Romans 1:18-25

I read it today. Will read it once more tonight before expounding upon it.

Romans 1:16-17

stretched out on a bed
at the in-laws in NLR
about to go to the church's open house

Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.'

Word Study
power--(feminine noun), strength or ability, inherent power-residing their by it's nature, moral power and excellence of soul
faith--(pistis) conviction or truth of anything, that Jesus is the Messiah

Thoughts
Very famous passage here from Paul. I probably should have included these two verses with yesterday's study. Anyway. Paul just finished telling the Romans that the he has been wanting to come to them to impart a spiritual gift. He wants to preach the gospel to the people there in Rome. It may have seemed strange to them that he wanted so badly to tell the gentiles about the gospel. But he did. Verse 16 seems to serve as an explanation as to why he wanted to share this gospel with them.

1. The gospel is for everyone (verse 16).
2. God is glorified through people putting faith in Him because it is based on His righteousness (verse 17). The more people that believe, the more God's righteousness is shown.

Romans 1:8-15

at my desk in the office
just had birthday lunch
break time

Romans 1:8-15 (ESV)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

Word Study
without ceasing (v9)--continual, unceasing, unintermitted
intended (v13)--planned, made an effort
under obligation (v14)--fulfilling the debt requirement, called to fulfill something by someone else

Thoughts

1. First (v8)

I love that the thing Paul starts off with what he does. He just got done with his introduction, which sort of summarized the entire book it seems. Now he has done the welcoming and is moving into the meat of what he has to say to these people in the huge metropolitan city. The powerhouse--Rome. Not only that, but the gentiles, God's "unchosen" people.

The first thing Paul wants to do is tell these people how much he is thankful for them.

Before all of the "we're all sinners" stuff. Before the "salvation only through faith in Christ" stuff. Before all of that, Paul wants his readers to know that he cares about them personally.

He is so thankful for these people and their faith.

He showed this first through his prayers. Paul claimed as God as his witness that he is all the time thanking God for these people and praying for them. "Without ceasing" the Scripture says. Whenever he prays, he is praying for them.

Not only is Paul praying for them, but he is also yearning to come see them. He wants them to know that even though he has never met these people, he has a heart for them. He longs to be with them to be encouraged by them and to encourage them himself. He wants this so much that he says it before any of the other HUGE things he has to say (and the stuff is HUGE).

Application Para Mi

A heart for people is the source of helping them. If I don't care about people, then why should I try to teach them anything? Why should I care for their needs? I need a heart for people before I can teach them something. Paul is clear about this. Before he attempted to teach these people and impart the Word of God to the, he longed to show them his heart for them.

Not only that, but I need people as much as they need me. Paul longed to be encouraged by these people. They had something he needed. People have something I need. Encouragement. Chastisement.

I look forward to the next truth starting in verse 16.

Romans 1-3

I have been reading Romans 1-3 the past few days just to get a general picture of what Paul is talking about.

Next will be a more comprehensive study of verses 8 through a little bit.

Romans 1:1-7

9:34 am
sitting in bed
Lynsey is making pancakes and bacon-YUM
might be buying a road bike today!

Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins the book by summarizing a lot of things. Here's how I break down the first 7 verses.

The Outline

1. Paul introduces himself
a. bondservant
b. called to be an apostle
c. separated to the gospel of God
2. Describes the gospel of God
a. God promised it through the prophets in the Scriptures
b. the gospel is about Jesus
i. Jesus was from the seed of David
ii. Jesus was "according to the flesh"
iii. Jesus was declared to be the Son of God
iv. Jesus had power according to the Spirit of holiness
v. Jesus obtained this power by being resurrected from the dead
c. Jesus does things for man
i. we have received grace and apostleship
-we have this for obedience to the faith among the nations
-this glorifies the name of Christ
ii. we are the called of Jesus Christ
3. Paul greets the people in Rome
a. they are beloved of God
b. they are called to be saints
4. Paul blesses the people of Rome
a. grace
b. peace
-both are from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Word Study

servant (bondservant in NKJV)--a slave, chained to something, used exclusively in the NKJV (13 times in the Pauline epistles), used 26 times (servant) in ESV

apostle--a person sent by another, used sometimes referring to Christ, also refers to the 12 apostles (or disciples) of Christ

set apart--designated, to be called to do a specific task, made to do one specific thing, also being different

