Text: Romans 2:1-3 ESV

1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.

3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

-Rom 2:1-3 ESV

YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE

Evidently, Paul has addressed his Jewish readers, who religiously followed the law of Moses. They may have imagined Paul's description in Romans 1 to have been directed to Gentile—non-Jewish—pagans and those they considered "sinners." There may even be Gentiles, who followed moral philosophies and imagined Paul's words as being meant for other ears.

Moralists may protest that they are not bad sinners as they pass judgment upon others. But Paul said, “For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.”[v.1b]

These Jewish people think that following the law of Moses has made them right with God, and therefore free from His judgment. Paul anticipated this mindset. He knew many of his Jewish readers assumed that the list of sins and the resulting judgment of God did not apply to them. After all, they were God's special people. He would not condemn them. But they were wrong.[v.2]

They should not assume they are immune from God's judgment. Thus Paul asked, “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?”[v.3] For having been self-righteous, they are presuming on or showing contempt for the riches of God's kindness, forbearance, and patience. Aware of God's vast kindness, they have miscalculated that God won't ever judge their sin, even though He may judge the sins of others.

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God’s Word for Today

9 Nov 2023

-Rom 1:24-32 ESV

GOD GAVE THEM UP

As God revealed His glory through creation, God also revealed His wrath to rebellious mankind. [v.18]. Consequently, man’s thinking becomes worthless, and his heart grows darkened towards worshipping idols. There is an impossibility to know of the only true God. God takes idol worship personally. The first two of his Ten Commandments to Israel are that they should have no other gods before him and not worship or serve any image of any created thing (Exod 20:3-6). However, man still longs to worship something.  And so, he creates images, like people and animals, to worship foolishly. In doing so, he’s thinking that he has become quite wise (Rom 1:22–23). Thus, God’s wrath is ‘fully disclosed’ against humanity for all ’suppress the truth in unrighteousness.’

In what ways?

God gave them up. This has been mentioned 3 times with different emphases each time. [v.24, 26 & 28] From verses 24-25, Paul’s reason has emphasized to our abandoning of the truth in order to embrace a lie. God who is “giving us up’ is "stepping away," in a sense. God removed the restraint for man to pursue the lusts of their hearts to impurity. The idea seems to be this, if we are pursuing to worship images of animals, God will permit us to live like animals in our relationships with each other.

From verses 26 to 28, Paul emphasizes the dishonorable or distasteful sexual perversions of mankind. Natural sexual relations [heterosexual relations thru marriage] are abandoned and are replaced with sexual perversions [same-sex sexual relations]. They are “consumed with passion”, so that they become shameless in their acts. Thus, they are receiving due penalty for their error.  

Paul moved on to summarize that God gave them up to their ‘debased mind’[v.29] Sadly, humankind by rejecting God became filled with all kinds of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, and malice. etc. Our desire to do wrong to get what we want has gone wild unchecked. From one degree to another, we are guilty of engaging in hurting others to get what we want. This leads us to be full of envy, murder, strife, deceitfulness, and maliciousness. We also gossip freely, an action the Bible always holds as a great evil. It is so ugly how sin has corrupted man’s heart, isn’t it?

Mankind does not do these things in total ignorance, does He? [see v.32]. Paul declares again that human beings, by nature, know these things are wrong. Even when we directly know that God has announced that those who practice this way deserve to die, we keep doing these things, anyway! Moreover, we also applaud other people who practice these sins.

Is there a way out of our part in all of this unrighteousness and back to God?

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God’s Word for Today

8 Nov 2023

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

-Rom 1:18-23 ESV

THE WRATH OF GOD IS REVEALED

The origin of God's wrath is heaven. It is coming from His essential nature and existence, not from some other creatures or circumstances. 

The reason?

God’s wrath is against human ungodliness and unrighteousness. Human beings, apart from God, express their unrighteousness, by suppressing and rebelling against the truth about God and for who He is.

God could be known because He reveals Himself through creation. The problem is not that truth is unavailable. But, the problem is that the truth is being suppressed. They don’t believe it because they do not want to. God reveals clearly but man rebels willfully. Verse 19 says, that in a plain way, God has revealed himself to those who deny and disobey Him. Their disobedience is not a result of ignorance, is it?  Apparently, It's caused by rebellion.

In what ways God has revealed?  

Paul asserts that human beings can easily know at least some things about God by looking at creation. We should look at what is visible around us in nature, and what God has made, and arrive at some obvious conclusions about what is not visible. Considering every aspect of creation, we should understand from nature that God has eternal power and a divine nature. David expressed similar truth in Psalm 19:1–6.

