SCRIPTURE: Romans 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Paul begins with sharing His passion for God, for Jesus and for the good news message of Jesus for all people. He is so eager to share this with those in Rome, and is confident that this message can radically transform their lives. Believing in Jesus as God’s human-divine Messiah is the only way to experience this full, God-empowered, God-blessed life.
Jesus Himself stated this: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” [John 10:9-10] Life to the full, the life of a sheep under the good shepherd [Psalm 23, John 10], can only be found through repentance (admitting our sin) and faith (trusting in Jesus for salvation and life) and obedience (living the God-life, the full life).
But why do so few people experience this full life, even Christians? Because the thief has deceived them into forgetting about God (or marginalizing His place in their lives) and instead looking for life in this world. When we turn to possessions or pleasures or popularity (or whatever else) for life, we are rejecting God as the source of life. Even though created reality itself points to the existence of God and of good (this explains why all cultures and religions know about ‘god’ and have a sense of morality), by seeking life elsewhere, we lose the very thing we seek. We become desperate slaves, we become darkened in our thoughts and hearts, we become miserable.
Paul describes what happens when people’s hearts turn away from God towards selfish living. God allows us to experience the life we seek, and to discover how empty and destructive it is. The wages or consequences of sin (choosing any other way but God’s way) is death. Not just spiritual and physical but emotional, mental, behavioural, social – and ultimately eternal death. Look at the list of the fruit of a sin-directed life [Romans 1:28-31] and compare that to the fruit of a God and good-seeking life [Galatians 5:16-26].
Now can you sense the reason for Paul’s passion? He wants to share the wonderful gift of ‘life to the full’ that is available through Jesus. He knows that the message of Jesus can lead people into the very happiness and joy and peace that they seek – in wrong places. It is the power of God for the salvation of all people, in all places!
PRAYER:
Lord, remind me again how full and complete life can be with You at the center. Show me also the misery that follows when I choose other paths.
I am called – called to be part of the family. And as part of the family I need to LightShine so that others are able to see my faith – a living witness – a living letter read by all. And for all in the family, we must encourage one another on our way. Since the beginning, God has made known His ways – His invisible qualitites – so that all may see. However, many have gone their own way and have exchanged the truth for a lie. And God gave them over to live that lie. Eyes they have but do not see Him – they only look at their self interests and become their own gods – ruler of everything perverse.
Open my eyes Lord that I amy see You. Open my ears that I may hear Your voice saying This is the way. Walk in it.
Help me to be the salt/light in this part of your creation. Help me to live for Jesus in all things. Help me to live the gospel in all I do and say. Lead me and guide me Lord to live for Jesus also on this day.
Grace and truth shall mark the way
Where the Lord His own will lead,
If His Word they still obey
And His testimonies heed.
For Thy Name’s sake hear Thou me,
For Thy mercy, Lord, I wait;
Pardon my iniquity,
For my sin is very great.
He who walks in godly fear
In the path of truth shall go;
Peace shall be his portion here,
And his sons all good shall know.