Paul does not sugarcoat the truth: we are sinners and deserve death. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12 CSB) Death We inherited death from our ancestors, so sin dwells deep in our soul like a virus. Sin makes us…
Read More
Reconciled! (Romans 5:6-11)
Have you ever had a blowout with someone you loved? I have, and it’s not pretty. A safe place is shattered and the only way to fix it is reconciliation. Sadly, sometimes, it is impossible. Today some families have stopped meeting for holidays because they can’t get along. They argue over politics, sports, and, yes, religion. In our polarized society,…
Read More
Faith Triumphs (Romans 5:1-5)
How does faith triumph? Are we given peace, free access, endurance, and hope to face troubles, sorrow, and illness?
The Illustration of Righteousness (Romans 4:1-25)
Faith is something every Sister Disciple should give a second thought. In Habakkuk 2:4 it reads … the righteous will live by his faith. In chapter 4 of Romans, Paul gives us a clear picture of one man’s faith and how that faith is our greatest example of assurance, undoubtedly. Such faith marks a believer’s maturity. Isaiah 7:9b reads ……
Read More
Romans Chapter 3—The Guilty World Faces a Righteous God
We’ve spent a lot of time digging deep into Romans one and two, and we’re richer for it. We understand clearer the Gospel, living by faith, the depravity of humankind, and God’s righteous judgment. Last week, our primary focus was on the Jewish violation of the law and the truth about the circumcision of the heart. So, now let’s focus…
Read More
Romans 3:1-8 The Jews Did Not Believe the Promises of God
Then what’s the use of being a Jew? Are there any special benefits for them from God? Is there any value in the Jewish circumcision ceremony? Yes, being a Jew has many advantages. First of all, God trusted them with his laws (so that they could know and do His will). True, some of them were unfaithful, but just because…
Read More
God’s Judgment and the Law (Romans 2:12-29)
The Jews are Jews not because, out of thin air, they decided to create a religion with one God and be different by circumcision. No! God’s word makes it obvious that they are chosen: recognized by blood, by tradition, and by the Law. The Jews are different because they are messengers of the truth. Physically, they are marked as a…
Read More
God’s Righteous Judgment (Romans 2:1-11)
I woke up this morning, opened the paper, and came face-to-face with evil: Gunman kills at least 20 (18 children), charges filed against candidate scam in Florida, Southern Baptist leaders plan release of secret abusers list, and inside China people for disturbing the social order (persecuted for their faith). Reminds me that the list of sinners Paul gave at the…
Read More
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness (1:18-32)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18 The Truth Suppressed We are a people who prefer to see what we want to see and believe what we want to believe—even if it is not true. Our opinion trumps another, our truth is…
Read More