An Open Door...

Friday, September 16, 2011 - Romans 2:1 - 16

Finger pointing is not a good thing to do. I remember being told as a kid that when I pointed my finger at another person, I had three fingers coming back at myself. The moral of the story was for me to be careful when pointing out another’s faults and failures because I had them too.

In his own way, Paul is warning the Romans about ‘finger pointing’. He reminds them that God is rich in kindness, tolerance and patience, so how can they be so quick to judge others. Then, Paul reminds them that God is kind, tolerant and patient in order to lead them to a place of repentance so they can be forgiven.

They have choices to make. Will they do good or evil? God will not show favoritism to the Jews or to the Gentiles/non-Jews. Those who are under the law/Jews are to do the things required by the law. Those who are not Jewish and not under the law/the Gentiles but who, by their very natures, do what the law requires show that the law is in their hearts. God gives ‘two thumbs up’ to those who choose the good and obey/live the law.

Enjoy your weekend...I'll see you back here on Monday!

Thursday, September 15, 2011 - Romans 1:18 - 32

The first part of today’s reading is the material we will work with next Sunday morning in worship and next Monday in this blog...so I skip over it until then.

The next section talks about human sexuality. Verses 24 – 25 relate to heterosexuality and verses 26 – 27 relate to same-sex relations. We may not agree with each other about what aspects of human sexuality are sinful and what ones are not. And so, we may not agree with each other. Yet, as United Methodists, we hold open the doors of our church to everyone. We love and welcome all because God loves and welcomes all.

In verses 28 -32, we find a rather exhaustive list of things ‘we do that we ought not to do’ (verse 28). This kind of list is found in other ‘ethical-type’ writings of the period. Personally, the passage confronts me with my own ‘ought nots.’ In this list, envy trips me up the most. I often find myself wanting to have the life other people have or the things other people have. What makes envy so bad for me is that I fail to be thankful for all I am and do have. I become discontent and do not recognize the many blessings in my life…blessings God has given me.

What trips you up? What makes you dependent on God’s grace?

Wednesday, September 14 - Romans 1:8 - 17

In today’s reading, I am struck by Paul’s longing and desire to be with those in Rome. I am struck by his gratitude for the believers in Rome. I am struck by his faithful, constant prayers for them. Paul is vulnerable and shows his heart to them.

However, my favorite part of this passage is Paul telling them that he longs to see them so that they may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith (verse 12). I believe that those words describe what is at the heart of community in the church. When we gather on Sunday for worship or for a study/class or for a meeting or for a musical rehearsal, we do so in order to be encouraged by each other’s faith. Christianity is not lived in solitude. Christianity is lived in community because we need each other in order to have the courage and strength to keep following Jesus. When we hear each others’ stories of how God has been faithfully active and present in our lives, we draw closer to each other and grow stronger in our faith.

Finally, Paul writes that he is not ashamed of the gospel…the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. He knows from firsthand experience that faith in Christ has brought grace and forgiveness into his life and the lives of others. The gospel is powerful bringing/offering salvation and transformation to all who have faith.

Tuesday, September 13 – Romans 1:1 – 7

When I think of Paul, I think of a powerful leader in the early church. I think of a strong, committed follow of Jesus. In contrast, Paul sees himself and calls himself a servant of Jesus. He makes it clear that he was called and set apart by God. He is an apostle by the will of God, not because he declares himself to be an apostle.

The followers in Rome are loved by God and called to be God’s holy people/saints. I love what Ben Witherington III writes in his book, Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, about this love: “God’s love is that which makes a person lovely and loveable. Such a person is transformed by God’s love. It is the greatest blessing and honor of humankind to be beloved and called by God.”

Remember today that you, too, are a servant of Jesus. You, too, are called and set apart by God. You, too, are God’s beloved…Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Monday, September 12, 2011 - "After Thoughts & Other Thoughts" on Sunday, September 11, 2011: The Gospel – Romans 1:1 – 17

From the first century until now, the gospel is powerful. By belief in Jesus, we join with generations of his followers to believe not only in his saving grace but also in his power to transform and shape our lives as we follow him.

In the United Methodist Church, our mission is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Making disciples of Jesus is ambitious in itself. But to reach for the transformation of the world through those disciples is a monumental task. We are a bit bold and brassy to think we could accomplish disciple making for the transformation of the world!

Yet, the accomplishment of the church’s mission is not dependent upon us…thank God! The making of disciples for the transformation of the world is the work of Jesus in us. As we allow Jesus to shape us as his disciples, we are transformed. We, then, live and love differently. We begin to effect changes in the world around us through our relationships with others. With Jesus’ presence and strength in our lives, we find power beyond ourselves…the power of the gospel.