Author: Seth Durham

Great Or Small.

Last week I read through the book of Acts, and there were two stories that jumped out at me.

Dorcas.

In Acts 9:36-42 we read about a woman named Dorcas who had become ill and died. As far as we know, this woman never did anything extraordinary. She wasn’t a prophet or teacher. She didn’t make the lame walk or the blind see. But the Bible tells us that she had a kind heart, and she used her time and energy helping others in whatever way she could.

Apparently she had a great impact on the people she helped. Acts 9:39 tells us that widows filled the room where Dorcas had died. They wept as they clung to the precious coats and clothes that Dorcas had made for them.

God performed a miracle through Peter and brought Dorcas back to life, and as a result, many people become believers in Christ.

As I read the story, I was struck by the way God uses ordinary people. Dorcas reminds us that we don’t have to have exceptional skills or talents to make an impact for Christ. She was kind to the poor. She made clothes for widows. That’s it. But because of her faithful service, she touched the lives of many, and her story encourages us today.

Paul.

The Apostle Paul, by contrast, stands out as a truly extraordinary individual. His missionary journeys were epic, and he authored a good chunk of The New Testament.

In Acts 20:22-24 Paul exemplifies true courage. God has directed him to go to Jerusalem. God has also made Paul aware that pain and suffering await. As you read through Acts, there are several times where Paul’s friends try to persuade him not to go. But Paul will not be deterred. His answer is simply:

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” ~Acts 20:24

How many of us would be able to do what Paul did, I wonder? Knowing that hardship is ahead, and press on anyway? Let Paul’s example inspire you to do what you know God wants you to do, even when the cost is great.

You.

It doesn’t matter if you’re more like Paul or more like Dorcas. Great or small, we all have a role to play. Use the talents God has given you, and trust Him with the results.

But I Say…

We all have opinions about everything. But Jesus never uttered opinions, only truth. The question is, how closely do your opinions match up with the teachings of Jesus? You might be surprised. What Jesus taught was often contrary to conventional wisdom and popular opinion.

Read Mathew 5: 21-45. Pay close attention when Jesus says, “But I say…”

On murder and adultery.

The sixth and seventh of The Ten Commandments are: do not kill, and do not commit adultery. Most likely you’ve never killed anyone, and hopefully you have never cheated on your spouse. But don’t be too quick to pat yourself on the back.

Jesus explained that these commandments go deeper than we realize. It’s not just about the physical acts; it’s a matter of the heart.

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’

But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!”

~Mathew 5: 21-22

“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’

But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

~Mathew 5: 27-28

God knows our hearts. We may not commit the physical acts of murder or adultery but sometimes the desire is there, and if we knew we could get away with it…

The bottom line is, Jesus taught that if you have ever looked at woman with lust, or burned with hatred against another person, you are guilty of breaking God’s law the same as if you had committed adultery or murder!

On divorce.

In our modern times, divorce is not seen as a big deal. If you’re unhappy, unfulfilled, or unsatisfied with your marriage in any way, just call it quits.

But Jesus taught that marriage is a sacred commitment, and that the only valid reason for divorce is an unfaithful partner.

But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

~Mathew 5: 32

Some Pharisees came to [Jesus] to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

~Mathew 19: 3-6

On making vows.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I swear on my mother” or, “I swear on my kid’s lives”? It’s a fairly common thing, and it’s meant to show that the person is serious about the claim they are making.

But Jesus said not to use such oaths. We are to live with such integrity that people know our word is good at all times.

But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.

And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.

Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.

Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

~Mathew 5: 34 -37

On revenge.

The desire for revenge when we are wronged is a natural impulse. We want those who hurt us to pay a price.

But Jesus taught that we should resist the urge for revenge and instead “turn the other cheek.” It’s hard to overstate how radical (and difficult) this teaching is. It goes against our every instinct.

But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.

~Mathew 5: 39

Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

~Proverbs 20:22

On enemies.

An enemy, by definition, is someone hostile toward you. They don’t like you, and they want to see you come to harm. The natural tendency is to reciprocate.

But once again, Jesus tells us to take a radically different approach.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

~Mathew 5: 43-44

So how do your opinions about these topics line up with what Jesus taught? Do you find some of the teachings hard to accept? If so, ask God to help you adjust your thinking, then ask Him for the strength to put these teachings into practice in your day-to-day life.

Nowhere To Hide.

