INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS

                                                The New Testament book of ROMANS  

​

This will be a great opportunity for you to invite your unsaved friends or those friends that might be new in the gospel so that they might get a better understanding of who Jesus Christ is, and how we might live a life worthy to be called a Christian. The book was written by a man named Paul.  He called himself a pharisee of the Pharisees. By that he meant that he was one of the best. He was A Roman, A pharisee. He took pleasure in seeing Christians persecuted because he saw them as a threat to the Jewish religion. You can find his story written in the book of Acts, Chapters 7 through 38. I encourage you to read these chapters about Paul while you're waiting. for the first installment of our study.   

 

What is the book of Romans all about? What makes it so much better than any of the other books?  It deals with, among other things, three big words: condemnation, justification, and sanctification.  The first four books in the New Testament are called the gospels. They tell us about Jesus, His life and His death. The Book of Roman shows us our sin and the way out of our sins. In other words, it tells us how we should live a life deserving of being called Christian.  

A brief outline of Romans: 

Chapters 1-3   -    CONDEMNATION -What is Sin?  What’s wrong in the world? 

Chapters 4 - 6 -    JUSTIFICATION- God shows us our sin and shows how to avoid it.  

Chapters 5 – 8 -   SANCTIFICATION - Growing in grace and knowledge. 

Chapters 9 – 11 - SOVEREIGNTY – God Rules 

Chapters 12 – 13- DUTIES OF A CHRISTIAN- What am I supposed to do? 

Chapters 14-15 – CHRISTIAN LIBERTIES- What to do and what NOT to do? 

Chapter 16 -        SOME CONCLUSIONS- What am I going to do??   

This book is so good, I get goosebumps just thinking about.  DON’T MISS IT! 

HAVE A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR, SWEET FRIENDS. 

               MAGGIE 

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Hello again to my dear study partners. I'm so happy that you've joined us again. This study will be a fascinating explanation of how to be a Christian and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Now would be a great time to invite your unsaved friends and new Christians to join us. What a great opportunity this will be to lead someone to the Lord.

   

    I hope that all of you have read the story of Paul's conversion in the book of Acts. If you haven't I urge you to do so before you take this study. You will get a better understanding of how and why Saul changed from being a Pharisee who hated Christians with a passion, to become Paul, a dynamic soul-winning Christian. Saul was his Jewish name, but he is better known by his Christian name of Paul.

​

    Do you realize that the early churches had no New Testament. They had no Christian literature at all. They had to rely on what they heard by word of mouth. And what the apostles had told them. Of course, they knew about Jesus. And they had all accepted the fact that He was the Christ, the Son of God. But as far as concerning doctrine, they had nothing to go by except what the apostles had told them. This letter may well have been the first piece of Christian literature the Roman believers had seen. It was a systematic presentation of the Christian faith. In this letter, Paul humbly expresses his love and obedience to his beloved Master.

   

    Paul was writing this letter to the church in Rome. He had never met the Roman Christians and wanted to introduce himself to them. The letter does not use the form of a typical letter, but he does, however, spend considerable time greeting people in Rome at the end of the letter. He also wanted them to know of his belief in Jesus Christ. The letter is a carefully presented statement of his faith. It is a belief statement that every Christian should be able to make and should be known by. I am going to be using the New King James version, but you can also follow along with your favorite version.

 

                Let us get right to our Study, by looking at chapter one, verses 1 thru 6.

      Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle., set apart for the Gospel of God--

​

    Now let's stop here for a moment. I realize this is in the middle of a sentence, but I want you to see that Paul calls himself a slave. That's what a bondservant was. We also see that he calls himself an apostle, and he goes on to explain that an apostle was one set apart for the Gospel of God. In other words, he was chosen by God, to be an apostle, set apart for the purpose of spreading the Gospel of God. He was chosen. In our world today, we would call that being called to the ministry. But an apostle was more than that. They were chosen from those who had seen the Lord Jesus in person. Now, the first thing that you're going to ask is, “well, when did Paul see Jesus?” (after all, Paul was not a believer until after Jesus was crucified and had risen again). If you have read Paul story in Acts, then you know that Paul saw the resurrected Lord Jesus on Paul’s journey to Damascus. When Saul (or Paul) met Jesus, he asked the two greatest questions that anyone could ever ask; “Who are you, Lord”, and “What do you want me to do?” The Lord spoke to Paul at that time and told him that He had a special purpose for Paul.. As a result of this meeting, Paul was blinded. and had to be led by the hand to the home where friends were waiting to receive him.

