1. In his opening statement, Paul established the basis of their faith and the meaning of the letter. Our while faith is built on the fact that Jesus was the foretold Messiah (he was God) and that he rose from the dead. These are the two beliefs that separate Christianity from every other monotheistic religion in the world. We have to hold fast on these truths of we are too defend our faith or make a stand. 2. V. 16 Paul was completely unashamed of the gospel and talking about his faith. He knew that if he spoke the truth with conviction and confidence, people would believe. I think the reason we shy away from sharing our faith is because we will be rejected so there is no point to it. It's true some will reflect the saving truth but some will believe and we have to stay confident of this. 3. V. 25 The truth is a thin line. There is only one truth that corresponds completely with reality. There are endless possibilities of the lies we can fabricate. I need to stay in God's word and make sure I know the truth on so many issues today (like homosexuality in v. 26-28). The world's media, intellectuals, and school systems are teaching lies. These lies or perversions of the truth are the direct result of a generation that hates God and wants to pass that down to the next generation. Let's not let our minds get corrupted from the pure truth of God's Word.
I don't exactly have verses that stick out at me, but rather thoughts on the whole chapter. 1. We cannot be ashamed we are Christians, rather we must be proud. Why be ashamed of the best gift that could ever be give? When I get a new toy, I want all my friends to be able to see it and that's how it should be with us which brings me to my second point. 2. I must act in a Christian manner all the time. Not some of the time, or only when I feel like it, but all the time. I personally really struggle with this because my desire to fit in and be like everyone else is so dominant, but I must remember that is not who I'm called to be. I must show off Christ in the way I act, talk, think, everything. 3. The world is no friend of Gods and it should NOT be mine either. In the last part of the chapter, Paul talks about some of the sins that were being committed at that time (which still are today) and there is nothing Christlike about it. It's especially hard for me to keep my thinking straight when the whole world surrounds me, but that is no excuse. I need to think and behave in a way that God would find desirable. I must represent God in everything I do.
V15 "As much as is in me I am ready to preach the gospel." Paul was ready. Ready to preach the gospel, ready to persecuted, even ready to die for Jesus Christ. I am inspired reading this to be ready (as much as I can) to share the gospel. Ready as in praying for opportunities, and maintaining a testimony that people would actually want to hear what I had to say. I love the quote: "Live in such a way that the atheist asks himself why he doesn't believe in God."
V20: The "those who have never heard" argument is addressed here. I just love that God has provided a way FOR EVERYONE to be exposed to His truth.
V25 Worshipping and serving the creature more than the creator. We have this sin on the top of our list as a nation. Lord, help me not to idolize people but worship YOU only!
Romans 1 1. V. 3-4 Jesus Christ came in the flesh. He was completely man. But He was also completely God. He proved this when rose from the dead. We need to nail both of these truths in our head. They are so important to our faith. Many are compromising. 2. V. 16 this is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Why in the world would we be ashamed of the gospel? It is the most powerful reality in life. It can change everyone who believes in it. Yet, though we may claim we aren't, we often times live like we are ashamed. We care so much of what others will think or say. I am so guilty of this. God I want to live unashamed of the gospel! 3. V. 25 Without realizing it, I do the same thing. I many times elevate man above God. The creature over the Creator... It's like we think we are above God and have the authority to rule over him. We are the ones to decide if what he says is true or not....We are the ones to reason if he is a reality. He is viewed as a step down from us.
1. V 16. The gospel is the power of salvation. This brings a question to my mind, why are we ashamed of what miraculously saved us? 2. V. 30 It's interesting to me how we find "disobedient to parents" right in with the list of more severe seeming sins. To me, that shows how much God really cares about how I respect and obey my parents.To some it might seem small, but to God it's a big deal. 3. V. 32 They know God's judgment and that what they are doing is wrong. But they still continue to do so, and even worse they take pleasure in it. Do we take pleasure in the things of the world? The very sins that Jesus died for and conquered? God wants us to live a life set apart from the sins of the world and instead marked by the gospel. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him that called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
Since the chapter is not posted I'll just put the verse I'm referring to right before my thoughts on it. V20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" The way I interpret this (it confused me more than a little at first) is that it is talking about how everything ever made proclaims the glory of God. Even "...his eternal power and Godhead..." are shown in his creation. This leaves unbelievers with no excuse to say that they never saw a sign that God exists. No matter where you are at, you can look up into the sky and see the clouds and the sun (by the way, think about this: what mortal person would have the mind to engineer something remotely close to the sun? Only God can do something like that), or you'll see the beautiful night sky with all the stars, which God knows each and every one by name, and the sheer vastness of the universe. The glory of it all just screams of God's grandeur. There truly is no excuse to not admit God exists. V22 "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" This reminds me alot of Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall". What I get out of it, is that if you keep on bumbing yourself up, and saying you're all that, you will fall. Yes, it might last a little while. Maybe even years. But eventually, everything you said was so good about yourself will fall. It's really hard to build a good, solid reputation on something that never was, or what you just said about yourself. And if what you're saying is true, and you're bragging about it, you will still fall. Proverbs 16:18 has been proven time and time again. And it's in the Bible. It's true.
