Striving For Unity by Welcoming Those Who Are Different...

This week, we have been looking at a section of a letter in the Bible called the book of Romans that provides for us the timeless practice that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle that strives for unity. Yesterday we discovered that followers of Jesus are to strive for unity by building others up. As followers of Jesus, we are to practice a lifestyle that strives for unity by building others up in a way that lovingly limits the freedom that we have for the spiritual good and growth of others.

Today, we will see Paul reveal for us a second way that followers are to practice a lifestyle that strives for unity, beginning in verse 7:

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME." 10 Again he says, "REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE." And again, "PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM." Again Isaiah says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE." Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Here we see Paul explain that, in light of the fact that we are to be focused on the spiritual good and growth of others, accept one another, just as Jesus also accepted us to the glory of God. As we discovered last week, this word accept literally means to extend a welcome and to receive one into our inner circle of acquaintances. And it is here that we see Paul reveal for us a second way that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle that strives for unity. And that second way is this: Followers of Jesus are to strive for unity by welcoming those who are different.

As followers of Jesus, we are to accept and welcome within the community of faith those who may be different than us when it comes to exercising their liberty that they have in Christ in their day to day lives in a debatable or open handed issues of the faith. You see, unity does not mean uniformity. The church is divinely designed to be comprised of followers of Jesus that come from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds that are united in their confident trust in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel. While there may be diversity of opinion on some issues of the faith, there is to be unity regarding the closed handed issues of the faith and in the kingdom mission that God has given us. There is to be unity within diversity in the church.

Paul then reminds followers of Jesus throughout history that Jesus entered into humanity to confirm and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that God’s promise of rescue was reliable to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul reinforces this reality by quoting from several sections of several letters that are recorded for us in the Old Testament, beginning in verse 9. First, Paul quotes from Psalm 18:49, to reveal that God’s rescue from selfishness and sin of individuals from cultures and continents across the world resulted in God’s reputation being enhanced across the world.

In verse 10, Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 32:43 to reveal that both Jews and Gentiles were designed to be united in their worship of God in community with one another. In verse, 11, Paul quotes from another Psalm, this time Psalm 117:1, to remind followers of Jesus throughout history that people across continents and cultures throughout history would be united in their worship of who God is, what God has done, and what God has promised to do. Then, in verse 12, Paul quotes from a section of a letter in our Bibles called the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 11:10, the prophet Isaiah predicted and proclaimed that God’s promise of rescue through Jesus would result in both Jews and non-Jews would be united in the confident expectation of a glorious future that comes as a result of their rescue from selfishness and sin by believing, trusting, and following Jesus as Lord and Leader.

And once again, Paul pauses, right in the middle of his letter, to pray that God would give the members of the church at Rome, and followers of Jesus throughout history the experience of gladness and well being that comes from entrusting oneself with complete confidence to the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel in community with one another. Paul prays that followers of Jesus would have, as a result of the Holy Spirit’s transformational power an abundance of hope that looks forward to the future with confidence as we experience unity in community with one another. A unity in the midst of diversity that welcomes and receives people from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds to experience genuine and authentic community.

Because as followers of Jesus we are called to strive for unity by welcoming those who are different. So do you strive to welcome those who are different?

Tomorrow,we will see Paul reveal a third way followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle that strives for unity...

Striving for Unity by Building Others Up...

Last week we discovered two timeless principles that, if followers of Jesus fully understood and embraced, would enable us to manage the tension that comes when we practice a lifestyle that exercises the liberty that we have in Christ. First, we discovered that Followers of Jesus carefully exercise their liberty by not judging others when it comes to debatable issues. Second, we discovered that followers of Jesus carefully exercise their liberty by lovingly limiting their liberty for the sake of others.

This week, I would like for us to pick up where we left off last week by looking at the next section of this letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles, called the book of Romans, where Paul continues to address the tension that often arises when it comes to how we practice our lifestyle as followers of Jesus when it comes to the liberty we have as a result of our relationship with Christ. And it is in this section that we will see Paul reveal for us another timeless practice that is necessary to embrace if we are to practice a lifestyle that advances God’s kingdom mission and enhances His reputation. And that timeless practice is this: Followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that strives for unity. In Romans 15:1-21, we will discover three ways that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that strives for unity. We see Paul reveal the first way that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that strives for unity in Romans 15:1. Let’s look at it together:

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins this section of his letter to the members of the church at Rome by explaining that those who had the strength and freedom that flowed from their confident trust in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel to exercise their liberty when it came to debatable issues of the faith ought to bear the weakness of those without strength. Now this word ought literally means to be under obligation to meet certain social and moral conditions. And the social and moral obligation that they were to meet was to bear patiently and put up with those whose weakness of faith that limited the exercise of the liberty that they had in Christ in their day to day lives. Instead of focusing on experiencing pleasure and self-satisfaction as a result of the freedom and liberty that they had in Christ, Paul is calling for a sacrifice of self interest for the sake of others.

Now an almost immediate response and objection that could be raised regarding Paul’s comments here is this: “Why should I have to sacrifice the freedom and liberty that I have in Christ for someone else? I am not sinning; so why do I always have to give up and sacrifice my liberty for someone who is weaker in faith and won’t exercise the freedom that they have? If Christ is the one who provides this freedom to have a beer after work, then why do I have to limit living in that freedom by not having a beer because of some teetotaler?”

Maybe I have just described a question that is running through your mind. If that question is running through your mind, I just want to let you know that it is a great question to be asking. And fortunately for us, Paul provides the answer to us in verse 2: “Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.”? And it is here that we see Paul reveal for us the first way that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle that strives for unity. And that first way is this: Followers of Jesus are to strive for unity by building others up. Paul commands the members of the church at Rome, and us here this morning, to practice a lifestyle in community with one another that is focused on the spiritual growth and spiritual good of those around us.

Now, as is often the case when we are asked to limit our freedom, the first question that arises, regardless of what age or stage of life that you are in is “why”? Why should I lovingly limit my freedom for the spiritual good and growth of others who are not able to exercise the same liberty and freedom that I have?” Paul, anticipating this question, provides the answer in advance in verse 3 by explaining that Christ did not live His life on earth with a focus on pleasing Himself. Paul then reinforces this reality by quoting from a section of a letter in our Bibles called the book of Psalms. In Psalm 69:9 which is a Messianic Psalm that predicts and proclaims what Jesus would experience on earth, reminds us that Jesus faced and endured disparagement and disgrace during His life on earth.

And as the accounts of Jesus life in the Bible remind us, Jesus never played the God card. Jesus did not enter into humanity in order to exercise the rightful freedom and liberty that He had as the Co-Creator of the universe who is large and in charge of everything. Instead, Jesus entered into humanity and lovingly limited His freedom by allowing Himself to be treated as though He lived our selfish and sinful life, so that God the Father could treat us as though we lived Jesus perfect life. You see, Jesus never asks us to do something that He has not already done. Paul then reminds the members of the church at Rome that the Bible was given to us by God to teach and to encourage us to bear up and hold out in the face of difficulty with the confident expectation that in the future, every follower of Jesus will be able to exercise the freedom and liberty that they have in Christ as a result of their relationship with Christ.

Until that time, however, as followers of Jesus, we are to practice a lifestyle that strives for unity by building others up in a way that lovingly limits the freedom that we have for the spiritual good and growth of others. Paul then pauses, right in the middle of his letter, to pray that God would give the members of the church at Rome, and followers of Jesus throughout history the ability to live in unity as a community of believers that influence the opinions of the world around them by enhancing God’s reputation through their attitudes and actions with one another. Because, as followers of Jesus we are called to strive for unity by building others up.

So are you focused on the spiritual good and growth of others? Or do you find yourself focused on you and the freedom and liberty that you have, regardless of how the exercise of that freedom and liberty effects others?

Tomorrow, we will see Paul reveal a second way that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle that strives for unity,

Lovingly Limiting our Liberty for the Sake of Others...

This week, we have been looking at a section of a letter in the Bible called the book of Romans that provides for us the timeless practice that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle that carefully exercises their liberty. Tuesday and Wednesday, we discovered the timeless principle that, as followers of Jesus, we are to carefully exercise their liberty by not judging others when it comes to debatable issues.

