with devotion: ROMANS

Showing posts with label ROMANS. Show all posts

not so original sin

"Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous." [Romans 5:18-19 NKJV]

I think that these verses crystallize Paul's thinking about the human condition and why people act badly. I think that, in his mind, he could not envision a God who created humans with the ability to do bad things. Many in the Bible felt this way. In Psalm 51 King David opined that he was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin his mother conceived him. The idea that humans are born bad is an ancient thought.

I am sad when I think of the original sin dogma. So much time thinking that humankind is born bad. So much focus on the need for divine forgiveness, atonement and salvation just because of an obtuse idea that we inherited sin, like a blood disease, from somebody in Genesis. I think that the whole thing might come from our need to shield God from some sort of blame for human mistakes, errors and atrocities.

In contrast, my opinion is what humankind needs was, and is, love. Loving neighbors makes a difference in the world. Loving our enemies, even our religious ones, has untapped potential to bring peace. I sometimes think that it is enough for me to equate God with love and love with God. All else feels inadequate and lacking. A God of love is really impossible to comprehend because love can only be experienced with the heart.

I still sense the presence of God in my life. It might be just misfiring neurons, but I hear him speak to me with a kindness that breaks me. With a love that sees me. In my darkest days, I sense his spirit encouraging me to hang in there and simply take another step. He speaks to me not of my mistakes or my failures. God under-girds me with a strength that I didn't know that I had. A power that seems to have its roots in goodness and not sin.

So. When I think about forgiveness these days it is more about my need for forgiveness from my neighbor and their need for my forgiveness. When I think of salvation my mind travels to how God has saved me from erroneous theology and harmful activities. I think of how he, each day, causes bad things to work for my good. I don't think of the cross as a blood atonement but as an example of laying down my life for my neighbor.

In the end, I think that humanity needs the gospel of resurrection more than the gospel of death. My thinking is that Jesus' death showed us the way of love and his resurrection showed us the power of love. It is hard to think this way. It is unorthodox and man, I really want to be orthodox. Yet sometimes we have to let go of ancient ideas. The world is not flat and sin is not inherited. God loves us just the way we are. Praise be to the Lord.

... this devotion is part of a series on my spiritual deconstruction. Click here to read more.

Able to make you strong ...

Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. -Romans 16:25-26 NLT

In these last sentences of his letter to the Romans Paul ends by restating what he has written in much of this long letter. Specifically that God loves the whole world and not just Israel. Once upon a time Paul believed that no one but a Jew could be saved. He embraced an ethnic form of salvation that embraced the idea that God accepted people based on their ancestry. That message was flawed and the Father sent His only Son to show us the error of that message.

The gospel of the Kingdom of God is a message that is able to make a person strong. This Good News can do what Mosaic Law could not. In a sense the law made one weak. For the Pharisees it brought hypocrisy. For the ones known as "sinners" it brought shame. In contrast the message of forgiveness and healing that Jesus preached made a person strong. This gospel message is able to make one strong in faith, hope and love - and that is really Good News!

All glory to you Lord, the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Crush Satan under your feet ...

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. -Romans 16:17-20 NLT

As Paul pens these last words he follows up glowing commendations and greetings with a dire warning to the believers in Rome. It reminds me of Paul's warning to the believers in Galatia when he wrote: "If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed." In these admonitions we see the heart of a shepherd protecting the flock from wolves those who would drag believers back to the bondage of law and ethnic salvation.

In the context of such warnings the apostle speaks of God crushing Satan under their feet as they do right and stay innocent of any wrong. This again speaks to me of a shepherd protecting his flock from wolves. When we listen to the smooth talk and glowing words of false teachers we wander from the sheep fold. But when we obey Christ, and stay in the fold, we are not only protected from attack but realize that God is crushing the enemy of our souls.

Help us Lord to be wise in doing right and innocent of doing wrong.

One who is worthy of honor ...

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. ... Greet each other in Christian love. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings. -Romans 16:1-4,16 NLT

I love how Paul singles out several women in Rome as he commends Phoebe to them. I think that it is sad how some religious groups have rejected the ministry of women using the words of Paul to disenfranchise them. Interesting to note that this discrimination does not exist in the Kingdom of God. Even those who reject women in "church" leadership accept their leadership in the corporate world. Women like Phoebe must be honored in every part of God's Kingdom.

As Paul ends his letter to the Romans he mentions many by name - in between verses four and sixteen he mentions dozens. This speaks to me of how close Paul's relationship to these Romans was. He speaks of Jews who were in prison with him and he greets several house churches. He mentions hard workers and people who even risked their lives for him. This fellowship that he has with them seems so alien to the ones that I have often encountered at churches.

