Oh boy! This passage is a tough one. Father, please help us get every nugget of gold you have planted within these heartfelt cries of Paul's heart. ~Amen.
I'm going to deal with this all at once...
2:17-24 "Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship with God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have found in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: 'God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'"
God gets so angry when His people act like hypocrites. He'd rather have a bunch of ragged Christians struggling every day with sin than a bunch of religious snobs claiming to be without sin who have no idea what causes grief to His heart. Truly, He would have a bunch of humble, radical, laid-down lovers who know they are completely saved by grace, but also know they are no better or worse than any other person on the planet. Oh that we would be transformed by the power of Grace and Love and Mercy and not cast our eyes upon anyone in judgment, pride, snobbery, or evil hypocrisy. I know so many Christian leaders who fit this description, and I know so many unsaved people who hate Christians because of it. God wants us to be like Jesus, and He was kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, joy, etc., personified! Any area in which we judge another is an area to look within our own heart and ask God where the offense is...where are we living in unforgiveness? Where are we living in denial? Where are we living in judgment against our brothers and sisters? And not in self-condemnation, but in an attitude of "Where have I missed the message of Jesus' radical love and forgiveness for me so that I cannot offer the same radical love and forgiveness to my brothers and sisters?"
Father, melt our hearts with Your love. Help us to fully comprehend and understand the depth and breadth of Your incredible love for us. Let us live to know and understand this one aspect of You, so that we can share this radical love in all its fullness to others and see them saved and set free, carrying Your LOVE DNA. Father, radically wreck us with Your love so that we will never look on another in pride or arrogance again. Father, humble our hearts with Your great affection and love for us. Never let us go. Father, break all the lies in our lives that keep us oppressed with thoughts of self-hatred, thoughts of condemnation and guilt. These are actually the worst culprits for judgment and arrogance. The most arrogant people I know are actually the ones who hate themselves the most. It's always been such a strange paradox to me, but I'm beginning to understand it. Because where there is no love, there is always judgment. We are called to love you with our whole beings...to pour ourselves out and allow you to transform us and fill us with Your new wine of joy, the fullness of Your Son Jesus manifested in the Holy Spirit at work within us. We are called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If we do not have a revelation of Your intense and vast love for us, we will not be able to love ourselves. If we do not love ourselves, we cannot love our sisters and brothers. Help us, Father. Help us Love ourselves. Break the lies. Help us love our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our souls, our spirits. Help us grow in love for You and love for ourselves, so we can actually be true teachers, true lights, living vessels carrying Living Hope. Change us. Mold us. Shape us. All in Your Love. Break the lies that we learn through suffering. No one learns anything through pain. They learn through love so the pain has a purpose. Father, change our minds. Bring us to true repentance. Amen.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
So sorry
Angela,
Not a problem, I had a busy morning also and went to see the doctor. I am starting back on Cymbalta. I have had such a hard time with my mood and energy level. It is difficult to stay positive all the time. I am so glad you have family visiting, what a nice treat. Were they able to help you out financially at all? I pray they did. Any new news on jobs or income??? Praying for you big time on this. I know exactly what you are feeling right now. We are doing ok, it is really hard with Mark working two jobs and still just inching by, I think I need to make some drastic budget cuts around here, like no TV. The kids will hate that but we do have internet and free Netflix via the Wii and Uncle Matt's login. I think it would really help. Anyway I love you and I will get to the study tomorrow as well.
Time got away from me, but I read your prayer requests and your note about going full time to school. I think that's an awesome idea, and I will pray for all the right doors to open and the financial aid to come through when you need it. I'll do our study first before anything else tomorrow (Tuesday). I have been having such a hard time getting back into a normal routine since we had Eric's family here. I am pushing the reset button on everything tomorrow (Tuesday), including housekeeping and homeschooling. Phew! Pray for me in that!
Love you,
Angela
Romans 2:12-16
Dear God,
Thank you for this time to spend in your word. I ask that you bless the Andrews family right now Lord, they have some mighty big needs but we know that you are a mighty big God and that you will provide for them because they trust and have faith in you. Thank you for everything you are doing in my life, help me to see clearly the future you have laid out for me, help me to follow your plans. Lord I ask that you be with me as I parent these girls, help me to show them your grace and mercy daily. Help me to be patient with them and to understand them. Amen
12-13 God will punish the Gentiles when they sin, even though they never had God's written law. And he will punish the Jews when they sin, for they do have the law. For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God's approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God's sight.
