Romans is the first epistle (a letter like you would write to a friend) in the New Testament. Although it is not the oldest of the epistles. It was written by Paul. In the epistles we find most the doctrines you hear about in churches across the world. Romans especially highlights the doctrine of grace. We are saved by grace, in other words, we can't earn our way into eternal life, it's a gift we must accept and believe in (that's faith).
For time purposes I will only comment on 3 areas of this first chapter. Please read the 1st chapter of Romans before moving on from here.
Romans 1:11-12 I too am excited about sharing time with you as we begin this bible study. When I see your hunger for the Word and you growing in your faith, it encourages me to the point that I lose sleep at night. I pray our "mutual faith" grows through this study. Let me encourage you set your alarm an extra 10 minutes early so you have time to read the chapters and share on this blog. I especially need discipline in this area, so you guys keep me accountable. Thanks.
Romans 1:16 One of my favorite verses of the bible. I pray none of us are ever "ashamed of the gospel of Christ". But I also realize put in a difficult situation none of us are past that shame, so let us walk humbly with our God. (see Matthew 26:33,34,75)
Romans 1:19-20 No matter what people say about God, there's no denying that God has made Himself evident to everyone, "so that they are without excuse". Wow! Simply put, there's no jungle too thick or far away from civilization, that God has not penetrated and made Himself evident. No one can use that excuse, "well, what if they have never heard of Jesus and they die?". I believe they will be held accountable for what they did know, and this passage says everyone knows right and wrong. (see Romans 2:14-15, Psalms 19:1) Grace, MB
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5 comments:
"...that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."
Great chapter to start with on this Bible study :)
I know we have talked before (maybe a couple of summers ago) about the importance of fellowship with one another. It helps to have someone to hold you accountable. And to encourage you when you're in a tough spot. Kudos to Matt for getting this started. I'm hoping it will get me back on track with my Bible study habits.
Thanks Carrie, me too.
This was a great chapter. A few comments i have here on the first section...I agree...what a feul or fire I get sharing the word with fellow christians...I love to talk about it! You know me, I could go for hour...Story Lori..LOL.
Next, about the Homosexuality...I agree with the bible, but it makes me wonder about those born with the feeling that they are a man in a womens body or people born with two parts...I mean with all the birth defects that could happen....You know?
And lastly. I think it great to know that everyone has God instilled in them... What a relief! I mean, could we reach them all? Not that I am ever ashamed of the word, but it relieves some burden off my shoulders. But this also brings me to think of the story that the missionaries from Equador told us about the tribe who did nothing but kill people and killed those missionaries on the beach...Did they know deep in side them.. but over all the word did reach to them eventually. So nothing can stop it...Praise God!
Leave to me to have a discussion..lol Sorry matt..
Hello to everyone. I hope I can contribute to this often. I will get on as much as possible. I think this is a great idea, Matt!!!
Everyone knows the difference between right and wrong. They have a deep-down knowledge or conscience, or guide within them. Which we call God. But what about if people haven't heard the story of Jesus? I was just watching a youtube video entitled "Oprah denies Christ". The "Christians" on the show were saying that if someone hasn't heard the story of Jesus, there is no way to the Father for them. Oprah basically disagreed with them and they said she denied Christ. (which, I don't think she did at all). There is obviously no way to fully answer this thought...but I think it does sort of liberate us from feeling like we need to rush to those jungles out there to preach about God...He's already there!
Not that it doesn't matter or that we shouldn't teach people about our beliefs, but when we start saying we know the outcome of people's eternal life ...I think we are stepping on God's feet. Who are we to think we understand any of it and know for certain if someone else is going to heaven or hell?
Just some thoughts,
Beth
Regarding Romans 1:16, Paul states, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile”. I am reminded that Christ said in Luke 9:26, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels”. I am not ashamed of sharing the Gospel message, but I find I have a hard time forwarding Christian-type emails to non-believers. I rationalize my actions by the fact that I don’t want to get prematurely fired from my position at work. On the other hand, I know that God will take care of me just as He cares for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air (Matthew 6:25-33). I am reminded in 1Peter 5:7 that I am to “cast my anxiety on Him because He cares for me”…I’m not to worry.
Regarding Romans 1:20, Paul states, “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse”. I LOVE it! There are no excuses regarding whether or not one has heard the message of Jesus Christ. God has made Himself known through nature! Those who don’t believe in God claim there is no scientific evidence to explain a Creator’s existence. This passage clearly refutes that. Those who don’t believe in God may counter that the writings of the Bible are just some man’s thoughts, but I am reminded that all Scripture is God-breathed (2Timothy 3:16). Those who don’t believe in God may point to inconsistencies in the Bible. If I heard a story or was an eye witness to an event, I will remember it differently than another individual. There may be points that I don’t think are important; therefore, I may exclude those points. The same is the case with the Bible.
In Romans 1:21 Paul states, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened”. I volunteer at a juvenile detention center. During one of the Sunday services, a youth mentioned how it was easy for the people, living in Jesus’ time, to believe in Him. Not everyone who heard Jesus believed He was the Son of God. Today this is still true and is evident in Romans 1:21 that, although people knew Him (God/Jesus), they turned their backs on Him. They would rather lead life the way they wanted to and as Romans 1:28-30 states, “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless”. This passage sums up why people choose to do evil. Yes, it is a choice that is deserving of death (Romans 1:32). On the flip side, even those who are deserving of death can ask for forgiveness and God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9). Psalm 103:12 tells us that, when we confess our sins to God, He casts them as far as the east is from the west. Unlike humans, God is able not only to forgive but also to forget!
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