I, too, thought Romans 1:16 and 17 stood out. I have read v. 16 so many times - but today vs. 17 really hit me. Habakkuk 2:4 was referenced in the footnote which made it even more powerful for me. The righteousness of Christ vs. my hopelessness without Him! 4Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall [a]live by his faith and in his faithfulness.(A)
I too often care about things other than the things that God would be interested in - worried more about my own glory than His. How can I possibly be rigidly just and uncompromisingly righteous? Apart from Christ, it is hopeless - but because of Christ there is a way - but it still requires getting ME out of the way to live in His righteousness - and that's where the challenge is for me. Self-righteousness has been such a part of my fundamental upbringing - criticizing and judging other's spirituality, etc. that I still find myself often falling into this way of thinking without intending to. But there is hope in Christ...to live by faith a full and celebratory life - rejoicing in what He has done.
So David decided not to move the Ark into the City of David. He took it instead to the home of Obed-edom of Gath. The Ark of God remained there with the family of Obed-edom for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household. (I Chronicles 13:13-14).
This passage has always fascinated me. Only two sentences long but is says so much. The Ark had sat twenty years in the house of a man called Abinadab (1 Sam. 7:2), yet no one was blessed—it just sat there just like a regular great big old box with no God sitting on the mercy seat (between the wingspan of the two angels)—nothing happening. The Presence of God was in someone’s house yet the manifestation of God never happened. Obed-edom had the Ark in his house for three months and everyone on the house was blessed. What was going on?
I wonder how often we put God in a box and put him by the door of our lives and nothing, absolutely nothing is going on. Then someone takes God into their lives, their homes and everyone gets blessed who walks through the front door. What are we missing? Hmmm.
I also read the Bible every day, I am lost without this wonderful Book.
Thank you Ramona for all of your comments, I enjoy reading them everyday and they make so much sense to me. I also ridiculed people for reading the Bible because of what "church folks" did to me for many years. Thank the Lord I now can see through that and I actually feel sad for the people who do not really know our wonderful Jesus.
Thank you so much for Bible Blog it is great.
Romans 1: 13-15 Please don’t misinterpret my failure to visit you, friends. You have no idea how many times I’ve made plans for Rome. I’ve been determined to get some personal enjoyment out of God’s work among you, as I have in so many other non-Jewish towns and communities. But something has always come up and prevented it. Everyone I meet—it matters little whether they’re mannered or rude, smart or simple—deepens my sense of interdependence and obligation. And that’s why I can’t wait to get to you in Rome, preaching this wonderful good news of God. (The Message)
I think any Christian can identify the feeling that is displayed by Paul’s writing. Have you ever felt this great desire to “go tell it on the mountain”? If you grasp this pull to go out and share the good news you get what Paul is feeling here. The fire in your gut tells you this is the wonderful encouragement of the Holy Spirit. Yet, we run into snags, opposition, circumstances and its just a little beyond our grasp. Why? I wonder if Paul would of written this Epistle if it would have been easy for him to go to Rome. He puts his heart into his writing rather than the visiting there and look what he produces. It gives us a great example of how God uses our interests, hopes and desires to further His plans.
Yes today's 1st Chronicles were all about David and his sights in moving the Ark from one place to another. Was that the right thing to do? Even when we have good intentions and mean we'll, is it?! Hmmm
Yay a new book began: the Book of Roman's. Paul introduces himself and shows that God is not partial but that he is for all. The Jews and Greeks..that's a nice invitation
Psalm 9 the rest of the story..God's heart is for all..even the poor at heart..for they will see God.
Proverbs 9:4&5 brotherhood. Do we have friends even when we are poor. Do they only flock when we are rich? Hmm
Dee
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Romans
Background
A friend of mine who is a member of a different church (from mine)told me, 'Well that is Paul, you have to take Paul with a grain of salt. You can't take to heart everything Paul writes.'
