Romans - session 1
Chapters 3 - 7
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Often I suggest that students start to read this great letter that Paul wrote to the Romans at the third chapter, beginning with the 23rd verse. He waxed quite eloquently and theologically in the first two chapters. Yet, some of us are not ready for that, yet! At least I wasn't as a young student. Later, we can retrace our steps and read those chapters with a better understanding.
In verse 23 of Ch.3, Paul let us know that "all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God". In other words, we all need a Savior! "God presented Him [Christ] as a sacrifice for atonement" (Romans 3:25). Did you know that other religious societies, as well as the Hebrews, depended on sacrifices of some kind as a way to make up for (atone for) their UN-righteousness? Even today, we think we can "erase" our untimely, possibly cruel mistakes by giving away something, or doing a good deed.
We think this would atone for that sin. This does not make us perfect in God's eyes. When we accept and believe in what Christ did for us, making atonement for our sin, we are given the covering of Christ, our Redeemer. This is what our heavenly Father "sees" when He looks at us; "a sinner saved by Grace".
Once I was in a Bible class where this understanding of the Good News was ignored. Many wanted to condemn other Christians for their sinful ways. No one emphasized God's love for us that prompted Him to provide such a grace-filled way of Redemption.
In verse 23 of Ch.3, Paul let us know that "all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God". In other words, we all need a Savior! "God presented Him [Christ] as a sacrifice for atonement" (Romans 3:25). Did you know that other religious societies, as well as the Hebrews, depended on sacrifices of some kind as a way to make up for (atone for) their UN-righteousness? Even today, we think we can "erase" our untimely, possibly cruel mistakes by giving away something, or doing a good deed.
We think this would atone for that sin. This does not make us perfect in God's eyes. When we accept and believe in what Christ did for us, making atonement for our sin, we are given the covering of Christ, our Redeemer. This is what our heavenly Father "sees" when He looks at us; "a sinner saved by Grace".
Once I was in a Bible class where this understanding of the Good News was ignored. Many wanted to condemn other Christians for their sinful ways. No one emphasized God's love for us that prompted Him to provide such a grace-filled way of Redemption.
God has poured His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. (Romans 5:5)
Paul makes a strong case for the "faith of Abraham". I like to remind students that it took God's enduring patience and faithfulness to wait for Abraham to begin to trust Him. This is indicative of God's amazing grace. "Abraham [finally] believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness" (Romans 4:3).
My husband, The Rev. Durrie Hardin, gave me quite a few tips of wisdom, some of which he had gleaned from older clergymen. One of these explained SIN to me. Christ died to rid the world of the CONDITION OF SIN. If we would only believe this! Paul wrote, in Ch 6: 6-7,
My husband, The Rev. Durrie Hardin, gave me quite a few tips of wisdom, some of which he had gleaned from older clergymen. One of these explained SIN to me. Christ died to rid the world of the CONDITION OF SIN. If we would only believe this! Paul wrote, in Ch 6: 6-7,
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin . . . anyone who has died [to self] has been freed from sin.
So now I am freed from the CONDITION OF SIN. I am no longer controlled by sin, "delivered from the power of sin" (Amplified Bible, Romans 6:7). Sin still abounds in this world, but because of my covering of Christ, as He can resist sin, so can I. If I do sin I am not condemned by it, for I have chosen Christ, and put my trust in Him as my Savior. Because I trust Him, through the Holy Spirit He guides me in the ways of God.
Have we moved too fast? Let's take this week to let all this sink in. Unbelievers actually do not always think of wrong-doing as "sin". For Believers, filled with the Spirit, that's where the Holy Spirit comes in . . . by letting us know (Spirit to my spirit) that certain behaviors are sinful!
If you think you are ready, tackle chapters 1 and 2. God bless your reading of this!
Have we moved too fast? Let's take this week to let all this sink in. Unbelievers actually do not always think of wrong-doing as "sin". For Believers, filled with the Spirit, that's where the Holy Spirit comes in . . . by letting us know (Spirit to my spirit) that certain behaviors are sinful!
If you think you are ready, tackle chapters 1 and 2. God bless your reading of this!