Introduction to Romans

Ah... Here is the first of many letters written by the Apostle Paul to the fledgling regional churches.

Let me start by venting a bit about bias, it will make more sense here in a second. I have never understood why Paul's writings are not talked about with the same awe and poured over in academia with the writings of Socrates and Plato. I truly believe God has blessed Paul with this level of intellect. But, as a Christian, Paul's works have largely been relegated to study by theologians.

Now that that is out of the way, I challenge you to consider looking at this letter to Roman Christians in the light that Paul is not only instructing, but trying to spark conversation, and the desire for further study. After all, as Paul laments, Paul is unable to be in Rome to teach personally.

Sorry for the long introduction, but I wanted to sync our perspectives a bit.

Romans 1-2

Paul begins with a brief introduction, then moves on to a theme he will revisit with other churches. Paul is pointing out that society (earthly, flesh driven, whatever term you prefer) has fallen because individuals decided to worship cheap man made trinkets instead of the one true God. This resulted in God allowing people to live their lives without divine intervention, but also to feel the pain of such a godless life, resulting in a type of hell on earth.

Chapter two begins by admonishing Christians that the wanton sins of the non-believer is not an excuse for Christian judgment. Each time we judge, we call judgment on ourselves. The Message Bible translation brings it down to the third grade for us.. “It takes one to know one.” (Sidebar: why have I not ever read this … unique translation of the Bible before?).

This next section of chapter two has helped me with an issue I have had has a maturing Christian. Why are most non-believers generally good people. Paul points out that God's law is written on the hearts of all (it is innate for my fellow science geeks). Paul wants us to look at the good of non-believers as further evidence of the existence of God and the perfectness of His Law.

To conclude chapter two Paul chastises Jews for being a hindrance to the conversion of non-believers, by being marked as Jews, but failing to live lives in accordance to God's Law. Turn off Paul... and my opinion on for a moment. In the spirit of starting a conversation, I will attempt to end these blogs with a bit of controversy. I believe that Paul is saying that it may be better to hide our faith if the alternative is wearing our faith on our sleeve and living sinful lives that drive the unbeliever further from God's truth. Comments?

Acts 28

Here is the infamous snake bite that some people want to base their whole religion off of.  Myself I’m not into playing with snakes and think thats leaning towards putting God to the test (just my opinion).  What I see here is God working every vantage point for his glory.  Only God knew how the islanders would react to seeing Paul shake off the snake and even though they were already friendly with everyone after this act they were very nice and extra hospitable.  

As I read Paul's exert from Isaiah I make it my prayer to not be the one who doesn't hear or see.  I want to be able to see and hear the changing world around me so that I can be a good witness for Christ and be flexible enough to reach an ever-changing lost world.  

Acts 26-27

We’ve all been told at one time or another that we need to keep the I told you so to ourselves.  This is one that I struggle with.  At first glance it looks like Paul gets to throw out a great big I told you so as their trapped in a terrible storm.  As I study this a bit though I can’t help but think its not an I told you so as much as it is a reminder.  By this time I’m sure that some of the 276 people on board this ship are getting scared (I would be) so I think that what Paul does here is remind everyone that he was right about the storm so that they would believe him to also be right about everyone living threw it. 

Acts 24-25

I’ll tell you what, if you really want to get my goat accuse me of something I didn’t do.  I think its fair to say that we are all in the same boat on that one.  So here is Paul in prison and know body can manage to prove that he’s done anything wrong, and we’re not just talking about a night jail this has been years now.  Looking back at Paul's ministry though this has probably been the better two years of it since he is safe and not being beat up.  I think Paul is a lot like most of us, he’s not going to roll over for something he didn’t do and is willing to take his case all the way to the top.  Just as Paul is doing we too should always petition to talk to the highest authority that we can, and we do this every time we pray.

Acts 22-23

Paul takes an opportunity in front of everyone that is accusing him and wanting him dead to share his testimony.  We know that our testimony is a very powerful tool in  spreading our belief in Jesus.  The text doesn’t tell us that anyone in the audience on this day was saved but I’d like to believe that their were some that heard Paul testimony and accepted Christ into their hearts.  

Membership had its privileges, American express has had that tag line for a long time.  Paul really does make out well here that he is  a roman citizen.  I’ve little doubt that were he not a Roman citizen he would have been killed their in the street.  Its incredible how much of a difference their is with the jailers when the find out he’s a Roman.  When we are out an about and get into any trouble if we mention that we’re from Guthrie, Ok. that doesn’t carry any weight, fortunately we can say that we are the children of the all mighty God that created this entire universe and that taking up arms against is like taking up arms against God himself.  God is a good father and like any good father he hates to see his kids hurt.  We can rest in peace knowing that God is on our side and looking out for our best interest.

Acts 20-21

Everyone hates to say goodbye.  Paul has to say goodbye for the final time to the people in Ephesus.  everyone really seemed to want him to stay and he didn’t really seam as if he wanted to go.  He had a real concern for the life of the church after he left.  He turned them over to God and moved on.  Sometimes thats what we’ve all got to do.  Whether its letting go of someone or having to leave.  All we can do is follow where God leads us and trust him and his provisions.

(side bar for pastor)  If anyone falls asleep in service don’t feel bad, even Paul had one.  However if anyone dies you better be able to pray ‘em back.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie-roll pop?  The world may never know.  Paul says God told him to go to Jerusalem, yet everywhere he stopped along the way the people their had also had visions from God telling him not go.  Should he or should he not have gone?  One thing is for certain as we read on Paul offers us a wealth of knowledge even though he goes to Jerusalem and is arrested and put in prison.  I can also say with a certain degree of certainty that if he hadn’t gone into Jerusalem gods knowledge for us would have still made it to us.  So how many licks it, doesn’t really matter.  The only thing that matters is that in the middle we get to enjoy the tootsie-roll (God).  No matter how we get their the prize is the same.