Romans – Page 35 – The Nexus

Morning Musings: Romans 8:28

April 25, 2018April 23, 2018Leave a comment

“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.” (NIV – Read the chapter)

This verse is one of the single biggest clichés in the Scriptures. We hear it often as a way to justify practically anything. If something bad happens, well, God will work it out for good. If something good happens, see, Paul was right. If something good doesn’t happen quickly after something bad, well, we must not love Him very well. If tragedy strikes, God can still bring good out of this even though you can’t imagine what it could be. Clichés! Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Romans 6:20, 22

April 13, 2018April 10, 2018Leave a comment

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. . . .But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

This is one of the more confusing arguments Paul makes over the course of his letter to the church in Rome. First, he says Christians were slaves of sin before being saved, then, he says that Christians, once they have been saved and set free from sin, are slaves of God. So we are saved from slavery only to enter into another kind of slavery? What gives? Why not just stay where we were at first? Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: Romans 8:37

April 11, 2018April 10, 2018Leave a comment

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (ESV – Read the chapter)

I have never surfed. Admittedly, I’ve never been in a really big hurry to try. It looks fun, but I have long been just a bit weary about the water. A couple of experiences growing up cemented this for me. Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Romans 16:17-18

August 3, 2017August 13, 2017Leave a comment

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” (ESV – read the chapter)

When it comes to non-Christians, the church is to be open to all people. We should receive with grace and gladness anyone who is interested in becoming a follower of Jesus regardless of their background or what they’ve done.

In the church and among people who claim to be followers of Jesus the story changes somewhat. Oftentimes today, people who are most concerned with protecting the purity and unity of the church work to keep out the world. In the New Testament, the exact opposite approach is taken. The biggest threats to the purity and unity of the church are never from without, but rather within.

Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Romans 15:2

August 2, 2017August 13, 2017Leave a comment

“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (ESV)

The goal here is not to become doormats, but to practice love for one another. We are not looking to justify every irritating whim and warped conviction of those around us. Speaking more directly to the call of our culture, this is definitely not talking about tolerating a habit or practice that is clearly sinful on the part of a fellow follower of Christ. Read the rest…