The Messenger Entrusted By God

 Meditations on Romans

July 20, 2021

The Messenger Entrusted By God

You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

Romans 2:23-24

Read: Romans 2:17-24

I am in awe of Paul’s wisdom and his skill at crafting this letter. Like most of the first churches, the Roman congregation was made up of Jews and Gentiles. Apparently, there were Jews who were reluctant to believe that their God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of the Covenant, was fully embracing the Gentiles.

Paul is using the same teaching to reach both groups, and he demonstrated God is the Father of all. Paul’s citation of scripture in verse twenty-four, quoted above, is from Isaiah 52. This passage tells how Israel completely failed in God’s mission and then leads into Isaiah 53 where the Messiah, the Suffering Servant of God, is introduced as the One who will save Israel and the world. That citation also refers to Ezekiel 36 which tells of the coming New Covenant where God’s law is written on the hearts of His people.

Paul saw Israel as the messenger entrusted by God with a gift that would enable all people to live in right relationships with one another and God. For Paul, Israel was like a postman who, instead of delivering the package, kept the package for himself. Therefore, God chose a new messenger, the Messiah, to bring the Good News. This messenger did not fail in his mission.

My Takeaway: Today the church is just as susceptible as Israel was in yielding to the temptation to keep the Good News for ourselves. To help us resist that temptation, Jesus has a message for His church:

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My Life Matters To God

 Meditations on Romans

July 19, 2021

My Life Matters To God

And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Romans 2:16

Read: Romans 2:12-16

There is a lot going on in this short passage, and parts are difficult for me to completely understand. Even so, I find great comfort is Paul’s assertion in verse sixteen, quoted above. Paul is saying everyone will stand equally before God’s Throne of Judgement. This means that the Jews will not be favored, because they had the Ten Commandments, over the Gentiles who did not have God’s law. Actually, the Ten Commandments didn’t do the Jews, or the Christians, much good since both peoples failed to keep God’s law.

So you are probably wondering where my comfort is in this passage, knowing we all sin, and we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23) My comfort is in knowing “God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11). My comfort is also because I peeked ahead in the story and know that on that fateful day of my judgement I’ll have a very good lawyer. Have you met him? His name is Jesus!

My Takeaway: My life matters to God. Every one of my life’s choices has consequences, and they all matter to God. My I have that awareness today before I make my choices.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

The Depth of My Own Sin

 Meditations on Romans

July 16, 2021

The Depth of My Own Sin

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse!

Romans 2:1a

Read: Romans 2:1-11

If there was any chance, after reading chapter one, that I might be feeling a bit smug after reading Paul’s description of sinful behavior, he begins chapter two with an invitation for me to look in the mirror. Paul’s words in today’s reading remind me of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount; “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” The sin of judging other people is a constant theme throughout the Bible. Paul addressed this concern by teaching about my sinfulness for the next few chapters. I need this time. Why? My knowledge of grace prevents me from fully appreciating the depth of my own sin.

I can’t un-ring the bell. I love God’s grace. I’ve read the letter to the Romans before. I know what lies ahead, especially in chapters five through eight. My problem is that I like to focus on the assurance of forgiveness so much that I do not spend enough time identifying, understanding and repenting from the sins in my life. The truth is that God’s grace cannot do a complete work in me, freeing me from the practice and power of sin, unless I am convinced down to the marrow of my bones how desperately I need God’s grace.

My Takeaway: I want to be patient and reflective and take my time moving forward with Paul. As much as I know grace is coming, I still want God’s Tsunami of Grace to overwhelm me, because without it I will die.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

God Gave Them Up

 Meditations on Romans

July 15, 2021

God Gave Them Up

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to things that should not be done.

Romans 1:28 NRSV

Read: Romans 1:28-32

Recently, a politician noted how he longed for a world where a very strong central government would direct the day to day reality for each individual. The government would determine your needs and make housing assignments based on those determinations. This micro-control of the individual is the antithesis of how God relates to humankind.

The Apostle Paul makes this point through the phrase, “God gave them up” (verse 28, NRSV). This is not God saying, “I give up on them.” Rather, God is giving them the latitude to follow their own sinful desires. Such is the nature of God’s love; God does not force humankind to love Him or to follow His ways.