Help us Lord to know how to acknowledge and bless the ones who have meant so much in our spiritual life.

Join in my struggle by praying ...

But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. ... Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:25-26,30 NLT

Thousand of missionaries over thousands of years have been inspired by the travels of the Apostle Paul. Many who preach the gospel in other lands solicit donations for the work that they do in those places. I support several friends in other lands. That said, it is interesting to note here that the offering given to him was for "the poor among the believers in Jerusalem". I so admire this kind of love and care for distant believers, be they workers or those needing care.

I must admit, I find it easier to support those who serve overseas with money and often neglect to support them in prayer. Sometimes I think that is because I do not see their lives all that different than I see mine. Unlike Paul, these do not seem to struggle with enemies who try to kill them and thwart their ministry. That said, I believe that we are called by God to join in the struggles of others by praying for them. In this we show our God given love for those both near and far.

Open our eyes to the ways that other struggle Lord. Help us to join those struggle by praying for them.

You are full of goodness ...

I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. ... My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. -Romans 15:14-16,20 NLT

Paul is beginning to wind down his letter to the Romans. He has spent much of his message speaking about the equality of the Gentiles and the Jews with respect to salvation. In a sense he is imparting his ministry to the ones that he himself has ministered to as he reminds them that he knows first hand that they are full of goodness. I love the way that Paul's ministry resembled the ministry of Christ. Like Jesus he made disciples by pouring himself into others.

I think that the apostle is calling the Romans to a similar process of disciple making. He builds them up by saying that they know his teachings so well that they are able to teach them to others. In these few words he seems to be inviting them to join him in the mission of pouring themselves into the lives of others. It reminds me that teaching is not enough unless what we have learned is shared with others in the context of a loving, disciple making, relationship.

Help us to make disciples the way that you made them Lord. Help us to follow the example that Paul writes of.

Christ came as a servant ...

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. -Romans 15:7-9 NLT

Ever think about the way that Jesus came to the earth? Who could have ever imagined that the Messiah would come as a servant and not as one who is served? The image of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the last supper challenges every concept of leadership that most people embrace. I think that this is one of the reasons that people did not recognize God when he came in the flesh. Most were expecting a warrior lion and not a servant lamb.

And as much as the Jews were amazed by this, I think that even more were amazed when the gospel began to be proclaimed to the Gentiles. Spiritual life had always been a purview of ethnic Israel and many had trouble believing that salvation extended past their borders. I wonder if we, like ancient Jews, are guilty of embracing a gospel that is too narrow in scope? Perhaps we would do well to heed Paul's admonition to accept each other as Christ accepts us?

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13 NLT

Just as Christ has accepted you ...

One of the greatest misunderstandings that believers labor under these days is that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. The commandment to love God and love our neighbors is often promulgated by some as the Great Commandment. In the gospel of John, we read that the Lord Jesus gave a new commandment to love as He loves. Paul seems to echo that sentiment here when he says that we should "accept each other just as Christ has accepted you".

This kind of love and acceptance is the kind of love that glorifies God. Jesus said "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much." Before anyone ever confessed their love for God, He loved them first. When we were alienated and hostile towards Him, he pursued us in love. We would do well to examine the way that we love and determine whether our love life is the kind that glorifies the Lord.

Glorify your name in all the earth. Pour out your Spirit again that we might love in a way that glorifies your name.

We who are strong ...

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. -Romans 15:1-5 NLT

These verses remind me that peace comes at the hands of the strong. Those who are confident in the Lord do not feel a need to constantly defend themselves or attack the beliefs of others. People who are spiritually strong demonstrate God's love for others in patience and encouragement. These who pump spiritual iron do it for others and not for themselves - their prayer and study of the scriptures is not to help themselves but to help those who struggle.

Corrie ten Boom was a woman who was strong in the Lord. Her faith was refined in the death camps of Nazi Germany. In such a place she watched her sister die. Years later Corrie was speaking at an event when her strength in the Lord was tested. One of her old prison guards approached her asking for forgiveness. What would she do? In an act of faith and courage Corrie reached out her hand in forgiveness. Only the strong in the Lord can forgive.

In my weakness make me strong Lord. Lead me in ways that strengthen my love for you and for those in my life.

Following your convictions ...

