November 20 - Romans 13-16
This last section in the book of Romans is a very practical passage on living the Christian life. The remarkable thing about these chapters is that they speak to all of us at the level of our walk with God. A new believer will be able to learn and grow by applying some basic principles, but a mature believer will find some very important principles that are harder to grasp and take longer to apply. I know the Lord will speak to you through this wonderful passage of God's word.
In chapter 13 Paul shows us that a Christian must obey the government or be punished by God, because God has ordained the government to punish evil doers. Of course, this does not teach us to disobey God in any way, so if the government commands us to disobey God, we should follow God. That does not happen very often. Mostly, Christians are tempted to think they don't need to obey the government because it is secular, and God is sacred. This passage teaches us not to think that way. Remember, when Paul was inspired to write this the pagan Romans were the government. Paul ends the chapter by saying if we love our neighbor, and we do not fulfill the flesh, we will not have a problem following the government. I believe that is the key. We must allow the Spirit to empower us to live like Christ.
In chapter 14 Paul explores the fact that many Christians come to differing convictions about following God. I am sure this was more prominent before the New Testament was finished. Paul tells all of us to do what we do out of faith. If not, it is sin. (v.23) In other words, don't just follow what someone else tells you to do. Seek God's will and obey Him in faith as you trust His leading. Then, if another person's conviction differs from yours, don't condemn them, but love them. Each of us will be judged by God. This does not apply to direct commands from the Bible. It applies to the things the Bible does not address directly. It is always good to act in love in those areas.
In chapter 15 Paul is very encouraging, because he knows how hard it is to live the Christian life. He knows that we need the Lord for patience, for peace, and for hope all the time. He desires for the Christians in Rome to pray for him and for his mission to go to Spain and preach the gospel. He is looking forward to seeing them in person. Do you need the God of Comfort today? Call on Him now. Do you need the God of Hope today? Call on Him now. He is there for you. He wants all of us to have His grace and to live in unity with other believers.
Chapter 16 shows us all of the people Paul knew who were in Rome at this point. It is a long list of faithful Christian servants. If you had been alive then, would Paul have had a reason to mention you? That is a good question for all of us. Hopefully, what he says in verses 17 and 18 does not apply to any of us. God wants to bless us, but we must follow Him in an intimate walk each day. We must not fulfill the flesh.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Corinthians 1-3.
In chapter 13 Paul shows us that a Christian must obey the government or be punished by God, because God has ordained the government to punish evil doers. Of course, this does not teach us to disobey God in any way, so if the government commands us to disobey God, we should follow God. That does not happen very often. Mostly, Christians are tempted to think they don't need to obey the government because it is secular, and God is sacred. This passage teaches us not to think that way. Remember, when Paul was inspired to write this the pagan Romans were the government. Paul ends the chapter by saying if we love our neighbor, and we do not fulfill the flesh, we will not have a problem following the government. I believe that is the key. We must allow the Spirit to empower us to live like Christ.
In chapter 14 Paul explores the fact that many Christians come to differing convictions about following God. I am sure this was more prominent before the New Testament was finished. Paul tells all of us to do what we do out of faith. If not, it is sin. (v.23) In other words, don't just follow what someone else tells you to do. Seek God's will and obey Him in faith as you trust His leading. Then, if another person's conviction differs from yours, don't condemn them, but love them. Each of us will be judged by God. This does not apply to direct commands from the Bible. It applies to the things the Bible does not address directly. It is always good to act in love in those areas.
In chapter 15 Paul is very encouraging, because he knows how hard it is to live the Christian life. He knows that we need the Lord for patience, for peace, and for hope all the time. He desires for the Christians in Rome to pray for him and for his mission to go to Spain and preach the gospel. He is looking forward to seeing them in person. Do you need the God of Comfort today? Call on Him now. Do you need the God of Hope today? Call on Him now. He is there for you. He wants all of us to have His grace and to live in unity with other believers.
Chapter 16 shows us all of the people Paul knew who were in Rome at this point. It is a long list of faithful Christian servants. If you had been alive then, would Paul have had a reason to mention you? That is a good question for all of us. Hopefully, what he says in verses 17 and 18 does not apply to any of us. God wants to bless us, but we must follow Him in an intimate walk each day. We must not fulfill the flesh.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Corinthians 1-3.