Wretched Man, Redeemed.

"O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin." -Rom 7:24,25

Feb 25, 2008

Hello non-existent readers,
It has been quite some time since I have really "blogged" with any frequency. I do not know why I so thoroughly neglect the practice, especially considering how much I enjoy the writing. However, like most things I longed to do in life, days go by and I don't even think about writing. At least not when I have the time or access to do so.

Anyways...

The past week has been heart-breaking. A good friend is getting a divorce, and he is, unfortunately, not the only one I know to be doing so. Considering the fact that Meg and I have been married less than two years, it has been really hard on us to see friends who are so young getting divorced. It has been depressing. It has taken the wind out of me this week. I feel so impotent to do anything or say anything that can fix it. The whole situation has driven me to the kind of prayer that is rare for me. The kind of prayer, where you pray simply because there is absolutely nothing else you can do.

In the book of James, I believe the brother of Christ makes the point that anything that moves our hearts to prayer should also move our hearts to action. The point being that I should never pray for something that requires my obedience if I am not willing to be obedient. However, there are times when what we pray for has no human answer. There is nothing that I can do to change the heart of a dear friend, no matter how much I wish I could. God alone has the power and will to do so. So I pray. It may be all I can do, but this kind of intercession is heard by the One who is most high... At least I pray it does.

Stay well friends and cherish your spouse, if you are lucky enough to have one!

-Rob

Sep 5, 2007

I try to update my blog about once every nine months or so. I figure that at this rate, I can realistically announce at random that Meg and I have had a child without ever previously announcing that she is pregnant. Granted, neither of these things are true, but I could, if it were the case, make said announcement. Anyways...

Meg and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary in July. We went to see the Format in concert for our anniversary. As if you needed further proof, I think it shows that I have the world's greatest wife.

September is here and another school year has begun. This means that Meg is back at work every day, and waking up at 5:30am. It also means that I am back at the church more frequently. However, this has been nice. Who knows, they may even decide to make my job there full-time, but I am not holding my breath. I was really pleased to have such an awesome retreat with our leadership team and I am looking forward to what God has in store for this fall at Fusion.

Meg and I traveled to South Carolina last weekend to celebrate my Dad's 50th birthday, and it was a great time. We even stopped to spend an evening in Savannah on the way home. We love Savannah, and have decided to return for Meg's 24th Birthday.

Other than all that, life has been relatively uneventful. It has been good, even great! However, this has really been the norm for me, so it isn't anything to write home about. Although, it does raise an interesting thought. My life is great, but it's consistency makes me take the greatness for granted. This in mind, what will heaven be like? More importantly, how Awesome is God that his presence forever occupies every thought and attention of the angels for all of eternity? Pretty crazy, right.

God Bless,
Rob

p.s. Here are some books, shows, and albums I have recently enjoyed.

books:
Bringing Down The House by Ben Mezrich
IV by Chuck Klosterman
Acid House by Irvine Welsh
Reefer Madness by Eric Schlosser
Story by Steven James
Oblivion by David Foster Wallace
Sex God by Rob Bell
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

shows:
Psych
Heroes
Office
CSI
Off Centre (great show that survived all of twenty episodes)
Undeclared (see above)
Entourage


albums:
Continuum by John Mayer
Alive in the Fall by Jason Harwell
Gather Up by Peter Bradley Adams
In a Safe Place by the Album Leaf
We Don't Need to Whisper by Angels and Airwaves
Flying Into Daybreak by Charlie Hall
Burn for You by Steve Fee
Dog Problems by The Format
and I absolutely cannot wait until the 25th when the new David Crowder Band Cd comes out!

Jan 18, 2007

I have been on a bit of a reading frenzy as of late and I would love it if you all would be so kind as to recommend something new for me to check out. Below is a list of what I have recently completed so that you may know my taste.


"Girl Meets God" by Lauren Winner















"How We Are Hungry" by Dave Eggers















"Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell















"Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven..." by David Crowder
















"Diety Formerly Known as God" by Jarrett Stevens















"Less Than Zero" by Brett Easton Ellis
















"Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris














"Baptist Faith & Message; Revised Edition" by H. Herschel Hobbes















"The Town That Forgot How To Breath" by Kenneth Harvey















I look forward to your suggestions.

Jan 11, 2007

Romans 3 and Holiday Fun

First and foremost, let me apologize for the long absence in this journal. Between the Holidays, travel, and a three week break that the men's bible study has taken from Romans, I have not paid the appropriate amount of attention to this little piece of internet fun. While a great deal of newsworthy events have taken place in my absence, it was also very nice to get away from a computer for a little bit. Anyways, I am back now. I would like to take some time to update everyone on a few things that happened over the break, and then we will move right along to the 3rd Chapter of Romans.