As followers of Jesus, we are to accept and welcome within the community of faith those who may be weak and limited when it comes to exercising their liberty that they have in Christ in their day to day lives on a debatable issue of the faith. We are not to judge them as second class citizens; instead we are to welcome, them, love them, and serve them. Today, we will see Paul reveal for us a second principle that is necessary to integrate into our lives when it comes to carefully exercising the liberty that we have as followers of Jesus, beginning in verse 13.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

In these verses, we see Paul provide a second timeless principle that should guide our lives as followers of Jesus when it comes to carefully exercising the liberty that we have in Christ. And that second principle is this: Followers of Jesus carefully exercise their liberty by lovingly limiting their liberty for the sake of others. Instead of judging one another; instead of criticizing and condemning others for not exercising their freedom in Christ; Paul commands the members of the church at Rome, and us here this morning to determine not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

When Paul refers to an obstacle, he is referring to an opportunity for someone to make a misstep that results in pain. A stumbling block, in the language this letter was originally written in, literally means to place a temptation in someone’s way. In other words, as followers of Jesus, we are not to purposefully create any environment where we attempt to force another follower of Jesus into a situation where they would be tempted to violate their conviction and their consciences in a way that results in a misstep that produces guilt and shame in their relationship with Jesus.

Now a natural question and objection that may arise here is “well why should I have to limit my liberty for the sake of someone else? If I have freedom to drink a beer occasionally, why should that freedom be limited because of someone else?” If you are here and that question is running through your mind, I want to let you know that it is a fair question?” In verse 14-15, Paul answers this question by pointing the members of the church at Rome back to the issue of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches and explains that he was fully aware of Jesus words that all foods were clean, or acceptable to eat. Yet while Paul had a certainty and confidence about this truth, he recognized that for the person who did not have the same certainty and confidence, to eat ribs or a pork sandwich would violate their conviction and their consciences in a way that results in a misstep that produces guilt and shame in their relationship with Jesus.

And to purposefully create any environment that forced another follower of Jesus into a situation where their relationship with Jesus would be hurt as a result of a violation of a conviction or their conscience would be unloving. The hurt, pain and shame that would flow from the violation of their convictions and conscience could destroy the very person that Jesus lovingly gave His life for. And the pain and destruction that would come would result in a hindrance of God’s kingdom mission and in God’s name and reputation being diminished in the eyes of those who were witnessing the quarrelling, the criticizing, and the condemning of one another that was occurring.

In verses 16-17, Paul further unpacks this principle by explaining that, as followers of Jesus, we should lovingly limit our freedoms for the sake of others so that the freedom that we have in Christ would not end up being spoken of in a disrespectful and demeaning way that maligns and slanders Jesus and His followers. Because, at the end of the day, God’s kingdom is not about the open-handed and debatable issues that can so easily lead us into distraction and debate. Instead, God’s kingdom is about experiencing the well being and gladness that God provides us as we live in a right relationship with God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

And when followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that carefully exercises their liberty by lovingly limiting their liberty for the sake of others, the result is a life that is pleasing to God and that enhances God’s reputation among men. Paul then provides followers of Jesus a proper focus when it comes to exercising our liberty in verses 19-23:

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

Here we see Paul reveal for us the reality that, as followers of Jesus, we are to focus on the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Instead of spending our time focused on the debatable issues of the faith that we disagree on, we are to focus our time on and seek to strive after harmony and the ongoing spiritual growth and maturity of others within community. As followers of Jesus we are called to demonstrate unity in the essential and closed handed issues of our beliefs; we have liberty in the non-essential and open handed issues of our beliefs; yet in all of our beliefs we are to show love and lovingly limit our liberty for the sake of others so that they can grow spiritually as they experience authentic community.

As Paul states in verse 20, we are not to tear down or hinder God’s kingdom mission over the open handed and non-essential issues of the faith. Paul brings the members of the church at Rome back to the issue of ribs and pulled pork to explain that while it is ok to eat ribs or pulled pork, ribs and pulled pork are morally and socially reprehensible for the person who is forced into a situation where they eat pork in violation of their conviction and conscience. And because of that reality, Paul states it is better for the person who is weak when it comes to the freedom to exercise their liberty to not engage in any activity or environment where they violate their convictions and consciences in a way that results in guilt, hurt, and shame.

Paul then encourages the members of the church at Rome, and us here this morning, to embrace and own whatever level of liberty that they have in the debatable issues of the faith that flows from their confident trust in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel. As followers of Jesus we are to faithfully study God’s word and serve God so that we would be growing in our relationship with Christ and our convictions when it comes to the debatable issues of the faith. The reason we are to do that is that the person who is involved in a growing and maturing relationship with Christ will experience the favor and blessing that flows from living a life that confidently trusts in Christ and owns their convictions on the debatable issues of the faith so as to not violate those convictions.

However, as Paul points out in verse 23, the person who is uncertain about his convictions, results in a life of guilt, pain and shame that flows from violation of those convictions. Because as Paul points out, whatever is not from faith is sin. Any attitude or action that flows from uncertainty and a lack of trust in Christ is in rebellion to Christ. When we become involved in actions or attitudes that we know we should probably not be doing and that violate our consciences and our convictions, we are acting in selfishness and rebellion against God.

And intuitively we know this to be true, don’t we? In church world, we even have our own lingo for this: “I feel a check in my spirit”? And even those who do not necessarily buy the whole Jesus Bible church thing have a phrase that reveals this reality: “When in doubt, don't; If you are not sure that you should, then don’t. If you even have to question whether or not that is a good idea, it probably isn’t a good idea”. So often, however, whether we are a follower of Jesus, who blow through the warning signs of the Holy Spirit when it comes to our convictions on debatable issues, or whether you are not a Christian and blow through the warning signs of doubt that spring from our conscience, at the end of the day we engage in activities that flow from uncertainty and doubt instead of confident trust. And the feelings of guilt, pain and shame that result is the evidence of selfishness and rebellion.

And because of this reality, as followers of Jesus, we are to practice a lifestyle that exercises our liberty carefully. As followers of Jesus, we are to carefully exercise our liberty by not judging others when it comes to debatable issues. As followers of Jesus, we are to carefully exercise our liberty by lovingly limiting our liberty for the sake of others.

So how are we doing? Do we practice a lifestyle that carefully exercises our liberty? Or are we spending our time criticizing and condemning others over open handed and debatable issues? Do we lovingly limit our liberty for the sake of others? Or do we exercise our liberty regardless of how it effects others?

Not Judging Others When it Comes to Debatable Issues...

Yesterday, we looked at a section of a letter in the Bible called the book of Romans that provided a timeless principle that is necessary to integrate into our lives when it comes to carefully exercising the liberty that we have as followers of Jesus. As followers of Jesus we are to carefully exercise their liberty by not judging others when it comes to debatable issues.

As followers of Jesus, we are to accept and welcome within the community of faith those who may be weak and limited when it comes to exercising their liberty that they have in Christ in their day to day lives on a debatable issue of the faith. We are not to judge them as second class citizens; instead we are to welcome, them, love them, and serve them. Paul then provides a second example of a debatable issue that was causing conflict a criticism in verse 5:

One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

Here we see Paul provide us a second example where followers of Jesus are to carefully exercise our liberty by not judging others when it comes to debatable issues. Most likely, Paul was referring to a debate involving what days are o.k. for followers of Jesus to worship in community. Prior to Jesus resurrection, the Sabbath was celebrated on Saturday. Now it is important that a Sabbath was not designed as a day to lay down and take a nap. The Sabbath was designed to be a day for followers of God to look up and pause and remember that God is to be the center of our lives. After Jesus resurrection, followers of Jesus began to pause and remember to look up in worship of God on Sundays, which was the day that Jesus was raised from the dead.

Those who had the strength and freedom to exercise their liberty in Christ had no problem with the change to worshipping on Sunday. Those who were weak when it came to the freedom to exercise their liberty, however, had a problem with such a change. And as a result, there was conflict and criticism by some who wanted to keep many of the Old Testament traditions about where, when and how to worship. So has anything changed? Whether it is worship styles, musical instruments, Saturday services, or how we celebrate communion, there can be great variations in how we respond to anything that threatens any traditions that we have as followers of Jesus.

