Daily Digest

14 For it is Christ’s love that fuels our passion and motivates us, because we are absolutely convinced that he has given his life for all of us. This means all died with him, 15 so that those who live should no longer live self-absorbed lives but lives that are poured out for him—the one who died for us and now lives again.

Our text today highlights the love and sacrifice of Christ in that by dying for us He has also saved us from a life without purpose.

Christ died for all, everyone who has ever lived, who is currently living and all who will live in the future – His sacrifice leaves no one out. He has saved us from an eternity of separation from Him, separation from everything good.

So what is my part in this?

As Christ has died for me, He calls me to die to myself…my own plans and ambition, my desire for material possessions and comfort.

He called me to lay it all on the table before Him and instead gives me back a new heart that is ‘fuelled by passion’, to change my thinking for His, to look out for others rather than myself.

He makes this possible…I cannot die to my selfishness unless He gives me the heart.

And the point of this is…
Of course God wants to grow us in character but primarily our actions impact others, hopefully drawing them to Christ.

Often the process is long, walking with people, being involved in their lives, rather than applying a band aid to a gaping wound; God provides healing in a multitude of small actions, that one day results in a change of heart.

Sometimes there is a long delay between acts of kindness and the turning of a heart to Christ….but no kindness in the name of Jesus is wasted. God remembers and uses them all to His purpose, anything as simple as a cup of water.

The starting place (for me) is prayer.

There is no other option as I am fully convinced that I cannot do anything worthwhile in my own strength. I simply cannot do what only the Holy Spirit can.

Giving in prayer is perhaps the greatest act we can do on behalf of others and sometimes the only thing God calls me to do.

It does not burden me when I walk with Him – in fact, when I am in step with Him the walk is satisfying and inevitably fruitful. My treasure is in heaven and I experience the truth that it is so much more blessed to give than receive.

Written by Lainy Samperi

4 and shared meals with them. Jesus instructed them, “Don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait here until you receive the gift I told you about, the gift the Father has promised. 5 For John baptized you in water, but in a few days from now you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit!” 6 Every time they were gathered together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is it the time now for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He answered, “The Father is the one who sets the fixed dates and the times of their fulfillment. You are not permitted to know the timing of all that he has prepared by his own authority. 8 But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be filled with power. And you will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces—even to the remotest places on earth!”

As I read this passage, I am reminded that before Peter and the disciples took the good news of Jesus to their community, their nation and far beyond, a few essential things occurred. 

Firstly, Peter and the disciples were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God and the hope for the world.  After Jesus death he appeared to them many times and proved his resurrection to them by many signs, over an extended period.  Jesus overcame death, he proved undoubtable that he was God, and because of this his message of hope was real and powerful.  

Secondly, the disciples related with the resurrected Jesus. They sat with him, they spoke together and shared meals. He was the same Jesus before and after resurrection – the Jesus who relates, who invites and who includes people – and who commands them to do the same.  

Finally, the disciples did what Jesus commanded in this passage – they waited for the promised Holy Spirit to come and infill them and empower them to be witnesses. Further on in Acts we see the results. They are filled by the Holy Spirit and they begin to share the good news. Peter and the disciples share the gospel with great anointing and authority, they are guided by the spirit towards people and they (like Jesus) open up the gospel to whole groups of people who had previously been forgotten or overlooked (the gentiles, women, the poor, and minorities), their words of invitation are accompanied with miraculous acts of healing, deliverance, freedom and restoration.  

When I read this passage, I am reminded that I too am filled with the same Holy Spirit to be a messenger to all people. That I not only speak the message but that I, because the Holy Spirit lives in me, embody the message. I am challenged to live the gospel. To see people as Jesus does, to love and care for them, to listen to people and to speak of the hope of Jesus, and to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit.   Jesus fill me again with your Holy Spirit. Help me to be your messenger of hope, love and restoration to all those around me. I ask especially that you would give me eyes to see and ears to hear those who are lonely or feel forgotten, as you did. Amen

Written by Ps. Zoe Stewart

13 “Your lives are like salt among the people. But if you, like salt, become bland, how can your ‘saltiness’ be restored? Flavorless salt is good for nothing[a] and will be thrown out and trampled on by others. 14 “Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? 15 And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. 16 So don’t hide your light![d] Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”

One of my favourite meals is hot fish and chips with chicken salt. However, when the chips aren’t seasoned right, it’s quite a letdown. The distinct flavour is missing, and the chips which are still hot and crunchy just seem to be missing something essential.  

In my observation of this passage, Jesus comments that our ‘lives are like salt among the people’. As followers of Christ in this society, we bring something noticeably different to the standard way of living. My mind jumps to the fruits of the Spirit, that through the work of the Holy Spirit we live as people characterised by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These characteristics set us apart, giving us our ‘salty-ness’, and by living these out it makes the work of God attractive to those around us. How cool is that! 

