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, 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?