I’ve been thinking about God’s omnipresence lately. This is the idea that God is everywhere; that there is no place you can go where God is not there. Since God is spirit and not material in nature, it’s probably more accurate to say that “everywhere is in God.” In other words, our material reality is encompassed by and permeated by God. But this is a semantic difference. The point is simply this: wherever you go in the universe, God is there.

There are some beautiful scriptures that illustrate this attribute of God.

…though he is not far from any one of us. 

For in him we live and move and exist…

~Acts 17: 27b-28a

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

~Psalm 139: 7-10

The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping His eye on both the evil and the good.

~Proverbs 15:3

Both disturbing and comforting.

The disconcerting thing about this is that God sees us at our absolute worst. Every time I’ve lost my temper, acted selfishly, or committed some shameful act, God has been witness to it. And there’s no way to fool or manipulate Him about what happened. He knows my innermost thoughts and motives. I don’t know about you, but when I contemplate God having intimate knowledge of my every thought and deed, I cringe.

The good news is, in spite of my flaws, in spite of my sinful nature, God loves me. Remember, He died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).

God knows every bad thing you and I have ever done, and He loves us anyway. He wants to help us through this life, and promises eternal life and peace if we repent of our sins and follow Him (John 3:14-16 | Revelation 21:4).

The pride problem.

Our culture today preaches a message directly contrary to scripture. The world says not to be ashamed of anything! If it feels good, do it. Embrace who you are, do what you want. Your personal pleasure and happiness are all that matter. Nothing is really right or wrong, it’s all relative.

And so many people have become blinded to their own sin. Their pride won’t allow them to admit they’ve ever done anything wrong.

I’m convinced that pride will keep more people out of Heaven than anything else. Pride says, “I’m my own judge, and I’m fine just the way I am.” Humility says, “God is judge, and I’m a sinner in need of forgiveness.”

If you want God’s grace, humility is key.

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”

~James 4:6

Loving and merciful.

God is everywhere, sees all things, and knows all things. But this needn’t fill us with dread. In fact, it should fill us with awe that God knows us so intimately and loves us in spite of our sinfulness.

The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

~Psalm 145:8

You can’t hide from God. But how sweet it is to know that God, who sees you at your best and at your worst, loves you, cares for you, and gave His life for you.

No Worries.

I sometimes struggle with anxiety. If I let my mind wander, I can come up with all kinds of things to stress over. It’s the uncertainty of life that gets to me. I want to know what’s going to happen, and I want to have a say in it!

But the reality is, most things are out of our control. Disease, disaster, death, and destruction can strike without warning. Rather than despair, however, we can take comfort in the words of Jesus.

Worry is damaging.

Unchecked, worry can have devastating effects. It can make you physically ill, contributing to things like digestive disorders and cardiovascular disease. It can even lead to depression and suicidal thoughts.

Worry also affects your spiritual life. Listen to this warning from Jesus in Mathew 13, where he explains that the worries of life can prevent us from growing spiritually:

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

~Mathew 13:22

Take a moment now and read Mathew 6: 19-34.

Notice that right before Jesus addresses the topic of worry, He talks about the problem with focusing on wealth. Why? I think it’s because some people believe that more money will rid them of their worries. This is a trap. Wealth can evaporate in an instant, and no amount of it will ever satisfy your deepest needs. Not only that, but if you’re not careful, the pursuit of wealth can become all consuming. Money becomes your master, and it is a cruel master indeed.

Sources of worry.

God knows what we tend to worry about most. Our immediate physical needs are always front and center in our minds. We need food, water, shelter, and clothes to survive, and when those things are in jeopardy, we start to fret.

But Jesus reminds us that if we trust God, He will provide for us.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”

~Mathew 6:25-30

Letting go.

When you begin to worry, remember this quote:

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Worry is a sign that you are clinging to this world. Life is short and this world is temporary. Jesus said, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it” (Mathew 10:39).

So stop worrying! God is in control. If you seek first the kingdom of God and strive to live righteously, God promises to take care of your needs and work everything together for your good in the end.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28

Then What?

Our Pastor has told the following story from the pulpit a couple of times. I don’t remember it verbatim, so the details aren’t right, but you’ll get the gist of it:

One day Pastor picked up a hitchhiker, and since they had a long way to drive, they struck up a conversation. The hitchhiker began to tell Pastor about his life and plans.

“I’m going to college to get my degree,” the hitchhiker said.

