, and let the grace do the fighting for me.

The choice is mine, and I choose the latter. As I read and re-read this passage, and my heart warms. Dead to the law. Married to Jesus. To bear fruit to God. I didn’t do any of these. All were done for me. That is grace.

Father,
Your grace is my resting place. In your grace my soul finds rest.
Your grace is my victory. In your grace my soul wins the fight against flesh desires.
I give thanks and honor to you through my Lord Jesus.
Amen.

 

[IKTCA]

Having been set free from sin,
you have become a slave of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)

I am glad Paul wrote this letter. It is full of grace words. It is too much grace for me to soak up at once. As soon as I barely comprehend the immensity of grace, the same words come to me with even greater grace.

Up and down around the house, I was reciting this verse: I have become a slave of righteousness, I have become a slave of righteousness, I have become …..

Father,

Even if the enemy took away my Bibles,
let me remember I have become a slave of your righteousness.
Even if the enemy erased my memory,
let it remain in my soul that I have become a slave of your righteousness.

Until the last breath of my life,
let me remain as a faithful servant of your righteousness,
that I was not worthy to receive.
Give me to your Son as a slave,
for serving him is serving you.
Amen.

David had his Thirty.
When David was thirsty,
some broke through the enemy line and fetched water.
As my Lord raises his hand and points,
I will go like David’s Thirty.
If my life expires on the way,
my Lord will take up my soul, and give me rest.
Amen.

 

[IKTCA]

Though the number of the children of Israel were like the sand of the sea,
only a remnant will be saved. (Romans 9:27)

Those who were not my people, I will call my people. (v. 25)

Bible has many contradictions. From numerous children of Israel God saves a remnant. But those who were not his children he adopts as his children. God renders righteous judgment. But he also gives rain to both evil and righteous people.

When I see God as a judge, I condemn the judged people for being disobedient. But when I see God as a gracious God, I become fearful to condemn them, for God may adopt them back as his children.

Father,
There is only one place for your servant: to serve all, both the judged and the redeemed. Let me not forget my place. Amen.