Since we last spoke, I have enjoyed a vacation to see family in the greater Charlotte area for Christmas, I have read a few books (Mostly Lauren Winner's "Girl Meets God"), and I have applied, interviewed for, and accepted a new job. As of the first week of February, I will be the College Ministry Associate at Anastasia Baptist Church in St. Augustine, FL. The process that led Megan and I to this point was prayer-filled, and we are excited to see what God is going to do with us during the next year.

In looking ahead toward this year and all that I am excited about, it is hard to believe that I have the life that I have. Meg and I have constantly been amazed at God's faithfulness and all the blessings he has poured out on us. Families who are incredible. Friends who have become family. A Church that we feel called to. Jobs that allow us to live. Life is just really great! There is a thought that the first year of marriage is the hardest. If this is true, than the life God has in store for us will be better than I could have ever imagined.

I pray that this year brings the best for you all. My Sister and Truman are expecting another boy in May. Holly and Kyle are expecting a girl in February. Jeremy and Katie are expecting as well. I imagine that at least a few friends will be getting married. I imagine that many more will be moving, making career changes, and taking big steps. No matter what your year holds in store, I pray that God will lead the way and that He will keep you safe and secure.

Anyways, moving on to Romans chapter 3. If you remember from chapters 1 and 2, Paul is making the point that all humanity is grouped together in their sin. Not even the Jews, God's chosen people, can claim to be better based on their morality because they fail to live up to it. However, as we are about to find out in chapter 3, there is/was benefit to being a Jew. So, with that in mind let's jump in.

Romans 3
1Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written,
"THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS,
AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED."

The Jews have the advantage of being entrusted with the words of God, the law of God, and the promise of God. What about Jews who were Jewish by culture, but not by faith? What about those Jews who turned away from God and worshiped idols? I love Paul's response to this question. He knows that what he has said in the first two chapters is being met with all kinds of emotions from the Jews in Rome. So he points out the fact that grace is not a new concept. He shows these Jews that they have been extended grace from day one. "Their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God." This is where the brilliance of the argument Paul makes in the book Romans starts to come out. He is laying out the idea that God has not changed. He is showing that what God has done through His Son is merely the completion of what He has been doing for the Jews all along. The benefit in being a Jew is the promise.

5But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) 6May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? 7But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?

8And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their condemnation is just.

Again, Paul is making his point all the more clear. He does so by playing devil's advocate. He poses the thoughts that will surely be on the other side of this argument. If God keeps His promise to a people who did not keep up their end of the deal, what are you saying about God? How could a God do that and still be just? The answer to this is not an easy one, but it is relatively simple. This is a line of questioning that is really asking one thing... "What is the nature of God?" The answer to this question is only simple because it is found in just one place... the Sovereignty of God. Paul also poses the question and the answer that has befuddled nearly every believer... "What is the balance to Grace?" If God will be faithful despite my faithlessness, than what motivates me to serve Him? This is one of the more paramount questions of the rest of the book, and I pray that we are all wrestling with it the way that the scriptures lead us to.

9What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;

10as it is written,
"THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."
13"THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,"
"THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS";
14"WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS";
15"THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN."
18"THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES."

Using quotes from nearly every book of the Old Testament, Paul is pointing out again that all are under sin. He is showing the Jews that while they do have the promise of God's faithfulness they have still failed to act righteous. It is important to balance these two points. Paul knows that if he just mentions the promise to the Jews, there is no reason for them to need Christ. If God will be faithful no matter what, than what do they need to be saved from? You see the promise that God made to the Jews is fulfilled through Christ. Christ' sacrifice levels the playing field again, and makes the salvation which was promised to the Jews available to all. Just read below...

19Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. 31Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.


There are not many places in scripture where a simple and basic theology is laid out so effeciently. Start with verse 20, it is summarizing what Paul has said for the last two chapters. "No flesh will be justified to God through the law of works." John Piper talks a lot about Justification. I, like him, believe that it is one of the theological truths that we need to grasp and cling to. It is our promise. Like verse 21 and 22 says, "apart from the law the righteousness of God has been manifested....the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe." We recieve our rightneousness through faith in Jesus Christ. Anyone, anywhere in the world can recieve this righteousness. There is no distinction. God is not playing favorites. He isn't asking us to clean up our lives before we come to him. He is not saying do this or that, and then you can come to me. Just like Paul is pointing out in verses 23-26, God is saying to us "I love you and I have given my Son to pay the debt of your sin. I have given Jesus to set right what is wrong, and you don't have to do anything else to make things ok. It is done. He was and is your propitiation. All you have to do is believe it. Trust me that He has taken care of it already." If you ever need a scripture that plainly and simply tells you what it is that you believe as a Christian, I think this is it.

