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ROMANS The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date. 1:4 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, This is part of the introduction by Paul to the Romans. According to Paul, Jesus became [was declared] the Son of God, not by His miracles or teaching, but rather by His resurrection from the dead. He got this information from the Holy Spirit, who also is Jesus Christ. This final point may be confusing, but when I think of Paul's conversion, it makes sense. (DRM 7/17/05) 1:5 . . . through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, This is part of the seven verse introduction sentence to
the book, as written by Paul. (v. 1) In verse 5, Paul's motivation is to bring glory to God. This is a good reminder to us: when we go to God in prayer for the things we think we need, our prayers should be motivated by the desire to bring glory to God, not just for our own personal needs and wants. (Word of Life diary) 1:7 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 first seven verses are generally a greeting that I
think outlines who is writing this letter and who it is addressed to. 1:12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Fellowship with other Christians is very important to me,
and I need constant encouragement from others. Many aspects of life should be "two-way streets" where there is mutual sharing. Christianity is no exception. As Paul wrote here to the Romans, he mentioned how he prayed for them and hoped to visit them soon to encourage them and for them to encourage him. Sharing our faith benefits both people. How I would like to do that! (DRM 7/18/05) 1:16 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 think this is a motivational verse. Paul was stating in v. 15 that he was preaching to people in Rome, and here he was stating that he was bold in his proclamation. I think he wants all who read this verse to be motivated to do the same - which I know I need more help on! (DRM 7/21/08) 1:17 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." The third word, it, refers to the gospel (v. 16). God has
revealed His thoughts through the gospel, the Bible, showing He has faith - and
hoping to produce faith in us from its reading and understanding. Verse 17 is quoting Habakkuk 2:4, a verse quoted three times in the New Testament, each time with a slightly different emphasis. In Romans, the emphasis is on the righteous man. (Word of Life diary) 1:20 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. This refers to the ungodly people in the world, the non-believers. [Rather than today's ungodly believers.] The atheists say that God doesn't exist, and this verse answers that. Look at the stars, trees and animals and tell me honestly, Who made them all? The evidence surrounds us. Lord, open their eyes! (DRM 7/19/05) 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. This makes me think of people like Charles Darwin who knew
God, but did not honor Him, then made up a speculation on how God created the
world that was false. With darkened hearts, others followed and God has slowly
been taken out of the whole creation scenario. Secularists vehemently oppose intelligent design. Their reasoning is that intelligent design brings a supernatural assumption into the field of science. Ironically, Isaac Newton, the father of modern physics, was a committed Christian who claimed the universe's orderliness came from its Creator. (from Our Daily Bread 1/16/12) 1:25 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. I can think of several examples of non-believers who
worship - or care more about - nature, animals, their own appearance - than
about God, our Creator. 1:26 For this reason [v. 25] God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for what is unnatural, This shows how people can move away from God. They worship
creation rather than the Creator (v. 25). The next "unnatural" step is to
worship their own bodies or other bodies or things. In verses 26-27, Paul condemns lesbian and homosexual sexual activity, arguing that it is not natural, not inborn, and not a normal physical activity. (Word of Life diary) 2:3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Everyone is a born sinner. If I deny this, I deceive
myself. When I condemn or pass judgment on others, don't I deserve the same
condemnation for my sins? How am I different from them? 2:5, 6 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: Who is Paul writing to here? While he is probably writing
to the church in Rome, in this verse he is writing about unbelievers - the
unrepentant. 2:12, 13 For all who have sinned without the Law will perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; 13for not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. This is a tougher one: Non-believers have sinned without the Law [Jesus] in their heart will die without Jesus or seeing Heaven. Believers who sin, will be judged by God and must depend on Jesus. Hearing the Law [i.e. Ten Commandments] does not make a person a believer, but people who do the Law [trust in Jesus] will be saved. The Law seems to have different meanings here. (DRM 7/20/05) 2:21, 22 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? The first word that came to my mind was hypocrite. There are recent examples in the Christian church of teachers who have fallen because of this text. How can I (we) keep ourselves pure? Like Paul would state elsewhere, not to keep on sinning, but to be totally sold out to only Jesus, stay in His Book, and associate primarily with other Christians. (DRM 7/24/08) 2:25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Circumcision is generally a physical act that your
parents decided soon after you (male) were born - as a sign that you will