Does the world come into existence without a creator? Such a feat would require "eternal power," or endless and inexhaustible power. Such a Creator must also be divine and not merely human. He must be God, in other words. Human beings should look at creation and decide there must be a God who made it, a God we must answer to on some level.

Rejecting God as creator has its worst consequence. It leads to the hardening of hearts - a refusal to honor or give thanks to God. After all, why honor a God who did not make the world? And if God is not the creator, why would we assume that He is the provider of all we need? Why give thanks to God for what we believe we have developed and acquired for ourselves? This is foolish thinking. Psa 14:1 says, 

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

    They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;

    there is none who does good.

Let’s not be a fool by believing in God today.

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Text: Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

The apostle Paul has the audacity to declare his pride in proclaiming the gospel. There is neither embarrassment nor fear in Paul’s heart to declare the gospel to others.

Why?

It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. The gospel is the only message that brings salvation to all who believe. There is no other means. [Acts 4:12, John 14:6]

The key is faith. The righteousness of God is received by faith in Christ. Christ’s sacrifice is what makes us righteous. As Paul explains, “ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”[2 Cor 5:21] When we believe in the gospel we will be declared righteous and reconciled, that is being at peace, with God. As Rom 5:1, says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As one’s valued possession could be trash to another, the gospel is as stupidity to the unbelievers. As Paul declares, “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”[1 Cor 1:23,24]

Are you proud of the gospel?

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Text: Romans 1:13-15 (ESV)

13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

THAT I MAY REAP SOME HARVEST AMONG YOU

Undoubtedly, Paul was desirous to visit the Christians in Rome but has been prevented up to this point. These preventions are coming from God who exercises either His direct or permissible will to keep Paul from going to Rome. Satan may hinder God’s work as allowed by God. But, God’s timing is always right.

Another reason for his desire to visit is to reap a harvest among them. This is a figure of speech that Paul describes leading people to know Christ. That, more people will put their faith in Christ in order to be forgiven for their sins and ushered into the family of God. Did not Jesus assure us that the harvest is plenteous? [Matt 9:37-39]

The apostle recognizes that proclaiming the gospel is not only a privilege but an obligation also.[v.14] This balance should be considered in order not to swing to the extremes of pride and performance in proclaiming the gospel. Focusing on our privilege should make us humble. Who are we to be chosen as His instruments? [John 15:16] Focusing on our obligation should make us compassionate to the least and lost. The love of Christ burning in our hearts towards the perishing souls should constrain us. [2 Cor 5:14]

Such a condition in the heart of Paul has brought eagerness in him to go to Rome. May we develop such outlook, compassion, and attitudes as well.

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Text: Romans 1:8-12 ESV

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you

10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—

12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

-Rom 1:8-12 ESV

I THANK MY GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST FOR ALL OF YOU

Like here, Paul’s letters to Christians and churches in various cities often begin with a declaration of his gratitude for those to whom he is writing.

His thankfulness for the Romans is that their faith is proclaimed in all the world. In other words, the Christians in Rome have become famous far and wide for believing in Jesus. This is exactly what Paul's mission is all about, that is, to see faith in Christ as the Savior spread to all the nations of the world (v.5).

There is nothing frivolous when Paul says that God is his witness. In a very serious manner, he serves God with his spirit in proclaiming the gospel. In short, serving God by preaching Christ is his whole life’s foremost commitment and nothing else.

His devotion to the gospel work is the basis that he prayed for them ‘without ceasing.’ In this case, we should take "without ceasing" to mean "regularly and continually." It implies that Paul does not take days off from praying for them, for they are important to him.

He always wanted to see them in person. The Christians at Rome should understand that. He has submitted this desire to God in regular, ongoing prayer, waiting to see if it is God's will (v. 8–10).

Why?

Definitely, he cares about them. He wants to bring to them a spiritual gift of some kind that will strengthen them. Perhaps, this means Paul wants to come and exercise his spiritual gifts of evangelism and teaching to help them to be stronger in Christ. Or maybe, he means to impart unto them some kind of supernatural blessing. In either case, his desire is to help them become stronger.

Moreover, Paul recognizes that he knows it would be mutual. Both they and he would end up encouraging each other's faith. The very reason why the writer of Hebrews exhorts "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Heb 10:24–25).

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Text: Romans 1:1-7 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

-Rom 1:1-7 ESV

A SERVANT AND AN APOSTLE

Paul begins by identifying himself first, as a servant of Jesus Christ. He claims as a ‘doulos’, a bondservant, someone who had sold himself into slavery to another person either for a specific amount of time or indefinitely. Thus, he is owned by Christ. He referred to himself as an apostle which means a person who is sent by another to represent him and his authority. Thus, he would speak with the authority of Christ Himself. Notedly, the 12 disciples of Jesus became known also as His apostles.