Paul goes on to cement this idea all the more firmly. Justification is through Faith in Grace through Christ. Jews, Gentiles, Greeks, Romans, Barbarians, Americans, Africans, Asians, Men, Women, Children, Ederly... there is no more boasting is who you are. Christ has come to eliminate this idea of bigotry and hatred and ethnocentrism. He has come to put humanity back together. He is here and He is available to all. He is the only one we can boast in. He is Just and Justifier.

This, of course, leads us back to the earlier question. What is the balance of Grace? What is my motivation for right behavior, if my justification is apart from the law of works? Paul leaves us with his answer. Through faith, we establish the law. We establish the law of faith. Paul is going to take us deeper and deeper into what this law of faith consists of, and what the implications are for our day to day lives. For now, I am just so excited for the rest of the book of Romans, and I would love to hear how it speaking to you as we take this journey together.

Happy New Year,
Rob

Dec 5, 2006

Romans 2

So, we left off in chapter 1 with Paul grouping all humanity together by their sin. In reading Rob Bell's "Velvet Elvis" recently, I was reminded of this. The fall of man didn't just happen, but it continues to happen. The point Paul leaves us with is that we all would have done the exact same thing Adam and Eve did, and we continue to do it. Paul continues this basic thought in chapter 2, but he narrows the focus to the Jews in Rome. He is speaking to those who consider themselves to be religious and right and good. As Christians, this chapter is speaking very specifically to us. With that in mind, let's dig in.

Rom 2:1 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, everyone who judges; for in that in which you judge another, you condemn yourself, for you who judge do the same things.
Rom 2:2 But know that the judgment of God is according to truth on those who practice such things.
Rom 2:3 And, O man, the one judging those who do such things, and practice them, do you think this, that you shall escape the judgment of God?
Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

Ok, first things first. Paul is beginning an argument about the law. These first four verses, in a very subtle way, begin to point out the missing piece of the law. This is a point that will be made all the more clearly in chapters 5 and 6. My favorite part about these verses is the second half of verse 4. "...the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" Paul is laying the groundwork for the argument for Grace; a Grace that is controversial and radical and life-changing. A Grace that teaches us that God's kindness and not our fear of him leads us to repentance. We will get there, but I get really excited by Paul's hinting at it. Moving on...

Rom 2:5 But according to your hardness and your impenitent heart, do you treasure up wrath for yourself in a day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Rom 2:6 who will render to each according to his works;
Rom 2:7 indeed to those who with patience in good work are seeking for glory, and honor, and incorruptibility, everlasting life.
Rom 2:8 But to those who indeed disobeying the truth out of self-seeking, and obeying unrighteousness, will be anger and wrath,
Rom 2:9 tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man who has worked out evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.
Rom 2:10 But He will give glory, honor and peace to every man who works good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of faces with God.
Rom 2:12 For as many as sinned without Law will also perish without Law. And as many as have sinned within Law shall be judged through Law.
Rom 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the nations, who do not have the Law, do by nature the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law unto themselves;
Rom 2:15 who show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and the thoughts between one another accusing or even excusing one another,
Rom 2:16 in a day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Now we start to get into it. Put yourself in the shoes of a first century Jew. You are chosen. You are set-apart. You are blessed. You were lucky enough to be born into a group of people who is "better." Why? Well, because God set-apart your people and fulfilled a promise to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. You were given the Law of Moses. You were given the writings. You were given the prophets. So your boast is in the fact that you are a Jew and you have the law. However, what value is the law if you don't follow it. Even worse, what if you don't follow the law, but someone who is not a Jew does follow it? Paul is again pointing out that the problem in the law is that it must be fulfilled by people who don't know how to follow it. He is inherently saying that even you Jews, even you religious people, need saving. As always, you can't expect someone to be grateful for something they did not know they needed.