according to--in agreement or harmony with, assent towards

apostleship--the office of being an apostle

In My Own Words

Paul, someone who serves Jesus, the Messiah was called to be a messenger of this same Christ. His task is the gospel of God--his mission in life, what he was set apart to do. This gospel was promised and prophesied a long time before now in the holy Scriptures, written by prophets of God. This gospel is about the Son of God. This Son was born in the lineage of David. He was man, living as a man, in human flesh. When He eventually resurrected from the dead, this same Son of God, Christ, proved that He was the Son of God. He did this with the power of and in harmony with the Spirit of holiness. Now this Christ is the Lord, the ruler of all. It is through Him that we can receive grace, that which we cannot earn ourselves, and the status of being an apostle, one sent from God for a specific purpose. All of this brings obedience through faith. This is not for the glory of any but the name of Christ. This is to be shared among all nations, namely, everyone who is called to belong to Christ.

This message is for everyone in Rome. Everyone. Not just Jews. Not one specific nationality. Everyone is loved by God and called to be a saint. God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ want to extend grace and peace to you.

God,

Your Word is life. Your Word is truth. For the opportunity to learn and study, Lord, I'm grateful. All praises be to the One who sits on the throne, high and lifted up. Who calls all men to Himself, whether Jew or Gentile. Whether in rural or urban. You have called everyone to You and are offering up grace and peace. Your salvation is for all who would believe.

It is now my duty and privilege, Father, to be a messenger, one who is set apart with a specific task to carry this gospel, Lord, to everyone.

May grace and peace go with us, Lord.

Jacob

Romans

6:47 am
sitting at the desk at home
said I would make breakfast, but didn't

Lynsey and I decided to start a Pauline epistle after the 3 and 1/2 months we spent on Isaiah's prophecy. We thought it would be a good balance. I suggested Romans, and she said that was fine. So, instead of dividing the readings by chapters, we thought it would be good to do it in smaller portions since Romans can have some heavy stuff in it.

Today I'm reading some background stuff on the book, including some things about Paul.

Background on Romans

Author: Paul
Scribe: Tertius
Birthplace: Tarsus
Ethnicity: Jewish, Pharisee (the strictest sect)
Date: A.D. 57

Bruce notes that Paul had never been to Rome before he wrote the book. He bases this on what Paul says about Rome in Acts 19:21 and Roman 15:23-25. Evidently, someone (possibly a converted Jew from the Day of Pentecost [Acts 2:10]) carried the gospel back to Rome and began a church there. Paul was writing to an already existing church in the great metropolis of Rome.

I will begin reading the book soon. Just wanted to get some background info in before I jump into it.

Isaiah 66

9:53 pm
on my bed
Lynsey is asleep

Isaiah 66

Today concludes the end of my study on the book of Isaiah.

The prophet does not disappoint. He concludes the book with God telling a little about Himself. God basically states how it will all work out in the end--with Him receiving everything.

I love the picture of God in the first few verses when He says (Jacob paraphrase):

I am the Lord. The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool.

I don't really understand the hugeness of God. I can't really get my mind around how large the earth is, much less the universe or the "heavens," whatever that means.

God is huge. He wins. He wants everyone to have a chance on knowing Him. There is the gist of what I got out of Isaiah.

Lynsey and I are thinking about what we're going to read next. Probably a Pauline epistle.

Is 65

I read Isaiah 65 yesterday. I didn't take time to write about it.

Is 64,

9:14 am
sitting at my desk
going to rush night at FWBBC tonight; six flags over Georgia tomorrow

Isaiah 64

These words are incredibly powerful. The prophet Isaiah is speaking to God. He longs to see God. He wants God to come down.

Oh, that You would rend the heavens!
That You would come down!
That the mountains might shake at Your presence--

Isaiah wants God to show Himself to His people. He then goes on to praise God, claiming that no man has seen a God like this God. Indeed.

The prophet then makes a turn when he acknowledges that man has sinned. That is the reason God is not showing Himself to His people--they have sinned. Isaiah realizes the need for his people to have a Savior.

In these ways we continue;
And we need to be saved.

He then goes on to say that man cannot save himself. The righteousness of man is like "filthy rags." Man is like a leaf. It lives for a while, fades away, and is eventually carried away by the wind. A leaf has no control over what it does with its life. It just lives on the supplies it has been given. When its time is done, it passes, and another leaf lives in its place. Interesting picture Isaiah paints here.

Isaiah then pleads with God, calling Him Lord, Father, and the potter. People are the work of the hand of God, the prophet says. He begs God not to be furious with His people, although He has a right to be.

