Romans 1 conclusion thoughts

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

People often ask, what about those who have never heard? I believe God reveals Himself through creation and through His character - so that when it comes down to it, there is no one who hasn't heard. It is not just a matter of having a conscience and violating it (although that is part of it) - but somehow, God reveals his divine nature and eternal power to people and they can choose to believe and have faith - or to reject and suppress the truth. We are ALL without excuse.

I'm going to skip a few verses here - because I don't feel like commenting on every single verse - and this is a family blog...

25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Whenever we sin - every time we sin - we are exchanging the truth of God for a lie. Don't we understand that God's way is the best way and Satan's way is a lie?

And then Paul launches into a discussion of the dangers of that:

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; [they are] gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Whoa. Just Whoa. Or Woe.

Wisdom says to stick with doing things God's way!

Lord, thank You once again for Your Word - and the truth that is found there. Help me to understand the power of Your words - that Your truth is what sets me free. Help me to live in the power of Your resurrection - that as You were raised from the dead so I should walk in the newness of life. Thank You for my precious wife and her birthday beginning in a few minutes. Help her to have an encouraging weekend with everyone home and for our family to continue to grow in You. Make us fruitful for Your kingdom - that You would receive all glory, honor and praise. May we lead many to righteousness - that is, faith in You.

Romans 1:11-17

Well, it has been a busy day - Have not had much of a moment to journal, but here goes...

11 For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you [while] among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.

I posted a question on Facebook based on this verse last night - if God could give you a spiritual gift, what would you like it to be?

I had several interesting answers. Tonight - in response - I posted this:

Romans 1:11 led me to ask this question: 11 For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;
and I realized that we have the POWER of Jesus and His Holy Spirit to be a blessing to others - and that through Jesus, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ). May God richly bestow His blessings upon you. Lisa, may you have a clue. Andi - Humility - (Which is simply acknowledging that all we have comes from God). Tanya - discernment (well spoken, by the way!), Paul - you have His forgiveness (well-spoken, as well!), Debbie - may you have peace that surpasses understanding (Phil. 4:6-7), Cheryl, may you have that peace NOW! and Doug - May we all be living sacrifices to/for Him. Press ON!

Again - is there anything special that we have (that God has given, of course) to impart to others? - and is there something lacking in us that needs to be imparted? The imparting is that they/we may be established.

13 And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented thus far) in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

Paul lived to bear fruit. We need to make that our ambition.

14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

are we EAGER to share the gospel? And do we show favoritism - or are we willing to share with whomever?

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

I can say that I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the POWER of God for salvation to everyone WHO BELIEVES. It is not power for everyone - only those who believe.

17 For in it [the] righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous [man] shall live by faith."

LIVE by faith. Every aspect of our lives needs to be governed by faith.

Father, increase our faith. Help us to be aware and sensitive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit. May we find His power in our lives - and the power of the gospel - that we might continue in faith - believing You for every aspect of our lives. Amen!

Romans 1:1-11

Because I commented last night that I have my best quiet times while journaling, I decided to give Abby's method a try. So here goes!

Roma 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called [as] an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Whoa! So much there already. Paul considers himself to be a bond-servant of Jesus. Those who know the OT history recognize that a bond-servant is one who has been set free, but out of his love for his master, he remains a servant. What do I need to change to consider myself a bondservant of the Most High?

Called as an apostle. -by Jesus Himself.

set apart for the gospel. Oh, that each of us would recognize our calling and commission - set apart to be an ambassador for Christ. In the world, but not of it.

2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,

The gospel is not a new thing in the New Testament. It is the fulfillment of everything that was written before. God spoke through His prophets and gave us pictures - shadows - of the reality of Christ.

3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Jesus proved He was God the Son by the power of His resurrection. That Spirit - that POWER - that raised Jesus from the dead - that Spirit of holiness - IS Jesus Christ our Lord

5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about [the] obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name's sake,

and it is through Him that we receive grace and our mission to help everyone to come to faith in obedience.

How can we help people come to faith? Obedience of faith? Jesus says if we love Him, we will obey Him. I believe the main thing He wants us to obey is to come to faith in Himself. If we are sensitive to the power of the Spirit's leading, we will understand better how to lead people to a saving, obedient faith in Jesus.

6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

THE CALLED. Not called, but THE CALLED. Paul was called - we are called. The called.

7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called [as] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Called - as saints. Grace and peace - think about that - Grace from God/Peace from God Himself and the Lord Jesus Christ. We have God's grace. How awesome is that?

And yes - let's not forget - this is being proclaimed to the Italians - those beloved of God in Rome :)!

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world

The FIRST thing Paul wants to do it to thank God because their faith is being proclaimed all over the world. Wow.

9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the [preaching of the] gospel of His Son, is my witness [as to] how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.

Paul prays for them - a lot. How often do we pray for others?

11 For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you [while] among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.

The goal is to build into others - and as we do, we are each encouraged. As I think through the people I'm involved with, I have to ask - What spiritual gift can I impart? How can I build into them? Who has the greatest needs and needs to be encouraged the most? What spiritual gift are they lacking the most? Spirit, speak to my heart as I seek You.

Father, thank You for Your word today - thank You for the spiritual gifts You give and the POWER of Your Spirit of holiness to help us to know how to help others and to live godly lives for You. I thank You for Your church - may we be ones who proclaim You and may our faith be recognized as genuine. May Your gospel go forth in power! In Jesus' Name. Amen.