Tag: Bible

Destroying the Division

Ephesians 1-3

Devotion by Jenn Haynes (OH)

I will be the first to admit that I struggle to let go of hurt. I don’t like to hold grudges. Having bad feelings towards others eats away at me. It gives me an upset stomach. And yet, I still fixate on those feelings and my relationships with those that hurt me never seem to be the same. I cling to that hurt, and that hurt divides us. 

Hurt and grudges don’t seem to have much to do with our passages today, I know. But it’s where my heart went. What stood out to me the most in these scriptures was the idea of division. I don’t know many Jewish people and so I don’t think I can fully appreciate what it meant to be united in grace and salvation with a group of people who were so radically separate from me. But there are others who ARE radically separate from me. We are separated by pain and broken relationships.

Read Chapter 2:14-18:

 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Have you ever felt yourself so divided from another person or another group of people that you felt there was no fixing that gap? I have. But the divide wasn’t a matter of nationality or to what group of people I belong. The divide was pain, hurt, betrayal, pride, and heartache. 

I don’t know what your divide is, but I’m willing to bet that most of you have felt separated from others like I have. It’s painful, and it doesn’t feel like it could ever be mended. 

And yet, Jesus Christ destroyed the division. You are a sinner and you have done wrong and yet he died for you. The ones who hurt you? They are sinners and they have done wrong. And he died for them too. 

“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” We all got the same message. We all got the same forgiveness. We all got the same grace. Yes, they hurt you. And you’ve probably hurt someone else. 

Verses 21-22 continue: 

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

In Jesus Christ, we are joined together with those on the other side of that wide divide of hurt. We are to rise as his holy temple. We are to be united as his church. The divide that was too wide for us to cross on our own has been made small by the grace freely offered to all of us sinners. The divide may be hurt or betrayal or a sin done against one side or another. But the people on each side of that divide are equally guilty of sin. And they are equally forgiven. 

Reflection Questions: 

From whom are you divided? Really examine your heart. Do you want to be a united family of God? Do you want to be the temple God wants you to be, or would you rather hang on to your hurt? 

What sins of yours did Christ die for? What sins against you did Christ die for? If Christ died for those sins, and they have been paid for and are no longer yours or theirs, why are you still holding on to them? 

Prayer: 

My prayer for you today is that you find healing. Pray that God softens your heart and fills it with love for him that is so great, there is no room for hurt and division. Pray that you recognize God’s children as your own family, and that you be united in Christ. Pray for peace to settle on you all. 

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A Short Appeal

Philemon

Devotion by Jenn Haynes (Ohio)

I’m amazed at how the book of Philemon came to be included in the Bible. I mean, this is a personal letter from one man to another. It wasn’t addressed to a group. And it was giving a simple, short message. It was just a note, really. But sometimes short and to the point is what we need, especially when the message is as radical as what Paul says to Philemon. 

In this short letter, we see people in three positions in which every one of us has probably found ourselves. 

We have Paul, who shows us how to encourage others towards love and forgiveness. He encourages Philemon not only to forgive Onesimus, but to accept him as a brother. And Paul does this with such love and gentleness. Paul reminds Philemon of their bond and implores him to show love to Onesimus and treat him as he would treat Paul. And he says that whatever debt that Philemon still feels Onesimus owes, should be considered Paul’s debt instead. Paul is showing us how to be Jesus to others. 

Then we have Philemon, the wronged party. We’ve all been hurt by someone before and we see here how we should handle it – with love, grace, and forgiveness, just as Christ showed us. And Paul knows that’s hard. When you’ve been wronged and hurt, it’s hard to let that go. But here Paul asks us to not only forgive, but to also love the one who hurt us, just as Christ loves us. 

Finally we have the one I think we can relate to the most: Onesimus. Onesimus has run from the one he wronged, and Paul knows that it isn’t enough to ask for forgiveness from afar. He sends Onesimus back to Philemon to do the hard thing. He sends him back to reconcile. Making things right is uncomfortable and even painful. But Paul knows that it must be done for true healing. We have all been Onesimus. We have all needed forgiveness. 