Really???? I told him,
'Paul was a Jew, he was taught by a great rabbi and leader of the Sanhedrin - Gamaliel (Acts 22:2-3), Paul was a Pharisee, he participated and led the persecution of the followers of "the Way", Paul had great zeal for the Lord.
(re: Gamaliel http://www.keyway.ca/htm2000/20001213.htm )
And on the way to Damascus to capture more followers of Jesus - he had a change of heart???? Paul became a leading evangelist of the early Church. Paul founded several early churches. He suffered beatings, a stoning, imprisonment, and rebuke from his former collegues. What makes a man "switch teams like that - do it in the prime of his life when he has great power, authority within Israel, and zeal for God?
Paul claims he had an encounter with Christ, accepted Jesus as his Savior, and was called to be an apostle.
Now either that is true, and you need to "take to heart" everything Paul wrote. or -
It is false, and Paul is a liar, and you can just toss the Bible (as it can not be trusted) and search elsewhere for life's answers.
Your choice.'
NOTE: reason I use ' instead of " - is my indication of paraphrasing. Also the tone of comment was friendly, and he took it as "food for thought".
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Letter to Romans seems to be written between 57 and 60 A.D. Paul wrote it before going to Rome. The Romans were beginning to understand Christianity was not just a subset of Judaism. Persecution on a large scale is just around the corner.
So if, Paul had not been to Rome - how come there are believers there already?
We know Aquila and Priscilla are there and a number of people Paul had met, converted, and/or exhorted in his travels. (Rom 16:3). Rome was the "big city", people gravitated to it like they do NYC, LA, London, Paris, etc. today. The territories were full of former Roman soldiers, freed slaves, and Roman businessmen - if some became Christians - it is not surprising that some percentage would return to Rome and share the gospel. Apparently they did this with success.
Paul did not want to step on anyone's toes.
Rom 15:20
"It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation." NIV
Wait a minute! Christ was known, what is Paul talking about???? Most commentators (notable exception would be Catholics) believe (and I agree) that:
word had spread, and people had converted, but no "church" had been established. No apostle had been to Rome to found a church at the time of these writings. There had been no public declaration of the gospel, just the word of mouth. Paul was planning on coming to change that, and provide a public and cohesive force to the Christians in Rome. To preach the Gospel and minister to new Christians. To Build and Edify as he had done in other churches. To exhort and encourage Christians in their walk with God.
Gal 2:8-9
"For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews." NIV
John
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Romans 1:1-4
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." NIV
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Paul's Position
Paul chose to be a Gk. "doulos" - bondservant of Jesus Christ. Recap of bondservant.
Exodus 21:2,5-6
If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything....But if the servant declares, 'I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,' then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life." NIV
It is interesting (and I missed this in readings of Exodus), but after the Ten Commandments and instructions on altars and idols, this "Law of the Bondservant" is the first of a list of additional ordinances. WHY?????
["Deuteronomy 20:18 “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.”
They were terrified of God and of coming near to Him. They were willing to serve Him because they feared Him, but God desired for them to serve because they loved Him and appreciated what He had done for them. I believe this issue is why the first mishpat, or judgment the LORD teaches them of is the law of the bondservant."]
http://www.hissheep.org/hebrew/the_law_of_the_bondservant.html
Paul chose to be a bondservant of Christ out of love.
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Paul's Authority
Paul was called [to be] an apostle.
"called" is Gk. "kletos" and can mean "invited" or "divinely selected and appointed". So did Paul choose or was he appointed an apostle?
I think these verses clear that up:
2Tim1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God..NIV
1Cor1:1
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God...NIV
2Cor1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,... NIV
Paul was divinely selected and appointed to be an apostle.
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Paul's Message
Paul was set apart for (or unto) the gospel of God.
Paul was set apart by God for a purpose - not to KEEP him from something - but for the gospel of God.
The Gospel of God is God's message - not mankinds. It did not depend on Paul. He was just the messenger. It does not depend on today's ministers either.
