This thirty-fourth message from Romans reminds believers that their submission is not just to God and believers, but is also to be done appropriately to unbelievers. These commands from Paul require two approaches. First, we must have a good OFFENSE where we respond to our enemies by speaking well of them, sympathizing with their ups and downs, and submitting to their many limitations with humility and honesty. Second, we must also have a good DEFENSE where we don't respond to our enemies, but show them forbearance toward their bad attitudes and actions, forgiving their sins against us by leaving their punishment in God's hands, lovingly meeting their needs, and selflessly forestall their bad intentions by overcoming their evil with our good.

This thirty-third message from Romans builds on our submission to God as living sacrifices -12-1-2- and calls all believers to be submitted to one another as teammates. The TEAM being referred to is the church, guided by Paul's instruction to be self-abased in their pride and self-restrained in their position on the team. His illustration uses the relationships of the different members in one's body that only work together for the common good. Just as a healthy body must have a perfect balance of diversity and unity at the same time, so a successful team requires the cooperation of TEAMWORK. Individual differences can be used by the coach to produce victory on the field, but the key is the devotion of each player in sincerity - showing a preference toward each other, perseverance in the game and sacrificial presents shared with others on the team.

This thirty-second message from Romans begins a radical change in the book. Paul is moving from his first eleven chapters of doctrine to how each believer is to appropriately respond to the mercies of God. First, believers are to be completely DEDICATED to God because He has provided the opportunity through His great compassion. Each occupant is to place their body at the disposal of God by offering it as a living and holy sacrifice. Only God's opinion matters as to what is acceptable, but we have an obligation to give ourselves as a spiritual service of worship. Second, we must be DETERMINED to be real in our commitment - not masquerading with an external conformity with the mirage of this world, but being renovated in our minds and being able to discern what the will of God is - profitable, pleasing and practical.

This thirty-first message from Romans unveils the MYSTERY that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in. Paul informed the Roman believers that all Israel will one day be saved because her deliverer will come from Zion and His covenant will be fulfilled. Israel would be included because the gifts and the calling of God for Israel are irrevocable. He had chosen Israel to serve Him and His mercy would be shown. The MAJESTY of God reveals His wisdom and knowledge to accomplish these things. He alone is inscrutable -unsearchable- in His judgments -decisions-, incomprehensible -untracable- in His ways -paths- and incredible in His mind and achievements - to Him alone be all the glory, forever.

This thirtieth message from Romans explains the reason that God temporarily set Israel aside. The PURPOSE for Israel's hardening was that God may cause resentment in his people - to make them jealous of the Gentiles. This reaction by the Jews came because God magnified Paul's ministry to the Gentiles - showing them successful spiritually. But a PROBLEM resulted in the branches -Jews- being broken off - the Gentiles needed to stop boasting and stop being proud in their new position - they simply needed to fear God with genuine faith that gave all the credit to God. The PROMISE from God was that the Jews as a nation could be grafted in again. The Gentiles had received God's kindness and needed to persevere in faith. The Jews could be grafted back in to their own olive tree with that same faith in Christ.

This twenty-ninth message from Romans describes the future of Israel. She is SECURE in the hands of God. Proof -1 of this fact is that Paul himself -a blasphemer, persecutor and violent aggressor - 1 Tim. 1-13- was not rejected by God- and proof -2 was that even in the bad, idolatrous days surrounding Elijah, 7,000 men had not bowed their knees to Baal. God had SELECTED a remnant, not for salvation, but to share His generous blessings and to serve Him. But Israel had been SEDUCED - although she was seeking to be accepted by God, she never reached her goal. Her insensitivity excluded her, and Paul explains why - God Himself had given her a spirit of stupor, making her unresponsive spiritually. This refusal to respond brought God's indignation, leading the nation in general to false fellowship, false teaching and false security.- -Up to 10-key words-from the message that someone might be searching on.--- not-rejected Israelite foreknew remnant grace chosen hardened spirit-of-stupor darkened

This twenty-eighth message from Romans clearly reveals that Israel had rejected her Messiah. These first century Jews were UNWILLING to submit because of their disbelief of the gospel and their utter disregard of God's message - they were unpersuaded, unsubmitted and uninterested. They were UNAWARE of their condition though they had received general exposure to revelation and experienced the Gentiles being saved - leaving them unhappy and uncovered before God. He was UNWANTED by the Jews though He had incessantly appealed to them, imploring them to believe. Their avoidance of God revealed their disobedient disbelief and obstinate denial.

This twenty-seventh message from Romans reveals God's gracious offer to all men. Two CHOICES are presented toward attaining righteousness - the efforts of men earned by works or the efforts of Christ on the cross received by faith. Salvation by Christ was never accomplished by human efforts to bring Christ down to earth -incarnation- or to bring Christ up from the dead -resurrection- - God alone sent His Son and raised Him from the dead. God alone offers an eternal CHANGE for all men- His help for all comes as a clear message as -the word of faith-, and in a simple method by confessing with your mouth that Christ is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead - resulting in salvation. His hope for all brings eternal assurance to whoever believes in Him, and generously appeals to whoever will call - they will be saved. Four specific CHALLENGES remain - calling requires trust, believing requires truth, hearing requires transmission and preaching requires travel. God gave His only Son to redeem and sends His many children to make disciples.

This twenty-sixth message from Romans exposes Israel's predicament. Although blessed with special privileges and promises from God, they never achieved His righteousness. In contrast to the Gentiles who were saved by faith, Israel's FAILURE came because they relied was upon their own works - remaining unsaved. They rejected God's way of salvation, stumbling over Jesus Christ, refusing to believe in Him as their Messiah. In spite of Paul's devotion in heart and prayer, Israel's FOCUS was on desertion. Their motivation included great zeal, but lacked a personal relationship. They were guilty of mutiny as they ignorantly remained independent, refusing to be subject to God. And they did not allow Christ, their Messiah, to fulfill all righteousness for them, by simply believing in Him alone to save.