And what these three thankfully have in common is that they are all saved by Christ and they are no longer what they once were. Their relationship is new. They aren’t slave and master or teacher and student. They are equal brothers in Christ. 

Reflection questions: 

When have you been Philemon lately? Is there anyone you’re struggling to forgive? 

When have you been Onesimus? With whom should you be reconciling? 

How can you remind others of Christ through your speech and your example, just as Paul does here? 

Prayer:

I pray that you don’t let awkwardness or hurt or unforgiveness stand in the way of your relationships with other believers. I pray we are united in an effort to spread the gospel message to the world by showing others the power of love and forgiveness. 

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The Meaning of the Mystery

Colossians 1-4

Wow – today we have the whole book of Colossians to read and digest.   After Ephesians  Colossians is the next doctrinal and correction teaching which we have in our Bibles.  The message of the kingdom is proclaimed all through the Old Testament and the blessing to the Gentile nations is included in that message.  However, the fulness of the teaching of the mystery of the church of the body of Christ is hinted at in Romans 16:25, talked about in 1 Corinthians 2 and especially in 15:50-58, explained at length in Ephesians 3, and now the glory of the mystery proclaimed in Colossians 1:26-27.  What is this mystery and why is it so important to the church that Paul would put so much emphasis on it?

The book of Colossians is one of the ones written by Paul while in prison at Rome.  It follows Ephesians in the pattern where the first half of the book is doctrinal teaching and the second half of the book is a practical section correcting and teaching us how to live out this amazing Christ in us.  Read these 4 short chapters with this main distinction in mind.

Colossians 1:15-18(NKJV)  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

The meaning of the mystery is that it is the sacred secret of God’s purpose which has been revealed to those that have the ears to hear and eyes to see.  Christ died for our sin and to give us a newness of life which we now can receive.  This brings us as children into the family of God, members of His own household.  The body of Christ is a spiritually bonded people who all have the DNA of holy spirit to bring us together.  Whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female we all become one in Christ.  All tribalism is swallowed up by the coming of the one body of Christ with him as the head.  It is Christ in each one of us which then unites us together.  Amazing what God has done for us!!

The message of the kingdom changes on the day of Pentecost when the new covenant is instituted with believers in Christ. The time period between the passion of Christ and his glorious kingdom on earth was not revealed in the OT Bible.  That is why the apostles ask him before Jesus ascends whether the kingdom is going to be restored that day.  Jesus answers them that the timing of all these events are in the Father’s hands.  The mystery revealed by Paul and Peter later on is that the time of the church of the body of Christ is now and is alive in Christ.

Colossians 1:24-28 I(NKJV) now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:6-7(NLT) And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

How does the mystery revealed intersect with our preaching and teaching of the kingdom message?

Colossians 2:6-10(NLT)  And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. 8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Chapters 3 and 4 are the practical application teaching us about the doctrine taught in chapters 1-2.

How do the message themes compare between chapters 1-2 to chapters 3-4? 

Colossians 3:12-15(NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

What is our motivation for doing the good works God calls us to do?

Colossians 4:2-6(NLT) Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

How do we develop our willingness and ability to give a Godly answer to every person we talk to about Christ?

I pray for you as did Paul centuries ago that you will live out this wonderful mystery of Christ as part of the body of Christ, his church.  Remember who you are this day!

Love in Christ Tom Siderius

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To Rome

Acts 27-28

Does Luke go with Paul on this epic trip to Rome?

Why would that be important?

Acts 27:1-2(NLT)  When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment. 2 Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was also with us. We left on a ship whose home port was Adramyttium on the northwest coast of the province of Asia; it was scheduled to make several stops at ports along the coast of the province.