The good news Paul speaks of in Romans 1:1 is the good news that God has burst through the box and desired to communicate with man. In a world filled with bad news, it is remarkable to know that God Himself has given us good news. That is especially true when you realize man is utterly unworthy of any good news. Yet in spite of that the apostle Paul reiterates again and again the good news that comes from God - John MacArthur
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The good news (gospel) that was promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus. Human nature as a descendant of David....
"declared with power to be the Son of God..."
The key to understanding this verse is the word "declared. " It comes from the Greek word horiz[ma]o which means "boundary. " We get our English word horizon from it. It refers to the clear demarcation line between the earth and sky. Paul is saying some may have questioned in the minds of some about whether Jesus was the Son of God, but because of the resurrection, the line was drawn in absolute clarity: Jesus Christ is God in human flesh. As clearly as the horizon divides the earth from the sky, so the resurrection divides Jesus from the rest of humanity. When God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, He was irrefutably distinguished from all other human beings. - John MacArthur
"With power" Gk. "dunamis"
1) strength power, ability
a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
b) power for performing miracles
c) moral power and excellence of soul
d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
e) power and resources arising from numbers
f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
Jesus Christ = ALL OF THE ABOVE. Doesn't get much stronger than that.
"..by his resurrection from the dead.."
The definitive linchpin of Christianity. The declaration with power was accomplished because Christ was raised from the dead. Without it Christianity would just be anoter religion.
John
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Romans 1:16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." NIV
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Why was Paul not ashamed?
"He is bold to preach because of what the gospel is, because of what the gospel does....The reason why Paul is not overcome by the temptation to be ashamed of the gospel, but quite the contrary, the reason that he proclaims it so joyously, so anxiously is because it is powerful, it changes lives. And he knows that and he has seen that and he believes that. Sure it's a stumbling block, (1 Corinthians 1:18), and of course it's foolishness but it's also the power of God unto salvation to them that believe, and he knows that." - John MacArthur
1Cor1:18
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." NIV
[Men would like to change, do you know that? I believe that. Really, all advertising that goes on in the world is based on one presupposition, and that is people want things different than they are. They want to look better, feel better, think better, have better experiences. They want to change their life. Basically, people want to change their life. There's an appeal to that because that's a basic human drive. And deep down inside, people, they really want things to be different but they are utterly impotent to change things.
In Jeremiah 13:23 Jeremiah says: "Can a leopard change his spots? Can the Ethiopian change his skin?" You have just about as much chance to change your heart. Men are impotent. They can't do a thing about what they are. They can't change anything. Oh, they may make a few reformations here and there and operate a little differently but real changes never happen.
http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/45-8.htm
But because of the POWER of God (see list above) we can have salvation (eternal life) if only we believe the gospel.
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There is some controversy over the phrase in verse 17:
"..a righteousness from God is revealed.."
NIV translates it "from God", but "of God" is acceptable and used by KJV, NAS and others. Which is it? Because it makes a huge difference.
If it is "from God" we should understand it as per the Gospel as God's gift to us. We can not be righteous on our own, it is only by God's grace and gift of righteousness (justification) that we can be saved. It is imputed to us. - or -
If it is "of God" then it is simply saying that the Gospels reveal that God is righteous.
Of course God is righteous, and I believe the correct phrase is "from God". Why???
Because the Gospel is about God's good news of salvation. About how we can appear before God when we pass on. About attaining the righteousness needed to stand before God. How many times in John did it say you have to "believe" to gain eternal life? You had to have faith (same word as belief).
I believe that it is the "righteousness from God" imputed to man (who believes) and is given person to person (faith to faith) the same for everyone throughout time. (Or by faith from the first to last - i.e. from the beginning to the end of person's life - it does not change). Just as it is revealed in Old Testament???
Hab 2:4
See, he is puffed up;
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous will live by his faith
Just as it was in the Old Testament, it's nothing new. Habakkuk 2:4: "The just shall live by faith." Nothing new. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. - John MacArthur
is this
about a1) the righteous person's faith in God or a2) faithfulness to God, or
about b) God's ("His" rather than "his") faithfulness toward the righteous
person?
a1) is the answer if Paul is to be consistent with readings in "Acts" and the Abraham example.
