chapter 1:22 brought to mind what happens to be my all time favorite quote..."rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength"- Eric Hoffer. There have been so many times I have wanted to just calmly say this to a sales clerk, or a person behind me in line or a parent....and I do tell it to my kids all the time. Its just so true isn't it?!
The Romans get all sorts of freaky deaky and Paul tells them (and us) all about it. Its like little by little the trust in God begins to fall away. Like how if I make one excuse not to workout one day then then next day its even easier to make an excuse and the next until then I decide that I'll just start over on Monday..... there can be no excuse good enough.
Its because I whole heatedly believe what is said in chapter 2, that awful people don't really bother me. I know that they will get whats coming to them, so I just smile and walk away....
The rest of chapter 2 is pretty amazing. It says so much about what kept me from Christianity to begin with. Because I saw so many people who preached and preached the Bible but didn't practice it. Actually now that Ive read most of it, that number may have increased. But it also speaks of the people who do good even thought they may be spiritually uncircumcised. That, I felt was me. Yes, I did wrong at times, but I always felt that I was a good person and it bothered me that because I didn't ascribe to this label of "Christian" that I was somehow discredited for my good heart and works. I'm not talking about heaven or hell, I'm just talking about being a good person vs being a bad person.
I guess people who hate Jews don't read chapter 3 of this book?
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Romans
Chpt. 1 [vs 20]I feel this is clearly telling us that God is evident in all of His creation. That is, that everything about the natural world indicates purpose and design, which would of course infer a Designer. This is a definite attack and refutation on and of evolution, humanism and other atheistic theories which clearly do not coincide with reality or science.
Although humanists and marxists cannot explain in a way that fits reality, the thought processes or why everyone without specific teaching seems to know, inherently, that there are certain moral truths of right and wrong - murder, stealing, rape, etc. This is why all people, whether religious or not, can agree that there are certain morals that are clearly good and some that are clearly bad. This isn't an accident or random. Nor can it be properly explained through evolutionary processes. Evolution is so random, that if it were valid, there shouldn't be such an overwhelming agreement on the basic moral principles. It would stand to reason that under evolutionary processes, you'd have a large group that believed that murder was wrong, but probably almost an equal number that thought it was ok. The same would be said for all other morals. But that doesn't fit reality. What does, is that our Creator instilled in us by general revelation basic moral tenets that although we know (as evidenced by guilt and shame), we don't always follow because of our sinful nature.
tbc
still in chpt 1
in vs. 26 and beyond that, again, homosexuality is wrong and a sin and will result in death. This time it is made more clear to include women. It also makes it clear (vs. 32) that people who approve and applaud others who do live a life homosexuality (and other things - habitually sinning) also are wrong and sinning. So, this should be a warning to all of those "inclusive"/progressive religions or sects thereof that claim that these things are ok should re-read the entire Scripture taking it all into context. Although God is a God of love, He is also a God of righteousness and cannot be in the midst of unrighteousness, and that His loves/grace/and mercy allows the opportunity for salvation, but only our accepetance through faith guarantees it, not simply the fact that the opportunity is there. We will be held accountable. What kind of fairness, justice, or love would He be showing to the rest of us if he made no distinction between those who believed AND obeyed by following His precepts, and those who did not?
tbc
chpt 2. I referenced this in the last comment. He will render to us according to our deeds, as we deserve. Let there be no confusion. God is love, but that will not save you, in and of itself. He will love you all the way and probably through the gates of Hell. His love through grace gives us the opportunity to have salvation. We have to do our part. In vs. 9 we see that it is he who "habitually" does evil that is considered unrighteous and as having never really been saved or believed as evident as their unsincerity [and continuing/habitually] sinning. This is why someone who lives a lifestyle of sin (i.e. homsexuality), cannot truthfully claim to be a Christian. People who claim that they believe in the God of the N.T., but not the O.T. because they say the God of N.T. is love and O.T. wrathful and angry, have clearly never read all of the N.T. God is a God who will judge the unrighteous. To make equal the righteous and unrighteous would not be justice, fairness, or love.
tbc
still in chpt 2
vs 15-16 tell us that people who do not or have not heard or read God's special revelation through the Word will be judged according to the inherent law (morals - sense of right and wrong that we all possess upon birth). This should answer all of the skeptics who ask, "What about people who die, but never heard of God or Jesus or the Bible?"
chpt. 3
vs. 20 I think we went over this before, but it's important. The Law (commandments) were created so that our sin would be clearly brought to light - to expose it. Because we are incapable of obeying it due to our sinful nature (which existed before the law), it's purpose is to confirm that we need salvation in order to be made "perfect"/righteous. In vs 28 we see that because the Law was given to expose our sins, and since we are not capable of following it (because of our sinful nature) then it can never lead to salvation; only faith can justify/save us. It was Abraham's faith that saved him - before the Law even existed. vs 31 tell us that this does not mean that we can ignore the Law and simply believe/have faith. We must show the sincerity of our faith by upholding the Law [so that sin does not manifest itself habitually in our lives, creating us or others to stumble].
Lastly....in one of my earlier comments I said that through general revelation certain morals are inherent in us (humans), and that although people existed before God gave us special revelation (the Law), sin was not created by the Law, it already existed. The Law simply exposed what was already there, and kept/keeps people from claiming they dont know right from wrong despite everyone knowing that it exists in all of us. This all is evidenced by the story of Cain and Abel in the beginning. Although, "Thou shalt not murder." wasn't written as a commandment, Cain (and everyone else) knew he had sinned when he had murdered Abel. And so, was punished by God.
Tomorrow is Rom. 4-7
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