“Then what?” Pastor asked.

“I’ll get a good job. Make lots of money.”

“Then what?”

“I’ll buy a nice car and a nice house.”

“Then what?”

“I’ll probably get married and start a family.”

“Then what?”

“I guess I’ll raise some kids. Eventually retire.”

“Then what?”

“Well, I’ll go fishing and play with my grandkids.”

“Then what?”

Exasperated, the hitchhiker said, “Well, then I’ll die!”

Pastor smiled and asked him, “Then what?”

One of two fates.

Most people don’t like to think about death, let alone talk about it, but it’s important to face reality: one day, death will come for you. You can’t escape it.

The Bible reminds us in Hebrews that we are destined to die, and then we face judgement. In Romans we’re told that we will give an account of ourselves before God. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that after death our deeds will be judged.

It’s important to keep death in mind as you go through life, because one day you will stand before your Maker, and you will either receive His justice or His mercy.

Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:2

When God judges you, no matter how good a life you led, you will not measure up to His standard. The Bible makes it clear that we all fall short, and that the penalty for this is death (see Romans chapters 3 – 6).

So if you face justice, you will be found guilty, and your death sentence will be carried out. This means you will be eternally separated from God, the source of all that is good. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mathew 13:42 / Luke 13:28).

But there is hope! God sent His Son, Jesus, to die in your place. Instead of justice, mercy is yours for the asking. If you confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). If you do this, then when God judges you, the righteousness of Christ will be all that He sees.

Don’t put it off.

I know it’s not fun to think about death, but it’s vital that you do, because it’s going to happen, and I want you to be prepared.

God’s invitation for mercy expires when you do. The decision to accept Christ as Lord and Savior must be made while you are alive. You won’t be able to change your mind after death when you stand face-to-face with the Almighty. At that point it’s too late; your fate is sealed.

Salvation is simple: set aside your pride, and ask for forgiveness and redemption. Trust in what Christ did for you on the cross, and acknowledge Him as your Lord. There’s nothing more to it.

If you have rejected God’s offer of mercy up to this point, I pray that God will soften your heart and open your spiritual eyes before it’s too late.

Like it or not, friend, one day you will die. The question is… Then what?

Little Things, Big Things.

Imagine being a teenager living at the end of the iron age. An enemy nation conquers your people, and takes you captive. They drag you far from home to a strange land where you will face an uncertain fate.

Such was the plight of four, teenaged boys (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) when Babylon conquered Israel in 605 B.C.

We read in the book of Daniel that these four were part of a larger group of Hebrew captives. This was a group of exceptional young men; boys of noble stock, boys with high intelligence and wisdom. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, wanted this group of talented youths to serve in his palace, and ordered his advisors to teach them the language and literature of Babylon.

A little test of faith.

The king provided these Hebrew boys with the best food and drink the kingdom had to offer. We don’t know exactly why, but something about this food was dishonoring to God. (See: What was wrong with the king’s food? for possible reasons why.)

So this group of young men faced a dilemma: if they refused the kings offerings, there would certainly be consequences, but if they partook, they would be sinning against God.

We don’t know exactly how many Hebrew boys were in this elite group, but the text implies that all but Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah went ahead and ate the food. Maybe they figured that, under the circumstances, it wasn’t that big of a deal. Perhaps some of them were angry at God, and ate the food out of spite. Maybe some of them didn’t want to eat it, but were afraid not to.

But Daniel and his three friends took a stand. They decided to obey God, and they were willing to face whatever ridicule or punishment might come their way.

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”

So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 

So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

-Daniel 1 : 11 – 16

Daniel and his friends didn’t make excuses. They didn’t blow off God’s commands because they were inconvenient. They chose to obey, whatever the cost.

Eating the king’s food may not have been a huge deal (the text says nothing disparaging about the young men who did eat it), but it was important to Daniel and his friends to remain faithful, even in the little things. God rewarded them for their obedience.

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Daniel 1: 17

A big test of faith.

Some time later, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, made a great, golden statue (ninety ft. tall, nine ft. wide), and ordered his subjects to worship it. Anyone who refused would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

Daniel must have been on assignment elsewhere when this happened, for he is not mentioned in this part of the story. But Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were present, and as you can imagine, worshiping an idol was a big no-no for them.

Once again, these men were being tested, only this time the stakes were life and death. Worship the idol, or die. Those were their options.

