The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Sunday, January 15, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I praise You for sending Jesus to be my Savior. Without Your grace, I would be lost in my own sin and shame. It is Your grace which enables me to faithfully follow You and obey Your commands. Just as the faith of the Roman church was known throughout the world, I ask that my life would be a testimony to the world around me. When people see me, I ask that they would truly see You within me. May my life be the evidence of what Your grace can do. Help me today to faithfully follow You in everything. I ask this in Jesus’ name. . . Amen.
God’s Word Today—Romans 1:8-15
8 Let me say first of all that your faith in God is becoming known throughout the world. How I thank God through Jesus Christ for each one of you. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about His Son. 10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. 11 For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.
13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see good results, just as I have done among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in our culture and to people in other cultures, to the educated and uneducated alike. 15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach God’s Good News.
Reflecting on God’s Word
The apostle Paul begins the main body of his letter (“epistle”) to the Roman church by mentioning his deep appreciation for them and their faith. It’s ironic that he begins by stating “first of all” in verse 8, because nowhere in the following verses do we find the words “secondly.” It’s as if Paul gets so carried away with his initial thought, that he doesn’t follow it with a second point. It shows the intensity by which Paul thinks and writes. He’s getting right down to business. When Paul says he’s thankful for their faith that is being reported around the world, it is important to note that he’s directing His thanks to God, not them! Why would he do this? Paul knew that faith is the evidence of God’s grace. It is the grace of God which enables faith to be expressed. If God was the One who enables our faith, then He should be the one who receives the thanks. Paul makes sure God appropriately receives the glory, through Jesus Christ, for the good things He’s done in the life of His church.
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
When Paul says in verse 8, “your faith in God is becoming known throughout the world,” he wasn’t simply talking about the specific faith of the individual Roman Christians. He was talking primarily about the corporate faith of the Church itself. In other words, the Christian faith (which the Roman church affirmed), was being presented throughout the entire world.
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
Paul’s thankfulness for God’s work of faith in the lives of the Roman Christians (vs8), reveals that God is the One in whom we should give thanks to in our own lives for His marvelous work. His grace enables us to express faith every day. What are some ways you can thank God today for His work of grace in your life?
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
How do others know of your faith in Jesus Christ? How is your faith expressed?
Is your faith strong in God? Consider the last difficulty you experienced, how did you respond?
Thoughts
I love a good testimony. When I was younger, we would have “testimony service” most Sunday nights at church. This was a time when people would stand up and share God’s work in their lives. It was always encouraging to see evidence of God’s faithfulness despite their difficulties. There’s something about faith in others that encourages our own faith! No matter how long we’ve walked with Jesus, it’s always a blessing to see God at work among His people. It never gets old! The apostle Paul was encouraged to see the faith of the Christians in Rome. He was blessed to know that their faith, along with the faith of the entire church, was being proclaimed to others. Sure, there were challenges and difficulties, but it was God’s grace which enabled their faith to become evident to others. As you go throughout this day, why not share your testimony with others? Make your own life a “testimony service!” Let your friends, your neighbors, and your family, see God’s work of faith in your life! When you do this, others will be able to say (like the apostle Paul to the Romans), “your faith in God is becoming known throughout the world!”
This Week’s Memory Verse:
I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:12b