Rom 2:17 Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the Law, and boast in God;
Rom 2:18 and know His will and approve the things excelling, being instructed out of the Law;
Rom 2:19 and persuading yourselves to be a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness;
Rom 2:20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, who have the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Law.
Rom 2:21 Therefore the one teaching another, do you not teach yourself? The one preaching not to steal, do you steal?
Rom 2:22 The one saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one detesting idols, do you rob temples?
Rom 2:23 You who boast in Law, do you dishonor God through breaking the Law?
Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of you, as it is written.

17-24 are my favorite verses of Chapter 2, because they speak to modern day Christians so clearly. The first half of these verses talk about humbleness and humility, or rather the lack thereof. I think it is alaways important for us, as believers, to be very careful about how highly we view ourselves. This was clearly the issue with the first century Jews that he was speaking to. The second half of these verses should be printed on cards and given to every Christian in the world today. Let's take them verse by verse. Verse 21 hints at something huge. It is the idea that we don't have all the answers. We don't always know, and that is ok. We need to keep learning, always. So, if we assume to have all the answers, what are we saying about how we view ourselves. This goes back to something God was really teaching me about a year ago. Do I believe in the true, soveriegn God, or do I believe in a version of Him I have created for myself that is easy to understand and explain? The second part of verse 21 through verse 22 gets into the idea of judgement. Now, before I go on, I think it is very important to remember that Paul is talking about Jews judging Gentiles. He is talking about believers judging non-believers. As a believer, you should expect and encourage the accountability of other believers. However, Paul is speaking very clearly against judging non-believers. So, with that in mind, are you guilty of what you judge? If you look at the world around you with condemnation, you perhaps need to look at yourself more closely. I have a good friend who is a solid believer and someone I really respect. However, in a conversation once, He spent about twenty minutes talking about how homosexuals, liberal media, and growing tolerance amongst believers for all types of issues were the big problems with the world, and that we as believers should do more to speak out against such things. Less than ten minutes later he was asking me to pray with him becuase he was struggling with having sex with his girlfriend. I don't say this to knock my friend. I am just as guilty of the same thing. That is why we need to drop this idea of "good" and "bad." People don't fit into those categories. Not for those who follow Christ anyway. The idea of your morality being the key to heaven is NOT in the gospel of Christ. Verse 23 explains why. "You who boast in Law, do you dishonor God through breaking the Law?" If you are righteous by a code of morality you have set for yourself, then you better make darn sure you live by it. This is what Paul was talking about in verses 12-16. Even if you weren't a Jew, even if you didn't have the law, you still have an understanding of morality, of "right" and "wrong." The question is, "how succesful were you at living up to that standard?" Let's be very clear. Paul is not a universalist. He is NOT saying that everyone has salvation as long as they are a "good" person. He is saying the exact opposite. He is saying that morality in and of itself was and will never be enough for salvation because no one lives up to that morality. Especially believers. In fact, Paul says that the very name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of how believers act. Think about that in a modern setting. Think about the people you know who have heard the Gospel of Christ but do not believe. Do they not believe in God? Or do they not believe that you are for real about this God because of what they see in your life?

It's pretty heavy stuff. Moving on...

Rom 2:25 For circumcision truly profits if you keep the Law, but if you are a transgressor of the Law, circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
Rom 2:26 If then the uncircumcision keeps the ordinances of the Law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Rom 2:27 And the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the Law, shall it not judge you, who through letter and circumcision become transgressors of the Law?
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that outwardly in flesh;
Rom 2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart; in spirit and not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

Paul is again speaking specifically to the Jews here. He is establishing need. You can not take this chapter out of the context of who he is speaking to, or what he is going to say about them. However, I think the most important thing he says here, for the first century Jews as well as modern-day believers, is in the last two verses. He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, but he is one inwardly. To put it in different terms... Salvation is in the heart and mind and not appearances. Jesus spoke out again and again about his frustrations with the pharisees who prayed loudly in public so that everyone would see them do it. In fact, the only time in scripture we are told of Jesus weeping happens when he sees pharisees' empty wailing at the tomb of Lazarus. In that scene, according to the gospel of John, Mary is heart broken by her brothers death. The pharisees should be there to share her burden to help her carry it, and yet they stand around making a lot of noise without really doing anything to care for Mary.

I love this chapter of Romans. It speaks so clearly to us about who we are as believers, and who we are not supposed to be. First, stop looking at the world around you with judgement and condemnation. Why should you be suprised by sin in a sinful world. Instead of yelling at the darkness for being dark, maybe it is time to be a brighter light. Second, being a brighter light doesn't happen because you have "good" morality. It happens when Jesus changes you inwardly. It happens when your identity becomes different.

Anyways, Paul doesn't knock the religious people for no reason. There is a benefit to knowing the law and being born into the promise of God, and Paul is going to get there next week.