follow God's Law. 2:28, 29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. I have been told that Christians are "spiritual Jews." Maybe that's why we have so much in common in our beliefs. The difference seems to be our attitude - mostly about Jesus. These two verses define to me what a "spiritual Jew" should be, and the differences. I have always liked the Jewish people and pray that they come to know their Messiah. (DRM 7/21/05) 3:3, 4 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, God is faithful to all people. He is present everywhere and loves us all, believers and unbelievers. Since He knows the future, He knows who will be believers and live with Him in Heaven, but we don't know who He has chosen. He is faithful to everyone - like rain and sunshine. Our job is to share His love to others - with the hope that they also will trust in Him. (DRM 7/22/05) 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) By nature we are sinners, not perfect or righteous. God is perfect and righteous. If He chose to allow a disaster, through His wrath, He has a reason that we aren't aware of. That doesn't mean He is an evil God, but that He knows what is best for the future, and this "disaster" will lead to His glory later. (DRM 7/25/08) 3:6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? This refers back to verse five. God is righteous. We are unrighteous sinners. By inflicting wrath on the world, God is showing His righteousness and His desire to have people change their evil ways and follow His way. (DRM 7/22/11) 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; God loves us all equally - but totally. While he wants everyone to know Him, He also knows who will follow Him at the end of their lives and come to Heaven. Those of us who have trusted in Christ aren't any "better" than unbelievers, as we all sin. The difference is that we have asked Christ to forgive us for our sins and they haven't yet. Our job is to convince them that they need to ask Jesus to forgive them - and set them free. (DRM 7/23/05) 3:10 as it is written," This part of Romans 3 is a series of quotes from the
Psalms and Isaiah. 3:19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; I am guilty, you are guilty, we all are guilty of breaking the Law of God. Even if we don't care about the Law, we are guilty in God's eyes — thus accountable to Him. This is really to be kept with v. 20, to make a whole statement. We (I) need a Savior to pay for my sin of breaking the Law. (DRM 7/26/08) 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. A person can not be righteous or have eternal life by just observing what they hear or see in a church. We must accept Jesus Christ in our heart and not just listen to others speak of Him. By accepting the Holy Spirit in our lives, we become conscious of our sins and then should try to overcome these sins to become more like Jesus ourselves. (DRM 1/9/87) 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, This is part of a five verse sentence, but a thought that
I hope can be explained separately. 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. The Law I think of as the Ten Commandments and perhaps the other 600 rules in the Old Testament. We can try not to break the Law, but it's impossible. Even Jesus had a problem with #3 or #4 [Sabbath] in healing someone. Since we can't keep the Law, we have to depend on God in faith for His provision. God provided Jesus to be a substitution for our not obeying the whole Law. Our faith in Jesus as intermediary is the only way to get to Heaven. (DRM 7/24/05) 3:29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, Our God is not the Jewish God. God created the Heavens and
the Earth, and ALL that was and is on the earth. He's not just for one
group and not another. 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." This section is dealing with faith and how we can't earn God's favor by our works. The works that I do are not to obtain salvation or faith, but rather an act of appreciation of what He has done for me [grace] over the years. A person, like Abraham, who trusts in God totally, is considered to be righteous. (DRM 7/25/05) 4:6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: No matter how many good works you do, that won't get you
to Heaven. We can't earn our way to the Kingdom. The only way to enter is to put
complete trust in Jesus, and what He did to cover our sins. 4:11 and he (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be that father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, Abraham was a righteous man. As a result of his righteousness, God was able to use him. Like baptism for us, circumcision for Abraham was an outward sign of an inward desire to follow the Lord. Circumcision is not required for salvation, and all who are circumcised will not go to Heaven unless they are "born-again" from faith in Jesus. (DRM 7/28/08) 4:13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. If we were righteous based on how we followed the Law, or the Ten Commandments, it would be a "works" salvation. The Law shows us all that we can't keep God's Law, and that we need faith in Jesus to be the intermediary between our sins and God's requirement - (DRM 7/29/08) 4:14, 15 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; 15for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. The Jews are those "of the Law." If just following the
Law, and having no faith in Jesus, a person would not get to Heaven (v. 14). If
you don't follow the Law, as Jews, then wrath would come upon you. Circumcision doesn't save, nor does the Law of Moses (vv. 13-15), because only faith in God saves. (vv. 16-25) (Word of Life diary) 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God. Abraham and Sarah were both nearly 100 years old when God started their family. When they were told to expect this, at least Sarah thought it was humorous, but still they had the faith to believe that God could do it. This really encourages me, as I do believe that the Lord has a big project for me. Hopefully I won't have to wait until I'm 100 to begin! (DRM 7/26/05) 5:1, 2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. This may explain how I became a Christian. When I