Notice the “we” in the first sentence.  Luke is the writer of Acts and appears to accompany Paul on his journey to Rome by ship.  Many difficulties of sailing at that time are shown in this record.  They go with the wind in directions that are not necessarily to Rome but used because of the wind direction for sailing.  Ultimately they are caught up in what appears to be a northeaster blow that lasts for many days, finally driving the ship ashore on the island of Malta.  This is a miracle of its own as this is the only land anywhere in that part of the Mediterranean Sea.  Further God shows Paul that no one on the ship will perish but all will be alive but shipwrecked.

Acts 27:10-11(NLT) “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” 11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul

Acts 27:22-26(NLT)  But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”

How does Paul get such a good understanding from God when he has disobeyed God about going to Jerusalem?

Why does Paul not get depressed and morose about all that happens?

Ultimately, they get to Rome where Paul goes into house imprisonment.  This took money and support from some source in order for him to be in a house and not some dungeon somewhere.  How do you think he was supported there?  God gives him opportunity to speak, teach and write letters of which are many of the ones we read today.  God truly does make lemonade out of the lemons that Paul finds himself in the middle of.  He even preaches to the Jews at Rome the message of Christ to try to persuade them to become believers also. 

Acts 28:23-24(NLT)  So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.

Paul openly teaches and preaches the message of the kingdom of God to all that are Rome.  He strengthens the Roman church and also talks to all that come to see him at his house.  He is still imprisoned and eventually put to death, but God works mightily in his life and witness to change the whole world of that time. 

Acts 28:28-31 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”
30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

God also directs Paul in writing these  letters from Rome while imprisoned there.  Ephesians , Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and 2 Timothy are those epistles that scholars believe Paul wrote while in Rome.  A large body of our present scripture was written while he was imprisoned which to me is amazing and thoughtful. Paul also fellowships with the believers in Rome and directs Timothy, Titus, Epaphra and others in the work of the ministry to the Gentiles. 

Acts 23:11(NKJV)  But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

How does Paul stay in fellowship with God when his life is so constrained by his circumstances?

What is the lesson we can learn from this record of trust in God?

Love in Christ, Tom Siderius

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What Does God Want Me to Do?

Acts 24-26

In this next episode Paul is arrested by the Jewish leaders, and they conspire to put him to death because of their hatred of Paul and Christianity.  As we read the rest of the chapters of Acts the largest questions that stare at us are:

What is the relationship of what we want to do in life vs what God would have us do?

What does God do when we disobey His direction and do what we decide is the better course?

How much more could Paul have done for God if he were not arrested?

The Roman legion commander comes to Paul’s rescue because he claims to be a Roman citizen, which is true.  The commander realizes that Paul cannot get a fair trial of any kind in Jerusalem and sends him to Caesarea to the governor to be tried there in a Roman court.  The Jews have men also that have taken an oath to kill Paul and try to do it on the way.  When Paul is tried by the governor, there is no decision and then Felix listens to Paul but is hoping that Paul will bribe him to be set free.  

Acts 24:12-16(NLT) And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

What do you think about how Paul goes to Jerusalem and how he is now arrested and in great difficulties?

Acts 24:27 – 25:5(NLT) After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison. 1 Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, 2 where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. 3 They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). 4 But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. 5 So he said, “Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.”

Acts 25:10-12 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
  12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Was this a good decision by Paul?

Acts 26:25-32 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

With my 20/20 hindsight I am shouting inside for Paul not to do what he did.  I want him to do the things that will get him released, not go in chains to Rome.  Easy for me to think now, but we also are guilty of doing the wrong things for the right reasons.  Good intentions and sincerity are not the way to do God’s calling.  Walking in the spirit every day in Christ will get us the correct results.  True good works are doing what God has prepared for you to do.

Love in Christ, Tom Siderius

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Is Paul Disobedient to God???

Acts 20:4-23:35

The next few days we are going to read the record of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem and then in the end to Rome and imprisonment.  The story is one of great believing but also a cautionary story to us about listening to the voice of God in every situation.  The apostle Paul is most responsible for the revelation of the mystery of the church of the body of Christ being given by God to us.  He proclaims in Galatians:

Galatians 1:11-12(NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

Paul is the person chosen by God and equipped to do the ministry to the Gentiles and the formation of churches all over the known world at that time.  There are no other so central to this ministry and growth of the body of Christ.  Try to read the book of Acts records with this perspective in mind.  Also that most of the Gentile church looks to Paul as their father in the Word.  