After providing a second example of a debatable issue that was causing conflict and criticism, Paul reinforces the timeless reality that followers of Jesus are not to judge one another because there is only one judge, and that judge is Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we are not to conduct our lives with a self centered focus. Instead, as followers of Jesus, we are to live our lives for the Lord and with a focus on pleasing the Lord. We are to maintain this focus as followers of Jesus because Jesus entered into humanity and allowed Himself to be treated as though He lived our selfish and sinful lives so that God the Father could treat us as though we lived Jesus perfect life. And it is Jesus resurrection from the dead that provides the proof that Jesus is large and in charge of all humanity throughout all of history.

And because Jesus, and not the members of the church at Rome or followers of Jesus today, is large and in charge, Paul repeats the question that he had previously asked in verse 4: Why do you judge your brother? Why do you regard your brother with contempt?” Paul then answers his own question by stating that every follower of Jesus will stand before Him to give an account for how they conducted their lives here on earth. Every follower of Jesus will have to answer for how they chose to exercise or not exercise the freedom and liberty that they had as a result of their relationship with Him.

Paul then points the members of the church at Rome to a section of a letter that is recorded for us in the Bibles called the book of Isaiah, to show that Jesus is the judge. And because of that reality, while we have been given great freedom and liberty as followers of Jesus, we are called by God to practice a lifestyle that carefully exercises our liberty by not judging others when it comes to debatable matters. Instead of judging, we are to welcome them, love them, and serve them as part of a loving community of faith that is united on the closed handed, non-negotiable aspects of the faith that really matter.

Paul then continues by revealing for us a second principle that is necessary to integrate into our lives when it comes to carefully exercising the liberty that we have as followers of Jesus. We will look at that principle tomorrow...

Debating the debatable issues within Christianity...

For the past two weeks, we have been looking at a section of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles, called the book of Romans. In this section of this letter, the Apostle Paul is revealing for us the reality that the fact that God is right is also revealed by how followers of Jesus practice their faith. When followers of Jesus live a life that genuinely and authentically puts into practice the message and teachings of Jesus, we are used by God to reveal that He is right.

This week, I would like for us to pick up where we left off last week by looking at the next section of this letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles, called the book of Romans. Now this section of this letter reminds me that there are just some of the messages and teachings of the Bible that we need to hear over and over again in order to fully embrace and practice as part of our lifestyle. And perhaps nowhere is this reality more evident than when it comes to how we practice our lifestyle as followers of Jesus when it comes to the liberty we have as a result of our relationship with Jesus.

More specifically, how we practice our lifestyle as followers of Jesus when it comes to the debatable issues of the faith. By debatable issues, I am referring to aspects of the Christian life that Christians may disagree on. There are some issues in Christianity that are closed handed issues that are not open for debate. For example, the fact that Jesus Christ is God-in-a-bod; the truth of the Trinity; the truth that salvation from selfishness and sin comes only by placing one’s confident truth in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel by believing, trusting, and following Jesus as Lord and Leader; these are closed handed issues, they are not open for debate.

However, there are other issues in Christianity that would be referred to as open-handed issues that followers of Jesus disagree on. For example, is it o.k. for Christians to drink alcohol socially? Is it o.k. for Christians to dance? Should Christians participate in any activity that is associated with Halloween? Should Christian children to go to public school or should they be in a Christian school or home schooled? Should Christian women work outside the home? Should Christians practice family planning and use birth control? Should Christians work at casinos?

Now, these issues are debatable, because while the issue is not clearly stated in the Bible as being right or wrong, some people view the issue as morally wrong, while others view the issue as being morally acceptable. And so often, what can tend to happen is that followers of Jesus will engage in heated debate and confrontation over an issue that God has not given us a clear directive on in His word. And because God has not given us a clear directive, what we tend to do as followers of Jesus is to try to help God out by making a list of rules in addition to the Bible when it comes to these debatable issues. And as a result, we move from living a lifestyle that is based on a confident trust in God to a lifestyle that is attempting to keep a list of rules when it comes to practicing our faith.

So how should we as followers of Jesus practice our lifestyle in light of the liberty that we have? How should followers of Jesus engage one another when it comes to the debatable issues within Christianity? In Romans chapter 14, we see the Apostle Paul reveal for us a timeless practice that is necessary to embrace if we are to practice a lifestyle that advances God’s kingdom mission and enhances His reputation. And that timeless truth is this: Followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that carefully exercises their liberty. In Romans chapter 14, we see Paul provide for us two timeless principles that, if followers of Jesus fully understood and embraced, would enable us to manage the tension that comes when we practice a lifestyle that exercises the liberty that we have in Christ. So let’s discover the first principle together, beginning in Romans 14:1:

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Paul begins this section of his letter to the members of the church at Rome by commanding followers of Jesus throughout history to accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. Now to understand why Paul was making this command, we first need to understand what was occurring among followers of Jesus at the church at Rome, and still occurs in churches today. At the church at Rome, there were some followers of Jesus who were what Paul called weak in faith. This phrase refers to a follower of Jesus who has an inability or a limitation when it comes to experiencing the freedom and liberty that they have when it comes to living out their day to day lives in relationship with Jesus. By contrast, a person who is strong in faith experiences a sense of strength and freedom that allows them great liberty in how they live out their day to day lives as a follower of Jesus.

In verse 2, Paul provides an example that fleshes out for us the difference between a person who has the strength and freedom to exercise the liberty that they have in Christ and the person who is weak and limited when it comes to exercising their liberty that they have in Christ. Paul explains that one person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. Now Paul is not making a statement about a vegan lifestyle here. In the church at Rome, there were some followers of Jesus who previously had been irreligious people that were not Jewish and there were some members of the church at Rome who previously had been Jewish religious people who attempted to do things for God in order to be right with God.

So when the annual church picnic at the church at Rome occurred, there were some members of the church who would be barbecuing a pig in order to have ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. Others, however, who grew up in the Jewish religious system that viewed pork as being unclean and wrong to eat would respond by refusing to eat ribs or pork sandwiches and instead only have a salad. For the person who had the strength and the confident trust to exercise the freedom and liberty that they had in Christ, there was no problem having some ribs or a pulled pork sandwich. For the person who had been rescued from self righteous religion, however, their faith was not as strong. They worried that eating this meat would be breaking a rule and be displeasing to God. And because they did not have the confident trust to eat meat that they still viewed as unclean, they only ate vegetables.

What ended up happening in the church at Rome was that people who had the strength and freedom that flowed from their confident trust in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel to exercise their liberty to eat the pork were criticizing and condemning those who would not eat the pork as being spiritually immature and viewed them as second class citizens in the church. Those in Rome who were strong in their faith were saying to those who were weak in their faith when it came to this debatable issue “well, if you were spiritually mature, you would be able to eat some ribs. If you really understood the liberty you have, you would eat a pulled pork sandwich. I guess that I am just more mature than you, maybe someday you will actually grow up spiritually”.

In our culture today, this would be like taking a person who was an alcoholic and had come to Christ to a bar and saying “well if you were spiritually mature, you could have a drink with me, because the Bible does not condemn social drinking, it only condemns drunkenness, So why don’t you do the spiritually mature thing and have a drink with me”. Meanwhile, the new Christian is saying “no way, because I know what could happen if I start drinking, so I am not going to drink, because I am convinced that drinking is wrong”. So, followers of Jesus were getting into conflicts and quarrels with one another over differing opinions on open handed and debatable issues when it came to following Jesus. And followers of Jesus were criticizing, condemning, and judging and treating one another with contempt and in competition to who was right and thus more valuable and spiritually mature.

Now here's the question: has anything changed? Has anything changed in 2,000 years? No it hasn’t, has it? Paul’s response to followers of Jesus throughout history who want to criticize and condemn those who have differing views on how we are to exercise the freedom and liberty that we have when it comes to the open handed and debatable issues of the faith was this- knock it off! Instead of quarrelling with one another; instead of criticizing and condemning one another; accept one another. The word accept literally means to extend a welcome into one’s circle of acquaintances.

