Reflections in Romans, 3:1-8

Romans 3:1-8

I. What's the point? (1-2)
II. What about my faithfulness? (3-4)
III. What about my unrighteousness? (5-8)

Summary/Insight:
In the previous passage, the Jews were all about their religious beliefs and Paul was correcting their thinking that it should be about the circumcision of the heart. So then, what's the point of being a Jew or physically circumcised? Is there any advantage or value to it? Yes - it is the very words of God. Just because we don't understand the purpose behind God's commands doesn't mean there's no value to be found in them.

All is not based on our faithfulness (Praise God because I am so inconsistent!), but rather on His faithfulness. Because we know His character and that we can trust His word, that He is constant and unchanging, we know He is faithful and we can trust Him because that who He is and it's not contingent on our behavior. *QUIT STRIVING* None of us are worthy. Jesus died for each one of our sins. Don't compare what you see of others with how you live your life. You don't know what goes on in their hearts or thoughts. Only God knows those places of each one of us, but we all need Him and His saving grace.

No matter how I try, I don't know that I can ever be completely honest, not even with myself. There is always something or someone to protect. BUT GOD IS TRUTH.

We deserve his wrath. If anything, we should be lead to repentance and to confess to God all the places we see how messed up we are and thank Him for not destroying us!

Application Questions:
I. What commands do I need to re-evaluate that God has given me? What areas of my heart need to be softened and circumcised?

II. What ways do I need to recognized God's faithfulness and my lack of faithfulness? How does this lead me to prayer and thanksgiving?

III. What areas of sin patterns and unrighteousness do I need to identify in my own life? How do these allow me to see the punishment I truly deserve? How does this lead me to worship and praise?

Reflections in Romans, 2:17-29

Before I get into what I got out of this one, I just have to say that I forgot how loaded Romans is. There is SO much meat in the text. This passage alone has so much depth to it and could go so deep into really looking into ourselves and our motives vs our hearts.

Romans 2:17-29

I. Jews take pride in the law (2:17-20)
II. Jews attitude is  "Do as I say, not as I do" (2:21-24)

III. Jews are taught about outward appearance vs heart condition (2:25-29)

Summary/my insights:
The Jews are puffed up with pride in their knowledge, in their religion and their appearance of wanting to teach others. The Jews are reprimanded in Paul's letter for not practicing what they preach, thus dishonoring God and turning others away from God. (sound familiar Christians?) The Jews are corrected in their thinking that just because they are physically circumcised and have the law, that's not an automatic "in". If the Gentiles observe the law and are not physically circumcised, people will regard them as Jews for observing the law. It's about the heart which is led by the Spirit, not the outward appearance.

Application Questions:
I. Am I depending on my knowledge of God or a relationship with God? Will you ask God to help yourself be honest and go deeper in the question? What is truly the source that is powering me? Who or What is guiding me? God? Fears, doubts, worries, lack of trust? Worries? Stress? Feelings? [I think it can be different for different situations - the real struggle is to give it ALL over to God, relinquish control. Have I mentioned that I'm a control freak?]

II. Am I practicing what I say I believe in? What am I saying to others that I'm not following myself? What do others say about God because of my actions and words? 

III. How does my outward behavior conflict with what's on my heart (good or bad)? Where are there some things that are done with the wrong motive behind them? Where am I seeking man's approval instead of God's?

Reflections in Romans, 2:1-16

Romans 2:1-16

I. Who is the Judge? (1-4)

II. (After) Life Sentence (5-11)

III. Law Clarified (12-16)

Summary/Insight:

Those who judge are condemned because they do the same things as those they are judging. Because of stubbornness, unrepentant hearts - storing up God's wrath and his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give according to what they have done. People who are persistent in doing good, seeking honor, glory, immortality will be given eternal life. Those who reject the truth and are self-seeking face God's wrath and anger. First the Jew, then the Gentile. God is impartial, no favoritism. Those who hear the law are seen by God as righteous but those that obey the law are DECLARED righteous. God will one day judge the secrets of the heart through Jesus Christ.

Application Questions:

(I think there are more questions on this one because I was feeling some conviction as I read)

I. Who am I judging? What accusations have I made against them? How am I guilty of similar/same things? Where has God been patient, kind and tolerant in my life and/or situation, in the midst of my judgment of others?

II. Where am I being stubborn and refuse to repent? Where do I deserve God's righteous judgement and wrath? (I know in all areas I deserve it, but this is to make myself aware of specific areas rather than put out a blanket statement.) Where am I rejecting truth? How am I being persistent? Where do I need to be persistent?

III. Am I being obedient to what I've heard? Where do I need to seek God's help and guidance to obey what I've heard? What does my life reflect is on my heart?

Reflections in Romans, 1:18-32

Romans 1:18-32

My insights/summary:

Although many are not used to describe God specifically there are many descriptions of what He is not and what he does not stand for.

God has made himself known through his creation, so all may plainly see there is a creator all our existence. He has eternal power - is divine in nature, immortal and deserving of all glory and praise forever. He is truth and righteousness. He allows people to make their choice but he will also give them over to the consequences of those choices.

Divisions:

I. Creator God may be known plainly & deserves all praise.

II. God allows free will and gives people over to their choices.

III. Life without God results in evil and wickedness.

Application Questions:

Am I offering thanks and praise in all of my circumstances?

Do I recognize God's grace and mercy in my life?

Where do I need to recognize his hand in my life?

Where do I need to confess, repent and show adoration to the Lord?

How am I choosing to exercise my free will?

Who am I seeking to please?

When self-seeking, how can I see the destruction that has come from those choices?

Am I truly with God or without? Am I seeking his knowledge? Am I acting on it or do I do what I want and seek "man's" approval?

What am I exchanging for God's truth and promises? What am I exchanging for the rewards and blessings he offers?

Reflections in Romans, 1:1-17

So for a while I've been wanting to blog but I haven't done anything so while I feel inspired to do so, I'm going to share what I've gotten by doing homiletics and different study methods through passages over our summer break from BSF to get started. I want to go deeper and I think starting out this way will help get my creative flow going. So here goes....

Romans 1:1-17

Summary of what I read:
Paul - dedicated servant of God - has people of Rome on his heart. He is longing to go preach the gospel to them so they may be saved. People are loved by God and called to belong to Christ. Paul is a messenger - offering grace, peace and prayer. He is fully committed to his call/purpose & most importantly, to God. HE wants to share his spiritual gift of preaching and wants to be encouraged by the Romans. He wants to offer the message of salvation so they may have righteousness.

My take aways:
Spiritual Gifts - God's children have them to offer to others.
God puts a mission/calling on each of his children's lives/hearts.
We are called to fully live for God's purposes.
We are to boldly proclaim the gospel to all we encounter. **Note - this isn't always with words, but by our actions and attitudes as well. Most often that speaks louder than the words we actually say.

Application Questions/Going deeper:
What spiritual gifts has God given me and how am I using them for his glory?
Where do I feel God is calling me?
What mission has he set on my heart?
Who's purposes am I focused on - what's my agenda? My own or kingdom-centered/focused?
To who am I proclaiming the gospel - what do my actions and attitude say?