Paul is a messenger of the gospel which is not a new thing that begins with Jesus' death and resurrection. It has been promised by God long ago through what his prophets wrote in the holy Scriptures. [see Gal 37-9] The gospel is about Jesus, a descendant of David in the flesh, who would sit on the throne of Israel forever (2 Sam 712–16). But, Jesus was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, who is the Lord. [v.4] Jesus’ resurrection from death to life proves that He was more than just a man. That event, predicted by Jesus Himself has established that He was in fact the Son of God. (Mat 286)

Paul has received grace [an unearned favor] as well as his apostleship, which is his authority to speak on Christ's behalf. Paul has been sent by Christ, for His name and honor, unto the obedience of faith. Clearly, he has not been sent by Christ to get people to obey the law of Moses.

And he is commissioned to bring this about among all the nations. Paul's unique mission, given to him directly by Jesus, was to carry the good news about salvation through faith in Christ to all the non-Jewish peoples of the world, including the Romans.[see Acts 915] The gospel is for everyone, not just for the select few.

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God’s Word for Today

2 Nov 2023

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

2     Serve the LORD with gladness!

    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the LORD, he is God!

    It is he who made us, and we are his;

    we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

    and his courts with praise!

    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;

    his steadfast love endures forever,

    and his faithfulness to all generations.

-Psa 100:1-5 ESV

SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS!

This is the climax of this group of six psalms. 

All the people of the world have to worship God gladly.[v.1,2]

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

2     Serve the LORD with gladness!

    Come into his presence with singing!

They have to acknowledge Him as their God, their maker, and their shepherd (v.3). 

3 Know that the LORD, he is God!

    It is he who made us, and we are his;

    we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

They are invited to come into his temple. It is there where they could unite in thanking and praising Him for his lovingkindness and faithfulness unto them (v.4-5).

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

    and his courts with praise!

    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;

    his steadfast love endures forever,

    and his faithfulness to all generations.

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God’s Word for Today

1 Nov 2023

The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!

    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

2 The LORD is great in Zion;

    he is exalted over all the peoples.

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!

    Holy is he!

4 The King in his might loves justice.

    You have established equity;

you have executed justice

    and righteousness in Jacob.

5 Exalt the LORD our God;

    worship at his footstool!

    Holy is he!

6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,

    Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.

    They called to the LORD, and he answered them.

7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;

    they kept his testimonies

    and the statute that he gave them.

8 O LORD our God, you answered them;

    you were a forgiving God to them,

    but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

9 Exalt the LORD our God,

    and worship at his holy mountain;

    for the LORD our God is holy!

-Psa 99:1-9 ESV

HOLY IS HE

From his throne in Zion, the city of God, God rules over the earth in holiness and justice (v.1-4) 

The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!

    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

2 The LORD is great in Zion;

    he is exalted over all the peoples.

3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!

    Holy is he!

4 The King in his might loves justice.

    You have established equity;

you have executed justice

    and righteousness in Jacob.

Consequently, the people respond with worship (v.5). 

5 Exalt the LORD our God;

    worship at his footstool!

    Holy is he!

The psalmist refers the lives of Moses, Aaron and Samuel.  As priests, God answered their prayers for they submitted to His rule and obeyed His law (v.6-7). 

6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,

    Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.

    They called to the LORD, and he answered them.

7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;

    they kept his testimonies.

However, when people disobeyed, they were punished. And, when they repented God forgave them (v.8). 

8 O LORD our God, you answered them;

    you were a forgiving God to them,

    but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

He exhorts them to exalt and worship Him at Mt. Zion. Why? The God who rules in Zion is holy.(v.9).

9 Exalt the LORD our God,

    and worship at his holy mountain;

    for the LORD our God is holy!

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Text: Psalm 98:1-9 (ESV)

1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done marvelous things!

His right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

2 The LORD has made known his salvation;

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,

with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn

make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

the world and those who dwell in it!

8 Let the rivers clap their hands;

let the hills sing for joy together

9 before the LORD, for he comes

to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with equity.

THE STEADFAST LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

This psalm is an invitation to welcome the divine universal king. By his power, He has conquered evil and established his kingdom in righteousness and love (v.1-3).

Oh sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done marvelous things!

His right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

2 The LORD has made known his salvation;

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

to the house of Israel.

All the earth is to praise God with music and singing because of his great victory (v.4-6).

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,

with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn

make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!

The personification of His creation having been invited to join in the praise and rejoicing for He rules the earth with justice (v.7-9).

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

the world and those who dwell in it!

8 Let the rivers clap their hands;

let the hills sing for joy together

9 before the LORD, for he comes

to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with equity.

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