Month: July 2016

July 11, 2016: Day 43 – Romans 15

It seems that here Paul has moved into a mode of writing which offers a simple request and gives advice to the Romans.  The last few chapters have been pretty intense and pretty significant in regards to how to live our lives even in the midst of trials and tribulations.  Here Paul simply says: be nice to each other.  Look out for the guy who is down and out and reach out to your hand to the person who is have a torrid day.  It is almost as if Paul takes the phrase: sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words have been taken on by Christ and turned aside.  It doesn’t flow as nicely as: words will never hurt me, but you get the point.  Paul prays that we would live in harmony with one another.  It is a prayer that needs to be prayed even more frequently these days.  The purpose of getting along with each other, according to Paul, is so that we can proclaim the presence of Christ even more powerfully and effectively.  

Paul finally lays out his plan to go to Rome to visit the community.  He never quite makes it on his own terms.  Sure, he goes to Rome, but as a prisoner, not as someone who is there to visit this fledgeling believing community.  He does beseech the Roman community to pray for him.  He felt very acutely the persecution and the anger that was directed toward him from those who lived in Judea.  He knew that he could not avoid Judea because Jerusalem was located in Judea and that was where “headquarters” were.  So his prayers were for his safety and for his continued ministry in a hostile environment.  It is important to note that Paul does not shy away from asking the community to pray for him as he faces an uncertain future.  

Before this Paul highlights the material offerings that the gentile communities in Macedonia and Achaia have given for the cause of the Way.  It is one of the few times that Paul gives thanks to the gentile communities for their material resources which have been invaluable in forwarding the Gospel message.  It is clear that at this point these communities no longer feel like outsiders like they did before the Jerusalem Council in chapter 15 of Acts. 

July 10, 2016: Day 42 – Romans 14

Chapter 14 can be a bit confusing if we are not aware of what is happening in the 1st century.  Remember the Christians were living in a pagan culture.  Part of that pagan culture was the sacrifice of animals to pagan gods.  When this sacrifice took place there was meat abundant, and for some people, this was the only meat that was ever available to them.  Many Christians believed that the eating of meat which was sacrificed to idols was a sin.  Because there had been sacrifices to false gods, then in some way the meat was also contaminated with the presence of false gods.  So the argument went, this was sin.  But the reality of the situation was that many Christians did not see the eating of meat offered to idols as sin.  It was just meat.  There was nothing magical about it and it certainly did not contain any  kind of bad spirits that would harm the person eating the meat.  Paul takes a very subtle approach.  He says you are right, the meat in and of itself is okay.  There is nothing wrong with it.  If your conscience allows you to eat meat sacrificed to idols, then go for it.  That was the context in which these Scriptures were written.  

Paul’s point in all of this is that we are not to call those whose conscience will not allow them to eat the meat as weak.  Or, conversely, we are not to call those who do eat the meat as sinners.  There is not a perfect analogy for this in our day, but I think one that is fairly close.  There are some who feel that celebrating Halloween is sinful.  It is dabbling with that in which ought not to be dabbled.  Here at the church we have seen it as a great opportunity to reach out to families with children as we have our annual Trunk or Treat.  When we read vs.5 it is pretty much the same issue where Paul states that some see one day as more important than another.  Some see Halloween as being a bit of a different day than another.  We don’t see any special meaning to Halloween, but rather an opportunity to reach out to people with an act of kindness and an act of gathering and fellowship.  

Ultimately, Paul tells us, it is about each one of us rejoicing and celebrating in the Lord.  Whether we eat the meat sacrificed to idols or hold special events on Halloween, it is all about doing it for the Lord.  Starting in vs. 13 Paul tells us not to make judgment calls on people based upon these superficial non essential things.  Do you remember the quote falsely attributed to St. Augustine?  In the essentials, unity.  In the non-essentials, freedom.  But in all things, love.  This is Paul’s basic gist of what he is saying.  We are not to judge those who believe differently by saying they must not be saved because they don’t believe as I do in a certain topic.  For the kingdom of God is not food or drink, it is not left or right, it is not gay or straight, it is not black or white, it is not pro-life or pro-choice, the kingdom of God, as Paul tells us in vs.17 is righteousness, and joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.  If we live our lives in that way it provides us with great freedom.