The Jews had the written law. So they knew about God’s standards. The Jews had the opportunity to listen to the law in the synagogue. But to hear the law was not enough. They must obey the law. ‘Obey my orders and laws. The man who obeys them will live by them’ (Leviticus 18:5). The Gentiles did not have the written law.But God is still their judge. Nobody can avoid God’s judgment. The Jewish people were very accustomed to hearing God's word and law in their synagogues but what I think is being said is that one my hear, know, understand and study the law but it is the do-ers of the law that will be declared right in God's eyes. I am thinking of many "good" Christians who go to church Sunday and Sunday and hear the word and yet their is no fruit in their lives. They do not grow, give, love or make an impact on the world around them. I am thinking that God will be hard on those who hear and know the truth and yet do nothing. 14-15 Even the Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their heart they know right from wrong.They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right.
Even those who are living by conscious alone are expected to follow God's law. I think the conscious is the spirit of God residing in all of us. When we do something bad our conscious is there to make us feel guilty. The feeling of sin or feeling guilty is suppose to draw us to what we need to make us feel better and wash away our sins, Christ. I think though that right now in our time there is so much outside influences that our consciousness is being threatened and clouded. We now can distract ourselves from feeling guilty, cover up our guilt, find others with the same sin and somehow be justified by them. We can watch the news and see others who sins are horrible and feel like our sin isn't as bad as theirs. We fail to see that for our Father God, a sin is a sin. From the biggest sin to the tiny lie all are the same in God's eyes.
16 The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone's secret life. This is my message.
God’s judgment will be fair because he knows every secret in a person’s life. He has a true knowledge about the facts. He also knows the reasons for an action. He can see what is living in our heart. Psalm 139 wrote, ‘Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You see my thoughts . . . you are familiar with all my ways’ (Psalm 139:1-3).
God's judge will be Jesus. Jesus himself said that the Father had given him authority to judge (John 5:27). In the story about the sheep and the goats, Jesus is the judge (Matthew 25:31-33). In Athens, Paul said that the resurrection proved this. Jesus is the judge whom God has appointed (Acts 17:30-31).
It is good news that Jesus is the judge. He knows what it is like to be a man. He will not punish those people who trust him. He has rescued them from sin by means of his death on the cross.
So I have been really conflicted lately, wondering what I am suppose to be doing. Are we staying here, are we waiting for something to happen? Also been wondering about working, I like my job I enjoy working with children but frankly I make no money. I basically help with grocery money, Mark is working two jobs and well we just skim by every month. One sickness, injury or a few weeks off work and we would be homeless. So I prayed and prayed and thought and thought and what I came up with is this. I am going to go to college (full time) to become a teacher. I have to stay at my current job and finish my CDA certificate because that has 6 college credits attached to it and I feel like I am getting a lot out of it. It will be over sometime in February. If I accomplish this I will have a "real" career and potential to really impact my family financially. Mark and I would be able to save for retirement which is something that really frightens me at this point since we have nothing accumulated yet. Still don't know if we are going somewhere else or staying here but I am trying to assist my kids in making it here, trying to get them involved with church, school, and clubs in an effort to get them to make friends. Please keep them in your prayers, they are so lonely and miserable which I know is really hard when you are just a kid. Also please pray that Mark and I make some friends here too because this deserted island thing is wearing thin. I did have two or three days with no pain but then it came back, I am fighting as hard as I can to keep going. I am considering some anti-depressants (cymbalta) which I have taken in the past and that made a remarkable impact on my pain and fatigue.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Romans 2:12-16--Angela
Papa God, I praise you with my sister, who has had breakthrough in her pain cycle. I agree with her for complete healing for Echo's body. Father, reveal to Echo Your undying love for her and Your great affection for her, not because of what she does but because she is Your precious daughter. Father, I thank you for daily teaching me to rest in Your grace and Your peace. Give me courage and complete faith for Your provision for the coming weeks. ~Amen.
Tina, I just found out today that my client wants me to hold off on working for him until he can make some changes to his manuscript. This could take some time, as he has a full-time job. As of today, this was the only source of income besides the $500/month I make from my brother for this month. Rent will be due on November 4th, and I don't yet see how it's going to get paid. Though I am confident that He has led us here and that He won't drop us, I confess that I am not completely resting securely in His arms about this. We have never taken it this far, and I'm nervous that there won't be enough when we need it. Please lift us both up in your prayers. Eric has had great peace and confidence and has received much encouragement and vision for our future, but it won't pay the bills right now. In fact, it will require resources to pull it off. He also said that he feels good about shifting gears starting Monday and looking for a part-time job. I feel good about it, and it seems like the right timing. I am confident that God will bless him and open just the right doors. In fact, I received a prophetic word at church that doors would be opening for him this week. I'm trusting that those doors have actually opened, and he will just be stepping into them on Monday. But again, I am not at perfect peace about all of this, and I desperately long to be. Thank you for your prayers. ~Angela
2:12 "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law."
I wrote a note in the margin next to this verse in 1994. It says, "Safety for unbelievers and those in other countries?" I think I was onto something. "Perish apart from the law..." I don't really know what it means, and it sounds good to my soul. But the next verse adds to my confusion...
