What a great weekend! Sunday we celebrated the Baptism of my granddaughter Ruth Elizabeth Ashman at the 10:15 service in Boonville, and at 4PM we celebrated 3 baptisms at the new church plant in Trenton. I also celebrated my 30th anniversary of preaching. On February 5, 1978 on my 18th birthday I led worship in Steuben, North Western, and Westernville United Methodist Churches. I had preached before, but I had never led the entire worship service and preached. Thanks to everyone for their congratulations and for the cakes!
This week we will read the following chapters in Romans; Monday - Romans 9, Tuesday - Romans 10, Wednesday - Romans 11, Thursday - Romans 12, Friday - Romans 13. Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. If you have not yet begun reading with us, why not try it on for Lent? You may find out you like it and stay with it for the balance of the year!
In chapter 9 we get a glimpse of Paul's heart, or should I say the heart of Saul of Tarsus. Paul has left behind the community of his ancestors to serve Jesus the Messiah. In the first 5 verses of chapter 9 he gives a beautiful passionate account of who the people of Israel are to him. He even goes so far as to wish he could offer himself in exchange for the people he loved and is now outcast from.
I know Israel is only a location, but I long to go there myself to visit and see for myself the Mount of Olives, the Sea of Galilee, Golgotha and so many other sites. I want to rise early in the morning and walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus - I wonder if I would be allowed to do that. Maybe next year we can go together - I'll keep you posted!
Much of the rest of the chapter falls under the category of God's sovereignty in my theological world. Paul talks of God doing what God will do, and then asks a fitting question in conclusion. "But who are you, a human being, to argue with God?" A good point that is hard to argue with.
The 9th chapter really runs over a bit into chapter 10 and 10:1-4 are best understood, I believe, when read with chapter 9.
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
6 comments:
I was overtaken with emotion as I read Paul's desire to separate himself from Christ if that was what it would take to save Israel.
I searched my soul to see if I could or would do that, and I am ashamed to say that I love this new life in Christ too much - I would have a hard time turning back just to save a group of people that are hung up on the works of the law instead of having faith in Jesus.
Just being honest here - I know I have a long way to go, but wow...is that Agape love?
I also have a question - if I am understanding this correctly, God will choose (or has already chosen) who He will love and which hearts He will harden for all mankind while we are on earth.
Does this mean that some people will not have freewill? The choice to come to the Lord or not? Could we potentially witness to people who were NEVER destined to be called into God's grace?
I was a little saddened by this - I guess my hopes were that ALL of mankind had the potential to feel this love and protection that we feel through Christ.
And yes, I understand the statement about questioning God's will...I am just trying to understand in my weak human form.
I love Him and I trust Him, but I also love sharing Him.
Hello! Glad to hear there is so much excitement up North! Keep it up. We'll be praying down here.
Bill, I like your idea of going to Israel. How cool is that? Sometimes when I read the bible, it's hard to remember that these places still exist, and we could experience similar things that Jesus and his disciples did.
Congratulations on your anniversary...that's quite the accomplishment - they had a party in Heaven also!
MW - You have so many great ideas and questions. Thanks!
I think it's incredible that you hold your relationship with Jesus in such high regard that to lose it is almost unthinkable. You're along the same lines Paul was as he wrote this - I'm sure he struggled with the thought also.
It does seem like everyone has the chance to learn and hear the gospel...but I'd love to hear Bill's ideas on your thoughts also.
I really liked this chapter, as it told us that having more would inevitably leave us having less. America does not run on Paul's ideology here, so it's often hard to remember that. Remember in that movie, Evan Almighty, he wore the robe, and everyone thought he was crazy? If we all wore robes and didn't have to worry so much about clothing and appearance, wouldn't we all be happier? Oh well, just a rant. I feel so blessed to have so much more than I could ever need, and to never have really experienced need.
God bless everyone!
Marshall
Hi Mark and Marshall,
Sorry for my absence and slow response here - yesterday was my birthday and I did well just to blog!
First of all, I also shudder a bit at Paul's statement that he would be lost if his people could be saved. I guess that shows Pauls strength and righteousness and my weakness and selfishness. I hear people sometimes pray and say they want to take another's sickness upon themselves. I understand the passion, but be careful. Jesus already did this, and we do not need to replace Jesus sacrifice.
Your next question about God chosing some and not others is the predestination dilemma. I will start by saying that I do not understand this either. Let me look at it from some angles with you.
When we come across a hard verse it is always helpful to think through all that we do know about God. I remember in one class a student saying to the teacher "But the Bible says _________." and the prof wisely said, "No, THAT VERSE says ___________, the Bible as a whole says someting a bit different." That helps me to step back from any given text and ask, "What does the whole of the Bible say?" Wihout taking time to look at the whole Bible, lets look at some of Romans. Romans has a few places that speak of God showing God's grace to all people. That God has a sovereign plan to be merciful to ALL, and that Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord WILL BE saved.
So, I would argue that while that verse seems harsh, the Bible as a whole seems to be full of grace. We are called to "Go tell", and we are not called to be responsible for the results or the response.
One thing in closing friend, this is a great, hard valid question to raise and it is good for us to struggle with it! Please don't stop asking hard questions.
Bill
Bill! Happy Birthday, and congratulations on your successes as a pastor. Glad you still posted - I look forward to it :-).
Thanks for the answers - it is true about the bible as a whole.
I have so many kids come to me and site verses thinking they've discovered a problem or something that will trick me, but it is so important to reiterate that every verse must not be dissected in such a way...
Thanks again for your great answers.
MB
Thank you for taking the time to tutor me - your point is well taken.
Taking one verse out of context is as bad as taking one statement from a President's speech and trying to break it down too far without considering the whole.
It was a rookie mistake, based on emotions; I appreciate your guidance :)
Hoo Rah!
I always struggle with Paul's language of adoption. Except for Paul, I would always think of us as "all God's children", not adopted but just by virtue of our being created in God's image. But Paul writes of our adoption as God's children as something special/separate and not necessarily for all. I don't know quite what to make of it really...
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