Tag: Living out the Gospel

Digging in Deeper: Romans 15:22-29

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“That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you. But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions, and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you whenever I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while. Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints, because Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs. So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds to them, I will visit you on the way to Spain. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing  of Christ.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

The Scriptures are often inspirational. They’re occasionally confusing. Sometimes they’re admittedly boring. Occasionally they’re unnerving. Every now and then, though, they’re just practical. Here as we draw near the end of Paul’s letter to the Roman church, he offers up a review of his travel plans. This is the kind of material we often just skip over because it doesn’t seem to have much practical relevance. But if every word of the Scriptures is God-breathed and intended to shape us to look more like Him, then this is too. Let’s take a look at what’s here to see what we can see.

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Morning Musing: Romans 15:20-21

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“My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation, but, as it is written, ‘Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.’” (CSB – Read the chapter)

The last thing Jesus said before returning to the Father’s right hand was to commission His followers to proclaim the Gospel. This call wasn’t something that was only for those special few who were called to be missionaries, though, it was for all of His followers. All of us are to be involved in proclaiming the good news and making disciples. That this is happening should be a given. How it happens, however, is a much more open question. Paul here talks about how He was called to that. Let’s talk about how we might be.

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Morning Musing: Romans 15:8-12

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“For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises to the fathers, and so that Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, ‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praise to your name.’ Again it says, ‘Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people!’ And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples praise him!’ And again, Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse will appear, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; the Gentiles will hope in him.’” (CSB – Read the chapter)

The Gospel is for everyone. No one is exempt from it. No one gets left out of its offer of life if they will receive it. But because of our natural tribalism, this broad availability hasn’t often been so easy for us to wrap our minds and especially our hearts around. We want the Gospel to be for us and people who are like us. Other people…not so much. And yet, as much as we might be inclined in this direction, the biggest obstacle to our walking this way is the New Testament itself and passages like this one. Let’s talk about it.

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Morning Musing: Romans 15:4

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“For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

A famous preacher generated some national controversy a few years ago for saying that believers today need to unhitch themselves from the Old Testament. His choice of words seems like it was intended to be provocative…and it worked. He generated a firestorm of responses, some thoughtful, others, not so much. Language choice aside, I think he was right in the main. We are not liable for keeping the old covenant laid out in the Old Testament. But then what’s the point of the Old Testament? Paul gives us an important clue here. Let’s take a look.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 15:1-3

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“Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself. On the contrary, as it is written, ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.'” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Welcome back! After a lovely break to spend some time reflecting on the season of Advent together, and couple of weeks off from writing entirely, it’s time to turn our attention back to Romans and finish our journey there. Let’s get going! There is a personality type that is driven to please others. These folks think often about what the people around them might need, and are willing to bend over backwards in order to help them get it. Now, when these folks are out of balance, they can become doormats who let the world just walk all over them, but when their value is properly rooted in Christ, they can be powerful servants, extending the blessings of the love of Christ to those around them with near boundless energy and care. As much as this is a personality type, though, as followers of Jesus, all of us are called to this to a certain extent. Let’s talk about pleasing others and the example of Jesus.

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