But Jesus also issues us a warning, that ‘flavourless salt is good for nothing’. It’s a blunt explanation that if our lives are shaped by disobedience to God and ignorance to the work of the Holy Spirit, this will result in our being ‘thrown out and trampled by others’.  In response to this, I’ve begun to ask God to soften my heart so that I would be easily shaped by the Holy Spirit, and to also make me aware of the opportunities to be ‘salty’. I’m reminded of I Corinthians 11:1 which says, ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ’. Let’s strive to live as Christ did, and live a life shaped by the Holy Spirit. By living in this way, we can be sure that those that surround us will see our Godly ‘salty-ness’ and even be led to follow in Christ’s footsteps too.  

Written by Andrew Molteno

16 For you see, even though I proclaim the good news, I can’t take the credit for my labours, for I am compelled to fulfil my duty by completing this work. It would be agony to me if I did not constantly preach the gospel!

In the context of the passage, it is clear that Paul has an inner conviction to preach the gospel. You can hear the burden and the urgency of his expression ‘it would be agony to me if I did not constantly preach the gospel!’.

How many of us live with this urgency and weightiness of the gospel’s importance? How often is sharing the gospel snuffed out by our busyness, our insecurity about what others might think about us and our own ambivalence to the gospel in the individualistic society that we live in?

Paul’s conviction to preach the gospel came from a life transforming encounter with Jesus. During this encounter, Paul received a revelation of Jesus’ Lordship – think bright lights and a voice from heaven, literally. (Acts 9:1-9).

Paul obviously had a powerful testimony of being saved by Jesus. He writes on many occasions of his testimony, ‘even though I was once a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy’ (1 Timothy 1:13).

Now I realise that not all of us might have a radical conversion story like Paul, but each of us have a unique and distinct testimony of how God has saved us from our sin and made us into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Take some time to reflect on your walk with Jesus.

What do you find compelling about Jesus and His Kingdom?

What do you love about Jesus?

How has Jesus changed the way you live?

As we take the time to consider the way that Jesus has changed the way we live and the way we see the world, the gospel will naturally flow out of us. Lord Jesus, draw to our minds your saving grace and goodness in our lives. Strengthen our inner conviction about your Lordship and your kingdom and reveal yourself to others through our words and actions. Amen.

Written by Sam Liu

34 The Ethiopian asked Philip, “Please, can you tell me who the prophet is speaking of? Is it himself or another man?” 35 Philip started with this passage and shared with him the wonderful message of Jesus.

I see a moment in eternity – a sacred and joyous reunion. Philip the evangelist reunited with the Ethiopian Eunuch. They embrace for a time but when Philip looks up, he sees a mass of people; a nation, standing behind this tall, dignified man. 

“Who are all these people?” Philip asks.

“My friend” the man says with tears streaming down his face, “all these are yours. Because you told me about Jesus and helped me believe, these people also believed. They are your glory – your reward!” (See 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

I wonder who will be in eternity with Jesus because I shared the gospel with them and they shared the gospel with someone else?

There are two types of people in this passage. And identifying them will help you and I achieve just that…

1. The “Can you tell me…” people.  I need to find the “can you tell me people”.  They are everywhere.  Jesus said so.  They may not be where I expect and they may be struggling or lost or in pain or in need.  But they are asking. And they are longing for someone they can ask the question “can you tell me…”

2. The “Philip…shared the wonderful message…” person.  Am I that person?  Am I ready to share the message of Jesus at a moment’s notice – like Philip was?  Have I practiced and tested my words and made it familiar?  Have I sought coaching and training from wise others to up-skill myself?  Have I asked God for a love for the “can you tell me” people that aches so badly- to see them saved and loved and embraced by Jesus?

Will I be the one that will embrace a grateful soul one day in eternity, then see a multitude of others standing behind them? Lord, equip me today to share your message – whatever it takes – I’ll do it. Let my heart break for those who are lost. And all your “can you tell me…” people, please send them to me. Give me the opportunity to tell them about Jesus.  Amen

Written by Boudy Van Noppen

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!

Can you recall a moment in your life where you just wanted to hug, or even kiss (if appropriate), the person who delivered some important good news you had been long awaiting? Perhaps it was the postman delivering news that you had been accepted into the University of your choice, or perhaps news that you got the job you applied for. You might even declare to the bearer of good news that they have “beautiful feet” for bringing it to you. In Isaiah 52:7 the bearer of the most important good news of all, is said to have “beautiful feet” (the equivalent of kissing the postman).