In Acts:9 you can read the story and see how he regained his sight.

 

1. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle., set apart for the Gospel of God—

 

2. which He promised before, through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

 

3. regarding His son Jesus Christ, our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh. (Meaning that He was a legitimate ancestor of King David. This was one of the Jewish requirements that they expected the Messiah to make when he came.)

 

4. and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by His resurrection from the dead.

    The fact that Jesus rose from the dead gave evidence of His claim to be the Son of God . Nobody could dispute the fact that he was dead, hundreds of people could testify to his crucifixion, and His tomb was guarded night and day for 3 days.

 

   5. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name.,

   

    6. Among whom you also are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

​

    Jesus didn’t come to save just the Jews. He didn’t come to save just one race or one nationality. He came to save all mankind from eternity in Hell.

​

    Here, Paul declares that Jesus is that promised Messiah. He also declares that Jesus is the rightful person for the title because, according to the Jews, He would be the “son of David” meaning that he would come from the lineage of King David. He would have the right to be the King under David’s line as had been promised. So, what does this have to do with us who are not Jewish? He would also be the Son of God, Savior of both Jews and Gentiles. In saying all of this, Paul is declaring his agreement with all Scripture and of the Apostles before him.

 

    Paul summarizes the facts about Jesus Christ in these verses as well. He:

 

1. Came as a human by natural birth.

 

2. Was part of the Jewish royal line through David,

 

3. Died and was raised from the dead, and

 

4. Opened the door for God’s grace to be poured out on all believers, everywhere.

 

    What could have caused Paul to change his life so drastically? He was totally sold out to Jesus. What do you think that means? If you sell something, it doesn't belong to you any longer, does it? It belongs to the other person, and that person has full control over what happens to whatever

you sold him. That's what it means to be sold out to Jesus. Our life isn't ours anymore to do with as we please. We belong to Jesus, now. Jesus bought us with His own blood on the cross at Calvary. We are to live for Jesus and Him only. How many people do you think can live like that? I mean not have any thought of their own likes and dislikes. But whatever Jesus wants, that's what they want. I believe many, many people live like that. That's the kind of followers Jesus wants. Once you have Jesus Christ in your heart and in your life, and let him take control of your life, He not only tells you what He wants, but He gives you the power to do it.

 

    What about you? What is your attitude toward your Master? Do you eagerly search for His will in your life.? Are you willing to serve and obey Jesus, your Master, at all costs. God may not call you to a foreign mission field. But the mission field begins when you walk outside your door. It begins with your next-door neighbor. Or with the new family down the street whom you haven't met yet. Wherever you go and whatever you do, do all for the glory of God. That's our mission as believers.

 

   Thanks for joining us dear ones. “See” you next time as we start with Verse 7.

Maggie

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                   Chapter 1, Part 2 

                                        FAITH,  GRACE. 

                                                                            verses 7-17

​

Before we go any further, let’s look at Paul for a moment. Paul was one of the most committed men of all times to the Lord Jesus Christ and his great love for Christ has been proven over and over again. In fact, he called himself a “slave to Christ”.  What made him a slave to Jesus?  Nothing!! Paul made himself a slave. Christ loved us and gave Himself for us but He never makes us His slave.  We must come voluntarily and do that ourselves.  Jesus Christ never forces us to serve Him.

  

Paul made it very clear that he considered himself the apostle to the Gentiles. This was his calling, his special service to the Lord Jesus, to witness to Gentiles and win them to Christ at every opportunity. Paul made it a practice that he never went into areas where other apostles were ministering. He always went into uncharted areas where no other Christian had ever ministered before.

​

This letter was probably written while Paul was in Corinth around A.D. 55-56. It was during this time that Paul had made up his mind to return to Jerusalem even though there was great danger awaiting him there. Why would he deliberately put himself in danger by going into a hot-bed of resistance to the gospel? He apparently felt that his presence there was essential to achieving the ultimate goal of uniting the Jews and Gentiles in service to Jesus Christ. This unity was totally necessary for the gospel to spread and for the church to grow 

​

 This brings up his purpose for writing. Questions were being asked by the Jews. Questions such as, what do we do about the Old Testament law now that Jesus has come? Do we do away with it? Which do we obey, Jesus or the law? What about circumcision? What do we do about the Gentiles? Do we allow them in our worship? We never have before. If the Gentiles are allowed in the church, then what about us? Are we no longer God's chosen race? What's in it for us?

