Romans 11:30-36
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Throughout Romans, Paul is expanding on a theme -- God's mercy is a free gift from above that we do not deserve, due to our sinful nature, but that Christ gives himself for us so that God might forgive us. Paul emphasizes the separation between us and God, but then he reminds us how much God has done to close that God. Paul is trying to remind us to be grateful for all that God has done, and to respond by living a life that pleases and honors God. Paul doesn't want us to get caught up thinking we deserve this or that, but rather to live out of gratitude, focused on what God has done rather than ourselves.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Romans 11:25-29
Romans 11:25-29
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
God doesn't take back. God doesn't forget.
When it comes to all the questions we have, let us trust God. God is good. Paul is reminding the Romans that God is wiser and more generous than we are. We don't have the answers, but God will sort things out, and God will do so in a way that is kinder and gentler than the way we, in all our wisdom, would figure it out.
The people in Rome had a lot of questions.
We have a lot of questions.
May we trust in God to sort things out for the best.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
God doesn't take back. God doesn't forget.
When it comes to all the questions we have, let us trust God. God is good. Paul is reminding the Romans that God is wiser and more generous than we are. We don't have the answers, but God will sort things out, and God will do so in a way that is kinder and gentler than the way we, in all our wisdom, would figure it out.
The people in Rome had a lot of questions.
We have a lot of questions.
May we trust in God to sort things out for the best.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Romans 11:17-24
Romans 11:17-24
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
In the beginning, we're often grateful for something we receive, but after a while we start to view it as an entitlement, as though we did something to deserve it, because we've forgotten that it was a free gift. We simply get used to the way things are and forget the way they were.
Let us remember, then, with humility, that grace is a gift, given freely by God. We did not earn it, and we are no better than others. We have received the gift, but our job is not to reward ourselves for the way we have been given it -- rather, we are charged to go and tell the good news about how God saves, about how God gives grace regardless of merit, about how God has reached out, reached down to us. God loves freely and unconditionally, and we were not worthy, but have been saved by the love and mercy of God.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
In the beginning, we're often grateful for something we receive, but after a while we start to view it as an entitlement, as though we did something to deserve it, because we've forgotten that it was a free gift. We simply get used to the way things are and forget the way they were.
Let us remember, then, with humility, that grace is a gift, given freely by God. We did not earn it, and we are no better than others. We have received the gift, but our job is not to reward ourselves for the way we have been given it -- rather, we are charged to go and tell the good news about how God saves, about how God gives grace regardless of merit, about how God has reached out, reached down to us. God loves freely and unconditionally, and we were not worthy, but have been saved by the love and mercy of God.
Friday, September 25, 2015
Romans 11:11-16
Romans 11:11-16
English Standard Version (ESV)
In our ordinary thinking, we get accustomed to the idea that only one can succeed. For someone to win a race, someone else has to lose. For me to be successful, there is another that must fail. There is room for only one at the top, right?
Here, Paul is telling us that Israel stumbled so that the Gentiles can be welcomed into the riches of God. Their failure to grasp the full riches and wonder of God opened a door so that others could be welcomed into the Kingdom.
But Paul twists things a bit... Paul tells us while it is good that the Gentiles have been welcomed in, but it will be even better if the Jews are welcomed into the Kingdom as well. There is plenty of room for all! All are welcome into the Kingdom, and it will be even more joyful if all receive the grace of God!
Let us not shrink our minds and think that the Kingdom and grace are small things for a few --- may we rather rejoice in the abundance of God and give thanks that all are welcome at the banquet table of God!
English Standard Version (ESV)
In our ordinary thinking, we get accustomed to the idea that only one can succeed. For someone to win a race, someone else has to lose. For me to be successful, there is another that must fail. There is room for only one at the top, right?
Here, Paul is telling us that Israel stumbled so that the Gentiles can be welcomed into the riches of God. Their failure to grasp the full riches and wonder of God opened a door so that others could be welcomed into the Kingdom.
But Paul twists things a bit... Paul tells us while it is good that the Gentiles have been welcomed in, but it will be even better if the Jews are welcomed into the Kingdom as well. There is plenty of room for all! All are welcome into the Kingdom, and it will be even more joyful if all receive the grace of God!
Let us not shrink our minds and think that the Kingdom and grace are small things for a few --- may we rather rejoice in the abundance of God and give thanks that all are welcome at the banquet table of God!
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