Sorry, has to post in two different parts. Word limit.
V25-32 "25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet . 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient ; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them"
(Sorry about how long that was. Just felt I needed the whole thing for it to make sense) In a nutshell this talks about how if you stray from God and resist his calling for you to come back, or if you're not saved and you resist him, then he will let you go to do what it is you want, because we are, after all, creatures with a few will. But there will be consequence, because God is just. But not only that, you will stay farther and do things worse than you would ever imagine. I can't stop thinking about what Pastor Sammy (our churches youth pastor) says: "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you money than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay." Our flesh is powerful, and it has very sinful lusts that we cannot overcome on our own. But God will help us. We just need to listen to him. We need to take heed to his warnings, and listen to the holy spirit. The Titanic was called the unsinkable ship, and it sank on its maiden journey before it even reached port. We can't let our lives be the same. Let's live them for Christ.
Wow Seth! Amazing comments and illustrations! You are gifted. I'll be honest, I was kinda like whoa when I saw how long yours was especially on the "mobile version" of the blog. But the time it took to read was so worth it! Sorry for not putting the passage up today. The chapter was too long to fit into the word limit also. I'll see if I can work something out tho.
Anyone who brushed by Seth's, go back and read it! I promise you will get something from it.
Seth, wow. Your points really touched my heart. The vivid imagery you used made the verses so much more alive and real to me. I really enjoy reading your insight. Thanks for posting!
1. V.16 if Paul himself who was a persecutor of Christians wasn't ashamed. How can I be? Why should I be? Just something to think about. If others before you who could've been and were killed weren't ashamed how can we who live in a free country be? 2. V.30 this is exactly where our nation and generation are at right now. Back biters and haters of God. To the very God that gave us life we use it to mock Him. We need to turn back to God.
Verse 16- in the world that we live in, it can be hard to proclaim our salvation to anyone. We can be afraid of judgement or not being able to answer a question that an unsaved person might ask. Salvation is a true gift from The Lord and God will give us grace and the courage to proclaim our love for Him if we let Him. Verse 17- we live by faith. Faith is by believing and not seeing. This is continually a hard concept for me to grasp. Because we can not see or know why God is letting certain things happen in our life we get overwhelmed. We have to believe by faith that God is in control. Keep trusting in our almighty Unchangeable God! Verse 20- I will never understand why people would think there is no God. If they would even just look around at the world they live in they would see the wonderful creation that God has provided for us to enjoy every single day! No one or something would ever be able to create that, only God.
1. vs15-16: After reading the background that Dan Wood wrote about Romans, I feel as if I was able to understand Paul just a little bit better. Paul had never been to Rome but he heard of the cruelty and paganism that was praised in that city. But he says "I am ready to preach the gospel to that are in Rome...for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ..." Nothing could hold Paul back and I find it incredible that he was so willing to throw himself into the lions den, figuratively speaking, for Christs' sake. What's even more awe-inspiring is that Paul had never seen Jesus face to face (besides his conversion experience) and yet he threw caution to the wind when it came to serving the Lord. Yet, he was just a man. Like me. I've wanted to serve in missions for as long as I can remember, but I can't honestly say that I'm ready, or that I'm not fully unashamed.
2. vs23: Again, the Romans were heathenistic pagan worshipers. This verse is talking about the people forgetting God and substituting Him for other deities. It makes me think about how easy it really is to forget God; how easy it is to let other things rule my heart. It scares me how quick I am to lose sight of Him.
3. vs32: It makes me sick knowing that these people knew of God and His judgment, and yet they were perfectly content with continuing in their wicked corrupt ways. What's worse than that is knowing that I have been in those same shoes. I pray everyday that God will convict me and chasten me. I don't want Him to give me my own way, as was the case in vs.28. I need God to stay after me and keep me faithful.