July 9, 2016 – Day 41 – Romans 13

Once again the verses that we receive for this day are incredibly challenging.  I want to view them first from the perspective of Paul.  Remember where Paul is when he is writing this letter to the church in Rome.  As we said at the beginning in chapter 1 it is believed that he is in Corinth having already been in and out of prison under the hands of the Roman government.  He was also keenly aware of his fellow believers who had been arrested and executed because of their faith in Jesus Christ.  So when Paul tells us: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” and “You also pay taxes, taxes to whom taxes are due”.  Jesus is also consistent with this exhortation to pay taxes when he tells us render unto Caesar.  Here are two people who represented this group of fledgeling Christian believers who were terribly persecuted, told to obey the governing authorities and to pay taxes to the very same people who were taking away their lives.  How does this make sense?  How would the early founding fathers and mothers have reacted to this Scripture as they called out: “No taxation without representation”.  That’s not what Paul says here.  How can Paul do that in the context in which he lived.

Let’s consider Paul’s theological perspective on what was right around the corner.  Look starting at vs.11 how he lays out the reason for why we should not resist, for why we should pay taxes, for why we should basically be outstanding citizens and respected by all.  He says that now is the time for us to wake from our sleep.  What does that mean?  Well, we know that he consistently uses the word sleep to mean death.  So it is now time for us to wake from our death and claim the eternal life that Jesus has promised to us.  When does this happen?  He says that salvation is near and that we are to put on the armor of light.  Throughout Paul’s writings he is convinced that Jesus’ return is imminent.  He will be coming back at any moment.  As he states in vs.11, we are closer now to Jesus’ return than when we first became believers.  If this is your driving purpose, then it does not make sense to marry, it does not make sense to pursue justice, it does not make sense to object and fight for your rights, it does not make sense to get out of the situation in which you find yourself.  If Jesus is coming back any day, not any week or month or even year, then just keep on keeping on and when he comes back everything will change.  

The problem for us today is that Jesus still has not come back.  Are we allowed to have a different perspective than Paul in regards to the end times?  We still believe that Jesus can and will come back, we just simply do not know when and we probably don’t/(shouldn’t?) have the same teleological excitement and expectation that Paul had.  If our Kairos moment has shifted from any day or minute to someday, then our lives look different.  Then we shift fr0m Paul’s imminence to Isaiah’s justice that will roll down like waters.  This is the shift that I have made in my own thinking and understanding.  It does not detract from the expectation, the any day expectation, that Jesus is coming back.  That is still part of my thinking and my belief.  But I also recognize that until he does come back we have work to do.  We can get married, we can work our fields, we can speak out against injustice, we can protest when we are being taxed without representation, we can question governments and their policies, we can speak out when injustice abounds at the hands of people.  See how things change when we have a Christian world view which expects Jesus to come back but within a time frame that demands our action and our participation in this world?  It was different for Paul.

July 8, 2016: Day 40 – Romans 12

Nearly 15 years ago I decided on a Tuesday that I would preach from this chapter in Romans on the following Sunday.  That’s unusual for me.  Normally I have my sermon’s planned out months ahead of time with both Scriptures and the sermon title already chosen.  But that Tuesday changed the course of history.  It was September 11, 2001.  I don’t know why God has us reading again Romans 12 on this day in the life of the history of our people.  I can tell you that I focused on a number of aspects from this chapter, and probably focused more on vs. 17-21 than any other area if this chapter.  When we hear the Bible tell us that God responds by saying: vengeance is mine, I’m guessing that a part of us says – can I help?  Most of us would be fine if the verse just ended with leaving vengeance to the Lord, but then vs.20 takes us so far away from where we want to be: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink…”  And then finally Paul ends the chapter with these verses: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

What do we do when we find ourselves in a society and a culture, or even just a personal reality where the goodness is really hard to find?  Was Paul’s life any different from that reality?  Were not his people hunted and killed because they were Christians and they did not follow the status quo which was set up?  They were seen as threat to the society around them and so they were targeted.  When I heard about the officers being shot yesterday I was speechless and in shock for a little while.  This does not happen in a civilized world.  We do not shoot the people who protect us.  We do not shoot the people who lay down their lives every day to ensure our safety.  These actions don’t match with the civilization that we know.  The only application of this Scripture that we can think of is the part that speaks about vengeance and the part that defines what our actions ought to be toward our enemies.  But the advice given by Paul simply does not seem realistic.