 

There were also questions by the Gentiles. Such as: If we believe in Jesus, do we have to keep all the laws of the Jews? Does this mean that we must become Jews before we can become Christians and worship in the Christian churches? Is circumcision necessary for Gentiles to worship with Jews.

  

 Do you see the questions, the problems, the dilemma of the early church? This was His purpose for writing this letter, to clear up any misunderstanding between Jew and Gentile. Paul wrote to clarify the issue of law versus grace. He covers the whole range of man's sinfulness and God's provision of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Throughout the entire letter, Paul constantly points out the righteousness of God as well as the remedy for man's sin which God has provided for a lost race. That is the perfect remedy that we have in Christ. This is Paul's message in this great book. 

​

 OK, so now we have set the stage for the writing of the book. We will look further at this amazing Christian man as we go deeper into his letter. Let's now look at a couple of terms that caused misunderstanding in this early church (and I might add that many  among today’s churches misunderstand as well.  

 

                                                                            Faith vs Grace 

We need to understand the meanings of these two words, grace and faith. Many people believe that faith is what saves us, but faith is a gift of God. It's the gift that He gives us when we are saved. It is the Grace of God, that saves us, not because we've earned it, but because He loves us. After we are saved, He gives us faith.

 

The new NIV study Bible explains it this way. “Faith is a word with many meanings. It can mean faithfulness. It can mean absolute trust, as shown by some of the people who came to Jesus for healing. It can mean hope. Or as James points out, it can even mean a barren belief that does not result in good deeds. What does Paul mean when, in Romans, he speaks of the saving faith?” 

​

“We must be very careful to understand faith as Paul uses the word because he ties faith so closely to salvation. It is not something we must do in order to earn salvation. If that were true, then the faith would be just one more deed, and Paul clearly states that human deeds can never save. Instead, faith is a gift God gives us because He saves us. It is God's grace, not our faith, that saves us. In His mercy however, when He saves us, He gives us faith, a relationship with His Son that helps us become like Him. Through the faith He gives us, He carries us from death into life.” 

 (be sure to look at these references for clarity: Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 2:16, John 5:24.) 

1:5-6  

​

Last time we learned that Paul was called by God to be a witness to all people and to be an apostle, spreading the Gospel of God.  Let’s look, again to verses 5-6 

​

5.Through Him (Jesus) we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith   among all nations for His name, 

6. among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ. 

​

 In verse 5, what does it mean to “receive grace”? It simply means “forgiven”.  You see, the Bible clearly states that all people have sinned and have fallen short of the requirement necessary to be a follower of Jesus.  But, through Jesus, we have been forgiven.

  

The next question is, “How can we be sure.  Grace means unmerited favor.  It can also mean pardon.   Think of it this way.  If you commit a crime in this life, you have to pay the consequences for that crime.  There are different levels of punishment for different crimes.  With God, sin is,… well, SIN.  There are no degrees of sin in the eyes of God.  One sin makes one a sinner, and unworthy to be one of His “children”. Simply put, we received grace, the gift of God, which we don't earn, and our faith grows as we get  to know Jesus Christ in His role as our Savior. we must accept his gracious offer of salvation with Thanksgiving, and allow him to plant the seed of faith within us. 

​

In verse six we find another word that is sometimes misunderstood. The question is, who are the called?  There are two meanings to this phrase. The most common use of the phrase is someone who has been “called to serve God in some special roll, such as Pastor or Missions, or some special service for God.”  It is also used in connection with the word, Chosen.  But there is a very simple way to remember these two words and what they mean. If God has called you, then you have been chosen. If you are one of the called of God, then you have been chosen by God, usually in connection with some service for God. But then, here again we can say that all followers of Jesus Christ have been chosen and called. 

​

Now let's continue to verse 7. 

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.

 

Verse 7 is simply Paul’s greeting as he writes his letter to the Roman Christians.  Verse 8 begins Paul’s explanation for his long-awaited visit to them. 

​

8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all (I bet you didn't know that Paul was the Southerner’:) because your faith is being reported all over the world. 

9 God whom I serve in my spirit, in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness, how constantly I remember you. 