People tend to share their experiences with others. Paul stated that the evil doers encourage others to do evil also. (Romans 1:32) So also, those who have been blessed by God want to share the Good News of Jesus with others.

My Takeaway: A few weeks ago, Cheryl and I had dinner with friends we had not seen in several years. We gushed on and on about the many adventures we have enjoyed since we retired.  May I be even more eager to share with others the many stories of my personal experiences living in God’s favor and blessings!

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

The Truth of God

 Meditations on Romans

 July 14, 2021

The Truth of God

They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Romans 1:25

Read: Romans 1:24-27

The stories of creation are in Genesis 1-3. In Genesis 1 and 2 we see God’s perspective on the creation of human beings:

So God created human beings in his own image.

    In the image of God he created them;

    male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib of man, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

Genesis 2:22-24

In the light of God’s creation, Paul contrasts how humankind had traded the truth of God for a lie. In today’s passage, Paul is not condemning individuals for their practice of homosexuality as much is he is noting how all of creation has turned away from God’s intended order.

My Takeaway: Almost everywhere in today’s culture, people are rewriting the Bible and substituting their own thinking for the truth of God. (See Judges 17:6, Prov. 21:2, and 2 Timothy 4:3) May I never succumb to the temptation to follow suit, may I take the road less traveled and always seek the truth of God.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

They Have No Excuse

 Meditations on Romans

July 13, 2021

They Have No Excuse

 “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

Romans 1:20

Read: Romans 1:18-23

Many years ago, I had led a group from my church to visit churches in Mexico. Late on a Sunday evening, on our last day there, we were several miles south of Matamoros. I had just finished preaching the last of several services that day, and our host pastor took us to the home of one of his parishioners for supper. There was no ambient light, and it was very dark. As I looked up into the night sky, I was overwhelmed with the beauty, the majesty of countless thousands of stars. My host immediately began quoting the Psalms:

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—

the moon and the stars you set in place—“ (Psalm 8:3)

In today’s passage from Romans 1, Paul teaches us that the beauty of God, the Creator is all around us, and the wonder of creation is sufficient to invoke a response of thankfulness. Nevertheless, there were many who, “instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:24).

In Romans 1:16-17, Paul affirmed that God has made himself known in Jesus the Messiah, whose faithfulness in fulfilling God’s promises makes it possible for all people to come into a right relationship with God, the Creator. My faith in the faithfulness of Jesus opens the door for me to embrace with joy the proclamation of the psalmist:

“what are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them?

Yet you made them only a little lower than God

and crowned them with glory and honor.”

Psalm 8:4-5

What is there left to say?

“O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!”

Psalm 8:9

My Takeaway: In the wake of Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, a person living in Seattle used social media to make a very snide comment about the Christians living in Houston – chiding them to explain why their God allowed the hurricane. Later that month, Cheryl and I were blessed to spend a week in Seattle, and every day during our visit, we gave thanks to God for the stunning beauty of His creation. It is sad that people, living there in the splendor of the mountains and sea, can see the created without giving thanks to the Creator. May I never look upon the wonders of God’s creation without a thankful heart.

 

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

For I Am Not Ashamed

 Meditations on Romans

 July 12, 2021

For I Am Not Ashamed

“As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Romans 1:17c

Read: Romans 1:14-17

I noted in the opening passage of Romans 1, that Paul could be very dense in his writing as he packs so much content into such a short space. Verses 16 and 17 in today’s reading are a good example of Paul’s style. In two sentences (in the NRSV, five in the NLT) Paul tells us all we need to know about the Good News of Jesus. First, the Gospel is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes. Next, this Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. Lastly, all this is accomplished from start to finish by faith. Remember my takeaway from Romans 1:1-7? It is all about Jesus! The Good News, the Gospel, is all about Jesus, and his faithfulness to God. Our part is to simply believe the Good News! Of course, Biblical believing is not so simple. We don’t just believe the Good News, we act on our beliefs, and allow our belief in the Good News to transform our lives to become like Jesus.

My Takeaway: Paul proclaimed, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.” In our society today, there is more and more resistance to the Gospel. And there are more and more divisions among the churches in our land. Like Paul, may I never, ever be ashamed of my faith in Jesus.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.