We are studying out the book of Romans on Sundays as a church. Last Sunday was our first message of the series. The title of last week’s message came from Romans 1:6 which says, “And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” Christians have both privilege and a great responsibility. Paul and the apostles received forgiveness (“grace”) as an undeserved privilege. But they also received the responsibility to share the message of God’s forgiveness with others. God also graciously forgives our sins when we are baptized into the name of Jesus. (Acts 2:38)
Paul also is telling us that when we become a Christian we are invited by Jesus Christ to 1) become part of God’s family, and 2) be holy people. Romans 1:7 says, “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints.” Do you as a Christian honor your call everyday to live your life for God with all your heart? It is such an incredible responsibility we have from God to reach out and share our faith about what God has done for us and the whole world. Romans 1:12 says, “that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” We are a movement of God. This means we are moving with God. God has always promised to use His people to be a light to a hurting world. To be mutually encouraged by other churches’ faith, we must be in agreement about our purpose.
1 Corinthians 1:10 says, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” There is no more important scripture to obey than this one as we continue to plant churches to evangelize the world in our generation. (Matthew 28:18-20) We must always honor the God’s words above relationships. If we go to another so-called Christian church and start to see that they don’t hold to the standard of the scriptures in some areas of the church, how can we be mutually encouraged and perfectly united in mind and thought with that church? We can’t!
GOD’S KINDNESS LEADS US TO REPENTANCE
Romans 2:4 says, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”
Some brothers and sisters commented that this verse was very encouraging to them in last Sunday’s message. We often think of God’s discipline to get us to repent. When God disciplines us it is for our own good. If we learn from God’s discipline, we will repent and grow in the Lord. We will also produce a harvest of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11)
God will do whatever it takes to get us to repent of sin in our lives. But He hopes that we can be moved by His kindness, tolerance and patience to repent. If you stay close to God in your quiet times and prayers, His kindness will continue to move you to want to be a better man or woman for Him. God wants the best for you, be grateful for His kindness, tolerance and patience!
PSALM 105:1-9
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, O descendants of Abraham his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant.”
The verses of this Psalm shows us how David remembered God’s amazing miracles and was encouraged to keep living close to God. I encourage you to think about what God has done for you and never forget the way He works in your life.
Life is short, then we get to go to heaven.
Love, your brother in Christ,
Chris Chloupek