But they would not bow to a false god! Once again, they took a stand, staying faithful to the one, true God.

(Note: the following text uses the Babylonian names given to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.)

But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews.

They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king!

You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments.

That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace.

But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in,

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?

I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Daniel 3: 8 -18

The king made good on his promise, and threw Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah into a furnace so hot that it killed the guards who tossed them in! But God demonstrated His power, and the three men walked out completely unharmed.

This miracle had a profound impact on the king and the entire nation. Even today, thousands of years later, we are still telling the tale of these men and their unwavering faithfulness. How many millions of people throughout the years has this story encouraged and inspired?

The little things matter.

As I studied the first three chapters of Daniel this week, I really felt the significance of the first part of the story where they refused to eat the king’s food. There’s an important principle here: If you’re not faithful in the little things, you won’t be faithful in the big things.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah trusted and obeyed God when the stakes were low. This gave them the confidence to do the same thing years later when their lives were on the line.

You and I may never face a situation as dire as Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah did, but we should be prepared to. That means being obedient today in the little things to strengthen our faith for the big things.

On Sheep.

If you could be any animal, what animal would you choose? Something majestic and strong, like a lion, perhaps? Maybe something cunning and fierce, like a wolf? How cool would it be to soar through the clouds as an eagle?

Odds are, you wouldn’t choose a sheep. Most people don’t think very highly of them. When someone is labeled a sheep, it’s meant as a knock on their intelligence and their ability to think for themselves.

At first it may seem insulting that God’s people are compared to sheep in the Bible. We like to think we’re better than that, but that’s just our pride talking. In fact, there are valuable lessons to be learned when we properly understand the analogy of God as our shepherd and we as His sheep.

Going astray.

The prophet Isaiah said:

“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own…” (Isaiah 53:6a).

I did a Google search and found out some interesting reasons why sheep go astray. The following is adapted from the Google AI Overview:

Frightened:

Sheep are prey animals and have a natural instinct to flee when they feel threatened. Loud noises, quick movements, and dogs can all scare sheep and make them run.

Distracted:

Sheep can also wander off, even in ideal environments with food and water, because they can get distracted or busy. For example, they might get so focused on grazing that they don’t notice their flock has moved.

Separated from the flock:

Sheep are social animals that feel safe in groups, so separating one sheep from the rest can be frightening and disturbing.

Let’s look at how the factors that cause literal sheep to go astray also impact us as metaphorical sheep.

Fear.

It’s not surprising that fear is one of the things that causes us to wander from God. Fear is a powerful negative emotion.

Fear undermines our trust in God’s sovereignty. It fills us with doubt and uncertainty. Fear of failure keeps us from stepping out in faith. Fear of rejection keeps us silent when we should speak.

But God is more powerful than your fears. The message “don’t be afraid” appears hundreds of time in scripture. Ask God for the courage to overcome your fears, and don’t let fear take you off the path He has for you.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

-II Timothy 1:7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

-Proverbs 3: 5-6

Distractions.

Even when life is going great and we’re not living in fear, busyness and distractions can lead us away from God.

We spend our days in the rat race, trying to make enough money to pay our bills and get a little bit ahead. The various roles we play (i.e. parent, friend, spouse, employee, etc.) consume a lot of time and energy. With all this busyness, who has time for reading the Bible, praying, and going to church?

And how easy is it to spend all day on frivolous things? I’m guilty. I can’t tell you how many days I’ve wasted scrolling through Facebook, watching T.V., playing video games, etc. It’s easy to get sucked into trivialities, and to lose sight of what really matters.

We must examine our lives frequently to make sure we have our priorities straight. We must continually reevaluate and refocus to ensure our Shepherd is in sight, and that we’re following in His footsteps.

I like this quote from C.S. Lewis:

“I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same.” [emphasis mine]

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

-Colossians 3:2

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

-Psalm 119:37

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

-Hebrews 3:1

Isolation.

Like sheep, we are social creatures. We need each other. Surround yourself with strong Christians dedicated to following the Lord, and you will be more likely to stay on the right path.

We are not meant to go through life’s trials alone. Find a good church where God’s Word is faithfully preached, and get in the habit of attending weekly. Seek out Christian fellowship. Lean on your brothers and sisters when you are weak, and be ready to support them when they need you.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

-Proverbs 27:17

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

-Hebrews 10:25

The Good Shepherd.