Until then, thanks for taking the journey together.

-Rob

Nov 30, 2006

Romans 1 wrap-up

Wow! For those who don't believe that the word can be new and active and egaging for us today, Romans 1 proved otherwise. In a roomfull of a dozen men, God spoke through Romans 1 in all kinds of ways. It was revealing and convicting.

I think the thing that really stands out for me is a question that was asked in reference to Romans 1:14-17. The question is this; "Do we have a faith that is inclusive or exclusive?" In light of the first chapter of Romans, it is clear that, idealogically, the Gospel of Christ is available to all. However, as my friend Toren was so quick to point out, we are a broken and fragmented people and the reality of our faith doesn't often look like it should. This idea sparked debate and conviction amongts the guys at bible study and within my heart.

In verses 18-32 of Romans chapter 1, Paul uses sin to group all people together. He is using sin as the common denominator by which all people have failed God. By showing that all have sinned, he is detroying the idea of "good" and "bad" people. Think of Jesus, in John 8, telling those who have not sinned to cast the first stone at the woman caught in adultery. This is what Paul is trying to teach the Jews in Rome who view themselves as better than the Greeks/Romans. However, much like the Jews Paul is writing to, we are broken, and it is easier to point the finger of judgement than it is to let the word search and convict us. In thinking about this and discussing it within the group, it became obvious that maybe our judgement is no different. What people groups do we, as believers, pour shame and guilt upon? Is this an appropriate response in light of the word? Think about the moral superiority that we have claimed in the face of issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and addiction. Is this the viewpoint of an inclusive or exclusive faith? Maybe the first thing we need to do as believers is to renew our understanding in a common humanity that has collectively failed God and who has been offered grace and salvation through HIS mercy.

Don't believe me..... well we are about to continue the discussion. Chapter 2 of Romans is going to continue to push this ideas and I think it is right for us to wrestle with the weight of it.

Thanks for joining me on the journey.

Yours,
Rob

Nov 22, 2006

Romans 1

Before we get started, I want to point out that the first 8-12 chapters of Romans form a basic syllogistic argument. Like all syllogisms, Paul must first give us some basic premises. It is important to remember this when studying Romans, because it means we can not take it out of context. We must wrestle with the full weight of the argument he is making. If we don't, we miss the point of the first half of the book.

So here we go...

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Rom 1:2 (which He had promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures),
Rom 1:3 about His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh,
Rom 1:4 who was marked out the Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead;
Rom 1:5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship, to obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name;
Rom 1:6 among whom you also are the called-out ones of Jesus Christ:

In any letter, you have an introduction. "Hello, this is who I am." Paul is no different. He opens the letter by telling everyone who he is, and in so doing reveals the authority with, and of which, he speaks. Who am I? I'm a servant to Christ. I'm a called apostle. I was seperated to the gospel. And what is the Gospel? It was the prophesized news of the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. And who is Jesus? He was from the seed of David, marked out in power, with the spirit, by the resurrection from the dead. Yeah, and what does that mean for me? He has given us grace and apostleship, to the obedience to the faith. For who? For all nations, for His name. Does that mean me? Yes, among whom YOU also are the called-out ones of Jesus.

Two things happen with this introduction, Paul introduces them to himself and to Christ. Some of the things he mentions about Christ would have been very meaningful to the Jews in Rome. Especially when he talks about Christ being prophesized in the Holy Scriptures, and being from the Seed of David. The Jews would have immediately known he was referring to their Messiah. However, he mentions other things about Christ which would have been meaningful to the Greeks/Romans who believed in many other Gods. Power, Holiness, Resurrection from the Dead. These are all things that would have been comparisons to the Gods the Greeks/Romans believed in. Remember, the idea of worshipping a God was not new to the Romans. In fact, many of the stories of their Gods sound very similar to the story of Christ. So, Paul mentions that this Christ had power (authority, rule), Holiness from the Spirit (High, Exalted), and that he conquerred death (resurrection). At least two Gods whom the Romans worshipped would have fit into this description (Mithra, Adonis). Paul is making it clear from the start that Christ has done what only their best Gods would be creditted with.

So even in Paul's introduction, he speaks very specifically to both the Jews and the Greeks. His message for both is that he is revealing Christ, and that Christ is available to everyone (1:5).