Is the apostle Paul really susceptible to disobeying God???

Acts 20:22-24(NKJV)  And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Bold speech Paul.  I go bound in the spirit and don’t count the cost of my decision.  Is this the best that Paul can do in this situation?  I appreciate his desire to go back to Jerusalem and to try to convince his countrymen of the same truth of the Word of God he has preached all over the known world.  But early Christianity in Jerusalem has many persons that have accepted Jesus as Messiah but continue to promote the doing of the whole law of the scribes and Pharisees also.  These persons are not doing the will of God as God has revealed to Paul in his letters.  Read Galatians in concert with Acts for more perspective on both.  Then even revelation is given to other believers to warn Paul of the consequences of going to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:10-13(NKJV) And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Paul is not moved by anyone’s advice.  He is determined to do what he has decided to do.  

How are we like Paul in our lives?

Acts 21:27-30(NKJV) Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
  30 And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.

Acts 23:11(NKJV) But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

God goes with Paul’s decision but then shows him what will happen.  Going to Rome ad imprisonment is not part of Paul’s plan but God will give it help  to make it the best outcome for Paul and also for the church.

Acts 23:31-35(NLT) So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. 32 They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea. 33 When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. 34 He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered.
35 “I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters.

Stay tuned for the  next episode of the Adventures of Paul Going to Rome tomorrow.

Love in Christ, Tom Siderius

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The “One Anothers”

Romans 14-16

Romans 14:10-13 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD,
‘every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

The ministry of strengthening individuals and the church is based on two main elements.  We are instructed to encourage one another, and to build up one another.  Note the importance of “the one anothers” in the instructions God gives us in His Word.

To love one another.

John 13:34-35(NLT) So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

To welcome one another.

1 Corinthians 16:19-20(NLT) The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss.

To have great affection and honor for one another.

Romans 12:10(NLT) Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

To pray earnestly for one another.

James 5:16(NLT) Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

To care for one another.

1 Corinthians 12:25(NLT) This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.

To accept one another

Romans 15:1b-9(NLT) We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. 8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. 9 He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them.

Have you also noticed the“one another’s” that God does not instruct us to do? For example, to chastise one another, humble one another, tear down one another, gossip about one another, or pressure one another. 

This is hardly an exhaustive list, but do you see the theme of all these verses?  Together we are the body of Christ, and those things that we do to strengthen the body are a group effort.  Everyone has a responsibility for one another to do the things that only you can do.  There is only one “you” in the church today, and God is counting on you. Love, care, welcome, prayer, and encouragement are all ministry to others.  Don’t make the Christian walk of trust and faith too complicated for people.   We need to become like the little child in Jesus’ teaching, where we hear the truth with simple hearts of believing.  In the small and personal ministries of people to others in the church the true love of God in Christ becomes alive and evident.

Romans 16:25-27 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Thanks to God for revealing the sacred secret so that we as Gentiles can share in the promises made and kept by God.

Love in Christ – Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you fallen into the trap of condemning or looking down upon another believer? What is the problem with this? What would have been a better response and attitude on your part?
  2. Make a list of “one anothers” that we are NOT to do if we are living according to God’s way. Which ones come too easy for you? How can you work towards stopping these “one anothers”?
  3. What responsibility towards one another does God want to see YOU take part in today? How many different positive “one anothers” can you do today to build up the body of Christ and please God? Who benefits and how? Pray for God’s help in eliminating negative “one anothers” and focusing instead on seeing, doing, speaking, positive ones instead.
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God’s True Purpose for You

Romans 11-13

Read these chapters carefully with discernment from the spirit of Christ in you.  They contain great and precious promises that we can claim as Christians.  These chapters give us instruction in who is the church, who is Israel and how to live in true fellowship with God and our fellow believers.  A whole book could be written on this section and not fulfill all that God intends for us to do and think.