He then concludes the section with a question. It's very post-modern of Isaiah. He just asks the question. The passage doesn't give an answer in this chapter. Isaiah says, "Will You hold Your peace, and afflict us very severely?"

The prophet leaves it at that.

Interesting.

That is really all man can do. When faced with the knowledge of my sin, I can do nothing on my own to fix it. I must come directly to God, pleading for mercy. Begging God to do something about it.

When I sin, it is against God. He is the holy One who is the standard of all righteousness. Perfection. So when any wrong happens, it is against God. Any wrong I do, no matter who it directly impacts, is ultimately against God Himself. He is angered by this. He cannot stand for imperfection. It is against who He is. He must hold everything accountable. He is the only one who can forgive the debts I owe.

Sometimes I think God wants us to sweat a little. It seems like Isaiah is sweating in this passage. Even the way Isaiah ends the passage with a question, waiting for God to answer.

Sometimes God wants me to wait before He gives me an answer.

What I need to remember from this passage:

1. When I sin, it is against God.
2. God is the only one who can forgive me.
3. Sometimes God wants me to wait for an answer.

God,

Thank You for the truths of Your Word. Not only that they are true, as if they make sense when standing up with other things that are true, but that they are the literal truth. Your words, O God, are the standard of truth. The ultimate.

When I sin, it is against You, God. You are the only one who can forgive me.

O God, turn the hearts of Your people back to You! My heart longs for You! I yearn for the presence of the living God! Do not turn Your face from me.

There is no other God like You. God of the past, present, and future.

God of all nations.

Answer when and if You will, Lord.

Through the blood of Christ, who is God incarnate,
Jacob

What God Is Doing In My Life, Is 62

5:09 pm
Sitting in the grass in front of Memorial Auditorium at FWBBC
It is about 85 degrees.
Listening to Jon Foreman's "House of God Forever."

Isaiah 62

It is all about God's promise to send a Savior.

However, that is not what I want to write about today.

I don't know many unsaved people. Neither does Lynsey. We have been confronted with the theme lately that we are supposed to be living an outwardly focused faith. What does that mean? To me it means that I have been given the grace of God so that I can show it to others. It's about loving God and loving other people.

More specifically, we've been faced with the theme of helping those who cannot help themselves. Widows, orphans, the homeless, the hungry, the naked, the ones in spiritual darkness. It is my responsibility to help these people.

There is something about these kind of people that I can easily associate with. I think it's because their physical condition reminds me of my spiritual condition without Christ. I was once homeless, hungry, naked, ashamed, helpless, spiritually dark. Then when God called me into His grace, those things changed. There is something about serving those people who are like that physically that is directly connected with the heart of God.

God cares about the homeless.

We are praying as to what God would have us do in reaction to this theme we have faced in His Word. We know it's not enough for us to just understand that it's important to be mindful of homeless people. We have the Word of God so that we will respond to it. We have to literally feed the homeless in some way. Right now we're not doing that. We are not following a theme of God.

Praying for the courage to be obedient to the Word of God.

Rain, No Reading

I didn't read this morning. I might get to it tonight.

Lynsey and I have a date tonight. To be honest with you, I am still planning it. I hope she doesn't read this and get royally ticked off. No but seriously there are a few ideas I have running through my mind so I am sorting through them. We have only been on a few dates since we got married. I want to have the mindset that acts like every date is our first one. My goal is to make her want to go out with me again. We'll see how it goes.

Life is fine. It's rainy. I did not want to get out of bed this morning.

Is 60, The Light of God's Glory

8:11 am
Sitting at my desk, eating powdered donuts

Isaiah 60

I actually read this passage at 6:30 this morning. I probably didn't get as much out of it as I would if I would have read it in the evening. I am not a morning person. But if I wait until after work, I never seem to get around to reading the text.

Anyway, the whole chapter is prophesying about how the Gentiles will bless God and become a part of worshiping Him. The writer gives example after example of people groups that will glorify God.

Then near the end of the chapter, something struck a chord with me. Verses 19-20 (from the ESV):

The sun shall be no more your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon give you light;
but the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
Your sun shall no more go down,
nor your moon withdraw itself;
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of mourning shall be ended.

I thought these verses were amazing. The glory of God will be so literally bright that there will be no more need for the sun or moon! That's craziness! The presence of the living God, literally able to be seen. Not only that, the light of His glory is what we will use to see everything. We see everything in light of the glory of God. Really an amazing picture here.

