Day 344 – Reading – Romans 11 – 13
Read and believe in Jesus!

Romans 11.

Paul continues  his thoughts on his own people, Israel, being saved.

“Has God rejected His People?  By no means!  I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has NOT rejected His people whom He foreknew. At the present time there is a remnant, choses by grace.”

Then Paul says the most amazing thing.  Yes, Israel stumbled, but they have not fallen.  Rather, because of there trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles.  And if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles … how much more will their full inclusion mean!

Paul says he emphasizes his calling to minister to the Gentiles, in order to make the Jews jealous and perhaps save some of them.  For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world … what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead!

He tells Gentiles not to be arrogant of their place in salvation. They were grafted into the TRUE vine of Israel.  If THEY were, surely Israel can also be re-grafted in.  (Don’t be proud!)

“A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  And in this way all Israel will be saved.”

Right now, Paul says, “they are enemies of God for YOUR sake.  But as regards election,  they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.  For the gifts and the “calling” of God are irrevocable.”

Then Paul bursts into a doxology!

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever!”

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Romans 12.

And in response to his final words of doxology (To Him be the glory forever!), Paul urges his Roman readers to:

• Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
• Don’t be confirmed to this world.
• Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
• And by testing, discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

And also, “Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought. Think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  And he lists the gifts God has given the church for their building up.

• “Prophecy
• Service
• Teaching,
• Exhortation,
• Generous Contributing
• Zealous Leadership
• Cheerfully performing acts of Mercy

Besides the Holy Spirit-given gifts, Paul lists other marks of TRUE Christianity

• Let your love be genuine.
• Hate what is evil
• Hold fast to what is good.
• Love one another with brotherly affection.
• Outdo one another in showing honor.
• Don’t be slothful, but zealous.
• Serve the Lord.
• Rejoice in hope.
• Be patient in tribulation.
• Be constant in prayer.
• Contribute to the needs of the saints.
• Seek to show hospitality.
• Bless those who persecute you (bless, and don’t curse!)
• Rejoice with those who rejoice (and weep with those who weep).
• Live in harmony with one another.
• Don’t be haughty, (associate with the lowly).
• Never be wise in your ow sight.
• Repay no one evil for evil (do what is honorable).
• If possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
• Never avenge yourselves (leave that to God).
• Do not be overcome by evil, (overcome evil with good).

 

This list is pretty inclusive, but remember, doing these things (or abstaining from some) does NOT buy your salvation!  NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT WE HAVE DONE, but by God’s grace are we saved.

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Romans 13.

Paul continues his list of good Christian lifestyle, pertaining to authorities.

• Be subject to the governing authorities. (and he gives reason why to do so is wise).
• Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed.
• Owe no one anything (except to love each other).  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

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REMEMBER:  Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone and the day is at hand.  Let us walk properly as in the daytime. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.