Why aren’t more people more enthusiastic about the gospel (i.e., the gloriously good news about what God has done for us through Jesus)? How does this revolutionary message become secondary, peripheral, and even ho-hum? I suppose there are many reasons. I think it’s important to make it clear at the beginning that the gospel isContinue reading “A look at Romans 1:14-17 (1)”
Category Archives: Romans
Approaching Romans
The Louvre in Paris is home to the Mona Lisa—one of the most famous paintings of all time. It was done by Leonardo Da Vinci in the early sixteenth century. If you want to understand what went into the painting and why it is the way it is, the place to start would be with understandingContinue reading “Approaching Romans”
Land, Man, and Glory
One of the things we should notice in Genesis (and the whole of Scripture), is the importance of land. Man has a unique relationship with the earth. He alone is said to come from it (2:7). That being true, we shouldn’t be surprised that land often symbolizes man’s relationship with his Creator. When man isContinue reading “Land, Man, and Glory”
Romans and the Wrath of God
Romans has a lot to say about the wrath of God. In fact, the word is found there more than in any NT book other than Revelation. No one is surprised wrath is discussed in Revelation—but Romans? Isn’t Romans the book about God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness? What’s a book like that doing talkingContinue reading “Romans and the Wrath of God”
Romans Review
Here’s an acrostic of Romans to remind us about some of the big things we learn from Paul’s letter. The R in Romans is for rich. Romans doesn’t teach us this, but it’s certainly something we learn from spending time in the book. It is one of the richest books in Scripture. What makes it that way? Continue reading “Romans Review”
Let’s Work Together
The disciples at Rome were having trouble accepting each other (15:7). From what Paul says in 14:1ff, it’s clear that their challenges arose not from the kinds of things we’re used to hearing about causing church divisions (doctrinal issues, personality problems, or squabbles about preachers)—but rather over matters that flowed from their different cultures. AsContinue reading “Let’s Work Together”
Hidden in Plain Sight
It’s the person looking for glasses that are perched atop their head or someone searching for keys that are still in the door. Paul tells us in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” A familiar verse—so familiar that it contains somethingContinue reading “Hidden in Plain Sight”
Finishing with a Flourish
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be theContinue reading “Finishing with a Flourish”
Election and God’s Righteousness
Going from Romans 8 to Romans 9 is kind of like going from your favorite weather to your least favorite weather. It’s like going from your birthday to April 15 (unless April 15 is your birthday). It’s like going from a world of chocolate—to no chocolate, (Now I have your attention!). I think our mainContinue reading “Election and God’s Righteousness”
Life in the Spirit
To appreciate what Paul is saying in Romans 8:5-17, a quick review of what’s he’s said so far is helpful. In chapters 1-4, Paul has been concerned with showing us God’s fulfillment of the promises to Abraham through the gospel of Jesus.That’s a mouthful, but it lays down the foundation for Romans by showing us howContinue reading “Life in the Spirit”
