Romans 14

Romans 14

I love this book! And I really like this chapter. It's a big ol' fat reminder to me that I am responsible for my brother and sister! Who am I to judge anyone! It's my job to lift you all up and hold you accountable.... but not to judge; just as it's your job to hold me accountable also.

But the biggest thing that I think we should take away from this chapter is what Paul talks about in the second section. Don't do anything that would cause your brother or sister to stumble. We are responsible for our choices and our actions. And if something we do causes one of us to stumble, or fall back into an old way, then we will be judged for that. But here's the thing.... we may not always know that we are doing these things. We may be unaware of someone's struggle with something... say.... insecurity. We may just joke around and give each other a hard time (like we are prone to do!), but not realize that someone truly struggles with insecurity. And every time we poke fun of, or make a silly joke about something, we may not realize that we are doing real damage to that person.

I know that is a silly example and probably may not be a really big deal, but we don't know. But we do know that we'll be held accountable for it. And so, for me, I really have to think about being mindful of what I say and do. And it's also why it is so important that we be in some kind of accountability group. So if we do have these struggles (and don't kid yourselves... we all have them) then you can at least have someone to unload them on, and to pray for you and encourage you.

Good stuff! Lots to think about. What are your thoughts?

Robbie

Romans 13

Romans 13

Once again.... scary! This week's blog directly coincides with Pastor Erik's talk. (at least the first part does!)

Paul is speaking about authority here. We just heard Erik talk about this yesterday. Bottom line guys, we have people in authority over us. That goes from everything to our government, to our parents, to our church leaders. Paul, on more than one occasion throughout the Bible, points out that to NOT obey these authorities in our lives will lead to judgment. And he actually, literally says it here in vs 2. He not only says you resist those in authority, but by doing so, you resist what God has appointed. Paul says to give to those what is owed them. Not by your standards and what you think they deserve, but by the standard that God has appointed them and therefore, you owe whatever it is.... taxes, respect, honor, etc. to those who are in positions to receive those things.

For me, I struggled with one of those BIG TIME! And I didn't do it out of malice. But I think about times in my life where I didn't give someone the respect that they may have deserved. I have always been brought up with the... well, they gotta earn it, mentality. I had to remind myself that that is not God's way and I had to repent and ask Him to rid me of that. I try to remind myself that, while I may not agree with those leaders (talking mostly about governments here, for me personally), I still have to respect the fact that God has ordained that they be in positions of authority over me... good or bad. But it does spill over into our personal lives as well. Bosses, families, church leaders... etc. And we have to be mindful that, just as Erik pointed out, that they (those in positions of authority over us) WILL be held accountable to a higher standard, by God.

I could go on and on and on and on about this chapter. So many "nuggets"! But for now, let's hear your thoughts.

-robbie

Romans 12

Romans 12

Okay. This chapter is kind of a love-hate chapter for me! Love the first half... the second half just reminds me of how selfish and non-Christ-like I can be.

First half: doesn't get any better than verse 1: [...] present your bodies as a living sacrifice [...] which is your spiritual worship. This is a reference to John 4 (the Samaritan woman). Remember Jesus said to worship in truth and in Spirit. We can stand on the stage and sing "truth" all day long. If we don't live lives of worship that actually reflect the character of God... then are we really worshiping at all? (That's not a rhetorical question.... the answer is NO!)

Classic Paul: First he tells you what the end goal is... In a nutshell, live your lives worthy of the Gospel. Then he tells you how to do it: Vs. 9-21. This is where practical servanthood and the Law differ. If you study the law, which every good Jew does, just like they did back then, then you'll see that there is no way that any human being could fulfill it. And like I mentioned before in one of the earlier posts, Paul makes it specifically clear that the Law is not bad. Nor is it for the purpose of us to actually be able to live our lives according to it. Its purpose is to show the righteousness of God. But then Paul points out here in Romans 12 that it's okay. No one can live up to the law.... and that's a good thing! Not because we can't do it, but because Jesus DID it! And now, Paul gives a new directive: Love each other and try to outdo each other in our service to one another, just as Jesus served those around Him. And how do we serve each other? (BTW, I don't know if anyone else has noticed this or not, but for quite awhile now, our blog has been almost mirroring everything Pastor Erik has been talking about, week for week! It's kind of freaky!) How do we serve each other?

Well, just as Erik talked about yesterday, we must surrender to Christ, and then surrender to His call on our lives. We have to recognize, just as verses 3-8 point out, that each of us have been given different gifts for the purpose of building up each other!

Romans 11

Romans 11

WOW! Okay. Paul is really starting to hammer the idea of grace and salvation in this chapter. Remember, he is talking to a Jewish audience here (for the most part). Remember, the Jews believed that salvation was their birthright; that merely by being born into a certain group of people, they were an elect group. Sounds scarily familiar, doesn't it? What about our culture? Specifically, what about our region that we live in? How many people do you know that call themselves "Christian" as a result of their upbringing or the fact that they live in the Bible belt?

However, Paul makes it adamantly clear. God has granted salvation to the gentiles (that would be us), too. And ultimately, he argues that God has hardened many Israelites' hearts for the purpose of showing them His sovereignty. That they may be jealous of the fact that the gentile is granted salvation, for the purpose of them seeing that ultimately, God decides who will and will not come to Him, as a result of the grace He bestows on them, not the fact that they are Jewish.

We really need to understand this. You often hear Pastors and church leaders say, "It's not our job to save anyone. It's our job to preach the Gospel of Jesus, and God will save them." This couldn't be more true. I'm afraid it's lost some of its fervor, though. This is why it is imperative for us to be in the scriptures. God says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD." -Isaiah 55:8. And the only way we will know His thoughts and His ways are to be in His Word.

For me, ultimately, this chapter is a warning. There is a lot of talk and euphemisms about olive trees and branches. Paul makes it clear that we are but branches "grafted" into a cultivated olive tree, by God, rooted in the "nourishing" root, saying: we are unable to sustain ourselves in the life that God grants; that it is only by His grace and mercy that we have life. And Paul says that we are not to be proud of this, but rather, grateful, living everyday for Him.

-Robbie