1. In his opening statement, Paul established the basis of their faith and the meaning of the letter. Our while faith is built on the fact that Jesus was the foretold Messiah (he was God) and that he rose from the dead. These are the two beliefs that separate Christianity from every other monotheistic religion in the world. We have to hold fast on these truths of we are too defend our faith or make a stand.
ReplyDelete2. V. 16 Paul was completely unashamed of the gospel and talking about his faith. He knew that if he spoke the truth with conviction and confidence, people would believe. I think the reason we shy away from sharing our faith is because we will be rejected so there is no point to it. It's true some will reflect the saving truth but some will believe and we have to stay confident of this.
3. V. 25 The truth is a thin line. There is only one truth that corresponds completely with reality. There are endless possibilities of the lies we can fabricate. I need to stay in God's word and make sure I know the truth on so many issues today (like homosexuality in v. 26-28). The world's media, intellectuals, and school systems are teaching lies. These lies or perversions of the truth are the direct result of a generation that hates God and wants to pass that down to the next generation. Let's not let our minds get corrupted from the pure truth of God's Word.
I don't exactly have verses that stick out at me, but rather thoughts on the whole chapter.
ReplyDelete1. We cannot be ashamed we are Christians, rather we must be proud. Why be ashamed of the best gift that could ever be give? When I get a new toy, I want all my friends to be able to see it and that's how it should be with us which brings me to my second point.
2. I must act in a Christian manner all the time. Not some of the time, or only when I feel like it, but all the time. I personally really struggle with this because my desire to fit in and be like everyone else is so dominant, but I must remember that is not who I'm called to be. I must show off Christ in the way I act, talk, think, everything.
3. The world is no friend of Gods and it should NOT be mine either. In the last part of the chapter, Paul talks about some of the sins that were being committed at that time (which still are today) and there is nothing Christlike about it. It's especially hard for me to keep my thinking straight when the whole world surrounds me, but that is no excuse. I need to think and behave in a way that God would find desirable. I must represent God in everything I do.
V15 "As much as is in me I am ready to preach the gospel." Paul was ready. Ready to preach the gospel, ready to persecuted, even ready to die for Jesus Christ. I am inspired reading this to be ready (as much as I can) to share the gospel. Ready as in praying for opportunities, and maintaining a testimony that people would actually want to hear what I had to say. I love the quote: "Live in such a way that the atheist asks himself why he doesn't believe in God."
ReplyDeleteV20: The "those who have never heard" argument is addressed here. I just love that God has provided a way FOR EVERYONE to be exposed to His truth.
V25 Worshipping and serving the creature more than the creator. We have this sin on the top of our list as a nation. Lord, help me not to idolize people but worship YOU only!
Romans 1
ReplyDelete1. V. 3-4 Jesus Christ came in the flesh. He was completely man. But He was also completely God. He proved this when rose from the dead. We need to nail both of these truths in our head. They are so important to our faith. Many are compromising.
2. V. 16 this is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Why in the world would we be ashamed of the gospel? It is the most powerful reality in life. It can change everyone who believes in it. Yet, though we may claim we aren't, we often times live like we are ashamed. We care so much of what others will think or say. I am so guilty of this. God I want to live unashamed of the gospel!
3. V. 25 Without realizing it, I do the same thing. I many times elevate man above God. The creature over the Creator... It's like we think we are above God and have the authority to rule over him. We are the ones to decide if what he says is true or not....We are the ones to reason if he is a reality. He is viewed as a step down from us.
1. V 16. The gospel is the power of salvation. This brings a question to my mind, why are we ashamed of what miraculously saved us?
ReplyDelete2. V. 30 It's interesting to me how we find "disobedient to parents" right in with the list of more severe seeming sins. To me, that shows how much God really cares about how I respect and obey my parents.To some it might seem small, but to God it's a big deal.
3. V. 32 They know God's judgment and that what they are doing is wrong. But they still continue to do so, and even worse they take pleasure in it. Do we take pleasure in the things of the world? The very sins that Jesus died for and conquered? God wants us to live a life set apart from the sins of the world and instead marked by the gospel. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him that called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
Since the chapter is not posted I'll just put the verse I'm referring to right before my thoughts on it.
ReplyDeleteV20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" The way I interpret this (it confused me more than a little at first) is that it is talking about how everything ever made proclaims the glory of God. Even "...his eternal power and Godhead..." are shown in his creation. This leaves unbelievers with no excuse to say that they never saw a sign that God exists. No matter where you are at, you can look up into the sky and see the clouds and the sun (by the way, think about this: what mortal person would have the mind to engineer something remotely close to the sun? Only God can do something like that), or you'll see the beautiful night sky with all the stars, which God knows each and every one by name, and the sheer vastness of the universe. The glory of it all just screams of God's grandeur. There truly is no excuse to not admit God exists.