2:13 "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous."
Father God, what is the message? Ahhh!! It's coming...sin. I think it's just a continuation of the same message in a different way, and it hearkens back to chapter one, where he's talking about how no one has an excuse. It makes me think of the verse in John (16:8-10), where it says "When [the Holy Spirit] comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment; in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."
Yes, I think this is the key right here for me...Especially since the work has been finished by Jesus' death on the cross, men really are without excuse. The Holy Spirit has truly fallen on all flesh, and all men have His law written upon their hearts (testified to by their consciences). I don't know how it was before, but I know how it is now...God has finished all the work He set out to do...Jesus is the door by which we all access the Love of the Father in all its fullness. His Spirit convicts every person of sin, and Jesus has made it possible for every one of us to experience the righteousness of the Father. There is no excuse left, yet it is still through His kindness that men are led to repentance, not by judgment. According to Jesus' own words, judgment pertains to the enemy. It is the enemy our judgments are supposed to be focused on as believers. When we fix our judgments on men, we fall under the law. But when we fix our judgments on the works of the devil, we come into agreement with heaven and the power of darkness is broken over those we intercede for.
2:14-15 "(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law unto themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)"
I did read this before I wrote the previous paragraphs, but just at a cursory glance. I think this just sums up more succinctly what I just said about the last verse. Haha!
2:16 "This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."
God will judge men's secrets. I have actually been thinking about this concept of secrets for several days, really ever since Echo e-mailed me and asked me about women in 1 Corinthians 11. I have been praying and meditating on the passages she asked about, and God keeps leading me back to the woman at the well. I was thinking about how the woman at the well must have perceived Jesus, both at the beginning of their encounter and at the end. The only thing the passage relates that Jesus actually said to her about her was that she was not married and was living with a man who was not her husband. Later, she goes on to tell everyone that she was actually transformed when Jesus told her everything she had ever done. He was telling her secrets, to her. I realized that even though it was always implied by teachings, or even overtly taught that he told her all the bad things she had done, I no longer believe that's what He revealed to her. I believe He revealed all the secrets...the good and the bad, and the reasons behind the good and the bad. Sin is really just a wrong perspective on Father God's feelings toward us, after all. I bet He revealed all the secret motivations (the lies she believed and how the enemy had bound her all these years from receiving and understanding God's full unconditional love for her). Isn't this the real sin? Isn't this the real tragedy of every person who is unable to receive the full measure of God's love for them? And doesn't this really truly end only in judgment against the enemy? Not that I truly understand it all, not that I'm ready to say that evil and wicked people will not be judged if they do not partner with Jesus against the enemy in their lives, but I am not sure any of us really understand the full heart of God on this matter, and I'm not sure we really can. What I am convinced of now is that my job is not to judge, but rather to show and promote the kindness of God. And by so doing, I will be treading on serpents and destroying the works of the devil, just as Jesus did. (1 John 3:8)
~Angela
Tina, I just found out today that my client wants me to hold off on working for him until he can make some changes to his manuscript. This could take some time, as he has a full-time job. As of today, this was the only source of income besides the $500/month I make from my brother for this month. Rent will be due on November 4th, and I don't yet see how it's going to get paid. Though I am confident that He has led us here and that He won't drop us, I confess that I am not completely resting securely in His arms about this. We have never taken it this far, and I'm nervous that there won't be enough when we need it. Please lift us both up in your prayers. Eric has had great peace and confidence and has received much encouragement and vision for our future, but it won't pay the bills right now. In fact, it will require resources to pull it off. He also said that he feels good about shifting gears starting Monday and looking for a part-time job. I feel good about it, and it seems like the right timing. I am confident that God will bless him and open just the right doors. In fact, I received a prophetic word at church that doors would be opening for him this week. I'm trusting that those doors have actually opened, and he will just be stepping into them on Monday. But again, I am not at perfect peace about all of this, and I desperately long to be. Thank you for your prayers. ~Angela
2:12 "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law."
I wrote a note in the margin next to this verse in 1994. It says, "Safety for unbelievers and those in other countries?" I think I was onto something. "Perish apart from the law..." I don't really know what it means, and it sounds good to my soul. But the next verse adds to my confusion...
2:13 "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous."
Father God, what is the message? Ahhh!! It's coming...sin. I think it's just a continuation of the same message in a different way, and it hearkens back to chapter one, where he's talking about how no one has an excuse. It makes me think of the verse in John (16:8-10), where it says "When [the Holy Spirit] comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment; in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."