[Support for Paul, though, comes from a surprising place (at least I was
surprised to see this). In Geza Vermes translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, if
my memory serves me well, he translates this part of the Habbakuk
pesher/commentary as "the righteous shall live by faith"--i.e., his faith in
the Teacher of Righteousness. Apparently the Qumran scribes/community believed the meaning of Habbakuk 2:4 was "faith" in the Teacher of Righteousness rather than "faithfulness" to the Teacher of Righteousness.]
http://www.ibiblio.org/bgreek/archives/greek-3/msg01216.html
John
I Chronicles 15-16:36
Luke 16 10 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” This verse came to mine every time I read Obed-edom’s name in this passage. He is mentioned four times in regard to being a gatekeeper in the tabernacle (15:18); a musician, a harp player) (15:21); and his home was where the Ark was kept for three months (15:25) while David tried to figure out how to get the Ark into the city without someone dropping dead.
After suffering the consequence of chosen ignorance, not actively consulting and reading the Laws of Moses, which would have told him how to move the Ark the right way, he does the right thing and gets the “411” on how to handle properly, God. (Well the God in the box, the home He had chosen to stay in for the sake of Israel)
David’s wife’s, Saul’s daughter, sneer at David, she must have been embarrassed, demonstrates to me that people have shown and will continue to show contempt for those who are in heartfelt worship. Like David, we must pay them no mind, but I don’t know if we can get away with locking them up.
In his Psalm, David lets us know that seeking God requires constancy and persistence (16:11), just like Jesus would latter tell us to do by asking, seeking and knocking.
Romans 1:18-32
This thing with God allowing us to have what we want (24 So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired) is the same thing He did with Israel when she asked for a king. He, God, gave them a man named Saul whose name in Hebrew is a play on the Hebrew word for desire.
I Sam 12:
12 "But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, 'No, we want a king to rule over us'-even though the LORD your God was your king. 13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you.
God is still in the business of giving people what they want even if what they want is hell.
Psalm 10:1-15
WOW!
4 These wicked people are too proud to seek God.
They seem to think that God is dead.
5 Yet they succeed in everything they do.
They do not see your punishment awaiting them.
Not only are these two verses powerful, they let us know that the wicked will seemingly appear to succeed; however there is something coming toward them on the road they don’t see, punishment. Just because the wicked or the righteous do not see evil, being thwarted by God does not mean the road is clear of their just dessert, we like they don’t see everything.
Proverbs 19:6-7
The kind of friends spoken about in these two verses, I don’t need nor do I want.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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The Lord told me to give up sugar some years ago. I have a real strugle with that. Almost obeying but not completely. Today, I accepted a piece of cake in order not to offend a friend. But I offended God. I am worried about what I bring on myself. Anyone got any thoughts on this struggle with the flesh?
Beryl
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Mike in order to continually praise and thank God we have to be God focused and sadly we are more self-focused than listening carefully to God.
Ramona
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I have found that if I begin each morning, even before I get out of bed, to thank God for giving me another day,another chance to live in such a way that others will want what I have. I rise and shine rather than rise and whine! I think the reason others do not run to God side is because there are conditions attached to being a friend of God. We must surrender our hearts, mind, bodies, and spirit, leave behind life as we know it and follow Jesus, and learn to trust daily, that God knows what is in our best interest, and what is best for us to do, to have, and to experience. We don't want to have to learn to increase our faith or mature. We want self gratification now! God gives us every good thing, the problem with mankind is that we don't understand what every good thing is or how it looks according to God's standards. It is my hope and my desire to purpose each and every day to live in such a way that no one has to wonder or guess who God is, they will see Jesus in me.
Dottie
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"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness...." It's counter-culture to see holiness as beautiful - the way God does.
My daughter Vicky loves the song, "Change my heart O God, make it ever new, change my heart O God, may I be like You." That's what I pray, as I read the way God sees things, and I realize that my perspective doesn't always line up with His.
