Romans 10 - Beautiful Feet

Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (v. 4).  That's good news.  But I also know that Jesus told us he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).  Is it just me, or is there some real tension there?  The reality that we are wholly unrighteous and in need of the righteousness of Christ in order to be reconciled to a Holy God, and yet we are to wholeheartedly pursue righteousness, fueled by God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit....sometimes it all makes my head hurt.

One thing there's no doubt about is the call to share this good news.  "How, then, 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?" (v. 14)

"As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" (v. 16).

May all our feet be beautiful as we live with our eyes on Jesus.

Romans 9 - God is God

Paul liberally quotes the Old Testament throughout this chapter and shows us that some are chosen and some are not.  God is patient and merciful, perfectly just.  Paul writes, "He has mercy and whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden" (v. 18).  Sounds harsh, particularly for those whom he wants to harden.  "But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?  'Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"'" (v. 20).

We are reminded elsewhere in Scripture that "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9).  Wrapping our brains around God's sovereignty and ability to know and orchestrate future events is a challenge to say the least.  But considering this chapter in light of the rest of Scripture, including the Great Commission of Jesus in Matthew 28, it's clear that while God knows those whom He has chosen, we who follow Christ are called to be used by God to share the Good News of God's love and mercy with all.  At the end of the day, God is in charge, and my job is to allow Him to lead me to do that which He wants me to do.

Romans 8 - Wow

Some of the most quoted verses in the New Testament:

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" v.1
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." v. 18
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." v. 28
"What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?" v. 31
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." v. 37-39

But this week I had a great time not only putting those verses into the context of the entire chapter and surrounding chapters, but also rediscovering these gems:

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" v. 17
"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;" v. 6
"But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness." v. 10
"In the same way, 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.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." v. 26-27

I love this chapter.  I love this letter.  I love our God.

Romans 7 - An Inner Battle

After reminding us that sin is always bad in chapter 6, in chapter 7 Paul gives us a glimpse into the struggle each of us deals with as it relates to seeing sin removed from our lives.

We were controlled by the sinful nature, and were bearing fruit for death.  (v. 5)
But through Christ, we have died to the law and are released from the law. (v. 4 and 6)
The law that came from God in the Old Testament is useful to show us what sin looks like, and thus the law is good. (v. 7 and 12)
As a result of my inability to obey and fulfill the law on my own, Jesus took my penalty and punishment. (v. 4 and 25)
In the midst of my faith in Christ, a struggle or battle rages inside me, as my sinful nature "wages war" against God's law in my mind, making me a prisoner of the law of sin. (v. 22-23)
In the midst of that struggle, it's easy to feel hopeless and wretched, and in need of rescue. (v. 24)
Jesus came to rescue us and set us free. (v. 25a)
And yet, the battle rages on. (v. 25b)