Rom 1:7 to all those who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Continuing on with a basic letter introduction, Paul is now telling them who the letter is to. It is to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. In the first half of verse 7, Paul is acknowledging the believers who are already present in the church at Rome. He is offering a salutation to those who have come to believe in Christ whether rich or poor, bond or free, male or female, Jew or Gentile, without any distinction, being all one in Christ Jesus. He then begins with a blessing, Grace and Peace, to this emerging church.

Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you
Rom 1:10 always in my prayers, making request if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.
Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to you for the establishing of you.
Rom 1:12 And this is to be comforted together with you by our mutual faith, both yours and mine.
Rom 1:13 But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that oftentimes I purposed to come to you, and was kept back until the present; that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other nations.

Paul does something here that I feel all Christians should take note of, he tells this church how he prays for them. He is thankful for them. He longs to see them. He wants to encourage them and be encouraged by them. He even tells them honestly that it was not his avoidance, but outside forces which has thusfar kept him away. Ultimately, Paul is confirming and affirming his friendship with these people. He is showing his love. He is letting this community know that no matter what he may say to them throughout this letter, it is coming from a place of deep connection and love. Imagine if every relationship (with believers and non) looked like this. What do you think would happen when people saw Jesus in us this way?

Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the foreigners, both to the wise and to the unwise.
Rom 1:15 So, as much as is in me lies, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are at Rome also.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Language here is important, even more so than normal. Paul makes it known that he is not on one side or the other when it comes to the hatred between the two groups here. He is letting the people in Rome know that, before he even begins to preach the good news, he wants no part in this bigotry, this racism, this hate. He wants them to know that, Jew or Greek, Christ is available to all, and that he is not ashamed of it. He is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. What is interesting here, is the MLK analogy I mentioned earlier. Paul is going to preach the Gospel to all, but he is going to have opposition on both sides. Jews will feel like Christ is their Messiah and therefor only available to the nation of Israel, and not to Gentiles. While this is not true, Paul makes mention of the idea of salvation being first for the Jew. This is one of those verses that can be dangerously taken out of context. The next two chapters of Romans will continue the argument of why salvation is first for the Jew, but he does so by pointing out that punishment for unbelief comes first to the Jew as well. Paul is making the point of letting the Jews know that yes they are Gods chosen people, but through Christ their privelage has been fulfilled. On the other hand, Greeks will also have their own issues dealing with their hatred of the Jews and not wanting to be grouped with these barbarians (non-greeks). Paul is attempting to calm both sides by assuring them that the Christ he is about to preach is available to all.

Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

This verse is another of the many in the first chapter of Romans that are misused. There isn't really much to say about this verse on it's own, other than to say it confirms that the righteousness of God will be revealed by the Gospel teaching. Also, it begins the argument for why Christ is available to all people. These are much bigger issues, carrying a great deal of implication, but they reference the second half of the argument from the 3rd-6th chapters, and I don't want us to get ahead of ourselves. So for now, let's just remember this verse and trust that we will come back to it later.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
Rom 1:19 because the thing which may be known of God is clearly revealed within them, for God revealed it to them.
Rom 1:20 For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse.
Rom 1:21 Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools
Rom 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.
Rom 1:25 For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause, God gave them up to dishonorable affections. For even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature.
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another; males with males working out shamefulness, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fitting for their error.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right,
Rom 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; being full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, evil habits, becoming whisperers,
Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 undiscerning, perfidious, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;
Rom 1:32 who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them.

It is huge that Paul is going to talk about Christ and Salvation being available to all, but first he has to make the point that Christ and Salvation are needed by all. These verses are simply a laundry list of things that mankind has done to screw up their relationship with a Holy God. Paul makes the same point he is making here a bit more consicely later on when he says, "all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." What is so huge about these verses is the things he mentions. The Jews would read these verses and immediately think of all the things that the Greeks had done wrong. They would immediately see the idol worship and the unrighteousness, and point out things in their minds where Paul was attacking the Greeks. However, this list is so important because he mentions things specifically which the nation of Israel did as well. When you read verses 21-24, remember the people of Israel worshipping the golden calf in the desert after being freed from Egypt. This is meaningful, because Paul is making the first part of a huge argument.

Jews. Gentiles. Greeks. Foreigners. Everyone has lived in ways that have created a chasm between their lives and a Holy God.

This is need. This is desperation.

I could talk for hours about why this is so huge, but it is enough to say that God is letting us see our need for him, regardless of who we are or what we have done. This is why God is praised. He fulfills the greatest need we have that we could never fulfill on our own.....

but there I go getting ahead of myself again.

I don't know about you, but I am stoked for Chapter 2. See you next week.

11/23/06
Rob