Paul’s Proclamation in Rome

Preparing My Heart

Applying the points of history to those who experienced it comes quite easily…unless I get so engrossed in the history that I miss the points. But these things happened in part “for our admonition” (1 Corinthians 10:11). How foolish to miss out on that benefit! My distraction from that is my loss.

What, then, might God have for me, tucked away in this history? Maybe this: “persuading them concerning Jesus.” And perhaps this: “those things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.” I’m listening…I think.

Making the Bible Personal

What do I know concerning Jesus in the Law and the prophets?

How do I get the message of Jesus more “loose” in my lips?

What must I do to improve the condition of my heart, eyes, and ears?

Am I dismissive of or uninterested in any portion of God’s message?

How do my friends and I respond to some new-to-us “angle” on the Bible?

“Paul…received all” — is my faith up to implementing such a practice?

Reviewing Basic Truths

The Old Testament introduces Jesus.

Even God’s chosen people can miss out on God’s revelation and His plan.

God will not lock away His message of redemption.

Faith frees us to thrive and prosper wherever God plants us.

Applying God’s Word to Me

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Jesus.

The only begotten Son of God. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).

The only King of kings and Lord of lords. “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15).

The only way to the Father. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

The sole effective, acceptable sacrifice for sin. “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

The only name for salvation. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

I say that and offer no compromise. How can I flex on any of that when God’s Word is clear and unbending? I see no way to accept some sort of “equal partners” coexistence with any belief system that rejects any of that.

So. I am strong on that. Good for me. But will I stand equally strong in my full embrace of other statements and commands of Jesus?

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his…” (Matthew 6:33).

“Speak not evil one of another, brethren” (James 4:11).

“Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you” (Luke 6:27).

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in…” (1 John 2:15).

This concludes my comments based on the passage for the International Bible Lesson. To read my comments on the alternate lesson developed by Christian Light Publications, click here: Prayer Brings Deliverance.

excerpted from Panting

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