10. In my prayers at all times.; And I pray that now, at last, by God's will, the way may be open for me to come to you. 

​

Paul begins his letter by thanking God through Jesus Christ for all of them. He uses the phrase, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ” to emphasize the point that Christ is the one and only mediator between God and humans. Through Christ, God sends his love. And forgiveness to us; Through Christ, we send our thanks to God.  Paul goes on in verse eight to explain that their faith was being reported all over the world.  My, my how they must have been truly faithful to God if the whole world had heard about this church. How do you think the world would react if they heard about the faith of our church or your church. Would they be excited and amazed?  Or would they be disappointed. 

​

Although Paul had never visited these people and had never visited this church, He prayed for them constantly. Have you ever prayed for someone constantly? Someone who didn't know you were praying for them. Those are the kind of prayers that draws us closer to God. I believe that's what Paul means by his ministry in the spirit. 

​

We don't know why Paul had been hampered in coming to visit this church. He surely wanted to visit, and it was clearly through God's will that it was to come to pass at this chosen time.

 

When you pray constantly about a concern, don't be surprised at how God answers. Paul prayed to visit Rome so he could teach the Christians there. When he finally arrived in Rome, it was as a prisoner. (Read about this incident in Paul’s life in Acts 28:16) Paul prayed for the safe trip and he did arrive safely -- after getting arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake. ( MERCY!) When you sincerely pray, God will answer -- although sometimes with timing and in ways you did not expect. 

​

11, 12.  I long to see you so that I may  impart to you some spiritual gift to make you stronger. That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 

13.  I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you, but have been prevented from doing so until now. In order that I might have a harvest among you just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

 

What do you suppose was the main reason, Paul wanted so desperately to come to Rome. I think it was simply this: He wanted to win souls for Jesus Christ. I would ask you at this point. Would you have endured everything that he had to endure? Just to win someone to Christ? 

​

14. 15 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and to the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the Gospel also to you who are in Rome. 

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

 

OK, now we are getting to the crux of the matter, that is the major reason that he wanted to come to Rome. Paul felt an obligation to all people everywhere to tell them about what Jesus had done for him and what He would do for them.  Have you ever felt an urgency to tell certain people about Jesus? What causes that urgency in your mind and in your heart? I truly believe it is the Spirit of God within us that causes us to have  that strong desire to pray for a particular person. Friends, don’t ignore that strong desire. But go to the Lord in earnest prayer. 

​

Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel, or of his relationship with Christ.  Are you? That is what the gospel is.  It is all about the Lord Jesus Christ and His message. Are you afraid to speak up for Jesus?   If you have had a bad experience because of your faith, try again.  Pray before you go, pray before you speak, then speak with boldness.

  

Before we go, I would love to hear from you about an experience in speaking out for Jesus. Maybe it was your first attempt at witnessing. Maybe it was successful, or maybe not.  But let us hear from you through our comment page.  Until next time, sweet friends, brothers, and sisters, 

Love y’all 

Maggie 

​

​

                                                             Romans 1 Part 3 

                            verses 17-20                                      

Welcome back, friends. I hope you enjoyed our last session. I must say it was a tough one. But one that I hope everyone will understand, and that it might strengthen your faith in order for you to tell someone else about Jesus. 

 

Romans 1: 

17. For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed -- a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.”. 

18 the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of people. who suppressed 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 has been clearly seen , being understood from what has been made so that people are  without excuse.  

  

verse 17 continues the thought from verse 16 from our last study session. It is through the Gospel that God reveals His power and might.   The Gospel reveals a God who is both Creator and Sustainer of the universe.  It shows us that our God is an awesome and mighty God who demands our respect, our loyalty, and our love.  He created us to be His companions as well as His children.  However, there are requirements which come with those promises.   

 

This Gospel is all about righteousness, just how righteous God is and How righteous His plan is for us to be saved.  God has the RIGHT to demand certain things of His created beings.  He created us to be LIKE Him, therefore He has the right to require that we live a life deserving of the title, a “child of God”.   And yet, people reject even this basic knowledge of God.  Most people have a moral standard, or a basic belief in morality, but many chose not to live up to it.   If they chose to suppress God’s truth in order to live their own way, they have no excuse.  They know the truth and they will have to endure the consequences of ignoring it.  

 

Most people, through nature, believe in a God, but they need to be told about Jesus and how, through Him, they can have a personal relationship with  God.  Knowing that God exists is not enough.  People must learn that God is loving.  They must understand what He did to demonstrate His love for us. They must be shown how to accept God’s forgiveness for their sins.  

