The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me the opportunity to be a witness to the new life Jesus offers! As the Apostle Paul reminded us, You have given us the authority and privilege to tell people everywhere what You have done for them, so that they may believe and obey You, and bring glory to Your name. I pray that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may have an increased boldness to share my faith with others and that I may faithfully represent You in both my words and actions, today and always! I pray that You will bring “divine appointments” into my life with folks who need to hear of Your great salvation. Empower me to make the most of the time in every conversation and interaction. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today—Romans 1:1-7
1This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ’s slave, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2This Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David’s royal family line. 4And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. 5Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
6You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people.
May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on God’s Word
One of the key words in the New Testament is “authority.” Authority in New Testament terms is the “right to speak.” Of course, Jesus’ ministry was marked by the ability to amaze people with the authority of His teaching. The religious leaders of the Jews tended to simply restate what teachers before them had already said about Scripture. Jesus interpreted the Scriptures in new ways. As His followers, we have the authority of Jesus Himself. That means that as we go about our daily lives we must assert HIS authority in sharing the Good News of Jesus with others.
In what areas of your life do you need to exert the authority of Jesus in order to share the Good News?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
In looking at verse 5, what does the apostle Paul tell us God has done in his life through Jesus Christ?
What does the Scripture say about the extent to which the Good News is to be shared? (Where is it to be shared?)
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
In looking at verse 5, what is the purpose for which God gives us His authority?
What is the ultimate result when folks believe and obey God?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
What is the most important thing you will DO as a result of reading Romans 1:5?
Since today’s Scripture focuses on telling people everywhere about what God has done for them, list three people with whom you can share the Good News of Jesus in the coming week:
1.
2.
3.
Thoughts - "Privilege and Authority"
The Apostle Paul always recognized that being a follower of Jesus is a privilege. He lived his life as a Pharisee, which meant he understood the responsibilities of the Law of Moses, and as such was constantly seeking to gain God’s pleasure through good works. When he heard about the new “sect” of Jews known as the “Way,” who would later come to be known as Christians, Paul decided eliminate them as a way of showing God his obedience. What Paul didn’t realize is that the “Way” was, indeed THE Way, and that Jesus its founder, was the Messiah. When Paul was confronted by Jesus in a vision, as Paul traveled on the road to Damascus, Paul recognized his error, and through the ministry of a believer in Damascus named Ananias became a believer himself. From that day forward, Paul recognized that it was the grace of God, by which we are saved, and not our good works. Thus, Paul lived as one who knew the great privilege not only of knowing Jesus, and receiving his salvation, but also of sharing that salvation with others.
God chose to use Paul to minister to the Gentiles, which are simply any people who aren’t Jews. The irony of that is, of course, that the Jews hated the Gentiles, and Paul’s life work had become telling them of God’s great grace and salvation. He tells the Roman Christians that this work was a privilege and that the authority to carry it out was a gift from God as well. As noted earlier authority is a major matter in the New Testament. Since God offers us a new covenant through Jesus, a new authority comes with it—it is the authority to offer eternal life to others in and through Jesus Christ. As we go about each day, let’s recognize the privilege we have in knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, AND in telling others about Him. Let’s also remember we have the authority of Jesus as we tell folks about Him, and that authority gives us the right to speak, and act in Him. When we do the ultimate goal is that others will come to believe and obey Him, which brings God glory and eternal life to them! Nothing is more important after we recognize the privilege of knowing Jesus Christ, than sharing that knowledge and relationship with EVERYONE!
This Week’s Memory Verse:
They will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to His name. Romans 1:5b