MC
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My pastor was saying it could soon be a crime to read Romans 1 in a church, because it speaks against homosexuality. He's the founder of the Calvary Chapels (Pastor Chuck Smith) and they are putting pressure on him to not read it, but he of course would prefer jail then to not spread God's word. It could soon be considered a hate crime to preach it! Unbelievable. I certainly dont want to be one to mess with God! We cannot pick and chose what we want out of the bible. I used to try...i did not like the fact in romans and other places, it speaks about ppl not obeying/honoring their parents. doesnt matter if i liked it or not, doesnt change truth. God brought me around eventually, it was His grace and mercy, but thats the point. We need to be aligned to God's will and ways, not vice vs! God help us!
haha. i was listening to the 1 Chron. readings via the audio version. Its pretty funny hearing him read all those names! lol.
Jenny
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The posting for the day strikes me as being profound!
I, join with others, who find that this daily blog to be the a great starting point for each and every day.
Blessings and by God's grace keep up with your ministry of the Word through this media.
Don
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"Give thanks to the Lord & proclaim" His greatness"
I too have struggled with these things until recently. First, this blog has helped me over the last month or so get back into the Word. Thank you SO much!
Secondly, my "mentor" & friend gave me the acronym "ACTS" for prayer...I didn't like it at first as it seemed too contrived, but it was a wonderful start. You start by "Adoring" God. I have used praise & worship music to help in this. Then comes Confession. Then Thankfulness, & finally Supplication. I would encourage those struggling with prayer, or any particular aspect of it to try it out for a week or so...it's helped me more than I ever dreamed!
Susan
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1Chron 15:29:
"As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart."
Perhaps Michal had very good reasons why she should be upset at David.
Even though she loved David at one point in her life, she could make a point at saying that David ruined her life.
Also, she has her ideas of what a king should act like by what she saw in her father.
But David is not her father. And her father really wasn’t the best of role models for her to be following. David is the man “after God’s heart”, not Saul.
But she’s missing out on one of the most wonderful things to have happened in a long time.
Don’t let bitterness or misunderstandings cause you to miss out on what God is wanting to do.
John
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to take the everday things we recieve as a deserved thing is so selfish..we must learn that all is given throught him..and that we may achieve are lifes' goals only through his good gracious ways sometimes we need to look at what we expect and what we truly desire
Janice
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This is one of my most favorite part of Romans. It is so prophetic! Whenever I feel that my own mind is slipping into depravity after surfing the internet and looking at foolishness. This part of Romans always comes back to my mind and pulls me back on track. Romans 1, 18-32 should be internalized if not memorized by all Christian men who surf the internet as a deterrent and reminder of how God allows the wicked to be led into depravity. Whatever God allows can be used by the devil. Be aware!
David
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god hands people over to their depraved minds and sinful desires but god did not hand us over he chose us out of the world and revealed himself to us....by gods grace you have been saved, so that no one may boast!!! praise jesus
jon
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Today's reading in Romans 1:26-27 clearly states how Paul condemned Gay and homosexual behaviours and the punishment due. In our society today a lot of people including christians now condone these behaviours saying that those involved in it do not have a choice but are born like that. This is such a lie and there is nothing truth about it, its not scriptural, it's un-natural and should not be used as an excuse. I think verse 21 and 22 concludes it all.
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 claimed to be wise, they became fools
Richard
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I love seeing David do a redo. He is a man after God's own heart. His wife reminds me of so many who think they are this and that and have things figured out better when only God sees our true heart.
It always astounded me when Michal looked out and watched David give shouts of joy for the Lord..right then she became indignant in Jerusalem heart and started despising him. That always surprised me. The love of God and for God should have drawn her in not away..just my thought.
Also Romans..the people worshipped the creature and not the Creator. That's not good and tomorrow he will discuss the Jews. Today was gentiles.
Romans..I love the book of Roman's more and more..and the wages of sin are death but again God knows our true self.