God,

I long to see Your glory. Reveal Yourself to me, O God. Let me use the standard of Your glory as a lens to view all of life. Turn my heart back to You again.

Jacob

Is 59, The Way of Salvation

8:15 am
Sitting at my desk at work
Very quiet day--Wednesdays are normally kinda blah


What's Going On

I am loving where I'm at right now. Being married is amazing. I'm so thankful for Lynsey. It's crazy how we complement each other. She helps me be more time oriented while I help her to slow down a little. On top of that, my job is going well. I'm looking forward to doing more with young adults not only at work, but also at church. A few leaders at church have talked to me about leading a small group. I'm excited about that. I am anxious to actually start what some would call "ministry." I've spent the last 5 or 6 years in college preparing myself. Now it's time to actually do the work. I'm also excited about the possibility of starting seminary soon, if I'm accepted.

Today's Passage=Isaiah 59

Initial reaction
The passage seems to go along with chapter 58 in that it picks up where 58 left off. God had just gotten done rebuking the Children of Israel for using their status with God for their own profit. God seems to have a righteous indignation against these people. They have wronged Him.

A few observations
The thing I found most interesting was in verse 17.

For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.

When I read these objects of clothing/armor, my mind automatically went to the things these pieces of armor or clothing protect.

A breastplate protects vital organs. If you get hit with something in the heart, stomach, or other part of the torso, chances are you're going to be in bad shape. Christ put on a breastplate of righteousness. He used righteous living as protection against very important parts of his body. His righteousness protected Him from anything that might harm a vital part of His life.

The flip-side of this is that when I am not practicing righteousness, I am leaving myself open for dangerous stuff!

Christ also put a helmet of salvation on His head. How interesting that salvation is directly related to the mind. Salvation protects the organ that controls the rest of the body. The thinking. The movement. The ability to reason. The memory. Really awesome picture there.

Without salvation, my mind is impacted in a negative way. I am left open to anything that might hinder me from thinking, moving, reasoning, remembering, etc. things properly. How awesome is the Lord's salvation.

Lord,

I am grateful for your provision and blessings. May I have the mindset that realizes You are in control and that all of this that is happening is not the end in and of itself but in reality some strange combination of the means and the end. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Don't give us too much Lord. We do not want to be reliant upon our own skill and insight. It is You that sustains us.
Continue to grant us opportunities to meet people who don't know You. Those whom You love. Help us become uncomfortable in order to build relationships.
Thank You for Your salvation and righteousness, protecting us from harm to vital parts of our bodies.
Lead us, O God. Turn our hearts back to You.

Jacob

9/2/08, Is58, Fasting

10:10 am
My desk at work
Listening to Andy Gullahorn

Isaiah 58

First reaction to reading the passage: Wow. Intense stuff. I feel like I need to say "Whew." Just did actually.

Verses 1-3a
Evidently the Children of Israel had been seeking God but not trying to do righteousness. They were crying out to God. They even fasted. When God did not answer them, they began to question why God was not responding. These people were afflicting their souls while God paid them no attention. They were getting frustrated. Cry, cry, cry to God they did. But follow righteousness they were not willing to do.

Verses 3b-9
God answers them. He said that when they fasted they would seek their own pleasure. They actually oppressed their workers when they did so. Fasting in order to receive something from it. It was pure selfishness masked in religion. God's fast, He said, is the following:

Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Whoah! God totally punched these people in the face! Here they were, going through the motions of their religion by trying to get God to bless them. He saw right through their selfish motives and told them how terrible they really were.

Fasting, God said, is to take care of those that cannot take care of themselves.

I am so terrible at that. I am not involved in anything like that. I mean Lynsey and I pay our tithes out of our gross, and we work for Christian organizations, but that's about it. I am doing nothing directly to help the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc.

This kind of stuff is so closely connected with God's heart. I remember that verse that says true religion is visiting widows, helping orphans, etc.

God's people were using their privileges of knowing God in order to receive more and more blessings from God. This thinking is so backward from Scripture.

My entire life I have been in church, learning about God. I have been a Christian since I was 7. Nearly all of that time has been spent focused on me doing the right things and avoiding evil. These things aren't bad. But they are very incomplete.

Doing the right things, living holy, executing righteousness, is directly connected with helping those who cannot help themselves.

God,

Thank You for Your Word. Forgive me for any and every bit of arrogance I might have because of my position in You. I have spent too little time helping those who cannot help themselves--those people Your heart beats for. Help me understand that righteousness and holiness is helping people with their needs. Give me the courage to do something about it.

Jacob