 

There are those who say “If a God is so loving, how come He lets bad things happen? How could God send anyone to hell, especially those who have never heard of Jesus Christ? The scriptures plainly say that God has revealed Himself to all by his creation.  God does not “send” anyone to hell.  They go because they choose to, rather than give in to God’s commands, and accept His free gift of salvation through Christ Jesus.  They stubbornly refuse God’s gracious gift of salvation through the death on the cross of His Son and the blood, He shed to cover our sin.  A price He did not deserve for a salvation we did not earn.  A truth revealed in His Word by a God who has shown Himself in all creation. 

  

I have told this story in some of my former Bible studies.  If you have heard it before, it bears repeating. 

 A former pastor of mine gave the following testimony, of a mission trip he took to South America.  He and a group of Missionaries took trip up the Amazon River, further than any missionaries had ever gone.  They stopped at a village and began, through an interpreter who they had brought with them, to speak to the village leaders about holding a worship service.  Although the villagers knew nothing about “worship services” or about this “new God”, they eagerly agreed.  Everyone was all excited to see these strangers and hear what they had to say.  Several of the missionaries spoke with the help of their interpreter.  Then it was our pastor’s turn to speak.  He told a story about an unknown God who was all loving and all knowing, the creator of all.  After he concluded his talk an older man came running up to him, with tears in his eyes, hugged the pastor and said (through the interpreter) “ I KNEW, I KNEW IT. I KNEW He was there, I just didn’t know His Name.   As a result of this one man, plans were made for the Missions group to come back and begin an earnest work there.

 

Next time, another look at verse 20 and beyond.  Oh, there is so much here, I don’t know where to stop. Keep studying, dear friends, let us hear from you.  Got questions?  FIRE away.   

Until next time. Love y’all 

Maggie 

​

​

                                                                 Romans Study   

                                                                   CHAPTER 1:18-32 

​

Welcome back, friends. I trust you've had a good week and are ready to start again  with part 4 of our study in this great Book of Romans.  So, let’s back up to verse 18.  The title for this section used in the NIV Study Bible is God's Wrath Against Sinful Humanity. 

 

1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness 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. 

 

Why is God angry at sinful people? Because they have substituted the truth about him with a lie. They have stifled the truth God naturally reveals to all people in order to believe anything that supports their own self-centered  lifestyles. 

 

Scripture has told us in many, many different verses that God cannot tolerate sin. Because His nature is morally perfect. He cannot ignore or condone such willful rebellion. God wants to remove the sin and restore the sinner and He can do so if the sinner does not stubbornly distort or reject the truth. But His anger explodes against those who persist in sinning. Make sure you're not pursuing a lie rather than the true God. Don't suppress the truth about Him merely to protect your own lifestyle. 

 

We have already seen that God has revealed himself in all of creation., And yet people will reject even this basic knowledge of God. Most people have an inner sense of right and wrong, but they choose to ignore it, therefore, they will have to endure the consequences.  

 

20 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 claim to be wise, they became fools.  

23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like the mortal human beings, and birds and animals and reptiles. 

 

We've all seen idols carved out of wood or molded from some type of metal, even from pure gold. How anyone could think that those idols have any power whatsoever is beyond reason. Yet  seemingly intelligent human beings had rather worship some benign image made by their own hands instead of the one, true, God whose power created the universe and everything in it.   Why do you suppose that is?  It's very simple, really. If they believed in the true God, who created the universe, that would mean they would have to follow his rules. They would have to live their lives according to his laws. And not their own. Some people don't want to give up the right to live as they please. The next few verses A better explanation of the true reason why people do not want to believe in God. 

 

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 worshipped and served created things rather than the creator.- who is forever praised. Amen. 

Stated plainly,  people who refuse to accept the true God,  don’t want anybody telling them what to do or how to live their life. God tells us in his word. What sin is? And sin is just that. SIN.  There is no middle ground.  There is no degree of sin. It is either sin or it isn't.  

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. 

 

Does this sound familiar? These verses are describing exactly what is happening today among the lost people of this world. We see evidence of this every day. Same sex marriages. In movies and on stage. We are living in a lost world where people are crying out for the very mention of God to be removed from everything.   

 

When I was in elementary school, we were required to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and have prayer every morning before class began.  Now, prayer is forbidden, and children as young as 5 and 6 years old, are taught, and even encouraged to ”change their gender” and don’t tell their parents. And why is this happening?  Look t verse 28. 

 

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 they ought not to do. 

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 disobeyed their parents  

31They have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.  

32 know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do those very things, but also approve of those who practice them. 