Psalms..saying God's dead..no absolutely not! God's not dead he is surely alive.
Psalm..the God is dead battle. Why or how could anyone proclaim God is dead isn't worshipping or seeking the Creator.
Proverbs..I want true friends not fake..ain't got time for that
Everyone who gives gifts has friends . We'll if they do it is not sincere..however no one can out give God who gives life breath and healing. Amen!
Dee
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Wrath of God
[And above all, I believe the greatest demonstration of the wrath of God ever given was given on Calvary’s cross. God hates so...so deeply sin that He actually allowed His own Son to be put to death. The greatest manifestation of the wrath of God. He poured out His fury on His own beloved Son. He would not hold it back even from His own Son. That’s how He hated sin. - John MacArthur]
Paul made his thesis statement in verses 16-17, now to the body of the work.
In verse 18, Paul starts off with WHAT? The WRATH OF GOD? Not the Love, Mercy, or Grace of God but the WRATH? Why????
I believe that Paul is proceeding in logical order. First, you explain why the Gospel is needed. Paul is seeking to establish the fact that all men justly deserve the consequences of the eternal wrath of God. Then you offer God's solution.
In a more basic example - this is how sales and advertising work - you identify a need, make people aware of this need, and then you provide the solution (product). If people do not think they need the product - chances of a sale are very slim.
God's Wrath is not an easy topic, and many ministers/churches today shy away from it. Even Bob Deffingbaugh does not spend a whole lot of time on it here in Romans - but he has a separate link that is exclusively devoted to God's Wrath.
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=254
My belief is that to charectirize God by any one attribute is a mistake. To the extant that it is revealed - the Bible discloses who God is and his attributes. There are many attributes of God. By looking and studying them all, one can get a more complete picture of God and not just the area that you identify with, desire for yourself, or wish for the world. We are not one dimensional as humans - how much more so God?
ATTRIBUTES of GOD
Power, Goodness, Wisdom, Holiness, Righteousness, Wrath, Grace, Sovereignty, Nearness, Immutability, Joy, Invisibility, Forgiving, Truth, Love, and Glory.
http://www.bible.org/series.asp?series_id=90
John MacArthur sermon on "The Wrath of God" (long)
http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/45-9.htm
Both these are shorter with the first being an easier read.
http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2652
http://www.inplainsite.org/html/the_wrath_of_god_1.html#Catechism
Some excerpts from John MacArthur's sermon on "THE WRATH OF GOD"
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"...The gospel message begins with a statement about the wrath of God. Frankly that’s diametrically opposed to most of our evangelistic technique. Most of our contemporary evangelism purposely avoids that theme. We talk about love and we talk about happiness and we talk about abundant living and we talk about forgiveness and we talk about joy, we talk about peace. And we offer people all of those things and ask them if they wouldn’t like to have all of those things...."
"..From Paul’s perspective, fear becomes the first pressure applied to evil men. Let them know about the wrath of God. In fact, the word love, you might want to know, doesn’t appear in the Roman epistle until the fifth chapter..."
"...How can people understand anything about love if they don’t understand God’s hate? How can they understand anything about His grace if they don’t know about His law? How can they understand forgiveness if they don’t understand the penalty of sin. Men cannot understand. They cannot seek grace and salvation unless they are affected with the dread of the wrath of God that is upon them. Unless men sense they are in grave danger there’s no pressure applied to them to change..."
"...Now, sometimes when you talk about God being a God of wrath, certain people get disturbed. And they don’t understand how God can be a God of anger and God can be a God of wrath and God can be a God of fury, a God of terror. But that’s because they don’t understand God..."
"...And may I add that it is not to say that God doesn’t love, but it is to say that you’ll never understand how great His love is unless you know how great His hate is. I mean, if you understand that God hates sin so profoundly then you will find it all the more amazing that He can love sinners..."