And here we see Paul provide for us a timeless principle that is necessary to integrate into our lives when it comes to carefully exercising the liberty that we have as followers of Jesus. And that principle is this: Followers of Jesus carefully exercise their liberty by not judging others when it comes to debatable issues. As followers of Jesus, we are to accept and welcome within the community of faith those who may be weak and limited when it comes to exercising their liberty that they have in Christ in their day to day lives on a debatable issue of the faith. We are not to judge them as second class citizens; instead we are to welcome, them, love them, and serve them. In verse 4, Paul asks a very pointed question to unpack and explain this timeless principle: “Who are you to judge a servant of another”? Paul’s point here is that at the end of the day, followers of Jesus are not going to be judged by one another when it comes to the opinions and convictions that we hold on the debatable issues of the faith. It is Jesus that we answer to. Our status or condition as His followers is based on His opinion and His opinion only.

And when it comes to debatable issues that are not clearly expressed in the message and the teachings of the Bible, Paul explains that Jesus will make that person stand. Paul’s point here is that as followers of Jesus, we are not to judge because Jesus is the judge. And Jesus, as the judge, has welcomed and accepted both those who are weak and those who are strong when it comes to exercising our liberty into His circle of acquaintances. We reflect Christ when we follow His example of accepting and welcoming those who have differing convictions on debatable issues into community where we can partner together in advancing God’s kingdom mission and enhancing His reputation.

Tomorrow, we will see Paul provide a second example of a debatable issue that was causing conflict a criticism in verse 5.

A Lifestyle of Submission to Christ's Commands...

This week, we are looking at the next section of this letter in our Bibles where a man named Paul is revealing another timeless practice that followers of Jesus should put into practice in their lives in that Followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of submission. When Paul uses the word submission, this word, in the language that this letter was originally written in, literally means to willingly place ourselves under others by placing others first.

Yesterday we saw that as followers of Jesus, we are to practice a lifestyle of submission to one another. In Romans 13:8-10, we discovered that when we practice a lifestyle of submission to one another, we reveal and reflect Christ as we live in genuine and authentic community with one another. Paul then concludes this section of his letter with a third area where followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission that willingly places ourselves under others by placing others first in Romans 13:11:

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

In verse 11, Paul explains that we are to practice a lifestyle of submission to government and to one another “knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” But what does that mean? When Paul uses the phrase awaken from sleep, this phrase refers to a state of lethargy, laziness, and sluggishness. Have you ever been there? Have you ever been in that place where you wake up in the morning, of after a nap, and you are in an incoherent daze and have no desire to do anything? We have all been there at some point in our live, haven’t we? For some of us, that could be right now. And not only can we find ourselves in an incoherent daze of lethargy and laziness physically; we can find ourselves in an incoherent daze of lethargy and laziness spiritually.

And that is exactly where some of the members of the church at Rome were. And that may be where some of us are when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. Maybe you do not give much thought or effort into your relationship with Jesus. You spend time with Jesus when Jesus fits into your schedule or when you feel like you need Jesus to come through for you. Paul’s response to the members of the church at Rome, and to us who had become lethargic and lazy and lived life in an incoherent daze when it came to their relationship with Jesus was this: Wake up! You need to wake up!!!!

And the reason why they needed to wake up is become salvation is nearer than when they first believed. By salvation, Paul is referring to the end of God’s story here on earth, when Jesus Christ will return to defeat selfishness, sin, and death, and we will experience the fullness of the relationship with God that we were created for. Every day here on earth is a day closer to Jesus return. And while we do not know the exact day and time when Jesus will return, we are to live our lives in a constant state of expectancy for His return.

In verses 12-14, Paul then explains that we are to wake up and live in expectancy of His return by laying aside the deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light. Paul’s point here is that in light of Jesus Christ’s return, as followers of Jesus we are to rid ourselves of the deeds that flow from a life of moral and spiritual darkness. Instead of thoughtlessly and lazily living a life that is led by our old selfish and sinful nature apart from Christ that is dominated by attitudes and actions that are selfish and rebellious, as followers of Jesus we are to live a life that battles moral and spiritual darkness with the weapons that God has given us as a result of his transformational activity.

As followers of Jesus, God has given us His Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence and power, His word, and prayer, just to name a few of the many weapons that God desires us to actively and thoughtfully employ so that we would live a life that reveals and reflects Christ’s activity in our lives. And it is here that we see Paul reveal a third area where followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission. And that third area is that, as followers of Jesus, we are to practice a lifestyle of submission to Christ’s commands. Instead of submitting to our old selfish and rebellious nature, we are to live a life that is submitted to following the message and teachings of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s point is that as we wait for Jesus return, we are to live our lives in light of His return by embracing a lifestyle of submission to His commands. In verse 13 and 14, Paul explains that whether it is our actions with what we eat and drink; whether it is our actions sexually; whether it is our attitude and actions in our relationships with one another, we are to conduct our day to day lives in a decent manner that follows the message and teaching of Jesus by submitting ourselves to His teaching. Instead of submitting Scripture to our thinking, we are to submit our thinking to Scripture.

Paul concludes this section of his letter with a command that summarizes verse 11-14: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”? The word provision here, in the language this letter was originally written in, literally means to make thoughtful plans in order to meet a need. As we discovered in an earlier sermon series, the word flesh refers to our old nature that is dominated by the evil and destructive power of sin. Lust, simply put, is a desire for something that is forbidden. Paul is commanding followers of Jesus throughout history to not make plans in order to meet the forbidden desires of our old nature that is dominated by selfishness and rebellion. Instead of taking the time to make plans to do something that is forbidden physically, sexually, or relationally, as followers of Jesus we are to be spending our time willingly placing ourselves under the leadership of Jesus by placing Jesus and His message and teachings in the forefront of our lives.

So here is a question for us to wrestle with: How consistently do we practice a lifestyle of submission to Christ’s commands? Are we living a life that is in an incoherent daze that has no desire to do anything when it comes to investing our time, talents, and treasure in God’s kingdom mission? Are we thoughtlessly and lazily living a life that is led by our old selfish and sinful nature apart from Christ that is dominated by attitudes and actions that are selfish and rebellious? Or are we living a life that is submitted to following the message and teachings of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit?

Because the timeless reality is that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of submission. Followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of submission to the government. Followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of submission to one another. And followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of submission to Christ’s commands.

A Lifestyle of Submission to One Another...

This week, we are looking at the next section of this letter in our Bibles where a man named Paul is revealing another timeless practice that followers of Jesus should put into practice in their lives in that Followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of submission. When Paul uses the word submission, this word, in the language that this letter was originally written in, literally means to willingly place ourselves under others by placing others first.

Yesterday we saw that as followers of Jesus, we are to practice a lifestyle of submission to our government. In Romans 13:1-7, we discovered that we are to willingly place ourselves under the authority of our government by fulfilling our responsibilities, both financially and when it comes to our attitude towards government. Paul then continues by revealing for us a second area where followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission that willingly places ourselves under others by placing others first in Romans 13:8:

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

In these verses, we see a second area where followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission. And that second area is that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission to one another. As followers of Jesus, we are to willingly place ourselves under others by placing others first as a community of believers. In verse 8, Paul provides the motivation that should drive our willingness to submit to one another, which is a selfless and other-centered love for one another. The only obligation that should be the driving and motivating factor in our lives is love. As followers of Jesus, our relationships should not be driven and motivated by slavery to financial or emotional obligations. Paul’s point here is that the only debt or obligation that should weigh on our lives and drive the motivation of our lives is the obligation to love one another.

Paul then explains that when love is the driving and motivating force behind a life that willing places ourselves under others by placing others first, we fulfill the law. When Paul refers to the Law, he is referring to the first five books in our Bibles, which the Jewish people referred to as the Law or Torah. The word fulfilled means to bring something to a designated end. Paul’s point is that the person who practices a lifestyle of submission will live a life that is in line with God’s commandments.

And to reinforce his point, Paul points the members of the church at Rome, and us here this morning, to the seventh, sixth, eighth, and tenth of the Ten Commandments that God gave Moses for the Jewish people. In addition, Paul reminds the readers of this letter of God’s command to the Jewish people that is recorded for us in a letter of our Bibles, called the Book of Leviticus.

