Scripture

All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Observation

Paul sends greetings to many individual christians and leaders in the church at Rome.

His last appeal to them is to watch out for false teachers who teach things contrary to the gospel. They deceive everyone with their smooth talk and glowing words. The Romans, on the other hand, are faithful to Christ.

Application

This final doxology, or blessing, concludes the letter to the Romans.

All of Paul’s life was about glorifying God. He did this firstly in a zealous way fighting heretics including followers of Christ, but later just as zealous for Christ.

Paul counted even his extreme sufferings such as prison, beatings, being shipwrecked, all as nothing compared to the riches of Christ’s glory.

In comparison to Paul, I always feel somewhat inferior and lazy. We should not make comparisons, because God calls us all to live differently, but how wonderful it would be to have Paul’s zeal and boldness for Christ.

I need to learn to put aside everything that detracts from Jesus. This is not just about sin, but all the other distractions that stop me from following Jesus as I should.

I need also to get a clearer vision of Jesus- His grace and love and holiness, allowing Him to capture my heart so that nothing comes close to Him in my affections.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to see you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly. Amen.

Scripture

Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.

Observation

Before visiting Rome, Paul has to go to Jerusalem in order to take a gift from the believers in Achaia and Macedonia to the poor believers in Jerusalem. Paul then intends to visit Rome on his way to Spain.

Paul asks for prayer for protection from people in Judea who refuse to believe the gospel. Then Paul will be able to come to Rome with a joyful heart.

Application

Paul obviously intended to go to Rome on his way to Spain, after he had been to Jerusalem. We know from Acts that he was arrested in Jerusalem. He appealed for Caesar to hear his case and so was sent to Rome.

He would have chosen other circumstances in which to fulfil his promise. God got him to Rome, using people who were hostile to the faith. We know that Paul wrote several of his epistles while imprisoned in Rome, and many people came to know Jesus through his ministry there.

We may not always have the lifestyle or the situations we might prefer, but God uses all of our life events for good.

The Lord wanted Paul in Rome. The Jewish leaders wanted Paul out of their hair. Although Paul was in chain for the gospel, he was able to travel to Rome with a joyful heart, because he knew that God was in control.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you are always with me. Please help me to trust you and to rejoice in you, especially when life is difficult. Amen.

Scripture

Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, in my service in bringing Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.

Observation

Paul is convinced that the Roman christians already know the things he has discussed in the letter so well that they can teach each other. All he is doing is reminding them of these things.

Paul is God’s special messenger to the Gentiles. He brings them the Good News in order to present them to the Lord.

He is excited about all that Christ has done, not boasting about anything other than what Christ has done. He has always tried to preach the gospel where it has never been heard. But now he is looking forward to travelling to Rome on his way to Spain.

Application

We like to think that we are able to achieve something in life. We like to think we are above average in some ways. In fact in surveys in both the US and the UK, 70% of drivers think they are “above average” in their driving skills.

Paul says that he does not boast about anything other than what Christ has done through him.

Some christians can be guilty of exaggerating their achievements. Some years ago, I wryly observed that if we added up all the converts and attendance claimed by the pastors, we would have 120% of the town’s population in church every week, and it would be a thoroughly converted place.

Paul says that we should not boast except in what Christ has done through us and in us. Even then we need to make sure it is about Jesus and not about me. This comes back to humility, having an honest appreciation of our walk with Jesus. We don’t need to strive for recognition, but simply rest in Christ, knowing that God sees all that we do.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for the joy of walking with you and of serving you. Please help me to keep my eyes fixed on you always. Amen.

Scripture

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.

Observation

We who are strong in faith must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like food and special days. We must not just please ourselves, but try to lift up others.

We are to accept one another in the same way that Christ accepted us. Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God keeps His promises. He also came to the Gentiles so that we, too, can give glory to God.

Application

God is the source of our hope. Anything else that we look to for our security or significance is an idol. It is God who saves us and raises us up to eternal life.

He will fill us with joy and peace if we let Him. These things are part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we walk with Jesus and look to the Holy Spirit, He will cause joy and peace to grow in us.

Because I know that God loves me, I can trust that every part of my life is being redeemed and used to His glory. What joy fills my heart to know that I am loved by the Creator of the world.

Because God loves me and is in control of my life, then no matter what I am going through, I can walk in peace. His serenity, His shalom bring quietness to my heart when all around me is in turmoil.

