Romans 1:6 - Paul, a servant of Christ...servant in the Greek is "doulos," a strong word to describe a bondslave committed to his Master. Any disgrace to Paul would fall on his Master. Paul left no doubt in conscience and character Who he was committed to. What about where I stand this day? Am I more resolved to be right or to be holy? Is my commitment to my husband, my children, my world, to move in love no matter how life washes over me? ALL IN. Bondslave of the Master. Called to belong. Not in this world. But to a world hereafter. Called to belong to Christ. This doesn't just mean that I hear the invitation of a Calling Christ but that I live in the Company of the Committed----those Who obey their Master out of hearts of love.
"Two things fill me with awe:
the starry heavens,
and the sense of moral responsibility in man."
Emmanuel Kant
Paul is so committed to following Christ and to spread the Gospel. He truly was far more resolved to be holy than to just be right. He desired to return to places he had been and to encourage the believers in their faith. Just as we should be about concerning our fellow believers in the faith, where we encourage them regularly. We should always seek to build and edify each other up and never seek to tear down our brothers and sisters in the faith.
ReplyDeletePaul also stated that everyone had been given the opportunity to see God in creation. That God had made Himself known to us through all that He had created and that man had chosen to go his own way and do his own thing. The sins that are listed a such a great variety so as to leave nothing out and not lead us to think that just because we have not murdered anyone that we are without sin...for he listed, envy, gossip, deceit, along with murder. Sins of the heart and mind are just as wrong to God as murder, we are the ones who have tried to classify sins and rank them,not God. We do need to be committed to being holy and what God wants and not just strive to always be right and legalistic. A true bond servant does not care what the world says only what God says. May we always encourage and build one another up and not seek to tear down. Blessings to all my sisters on the String of Pearls.
I can't believe we're already on Romans. Where do we stand? I love Paul's answer--not ashamed of the Gospel. For, it is salvation and life to all who enter in. Bless us as we enter into fellowship with you, Lord, that we shine like the starry heavens in bringing Your Life to men, and help us not to stumble over ourselves and tarnish Your reputation among men.
ReplyDeleteYou find the best quotes, Bev.
Good to hear from you, Mary Lou. How are you feeling?
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
From faith for faith...I love that. He is our Source and our Provider for faith to live each day in His power.
I just read Isaiah 6-8 on another blog and I'm bawling over here. "In the year King Uzziah died," Isa 6:1---Isaiah was devastated and focused way too much on the king of 52 years who was very successful and reeling his all his achievements. A godly king but success went to his head and it cost him his life, literally, leprosy. Isaiah knew he was now worried without this stable strong person in his life. And look what happened to Isaiah --- a fresh new look at the Glory of God. He repented! Getting ready to go on a walk w/tears cause I'm so dealing w/ this --- being too attached to mature people, strong people, good people. But God is not allowing that for me. And it is a very lonely place to be. God is detaching me from anything that brings me Joy other than Him. And I so want connection that He's not providing. No matter how hard i try, it all falls through. Isa 8:14 If you're going to worry, worry about The Holy. Fear God-of-the-Angel-Armies. The Holy can be either a Hiding Place or a Boulder blocking your way. Would you pray for me in this lonely place that I find my Joy in Him Alone! Thanks so much!
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