Tag Archives: Romans

Romans 13, Psalms 62-63

— by on

In Romans 13, Paul encourages us to “wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed… cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light”. Now is not the time for relaxing, but instead we have a daily battle to fight against sin and its influence, choosing rather to follow Christ, the light of this world. Paul’s words are even more applicable today – Christ’s return and our salvation is surely imminent.

David continues to write about his trust and reliance upon God in Psalms 62-63. “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water”. Such vivid imagery of David’s heartfelt desperate need for God in his life. “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” God is our fortress against the works of darkness Paul talks about. God’s thinking and influence are the armor of light with which we have to battle. David concludes with the solemn thought, that God “will render to a man according to his work”.

We can clearly see the signs in the world around us that God is preparing for the return of Christ. Let’s take Paul’s words to heart and today battle against sin, using the armor of light to protect us from its influence.

Romans 12, Psalms 60-61

— by on

Paul continues his letter of instruction and encouragement by reminding us that we all have been given different gifts, just as each part of the body has a different function. Having recognised that we have been given gifts, Paul writes “let us use them”, in serving, exhortation, generosity, zeal and cheerfulness.

Regardless of our gift, Paul says “let love be genuine”. A true Christian is visible by their actions, in overcoming evil with good.  This is how we are to be transformed, how we act as a living sacrifice.  As David writes, “with God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes… so will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day”.

Yes there are injustices in the world; God will judge those responsible accordingly. It is up to us to live according to our calling, involving God in all things, serving Him daily.

Romans 1-2

— by on

In Romans 1-2 we find the start of a letter designed to encourage and also cause the reader to reflect on their lives. Paul longed to be in Rome to meet these believers face to face, but he had been unable, so he writes this letter, “that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith”.

It encourages us to patiently seek for glory, honour and immortality, to be a true child of God, a spiritual Jew. This attitude is one that affects the inner person, “a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter” of the law.

Paul also reminds us of the power of the gospel. It reveals the righteousness of God, and it is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes”. It is up to us, through our manner of life, to share this knowledge and hope.

 

Acts 13

— by on

In Acts 13, Paul delivers the gospel message to the Jews in Antioch. “we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus… through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses“.

This promise and forgiveness is also available to us.  Freed from being servants of sin, let us become servants of righteousness, developing “fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life“.

Psalm 104

— by on

In Psalm 104, David lists some of the incredible things God has created. His creative power is great, and Paul writes in Romans that this amazing creation shows God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature” for all to see.

David describes God as clothed with “splendor and majesty”, as if the heavens were His tent, the clouds His chariot, riding on the wings of the wind.  God, in His wisdom, established the foundations of the earth, covering it with water and mountains like a garment. He initiated the springs and made the grass that water and feed the animals. He set the moon to establish seasons, balanced day and night, filled the earth and the water with creatures.

The writer of the Hebrews refers to this Psalm, giving us confidence in God’s power to enact His plan of salvation. Truly God is “very great”, and we should follow David’s example of singing praise to God, meditating and rejoicing in God.

Romans 9, Psalm 57

— by on

In Romans 9, Paul explains God’s mercy, and the hope we have been offered. God said to Moses “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Mercy and compassion are two gifts God provides to “whomever he wills“. What an amazing and humbling idea then, when God through Hosea writes “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people’… they will be called ‘sons of the living God’.“

God has called us to be “children of the promise“, counted as His children. Not because of anything we did, but because God chose to do so. Let us follow David’s example, and “give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.“

Psalm 51, Romans 5-6

— by on

Having written Psalm 51 after the visit of Nathan the prophet, David would have keenly felt the effect of sin and the relief of God’s mercy. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin… create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”  David is incredibly thankful for God’s mercy, and now seeks to re-establish his relationship with God with a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

Romans 5-6 also deal with sin and God’s mercy. Through Christ we have “obtained access by faith into the grace in which we stand“.  We can rejoice that Christ died for us, even while we were sinners, giving us a chance to “walk in newness of life“.

Let us follow the advice of Paul and the example of David, every day a new chance to be slaves of righteousness, leading to sanctification and in the end, eternal life.

 

2 Samuel 17, Jeremiah 21, Romans 7-8

— by on

David’s prayer for Ahithophel’s counsel to be regarded as foolishness (15:31) is answered, when Absolam ignores Ahithophel’s advice and instead listens to Hushai (17:14). Ahithophel’s advice was usually so wise, it was as if it was the word of God (16:23). He was so deeply affected by this rejection of his advice, went home and hung himself (17:23). Ahithophel’s pride in his own ability to analyse a situation cost him his life.

In Jeremiah 21 we read that while our God forgives and is merciful, He has a limit which the people of Israel had now reached. Unrepentant and disinterested in serving God, He would now fight against them in their battles with the Babylonians, without pity or compassion, saying “I have set my face against this city for harm and not for good.”

Paul reminds us that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” The spirit of God needs to dwell in us, leaving no room for the mind of the flesh.  Let us live our lives led by the spirit of God, and so be counted as God’s children.

 

Jeremiah 20, Romans 5-6

— by on

Jeremiah laments his calling as a prophet of God. He was ridiculed for his message of condemnation, yet he felt compelled to share the message he’d been given.  Although everyone mocked Jeremiah, he knew that God “tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind”.  His passion and persistence are a great example to us, especially since we know that “we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand”.  Our life, like Jeremiah’s, requires faith and reliance on God, as well as an outward demonstration of that faith.

We can rejoice that we have been reconciled to God through the death of Christ, since his actions “leads to justification and life for all men”. We have voluntarily died in the waters of baptism, to live a new life “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus”. So we are encouraged by Paul to not let sin reign in our lives, but instead become slaves to God under the grace He has offered us.

 

Romans 3-4

— by on

Paul explains the hope we have through Christ. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”  Furthermore, “we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”

David refers to this as a blessing, “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”  We have been blessed to know God, to have hope of salvation and forgiveness of sins.  Let us also “walk in the footsteps of the faith” of Abraham, that we may be part of the promise made to Abraham, available to those who share his faith.