“For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23 ESV). Paul wrote to believers in Rome who disagreed over food, sacred days, and other disputable matters. Some Christians felt free to eat certain foods, while others believed doing so would violate their conscience. Paul taught that an action could be permissible in itself

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight (Romans 12:16 NLT). Look for someone lowly, or as in the KJV, someone of low estate, to sit with next Sunday at church. Stop avoiding those that you feel are beneath you or

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8 ESV). Paul wrote to believers in Rome about their responsibilities toward governing authorities, neighbors, and one another. In the previous verse, he had instructed them to pay what they owed, including taxes, revenue, respect,

“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots” (Psalm 22:16–18). David wrote Psalm 22 out of genuine personal suffering, describing himself

“And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” (Romans 10:14 ESV). Paul wrote to the believers in Rome explaining that saving faith was not faith in a vague deity or general religious truth. It was faith in the crucified and risen Jesus revealed through the gospel. Paul’s wording may

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4 ESV). Paul wrote to believers in Rome to explain how the gospel revealed God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. In the verses immediately preceding this statement, Paul described Israel’s tragic error. They were “ignorant of the righteousness of

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1 ESV). Solomon warned about alcohol’s deceptive and controlling power. He personified wine as a mocker and strong drink as a brawler. Wine mocked those who trusted its promises of pleasure, relief, or confidence, only to

“Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 19:27 ESV) Solomon warned his son and the young people of Israel about the danger of abandoning wise instruction. The word translated “stray” meant to wander, err, or go astray. The proverb described a clear cause-and-effect relationship: Stop listening

“This God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him” (Psalm 18:30 ESV). David wrote Psalm 18 after the Lord had delivered him from Saul and his other enemies. Looking back over years of danger, delay, conflict, and deliverance, David

“For there is no one who does not sin” (2 Chronicles 6:36 ESV). Solomon spoke these words in his prayer of dedication of the temple he had built for the Lord. He had witnessed the glory of God fill the temple, yet he did not assume that Israel’s worship, sacrifices, priests, or covenant privileges would