Romans 9:2 – I have deep sorrow and endless heartache.
Why do I like this scripture? Because it speaks about emotions. What Paul was feeling. I truly believe that as Christians we try to sweep out uncomfortable emotions under the rug too often (pot meet kettle).
Romans 9:31, 32 – The people of Israel tried to gain God’s approval by obeying the laws in Moses’ teachings, but they did not reach their goal. Why? They didn’t rely on faith to gain God’s approval, but they relied on their own efforts. They stumbled over the rock that trips people.
The “I can do bad all by myself” attitude that have been instilled in us from young. I don’t need nobody. But the truth is? We do. We need people. We need help. We need Yahweh. Without him, we can do nothing.
Romans 11:6 – If they were chosen by God’s kindness, they weren’t chosen because of anything they did, otherwise God’s kindness wouldn’t be kindness.
We cannot earn Yahweh’s favour by what we do. But once we have his favour, we choose to do what he desires of us. The laws of Moses have one measuring stick that we all have to measure up to, but Yahweh’s grace has a different measuring stick. One that is coded to each individual: it’s personal. And when chosen by him, we choose to meet the measure he has for me. It’s done by his kindness, not our personal strength.
Romans 12:7 – If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching.
And so on and so on. The problem comes when we believe all must teach. Or all must preach. Or all must help. (Caveat- we are all called to some measure to help, teach etc. But the level in which we are called to help differs. For instance – if a preacher keeps trying to “force” a helper to preach orally, it may be a disaster. But they can also “preach” by helping others. But they also shouldn’t try to force others to help at the same capacity that they may be called to).
Romans 13:4 – Instead, live like the Lord Jesus Christ did and forget about satisfying the desires of your corrupt nature.
Note to self: It doesn’t say that we won’t have corrupt desires. It said don’t satisfy those desires.
Romans 14:4 – Who are you to criticise someone else’s servant? The Lord will determine whether his servant has been successful. The servant will w successful because the Lord makes him successful.
Personal measuring stick.
Romans 15:30 – Brothers and Sisters, I encourage you through our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that the spirit creates, to join me in my struggle. Pray to God for me.
Too often when someone says they will pray for us, we want to toss it aside and feel like the person not helping. The truth is, they are joining in our struggles the best way.