Romans 1 - Reading from the NIV
Observations
- (v3-4) - Jesus is humanly Jewish through his mother Mary who is descended from King David, but is equally shown (declared) to be the Son of God "by the Spirit of Holiness" through His resurrection.
- (v6) - "You also are among those called to belong to Christ Jesus" (emphasis mine) Paul is writing to the Roman believers here, and by extension to all believers. We are all called to belong to Jesus, obey his commands...especially the Great Commission.
- (v8) - Paul thanks God firstly because the "faith" of the Roman church is being reported around the world. This implies that:
- Some of the Roman Christians were probably very influential persons.
- Their faith was being tested, otherwise what was there to report?
- (v9-10) (<-A) - Paul calls God to witness that he prays for the Roman church AT ALL TIMES!! Can I make that claim for anyone? I also note that in the same breath Paul claims to serve God (who he calls as witness) with his WHOLE heart. Not just this and that, not just when it feels good or when everything goes to pot...he serves God with his whole heart.
- (v12) (<-A) - Paul speaks about imparting spiritual gifts to the Roman believers by mutually encouraging one another in faith. That's a bit different to some people's take on spiritual gifts!!
- (v13) - Paul's main purpose in visiting the Roman church is to "have a harvest in them". This is interesting...it could simply mean he wants to see sinners saved and grow the church, but I think it goes deeper. I think he was referring to discipleship here. He wants to disciple some of the believers and equip them to have a greater and ongoing harvest.
- (v16) - Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel. Once again...I can't identify completely. There are many times when I turn away opportunities to share or live out the Gospel, simply because there might be negative social consequences.
- (v18-20) - God's wrath is revealed because of the wickedness of men who lie in wait and suppress truth. (Interesting that these men know the truth quite plainly, but choose to suppress it.) Since Creation, God has been clearly visible through the manifestations of his qualities and characteristics, so no one has any excuse. They need only look to see Him.
- (v24) - God "gave them over" to their own sinful desires. Is there a point where God has had enough and stops intervening to shield us from our own lusts? How sad He must be when we finally press Him so far that He has to let us go.
- (v28) - Even their minds became depraved, again we see that God "gave them over". So God is battling for us...even in our own minds, He has gone into the ring for us, yet not forever! If we side with his enemy continuously, He eventually steps out of the ring, allowing the enemy to turn on us, "giving us over" to the depravity of our own desires.
- (v29-31) - A long list of sins common to man...unfortunately I could lay claim to most of them at some point in my life! Thank you Lord for providing the way of escape! A door opening through the scars in your hands.
- Set myself a goal of praying for other believers (specifically CQU SLers and Gibbo) EVERY time I spend some time praying.
- Encourage other believers in their faith, this is giving a spiritual gift to them.
- Stop being ashamed of the Gospel! It's worth dying for, walk the talk no matter who (or even if no one) is watching.
- Pick one of the sins from the v29-31 list that I struggle with. Talk to God about it, discuss it with and be accountable to Bullets about it, and actively fight it this year.
- Prayed for Gibbo, Wes, James Mc, thanked God for what I have learned here at Nexus ad the vision he has give to Gibbo and me for reaching JCU in Townsville, praised God for the positive responses we received from the LINC missionaries and SL leaders.
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