We’ve looked at one side of the shepherd/sheep analogy, and hopefully you found it insightful how some of the same things that cause sheep to lose their way cause us to stray from God. Now we’ll look at the other side of the analogy: God’s role as our Shepherd.

Let’s return to Isaiah 53:6, and look at the last part of it:

“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on Him the sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6).

In spite of our waywardness, our shepherd loves us. So much so, that He took our sins upon Himself and died in our place.

I’ll close with the words of Jesus found in John 10. May they encourage and inspire you to stay close to The Good Shepherd.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.

The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 

just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 

I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.“

-John 10: 11-16

Good News!

The literal meaning of the word “gospel” is: good news. But the gospel is more than just good news. It’s the best news! It gives meaning and purpose to our existence, and points the way to eternal life in a perfectly restored world.

Today I want to share the gospel with you, the essence of the Christian faith.

The Romans Road.

In his letter to the church in Rome, the Apostle Paul laid out the fundamentals of Christianity. The “Romans road to salvation” is a selection of key verses from that letter that succinctly present the gospel message.

We’re going to examine those verses, and delve into their meaning and application. I encourage you to read the entire book of Romans so that you can appreciate the verses in their full context.

Bad news first.

The first few chapters of Romans are a bit of a downer. Paul is “setting the stage” so to speak, and the picture he paints is quite grim. It turns out that no matter how good you are, you’re not good enough to earn God’s favor. God judges you against His standard of perfection, and you simply do not measure up. You have sinned (an archery term meaning: missed the mark); you fall short.

Key verse:

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Romans 3:23

It gets worse.

Ok, so you’ve sinned. Is it really that big of a deal? As it turns out, yes. Our sin is an affront to a holy God, and the penalty is death. Not just physical death, but an eternal separation from God, the source of all that is good.

Key verse:

For the wages of sin is death…

Romans 6:23a

We are all guilty of sin, and therefore, we are all sentenced to death. The importance of this truth cannot be understated. Until a person realizes they are a sinner facing eternal punishment, they cannot see their need for salvation.

For the hard-hearted, the seed of the gospel dies here. The proud man will not acknowledge he is a sinner. He shakes his fist at God in defiance. Such a man is doomed if his heart does not change. But for those who acknowledge the sinful nature inside themselves, a nature that behaves contrary to God’s laws, there is hope.

The solution.

The second half of Romans 6:23 is our first look at the good news.

…but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23b

Yes! A reprieve! A gift that replaces death with life! A gift made possible by Christ Jesus.

The obvious questions are: “how does Jesus provide this gift?” and “how does one receive it?”

The ultimate sacrifice.

Because God is just, He cannot let sin go unpunished. But because God is merciful, He made a plan to both punish sin and forgive sinners like you and me. How did He accomplish this? He came to earth as a man: Jesus. He lived a perfect, sinless life. Then He took our penalty upon Himself, and suffered death in our place. The blood He spilled on the cross paid our ransom in full.

Key verse:

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Romans 5:8

Salvation.

Jesus’s death on the cross paid for our sin. His resurrection confirmed that He had the power and authority to make this atonement on our behalf.

Now we come to the nuts-and-bolts of salvation: repentance and faith.

Repentance means admitting that you are a sinner, and turning 180 degrees from your sin toward God. It means acknowledging that God is right, and you are wrong. It means confessing to God your personal need for forgiveness, and asking Him for it.

Faith means trusting that God will make good on His promise. It means believing that because of what Christ did for you, you have been made holy in His eyes, and will not suffer His righteous judgement.

Key verses:

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13

When you repent and put your faith in Christ, you receive the gift of salvation. As a result, you become a new creature (see II Corinthians 5:17). Christ becomes your King. This is what it means to be a Christian.

Blessed assurance.

Our journey down the Romans road ends with reassurance that our hope in Christ is not misplaced.

Key verses:

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Romans 5:1

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38 – 39

If this is your first exposure to the gospel, or if you have heard it before but never responded to it, I pray that the message pierces your heart. May you be moved to repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ.

If you are already a Christian, let the gospel encourage and inspire you. Thank God for your blessed hope, and look for opportunities to share the good news with others!

Humility.

Since the 1970’s, June has been known as “Pride Month” in the United States. Rainbow flags and other gay-pride paraphernalia are ubiquitous. Our culture now fully embraces the LGBTQIA2S lifestyle. The message: Be proud of your sexuality!