received a clear presentation of the Gospel, I acted by committing my faith
solely to Him. He then justified {declared righteous} me. But "having now been justified by [Christ's] blood" (v. 9), and having been "reconciled to God through the death of His Son" (v. 10) "we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (v. 9) From Our Daily Bread, Sim Kay Tee, 11/23/11 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. We were all born sinners - even as a baby we wanted things
"our way" and not God's way. No matter if a person accepts Jesus' gift of
salvation at the age of 4 or 90, we were helpless in our sin before knowing
Christ. 5:7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. I think the point of this verse is that people don't normally die for other people. If a person is a God-fearing righteous man, then it is expected that God will take care of him. If not, (good), then this verse states that someone may die for the sinner. Jesus died for our sins, and trusting Him shows faith that will bring us (me) through the greatest trial of all. (DRM 7/27/11) 5:8, 9 But, God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Verse eight is a verse that I recall memorizing in Navigators. It's a clear and important part of our need to trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation. Today, verse nine seemed as important to me. Jesus' blood - death was for my sins, and that includes past, present, and future - as I ask for forgiveness and that I should not continue doing them. The wrath of God = tribulation is coming, and trusting Jesus Christ saves us from going through that. (DRM 7/27/05) 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned — We are all born sinners. We received this condition
through Adam, the first human man. This is called original sin. 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. "The transgression of the one" refers to Adam, the first
human created by God. . . and the first sinner. 5:18 So then as through the one man's disobedience [Adam] the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One [Jesus] the many will be made righteous. I was born with a sin nature. It has come to me from the sin of Adam. Without the Holy Spirit, my nature wanted to do things that were not pleasing to God. For an example, watch any 2, 3, or 4 year old child. Jesus brought the Holy Spirit with Him 2,000 years ago, and gave Him (Holy Spirit) to us at Pentecost. Now, if we ask for forgiveness for our sins, the Holy Spirit enters our lives and we become righteous - but we still sin and need forgiveness. (DRM 7/28/05) 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. We are all sinners. Through the disobedience of Adam, we all sin. But we can thank our Lord Jesus Christ that He died for our sins and we can be made righteous by total belief in Him and His grace. (DRM 11/22/86) 5:20, 21 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Law was written so we would know our sins before God. No one can obey all the Ten Commandments, so, as we know them we should know of our need for grace provided by the Lord Jesus Christ. The grace of Jesus abounds only if you are aware of it and accept it, but that doesn't mean you should intentionally sin. (DRM 7/31/08) 6:5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, This is one of the greatest hopes in the Bible. So long as
I (we) are united with Him (Jesus) in faith, when it is time to leave earth, we
will be like Him. But at the resurrection, the believer will receive his new body with no sin nature. This end of the sanctification process is known as glorification. (Word of Life diary) 6:8, 9 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. (continuing that thought)---> and death will no longer be
master over us if we belong to Him! 6:10, 11 For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Jesus' death was physical, but also spiritual in that He died not for His sins [He had none], but for our sins: past, present and future. His resurrection shows that people who trust personally in His substitutionary death for our sins, will also live with Him, and His Father, God, in Heaven. Someday soon, those who trust in Him will meet Him in Heaven. (DRM 7/29/05) 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed. This refers to the day of our salvation. Before that
moment, I was a slave to sin, even though I didn't know it. Then I became
obedient to my Master; Jesus from the heart [most important part]
and have continued in that teaching which I committed to that day. 6:22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. When I became a born-again Christian, I became a slave to
my Master, God=Jesus. I was freed from the sins of my past and have tried to
avoid sin ever since. This process is called sanctification. We don't have the power to control sin, but we have the right to give our bodies over to Christ's mastery so He can give us the victory. (Word of Life diary) 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The goal of a Christian should be not to sin. God=Jesus
knows it's an impossible goal - but He wants us to strive for it - the
sanctification process. 7:6 But now we have been released from Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. In the olden days, the days of the Old Testament, they had to live by the Law — the Ten Commandments. After Jesus came and returned to Heaven, we have been told to follow Him. Then what are we to do with the Law? I think this says that the Law is to convict us of our sins and to show us how we need forgiveness for our errors - which can only be provided in Jesus, and to serve only Him. (DRM 7/31/05) 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET." This is likely the problem with today's world. With
technology, it seems that few people have time to read real books. Of that
number, I wonder how many have read the Bible even once from beginning to end?
