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, 1:18-32

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?