The giving of spiritual gifts to one another was to make us strong in our faith and so that we could be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. (Romans 1:11–12)
The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. In the gospel a righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith, a righteousness that causes us to live by faith. (Romans 1:16–17)
We should pursue doing good rather than judging others. (Romans 1:18–2:11)
We will be judged on our actions rather than our ideals. (Romans 2:12–2:29)
Our faith must not be in our actions, but in God. Abraham was fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised him. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words, “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. (Romans 4)
Our faith justifies us before God. Because of this justification through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we have gained access by faith into this grace—this acceptance—of God. (Romans 5:1,2)
Suffering is a key ingredient to the life of a Christ follower. Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3–5)
When we accept Christ rather than the fleshly pleasures of this world, we’re dying to self and living to Christ. Instead of giving up our bodies in pursuit of the world, we give up ourselves to Christ and ask to be used as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6)
Romans 7 is probably the best description of the human condition in all of scripture.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… Acts 8:1–17 explains that our escape, our absolution, our forgiveness, and our only chance to stand before God stainless of sin is found in Christ Jesus. The mark of one who in Christ Jesus is that the Spirit of God lives in you. I would say that fact makes it priority #1 in all the lives of Christ followers to ensure that they are indeed controlled by the Spirit of Christ living within us. Everything else—and I mean absolutely positively everything else—is secondary.
The freedom of the children of God, found in the revealing of the sons of God, is key to the liberation of bondage to decay of all creation. I would go so far as to say that the pursuit of such freedom does more to help us live “green lives” than any other eco-program. (Romans 8:18–27)
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express…. I am a living testament to this passage. The Spirit has guided me in what to pray for. I no longer “knock” on heaven’s door asking for things that are temporal; instead, I call on heaven’s throne for manifestation of the Spirit living with me. I take no credit of wanting this on my own. Left to my own devices, I’d still be praying for daily bread—that of the earthly kind—prosperity and love. These things pail to what the Spirit would have you possess—in this life and the next. Ask the Spirit to intercede for you, to pray for you the things He would have you own. (Romans 8:26-27)
Romans 8:28–39 is often used to support the theology of predestination. Frankly, I just don’t get it. To consider predestination is to focus on man’s need to say that this passage is about “our exclusivity” as “preferred children of God” when the real focus is on what God has done for ALL of us. Christ was sent for ALL of us. Christ died for ALL of us. Christ became sin for ALL of us. In my rather unschooled and ordinary mind and heart, I would say that to consider this passage as a prelude to predestination is to insult the heart of the Creator of the universe. If this passage be considered as anything regarding a practical theology, it is to inspire all people to embrace Christ, to respond with an overwhelming, God-fueled love, for Christ is the source of all good things and all assurance that we will spend eternity with our heavenly Father.
Romans 9 sheds light on the “predestined” discussion Paul uses to wrap up chapter 8. He’s trying to convince Jews that they should drop their exclusive thinking and accept the Gentiles. Certainly the discussion about Pharoah in this chapter lends itself to predestination (as does the story of Judas as Christ’s betrayer); however, at the heart of this chapter is found in verse 16: “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” This is the heart of the good news to Christ followers everywhere. You can’t earn it; don’t try to. Instead, accept God’s acceptance and respond to this overwhelming great love with a God-empowered love given back to him.
Romans 10 continues this discourse of exclusivity to the Jews. For a Jew to consider himself higher than a Gentile simply doesn’t fly anymore.
Paul has beat up his brothers for three chapters, and now, in chapter 11, he reconciles both Jew and Greek and fully discloses this thought of “predestination.” In verse 22, Paul states, “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness.” The path is laid out before us. Jews are not better than Gentiles; Gentiles are not better than Jews. The requirement of God is simple. Accept his acceptance. Respond in kind with love. Continue in this kindness in justice, mercy, and humility.
The conclusion of chapter 11 summarizes how both those who consider “predestination” of the chosen sons of God and those who would lean in my direction of inclusion:
Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Rather than argue with anyone over the issue of “predestination,” I would rather embrace my brother and sister who does believe this way. May you teach me about God’s nature, may you help me better understand, the side of God that says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” In return, let me help you understand God’s nature of inclusion, the God who would turn his backs on the Israelites—not to banish them to an eternity away from him, but to save them all! (v. 26) And not only all the Israelites, but also all who would believe in the name of Christ.
I’ve read and meditated on Romans 12:1–2 my whole adult life: “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
I’ve always wondered about the “renewing of your mind” part. This time through Romans, it occurred to me that the rest of chapter 12, all of 13 and 14, down through 15:13 is Paul describing HOW we renew our minds:
- Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought; find your place, and—discover and use your gifts—in the body of Christ (12:3–8).
- Love sincerely; hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (12:9)
- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. (12:10)
- Honor one another above yourselves. (12:10)
- Keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (12:11)
- Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (12:12)
- Share with God’s people who are in need. (12:13)
- Practice hospitality. (12:13)
- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (12:14)
- Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (12:15)
- Live in harmony with one another. (12:16)
- Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (12:16)
- Do not repay evil for evil. (12:17)
- Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. (12:18)
- Live at peace with everyone, if possible. (12:18)
- Do not return evil for evil; do not take revenge; do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good (12:19–21)
- Submit to governing authorities. (13:1–7)
- Pay your debts. (13:8)
- We continually owe the debt to love one another. By loving our fellow man we fulfill the entire law. (13:8–10)
- We must clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus to avoid partaking in the desires of the sinful nature. (13:11–14)
- Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. We must stop passing judgment on one another. The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. In Christ, there is freedom to eat or drink whatever, but we must not use this freedom to the point of causing others to stumble. (14)
- We should seek to do good to our fellow man and help them with their failings. (15:1–6)
- We should accept one another as Christ accepts us. (15:7–13)
I wonder how many times the Christians at Rome had to read Paul’s letter to really digest all he had to say? That’s a lot to process! Methinks it is a lifelong journey.
Agreed! Trying to process on any of Paul’s letters is like drinking from a fire hose!