7:9 I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandments came, sin became alive and I died; The Ten Commandments, or The Law, points out our sin nature. There are other sins listed in the Bible, but The Law seems to be the most convicting and easily accessible list. Before becoming a Christian, a person generally doesn't care about the Law, but later realizes all the sins that we have committed based on the Law. (DRM 8/3/08) 7:19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. I am constantly in a spiritual war. I want to serve Christ
more, but then I procrastinate and it never gets done, or some other 'excuse'
comes so the spiritual goal is not reached. 7:20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. This section [7:14-25] is about our two natures. My heart wants to serve God, and my body's nature wants to do anything else. I call it my diversions, as my sin nature always wants me to do something, anything, else than serving the Lord. TV, the Internet and eating are a few of the things that take my time away from serving the Lord. Somehow, I have to spend more time on serving the Lord! (DRM 8/1/05) 7:21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. I know that I am living in a spiritual war, like Paul describes in this passage. As a Christian believer, the Holy Spirit in me tells me what is right to do, then my other spirit goes right on doing other things. An example are the diversions on television when I only want to see one program. I need a "one-track" mind to keep on the "mission." (DRM 8/4/08) 7:23 . . . but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. It seems that I have many continual spiritual wars going on within me. The devil keeps tempting me to do the "pleasurable" things of this world and keeps telling me to stop my Bible study and trust in God. While the temptations are great, I have succeeded so far, and hope that I can continue to live the right way — honoring Christ. (DRM 2/6/87) 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Verse five explains the difference between the flesh and the Spirit. While I think about the flesh and want to stay healthy, I have given my soul or Spirit to following Jesus. There are evidences that the Spirit of God is within me by what my desires are (e.g. reading my Bible every day) that a fleshly person wouldn't have the desire to do. (DRM 8/2/11) In verse 9, Paul says the alternative to living in the flesh — having the Spirit — is a sign of salvation. (Word of Life diary) 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you. This seems so clear to me, but unbelievers don't "get it." Maybe a big part of their problem is that they don't read the Book! If people don't read the Book, or look hard at His creation, it seems that they will never know the Lord personally. Something or someone needs to point them in the right direction. Everyone is different. (DRM 8/2/05) 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. I need to be reminded of this verse on the days when things aren't going well - physically, mentally, or spiritually! This is another aspect of hope - and anticipation of the future world where I (we) will be with Jesus with no more sorrow or pain. . . (DRM 8/6/08) 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. We know who the Son of God is, but who are the sons of
God? I think v. 14 is clear, "those who are being led by the Spirit of God." 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Verse 14 states "for all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." So, as believers, we have the Holy Spirit within us and that should cause us to want to be servants to Him. The Holy Spirit within us also wants to see the Master who chose us to live with Him. This desire to be in Heaven is truly the redemption of our bodies. (DRM 8/3/05) 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. If we get everything that we ask for, then there would be
nothing to look forward to. 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. I could write something on nearly every verse in this most encouraging passage [8:26-39]. . . God has a plan, and has had it from the beginning of time. We were all created to do a part of it, "called according to His purpose." If I don't do my part, He has a backup person to do it, which is NOT good. There is no doubt that He will get the project done through someone! Getting His instructions seems to be the hardest part for me lately. As a servant, I need my Master's orders. (DRM 8/4/05) 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Some people have a problem with predestination and call it
Calvinism. Here it is in the Bible! 8:34 . . . who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. The world today is changing. More and more people are
criticizing Christians and persecuting them for their (our) beliefs. Who
condemns? The people with no faith, or a different faith. Who is in spiritual
control of this world? Satan - who is directing their actions. 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? I remember a song that had this verse in it about a decade