Yes, I think this is the key right here for me...Especially since the work has been finished by Jesus' death on the cross, men really are without excuse. The Holy Spirit has truly fallen on all flesh, and all men have His law written upon their hearts (testified to by their consciences). I don't know how it was before, but I know how it is now...God has finished all the work He set out to do...Jesus is the door by which we all access the Love of the Father in all its fullness. His Spirit convicts every person of sin, and Jesus has made it possible for every one of us to experience the righteousness of the Father. There is no excuse left, yet it is still through His kindness that men are led to repentance, not by judgment. According to Jesus' own words, judgment pertains to the enemy. It is the enemy our judgments are supposed to be focused on as believers. When we fix our judgments on men, we fall under the law. But when we fix our judgments on the works of the devil, we come into agreement with heaven and the power of darkness is broken over those we intercede for.
2:14-15 "(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law unto themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)"
I did read this before I wrote the previous paragraphs, but just at a cursory glance. I think this just sums up more succinctly what I just said about the last verse. Haha!
2:16 "This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."
God will judge men's secrets. I have actually been thinking about this concept of secrets for several days, really ever since Echo e-mailed me and asked me about women in 1 Corinthians 11. I have been praying and meditating on the passages she asked about, and God keeps leading me back to the woman at the well. I was thinking about how the woman at the well must have perceived Jesus, both at the beginning of their encounter and at the end. The only thing the passage relates that Jesus actually said to her about her was that she was not married and was living with a man who was not her husband. Later, she goes on to tell everyone that she was actually transformed when Jesus told her everything she had ever done. He was telling her secrets, to her. I realized that even though it was always implied by teachings, or even overtly taught that he told her all the bad things she had done, I no longer believe that's what He revealed to her. I believe He revealed all the secrets...the good and the bad, and the reasons behind the good and the bad. Sin is really just a wrong perspective on Father God's feelings toward us, after all. I bet He revealed all the secret motivations (the lies she believed and how the enemy had bound her all these years from receiving and understanding God's full unconditional love for her). Isn't this the real sin? Isn't this the real tragedy of every person who is unable to receive the full measure of God's love for them? And doesn't this really truly end only in judgment against the enemy? Not that I truly understand it all, not that I'm ready to say that evil and wicked people will not be judged if they do not partner with Jesus against the enemy in their lives, but I am not sure any of us really understand the full heart of God on this matter, and I'm not sure we really can. What I am convinced of now is that my job is not to judge, but rather to show and promote the kindness of God. And by so doing, I will be treading on serpents and destroying the works of the devil, just as Jesus did. (1 John 3:8)
~Angela
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Romans 2:5-11
Dear God, thank you for this time to spend together today. I thank you so much for answering prayers and listening to our needs. Thank you for a bright new perspective on things, help me to continue to see things your way. Lord I thank you so much for ending my pain cycle, please continue to heal my body. I pray especially for Echo right now, Lord I ask that you heal her pain so that she may enjoy her life. Help the medications begin to work on her inflammation. Lord I pray for Angela, Eric, Orion and Zara; Lord you know their needs and desires and I ask that you would bless them with riches from your heavenly vaults. Amen
But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
This verse has always stung me also. The day is coming when God will reveal his righteous judgment. I have heard so many teachings on this I really don't know what is in store for the stubborn believer. I have heard that God will seriously punish you, I find this hard to understand because God is love and he loves us and I don't think it is in God's nature to punish those he loves. I have heard that we have a store house of riches in heaven, or gifts from God and then we are receiving judgment that some of those riches will be taken away. This too sounds a bit far fetched, why would God take away things he has already given and why would we care. We are in heaven with God does it matter if our crown has jewels in it or not?! lol We will be worshiping and praising God for his wonderfulness! I love what you said about seeking the kingdom of God, I think when we keep that perspective everything else falls into line. If we are seeking the kingdom (love) then we will not be surrounded by sin, we will not be judging others but rather loving them.
He will judge everyone according to what they have done.
He will judge us according to what we have done. I think again he is looking for the good we have done, how much of the kingdom has been expanded by your actions and love of others. What you have judge others by you will be judged also. If you judge by righteousness then that is what God will judge you by. If you judge based on the law then that is the standard you will be judged.
He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
The ray of hope like you said tucked in. I loved what you said about seeking the kingdom, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality. We are suppose to keep on seeking, it isn't stag net or stationary there is an action involved here.
But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.
Again action is required, we don't live lives for ourselves we pour out our lives for others LIKE JESUS did! I think God really does not like selfishness, he is stating that right here. I liked your translation better here. 2:8 "But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." Like verse 7 said we are to seek after the glory, honor, and immortality that God offers and not be Self seeking; seeking glory and honor for ourselves.