Paul’s encouragement in vs.2 reminds us of what actions we need to take now that this reality is our reality.  We cannot be conformed to this world.  We have to be able to discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  What does our response need to be?  For police officers there will almost surely be an even more increased sense of vulnerability as at any time they can be the victims.  This has always been the case, but I’m guessing that these types of visible attacks serve to increase that vulnerability.  As citizens we need to make every effort that we can to support our officers with random acts of kindness.  They need to know that they are supported and that we simply need them.  Paul encourages us in vs. 9 to love each other in a way that we outdo one another in showing honor.  What would outdoing one another in showing honor look like?  What I hope would happen is that pastors from the black community would take the initiative and go to police stations across the country and apologize for a culture of anger and mistrust.  What I hope would happen is that police chiefs from across the country would go to black community churches and apologize for profiling.  From there my prayer would be that a dialogue would begin.  These horrendous, breath taking acts of violence and killing have to stop.  It takes the leadership from each of these communities to speak to it publicly and without hesitation.  I can think that this may be the only way that we can overcome evil with good.

July 7, 2016: Day 39 – Romans 11

Paul wants to clarify here the status of the Israelites, the Jews who were living in Rome and had not yet accepted Jesus as Savior.  This is a key chapter which has linear application to us today.  All along he has been arguing the importance of the gentiles coming into God’s grace through faith.  He has stressed how God has opened a new door for all of humanity to come through and sit at the feet of His throne.  But this chapter deals with those who had been his chosen people all along.  It is important to note that they did not, and still do not, stop being his chosen people.  “Has God rejected his people?  By no means!”, is how he begins this chapter.  And the entire chapter is an argument in favor of their elite place before the throne.  Now, I say elite place not as in when we receive eternal life they will have more jewels in their crown or will have a better view from their room.  No, we will all receive the identical reward once we pass on from this life.  But God has not outright rejected the Jewish people who were, and continue to be, his chosen people.  

Let’s continue along in that vein since that is his argument throughout the chapter.  He states that there remains a few chosen elect within that community who are a remnant.  But this is key.  They are considered a remnant not because of their works, but rather just like the rest of us, they are saved by grace through faith.  That common denominator never changes.  It is never our actions which make us righteous, but rather the grace of God which is exemplified through a faith which is gifted to us.  That pertains to all people from all races and ethnicities.  So to those of us who are gentiles we do not receive salvation because we performed an act, likewise, to the Jewish, they are not saved by the fact that they have followed the law or that they were at one time God’s chosen people.  No, we all have the same measuring stick and that is the grace that we have received and responded to in faith.

It is interesting that starting in vs.11 and following we see that because God’s chosen people turned their back on the Messiah, it opened the door to those of us who were not considered at one time God’s children.  There is a direct correlation and response between rejection from God’s chosen and acceptance of those who at one time were outside looking in.  It reminds me of the words of the syrophoenician woman at the feet of Jesus.  I encourage you to read Matthew 15:21-28.  We are the recipients of the crumbs that fall from the table of the children of God, and so in turn are no longer considered dogs, but have been adopted into the family of God, and so are called children.  It is an incredible argument that takes us to right where we are and in what we believe in regards to salvation and our position in God’s kingdom.  We belong.  We belong in the kingdom of God and the rejection of Jesus as the cornerstone, the rejection of Jesus as the Son of God, the rejection of Jesus as God allows us to be included in His family.  But Jesus’ rejection does not translate into a wholesale rejection of the people of God from the original tree that was planted.

Paul then moves into a wonderful metaphor of the a tree which was planted.  Starting at vs.17 we read about the branches which were cut off.  That would be those who were chosen from the beginning through Abraham and did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, God Himself.  We have been grafted into the tree as a result of the cutting off of these branches.  But we should never consider ourselves as deserving of that place.  Paul is very clear here.  In those moments when we see our place as deserved we need to be reminded that we can just as easily be cut off just as we were grafted in.  Paul fully expects that one day the branches which have been cut off will be grafted back in again.  If you look at vs.26 we read some very clear words which should not cause us consternation, but rather a rejoicing.  “All of Israel will be saved…”  Does that bother you?  It shouldn’t.  With the current political backlash in the use of a 6 pointed star which symbolizes the hatred and the genocide which took place over the years it reminds us that we are often judged and persecuted because of our background.  History has shown that the Jewish people have been persecuted and demonized more than most people groups.  We must be careful not to repeat that history.  