ago. The easy answer is NO ONE. 8:38, 39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. When I was a child, I remember singing, "Jesus loves me, this I know," but when it comes to these two verses, the realization of how much Jesus loves me really comes into focus. As a part of His family, He truly wants the best for me. He knows who I will meet and all about my future - knowing that, I must follow His plan for m y life - and not my own. (DRM 8/7/08) 9:8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. This refers to the Israelites, but now I think it refers to all people on earth. All Israelites claim to be descendents of Abraham [verse 7], thus the creation of the nation. But being a Israelite or Jew in body - flesh - does not make you spiritual. To be spiritual they, and all of us, must have a change of heart to follow God and to do His will, as He directs via the Holy Spirit. (DRM 8/5/05) 9:10, 11 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11for though the twins were not yet born and had not done any thing good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, . . . The point of these two verses was/is that God chooses people to do things before they are born, and our works can not save or change that. I have told several people that even though God knows, in advance, who will be with Him in Heaven, WE DON'T, so our evangelistic mission must go to ALL people. (DRM 8/8/08) 9:15 For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." God is in absolute control. He knows everything. He
decides who He will give mercy and who He won't. There will be times that we
don't understand why He did what He did, but that's all His decision. (e.g.
cancer) 9:18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. If God did not give me His Grace, I would not be writing this book. God has incredible mercy on we, the sinners of the world. We must accept Jesus Christ as our savior and thank Him for dying on the cross for our sins. So many people do not believe in Jesus and their hearts are hardened to His saving grace. We can keep giving our testimonies. . . (DRM 1/8/87) 9:20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? I think this is pointing out a common sin that I know I have. God has a plan for each of us, and I (we) have a free will to choose to follow it or not follow it. When things take an unexpected turn, we ask God "Why?" rather than just going along as He knows best. We are His creation and made to do His will. (DRM 8/9/08) 9:22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He has. God has had patience for nearly 2,000 years
(or two full days), even though He could have released His wrath any time He
wanted to. He has had patience as the world has become more and more like Sodom
and Gomorrah. 9:31, 32 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, And the stumbling stone is Jesus [verse 33]. This is a great description of the state of the Jewish people of today. As soon as the word Jesus is mentioned, there is an invisible wall that goes up. It's their stumbling stone. I know how they try to earn their way to Heaven - making lots of donations, and helping others in need, which is great, but without Jesus, they won't make it. (DRM 8/6/05) 10:1 BRETHREN, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. Quite often, from various sources, I get prayer requests for healing or other needs that even non-Christians know come only from God. If the person that I am praying for is of another faith, my first request to God is for their salvation, as that would be their primary need - even above their health need. Then I pray for the request that I was given. I still am praying for several people's salvation. They seem as hard as a rock - but God can change anything. (DRM 8/7/05) 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. After many talks and listening, I am so glad that I confessed that Jesus would be Lord of my life on January 25, 1986. It will be my goal that I will be able to tell and teach others the great truth in today's verse. (DRM 11/10/86) 10:10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. What happened on the day that we became born-again Christians? We (I) believed that Jesus was my Savior - but not in my head (knowledge), but in my heart - it became an absolute - no turning back decision that I would believe. After that point I became righteous, but it takes time. I also had to tell others that change had occurred, and according to this verse, that produced salvation; as that proved my commitment to the Lord Jesus. (DRM 8/7/11) Since no work can be added to saving faith, we would argue that confession is the natural result (fruit) of a true conversion experience and is synonymous with believing in these verses. (Word of Life diary) 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; God is not prejudiced. God loves all people - He created
us all - and, so long as we love Him, He will do things to show His love toward
us. 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? The middle question here is a common question today. But I see this verse as a progressive towards the answer in v. 17, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." This seems to be an appeal for more preachers. Still, God=Jesus can be seen in His creation - nature - if a person looks more carefully. (DRM 8/11/08) 10:15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS." People who preach the Word of God are very special. As written here, they "are sent," so have received a call from the Lord Jesus to do what they do. Certainly I have heard many preachers, and they all have a message to tell, and do so in various styles - emphasis. As an evangelical, I think they should preach in that style, but some are teachers and assume their flock knows Christ. (DRM 8/8/05) 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. This section emphasizes the need for people to preach the
