Week 7, Day 1
Today’s Reading: Romans 9:1-10:21
Some thoughts from Friday’s Reading…
There is one particular verse that stands out in this reading which can be of a great encouragement to us, especially when we are going through times of trials or tribulation. In Romans 8:18, Paul makes it clear that whatever we might face in this life are worth it, considering what we will receive in the way of reward when this life is over. This is a verse that should make us keep perspective. What if we are ridiculed for being a Christian? What if we have to face some sort of physical persecution? What if we are called upon to give our lives for the cause of Christ? Even if that is the case, we have a reward that is so far greater than what we are called upon to offer!
If we put this verse together with Romans 8:38-39, we can have great comfort and great encouragment. Even if we must (or perhaps get to) go through the persecutions of this life, we can have the assurance that those things cannot separate us from the hand of God. Remember, the only thing that can separate us from God is our own decision to leave Him! He is strong enough to hold on to us as long as we choose to hold on to Him. All of the things that we may be concerned about in the world around us are only temporal. If we maintain our focus on the spiritual (Romans 8:13) then we will indeed remember the goal that is set before us so that we can attain to the everlasting reward that is promised to the faithful!
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Laura said :
February 23, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I’m sure I’m not the only one who relates to what Paul says in 7:13-25. I don’t WANT to sin – it just seems to sort of happen anyway. The hard part is figuring out what to do about it. Chapter 8 tells us how to deal with it. How many different ways did Paul tell us the same thing? Walk by the Spirit, focus your mind on the Spirit! It won’t get rid of the struggle – but it will make sure we stay on the winning side.
Chad said :
February 23, 2009 at 7:50 pm
The struggle that Paul spoke about still having with sin stood out to me, 7:14-25. Paul has the desire to do good but the inner conflict with sin, 7:18-20. Too often people think that Christians are perfect or that they don’t have any problems with sin. This may come from not seeing people making public confessions about sin. This image can help fuel the thought that someone has to “master” everything bad in their life before becoming a Christian. But what Paul says in 6:16-17 and in 8:13 stresses that we choose our path. Our struggle with sin is constant and requires us to choose each day to walk acording to the Spirit. We have chosen our path and commit each day to keeping on the good path. Renewing our mind through meditating on God’s word and through prayer helps us maintain the course. But the conflict with sin is one that always comes back, no matter how many battles we win. The devil does not quit. He may just look for different ways to strike at us. Therefore we must renew each day that commitment to stay the course.