Paul’s final words of chapter 11 almost feels like a song, a hymn, and that he is closing out the chapter.  I love vs.33 and following.  God’s love for us is absolutely immeasurable.  God’s grace far exceed our understanding of His eternal plan.  The more we try to limit what God can do in regards to salvation, the more we will be surprised.

July 6, 2016: Day 38 – Romans 10

There are a few basic principles that Paul lays out here which will help us on a day to day basis.  The first is Paul’s approach to those who have come into the fold but without any kind of theological backing.  We would call them the “unchurched” today.  Those who have come into the church without any kind of background or understanding of what this “church” thing is all about.  I don’t know if you have been noticing but we are getting more and more people who come from that background.  Our automatic tendency is to teach them how to do church.  My automatic tendency is to glean from them what they need and what their desire to serve the Lord looks like.  It is so important to try not impose upon anyone our understanding of what church ought to be, but rather live into a church which is formed a shaped by the Holy Spirit, which means in our understanding, formed and shaped by all of the different inputs and visions and ideas from all who are present.  A growing phenomenon within our church is a whole group of people who attend, but aren’t members.  We need to move away from thinking that only the membership has the right to shape and mold the church into what it would like, but rather give a voice to all who would want to be a part in  whatever form they want to be a part.  I shouldn’t say this, but there is a big part of me that wonders the purpose of membership.  I know, congregational meetings are important and you can’t just have anyone speaking and giving their thoughts because the danger is that those who don’t have a vested interest would sway the group and then pick up and leave without any skin in the game.  I get that, but there is a certain sense of entitlement that would be good to be disposed of in some shape or fashion.  The first part of this chapter addresses the gentiles coming into the church.  Unfortunately, Paul calls them “ignorant”.  Probably not a term that I would use.

From there vs.6-7 addresses the question that many want answered: Who is going to make it into heaven?  Do you notice Paul’s answer?  He tells us: Do not say in your hearts.  I interpret that as Paul telling us that we should not even be asking that question.  It is completely up to God.  But we like to imagine what it would be like to put some people in and keep others out.  That is not our place, says this Scripture.  Instead, Paul tells us, all those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.  That should make it easier for us to live our lives when we don’t have to worry about the eternal status of those around us.  I know that there are a number of people who worry about their parents, or their children because they are not sure if they know Jesus.  It is a fair concern, but I think these verses provide us with the assurance that God is ultimately a just and gracious God.  We have a task to raise our children so that they will be exposed to Jesus, and to let our parents know the love that we have for Jesus.  But we cannot in any way force our parents, or our children, or our spouses, to become believers in Jesus.  Our children we have a responsibility to bring them to places where Jesus is proclaimed (church, Sunday School, youth group etc.).  But worrying about their salvation is simply not something that we can impact.  On the other hand, trying to make our spouses come to church will almost always be counterproductive.

Then we are provided the missionary verses that ought to strike purpose in all of our hearts.  These are verses that call us out of our stupor of self-contentment and make us realize that we have all been called into proclamation.  Look at vs.14.  It speaks directly to the fact that people simply will not know about Jesus if we are not the ones to let them know about him.  How are people to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord of our lives, our very Creator God, if we do not let them know.  It should be incredibly motivational to get us out there and unashamedly proclaim his goodness to those that we meet.

 

July 5, 2016: Day 37 – Romans 9

This is going to be a short one, but not because of the content of chapter 9.  I just got back from Jacksonville, Florida.  That’s a long trip in one day.  But we do have to focus on the concept that Paul raises in regards to the potter and the clay.  He begins that section by stating that God’s perspective is: I have loved Jacob, but Esau I hated.  There has been much debate as to poor Esau and why God hated him.  We really don’t know why God chose Jacob.  But that is the point of the potter and the clay.  

The clay, that would be us, would never have the right to say to the potter, that is God, why did you make me this way?  We who have been created by God are never in a position to question why God made us in a certain way.  The same principle can be applied to the question of: Why do bad things happen to good people?  There can be no sense that we have a right in questioning God as to his judgment or his actions.  There are a myriad of examples where the psalmist cries out to God in anger, but never remains in that anger.  My God, My God, why have you forsaken me leads to a rejoicing that God has conquered His enemies.  This is the assurance that we have.  Even if we do not understand why things happen in this world, we can be convinced that they do happen, as the last chapter stated, that they happen for a reason.  All things truly do work for good for those who trust in the Lord.

