Romans 12:14-21
English Standard Version (ESV)
Have you ever tried to explain baseball to someone? There are so many rules -- every time you think you have it mastered, you realize you forgot some little detail. Football is the same way -- there are countless penalties, and even after watching it for years I see things I've never seen before. Imagine trying to give guidelines to lead someone through every ethical dilemma they might face in their lives -- it would be impossible to capture it all.
Paul is trying to guide the church in Rome to live faithfully, but he knows he can't capture everything. So what he does instead is paint a big picture, one that describes the overall shape of the Christian life, and he trusts that if they are truly seeking to live as Christians, that they can figure the details out according to the big items. Love one another. Be kind to your enemies (it will frustrate them more than seeking retribution, Paul tells us). Be humble. Seek peace.
Paul paints us a big picture, and we are called to fill in the details, trusting in God to lead us day by day.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Romans 12:9-13
Romans 12:9-13
English Standard Version (ESV)
Think these commands could keep you busy for a while? So often, we're focused on the negative aspects of what Scripture commands, and we forget about all the challenges the Bible offers up -- there are enough to keep us all busy for the rest of our lives. Do you love all with affection? Do you strive to outdo someone in showing honor? Do you not rest in your zeal for honoring God, always looking for every possible opportunity to serve God? Does your hope drive you to rejoice? Do you give to those in need?
It's a lot, and none of us get it completely right. We all have room to grow, and yet we are each challenged to reach a little farther, to do a little more. God calls us into a life of discipleship, and it's never easy, but we are to encourage one another to rise to the challenge and strive for the abundant life that serves and loves one another and, in so doing, honors God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Think these commands could keep you busy for a while? So often, we're focused on the negative aspects of what Scripture commands, and we forget about all the challenges the Bible offers up -- there are enough to keep us all busy for the rest of our lives. Do you love all with affection? Do you strive to outdo someone in showing honor? Do you not rest in your zeal for honoring God, always looking for every possible opportunity to serve God? Does your hope drive you to rejoice? Do you give to those in need?
It's a lot, and none of us get it completely right. We all have room to grow, and yet we are each challenged to reach a little farther, to do a little more. God calls us into a life of discipleship, and it's never easy, but we are to encourage one another to rise to the challenge and strive for the abundant life that serves and loves one another and, in so doing, honors God.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Romans 12:3-8
Romans 12:3-8
English Standard Version (ESV)
Every now and again you hear of a team member demanding special treatment -- they've started to believe that they are the most important member of the team, and feel that they should be compensated as such. They've started to think that they are owed something more due to their special talents. It happens in the church, too.
Here, Paul is telling us that we need to remember to be humble, for what we have we received from God, and we received it for a purpose -- not for our own glory, but for the use of God in building his church. God loves us, but he doesn't single some of us out to be better than the rest. Instead, each of us is a puzzle piece with different attributes that is meant to fit together in the building of the Kingdom. We are unique and special and different, but that, in no way, entitles us to special treatment. Let us serve with humility, grateful for the gifts we received.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Every now and again you hear of a team member demanding special treatment -- they've started to believe that they are the most important member of the team, and feel that they should be compensated as such. They've started to think that they are owed something more due to their special talents. It happens in the church, too.
Here, Paul is telling us that we need to remember to be humble, for what we have we received from God, and we received it for a purpose -- not for our own glory, but for the use of God in building his church. God loves us, but he doesn't single some of us out to be better than the rest. Instead, each of us is a puzzle piece with different attributes that is meant to fit together in the building of the Kingdom. We are unique and special and different, but that, in no way, entitles us to special treatment. Let us serve with humility, grateful for the gifts we received.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Romans 12:1-2
Romans 12:1-2
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
As they say, the problem with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off the altar.
These two verses are packed with meaning, and if you studied just these verses for a month, you would find no shortage of depth. In summary, Paul is calling us to live in such a way where we are giving ourselves completely to God, pouring ourselves out for his greater glory, willing to give up all we are for the honor of God. I don't know that we think like this very often -- it sounds challenging and costly, and we easily forget all that God has given us and only think about what it might cost us.
Paul goes on, telling us that God should change the way we think. If we are Christians, every thought should be captive to the will of God, so that we glorify him in all we do, honoring and praising him in public and private moments. It's all about God.
If we strive for this, we will find the life that truly is life, the abundant life that comes from God alone.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
As they say, the problem with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off the altar.
These two verses are packed with meaning, and if you studied just these verses for a month, you would find no shortage of depth. In summary, Paul is calling us to live in such a way where we are giving ourselves completely to God, pouring ourselves out for his greater glory, willing to give up all we are for the honor of God. I don't know that we think like this very often -- it sounds challenging and costly, and we easily forget all that God has given us and only think about what it might cost us.
Paul goes on, telling us that God should change the way we think. If we are Christians, every thought should be captive to the will of God, so that we glorify him in all we do, honoring and praising him in public and private moments. It's all about God.
If we strive for this, we will find the life that truly is life, the abundant life that comes from God alone.
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