What is this most important good news ever? It is the good news of peace and salvation according to Isaiah 52.7. The messenger, the bearer of this good news, is said to have” beautiful feet”. This expression “beautiful feet” underscores the utmost importance of this news and that it is exceedingly good news. The angels who appeared to the shepherds near Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Christ, exuberantly declared it to be “news of great joy for all the world”.

Recall for a moment who the people in your life were who brought the good news of salvation to you. I, for example, am personally and forever grateful for the man who faithfully visited my home, week after week for several weeks, to share this good news with me, and who led me to receive the Lord as my personal Saviour. God bless his “beautiful feet”.

We too have “beautiful feet” if our feet carry with them, wherever they may go, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Part of putting on the armour of God listed in Ephesians 6 is to have these feet “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6: 15), readiness to share this good news of salvation to all.

Are your feet ‘beautiful’? Who will you share the Good News with today/this week?

Written by Brian Parker

6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Paul is answering some wrong ideas about sin. In chapter 5 Paul told us how sin entered the world because of what one man (Adam) did, so can it be undone by what I do, if I obey the law? Absolutely not. The law only shows how big my sin problem is. Sin can only be undone by what Christ did. Then does it matter what I do? If God’s grace deals with my sin, am I free to do whatever I want? Again, absolutely not.

Paul began Romans by telling us that sin starts with rejecting God. All the things we do and become that degrade us and make us less than God made us flow as consequences. The solution to my sin begins with restored relationship – being “united with Christ” – and the consequences of being reconciled with God are even more profound.

Because I am now united with Christ, somehow I was united with him in his death and that breaks all power and authority that sin might have over me. And I’m also raised with him to life together with him now, with his Spirit. And I have a firm hope of complete resurrection like his when Jesus brings all things to completion. And now I have real freedom – not to do whatever I want (that’s the sin trap) – but to be what he made me to be, walking with him and doing my small part of the things he’s doing. There’s no room for continuing to walk in sin (in rejection of God) when I’m walking with him.

That’s not to say I won’t get things wrong – I’m a work in progress (Paul will get to that in chapter 7). But I’m free to love and worship him with my heart and with what I do – with the whole of me.

Written by David Cornell

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Perseverance is a word that has been thrown around a lot in the news in the past week. NASA finally landed a Rover, named Perseverance on Mars after travelling nearly eight months from Earth. Perseverance travelled 174 million kilometres to reach its destination and its mission total cost is about US$3 billion dollars. 

The aim of Perseverance is to study the geology of Mars and further understand the universe.  Without even being connected to this mission in any way, I am in awe of what has been completed thus far. At a very basic level what humans can achieve is unfathomable. Our greatest achievements in science, particularly astrophysics, have always been surrounded by such a platform of humans working tirelessly to create a project goal that is often at great risk, calculation and expense. 

A verse of this passage stood out to me “because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

In my own interpretation, I am sure that the team that worked on the Rover would have suffered or been challenged in some way.  I am sure there would have been many hurdles along the way to getting this project happening. But what is the result- in this case- success- the Rover has landed. Eight months of the unknowing. Tears and cheers were flowing from the team in the media of this triumph.

Dear God, thank you for the opportunities that you provide for us to learn about the world around us. Thank you for science and the abilities of people to apply their knowledge and skills at great costs. Thank you for giving us the gift of perseverance to help us desire the things we want to achieve in this world. Amen

Written by Susannah Ware

4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” 9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Imagine you receive a generous gift, totally unexpected but generously given. But you say, “oh this is good but I can think of something better”!

This passage underlines the earlier teaching of Paul about righteousness by faith. Paul compares a gift with wages, and explains the gift of being counted righteous comes to us because we trust in God for salvation, through Jesus’ death. Just like he gave Abraham, God has given us a beautiful gift – he declares us righteous, he declares us redeemed and our relationship with him restored.

We receive this gift through faith alone, not by what we ourselves bring or have achieved (eg., works see Chapter 3 v 28.) We accept this gift of righteousness, rather than trying to add to it or doing it “better” so we can take the credit. I can’t do “better” than the salvation God has provided through Jesus. It is his generous gift I have not earned or deserved.

Funny though isn’t it. So often I want to add to what he has given, as if it’s not enough. A bit like Abraham. Maybe this stems from thinking God’s gift is not enough, or I’ll feel more deserving if I add to it by what I do, or sacrifice, or deny myself. It’s a trap which cheapens what Jesus has done to save us.

Dear Lord Jesus, please send your Holy Spirit to show me where I am substituting the Father’s beautiful gift of righteousness with my own efforts. I need you now. You are all I need. Amen.

Written by Claire Moore

3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” 5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just! 9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery mark their ways, 17 and the way of peace they do not know.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin

Paul addresses the notion that some people are tempted to feel they are better than others – that their good behaviour justifies them or makes them a better person. But it’s clearly stated here that there is no one who is righteous – not one.