"Word of Christ," the Bible. In verse 17, the "word of God" refers to messages about Christ (through preaching and witnessing), with these messages coming from the Word of God (the written Scriptures). (Word of Life diary) 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. This section refers to the Jewish people, an why they haven't trusted in Jesus. My understanding is that they are based on works, and Christian faith is based on grace. The key part of this verse to me is: "it is no longer" indicating the change that took place through Jesus - and how we depend on grace. (DRM 8/12/08) 11:7 What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; Israel and its people, the Jews, have been seeking their Messiah for thousands of years. They don't understand that they missed Him. Of God's chosen people, only a remnant will actually get to Heaven, those who believe in Jesus. The hearts of the rest of them were hardened in disbelief, just like the world. (DRM 8/9/05) 11:8 just as it is written, Verse seven clearly indicates this quote is about Israel.
Even though Paul wrote this nearly 2,000 years ago, things haven't changed yet.
11:16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. This makes sense to me. It's like if the Bible is holy,
then the book of Romans - or any other part of the Bible - is holy. The same
with the root - but in the root the food source {source = water, fertilizer} is
the source of the holiness. The Bible should be my main source for spiritual
food. (DRM 8/13/08) 11:18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. This section refers to the branches of the olive tree [verse 17] in which the branches are believers, and the root could be any of the Trinity. As a believing branch, I am not to be arrogant or difficult towards other believers - the other branches. I have to remember that the enemy is not the family of believers, but rather the snake [Satan] or those in other trees. (DRM 8/10/05) 11:23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. "They" are the unbelieving branches of Israel. While the
Gentiles who believe are grafted in, the unbelieving Israel are no longer part
of the alive tree. 11:25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; This seems like an underestimation today. Paul wanted us to know that some of the Jews would not trust in Jesus "until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." It seems to me that 90% of the Jews still don't believe in Jesus. Some dramatic event has to occur to open their eyes. Probably the rapture. (DRM 8/11/05) 11:28 From the standpoint of the gospel they [Israel v. 25] are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; During the present time "until the fullness of the Gentiles" (v. 25) continues - the people from Israel have a "partial hardening" (v. 25) on spiritual enlightenment. While they (as a people) will not agree with the saving grace of Jesus right now, someday soon their eyes will be opened and they will again be "God's . . . beloved." (DRM 8/14/08) 11:30, 31 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. We, believers, were disobedient to the Lord God before we
trusted in His Son, Jesus. After trusting in Jesus, God has shown His mercy
toward us, His spiritual children. 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Who is Him? While the first answer that comes to mind is
God, now I think this is the Trinity, as it is repeated three times. I'll
rewrite this verse with my thought here: 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. God wants us to worship Him and to dedicate our lives to serving Him. One aspect of this is not to harm the body that He has given me (us). While some things that we do to our bodies are controversial, (e.g. drinking poison with the effect of suicide), God will end our earthly existence the day He wants to, and He doesn't want us to accelerate the process. (DRM 8/12/11) 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Since I was "different" before I was a Christian (didn't drink, smoke, etc.) I haven't changed a lot - except in my heart. It seems that other USA Christians have had more of a hard time transitioning to the "renewing of your mind" part of this verse. We (I) am to be in the world, but not of it. (DRM 8/15/08) 12: 4, 5 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. My fingers have a lot more motion than my toes, but both
are necessary to keep my body functioning properly. 12:6 And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith, Every believer in Christ has a gift. This verse and also verses seven and eight shows a partial list of gifts. God wants us to work together with our gifts to make up the whole Body, or church of Christ on earth. My current challenge has been to find another Christian who was given a specific gift that would work with mine of organization. Knowing so few other Christians doesn't help. (DRM 8/12/05) 12:12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer. What should a Christian be like? All of the verses in this section [12:9-21] made up a good standard. While we are not bound by the Law, we all need standards - and some are easier to me than others. This verse has just three: I should always have hope that the Lord will provide for my needs - spiritual and material; as I am troubled in the harder days of life, I must persevere; I must continue to pray to the Lord Jesus for my needs and the needs of others - which always includes repentance for us all. (DRM 8/13/05) 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Persecution of Christians is becoming more common now.