July 4, 2016: Day 36 – Romans 8

I need a week for this post.  By the way, happy 4th of July.  Paul somewhat addresses our patriotism by reminding us that we have been adopted not into a nationalistic approach to our faith, but rather our adoption provides us with a new family and a Father who is ruler of all nations and governments.  Vs.15 reminds us that we have not received a spirit of slavery, that would be a spirit that is dictated by legalistic principles which gives us a list of dos and donts, and if we don’t pursue that list then we are condemned.  Rather, we are adopted into Christ which allows the Spirit of God to dwell within us.  So, let me tell you, over this past week I have been reminded of the incredible cultural differences between the North and the South.  Where we live in Lancaster County you would be hard pressed to find someone with their hand over their heart during the national anthem.  Here in the Deep South, you get glared at if you don’t have your hand over your heart.  Here in the South it seems as if we have been adopted into a nationalistic culture that requires certain actions or else you are questioned as to your devotion and loyalty.  The opposite seems true in Lancaster County.  There is such an (unspoken) aversion to things nationalistic that prayers replace pledge of allegiances at sporting events and flags are replaced by barren walls.  As in all things, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.  It is just striking to live in the two extremes and see what each person understands as being adopted to the culture in which you live.  This is why it is much more appropriate to speak about being adopted into the family of Christ, that is where our devotion and our loyalty lies.  All else is secondary, but we are allowed secondary pleasures.

I wasn’t planning on talking about the above issue because there are so many other topics that scream for attention in these verses.  Predestination is touched upon here by Paul.  I want you to look closely for the verses in this Scripture that say that some were predestined for damnation.  Look again if you didn’t find any.  Again, look, and if you still don’t find any then take my word that there aren’t any.  There has been a misconception and a misconstruction of predestination that it signifies that God has chosen some for salvation and others for damnation.  Paul states in vs.29: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”  I think we established previously the truth of John 3:16 where we read that God so loved the world…, remember it is the world that he foreknew and that he predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus.  Here is a little quiz…How were each of us created?  Were we not all created in the image of God?  Were we not chosen by God, all of us, to be His children?  I didn’t say anything about those who received and accepted that invitation to be his children, I just asked whom did God choose?  The answer to that question is all of humanity.  While we were yet sinners, all of us, Jesus chose to die for us.  So…this prevents us from creating a false sense of separation between those who are chosen and those who are not because here Paul tells us, reminds us really, that we have all been chosen.  God has predestined all of us for His kingdom.  That is the Providence of God that we tend to forget when we try to delineate between those who are in and those who are out.  It is only God who separates the sheep from the goats.  

Paul then wonderfully reminds us of a truth that has marked the way that I live my life and I pray that I will always live according to this principle found in vs.31: “If God is for us, then who can be against us…?”  This principle allows us to pursue the greatest verse in Scripture, John 8:32 which tells us that we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free.  Trust me, they are related.  When we live our lives according to the principle that no one in our life can be against us when God is for us, then it frees us to do…, well…, anything.  There is nothing that we are prevented from doing.  There should never be a time in our life when we should say: I can’t do it.  You may not want to go through the trouble to try to do certain things, but I tell you that yes you can do it.  No one has the right to tell you that you can’t do anything.  I love that freedom that comes with that concept.  If we are in the Word and in prayer then it should become fairly self evident what the will of God is.  Don’t misunderstand that last statement as arrogance.  Rather, it is a concept that if we are in Christ, then our desire and our will would naturally be conformed to Christ’s desire.  Our will should then become God’s will.  Our desire will then become God’s desire.  What we hate should be what God hates.  That is true as well.  

One of the greatest verses in Romans we passed right over.  Look at vs.28.  Do you believe it?  All things work together for good for those who trust in the Lord.  I’ll never forget when I was discussing the providence of God in seminary and one woman told me: “Explain to me how being raped 4 times before the age of 18 works for the good of God?”  What would you say?  Here is someone who had experienced life in such a way that could only be explained as a nightmare and a tragedy, while this young man (me) who had lived a Pollyannish life could blithely say that God is good, all the time…all the time, God is good.  But don’t lose the context of Paul’s statement.  He is talking about exactly what my classmate expressed.  Paul is in the midst or at least is heading to talk about: “hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword”.  None of that can separate from the love of God.  Not even being raped 4 times before the age of 18.  That tragedy cannot be blithely explained away, but it also does not, somehow, fall outside of the Providence of God.  

