Romans 3 - 10.10.24

Romans 3:23-24

S – 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

O – In this chapter Paul contends that EVERYONE stands guilty before God. But if we believe in Him, it doesn’t end there. Being justified means declared “not guilty.” Even though one sin may seem bigger in our eyes then another (i.e. murder vs. adultery), every sin results in death, because sin cuts us off from God. We should not minimize what we feel are “little” sins, nor should we overrate “big” sins. They all separate us from God, but because Jesus paid the price for our sins by dying a terrible death on the cross, we get to be declared not guilty and saved by God’s grace. Many religions have rules and specific duties to perform to make a person acceptable to God. Christianity is unique in teaching that the good deeds we do will not make us right with God. They are important, but not what redeems us in God’s eyes.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

A – Let’s face it, no matter how many quiches and pasta salads I make for people, that will not get me into Heaven! Taking care of others is born out of a love for God and wanting to be more like Him….more loving, more giving, more patient, more compassionate, more gentle and kind. So to me, Romans 3:23-24, is just the whole enchilada! (I must be hungry). We are all sinners and only through believing that Christ died for our sins can we have eternal life….The End! Sort of. Once we are saved, then comes the really getting to know God, really working on becoming more and more like Jesus each day. That may be one minor change at a time: one food delivery, one Bible chapter read, one ride to the doctor, getting up for Sunday service instead of sleeping in, or one $20 bill to the homeless guy. But hopefully we are always making little changes daily that will cause us to grow more like Jesus, the only one who led a perfect, sinless life.

Luke 9:23-24 - If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

I still think we forget that it is this simple sometimes. I am always baffled when I see Christians targeting homosexual behavior by marching with signs, calling people horrible names and telling them they are going to hell. Where is the Godly love in that?! Or when we judge another person’s addictions and yet we are gossiping behind their back.  Perhaps we’re appalled at people who walk into a store and steal something, yet we’ll talk on the phone for 2 hours at our job (stealing time and money). Not me pastor! LOL Or maybe we are judging that mom who screams at her kid in the middle of Wal Mart and then walking over to the check-out berating the cashier for making a mistake. Whatever it is, we are ALL guilty of sin…the little, the big, the bad and the ugly. We’d be wise to ask God to forgive us each and every day for those transgressions and help us to remember that we ALL deserve death. And thankfully as Christians that is NOT the end!

P – Lord, I thank you that you really have made Christianity as simple for us as can be. We don’t have to jump through hoops to be loved by you.  We don’t have to have a perfect life, or have it all together to have a relationship with you. Thank you that you know all of my imperfect and sinful ways, and you still want to partner with me to bring others to know you and your glory. Help my life reveal to others that you can take the most wretched and defiled individuals and make them whole again. Help me to show those I love and those I have connections with to know that you have a plan and purpose for each of them.  Thank you that someday I will have a place in eternity, and for no work that I ever did, but only because I believed in you! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

- Crystal Flory

Romans 2 - 10.9.24

Scripture

Romans 2:1-4 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Observation

Paul warns the Romans to be careful not to judge others.

Application

It’s easy to think that God doesn’t speak to me because I don’t hear an audible or voice or have dreams. But I know he does speak to me in other ways, like confirmation. On Sunday, Pastor Levi shared from Matthew 7:3-5:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

And the very next day, preparing this SOAP Journal, I read the exact same thing. Obviously, God is trying to teach me something and I need to listen.

I believe God is telling me that I need to closely focus on my walk with him. I need to ask him to search my heart and reveal areas of sin. I need to give up pride, thinking that I am right or I know better than others. And I need to bring my concerns to him.

Phillipians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Prayer

Thank you God for being persistent in your message to me. Thank you that you do speak to me if I will only listen. Forgive me for my pride and judgement of others. Help me to pray for others and love them as you do.

- Debbie Dunn

Romans 1 - 10.8.24

SCRIPTURE

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”  Romans 1:16 – 17

OBSERVATION

Paul is writing to the believers in Rome where he recounts his desire to come and encourage them all.  He writes in verse 11 “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” He shares his passion, obligation, and eagerness to share the gospel with “Greeks, non-Greeks, wise and the foolish.” Paul’s deep passion was in sharing the gospel to everyone and encourage the faithful.

Paul then solidifies his position as a believer in the gospel message and that God provides salvation to “everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” See when Jesus died on the cross, salvation was now open to ALL. Matthew 27:50 – 52 says “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.”  The torn curtain symbolized that the barrier between God and man had been removed.

APPLICATION

When I was a kid, I would eagerly watch The Ten Commandments every year. I was in awe of God’s power that was shown in the movie. Later I found a Bible and decided to read along the entire story that was shown in The Ten Commandments movie. I was brought to faith by the power of God shown in the Old Testament scriptures. His Word brings faith. That’s why reading God’s Word, the Bible, is so important for us: it grows our faith more and more.

While reading the Old Testament scriptures, I realized how special the Jewish people were to God. I wondered if a non-Jewish person would be special to God as well. Later, when the salvation was message was shared with me, I realized God did love me as well. Paul’s message in this scripture solidifies what I experienced by faith: that God’s salvation message is for everyone!

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for your love that is never ending. Throughout time you’ve shown that your love endures. In the beginning, your message was only for the Jews. It was exclusive. After Jesus, the salvation message is for everyone. Hallelujah!! You came, died for our sins, and rose again for each of us. I’m so grateful for your saving grace. Help me to never forget and never take for granted that your love is for all. Help me to share your love with everyone in every circumstance. Thank you, Lord, for opening your gift of salvation for all.

- Mary Oberg