 

Oh, dear friends, no wonder it seems that God has turned His back on our country.  I believe He has !  I ask you a personal question? Is there anything in your life? that you feel you cannot live without? Has that one thing become like a God to you? Is there a priority in your life that is greater than God? Do you have a dream you would sacrifice everything to realize? Does God take first place? Do you worship God or idols of your own making? 

 

Paul clearly portrays the inevitable downward spiral into sin. First, people reject God., next, they make up their own ideas of what God should be and do., Then they fall into sin. Sexual sin, greed, hatred, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip. Finally, they grow to hate God and encourage others to do so. God does not cause this steady progression toward evil.  Rather, when people reject Him,  He allows them to live as they choose. God gives them over or permits them to experience the natural consequences of their sin. Once caught in the downward spiral, no one can pull themselves out of it. Sinners must trust Christ alone to put them on the path of escape.  

 

If you have these desires, you can and must. Resist acting upon them. Consciously avoid places, or activities you know will kindle temptations of this kind. Don't underestimate the power of Satan to tempt you. For the potential for serious harm awaits you. if you yield to these temptations. 

 

The big question is this. Do people who do not know God, and who are caught up in this type of  lifestyle, know that it is wrong? And how do they know?  Human beings, created in God's image, have a basic moral nature and a conscience. Most people instinctively, know that they do wrong. But they may not care. 

 

Next time. We will look at God's righteous judgment beginning in Chapter 2. 

God bless. 

Maggie. 

​

 

                                                                  ROMANS 2:1-15

                                                JESUS IS GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGE

 

                                                       

Romans has been called the Highway to Salvation.  Everything a person needs to know to be saved is in this book o the Roman church.  In Romans 3, we find that everyone has sinned. And then again in Romans 6, we read that the penalty for our sin is death.  But then Paul gives us the answer to our dilemma back in Romans 5, Jesus Christ died for our sin. Our sin nailed Jesus to the cross.  And in Romans 10 we are told to be forgiven of our sins we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ and Him alone. 

Back in chapter 1 we learned that most people who pass judgment on other people are guilty of the same things. Chapter 2 begins by telling those who find guilt in other people that they have no excuse. 

Let's look at verse one of Chapter 2.: 

1.  You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at what- ever point you judge another you, are condemning yourself, because you who passed judgment do the same thing.   

2. Now we know that God's judgement against those who do such things is based on truth. 

3. So, when you, a mere human being, passed judgment on them. and yet does the same thing, do you think you will escape God's judgment?  

4. Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and penitence? Do you not realize that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?  

 

     When I was young, I used to try to blame things on other people by pointing my finger at them. But my mom would tell me. “If you point a finger at someone. You've got four fingers pointing back at you”. In essence, that's what God is trying to tell us in these verses.  Whenever we feel justifiably angry about someone’s, sin we should be very careful. Of course, we need to speak out against sin, however, we must do so in a spirit of humility. 

   

    I can just imagine how the citizens of this Roman church. reacted as Paul talked about people who practiced idol worship, homosexual practices, and violence.  I would bet that there would be a lot of heads nodding in agreement, maybe even just like it would be today.  But what a surprise it would have been when he turned the tables on them, they were just as bad. Paul was emphasizing the fact that no one is good enough to save themselves. While someone may be guilty of one sin.  You or I may be guilty of a different sin. Paul is not saying here that one sin is no worse than another. One may be a murderer, and another a liar but both are sinners.  He is saying that simply all have sinned in one way or another.  

 

    5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. 

     6 God will repay each person according to what they have done.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      You see, “It’s God’s way or the highway. The day will come when the hammer falls and God will have His way.”  Notice that God has said that he would repay according to what they have done. I take that to mean good or bad. If a person has been obedient to God's word and God's way. Then God will reward him although God does not usually punish as immediately as immediately, for sin. The. 

   

    7 To, those who persistent in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life 

    8  But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 

     9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: First for the Jews, then for the Gentiles, 

    10 But glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 

    11 For God does not show favoritism. 

​

     It's easy to see others’ faults but more difficult to see our own. As Christians, we must pray constantly that God will point our sins out to us so that He can heal them... 

I'm sure you've noticed that God does not always punish us for sin, but He delays the punishment, hoping that we will repent. Still, the eventual judgment will come. It is certain. We don't know exactly when it will happen, but we know that no one will escape. We've belonged to a stubborn race. It's the same the world over. It's not enough to know what's right. But we must also do what's right. 

​

    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 that are 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.  