To understand what Paul is communicating here, let me ask you this question: If you loved your neighbor as yourself, would you ever sleep with their spouse? Kill them? Steal from them? Desire what they had? Wish that they did not have what they had? Would we ever sin against one another if we lovingly placed ourselves under them by placing them first? No we would not. And that is Paul’s point here. When followers of Jesus willingly place ourselves under others by placing others first, we do no wrong to our neighbor and we fulfill God’s requirements of how we are to relate to one another.

So here is a question for us to consider: How consistently do we practice a lifestyle of submission to one another? How consistently do we willingly place ourselves under others by placing others first? Because when we practice a lifestyle of submission to one another, we reveal and reflect Christ as we live in genuine and authentic community with one another.

Tomorrow, we will see Paul conclude this section of his letter with a third area where followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission that willingly places ourselves under others by placing others first.

Followers of Jesus and Our Response to Government...

Last week, we began to look at a section of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles, called the book of Romans. In this section of this letter, the Apostle Paul is revealing for us the reality that the fact that God is right is not only based on who God is, what God has done, and what God has promised to do. The fact that God is right is also revealed by how followers of Jesus practice their faith. When followers of Jesus live a life that genuinely and authentically puts into practice the message and teachings of Jesus, we are used by God to reveal that He is right.

This week, I would like for us to pick up where we left off last week by looking at the next section of this letter. And it is in this next section that we see revealed for us another timeless practice that followers of Jesus should put into practice in their lives. And that timeless practice is this: Followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of submission. When Paul uses the word submission, this word, in the language that this letter was originally written in, literally means to willingly place ourselves under others by placing others first. And in Romans 13:1-14, we see Paul reveal three areas where followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission. So let’s discover these areas together, beginning in Romans 13:1:

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

Paul begins this section of his letter to the members of the church at Rome by introducing the first area where followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission that willingly places ourselves under others by placing others first. And that first area is that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission to government. In Romans 13:1-7 we see three reasons why followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission to government. First, we see that we must submit to government because God designed government as an authority over us. In verse 1 and 2, we see Paul reveal to us the reality that government has its ultimate design and establishment by God. The word establish, in the language this letter was originally written in, literally means to put into place. Paul is explaining to the Roman church and us today, that government derives its authority because of the fact that it is established and put into place by the Lord Himself. Paul also states in these verses that the very act of opposing government is to place ourselves in opposition to God. And when we choose to oppose the government that choice places us in a position to be punished and judged by government as God’s instrument of justice on earth.

Second, we see that we must submit to government because God designed government to punish evil. In verse 3, Paul reveals for us the reality that government’s divine design is to punish evil and promote justice on earth. Government was put into place by God as an intermediary, or representative, of God to promote justice for those who do well and to punish evil by responding with righteousness and justice to wrongdoing. Now, a natural question that arises here is “But what about governments who do not do operate according to God’s design? What about governments who fail to punish evil and promote justice?” In Romans 13:5, we see Paul explain to us that we are to submit to government even if government is either unwilling or unable to punish evil and promote justice. Paul states that we are to submit to government not only because it is designed to punish evil; we are also to submit to government because of conscience’s sake. Now our conscience is one’s inward faculty for determining right and wrong. What Paul is communicating by this phrase is that we are to submit to government, whether good or bad, because ultimately, all governments are placed into authority by God as His representative on earth.

Now some of you may be thinking, “But what about evil governments? What about the Nazi’s in WW II or China or Iran today? Are we, as followers of Jesus, supposed to obey evil governments?” This morning, it is important to understand that God designs and establishes all governments, even though some governments do not follow His commands or desires. So, if it is the case that some governments do not follow His commands or desires, is it ever o.k. to disobey government? We believe that the Bible teaches that followers of Jesus can express direct civil disobedience, which is when a government attempts to force us to disobey God’s clear commands. When government attempts to force us to disobey God we are to choose to disobey government and obey God.

And our attitude in expressing civil disobedience is just as important as the act of disobedience itself. If we refuse to obey government for religious reasons, we should not be rebellious in our attitude and be prepared to accept whatever consequences that the government imposes. We see this in the Old Testament story of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3. We also see this in Acts 5:27-29 when the Apostles were told to quit spreading the gospel message. However, we believe that the Bible does not condone indirect civil disobedience, which is when we choose to disobey government to protest government violations against someone else.

To illustrate and apply this principle, let’s take the issue of abortion. Currently in America it is legal to get an abortion. And while it is legal to get an abortion, as Christians we believe that abortion violates God’s moral law. And, in America, Americans are not compelled, or forced, to get abortions as a result of being pregnant. In China, however, with its one child policy, Chinese citizens are compelled to receive abortions. So, from a Biblical perspective, Chinese Christians are permitted to express civil disobedience due to the fact that they are being compelled or forced to violate God’s clear command to not murder by getting an abortion. In America, however, civil disobedience regarding abortion would not be permissible as it would be indirect civil disobedience.

As followers of Jesus, we can express a Christian worldview and promote policies that would change the law regarding abortion, but we are not permitted to violate the laws of the land to do so. It is against Biblical principles to blow up abortion clinics, refuse to pay taxes, or violate any other government law in order to protest government policy. We are permitted to express direct civil disobedience only against a law that compels or forces us to disobey God’s clear commands. Paul then provides us a third reason why followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission to government in that we must submit to government by fulfilling our responsibilities. We see this revealed for us in Romans 13:6-7. Let’s look at it together:

For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

In these verses, we see Paul reveal for us four different ways that we as followers of Jesus are to fulfill our responsibilities to government. First, we are to pay our taxes. We are to pay our taxes to whom it is due; local, state, and federal. Jesus Himself conveyed our responsibility to pay taxes when questioned by the religious leaders of the day in Matthew 22:17-21. Second, we are to pay customs to whom it is due. An example of a custom would be the fees at an airport that are charged by the government; or a fishing or hunting license.

But notice that Paul calls us to fulfill our responsibilities to the government not only with our finances. We are also to fulfill our responsibilities to our government with a proper attitude. Paul states that we are to have an attitude of healthy fear toward our government. What Paul is conveying by this phrase is that we are to recognize and follow in submission and obedience the authority that God has placed over us in government. And Paul continues by stating that we are to do so in a way that honors and respects those in authority over us in government.

While we may not agree with those in authority over us in terms of their policy positions or stands on different social, political, and moral issues, we are to treat them with the respect and honor that their position of authority deserves. This includes those in politics; law enforcement, such as police officers; or public safety, such as fireman.

So here is a question for us to consider: do we practice a lifestyle of submission to our government? Do we willingly place ourselves under the authority of our government? Do we fulfill our responsibilities, both financially and when it comes to our attitude towards, our government?

Tomorrow, we will look at a second area where followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of submission that willingly places ourselves under others by placing others first.

Practicing a Lifestyle of Worship in our Response to the World...

This week, we are looking at a timeless practice that followers of Jesus should put into practice in their lives. And that timeless practice is that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God. Thursday, we discovered that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response to other Christians. Paul then concludes this section of his letter by revealing a fourth aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives beginning in verse 17:

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

In these verses, we see Paul reveal for us a fourth aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives. And that aspect is that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response toward the world. Paul commands followers of Jesus throughout history to never pay back evil for evil to anyone. In other words, followers of Jesus are not to respond to the harm or wrong that comes from the evil intentions of others by responding in like manner.

Instead, Paul commands followers of Jesus to respect what is right in the sight of all men. The word respect here means to give careful thought and consideration to something. Paul’s point here is that we are not to ignore evil; but we are not to respond to evil with evil. As followers of Jesus, we are to carefully consider our response to the harm and wrong that comes from the evil intentions of others by doing the noble and the right thing. In addition, as far as it is possible, as followers of Jesus, we are to strive to have harmonious relationships with others.

Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that there are times that no matter what we do, we are unable to experience harmonious relationships with others. As followers of Jesus, we are to do all that we can to live in harmony in community with everyone. And when that does not occur, we are to respond to evil, injustice and conflict by doing the noble and right thing. And we are to practice this lifestyle with all men. Notice Paul’s words in these verses: anyone, all men, all men. We practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God when we respond to those around us who are far from God by doing all that we can to live in harmony in community with them, and then responding by doing the noble and the right thing when that does not occur.

