February 7, 2022
The last paragraph we discussed last week was a question? Which glass of water would you like? God offers you the clean glass of water as a free gift through Jesus Christ. Won’t you accept?
We can’t go on much further in Romans without the next step.
If you said yes to this question, Romans 10:8-15 tells you, “8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” You don’t earn salvation, but receive it through faith.
After Paul says the above, he then asks the question, “14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[
In order for others to have faith in Christ, they must hear about him. Those are the beautiful hands and feet of those who bring the Good News.
Twila Paris has a beautiful song about those who bring the Good News of Christ. I have added to this post.
To recap the rest of Romans, Paul discussed how all have sinned, both Jew and Gentile (they were unrighteous). (1:18-3:20).
Through faith in Christ, we are made righteous (we look as if we never sinned). Another word for this is justification which means the act of making righteous in the sight of God. (3:21-end of chapter 8).
In Chapters 12:9-15:13, Paul talks about how we are to practice righteousness. He discusses how to practice this with fellow Christians, people who do not believe the same, and to people are unkind. I do want to discuss this a little further as Paul listed 30 ways to practice righteousness, starting in Chapter 12:9.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e] 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The first word “love” in verse 9 is “agape” love in the Greek. This type of love according to the NIV Exhaustive Concordance means “the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies.” This type of love is active. It is not the romantic love, but love that is so selfless that someone would die for another.
This is the kind of love we all want from others. Paul initially talks about loving our friends in Christ. We are to honor others above self, keep spiritual fervor, be patient in affliction, joyful in hope, faithful in prayer and share with God’s people who are in need. We are to practice hospitality, rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn, be willing to associate with those with lower standards, and not be conceited.
Paul then talks about how we are to love those who are not lovely in 17-21. We are to bless those who persecute us. We are not to repay evil with evil. We are not to take revenge. If our enemy is hungry or thirsty, we are to feed them. We are to overcome evil with good. This is not the easiest to do, but we are to follow Jesus’ example. While he was on the cross, he said, “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.”
It is important to remember the above is not done out of guilt or begrudgingly. We will not get to heaven by doing them. It is because we love Jesus and want to please him and show others his love that we love in these ways. Also, when we love like Christ, people will notice that we are different.
Think of ways that you can show “love in action” to your family, friends, and those who are more difficult. I challenge you perform these acts of love this week
Next week we will be reading Deuteronomy 1-10. Have a blessed week and please let me know if you need prayer.
Diving into the Bible 