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. -Romans 14:21-23 NLT

When I hear the word conviction I think of being fully convinced about something. It reminds me of this great Charles Hodge quote that my blogging friend Mike shared this week: "Christianity is equally opposed to superstition and rationalism. The one is faith without appropriate evidence, the other refuses to believe what it does not understand, in spite of evidence which should command belief." Having a conviction does not require superstition or rationalization.

I drank a lot when Christ first came into my life - part of my conversion was a call to abstain. For thirty years after that day I drank no alcohol. Then I began to gradually sense a liberty to occasionally drink a glass of wine. That was about eight years ago and it has been a joy since then to occasionally taste of the fruit of the vine. My point is that convictions often change and we would do well to not only follow our own but to not judge the convictions of others.

Help us Lord to discern the differences between superstitions, rationalizations and convictions.

Let us aim for harmony ...

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. -Romans 14:17-19 NLT

Have you ever, for the sake of harmony, let the other person have the last word on an issue? Can you recall a time when you chose righteousness over rightness? Sometimes it is so difficult to let go of something when we know that we are right! Yet the issue that Paul has been speaking to us about in this chapter is just that. You see, the kingdom of God is not about being right. It is about sacrificing our rightness on the altar of love.

I love how the apostle speaks of serving Christ with the right attitude. To do that I think that it requires us to escape from our petty theological boxes and see the bigger picture. God is wooing all of creation to himself and we must not allow minor things like what we eat or where we worship to get in his way. For when we determine to live in harmony we proclaim his love to the world. And in building each other up we give His love legs to run.

I confess Lord that my desire to be right often trumps your desire for me to love. Help me to love like you love.

No longer walking in love ...

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. -Romans 14:12-15 ESV

In a sense these verses seem contradictory. Is it not loving to tell a person that they are wrong about the ways that they worship? Was not the law of Moses trumped by the gospel of Jesus Christ? Should we not help people who are clinging to law and not embracing grace? What Paul is speaking to is the issue of judging what people do just because they do not do it like us. Issues like food and holy days should not be opportunities for judging each other.

Life seems to be filled with hindrances. I think that judgmentalism is one of the biggest stumbling blocks that people have in life. Many unbelievers see it and are turned off to the gospel - what we do speaks louder than what we say. My thinking is that we must find a way to embrace this idea: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity". In the words of Christ, all people will know that we are His disciples, if we have love for one another.

Lord Jesus Christ, please help me not to judge. Teach me to walk in love and not be a stumbling block to others.

None of us lives to himself ...

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. -Romans 14:5-8 ESV

I read these verses, look at the current state of the Church, and understand that we are not called to walk in lock-step with regard to the way that we worship the Lord. It makes sense that churches are different because we are all different. I think that this sort of diversity is a strength and not a weakness. God has called us as individuals and also as friends. Even large religious organizations have much diversity in their make-up. How could they not?

Our call as believers is unity in mission and not uniformity of style. Whatever we do we do it as unto the Lord and not to ourselves. That said, I think that we often stray when we imagine that we can honor the Lord in isolation. The church was never meant to be a monastery or nunnery. Our message is one for the world and not for the church. Somehow we must find a way to embrace the diversity of other expressions of worship and stop fighting amongst ourselves.

Make us one Lord. Heart by heart. Mind by mind. Help us to see each other as you see us.

Decent lives for all to see ...

The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. -Romans 13:12-14 NLT

The imagery of clothing in these verses fascinates me. What do you make of the idea that we are to shed the dirty clothes of bad behaviors and put on the presence of Christ? Certainly Paul is not writing about entering into some sort of hypocrisy and being someone you are not. So how should we read these verses? I think that he is saying that a Christian acts like Christ. The truth is that when we live an inside-out life we show the beauty of Christ in our hearts.

I love the phrase "we belong to the day". It speaks to me of how my life is an open book that is read by all I encounter. When Paul advises us to stay away from immoral behavior he is telling us to be different from those who do not bear the mark of Jesus Christ in their heart. He is not throwing cold water on the things that make us happy but is confronting us with the reality that people are watching. As he says, "We must live decent lives for all to see."

Shine through me today Lord. Help me to show Christ by my words, my actions and my attitudes.

Your obligation to love ...

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. -Romans 13:8-10 NLT

The Ten Commandments embody the idea of loving God and loving each other. As Paul indicates here no one steals from another if they love them. Neither do they murder them or commit adultery with that person's spouse. When someone gossips or bears false testimony they prove that they do not love the one that they malign. In the same way a person proves that they do not love God when they treasure earthly things more than they esteem God.