There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
I like this verse because it is the simple truth, no hidden meanings here. Obviously if you continue to do wrong and evil you will have trouble, here on earth and later on after judgment. God has no favorites, no gentile or Jew is his favorite. He doesn't want us to judge or to be prideful or to see glory for ourselves. For those who do good, who seek after the kingdom who pursue him and his ways and love other there will be peace from God and glory from God. He is not asking for perfection here he is asking for us to look for him everywhere, to be the kingdom here on earth and show love where ever we go, to love others and not judge them and to give God all the glory and honor and credit for ALL things. Simple yes, hard well sometimes......
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Romans 2:5-11--Angela
Amen to everything you said, especially those last couple of sentences. That's my goal...focus on being a light by focusing on His light!!! It's the only way to truly live in love. Focus on His love, not on the problem, and His love grows in our life. I hear a line a lot here at Bethel: Whatever you focus on grows!
Father, You know our time to spend together is short each day, and I thank you for every precious moment of it. May the few minutes we spend in Your Presence and Your Word each day grow beyond the borders of our little Bible study and extend into light into our homes. May Your light follow us into each project, the ones we love doing and the ones that seem to take all our time and energy away from the things we love. Give us Your perspective on all that we are doing, and show us how to do everything with peace, hope, joy, and love. Amen.
2:5 "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed."
The first thing I think of is the verse in Matthew about storing up for yourself treasure in heaven. That verse says the way we do that is by seeking His kingdom. I have really been giving a lot of thought to what it means to seek the kingdom. They teach it very differently here than I've heard it other places, and as I read the Scriptures through this new lens, I see that the kingdom is LOVE. His love for me, and His love for others. Obviously, this verse here is inseparable from all we've already been talking about. That what we focus on will grow, and we want His kingdom to grow: His kingdom of light, love, peace, life, joy. Joy. Joy. That's what I'm focused on. Living in laughter, laughing at my problems instead of thinking they are insurmountable. I have found so much healing just in laughter. One night, I laughed super hard at church. Like really hard, and a whole lot. I went to bed that night with a smile on my face, and I woke up with a smile on my face. AND Bonus: NO PAIN and no sinus congestion either (the first time my sinuses were clear since we moved here). Seriously, I didn't receive prayer for my body that day. Just laughed in His Presence, hearing the truths of God's goodness in the earth. Testimonies of healing and of His perpetual good mood toward mankind. I focused on the kingdom, and I experienced a breakthrough in my physical body. Though the pain returned, I also noticed that I was not laughing and had gotten a little serious that next day. I know I've discovered a key for myself, and I must remember that I don't want to store up wrath for myself by continually focusing on the problems of the world around me and the sins of myself or my husband. I want to focus on His grace...His unmerited favor...His smile pointed directly at me. His delight in me, in my hubby, in my kids. When I get my eyes fixed on that, the laughter and joy bubbles out more quickly!
2:6 "God 'will give to each person according to what he has done.'"
This verse has long inspired a fear in me of sorts. A fear that if I'm not producing, then I'm not accepted. God has been slowly helping me see that "doing" is not always necessarily productive. Sometimes, doing is resting. God has called me to be. I believe I am going to be rewarded for the times I've truly been myself, times when I've allowed myself to shine forth in the way that only I can shine forth. In the context of the previous verse, I think Paul is talking not so much about what is done, but why and how it's done...whether we are doing things out of a religious mindset of judgment, or whether we are doing things out a faith-based mindset of God's favor toward us and others.
2:7 "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life."
What??? Seriously!!! This is an astounding nugget tucked into a very dark place. In verse after verse, Paul has been talking about the ill effects of living in darkness. And here, tucked in passages about judgment, He's talking about a seriously amazing reward for those who SEEK glory, honor, and immortality. SEEK...Seek ye first the kingdom...the kingdom of glory, honor, and immortality. We are going to be known forever for something, no matter how small or large our contribution has been AND no matter whether our contribution has had a positive or negative impact on the earth and on mankind. He contrasts in the next verse, so I'll finish my thoughts there...
2:8 "But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."
So, it's all right to seek glory. It's all right to seek honor. It's all right to seek immortality, and maybe even fame on some levels. But it's not all right to be self-seeking, to reject the truth. What truth? That Jesus is alive? Sure, that's gotta be part of it, but that's not the only truth we're not supposed to reject. Paul is talking here about people who are living in judgment of others...people who have forgotten not that Jesus was raised from the dead, but the reason He died in the first place. He died to restore all of mankind and the earth to God...to reconcile God to man and make the kingdoms of earth the kingdoms of our God and King. (Revelation 11:15). So we can seek glory and fame (immortality) for selfish reasons, and we will be judged harshly for that. Or we can seek glory and immortality as well as honor, so that we will see Jesus get his full reward...the nations are His inheritance (Psalm 82:8). So the truth that Paul is saying some have rejected is the truth of the Gospel...the Good News. That God's wrath is turned against us. We are no longer under the law. We are free to shine and be all that we were made to be, and when we shine Jesus receives His reward...because we will reproduce. We will reproduce His government in all spheres of our lives...our families, our workplaces, our nation, and possibly even into the governments of other nations. But for those who believe His wrath is still towards us, that is what they will receive...wrath. Because they remain under the law and not under grace. Judging our brothers and sisters according to the Law subjects us to the same law. You see, we are going to judge. (1 Corinthians 6:2). The question is how are we judging? Are we judging according to the righteousness of faith, or are we judging according to the righteousness established by the law? Whatever measure we use to judge others, that is the measure (standard) that God will use to judge us (Mark 4:24). It's our choice, but the choice Jesus died to give us is to judge according to the standard of Grace, where every person is endowed with the unmerited favor of God towards them to embolden them, strengthen them, and encourage them to shine in ever way!