Romans chapter 11 continues Paul’s appeal to his fellow Israelites to accept Christ. He sets in order the relationship of the nation of Israel in the Old Testament to the current relationship the church has with the Father.  God meant for Israel to be a national witness of Him to demonstrate grace and love to all the world.  If they had done the purpose they were called for the kingdom of God could have come when Messiah Jesus appeared in the world.  

Romans 11:11-12(NLT) Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

Their rejection of the law and then of Christ himself causes their national purpose to be postponed to a future time.  God still has a special heart for those in Israel that loved God’s plan and were anticipating the coming of Christ and the establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth.  God has never changed in His devoted relationship with all people.  Those that truly seek Him with their hearts are rewarded for faith in every age and time.  Those that trust in the one true God have a pathway to the future kingdom.  

Romans 1:16-17(NLT) For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

In chapter 11 God shows us the true position and attitude we should have with the Old Testament saints and the New Testament church.  Paul writes by inspiration that we are part of the mighty tree of God built on the trunk that is Christ.  It grows from the root of promises made to Abraham, but then the nation of Israel is cut down to a stump.  Jesus is the new tree which grows from the root of promise to Abraham and patriarchs that continues until today.

Isaiah 11:1-5(NLT) Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

Romans 11:17-18(NLT) But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.

When Jesus is the new tree that grows from the stump of the nation of Israel, we the Gentiles are grafted onto the tree by God as it pleases Him.  We are an unnatural branch and even come from a tree which is not really an olive tree.  Look up “oleaster” on the internet to see what a poor branch we were before being grafted.  We weren’t even good olive branches.  God breaks us off the oleaster tree (a tree with no good fruit) and grafts us into the richness of the olive tree nation of Israel with Godly fruit.  Then the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob become available to us also.  This is a wonderful picture of the love that God has for us today joining us into His family.  

Isaiah 11:10(NKJV)  “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
Who shall stand as a banner to the people;
For the Gentiles shall seek Him,
And His resting place shall be glorious.”

Does this section change your thoughts about Israel and the church?

Are you more thankful for all God has done for you and me?

In Romans chapters 12 and 13 Paul gives us great encouragement to walk in this new life that we have.  Paul writes to instruct us how to please God and live with others.

Romans 12:1-2(NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

God wills us to present our lives as a sacrifice of praise to Him.  We are not to be “stamped” into conformity with the world but to be “metamorphosed” into the Christ in us by changing our minds to hear the Word of God.  When we put the Word into our minds and hearts and act on it, we will be changed from the death and destruction of this world into people that are children of God with power to do good.  

Romans 13:8-10 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

How does Jesus fulfill all the requirements of the Mosaic Law?  

He did not do all the regulations of the Pharisees and scribes.  Rather Jesus points us to the righteous life-giving purposes of God.  When he loves God and is obedient to all God asked him to do Jesus is fulfilling God’s purpose for him.  That is acting in God’s true love.  When we are obedient to God and act in true love to Him and others, we also walk in the true purpose God has called us to live by.

Do we have to do the law of Moses today? 

What happens when we do not love others like Christ did?

Love in Christ, Tom Siderius

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True Fellowship

Romans 8-10

The book of Romans has been called the Magna Carta of the Word by many writers when they describe the freedoms that God shows us in its pages.  Romans 8 is the start of a transition from the doctrine of salvation that is presented in Chapters 1-7.  Chapter 8 is about walking in the spirit and what true fellowship with God is based on.  Chapter 9 moves to a section that is concerned with Israel and their relationship to the church and salvation in Christ.

Chapter 7 ends with these verses where Paul tells us of his frustration with his walk of believing
Romans 7:21-25. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So, you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Paul has trouble with his Christian Walk???