"...You say ‑ Well, that’s the Old Testament. That’s right, but God doesn’t change, the same thing is true in the New Testament as well. You see the wrath of God. In John chapter 3, John ‑ that wonderful gospel written by a man of love, that gospel that presents the Lord Jesus Christ in all His wonder and majesty and beauty..."He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on him.” It is not well with people who do not know Christ. It is not well with them. The wrath of God abides on them..."
"...God is a God of wrath, people. He’s a God of anger. Now does that sound like a poor choice of starting points for the gospel? Think about it. The bad news has to come before the good news, doesn’t it? It’s kind of like going to the doctor...and having the doctor say to you ‑ I have bad news; you have a fatal illness that has killed many people. But, I have good news, a cure has been found and I have it right here. See the good news means nothing without the bad news. Right? You have to diagnose the disease before the cure means anything. The bad news is ‑ God hates. The good news is ‑ God loves, but you have to start with His hate. First the diagnosis then the cure...."
[JESUS' WRATH]
"...Jesus in John 2 cleansing the temple, made a whip and just started whipping people all out of the temple. I mean, that’s a very dramatic scene. Do you want to know something? That was His first public act in Jerusalem. That is not the way you start a crusade. You don’t go into the religious places, take a whip and start flagellating everybody and overturning tables and crying about their sin, you’ll never get a crowd that way. You’ve got to send the advance committee, make it sound like harps and flowers. Jesus was furious because God was being dishonored. There was dishonesty there, there was cheating and lying and extortion and desecration..."
[WRATH]
"...I might just add here the word is orgee and it is a settled indignation not a momentary fury, God doesn’t blow His cork, God doesn’t just fly off the handle. It is a settled hatred by one who could never be good and loving unless He totally hated evil. The two are inseparable, you have both or neither..."
[GOES ON TO TALK ABOUT]
"...quality of wrath, the time of wrath, the source of wrath, the nature of wrath, the extent of wrath and now the cause of wrath..."
John
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Romans 1:20-22
WE KNOW
Paul says there is "no excuse". God is in evidence for every person:
"..have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse..."
FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE
People have posted about the realizing God through Creation - and rightly so. However, I want to explore not the physical world, but man - made by God as his ultimate Creation.
Before time began, the Trinity existed - it existed in Love, Relationship, had intelligence, communication, creativity, knowledge, joy, etc.
Roslyn mentioned in a post - "...we keep attributing onto Him human qualities.."
In response I would flip that - As humans we are gifted with many of God's qualities (attributes) - made in his image.
EXAMPLE: LOVE AND RELATIONSHIP
Most humans have, if not their greatest desire, a great desire to be loved, love someone, be in relationships, to be social, to share feelings, etc. Of course these desires are stronger in some than others - but nonetheless they exist. Some may have hardened their hearts over the years, and have rejected these desires - but they had them at one time - I defy anyone to deal with children and not see the desire for Love and Relationship in great evidence.
Science will never be able to point to a brain cell, a gland, an organ, etc. to pinpoint where the desire comes from for Love and Relationship.
As a Christian I believe it is a gift from God. The Trinity has it - always had it - and being made in God's image we also have these desires.
Would a God who instilled in us the desire for Love and Relationship - not provide us a means to fulfill those desires on the highest level (with God)?
That is why I believe that since "the fall" and man turning from God - a rejection of that relationship - God's Plan has been all about restoring the relationship with God.
It is interesting that this explanation cannot be ascribed to other religions.
Only in Christianity does God share with us what he has always had - how more intimate and personal can it get?
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Saw this just today - a commentary on a recent published "study" - the increasing loneliness of Americans. Goes to the point of desire for Love and relationship.
http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=15987
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DISCLAIMER: WE KNOW
I am not talking about the mentally impaired or the person in isolated places.
I believe that God will do with people according to their abilities and in isolated jungles, islands, tundras, etc. with what they do know. He will be fair and just.
However, in civilized countries - there is no excuse. It is not that people do not know of God - they know and reject HIM. When they reject God:
Rom1:21b-22
"..their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools."
This way - people get to do what they want.
John