While the news media emphasizes that this occurs in other countries, it slowly
is growing in the USA also. 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. People disagree on lots of different things. God made us
that way. We have different interests and read different books or receive
information from different sources. This influences our mindset and way of
thinking. Of course we will disagree. No matter what our differences - we can
agree on some points and leave the other points alone. 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. I know this has happened to me. Something didn't go the way "I" planned, and I was tempted to do something foolish. Thankfully, I thought of this verse, or a similar one, and left the whole event in God's hands. I have felt so much better that I did that - and have a peace about the whole incident now. (DRM 8/16/08) 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; Rules, rules, rules! Why are the police distrusted by so many people? Because they are the enforcers of the rules. Law abiding citizens should have no fear of these authority figures. They are people just like us. So long as we follow the rules, or laws of society, generally we won't be stopped or if we are, it should only be to "praise" us. (DRM 8/14/05) 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. This follows an earlier part of Chapter 13 that tells us
"to be in subjection to the governing authorities (v. 1)." 13:9e . . . are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." It is very easy to be self-centered and not care about
others and how they feel or think. 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near, Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Night is when most of the evil deeds in the world happen.
Day makes me think of the Light and hope for the future. How do we "put on Christ"? This is accomplished in our daily prayer time and Bible study. Learning the mind of Christ is how we put on Christ which is how we put on the armor of God. (Word of Life diary) 14:5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be convicted in his own mind. I feel that I've had both types of days lately. In some ways, this is a large part of my frustration - in that I need to see progress. I DO regard one day above another. I get frustrated when days seem all alike - thus no progress. God has given me just so many days to do His work on earth - and I feel I must fulfill the goals He has put in my mind. (DRM 8/15/05) 14:6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. There are different thoughts here. Some people go to
church on Saturday and some Sunday, but they go to worship the Lord. 14:7, 8 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. It's impossible NOT to have an impact on the life of someone else. Even as a single person (as I am) you meet and effect the lives of others that you meet at school or work or church, etc. We have a choice to live for the Lord and to show His love to others. What we say and tell others about the Lord will be judged. (v. 12) (DRM 8/18/08) 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this - not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. The thought behind this verse has been a problem with me for over three years now - as other "brothers" have continuously blocked my progress. I believe these people to be isolated and not representative of the whole body of Christ - thus continue to believe that the Lord Jesus has a great mission for my future. (DRM 8/19/08) 14:14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. This refers to the next verse - where the topic is food.
The best example I can think of is how Jews will not eat pork. While non-Jews
have no problem eating pork they should understand and not serve pork to Jews.