​

    We've said before that most people have a sense of right and wrong within them even though they do not know about God and His word.  But then there are others who know about God but don't seem to care. . Paul continues to argue the point. That all stand guilty before God. He speaks of the Jews as being religiously privileged because they've had the opportunity to learn about God. But despite their knowing of God's will, they are guilty because they too have refused to live by their beliefs.. Despite their knowledge of God's will, they are guilty because they have refused to live by it.  Those of us who have grown up in Christian families are the religiously privileged of our day. Paul's condemnation applies to us if we do not live up to what we know.   

​

     Do you get what Paul says here in verse 16? This verse emphasizes once again. That everyone has a conscience. Not everyone listens to his conscience, but those who do, even though they may not know about Jesus Christ, they will be judged according to how they respond to the conscience within them. Propitiation. 

​

    When I was very young. I used to ask Mom how I could know what was right and what was wrong?   She explained to me this way First, she asked me if I could hear a little voice in my ear telling me anything. Then she said that little voice was God speaking to me and telling me what I should or should not do. That was such a comfort to me because I thought in my childish way. that I was taking God with me everywhere I went.  At that point in my life, I did not know. A lot about the Bible and what it said.  I knew it was a very special book and that we all should read it and listen to it’s message.  But knowing that carrying God with me everywhere I went was such a blessing. and caused me to think long and hard before I did something that didn’t seem quite right.  And you know that little voice still speaks to me today. And I recognize it as the Holy Spirit.      

​

We'll take up here next week with verse 17 and talk about the Jews and the law. 

 Have a blessed week.  Love y’all 

Maggie 

​

 

                                                      ROMANS CHAPTER 2 PART 2

                                                  2:17-29

 

    Hello, again, my dear friends. So glad you have joined us again today.  I want to remind all of you that you can ask questions, or make comments about our studies, right here on our page onthewayhomeministries.org  or if you are reading the study from another venue, you can address your comments directly to me at Tnmomof3@gmaiL.com.    I promise to respond to all  your inquiries.  Now let’s get on with our session for today.

 

     Today's session of Romans chapter 2 addresses Some of the differences between the Jews and the Gentiles. This passage also has a scathing warning to both Jews and Gentiles who are considered teachers or you might substitute leaders here in place of teachers. 

 

    Look at verse 17of chapter 2. 

 

    17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew---

 

    Let's stop right here and define what makes one a Jew. I don't know about Jews today, but I do know that back then in biblical times, if a person was born of Jewish parents and if the males had been circumcised, then they were considered a Jew. They used to be called Hebrews. But somewhere along the line, it was changed to Jews.   

 

    The next few verses make some additional requirements along with being legally a Jew. We can substitute the word Christian instead of Jew in the next few verses.   We are to rely on the law. And when it says boast in God, it means proclaim God as your God.  

​

    Next. They (we) are to know God's will and approve of what was superior. 

  

    18. If you claim to be one of God's people, your life should reflect what God is like. It is no different, today for a Christian.

 

     This is speaking of hypocrisy, and it speaks to us, as born-again believers in Jesus Christ. Of course, we all know what hypocrisy means. It is much easier to tell others how to behave than to behave properly ourselves. Do you ever advise other people to do something that you are unwilling to do for yourself.?  Make sure that your actions match your words. 

​

     As Christians, when you disobey God, you dishonor his name. Sometimes you don't even have to say a word. But only by your actions will they know if you're a believer. What do people think about God from watching your life. 

​

    19. if you are convinced that you are a guide to the blind. A light for those who are in darkness.

 

      Do you feel God calling you to teach His Word?  Or do you know a lost person that you feel led to witness to?

  

     20. An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have, in the law, the embodiment of knowledge and truth.

 

     There are those who just seem to have the gift of teaching.  Then others have other gifts that are just as important.  It you are one who would just love to be a teacher but you don’t feel qualified to teach a class.  Maybe you get along with kids and love being around them.  My advice for anyone who feels called to teach would be, first – know the material, study your bible, pray about it, then, volunteer to assist a teacher of the age group that interests you. as you become comfortable in the position. You might volunteer to teach a lesson with the teacher present for a little moral support. The knowledge is there, you just have to tap into it. But, must importantly, be sure God is calling you to this position.

