Today is Day 18 and I'm just writing my journal for Day 15. I'm getting SOOO close to being caught up. I'm behind 1 day on reading now. So at this point, I have to read Day 17 & 18 and journal for Days 15, 16, 17 & 18. By the end of day tomorrow, I hope to be all caught up and back on a one day at a time pace. Today's reading is the first half of Romans, another letter from Paul.
Gods Unjust Judgement
"But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us?" Romans 3:5
When I first read this verse it baffled me, Paul has the tendency to baffle me in some of his writings. Sometimes it's like he's writing in a HUGE circle with his arguments going from one "if this, then this" to the next "and if this, then this" (see 1 Cor 15:12-19 for a good example of that I mean). In this verse, I was just confused at how he got to the statement "God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us". So I underlined this verse to come back to it and figure it out.
After re-reading it a few times, here's the conclusion that I've come to. It's not saying that as we sin, we are bring glory to God because it brings out His righteousness more clearly. This makes it sound like it's OK to sin. I think what Paul was saying here is that sin makes our need for God really stand out. Which brings me to the next verse I underlined...
The Full Power of Sin
"The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase." Romans 5:20
In yesterdays journal I wrote how the law was our supervisor/guide. Reading this verse, and many more like it in Romans, brought the understanding that the law also showed us just how sinful we were. From that knowledge, the law showed us just how much we need Christ. I liked how the Contemporary English Version puts it:
"The Law came, so that the full power of sin could be seen."
Sin vs. Spirit
The last couple of verses I underlined in today's readings were verses that spoke about our sinful nature and living by the Spirit.
"5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind controlled by the sinful nature is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The sinful mind is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." Romans 8:5-8
"13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:13
"14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:14-17
I liked how these verses contrasted each other, giving us examples of what it looks like to live in sin versus what is looks like to live by the Spirit. I also love the thought of being a "co-heir with Christ". I looked on-line, but found very little that explained what this meant exactly. Here is a snippet from one resource:
"What does this imply? According to the most mainstream interpretations of the Bible, it implies two things. First, it implies suffering. Many believers would not like to acknowledge this fact, but the New Testament says that if Christ was persecuted, Christians will also be persecuted because they believe. However, if one can keep their faith strong and endure, he or she will see the second part of that promise.
The Bible suggests to many that if a believer suffers with Christ, he or she will also one day reign and share in the glory of Christ as well. An example of this promise can be found in James 1:12 which says “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (NIV)."
http://biblestudies.suite101.com/article.cfm/christian_indentity
That's it For Now
Sort of short, but sweet for today. Tomorrow I finish up Romans. Looking ahead I made 5 notes in my bible on that days reading. We'll see just how much I can write about those!
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