Social media encourages people to flaunt their wealth. You’re supposed to post pictures of the cool new toys you buy. Post pics of food from that fancy restaurant. Brag about your exotic vacations. The message: Be proud of your possessions!

Society encourages us to boast about our achievements. Go ahead and broadcast that you went to an Ivy League school. Make sure people know how successful you are. Brag about your intellect and business acumen. The message: Be proud of your accomplishments!

Notice the common thread. Pride is all about “me, me, me!” It is a form of self-worship, for it prizes the self above all else.

Not something to celebrate.

Pride is no virtue. In fact, it is chief among the cardinal sins.

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis said this about pride:

“Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.“

Here’s a sample of what the Bible says about pride:

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.

Proverbs 8:13

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Psalm 10:4

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 

But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 

For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 

For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

James 3: 13-16

Opposite of pride.

Jesus taught humility.

Read Mathew 23:1-12 where Jesus condemns the pride of the Pharisees, and warns His followers not to be like them.

Read Luke 22: 24-27 where Jesus teaches His disciples that if they want to be truly great, they must humble themselves and serve others.

And Jesus didn’t just teach humility, He lived it. He demonstrated it when He healed the sick, when He ministered to the meek and lowly, when He washed the feet of His disciples.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45

Finally, Jesus exemplified humility in the most profound way possible: He took on feeble, human flesh, and willingly went to the cross to die for sinful mankind.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

Food for thought.

A proud man is a miserable man. He looks down on those he deems inferior, and he burns with envy at the mere thought of anyone being superior. He lives in constant fear of being knocked off the pedestal on which he has placed himself.

Our modern world is at odds with The Almighty on the issue of pride. You have a daily choice to make: Will you go with the flow, and celebrate what God detests? Or will you dare to follow the example of Jesus?

Memorizing Scripture.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been memorizing one new verse of scripture a day. When I was trying to decide what to write about for this post, my daughter said, “Daddy, why don’t you write about the verses you’ve been memorizing?” That sounded like a great idea to me, so here goes!

Why memorize?

Memorizing scripture is not easy. It takes time and effort, but the process has many benefits.

  1. As you work to retain a verse in memory, you start to think deeply about the meaning of it and how it applies to your life.

  2. While you’re focused on scripture, your mind isn’t wandering aimlessly, or worse, thinking thoughts that are harmful / sinful.

  3. Once a verse is stored in memory, you can bring it to mind when you need it, and it can be a source of comfort, encouragement, or inspiration.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:11

Five verses:

I’m going to go through five of the verses I’ve memorized recently, and talk about what they mean to me:

1

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23

The “heart” in this verse is your innermost self. It’s the true, unfiltered, genuine you. It’s the seat of your emotions and desires. What’s in your heart is who you really are.

This verse is a warning to be careful what you allow to influence and shape you. Choose carefully what you watch, what you listen to, and who you associate with, because what you let into your heart becomes a part of you, and will determine how your life plays out.

2

I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

Psalm 146:2

This is a pledge to be loyal and faithful to God to the end. By making this pledge daily, you’ll be able to say at the end of your life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (II Timothy 4:7).

3

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

Psalm 145:8

This verse encapsulates the nature of God. It is because of His mercy, compassion, and unfailing love that He sent His Son to die on a cross for our sins (John 3:16). It is His loving nature that motivates us to love Him. (“We love him, because he first loved us” I John 4:19).

4

He counts the stars and calls them all by name.

Psalm 147:4

This verse speaks of the unfathomable mind of God. Imagine a mind capable of knowing, not only the exact number of stars, but also their individual names! It reminds us how great God is, and how truly limited we are by comparison. (see also Isaiah 55:8-9).

5

Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.

Psalm 131:1

This verse is a great reminder that we should always approach God with humility. We may not know why God allows certain things to happen in our lives, but we can trust that He is in control. We should let go of the things that are beyond our understanding.

You can do it!

I challenge you to commit more scripture to memory. Even memorizing one new verse a month is better than nothing. Find a verse that speaks to you, write it out on a 3 x 5 card, and go over it at least once a day. Meditate on it and see how it impacts your life. You’ll be glad you did!

Side note: If you have a hard time memorizing things, I hear ya. If you want to improve your ability to memorize scripture (or anything else), I recommend a book by Kevin Horsley called, Unlimited Memory. It’s not magic; you’ll have to work to learn the methods that he teaches, but I’ve found them to be quite effective.

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