The mystery of the Gospel

1 Corinthians 2

We sure don’t talk much about the mystery of the Gospel that Paul shares in this passage. Somehow, in our day and time, I believe we see that as a devaluing of the Good News. I believe that apologetics is important. We must be able to logically explain the Gospel. But, on the other hand, a part of it is not explainable, as Paul says here in 2:7:

7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, which God predestined ^(M) before the ages for our glory.

We speak God’s hidden wisdom. We can lay every rational argument for the Gospel in front of people, but God is the one who opens people’s hearts. Our arguments are a part of the process, but they are never the most important part.

Pleasing others, not ourselves

Romans 15

In the opening verses of this passage, Paul encourages us to please others before ourselves. It’s not easy. Our natural inclination is to ask ourselves what we can do for ourselves. God calls us to a much higher standard. He calls us to please others. Our challenge is to continue to define that calling outward. We start by beginning to look to please our family, look out to their needs. Then we turn our attention on our friends. But finally — and we rarely make it to this level — we look to please strangers before ourselves. Doesn’t that sound crazy to most of us. Yet that, I believe, is what we have been called into.

Accept one another

Romans 14

It’s easy to find problems with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Their worship is too spirited. Their music is too loud. They’re too traditional; they’re too liberal. But what if we chose to interact with one another in grace. I think that’s what Paul is getting at in this chapter. Sure, it’s easy to find fault in other people’s worship practices, but what if we chose to accept one another despite their failings. That’s hard. As believers, we believe in absolute truth. That means two people who dissagree cannot be right at the same time. But are you absolutely sure your understanding of Scripture is infallible? Are you sure you are right? We need to accept one another — realizing as Paul says in this chapter — that some people have weaker faith than others. You can have fellowship with those you don’t agree with. Just think about the essentials: the divinity of Jesus, the Virgin Birth, grace by faith alone, the infallibility of God’s Word. Those are essentials that are worth going to bat for.

Abraham’s children

Not able to do what I want to do

Romans 7: 13-25

If there’s one verse I want to say a hearty amen to more than any other in the Word of God, it’s this: “For the desire to do good is within me but there is no ability to do it.” (18b) I think of all the good I want to do, all the great things for God that are within me. I think of my good intentions. On my own I just don’t seen to have the moral will to do it. In fact, to be honest, by desire to even do the good generally wanes pretty close to the time I’ve started on doing it. But when it is truly God’s idea, when His Spirit is moving me, that’s when God does incredible work within me. Now if I only I can give up so He can truly work in me.

Righteousness by faith

Romans 4

I guess what pops to mind after reading Romans 4 is how exciting it is that God accepts my faith is rightousness. Gosh, I know I need that. I realize my righteousness is nowhere near where God wants it. But according to this chapter, God accepts my trust in Christ as righteousness. Wow. You really can’t think on that truth enough. I can’t thank God enough for that. We teach a lot of different truths about Scripture in our churches. I pray we teach that as the cornerstone of what we believe. Right standing before God isn’t something I can ever ever ever ever earn. It’s a free gift that comes by trusting in Jesus.

Earning God’s approval

Romans 2

If you’re like me, we like to dismiss these passages that focus on circumcision and its New Testament value. We’re not Jewish. We think we’re above Paul’s many admonitions about trusting in the flesh and circumcision. But I’m not. I may not trust in a physical distinction like circumcision. But if I’m not careful I can trust in my own effort to do good. I can begin to say, well I’m a pretty good guy. God is going treat me favorably. But the problem is that I have no right standing with God on my own. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve read my Bible. It doesn’t matter how often I pray. It doesn’t matter how often I go to church. God’s approval of me is based on one thing and one thing alone — Jesus. What a message of hope! I can get off the treadmill. I don’t have to strive to earn the approval of God. Thank you Jesus!

Looking for worshipers

Romans 1: 18-31

You know, today when I read this I saw something I never had before. All the other times I read this passage I focused in on the sinful acts in vv. 26-31. What I hadn’t noticed was that those acts were only symptoms of something bigger. The real problem is this: “For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God.” The real problem was that people don’t worship God. And people who do not worship God behave like people who don’t worship God. They worship the wrong things; they lust after what they shouldn’t lust over. Instead of focusing so much of our cultural energy as Christians on combating these symptoms, maybe our focus should be on helping people become worshipers of the one true God. Maybe if we could get people to worship God, the social problems of our world would fall into place. I’m not saying that we don’t have a role to pay in the social issues of our day; I’m just wondering if our focus is too heavily in the wrong place.

It’s one thing to long for a country who follows Christian values. But I don’t know if that will ever happen until we live in a nation who worships the Christian God.

Known for their faith

Romans 1: 1-17

Paul told the Roman church that news of their faith had spread around the world. Of all the things that others could talk about concerning a church, it’s interesting that faith is what people were hearing about with this church. Today, we hear about a lot of different “calling cards” of churches. This church has great preaching. This church has strong worship. This church is very friendly. How often do you hear churches touted for their faith? I wonder what that would look like. How would a church known for their faith act? I don’t know, hut I have a feeling that may be the greatest calling card a church could have, to be known as a people who believed God vigorously. I want to be known as a person who believes, a person who believes Him for the impossible.

Reading plan

Just a quick list for the next few days…

Saturday, Aug. 9 – Romans 1: 1-17

Sunday, Aug. 10 – Romans 1: 18-31

Monday, Aug. 11 – Romans 2

Tuesday, Aug. 12 – Romans 3

Wednesday, Aug. 13 – Romans 4

Thursday, Aug. 14 – Romans 5

Friday, Aug. 15 – Romans 6