God is Able

So, we finished the "Truths in Romans" Bible Study series, and started on a "God is Able" series, with Ephesians 3:20-21 as the theme: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" It's interesting that the Bible passages that help illustrate this theme happen to be popular Children's stories from Sunday School: Parting the Red Sea, Destroying the Wall of Jericho, David and Goliath, etc. I think that's because children, unlike most adults, don't place limitations on what God is able to do and actually love to hear about His miracles. May we recapture that wonder and remember that God is able to do amazing things through us!

The Verdict

In Romans 3:10, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE” is like the verdict on the nature of Man. Chapters 1, 2, and 3, leading up to this verse, present arguments, as in a court case on the indictment of man on the charges of sin. Chapter 1 lays out the case against sinful man, Chapter 2 against the self-righteous; and also even against the Jews, the ones originally “entrusted with the oracles of God”. Both Jew and Gentile, circumcised and uncircumcised - in fact “ALL” have turned aside (3:12).

However, despite the solid case against man throughout these chapters, we still catch glimpses of God’s mercy and grace, in His plan for salvation: the gospel as “the power of God for salvation”, the “righteous shall live by faith, and “glory and honor and peace to every man who does good”. Romans 2:29 displays this as well, as it refers to the circumcision “of the heart, by the Spirit”.

Romans

Faithfulness applies to so many areas of our lives: how we live, our areas of responsibility or serving, etc. So, preparing to lead this next Bible Study series on Romans can be seen as part of the race. There are challenges - other things in life that compete for our time and energies, feelings of inadequacy, trying to make sure the Word is handled accurately, and so forth. Not to mention that there is so much in the Book the Romans, some of it hard to hear or difficult to understand.

So far, in the first couple of chapters, there is a clear definition of the gospel ("the power of God for salvation"); a clear view of the darkness of sin in the life of man; and the justice of God's judgment. Who wants to contemplate sin and judgment? But, looking around us, isn't it clear that we actually need to? Wouldn't a clear view of our weaknesses and tendencies, along with the reminder of the terrible consequences of sin, help us to try to avoid it all more? And for those of us who know God, remembering His kindness and patience should motivate us to repentance as well.

In the study so far, it has been clear that sin is that which is contrary to God's nature; and reminds me that committing a sin is based on a belief in a lie. Throughout the passage, there is this clear conflict against the TRUTH.