My life is not meaningless. I have purpose and I am being trained for eternal life in heaven. I may not always understand why things are the way they are, but I have hope, a future to look forward to.

All of this is grace,a gift from the Holy Spirit. I don’t deserve any of it, but He gives it to me anyway.

Prayer

God of all hope, I thank you for loving me and overflowing me with joy and peace. Amen.

Scripture

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Observation

Instead of condemning one another for living and believing differently to us, we should act out of concern and love for our brothers and sisters in the Lord, so as not to cause them to stumble.

No food is of itself wrong, but if another believer is distressed by what I eat, then out of love for them, I should not eat it.

The kingdom of God is not about rules about what we can and cannot eat, but about living a life of goodness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

All foods are good, but if my eating them causes a believer to stumble, then I should not eat these foods. And if I have doubts about whether it is right to eat something, then it is sin for me because I am not eating from conviction.

Application

The kingdom of God is not about dietary rules, or any other rules for that matter. We have been saved by grace, not by following rules. It is our relationship with God that sets us free from religious obligations.

The kingdom of God is about living a life of goodness. We don’t try to keep rules, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, we imitate the life of Jesus. This is a life marked by love for God and for others, and by holiness.

The kingdom of God is about peace. We have been reconciled to God and set free from sin. The peace of God should not only be in my heart, but radiate to others who do not know the peace of God.

The kingdom of God is about joy. The biggest problem, the heaviest weight, in a person’s life is the burden of sin. I’ve been set free from that. Laughter should always be ready to bubble up from us in our daily celebration of life.

And all of this is in the Holy Spirit. We don’t force people to put a smile on their dial, to pretend to be something they are not. No, the Holy Spirit brings goodness, joy and peace to our hearts as a gift.

Prayer

How awesome it is to be a child of God! Thank you Father! Amen.

Scripture

So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember we will all stand before the judgement seat of God.

Observation

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue about what is right or wrong. Some believers will eat only vegetables, but other believers will eat anything. Some believers think one day is more important than other days, while others think every day is holy.

We should not judge those who think differently to us on such issues. Those who only eat vegetables and those who eat meat as well, all eat to bring glory to God. Those who worship on one particular day do so to glorify God, as do those who worship on any day.

It is not fr us to condemn the Lord’s servants. The Lord will judge all of His people.

Application

There are lots of different ways to worship the Lord. Pentecostals, Anglicans, Catholics, Baptists, all seek to worship God in a way that they believe honours Him. Many worship on Sunday, some on Saturday for pragmatic reasons, some on Saturday for doctrinal reasons. Some people think a mega church is the only place to worship, while others worship in home groups.

We most not condemn our brothers and sisters who worship in a way that is different to us. We might disagree with their reasons, but we still have to love each other joyfully.

Unfortunately, there is no exemption for those who haven’t read Romans 14. The people who are convinced that they are right and I am wrong and judge me for that, are hard to take. But God’s word says that I have to love them. After all, they are God’s children too.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the huge diversity of christians in the world. Help me to love everyone who loves you, regardless of our different ways of honouring you. Amen.

Scripture

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Observation

Owe nothing to anyone except the debt to love. Loving my neighbour fulfils all the commandments. Love does no wrong to others, so it fulfils the requirements of God’s law.

We must live as children of the light. Time is running out. The night is nearly over and the day of salvation will soon be here. We must therefore live in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Application

What does a message about the return of Jesus normally look like? Often, it is a call to be careful about the rise of the Antichrist. It might be an appeal to get saved, or to share the gospel with those who are not saved.

Paul here uses the belief that Jesus is coming soon to encourage us to get ready by putting on deeds of righteousness. Jesus is coming soon, so make sure you are living the way you should be.

Paul tells us that we must clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. To me, this means two things- a commitment to prayer and worship, and a commitment to overcoming the sins in my life.

If we are really aware that Christ is already with us, then of course we will make prayer and worship a priority. These things flow from a heart transformed by Him.

Equally, we will be wanting to live in a way that is worthy of His presence. Paul says, “Don’t even let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” The sins that cause so much guilt and shame start with our thoughts. If we train our brains to shun these thoughts, then our lives will reflect the glory of Christ.

