When we think of Romans 12, first thing we think about is the living sacrifices. Within many churches, this chapter is very popular because it talks about how we can offer our bodies/lives as living sacrifice to God. However, this isn't the only portion in Romans 12. Paul talks about another thing within this chapter, and it is about love. Paul describes what love is and how to live our lives to have love. Paul mentions many things such as never to lack zeal, share with God's people who are in need, be joyful, etc... As I was reading through the verses, one verse really spoke to me.
Romans 12:14 - Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
This verse is such a simple and short verse, however, I believe we have hard time blessing people who persecute us. It is not easy blessing people who percutes us. I believe it is so easy for us to curse and gossip about just anything. In extreme cases, if someone is trying to take everything (even your life) away from you, would you be able to bless that person? I believe many of us doesn't even think about blessing someone who prosecute us. We think it is okay to gossip and curse if we don't like that person. This is just one example of how love lacks in our lives. I believe we should acknowledge that we need to forgive/bless everyone, even the people we hate.
2008년 12월 26일 금요일
2008년 12월 25일 목요일
12/25/08 Romans 11
As I was reading through Romans chapter 11, I read about story about branches and the root of the tree. Branch meant us as individuals in Christ and the root meant our God. One of the most interesting I read was that scripture said that you will see other branches broken off and it might cause us to believe we have received more previlleges than others. However, scripture clearly states that this isn't true, instead, the other branches were broken off due to their unbelief. Therefore, we shouldn't be arrogant, instead, we should be afraid because God's wraith can fall on us too.
Reading this scripture made me think about how we view our Christian lives. Do you ever think you are better than other people because you went to church longer than others? Do you think you have better faith than others because your in leadership team? Or do you think you are better because you were never fallen unlike other people? I think not. I believe we often think that we are better than others in our walks with God, I strongly encourge you to not to be arrogent and try to maintain your walk with God modestly.
Reading this scripture made me think about how we view our Christian lives. Do you ever think you are better than other people because you went to church longer than others? Do you think you have better faith than others because your in leadership team? Or do you think you are better because you were never fallen unlike other people? I think not. I believe we often think that we are better than others in our walks with God, I strongly encourge you to not to be arrogent and try to maintain your walk with God modestly.
2008년 12월 24일 수요일
12/24/08 Romans 10
Within our bible study, we had a discussion about joking (lying but not in a serious way) as sin or not. In our discussion some argued that joking is not considered as sin if you didn't really mean what you were saying. Some other people argued that whatever that comes out of your is what is in your heart, therefore, you have to try not to say these kinds of things. When we had this discussion, I don't think we ended up in definite answer.
As I was reading the scripture today, two verses caught my attention.
Roman 10:8-9 ; 8 But what does it say? The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is , the word of faith we are proclaiming. 9 That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
I believe these verses talk about the strength of your word. It clearly states that your mouth is in your heart. Paul is trying portray that whatever we say, that is in our heart. Also, what comes out our mouth, such as confession as Paul mentioned, is very strong. I don't know for sure that I have interpret these verses correctly, but I believe this is what Paul is trying to say.
As I was reading the scripture today, two verses caught my attention.
Roman 10:8-9 ; 8 But what does it say? The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is , the word of faith we are proclaiming. 9 That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
I believe these verses talk about the strength of your word. It clearly states that your mouth is in your heart. Paul is trying portray that whatever we say, that is in our heart. Also, what comes out our mouth, such as confession as Paul mentioned, is very strong. I don't know for sure that I have interpret these verses correctly, but I believe this is what Paul is trying to say.
2008년 12월 20일 토요일
12/20/08 Romans 9
When we compare ourselves to others, it seems like some people are lucky because they have so many things. These things can be possessions or talents we possess. We often ask God to give us same kind of possessions or talents that we don't have. When we ask for these things, God doesn't always answer to our prayers. Does this means God favor specific individual with talents or possessions? Of course not, within Roman 9 states that God has prepared different plans for us. So we don't have to possess what others have, we only need what is needed for our God's plan.
