Acts 27 - Go Deeper or Get Out

Can you feel the sea breeze across your face as we trace Paul’s journey? One lesson from Wave Riding 101 that seems counter-intuitive is going into deep water to be ‘safe’ from the pounding waves. (The nautical variant is that boats head out to sea when a Tsunami approaches.) You don’t want the huge breakers to crash down on your head! Of course daring to swim out – and under – the big pounders is not for the faint of heart. But once you have crossed beyond the break-line, you can tread deep water in relative safety. The novice who stops ‘half-way’ out will get pummeled. “Go deeper or get out!” Seems to be a spiritual application here. Don’t just dabble with God and His Word – dive in and go deep! Being ‘on the fence’ - or in this case right where the waves spank – is certain danger.

Romans 1.16 - Why Study Romans?

Romans is “really the chief part of the New Testament…truly the purest gospel…it is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread for the soul” - Martin Luther, 1545
“If we have gained a true understanding for the Epistle of Romans, we have an open door to all the most profound treasure of Scripture” - John Calvin, 1540
Romans is “the principal and most excellent part of the New Testament… a light and a way unto the whole Scripture…the more it is studied, the easier it is; the more it is chewed, the pleasanter it is” - William Tyndale, 1534

Romans 1.25 - Worship – It’s What we Do

Worship is an evidence of humanity. You might think that cat purring on your lap worships you exclusively, yet find it another food-source and the purring will resume. But humans are wired to thrust their whole-souled devotion to something…or Someone. Before our Fall into sin the “image bearers of God” looked loyally to Him. That loyal look was broken, but humans are still wired to worship – highest allegiance, passionate zeal, undeterred devotion – call it what you like, its worship. Now we worship lovers, heroes, attainments, possessions, traditions, religions, and even ourselves.  “…they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1.25). In Revelation true worship is restored, the redeemed and reconciled are forever rejoicing. Boring? Ask two lovers lingering over an afternoon cappuccino as they gaze into each other’s eyes where the time went.

Romans 3.19,20 - Stay Tuned! Good News is Coming!!

As our world groans under the harsh reality of quarantines, distancing, and closures we all hope for better days ahead. Similarly, in the early chapters of Romans the Apostle Paul delivers some painful news. Even our ‘best’ is ‘bad!’ Paul follows the ‘Jesus method’ of evangelistic approach – “only the sick need a doctor.” Any honest person reading the first three chapters of Romans will feel ‘ill’ – far short of the glory of God. Paul, God’s prosecuting attorney, exposes all hearts and refutes all arguments, nobody has a legitimate excuse before a holy God! May God have mercy! As we continue to walk through Romans, we will see just how wonderfully merciful our God truly is! My earnest hope and prayer is that you will find yourself not just among the ‘gathering of the guilty’ – where we all belong! – but more especially ‘rejoicing among redeemed!’

Romans 3.24-26 - Saved BY Faith or THROUGH Faith

The Greek preposition “dia” can be translated either ‘because of’ or ‘through.’ But when ‘dia’ is in the genitive, as in Romans, it more often means through. This obscure point of New Testament Greek carries an important theological truth - the real source of our salvation! ‘Saved by faith,’ in some people’s understanding, is God’s reward for our faith. ‘We believe, we did it, we earned it!’ But Scripture has just undressed us all – no one righteous, not even one. We receive salvation through the conduit of faith. It is not that God ‘sees our faith’ and saves. We could never be saved by such an imperfect offering! Thankfully, God ‘sees’ the worth and glory of His obedient and righteous Son. Faith is not an alternative to righteousness; it is our means of receiving it. Faith only ‘counts’ when it is in Jesus alone.

Romans 5.1 - Do you have Peace with God?

I surely hope so. John Newton (1725-1807) led such a full life he wrote “Amazing Grace” as his testimony. Toward the end of his life, the ‘slaver’ whom God transformed to a pastor and Queen’s Chaplain reflected, “I am a great sinner, but I have a great Savior!” Newton exulted in his peace with God (Romans 5.1). His great sins were forgiven, he was justified, redeemed, and God’s wrath against him was propitiated by the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ. This peace is a fact, not a feeling. Best of all it is given by God’s mercy, not earned – and can never be repaid. Grace comes from Jesus - so glory goes to Him! Peace with God is an objective fact that never changes for believers! The ‘peace of God’ (Philippians 4.7,9) is a subjective feeling that comes and goes! Enjoy them both!

Romans 5.2-5 - Hope!

“I hope my check does not bounce!” “I hope my biopsy is negative!” “I hope I passed my exam!” We hope for lots of things. Sometimes we have good reasons for our hope. We expect to pass the exam if we have done our studies. We expect the check to cash when there is money in our account! Cancer? You never know. The Bible talks a lot about hope. Most of the time Scripture emphasizes the objective basis for our hope. Solid facts. God is God! He loves us and acts for our good! Jesus died and rose for His people. The Holy Spirit brings the presence, power, and promises of God to those who know Christ. And the end of God’s story has already been written! So, there are boulder-sized reasons for hope for the believer in the Lord Jesus. Hope in God, only He is not going away!