Now a natural question and objection that arises here is “well what about justice? What about justice for those who do harm to me?” Paul, anticipating this question, responds by stating that as followers of Jesus, we are never to take justice into our own hands. Instead, we are to leave room for God’s right and just response to selfishness, sin, and rebellion. And to back his point, Paul quotes from a section of a letter that is recorded for us in our Bibles called the book of Proverbs. Beginning in Proverbs 25:21, we read that that kindness shown to an enemy will bring shame to him and perhaps lead to repentance. The writer of proverbs then paints a picture of this repentance by pointing the members of the church at Rome to an Egyptian ritual where a guilty person carried a pan of burning coals on his head to indicate his repentance.

Paul’s point is that when we respond to the harm and wrong that comes from the evil intentions of others by doing the noble and the right thing, even to the point of meeting the pressing and practical needs that they have, we become the vehicle that God can use to reveal His Son Jesus and bring rescue. And because of that reality, Paul closes by commanding the members of the church at Rome, and us here this morning, to not allow the harm and wrong that flows from the evil intents of others to conquer and defeat us. Instead, we are to conquer and overcome the harm and wrong of evil by responding in a way that does the noble and right thing.

So, are we practicing a lifestyle of worship that pleases God in how we treat those around us who are far from God? Do we are to carefully consider our response to the harm and wrong that comes from the evil intentions of others by doing the noble and the right thing? Do we practice a lifestyle that allows God’s righteous response to selfishness and rebellion to take place? For, as we will see next week, God has instruments that He uses here on earth to execute His right and just response to the evil of selfishness and sin.

In the meantime, the timeless reality is that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God. A lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response of surrender. A lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response of service. A lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response toward other Christians. A lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response toward the world.

So, as a follower of Jesus, are you practicing a lifestyle of worship that pleases God? Are you practicing a lifestyle of worship in a response of surrender and service? Are you practicing a lifestyle of worship in your response toward Christians and the world?

Practicing a Lifestyle of Worship with Other Followers of Jesus...

This week, we are looking at a timeless practice that followers of Jesus should put into practice in their lives. And that timeless practice is that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God. Yesterday, we discovered that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of worship that responds by committing to live a life that is surrendered to serving God by exercising the spiritual gifts we have been given as we partner together as a church to advance God’s kingdom mission. Because, when we serve others by exercising our spiritual gifts, we are serving God and are being used by God to help others grow spiritually. Paul then reveals a third aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives beginning in verse 9:

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

In these verses, we see Paul reveal for us a third aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives. And that aspect is that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response toward other Christians. In Romans 12:9-16, we see Paul provide a string of commands that, when followed, result in a lifestyle of worship that pleases God and reflects Christ to other followers of Jesus. When Paul uses the phrase “let love be without hypocrisy” he is revealing for us the reality that our love for one another should be genuine and sincere. Paul then commands that followers of Jesus are to have a vehement dislike for that which is morally and socially worthless. Instead, we are to attach ourselves to the things that meet a high standard of worth and merit.

In addition, as followers of Jesus, we are to have a brotherly affection for fellow Christians. While brothers and sisters sometimes do not always get along, at the end of the day there is a connection and affection for one another. That same love and affection should mark the lives of followers of Jesus when it comes to our spiritual brothers and sister. Paul also commands followers of Jesus to try to outdo one another when it comes to showing respect and reverence for one another. We are to have an attitude that consistently puts others before ourselves. In verse 11, Paul reminds the members of the church at Rome that they are not to be lagging behind in diligence. In other words, as followers of Jesus, we are not to be reluctant or lazy when it comes to our commitment to Christ. Instead, as followers of Jesus, we are to be enthusiastic and excited when it comes to our commitment to Christ as we live a life that is surrendered to serving the Lord.

As followers of Jesus, Paul states that, in spite of the troubles, trials, and opposition that we may face as we live our day to day lives here on earth, our lives should be marked by a state of well being and happiness that maintains a confident trust in Christ and that lives a life that reveals and reflects Christ as we look forward with a confident expectation to the future. Paul then explains that a lifestyle of worship that pleases God and reflects Christ to other followers of Jesus persists in prayer and participates in meeting the physical and spiritual needs other followers of Jesus. In verse 13, the phrase practicing hospitality literally means to harass someone with hospitality.

But, as followers of Jesus, Paul explains that are not only to live a lifestyle of worship that pleases God and reflects Christ to other followers of Jesus whom we like: a lifestyle of worship that pleases God also asks that God’s gracious favor and power would be on followers of Jesus who are not nice to you but instead harass you. We are to bless followers of Jesus who persecute us as followers of Jesus. We are not to curse followers of Jesus who are difficult to deal with. Instead we are to ask that God’s transformational power and favor would be at work in their lives.

As followers of Jesus we are to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep: we are called to connect and live life with one another in community during the highest of highs and during the lowest of lows. And we are to live in community with one another that is marked by harmony and agreement, not division and dissension. We are to be a community of believers that does not simply seek to strive for prestige and prominence. Instead we are to associate and accommodate our lives in a way that every follower of Jesus, regardless of social or economic status, feels connected in community.

Paul then concludes his list of commands by calling the members of the Church of Rome to not rely on their own wisdom when it comes to living a lifestyle of worship that pleases God and reflects Christ to other followers of Jesus. Instead, we are to rely on the Holy Spirit’s transformational power that will change our thinking to align with God’s desires for our lives.

So are we practicing a lifestyle of worship that pleases God in how we treat other followers of Jesus in community? Are we practicing a lifestyle that reflects genuine and sincere love for one another? A lifestyle that is marked by a confident trust in Christ and that lives a life that reveals and reflects Christ as we look forward with a confident expectation to the future, in spite of the troubles, trials, and opposition that we may face? A lifestyle of worship that persists in prayer and participates in meeting the physical and spiritual needs other followers of Jesus? A lifestyle asks that God’s gracious favor and power would be on followers of Jesus who are not nice to you but instead harass you? A lifestyle that expresses love and support during the highest of highs and the lowest of lows; a community marked by harmony and agreement?

Tomorrow, we will see Paul conclude this section of his letter by revealing a fourth aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives...

Practicing a Lifestyle of Worship through Serving...

This week, we are looking at a timeless practice that followers of Jesus should put into practice in their lives. And that timeless practice is that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God. Yesterday, we discovered that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response of surrender. Paul is urging the members of the church at Rome, and us here today, to respond to who God is, what God has done, and what God has promised to do by making a life time decision, through prayer, to tell God that all of your life is His. This is a one time commitment to practice a lifestyle that reflects a response of worship that pleases God. Paul then reveals a second aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives beginning in verse 3. Let’s look at it together:

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

In verse three, Paul uses a play on words to explaining that as followers of Jesus, we are not to be arrogant about our status as a Christian. The phrase to think more highly of oneself than he ought to think literally means to have an arrogant opinion of oneself. Instead Paul states that we are to have sound judgment as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Paul’s point here is that as followers of Jesus, we are to carefully consider with wisdom the reality that it is God who has given is the gift of faith and brought us into relationship with Christ. It is not what we have done for God; because all of humanity selfishly rebelled and rejected God. It is our selfish pride that is the problem, but it is what God has done for us through Christ that brings us into relationship with Him. And this reality should cause us to be self controlled in our opinion of ourselves and lead us to a life of humility.

Now a natural question that arises here is “well, what exactly were the members of the church at Rome arrogant about when it came to their status as a Christian?” Paul provides the answer for us in verse 4-5. Paul explains that just as that there are many parts that compose our bodies and each of these individual parts have a different role and function that helps the body function correctly; so we, who are many, are one body in Christ. And because of that reality, just like the individual parts of the human body, there are many individual followers of Jesus who partner together to form the body of Christ and help it to function correctly.

You see, we are not independent but interdependent. However, some members of the church at Rome viewed themselves as being independent of other followers of Jesus and had become arrogant because of the spiritual gifts that God had given them. And it is here that we see Paul reveal for us a second aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives. And that aspect is that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response of service.