But then Romans 8 begins with this contrast of truth about who we really are in Christ:

Romans 8:1-4(NLT) So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

The transition that we are being taught by Paul is that when we walk in fellowship with God, then we are able to overcome our sin nature.  We will be without condemnation when we are guided by the spirit of God that He has given us.  Our spiritual nature of Christ in us gives us the power and ability to do the will of God and do good in this world.  

We have Christ in us when we are born again by God’s spirit but our daily walk with God is one of obedience to fellowship with Him, or disobedience to living without God’s fellowship.  Christ walked in perfect fellowship with God and because he always did the Father’s will, he was not condemned by the law.  

What are the ways we can grow in our ability to be in fellowship with God and His Son?

Romans 8:5-6(NLT) Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

The Old Testament law really is a law of life, but the Pharisees and scribes had turned it into a law to control people politically and physically.  Look sometime at the undoable complexity of the rulemaking in the Talmud and Mishnah.  Those regulations are only to control people from a human standpoint.  Jesus Christ does all of God’s intentions for the true interpretation of the law of Moses.  He is judged righteous by God because of his obedience.  God gives to us the righteousness of Christ when we confess him as lord and savior.  

Romans 10:9-13(NLT) If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

Our salvation is received by grace from God and is not dependent on our works or actions before that point.  We cannot earn our salvation, but we receive it by trust that Christ is what we need in our lives.  To confess him as lord is to say fully in our hearts that we cannot do this ourselves but will follow and obey him.  Many denominations have reduced this as a simple confession of “Jesus is Lord”, but to truly say this declaration it means that I understand the complete futility and incompetence of my own efforts.  I need the righteousness that comes only from God in Christ to overcome the sinful person who is me.

What righteous thing have you done that will impress God with your goodness?

Before or after the point of your salvation?

Grace from God is the only way to fellowship with Him.  We can approach the throne of grace because the righteous son of God is there to advocate for us.  God sees us with the righteousness of the Christ in us and then we are able to have fellowship with a righteous God.  By our own efforts we fall completely short of this.  That is why we are able to walk with no condemnation from the law of Moses or the law of slavery to sin that we are delivered from. 

Why do we need Christ’s intercession with God on our behalf?

Have a victorious day today walking in fellowship with God with Christ beside you.

Romans 8:38-39(NLT) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Only God’s love can change us and this fallen world.  Thanks be to our God that He truly loves us so much to save us and take care of us each and every day.

Love in Christ – Tom Siderius

See Reflection Questions Above

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We Believe It!

Romans 4-7

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”  (NKJV)

Devotion by Merry Peterson (Canada)

In the part of Ontario where I live there is a museum called ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not’.  Inside there are lots of strange and unusual items and displays about occurrences that are most, well, quite frankly unusual!  The sign says it all – believe it – or not. Some things in that museum I find really hard to believe.  

Faith is really about belief.  Our belief that God is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will do.  That’s the tenet of having faith – those beliefs about God.  His existence as the supreme ruler of the universe and that His declarations of what He will do He follows through on. 

In the previous chapter we see that Abraham was justified by his faith even though the whole salvation plan through Jesus dying on the cross for our justification hadn’t happened yet in his time.  It was Abraham’s belief that God was in control and able to do what He said He would do that brought him justification.

We as Christians have received justification through Christ’s sacrifice because we live in a different time frame than Abraham.  Christ, the promised savior that God declared would become the sacrifice for sin has indeed died, and risen again, and our justification comes through that fulfilled promise. 

Notice that the fulfilled promise brings peace.  We have peace with God through Christ.  We have peace knowing that our sin is covered by Jesus’ blood, that we are no longer God’s enemies because of our sin.  The blood of Christ washes away the debt of our sin.  We become in good standing with God.  How is this achieved – by our belief that God is in control and follows through on his promises.  He said that Jesus would be the once for all atoning sacrifice for mankind bringing us justification with Himself.  We believe it! 

For Reflection:

Do you have friends or family members who have a hard time with faith?

When did you first start to have faith and believe?

Was there something or someone who helped you truly believe?

Are there ways that you could help guide another person to belief?

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