Love can do what no written law can ever do. Love compels us to do things that cannot be listed in written documents. In the gospels Jesus consistently contrasted divine love with Mosaic Law. When a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought to him he showed us the weakness of that law. All walked away from judging this woman by stoning because none were free of sin. Perhaps we can only love when we first understand that we are all sinners?

Lord Jesus, conquer our desire to sin and help us to love the way that you love.

Pay your taxes ...

Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. -Romans 13:6-7 NLT

Yesterday I wrote of how it is sometimes necessary to prophetically oppose governmental authority. I want to look at the flip side today and write about how we are called to respect and submit to the governmental authority. In these verses Paul speaks to us about the ways that we render such respect by paying taxes and giving money to a government that we might not agree with. He says that governmental workers should be paid because they too are serving God.

This reminds me of how Jesus paid his taxes with a coin miraculously found in a fish. In that gospel passage he told his disciples to give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. In paying his taxes Jesus showed respect for the government and gave us an example of how we should submit to human authority. Jesus also commended a widow who gave all she had at the temple and showed us how we should honor God.

Keep us dear Lord from the love of money. Help us to respect and honor the authority we are under by paying taxes.

Keep a clear conscience ...

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. ... The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. -Romans 13:1,4,5 NLT

I wonder what American revolutionists who were Christians thought when they read the words (in the King James of course) "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers"? Christian Brits like the preacher John Wesley thought the Colonists had no business rebelling - he said that they "enjoyed their liberty in as full manner as I do". And when Paul wrote these words the Israeli nation was under the harsh thumb of the Roman Empire. Authority is a complex issue.

Martin Luther King, Jr. bucked the authorities in the Deep South and proved to be a courageous prophet. Jesus spoke of such prophets being killed in Israel. Often a government or a leader is corrupt and must be prophetically opposed the way that the prophet Nathan opposed King David. That said, I think that we should take Paul's words to heart and keep a clear conscience as we recognize God's direct and delegated authority in our lives.

Cleanse me Lord from any way that would be in rebellion to your authority. Teach me to pray for my leaders.

Overcome evil with good ...

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 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,” says the Lord. 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.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12:18-21 NIV

I think that we often forget what the apostle James instructs when he writes how "human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires". There is no room for payback in the kingdom of God because revenge is evil and it is the polar opposite of love. I think that even the wrath of God is not what many of us to imagine it to be. Doubtful that God is watching over those who oppose us waiting to trip them up and avenge the wrongs done to us. God is love.

Ever wonder what the significance of burning coals is? I have read that in eastern villages one would rise first and build a fire. Then the burning coals from the fire would be distributed throughout the village in pottery balanced on a boy's head. It was a pleasant task because the coals gave warmth to the boy's head. I love that image! It reminds me of how we can overcome evil by sharing the warmth of God with others by caring for those who do not love us.

Help me to be your hands and your feet today Lord. Cause me to carry your love to others in my village.

Live at peace with everyone ...

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. -Romans 12:14-18 NIV

It is hard to look at the life of Jesus in the gospels and see a person that was at peace with everyone. On many occasions he deliberately confronted religious leaders and made them angry. Christ's life, I believe, is the proper backdrop for Paul's instructions in these verses. He is not telling us to be doormats for the bullies of the world. Neither is he saying that it will always be possible to live in harmony with those oppose the gospel of Christ.

So what is he saying? I think that he is speaking about what it means to love everyone - friends and enemies. To love some means to see the best in those who treat you badly. To love others is not to self-righteously judge those who have fallen on hard times. Love is what Paul means when he speaks of doing what is right in everyone's eyes. In truth peace can only come from a love that is unconditional in nature and willing to put others interests above our own.

Teach us to love the way that you love Lord Jesus. Remind us of how you forgave your accusers from the cross.

Honor one another above yourselves.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. -Romans 12:9-13 NIV

The words in these verses are so descriptive of what it means to live in Christian community. The ideas they represent are both inspirational and challenging. In this narrative Paul is calling the Romans, and us, to a devotion that is not attained by human means. For who has it in themselves to honor others above themselves? Yet is this not the kind of love that Christ calls us to? Are we not called to love and serve others as Christ has loved and served us?

The apostle goes on and tells us what this love looks like using words like zeal, fervor, joy, hope, patience, faithful and hospitality. As I meditate on these words I find myself lacking. Often I am not hopeful, joyous, patient or prayerful in affliction. In these times I need the love of the Lord's faithful people to encourage me. When I hurt the most I need the community of those with spiritual fervor to share love with me and to remind me that I am not alone.

Surround those who are hurting and alone Lord. Encompass them with the presence and love of the saints.

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