 

    21.  You, then who teach others, do you not teach yourselves?  You who preach against stealing, do you not steal? 

 

    This is NOT a “do as I do, not as I say” moment, I can tell you for sure.  Practice what you preach.  I can’t say it enough.  The one thing I have learned in teaching is that I probably learn more than anyone in the class.  Why?  Study, study, study.  You will find that the more you study, the more you find out how little you know.  When I first started teaching, it wasn’t long before I thought” WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO!!!!  I didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I knew.  Bur, I just kept going and pretty soon it became easier, but the important thing was that I knew I was right where God wanted me to be.    

 

    The second part of this verse, I believe, has to do with tithing. Tithing is giving back to God, a token of what he has given to you.  The Bible calls it a tithe. The word,.tithe translates in English as a tenth.  Do you give a tenth of all you make to the Lord.  Or do you take a tenth of what is left.   That is the question you must ask yourself. 

 

    22.  You who say you should not commit adultery; do you commit adultery? You, who abhor idols, do rob temples? 

 

    23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor the law by breaking the law? 

 

     24 As it is written  “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. 

 

    25. Circumcision has value if you observe the law.  But if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.  

 

     Most Christians today will say they believe adultery is a sin.  However, let’s break it down for the sake of argument.   There are many forms of adultery in our world today.  What about pornography?  Isn’t that adultery?  The Bible clearly states that to look on a woman, to lust after her you have committed adultery already in your heart.   The same can be said of a woman looking at a man and having lustful thoughts about him is also adultery of the heart.  And it doesn’t have to be just pictures.  What about that good looking man you saw in the supermarket, or the one sitting across the aisle from you at church?  Oh, dear sisters, our thoughts can get us into a heap of trouble.   It may seem innocent to you, but you are traveling down dangerous roads. Just don’t go there, even in your thoughts.

    

    Verse 23 is a real roadblock for many of us.  Do you break the law?  This is really talking about God’s Law, and certainly most of us would have to say that we have broken God’s laws at one time or another.  This not only speaks of the 10 Commandments, but of everything that pertains to God, his character, his judgments.  What about your thought processes, your study and quiet time with the Lord.  Do you get so busy that you don’t have time for Him.?  If we are honest, most of us would have to admit to an occasional slip up at one time or another, (or two, or three) 

  

    The one verse that hit me hardest was verse 24.  When we, as Christians, don’t live up to God’s expectations, the world WILL SEE AND MAKE NOTICE.  Every time a Christian makes a slip, whether intentional or inadvertently, you can be sure that a lost world will take notice.  Then they will say “ Oh well, so-n-so did this”, or I saw him or her at a bar the other night .  so I’m just as good as they are so I don’t need God.

     

    26.So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?  

 

    27’The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn those who, even though you have the written code and circumcision are a law breaker. 

 

    In verses 25 through 29. We're told that circumcision refers to the sign of God’s special covenant with His people. In return they were to be God's ambassadors to the rest of the world.  They were to teach others the law. They were to enlightened others of the knowledge and truth of God.   After Jesus came, His first followers were Jews. They had the scriptures. They had the knowledge. And they had the inspiration to know that Jesus was the Promised Messiah, yet many of the Jewish leaders refused to believe.  They were looking for a king to rule on King David’s throne.    

 

    28 A Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, A person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the spirit. Paul goes on to explain that a real Jew, one who pleases God, is not someone who has been circumcised. That would be just being a Jew outwardly. But a true Jew keeps the law and obeys God inwardly in their heart.  

 

    This is so true of Christians today. There are many people who call themselves Christians who have been baptized. Who have said that they have accepted Christ as savior and Lord? But yet their life doesn't show it. They're like the Jews that were circumcised. But it was only an outward show. 

 

     Paul's bottom line here. Is to practice what you preach. And oh. is that not true of us today? We could take a lesson from that. Don't just speak the Word, live the Word.

 

     We should also say our lesson here.is to let conscience be your guide.  Just be sure your conscience is in the Spirit   As my favorite pastor, Adrian Rogers used to say. “Conscience is that thing that feels bad. when everything else feels good.”

​

    Paul, having shown that outwardly moral people, Jews and Gentiles alike, will stand condemned by God's judgment. turns his argument exclusively to the Jews, God's Covenant people neither their heritage, their knowledge, nor their ceremonies--specifically circumcision-- will protect them from God's righteous judgment. Neither will being baptized, or walking the isle at the close of a service, protect you  from condemnation when judgment day comes.  

 

    See you next time when we look at chapter 3 of this great letter from Paul. 

​

                                                                             Love y’all 

                                                                                 Maggie   

 

 

                          

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​