Roman 9:11 - Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Within this scripture, we can tell that everyone is not expected to receive exactly same things because God has different plans for us. When we ask God for something, we should double check that if that something is really needed for us to carry God's plan.
Roman 9:11 - Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Within this scripture, we can tell that everyone is not expected to receive exactly same things because God has different plans for us. When we ask God for something, we should double check that if that something is really needed for us to carry God's plan.
2008년 12월 17일 수요일
12/17/08 Romans 8
In Romans 8, Paul talks about is the life through spirit. Paul basically says that because Christ Jesus set us free from the law of sin and death, now we are able to live in accordance with the Spirit and the ways the Spirit desire us to live. We still possess sinful nature in us, however, we can overcome that sinful nature through Spirit of God we received.
When we encounter some of sins in our lives. We tend to think that some sins are impossible to overcome because we are human. Since we know we have born in sinful nature, and we possess these sinful natures within us, we simply say its impossible because we are not perfect. In these aspects, I agree on it too. I am only human. However, after reading this passage made me realize one thing. God has told us that we can overcome our sinful nature through the Spirit that Christ Jesus gave us. This shows how much faith we have in the Spirit. Through Spirit we can overcome any sinful nature, and if we fail its because we don't have enough faith in the Spirit of God. I realized that my previous answer (I am only human) is not good enough. These sinful natures might look impossible to overcome, but they are not impossible in the Spirit of God.
When we encounter some of sins in our lives. We tend to think that some sins are impossible to overcome because we are human. Since we know we have born in sinful nature, and we possess these sinful natures within us, we simply say its impossible because we are not perfect. In these aspects, I agree on it too. I am only human. However, after reading this passage made me realize one thing. God has told us that we can overcome our sinful nature through the Spirit that Christ Jesus gave us. This shows how much faith we have in the Spirit. Through Spirit we can overcome any sinful nature, and if we fail its because we don't have enough faith in the Spirit of God. I realized that my previous answer (I am only human) is not good enough. These sinful natures might look impossible to overcome, but they are not impossible in the Spirit of God.
2008년 12월 16일 화요일
12/16/08 Romans 7
Someone once asked me a question. Someone asked me that if someone is trying to be Christians and fail to be Christian, wouldn't that make that person even more sinful then before? When I was asked that time, I could not answer that question. I knew the answer was no, but I couldn't give reason or why it is wrong.
When I was reading the Romans 7, the scripture answered that question. In the passage, Paul talks about the law as the indicator for commitment of sin or not. Then Paul asks us if good (knowing the law) brought sin to our lives?
Romasn 7:13 - Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
Within the scripture, I portrayed the "good" as being Christian. Therefore, Paul clearly states that good showed a way to recognize the sin that was hidden. Through the goods, sin has became shown and clear.
I am very happy that I have the definite answer to this question. Now I can back my answer with scriptures. When I'm asked with that question later on, I will be able to answer it.
When I was reading the Romans 7, the scripture answered that question. In the passage, Paul talks about the law as the indicator for commitment of sin or not. Then Paul asks us if good (knowing the law) brought sin to our lives?
Romasn 7:13 - Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
Within the scripture, I portrayed the "good" as being Christian. Therefore, Paul clearly states that good showed a way to recognize the sin that was hidden. Through the goods, sin has became shown and clear.
I am very happy that I have the definite answer to this question. Now I can back my answer with scriptures. When I'm asked with that question later on, I will be able to answer it.
2008년 12월 15일 월요일
12/15/08 Roamans 6
In Romans 6, Paul brings up interesting concept. Paul talks about being slaves to righteousness. Before God has saved us through Jesus Christ, we were slaves to sin. However, through God's grace, we have became slaves to righteousness. Paul points out that when you become slaves to righteousness, you will be free from sin and you will be able to carry out holyness in your life. For the wages of sins is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.
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