2:9-11 "There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism."
He's just summing it up again and also highlighting that God sees no difference between the saved and unsaved. He calls them Jew and Gentile, because in other places He has called any Gentile believer a grafted in Jew. I believe when he says Gentile here, he really means the unsaved one!! If they act according to the Law of Grace in their lives, they will be rewarded according to the measure they use, whether they have full knowledge of Jesus' payment for their sin. I know this sounds heretical, but think about it. What I think he's saying here is that God does not see a difference between someone in ignorance acting in accordance with the Spirit of Jesus with someone who is acting in acknowledgement of Jesus' sacrifice. We in our Christian circles show favoritism to brothers and sisters who have checked off all the steps in their lives, but Paul says God does not show favoritism. He's not looking for a list of steps checked off. He's looking for the motivation behind a person's actions. I happen to know a man right now who is after the heart of God, but He doesn't yet have a personal relationship with Jesus. I intend to help him find one, but in the meantime I do not judge him according to his sinfulness. I judge him (call out in him) the things he does in accordance with the Spirit of God...he looks after widows and orphans and has a genuine desire to help the poor and will do so at any cost. He loves God, and God loves him. He just doesn't have the language yet to express it, and He has not yet had a full encounter with the Love of Jesus for him. He has yet to be transformed by the truth of how much Jesus loves him, but when he does he's going to be a powerhouse for Jesus! God does not show favoritism. He looks at us as equal...all of us are sons and daughters. That we are all covered by the blood of Jesus, and He needs His people operating under that revelation so that we will call those out who do not yet know what they have received from God. It makes it so much easier to share my faith when I see it this way. It's not something I have that they don't have. It's something I have recognized that I have, and I see that they have it to, so I'm just trying to help them see it! Truly revolutionary!!!
Thank you, God, for your word. Thank you for the truth of Your kindness toward me and toward others. Show us more about how good You are. Increase our capacity to see Your goodness everywhere and to celebrate it with laughter and joy. Right now, I laugh over our physical bodies. Hahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha! You have made all things new, including our bodies. The schemes of the enemy shall not prevail against us. He will no longer rob of us full life by weighing our bodies down with oppression. Hahahahahaha! You have made us clean in Your site. Everything our hands touch is increased by Your Presence and love for us. You are so good to us. Thank you, Papa God.
Father, You know our time to spend together is short each day, and I thank you for every precious moment of it. May the few minutes we spend in Your Presence and Your Word each day grow beyond the borders of our little Bible study and extend into light into our homes. May Your light follow us into each project, the ones we love doing and the ones that seem to take all our time and energy away from the things we love. Give us Your perspective on all that we are doing, and show us how to do everything with peace, hope, joy, and love. Amen.
2:5 "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed."
The first thing I think of is the verse in Matthew about storing up for yourself treasure in heaven. That verse says the way we do that is by seeking His kingdom. I have really been giving a lot of thought to what it means to seek the kingdom. They teach it very differently here than I've heard it other places, and as I read the Scriptures through this new lens, I see that the kingdom is LOVE. His love for me, and His love for others. Obviously, this verse here is inseparable from all we've already been talking about. That what we focus on will grow, and we want His kingdom to grow: His kingdom of light, love, peace, life, joy. Joy. Joy. That's what I'm focused on. Living in laughter, laughing at my problems instead of thinking they are insurmountable. I have found so much healing just in laughter. One night, I laughed super hard at church. Like really hard, and a whole lot. I went to bed that night with a smile on my face, and I woke up with a smile on my face. AND Bonus: NO PAIN and no sinus congestion either (the first time my sinuses were clear since we moved here). Seriously, I didn't receive prayer for my body that day. Just laughed in His Presence, hearing the truths of God's goodness in the earth. Testimonies of healing and of His perpetual good mood toward mankind. I focused on the kingdom, and I experienced a breakthrough in my physical body. Though the pain returned, I also noticed that I was not laughing and had gotten a little serious that next day. I know I've discovered a key for myself, and I must remember that I don't want to store up wrath for myself by continually focusing on the problems of the world around me and the sins of myself or my husband. I want to focus on His grace...His unmerited favor...His smile pointed directly at me. His delight in me, in my hubby, in my kids. When I get my eyes fixed on that, the laughter and joy bubbles out more quickly!