14:19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. While I have tried to have this attitude as much as possible as a Christian, I certainly need improvement. Several other Christians have made my recent years quite difficult and sometimes it's hard to forgive, but I have done that now. This could be considered "making peace" with my spiritual brothers (male and female). (DRM 8/16/11) In verse 19, the word "edify" means "to build up." We are to be strengthening fellow believers, not weakening them. (Word of Life diary) 14:20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. Perhaps I went out with a Jewish friend for dinner [which I have done] and we are ordering from the menu. I would not want to order ham or pork items from the menu, as that would probably offend the other person, as their rules don't allow eating of the animal. God wants us to show our love, even though we can eat pork, not to do it for their sake. (DRM 8/16/05) 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. I am an example and people are looking at me knowing that
I am different. Since I must realize that fact, I should evaluate my actions
more before I say or do them. 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. While this was written probably with the spiritually
strong in mind, I can see how it could also be the physically strong. The "ought" of verse one is a moral imperative; we are duty-bound and honor-bound to do this as children of the king, for the "edification" or house-building of fellow believers. (Word of Life diary) 15:2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. So often I criticize other co-workers and people
whom I have dealings with. This verse says that we should always say good things
about others and not find fault with things that are disagreeable. 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now that I (we) are believers in Jesus Christ and trust in Him for our eternal destiny, we continue to live in hope - not only for our heavenly home, but also for things that please Him while we are still on earth. I pray that I'll never lose this hope. (DRM 8/20/08) 15:15 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. This verse could be taken physically or spiritually. If we are healthy, we should help or visit the sick as we are able. As stronger believers, we should disciple those newer in the faith. Both of these aspects of the verse emphasize helping others, and really growing in trust and faith in Jesus as Lord. (DRM 8/17/05) 15:18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, Paul was dependent on the Lord Jesus=God for all of his
Christian life. He wanted to tell others of what Jesus did for and through him. 15:20, 21 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation; 21but as it is written, "THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD SHALL UNDERSTAND." This could be a good missionary verse. Paul did not want to preach to "the choir" of people who already knew Christ in some way, but rather to people in different countries [verse 24: Spain] that had never heard of Him. There are still probably a billion people who have never heard of Jesus today. (DRM 8/18/05) 15:28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. Paul had just written of his plans to go to the poor in
Jerusalem (v. 26). Since he is writing to the Romans, his next plan was to stop
in Rome and then on to Spain - according to this verse. 16:3-5 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; 5also greet the church that is in their house. This begins the final chapter of greetings that he wanted the Roman church to recognize. I chose verse five, then went back for the whole sentence. As with many churches today, Prisca and Aquila's church started in their house, then probably grew as the Holy Spirit added other believers. This is a reminder to me that we (I) have to start projects small, then increase as the Lord provides. (DRM 8/22/08) 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. This section [verses 1-16] is completely on greetings to others. This verse is a reminder that Paul was in prison at the time he wrote this book. Like people today, he probably wouldn't have had the time to write if he was out preaching all the time. Maybe God allowed Paul's imprisonment to give him the time to write his letters/books to us. He was encouraged by fellow believers both in prison and outside. (DRM 8/19/05) 16:15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. This is a part of a long list of Christians that helped Paul in his ministry in one way or another. I (we) could think of them as real people who were the first Christians. They will be known (by being in this Book) forever for their early commitment to the Lord Jesus. What will the Lord know me (you) for? (DRM 10/15/11) 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. Today we shake hands or just talk with no physical
touching in greeting in USA. In the Middle East in that time apparently this
kiss was customary. A modern equivalent of verse 16 would be, "Greet one another with a holy handshake." (Word of Life diary) 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. The first church that I attended after becoming a born-again Christian had a division a few years later. It consisted of a lot of angry meetings and accusations between members. I never understood how Christians could react that way. Maybe as a result of that, and Biblical teaching, I have always wanted a unified church, where people can live with their differences. (DRM 8/20/05) 16:18 For such people (v.17 . . . those who cause divisions.) are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. It's easy for me to name a person who fits this
description! Thank you Lord for placing your Holy Spirit within me, so that I
can more easily distinguish between the false teachers and the teachers of Your
word! 16:19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. Paul seems to be both a leader/teacher and a father figure to these small churches. He has heard of their activities and seems happy with their obedience to the Gospel. He doesn't want them to be deceived by false teachers (v. 17). I'm sure I would feel the same way if I was in a similar role. (DRM 8/23/08) 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Satan is the ruler of the earth. He instigates all types
of wars and conflicts; physical and spiritual. |