Prayer

Lord, please change me to be more like Christ, Thank you for the Holy Spirit who brings conviction of my sins. Help me to put away deeds of darkness and walk in your light. Amen.

Scripture

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Observation

We must submit to governing authorities. God has placed them over us in order to bring peace and order to society.

If we do the wrong thing we will be punished, but if we do what is right, we will be honoured.

Likewise, we are to pay taxes and fees in order that government workers may be paid.

Application

Paul tells us to submit to governing authorities as a part of our christian discipleship. Christians are not meant to be anarchists. Lawlessness is from the devil, not from God.

There are times when we must disobey governing authorities, for example, when they require us to do something that is contrary to God’s will.

When Peter and John were ordered by the Sanhedrin to cease preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus, they refused. They said, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

In some jurisdictions where churches have been discriminated against in the name of public health, some pastors have refused to shut down their services. In the U.S. State of Nevada, where churches are forbidden but casinos are allowed to operate, some churches are circumventing the regulations by meeting in casinos.

There is a hierarchy of authority in God’s kingdom. God is over all, then governments in their area of authority, then church leaders in their area of authority, then husbands, wives and parents.

Of course, christians may disagree on where the lines should be drawn. Our default position is to obey, but where governments require us to disobey God, we must refuse the government’s requirements.

Prayer

Lord, today I pray for all who are in Government positions- Prime Minister, Premiers, parliamentarians and bureaucrats. May they know your blessing as they rule over us, and may they know your limits on their activities. Amen.

Scripture

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring one another.

Observation

We are to love each other sincerely, not in pretence. We should seek to be affectionate in loving each other and in honouring one another,

We are to rejoice, be patient and generous. We should bless those who persecute us, rejoice with those who are happy and mourn with those who are sad.

We must not seek to take revenge, but to leave that to God’s righteous anger. We must not retaliate against evil, but instead conquer evil by doing good.

Application

Our culture is not good at expressing godly love- this is not surprising since many people do not know God. The attitude, by and large, is we support people when we agree with them or they are useful to us. When that situation changes, we move on and ignore them.

The Bible calls instead for a genuine love amongst christians. Paul tells us in the previous verse that we must really love one another and not just pretend to. Here he tells us to love each other with genuine affection.

So no pretend love, chummy expressions and fake laughter while waiting to put a knife in.

How do we get there?

Firstly we have to understand that we are not perfect or worthy of God’s favour. I am just as bad as anyone else apart from the grace of God. Being honest about my own sins and failures makes me more accepting of others.

Secondly, we need to pray for other people. This means not just confessing their sins for them or asking God to change them. It means honestly and sincerely asking God to bless them.

Thirdly, it means showing honour to each other. Find the good things that you can praise them for, both to themselves and to other people. Don’t be afraid to talk other people up, rather than pulling them down.

As we genuinely seek to build others up, we will find that God’s love abounds among us,

Prayer

Please help me, Lord, to love others, both the christians and the not- yet christians. Help me to put them above myself and to honour them from my heart. Amen.

Scripture

Don’t copy the behaviours and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Observation

We are to give our bodies back to God, a holy and living sacrifice. This is the way to worship Him. Our thinking must change from the ways of the world so that God can change us,

Paul exhorts us to be honest in our evaluation of ourselves, and to not think we are better than we really are.

God gives us all different gifts, and we do different things well compared to others. For some the gift is prophecy, for others serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading or kindness. Which ever of these gifts we have, we should use them to the best of our ability and for the glory of God.

Application

We should not copy the behaviour and the customs of the world.

This is a process of learning God’s ways and putting behind us the world’s ways. Every culture has its good points and bad points; that is points of agreement with God’s ways and points of rebellion against God’s ways.

Western culture is obsessed with sex, possessions and personal glory or pride. Increasingly, with identity politics gaining traction, we are encouraged to judge people by the colour of their skin or by their sexual identity.

We are to put all of this aside, taking on the values of God’s kingdom. We are to live lives that exemplify both God’s love and His holiness. Effectively, we have to lie down on the altar and let God kill our old nature.

As we co-operate with the Holy Spirit, we discover that we become more and more like Jesus in attitudes, thoughts and actions.

Prayer

Please help me, Lord, in this process of changing my behaviour and actions to line up with your ways. It is not easy, but I thank you for the grace I need to change my thinking. Amen.