2:6 "God 'will give to each person according to what he has done.'"
This verse has long inspired a fear in me of sorts. A fear that if I'm not producing, then I'm not accepted. God has been slowly helping me see that "doing" is not always necessarily productive. Sometimes, doing is resting. God has called me to be. I believe I am going to be rewarded for the times I've truly been myself, times when I've allowed myself to shine forth in the way that only I can shine forth. In the context of the previous verse, I think Paul is talking not so much about what is done, but why and how it's done...whether we are doing things out of a religious mindset of judgment, or whether we are doing things out a faith-based mindset of God's favor toward us and others.
2:7 "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life."
What??? Seriously!!! This is an astounding nugget tucked into a very dark place. In verse after verse, Paul has been talking about the ill effects of living in darkness. And here, tucked in passages about judgment, He's talking about a seriously amazing reward for those who SEEK glory, honor, and immortality. SEEK...Seek ye first the kingdom...the kingdom of glory, honor, and immortality. We are going to be known forever for something, no matter how small or large our contribution has been AND no matter whether our contribution has had a positive or negative impact on the earth and on mankind. He contrasts in the next verse, so I'll finish my thoughts there...
2:8 "But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."
So, it's all right to seek glory. It's all right to seek honor. It's all right to seek immortality, and maybe even fame on some levels. But it's not all right to be self-seeking, to reject the truth. What truth? That Jesus is alive? Sure, that's gotta be part of it, but that's not the only truth we're not supposed to reject. Paul is talking here about people who are living in judgment of others...people who have forgotten not that Jesus was raised from the dead, but the reason He died in the first place. He died to restore all of mankind and the earth to God...to reconcile God to man and make the kingdoms of earth the kingdoms of our God and King. (Revelation 11:15). So we can seek glory and fame (immortality) for selfish reasons, and we will be judged harshly for that. Or we can seek glory and immortality as well as honor, so that we will see Jesus get his full reward...the nations are His inheritance (Psalm 82:8). So the truth that Paul is saying some have rejected is the truth of the Gospel...the Good News. That God's wrath is turned against us. We are no longer under the law. We are free to shine and be all that we were made to be, and when we shine Jesus receives His reward...because we will reproduce. We will reproduce His government in all spheres of our lives...our families, our workplaces, our nation, and possibly even into the governments of other nations. But for those who believe His wrath is still towards us, that is what they will receive...wrath. Because they remain under the law and not under grace. Judging our brothers and sisters according to the Law subjects us to the same law. You see, we are going to judge. (1 Corinthians 6:2). The question is how are we judging? Are we judging according to the righteousness of faith, or are we judging according to the righteousness established by the law? Whatever measure we use to judge others, that is the measure (standard) that God will use to judge us (Mark 4:24). It's our choice, but the choice Jesus died to give us is to judge according to the standard of Grace, where every person is endowed with the unmerited favor of God towards them to embolden them, strengthen them, and encourage them to shine in ever way!
2:9-11 "There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism."
He's just summing it up again and also highlighting that God sees no difference between the saved and unsaved. He calls them Jew and Gentile, because in other places He has called any Gentile believer a grafted in Jew. I believe when he says Gentile here, he really means the unsaved one!! If they act according to the Law of Grace in their lives, they will be rewarded according to the measure they use, whether they have full knowledge of Jesus' payment for their sin. I know this sounds heretical, but think about it. What I think he's saying here is that God does not see a difference between someone in ignorance acting in accordance with the Spirit of Jesus with someone who is acting in acknowledgement of Jesus' sacrifice. We in our Christian circles show favoritism to brothers and sisters who have checked off all the steps in their lives, but Paul says God does not show favoritism. He's not looking for a list of steps checked off. He's looking for the motivation behind a person's actions. I happen to know a man right now who is after the heart of God, but He doesn't yet have a personal relationship with Jesus. I intend to help him find one, but in the meantime I do not judge him according to his sinfulness. I judge him (call out in him) the things he does in accordance with the Spirit of God...he looks after widows and orphans and has a genuine desire to help the poor and will do so at any cost. He loves God, and God loves him. He just doesn't have the language yet to express it, and He has not yet had a full encounter with the Love of Jesus for him. He has yet to be transformed by the truth of how much Jesus loves him, but when he does he's going to be a powerhouse for Jesus! God does not show favoritism. He looks at us as equal...all of us are sons and daughters. That we are all covered by the blood of Jesus, and He needs His people operating under that revelation so that we will call those out who do not yet know what they have received from God. It makes it so much easier to share my faith when I see it this way. It's not something I have that they don't have. It's something I have recognized that I have, and I see that they have it to, so I'm just trying to help them see it! Truly revolutionary!!!