V22 "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" This reminds me alot of Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall". What I get out of it, is that if you keep on bumbing yourself up, and saying you're all that, you will fall. Yes, it might last a little while. Maybe even years. But eventually, everything you said was so good about yourself will fall. It's really hard to build a good, solid reputation on something that never was, or what you just said about yourself. And if what you're saying is true, and you're bragging about it, you will still fall. Proverbs 16:18 has been proven time and time again. And it's in the Bible. It's true.
Sorry, has to post in two different parts. Word limit.
ReplyDeleteV25-32 "25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet . 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient ; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them"
(Sorry about how long that was. Just felt I needed the whole thing for it to make sense)
In a nutshell this talks about how if you stray from God and resist his calling for you to come back, or if you're not saved and you resist him, then he will let you go to do what it is you want, because we are, after all, creatures with a few will. But there will be consequence, because God is just. But not only that, you will stay farther and do things worse than you would ever imagine. I can't stop thinking about what Pastor Sammy (our churches youth pastor) says: "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you money than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay." Our flesh is powerful, and it has very sinful lusts that we cannot overcome on our own. But God will help us. We just need to listen to him. We need to take heed to his warnings, and listen to the holy spirit. The Titanic was called the unsinkable ship, and it sank on its maiden journey before it even reached port. We can't let our lives be the same. Let's live them for Christ.
Wow Seth! Amazing comments and illustrations! You are gifted. I'll be honest, I was kinda like whoa when I saw how long yours was especially on the "mobile version" of the blog. But the time it took to read was so worth it! Sorry for not putting the passage up today. The chapter was too long to fit into the word limit also. I'll see if I can work something out tho.
DeleteAnyone who brushed by Seth's, go back and read it! I promise you will get something from it.
Seth, wow. Your points really touched my heart. The vivid imagery you used made the verses so much more alive and real to me. I really enjoy reading your insight. Thanks for posting!
Delete1. V.16 if Paul himself who was a persecutor of Christians wasn't ashamed. How can I be? Why should I be? Just something to think about. If others before you who could've been and were killed weren't ashamed how can we who live in a free country be?
ReplyDelete2. V.30 this is exactly where our nation and generation are at right now. Back biters and haters of God. To the very God that gave us life we use it to mock Him. We need to turn back to God.
Verse 16- in the world that we live in, it can be hard to proclaim our salvation to anyone. We can be afraid of judgement or not being able to answer a question that an unsaved person might ask. Salvation is a true gift from The Lord and God will give us grace and the courage to proclaim our love for Him if we let Him.
ReplyDeleteVerse 17- we live by faith. Faith is by believing and not seeing. This is continually a hard concept for me to grasp. Because we can not see or know why God is letting certain things happen in our life we get overwhelmed. We have to believe by faith that God is in control. Keep trusting in our almighty Unchangeable God!
Verse 20- I will never understand why people would think there is no God. If they would even just look around at the world they live in they would see the wonderful creation that God has provided for us to enjoy every single day! No one or something would ever be able to create that, only God.
Romans 1
ReplyDelete1. vs15-16: After reading the background that Dan Wood wrote about Romans, I feel as if I was able to understand Paul just a little bit better. Paul had never been to Rome but he heard of the cruelty and paganism that was praised in that city. But he says "I am ready to preach the gospel to that are in Rome...for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ..." Nothing could hold Paul back and I find it incredible that he was so willing to throw himself into the lions den, figuratively speaking, for Christs' sake. What's even more awe-inspiring is that Paul had never seen Jesus face to face (besides his conversion experience) and yet he threw caution to the wind when it came to serving the Lord. Yet, he was just a man. Like me. I've wanted to serve in missions for as long as I can remember, but I can't honestly say that I'm ready, or that I'm not fully unashamed.
2. vs23: Again, the Romans were heathenistic pagan worshipers. This verse is talking about the people forgetting God and substituting Him for other deities. It makes me think about how easy it really is to forget God; how easy it is to let other things rule my heart. It scares me how quick I am to lose sight of Him.
3. vs32: It makes me sick knowing that these people knew of God and His judgment, and yet they were perfectly content with continuing in their wicked corrupt ways. What's worse than that is knowing that I have been in those same shoes. I pray everyday that God will convict me and chasten me. I don't want Him to give me my own way, as was the case in vs.28. I need God to stay after me and keep me faithful.