In verses 6-8, the apostle Paul explains that, as followers of Jesus, we are to exercise the spiritual gifts that we have been given. You see, God’s grace in our lives is not only evidenced in our salvation; God’s grace in our lives is evidenced in the spiritual gifts we have been given. All of us, when we become followers of Jesus, are given at least one spiritual gift. Now you may be wondering “what is a spiritual gift?” A spiritual gift is a God given inner motivation that enables you to meet the needs of others in a way that builds up others spiritually.

The spiritual gifts that God gives us can be divided into two main groups. The first group are called speaking gifts. These gifts are the gifts of evangelism, exhortation, pastor- shepherding, and teaching. The second group are called serving gifts. These gifts are the gifts of administration or leading, faith, giving, mercy, and helps or serving. Paul’s point here is that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of worship that responds by committing to live a life that is surrendered to serving God by exercising the spiritual gifts we have been given as we partner together as a church to advance God’s kingdom mission.

Now, here is a question to wrestle with: As a follower of Jesus, are you practicing a lifestyle of worship that is investing your spiritual gifts and talents serving God by serving others? If not, why not? As followers of Jesus, we are to humbly respond to God’s rescue and God’s gifting by living a lifestyle of worship that serves God by serving others. Because, when we serve others by exercising our spiritual gifts, we are serving God and are being used by God to help others grow spiritually.

Tomorrow, we will see Paul reveal a third aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives...

Practicing a Lifestyle of Worship...

We have spent the past four months looking at a letter that is recorded for us in the Bible called the Book of Romans. In this letter a man named Paul, who was the person that God used to spread the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel to people who were not of Jewish heritage, is responding to a timeless question that is still asked today, which is “is the God that is portrayed in the Bible right? Is God right?”

Paul responded to this question in the very beginning of this letter by proclaiming that the message of the gospel reveals that reality that God is right. After proclaiming his belief that the message of the gospel reveals that reality that God is right, Paul then proceeds to provide the evidence to prove that God is right. Throughout the book of Romans, we discovered that the fact that God is right is revealed by humanities problem of selfishness and rebellion, by God's response of rescue to the problem of selfishness and rebellion, and by God's sovereign plan and dealings with the Jewish people throughout their history.

However, as with any plan, God’s sovereign plan calls for a response from His followers. The fact that God has rightly acted and intervened in history to provide forgiveness and rescue should result in a response by His followers. So, for the next five weeks, we are going to see Paul reveal for us the timeless reality that the fact that God is right is revealed by how followers of Jesus practice their faith. When followers of Jesus live a life that genuinely and authentically puts into practice the message and teachings of Jesus, we are used by God to reveal that He is right. We will discover timeless practices that followers of Jesus should be practicing in our daily lives. And as we go through this section of the book of Romans, my hope and prayer is that we would embrace and live out these practices in our day to day lives so that God’s kingdom mission would advance and His reputation would be enhanced. So let’s begin this series by looking together at Romans 12:1:

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul begins this section of his letter by strongly appealing and urging the members of the church at Rome to respond to the fact that God is right. In light of the God’s response of rescue from selfishness and sin through Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection; In light of God’s activity through the history of the Jewish people, God has been revealed to be right. And the fact that God is right should result in a response from His followers. Paul then reveals exactly how followers of Jesus should respond God’s rightness and response of rescue: “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

And it is here that we see revealed for us a timeless practice that followers of Jesus should put into practice in their lives. And that timeless practice is this: Followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God. The phrase “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice” in the language this letter was originally written in, literally means to offer your bodies as a living act of worship. When Paul use the phrase “spiritual service of worship” this phrase refers to a carefully thought through act of worship. As followers of Jesus, we are to respond to God’s transformational activity in our lives through Jesus Christ by living in a way that is worthy of God as an act of worship to God that is pleasing to God.

You see, worship, simply put, is a response. Worship is a response that is focused on who God is, what God has done, and what God has promised to do. Worship is not simply singing, reading your Bible and prayer, although it can involve singing, Bible reading, and prayer. Worship is a lifestyle; worship is a life that is lived in a way that is focused on and that responds to God’s character and activity in the world.

And in Romans 12, we see Paul reveal four aspects of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives. First, in Romans 12:1-2, we see that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle of worship that pleases God through our response of surrender. Paul here is urging the members of the church at Rome, and us here this morning, to respond to who God is, what God has done, and what God has promised to do by making a life time decision, through prayer, to tell God that all of your life is His. This is a one time commitment to practice a lifestyle that reflects a response of worship that pleases God.

Paul then unpacks what such a response of surrender looks like in verse 2. As followers of Jesus, we should not model our lifestyle after the times that we live in, we not to embrace and be shaped by this world, which are the different worldviews that are prevalent in the culture around us. Instead, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Our response of surrender results in God transforming and changing our way of thinking by the power of the Holy Spirit. And as a result of the Holy Spirit’s transformation of our inward way of thinking, we will be able to evaluate and draw a conclusion as to what God’s good standards and desires are for our lives. Paul’s point here is that when we practice a lifestyle of worship that responds by committing to live a life that is surrendered to God, the Holy Spirit transforms our way of thinking and mindset in a way that results in us being able to recognize and become aligned with God’s desires for our lives.

Now, here is a question to wrestle with: As a follower of Jesus, is there an aspect of your life that is displeasing to God? Could it be that the reason that there are parts of our lives that are displeasing to God is because we have never made the decision to practice a lifestyle of worship that has responded to God by surrendering all of our lives to God?

Tomorrow, we will see Paul reveal a second aspect of a lifestyle of worship that followers of Jesus should practice in their lives...

A Glimpse into God's Master Plan for History...

This week, we have been looking at a section of a letter in our Bibles called the book of Romans which revealed for us the timeless reality that God's sovereignty and man's responsibility is revealed by God's promises to the Jewish people. Yesterday, we saw Paul explain that God's sovereign choice should result in reverence, not arrogance, because we are responsible for our response to the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel. Today, we see Paul gives us a glimpse into God’s master plan for all history, beginning in verse 25:

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery-- so that you will not be wise in your own estimation-- that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB." "THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS." From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

Here we see Paul reveal for the members of the church at Rome, and followers of Jesus throughout history, a timeless truth about God and His Divine Plan that was once hidden, but now has been made known through Christ. Paul revealed this plan because he did not want followers of Jesus to rely on their own wisdom when it came to figuring out how God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility fit into God’s story.

To help us understand this timeless truth we first need to define some terms. When Paul uses the phrase “fullness of the Gentiles has come in”, this phrase literally means “the full number of the Gentiles has come in”. In addition, when Paul states that all Israel will be saved, he is not referring to every single Jewish person. Instead, he is referring to ethnically Jewish people who will respond to God’s transformational activity through Jesus life, death, and resurrection, by believing, trusting, and following Jesus as Lord and Leader. The Apostle Paul here is revealing for us the reality that at the end of God’s story here on earth, God will turn his attention to, and use the Jewish people as the vehicle to reveal His glory and advance His kingdom.

Currently, we are living in what theologians call the church age. Jesus, life, death, and resurrection ushered in the church. And since the beginnings of the church, God has used the church to advance His kingdom mission across cultures and continents in order to rescue people from all nations and cultures. Near the end of God’s story, the fullness of the Gentiles will come in; the full number of all non-Jewish people that will be rescued as a result of God’s sovereign and gracious choice will be reached.

At that time, God will turn his attention to the Jewish people and all Jewish people that respond to God’s activity by believing, trusting, and following Jesus as Lord and Leader will receive the forgiveness of sin and enter into the relationship with God that they were created for. This does not mean that some Jewish people will not be rescued prior to that time; remember, it is a partial hardening; a partial confirmation and setting into place the selfishness and rebellion that is already present in the majority of the Jewish nation, while God graciously chooses to rescue some from selfishness and rebellion.

God’s rejection of the Jewish people is not total and God’s rejection of the Jewish people is not final. We see this reality revealed for us in verse 28-32. Paul explains that while the Jewish people were at odds with God and the truth about God in a way that resulted in God’s kingdom mission advancing across the nations, from God’s point of view they are beloved. In other words, the Jewish people still hold a very special place in God’s heart. The reason that the Jewish people hold a very special place in God’s heart is because the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. This phrase, in the language this letter was originally written in, literally says “that God’s invitation and privileges that He extends to the Jewish people are without regret and are not taken back”.

