I read a short story about a man in the basement of a building over one-hundred stories high. He was standing in front of a bank of elevators. The lights on them were flashing as they charted the floors the elevators were traveling to. And though they made frequent stops on the ground floor aboveContinue reading “Waiting Or Walking?”
Category Archives: Romans
Splinters
Splinters are no fun. We probably all have some early memories of having them removed. It was uncomfortable, painful—perhaps even traumatic if we were young enough. Of course, as we got older, splinters were still no fun, but the drama dialed back as we were able to put them into perspective and see them forContinue reading “Splinters”
Some Background For Romans 9-11
Chapters 9-11 are a speed bump in the book of Romans. They make us slow down and thoughtfully consider the text. These chapters are also very important to the overall theme of the letter as they develop from yet another angle the righteousness of God. The righteousness of God in Romans is not primarily aboutContinue reading “Some Background For Romans 9-11”
Sincerely (But No Longer) Yours
Paul’s statement, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1), is a crescendo he has been building toward from the beginning of his letter (1:16ff). As such, it is embedded with a richness that is easy to overlook. He’s saying something more than we’ve been forgiven of our sins (thoughContinue reading “Sincerely (But No Longer) Yours”
Selling Out To Good
Finn Daly is six years old and lives in West Hartford, Connecticut. He has Down Syndrome and autism. He also has a great love and appreciation for our country’s flag. He can sit on the floor of his house and look through the storm door at the flag flying outside for long periods of time.Continue reading “Selling Out To Good”
Torah Righteousness Vs. True Righteousness (2)
As Paul had previously mentioned (3:21,31), the Torah did bear witness to a righteousness beyond itself and that brings us to “the righteousness that is by faith.” He takes up this point in 10:6 when he quotes Deuteronomy 30 to make his case. And how does the text quoted (v. 12-14) point to the righteousnessContinue reading “Torah Righteousness Vs. True Righteousness (2)”
Torah Righteousness Vs. True Righteousness (1)
Sometimes things work out exactly like we think they will. We can see how circumstances are lining up and the outcome seems quite predictable before it happens. For example, in the area where we live if the weather gets too warm too early in the year, it’s almost inevitable that bad storms that spawning highContinue reading “Torah Righteousness Vs. True Righteousness (1)”
They Don’t Get Me (2)
1. Practice acceptance. Paul tells begins and ends the section by telling them to accept each other with all of their “baggage” (14:1, 15:7). A little acceptance goes a long way. Moreover, if God has accepted us then there’s no reason why we can’t be accepting of each other (14:3-4). 2. Be flexible. The reason the Golden Gate BridgeContinue reading “They Don’t Get Me (2)”
They Don’t Get Me (1)
Who hasn’t said or thought these words at one time or another? We say them because we think that someone doesn’t understand or appreciate us and as a result we feel a little disconnected and isolated. And it happens to everyone: young, middle-aged, old, male, female, black, white, Hispanic—it’s non-discriminatory. But there’s good news: it’sContinue reading “They Don’t Get Me (1)”
The Real, The Right, And The Wrong
The twelfth chapter of Romans makes for some inspirational reading. It begins with a challenge for disciples to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” and concludes by telling us “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” In between, it is brimming with practical instructions for daily living. In verse 9,Continue reading “The Real, The Right, And The Wrong”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 