Romans - Week 35

Accept Each Other

READ

Romans 15:7-8

7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. 8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors.

Paul once again emphasizes the example of Jesus. Although He was the creator of the universe, He took on human flesh as He came in the line of David to the Jewish people. Jesus did this to prove to the Jewish people that the promises of God concerning them had not been forgotten. The Jewish people often hearkened back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jesus came as their Messiah to prove God is true to His promises.

REFLECT

As you read the Bible, notice the promises God makes. Then remember He is always true to His promises.

RESPOND

Return to Romans 4:18-25 to be reminded of Abraham’s strong faith in God’s promises. Take heart as you realize you serve a promise-keeping God.

Praise Among the Gentiles

READ

Romans 15:9-11

9 He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: “For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.” 10 And in another place it is written, “Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles.” 11 And yet again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth.”

The letter to the Romans was particularly written to Gentile believers in Rome even though Paul also addressed Jewish readers. From his Jewish background, Paul cited Old Testament passages well-known to the Jews that indicated God’s plan was not only to bless the Jews but also the Gentiles. Even though Jesus came humanly as the Messiah of Israel, His later death and resurrection was to benefit the entire world—both Jews and Gentiles.

REFLECT

Ponder how great it is that God’s plan was to bless the entire world, and that’s why you are part of that plan.

RESPOND

Read 1 John 2:1-2 to see that the sacrifice of Jesus for sin was for the sins of all the world. No one was excluded, but to be included in such benefits one must trust in Jesus as Savior.

Confident Hope

READ

Romans 15:12-13

12 And in another place Isaiah said, “The heir to David’s throne will come,

and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him.” 13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Note Paul’s prayer for his readers. It was not that they might have less aches and pains but that they might have “joy and peace.” What would be the cause of these precious possessions? It was their trust in Jesus Christ. Paul knew that when the believers had those qualities they would “overflow with confident hope.” And even that hope would come by the “power of the Holy Spirit.”

REFLECT

Do you have the joy and peace Paul spoke about? It’s not about religion; it’s about a relationship that comes by trusting in Jesus as Savior.

RESPOND

Read Isaiah 55:11-13 about what God said to the Israelites—and the Gentiles as well—about how His Word goes out, accomplishes His will, and brings joy and peace. 

Teach Each Other

READ

Romans 15:14

14 I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them.

How encouraged would you be if Paul had you in mind when he wrote these words? He was convinced that they were full of goodness. He also told them he realized they knew well the things he was writing. In fact, they knew them so well they would be able to teach each other about them. Of course, Paul knew that just knowing information was not enough; believers need to be living the truths they are teaching. 

REFLECT

Could the apostle Paul write the same things about you? Do know the truths of the Bible well enough to teach others?

RESPOND

Read Ezra 7:10 that is considered a key verse in the book of Ezra. Note especially the steps Ezra progressed through. He studied the Word of God, he practiced it, and he taught it. Talk to your disciple about going through these various steps and living what one is teaching.

Day 5

READ

Romans 15:15-16

15 Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, 16 I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.

A needed lesson is in Paul’s words here. Even though a person may know the basic truths of the Bible and able to teach others; sometimes even that person needs to be reminded of the grace of God. He considered it was by God’s grace that he was a minister, or special messenger, of the gospel to the Gentiles. The “good news” to which Paul referred was the “gospel of God.” This was the message of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Paul considered the believing Gentiles to whom he was writing to be his “acceptable offering” to God. That offering was made holy by the Holy Spirit.

REFLECT

As you attend Bible teaching sessions, do you see the need to be reminded of truths you already know?

RESPOND

Little children may comment when hearing a Bible story, “I’ve already heard that.” Believers, however, should not be disappointed to hear the gospel truths repeated. Read John 15:19-21 to see that Jesus needed to remind His disciples of His teaching.