As someone who has been a Christian for quite some time now, it’s good to be reminded that all of us have the same sinful nature. By grace of God I’ve been cleaned up and made to look pretty good, but without His grace every one of us (including me) would be out rolling in the pigpen of sin.

I am filled today with gratitude for the life I have because of the grace of God. May I remain ever humbled by what I would have been without Jesus.

Written by Shelley Witt

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. 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. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

I used to play a “hiding game” with the kids. They would climb on my back and I’d pretend to loose them. I would run around the house and look under furniture saying “where’s Caitlin?” and all the while they were on my back trying to not laugh or make a noise. 

We hide from God sometimes v16. Secret sins sure, but sometimes it can be more subtle things. Things like self pity or fear or doubt. Maybe, if I’m really honest, it’s unbelief. 

I can’t hide anything from God. He sees it all – I know that. What I don’t get is that He’s my Heavenly Father and He delights in me. It’s me on His back and He’s so happy running around the house trying to make me laugh. When will I come to Him just as I am, secrets and all, and just let Him love me? Because it’s in that place there is forgiveness, and grace, and joy, and real love, and true life-change. 

Father God, help me live in this place and nowhere else – You love me and I’m your son and your delight. 

Amen

Written by Boudy Van Noppen

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

This passage gets to the heart of the Christian message. God created the world and created us to have relationship with him. But many people have chosen to reject God and exchange his truth for a lie, resulting in his “wrath”. This is an often-misunderstood term and can cause fear. But here we see that God shows his wrath by allowing us to have what we want. When people reject his truth and worship created things rather than the creator, he grants the desires of their hearts – a downward spiral of greed and lusts which takes them further away from him. This all sounds a bit desperate.

But God is loving. He is kind and patient (Rom 2:4) and the aim of his kindness is to lead us to repentance. I think God allows us to degenerate so that we will recognise the emptiness of self-satisfaction and start to look outside ourselves for answers. Paul’s long list of sinful behaviours is a list of symptoms, but the root cause of the problem is broken relationship with God As a physio, if I just treat symptoms rather than diagnosing and treating the real problem, people may feel some short-term relief, but the pain will return. I need to fix the root cause. In the same way, as Christians, we need to focus on the broken relationship with God which is the real cause of the problem – Sin – rather than focussing on sins (the symptoms).

Thank you, Jesus, that you came so that our relationship with our Father could be restored. Thank you that your death and resurrection treated the real problem. Thank you, Lord, for revealing yourself in creation. Please help us, and all the world, to see you and your grace.

Amen

Written by Megan Cornell

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

History records that Augustine, Martin Luther and John Calvin all had life-changing encounters with God as a result of reading and pondering on the Book of Romans. Martin Luther said that Romans is “The chief part of the New Testament and the perfect Gospel… the absolute epitome of the gospel”

The apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans ahead of his planned visit to the Christians in Rome.  He was aware that he may never make it to Rome, and so he wrote them a letter so comprehensive that the Christians there would have a full understanding of the gospel even if Paul himself were not able to visit them.

I remember reading the book of Romans as a young person and struggling to understand some of its complex concepts, but over the years as I have read and re-read this book, it has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of God and the gospel.

I am so grateful that Paul fulfilled his assignment as a “devoted slave to Jesus Christ” authorized by God to write this letter to the Romans. He probably never dreamed that we would still be studying it over 2000 years later.

Each one of us has things that God has assigned us to do. They may well seem small and insignificant in our eyes, but  we will never know the full impact of our obedience and service to God in this life. 

Stay the path and be faithful in the little things. You just never know what God is up to as He works through you and me.

Written by Shelley Witt

13 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.

The Apostle Paul is preparing to visit the Corinthian church for the 3^rd time. On his first visit to Corinth, Paul founded the church and stayed for 18 months. His 2^nd visit was short and involved problems within the Corinthian church. And now he is preparing to come for a 3^rd time and he is not happy with the reports of what he has heard is going on there.

Paul’s opponents, the leaders among the Corinthian Christians seem to think that Paul is too weak and humble for their liking. They want to see more “power” from Paul. So Paul is warning them here that he is going to come back with the power of God to clean up the church, unless they clean it up before he comes.

Listening to reproofs and rebukes is not easy. Human nature and pride makes us want to do things our own way rather than listen to others. But it’s always better to stop and examine yourself and humble yourself to repentance rather than incur wrath and judgement.

Sometimes in our stubbornness and pride, we choose not to listen to the gentle rebuke and end up bringing a much tougher discipline upon ourselves.

I am reminded today to listen to the correction of those around me and not let it get to the stage where people have to get “tough” with me before I will listen.

Written by Shelley Witt