And here we see Paul reveal for us the reality that God’s sovereign choice of the Jewish people is without regret. Just as the nations of the earth were once disobedient, but now have been shown mercy and grace by God’s sovereign choice, the Jewish nation who has been disobedient, will be shown mercy and grace by God’s sovereign choice. For as Paul states in verse 32, all that God has rescued were once selfish and rebellious and God worked with that selfishness and rebellion to show mercy in a way that advances His kingdom and enhances His reputation.

Because the reality is that God is sovereign. God is large and in charge and has the freedom to choose some and reject others. And the reason that the sovereign God is free to choose some and reject others is because mankind is responsible. Mankind is responsible because all humanity exercises and embraces the choice to selfishly rebel against God and the truth about God to worship something other than God as God and to do things that hurt God and others, which the Bible calls sin.

So, has this series of posts made your head hurt? It has mine. And if it is any consolation, you are not the first person whose head has hurt over reading these words in the Bible. Look at Paul’s response to what he had just written for God, beginning in verse 33:

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

In other words Paul is exclaiming “Oh how difficult is it to access and understand the abundance of God’s wisdom and intellect! God’s decisions and activity in history are unsearchable and incomprehensible. I can totally relate to how Isaiah and Job felt when they encountered the truth about the nature and character of God. Because everything is from God and everything is through God and everything is for God. Everything. I just need to stop and worship God, because I cannot wrap my mind around all that I have just written”.

You see, even Paul had a hard time totally reconciling the two truths of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. But the lack of total clarity and the tension that Paul felt did not lead to rejection of God and these two truths. Instead the mystery surrounding these two truths led to worship of God and an embracing of the tension that these two truths create. Because God’s sovereign choice and man’s responsibility should result in worship. The fact that there are mysteries about God and the truth about God that are beyond us should result in God’s reputation being enhanced.

Because we are responsible for the choices we make. And in God’s sovereignty, He does not give everyone what we deserve. Instead, by His gracious choice He rescues some. And it is God’s gracious choice that should humble us and provoke within us a response of worship.

The Opportunity and Response that God's Sovereign Choice Should Provoke...

Yesterday, we looked at a section of a letter in our Bibles called the book of Romans which revealed for us the timeless reality that God's sovereignty and man's responsibility is revealed by God's promises to the Jewish people. In Romans 11:1-10, we discovered that God had promised to rescue a remnant, or small portion of the Jewish people, in spite of their selfishness and rebellion. Paul quoted three sections of the Old Testament to reveal the reality that the sovereign God is free to choose some and reject others and that the Jewish people were responsible for their ultimate condemnation because of their rebellion. But that only served to provoke a second question, which we see Paul respond to in Romans 11:11-16:

I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

This question, if asked in the language we use in our culture today, would sound something like this: “Well then doesn’t that mean that the Jewish people have lost their status and position as God’s chosen people?” You see, the church at Rome was a diverse church that contained both Jews and Gentiles. So some within the church were wondering if the Jewish people still had the status of being God’s chosen people, or were the Gentiles now God’s chosen people. We see Paul respond to this question with the strongest negative response possible and explain that “by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.” But what does that mean?

Paul’s point here is that the selfishness and rebellion of the Jewish nation did not exclude them from receiving God’s promises so that the Gentiles were now God’s chosen people. Instead God would use His grace to the Gentiles as the vehicle to bring Jewish people to faith. Here we see Paul revealing for us the reality that God’s sovereign choice results in the opportunity of rescue for all nations. Throughout the book of Acts, we see Paul and other early church leaders first proclaim the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel to the Jewish people, where it was rejected by the vast majority of the Jewish people. The early church responded to this rejection by proclaiming the message of the gospel to the Gentiles, where many responded to the message by believing, trusting, and following Jesus as Lord and Leader.

And as these Gentile followers of Jesus experienced God’s transformational activity in their lives, God used their transformation to advance His kingdom mission to the Jewish people. You see, while the Jewish people could easily reject the message, they could not deny the transformation that they were seeing. And it was God’s activity through the lives of the Gentiles that God would use to bring forgiveness and rescue to those Jewish people who became followers of Jesus.

Paul then explains that if the Jewish nation’s selfishness and rebellion resulted in the rescue and the advancement of God’s kingdom mission throughout the nations, then how much more will God’s reputation be advanced and God’s kingdom mission be advanced then when God fulfills His promises to the Jewish nation. Paul recognized that the mission that God had given him was to be the primary missionary to first bring the claims of Christ and message of the gospel to the non-Jewish world. But Paul recognized that God was going to use Paul to not only reach Gentiles, for Christ, but that God was going to use Gentiles to reach Jews for Christ. As Paul continues, however, we see him address a potential response by Gentile members of the church at Rome to this reality, beginning in verse 17:

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

Here we see Paul use an improbable farming metaphor to drive home a timeless truth when it comes to God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. In this metaphor, the natural Olive Tree refers to the Jewish people, while the wild olive tree refers to Gentile followers of Jesus. The root refers to God’s promises that were made to Abraham and the forefathers of the Jewish people. As with most plants, the plant begins with the root and then spreads out as it grows. Now, in Paul’s day, a wild olive tree was notoriously unfruitful. So it would be contrary to nature to graft a wild olive branch into a natural olive tree.

Now with this information in mind, let’s look at why Paul would use this metaphor. At the church in Rome, some Gentile Christians had become boastful and proud, believing that they were now God’ chosen people and were better than Jewish people. If Paul’s response to the spiritual pride of the Gentile members of the church at Rome was expressed in the language we use today, his response would sound something like this: “just because many Jewish people were separated from God as a result of their selfish rebellion against God and the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel; and just because Gentiles now had the opportunity to be united and become a partner and participant in God’s promises that were made to Abraham as the forefather of the Jewish nation; that does not mean that you can become boastful at the expense of the Jewish people. You should not be arrogant and boastful because God’s promises did not come through the Gentiles. Instead God’s promises came to the Jewish people and flow through the Jewish people to you.”

Paul then anticipates and attacks a potential push back to his response by explaining that just because the Jewish people were separated from God because of their failure to trust God and the promises of God that should not result in spiritual pride. Instead, since your relationship with God is based on your confident trust in God and not what you did for God, you should have a reverent respect for God. Because if God had no problem separating unbelieving Jewish people who revealed their unbelief through their unfruitfulness from Him, then He would have no problem separating you Gentiles as a result of the unfruitfulness of spiritual pride that could be a sign that you are trusting in what you did for God instead of what God did for you through Jesus.

Now a natural question that arises involves Paul’s words in verse 22-23, specifically the phrase “if you continue in His kindness”. So does that mean we can lose our salvation? I do not believe that is that case, based on his metaphor here. You see, while the olive tree represents the true spiritual people of God, those who are said to belong to this tree are not only those who, through their faith, are actually a part of the tree but also those who only appear to belong to the tree. This is evident because Paul talks about unbelieving Jews, who never believed, being “broken off” from the tree in verse 17. In the same way then, those who are Gentiles within the church at Rome, who appear to be a part of God’s people, yet do not continue to live a life of confident trust in Jesus that bears witness and fruit of God’s activity in their lives, may never have been a part of that tree at all.

Paul here is revealing for us the reality that God’s sovereign choice should result in reverence, not arrogance, because we are responsible for our response to God. Whether Jew or Gentile, the person who refuses to place their confident trust in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel will be held responsible for their response of unbelief. Whether Jew or Gentile, the person who places their confident trust in the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel by believing, trusting, and following Jesus as Lord and Leader is united and participates in the promises of God that had their beginnings with Abraham, who is the forefather of the Jewish people. And just as it is easier for natural plants to be grafted together, God is easily able to bring Jewish people to faith, because God’s promises began with the Jewish people. Paul then gives us a glimpse into God’s master plan for all history, which we will look at tomorrow.

In the meantime, how have you responded to the opportunity that God has provided to all nations? With arrogance? Or with reverence?