Take comfort in vss. 37-39.  Just basque in its glow.

July 3, 2016: Day 35 – Romans 7

I want to focus on the verse 15.  How many times have you said, I know what I’m supposed to do, but for some reason I just keep making the same mistake, or, in most cases, I keep committing the same sin?  This is exactly what Paul is talking about here.  Every single one of us knows what we are supposed to do.  We all know that we can’t just will to do the right thing.  Only with putting ourselves in the hands of our Savior do we even have a chance.  In vs. 15 he speaks for us when he says: “I don’t understand my actions.”  I don’t understand why I keep going back to that which I know is going to harm me.  Again, our will is not able to force our actions to change.  It is almost as if sin is an addiction that if we just try to fight on our own, we cannot overcome it.  Vs.24 Paul calls himself a wretched man and in desperation asks the question: who is going to save me.  The answer comes in vs. 25.  

Let’s go back to the first part of this Scripture.  It is always interesting to me when I discuss divorce with people who for most other issues have fairly orthodox and conservative approaches to Scripture.  If they have been married to one person all of their life then they can sign on to this Scripture, if they have lived through the trauma of a divorce, for that is what it is, then they have a very different understanding.  If you will notice that Paul’s approach is coming strictly from the obligations that the woman would have.  If her husband dies then she is freed.  If her husband is alive then she is bound.  Jesus also addressed divorce and he added a caveat: “except for unchastity”, but this was from the perspective of the man.  The man should not divorce except for the case of unchastity.  So where does that leave us?

It is universally known that men and women did not have the same rights in Jesus’ day.  He had to speak about them separately because they were viewed and judged separately under the law.  The woman did not have the power to divorce, but she could be divorced.  The ability for a man to divorce his wife was unlimited.  So…imagine what would happen if a woman woke up one morning and for no reason of their own, was kicked out of the house, divorced.  Paul says she should not remarry, Jesus says the man should not have divorced her in the first place.  In Paul’s scenario the woman is left with no place to go, is not allowed to marry to have a home to protect her.  In Jesus’ scenario the man should not divorce his wife.  It is here where Scripture is not as clear and black and white as we would like it to be.  As a result, we are given the freedom to continue to follow the Holy Spirit and see where it leads us in regards to divorce and remarriage.  There are other areas of Scripture that give us this freedom where we do not see a message that is always consistent with itself and so we must discern the movement and the voice of the Holy Spirit in the text.

For this reason within the Presbyterian Church, and in my own theology, divorce is never the desired result, but sometimes it is the necessary one.  When it needs to become, or has become the result, I’m going to allow myself to give the benefit of the doubt to those who are in my midst that they are following God’s will.  It isn’t complicated when you are dealing with people and when Scripture gives you the freedom of interpretation that doesn’t contradict His Holy Word.

July 2, 2016: Day 34 – Romans 6

Can we start with vs.23?  Go back and read that again, okay, if you don’t want to go back I’ll include it here: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Do you see that beautiful juxtaposition where Paul includes the promise of what God will do for us.  But, do you notice where he starts?  Again, we start at the place where we need to recognize our limitations.  Let me be more precise, he begins by lifting up our sinfulness and ends with the grace of God which is free and which ultimately leads to eternal life.

But if we were talking about grace and how important it is to recognize that it is free, and that it is the most evident when it is held up against the foil of sin, then, as Paul states, maybe we should sin more and more just in order to received more and more grace.  I know, that sounds ridiculous to us, but there is some logic to that.  The beginning of chapter 6 is used routinely for both baptisms and funerals.  In baptisms we are reminded that Jesus died for our sins and as a result we are baptized into his death.  Does that make sense to you?  Let me explain.  Jesus’ death produces the defeat of sin because of the resurrection.  In our baptism we are proclaiming that we have a new Lord and so we, in turn, die to sin.  So, if we have died to sin then we should not let sin reign in our lives.  In funerals we are reminded of the powerful message of the resurrection.  There is more to life than this life.

I think we need to go back to vs. 23.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 21-30 of 31 results