Thank you, God, for your word. Thank you for the truth of Your kindness toward me and toward others. Show us more about how good You are. Increase our capacity to see Your goodness everywhere and to celebrate it with laughter and joy. Right now, I laugh over our physical bodies. Hahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha! You have made all things new, including our bodies. The schemes of the enemy shall not prevail against us. He will no longer rob of us full life by weighing our bodies down with oppression. Hahahahahaha! You have made us clean in Your site. Everything our hands touch is increased by Your Presence and love for us. You are so good to us. Thank you, Papa God.
Romans 2: 1-4
Angela, Sorry it has taken me awhile to get to this. I am feeling a little overburdened with my job, school, and my family. I am getting my CDA right now and this requires 3 chapters of reading a week, 6 online discussion forums, 1 lesson plan complete with 5 handmade props all done in a powerpoint presentation. For work I am required to do one lesson planning sheet a week plus a lesson plan and these need to be done on specific days in order for the administration to micro manage my lesson plans. Whew it is tough and I find myself working at home for free way to much which makes me feel resentful with my employer. I am trying to simplify this as much as possible but it tends to overwhelm me because I come home and there is the home drama and I want so much to be "present" here but feel like I can't because I have deadlines at school and work or a pile of things I need cut for next week. I realize though that I NEED to do this everyday, without time with God everything feel like an uphill battle. Thank you for keeping me accountable and for constantly lifting me up in prayer.
Dear God, Please open up my heart and mind to hear your word today. Thank you for allowing me time to sit and spend with you. Let your words be a lamp unto my feet today. Amen
2:1 "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other ,you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I agree with you that this is a tough verse. We want so much to be perfect like Jesus and in that quest to perfection we see others and their sin and somehow think we are better than them. In our quest for perfection we lack humility! The quest should be for love, for relationship, leave the perfection to Jesus! I loved what you said, "That no one is better than anyone else." God the Father looks down on us and sees his children, he doesn't see one and say, "This is the one I love the most, she is better than all the others." I can't imagine a Father saying that about a child of his own. Doug Glein said something a long time ago and it really stuck with me, when God looks at us he sees Jesus. We are clothed in Jesus, wiped clean from Jesus, covered in Jesus. I love the mental image of that, God the Father looking down at me and seeing Jesus his perfect, holy, sinless, Son. It really frees us to live for God, to pursue God for the sake of his relationship. That we do not have to strive for perfection, or seek out guilt in others because we are all little Jesus trying our best to be like our big brother Jesus.
2:2 "Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth."
Our judgment of others is sometimes based on our own feelings and human-ness. We see others doing things we think are not OK and we want to change their ways because we love them, because we fear judgment. God judges based on truth, after all "he is the way, the truth, and the life." I tell my own children, Let God do God stuff! You worry about yourself, your heart, your actions. I surround myself with grace and love believing that God is a good God, that yes I make mistakes and sin and own up to them and that what ever judgment that might come way is a righteous and based on love not on fear.
2:3 "So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?"
We are all capable of sin, we all do and are guilty of lusting, coveting, pride, insincerity and more. Who are we to cast the first stone? I think God wants us to call our brothers and sister out when we see them in a sin but for the purpose of loving them and showing them grace. Jesus gave us those examples over and over in bible, the woman and the well, the women who touched the robe, the tax collector, Mary Magdalene, he welcomes them into his family with love and grace and forgives them. He does not judge them and condemn them, he shows them love that comes straight from the father. I think God with judge the judging person accordingly, you are either living by the law or you are living by grace.
2:4 "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?"
God who showed you grace, love, kindness, mercy and patience did so to led you to repent of your sin and live in love. If you toss it away and judge others, toss away the mercy and patience, he will judge you accordingly because through your actions you have said that you do not need those gifts. Sad to think of and yet these verses are some of the toughest in the bible. We all strive for righteousness, holiness and somehow through our human-ness it comes off as pride, judgmental and it puts others off. I see this a lot in the way the church is portrayed in the media, we come off as judgmental jerks who just want everyone to listen to us. That is so far from what our main purpose here on earth is and yet that is what is being heard throughout the world and I think it is because the "Christians" on television are feeding into this by casting judgment on others. We are called to be a light, a beacon to others not to point out sin in others, that is a God job done through relationship and growth. The world should see us loving others, taking care of those who need care; the widows, orphans, the home less, the refuge, the hungry. If we want to end abortion then we should make it such a non choice for young women, provide health care, provide waiting families, provide education to all involved. Maybe if as a whole we focused on being the light and less about politics, sexual identity and sin we would be the beacon that God wants us to be.
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