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We have stretched out our series of “daily” devotions in Romans for several months. The first was written on January 1st, in what was intended to be about a month long journey. A lot of things have happened in life since we started, including the birth of our third child Stephen. Since he came along, these devotions have not exactly been “daily”, as you may have observed.

One way or the other, we came through the book learning a lot, and reviewing some important passages. The entire Romans series can be downloaded in PDF format from our Catalog. We have now made our way through sixteen books, and will be headed back to the Old Testament for a study in Exodus next week.

“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” We should pray that the things which were true of the Roman church are true of us. While Paul recognizes and commends their obedience, he also calls them to a higher level. Those of great Christian character don’t mature past simple obedience, they rather do just as the Apostle suggests; increasing their understanding of good, while further separating themselves from evil. The most Godly people develop an experiential ignorance of continual sin, and (at the same time) a keen, objective understanding of its lure, its affects, and its dangers. They do not forget the sins of their past or ignore the sins of present, but instead become more determined to rely upon Christ to overcome them. Their simplicity in matters of evil is not simplicity of understanding, it is simplicity of ongoing experience. I hope this passage will inspire all of us to greater obedience, allowing any discussion of the most Godly disciples to include us. My prayer is that we would have a vast knowledge of goodness, and profound hatred of sin.

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.” Believers always love their brothers and sisters in Christ. We fellowship with one another, encourage, and diligently pray for one another. When one of us needs help, we think nothing of asking the other, and provide the same assistance in return. We give money to church family in need and those that labor in missions or other vocational Christian service. We even sacrifice hours of our time discipling and caring for one another spiritually. What about laying down our “own necks”? Are we ready to hazard our lives to protect a brother or sister? True, those of us that live in the United States have little opportunity to do so, thanks to the wonderful blessing of freedom and liberty, but the key to the question is willingness. How far does our commitment to Christ go; does it lead us to the point of counting our own physical lives less than another’s? I don’t know that we can ever provide a preemptive answer. After all, Peter felt he would follow Christ even to death just hours before denying Him. This is a question that is considered deeply, and only answered at the moment of opportunity. Begin your considerations today.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” There are some big and wonderful words in this passage of scripture. It seems that each phrase is selected to reveal the sufficiency and wonder of God. All joy and all peace are found in Him, and every ounce of hope given to man is “His hope”. These, the greatest gifts in the world, come not as a result of our efforts to obtain them, but rather through the realization we cannot obtain them without Christ! Simple faith in the only one that could make them accessible (by belief in His death, burial and resurrection), provides freedom from a joy-less, peace-less and help-less life. By Jesus Christ, we are brought near to God and given the Holy Ghost, who indwells us, and endues us with abundant and heavenly comfort. The world provides cheap substitutes that are momentary and vain. Only Christ can provide the fulfillment spoken about in this passage, but it comes about because of the two main words: “in believing”. Do you believe (put your faith and trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ?

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” No two believers hold identical views on every matter of conscience. Experience, upbringing, personality and a variety of cultural factors contribute to our individual thinking on personal standards. One man may feel an issue is open for discussion, while another has settled the answer in his mind; both may have a tendency to believe the other is wrong. This passage commands that we leave the ultimate judgment to God. With that being said, we must be clear on the type of issues this passage is speaking about. These matters seem to be explicitly personal and generally observed to be debatable among men of righteous character. The concern doesn’t seem to be over the application of specific scriptural text, but instead comes about as a byproduct of endeavors to maintain holiness within a difficult, contemporary context. Let’s not decide to stretch the term “personal standard” too far within its Biblical context, but let us also be careful not to assume everyone must agree with us! If we are “fully persuaded” our actions (or lack thereof) please God; He alone can be the final judge.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” The first two verses of the chapter are regularly connected in sermons and other teaching, but these are rarely quoted together. I am always surprised by that, as I see such a vital link between them. The imperative in verse two is renewal of the mind; instructions on the subject of that renewal come in verse three. While we often believe our thinking patterns regarding the world are the main issue, it seems the way we think about ourselves is key. Affection for, and subsequent conformity to the world have their root in the selfish desires of the flesh. When we place ourselves at the pinnacle of importance, we obey our own desires, live in a pattern of sinfulness, thinking and behaving in a worldly manner. The person we consider above all others in life should be our Savior. A person living in total devotion to Him will think soberly and live righteously, separating themselves from worldly influence.

“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” The children of Israel are not the only people who have ever attempted to establish their own standard of righteousness. This seems to be a common human dilemma. Men, in their sin, desire a god made in their own image. When we have convinced ourselves that our standard is sufficient to save us, the last thing we want to hear is God’s word. It reveals our sinfulness and points us to a source of redemption outside ourselves. The free gift of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ does not appeal to selfish, human desire. It is the word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit that convicts us of the sin from which our selfishness stems, and causes us to submit ourselves to God through faith in His son. If you are making an attempt at establishing a righteousness sufficient to keep you from Hell and bring you to God, your efforts are doomed, like the children of Israel, to failure. Humble and sincere belief in Jesus Christ is your only hope. Come to Him today.

“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:” Two phrases stand out in this passage; they convey passion that is weighty and consistent. Paul has great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart for his brethren. When I read this, I always wonder exactly how this zeal came about. General knowledge of scripture tells me it must come forth of genuine love and Godly care. This kind of love is fostered by rejection of self, deep commitment to Christ, knowledge of scripture and regular prayer. It doesn’t just come upon us, it is cultivated by righteous action, a clear conscience and an understanding of the Biblical reality. I am convinced that no believer will develop this deep passion for souls without first developing a pattern of obedience. Paul even came to the point of wishing his own salvation could be taken if it could save his brethren. He did not come to this place in life overnight; his relationship with Christ brought him there on a long road of sincere devotion. Let’s begin that pattern ourselves and watch our concern for souls grow.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” I wonder how much of our day is spent in spiritual thought? Not just in prayer, or recitation of memorized scripture, but in viewing situations and circumstances with a spiritual eye. Are the people we meet known to us as souls God loves; people Christ willingly died to save? Are difficulties seen as character builders? Is God given glory for the rich blessings He provides? Unfortunately, that which is felt, tasted, and seen is oft more persuasive than the invisible things of God. Our flesh is in constant conflict with the Spirit, and our main challenge is to see that we feed the spiritual man to a greater degree. When we are living in consistent submission to the Savior, the flesh doesn’t stand a chance in drawing us into the grip of sin. Believers have the power to overcome it, because it has been granted by God. Let us live in the Spirit by doing those things that are spiritual, keeping our minds free from the pollution of this world.

“So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” I have chosen a blatantly unpopular passage, that could use reaffirmation in our politically correct age. We live in a culture that is far too comfortable with divorce, and altogether too open to remarriage. The world would laugh to scorn those who believe the practice evil, even though the Bible is clear. Marriage vows are not the mere words we make them out to be. They are solemn oaths before God, that bind two people together in a public and legal promise. We make a covenant together before witnesses, enter into a documented contract recognized by government, and are pronounced man and wife by vested authorities. All of this formality somehow fails to produce true commitment, however, if it is not first established in the heart. No couple expects or desires failure; some simply refuse to close the door to all potential for parting. Those who marry are bound for life. Beginning our doctrinal discussions on any other marriage-related questions should begin with this basic affirmation. Disregard for cultural and emotional pressures doesn’t hurt either.