“Romans 14:1: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”

As Christians we are to avoid tension between other believers that cause questions in our faith. Most issues are found directly in the Bible. However, differences of opinion between various Christians groups is alive and real in this age. We should honor the freedom we have in Christ. Paul also makes it clear that we have been set free from having to perfectly keep the law of Moses. We still should not participate in sin. The Bible is clear on the important issues to avoid drunkenness, immorality, and jealousy (Romans 13:13). Scripture is very clear that we should not engage in things that cause questions and do our best to be on the same page with other believers. In these times not everything is fully known; this applies to issues which are also not clearly spelled out in Scripture, such as consuming alcohol (Romans 14:21) or watching movies, or listening to certain types of music. Amen

Romans 13:8: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

“In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12”

The Bible teaches us that the most important aspect of the law is to love everyone and that it is the fulfillment of the law. When we honor others we honor God. The concept of not owing anyone anything is more that we should not let any debt remain unpaid. We are to repay our debts in a timely fashion. We should not be dependent on others for borrowing. However, Paul’s focus is not mostly on money but the responsibility for Christians to love other people. He seems to imply that love for others is a debt we will be required to continually do. We will never be finished with loving people. There is always more love to give. Paul here is focusing on what Jesus said was most important which is to love God and others. A Christlike love will naturally motivate us to keep all the other relationship commands in the law. Amen

“Romans 12:3: For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

When we accept Christ’s sacrifice for our sins we receive the mercy of God. This should change the way we live our lives. We should be willing to take the hard road when needed because God loves us. The view that we have of who we are should not be something to boast about. God has given us a measure of faith. And, we know from God’s word that faith is needed to please God. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6”. “Romans 12:10: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” We should put others before ourselves and have love for everyone. Amen

“Romans 11:6: And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

When God looks upon Christians he sees the blood of Christ making them right before God. The fact that God has given us grace through faith in Jesus Christ saves us. Since salvation is by grace we know that it could not be through performing works. Salvation is of grace and Christ’s paid the full price for our sins. Salvation through faith vs. works are contrary so it can’t be both faith and works. When we do good works we glorify God but they don’t save us. We should not look to the law for salvation but to Jesus Christ. Christ changes the hearts of those that believe in Him. We should marvel at God and praise Him. God is beyond our understanding yet we all need the Savior Jesus Christ to save us from eternal ruin. We owe a debt we can’t pay only Christ can. Amen

“Romans 10:4: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

The law can’t save us and nobody can perfectly keep the law. We know that everyone has sinned and fallen from God. Even those that try to keep the law can’t do it well. God did not plan for us to be bound to the law but trust in the grace of God. The law pointed to the Messiah Jesus Christ. Christ is the end of the law setting us free from the punishment for our sins. Jesus kept the law perfectly. Through faith and accepting Christ’s blood shed for us on the cross we are saved. Now Christ’s righteousness is given to everyone who believes in Him. While we will never be perfect until perhaps Heaven we are given grace through Christ’s atonement for us. Christ has come and given us a new relationship with God. Christ ended man’s dependence on traditions and animal sacrifices as mentioned in Hebrews 8. Amen

“Romans 9:5: Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”

Paul is talking about the human legacy of the people of God. The Jews not only gave us the prophets of the Old Testament but also Jesus Christ Himself came from Israel. This is a clear statement that Jesus is God and blessed. Jesus took on the seed of Abraham, but still had a divine nature as God. Christ is the Lord from Heaven, and it was a great privilege for the Jews that Christ came from them. It also says that Jesus is blessed by God forever. Jesus is part of the Godhead and bridges the gap between God and humans. “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Hebrews 2:16”. Amen

What does this mean? As Christians God has set us free from the power of Satan and brought us to new life through Christ. The spirit of slavery is replaced by a new creation in Christ and the Holy Spirit in us. However, sometimes we don’t use the spirit wisely because we fail to follow God’s Word perfectly. The act of God making us more Holy is a lifelong process that is known as sanctification “throughout our earthly life.” Christ redeemed us from the punishment of sin through us accepting His work on the cross. We are adopted into the family of God through faith in Christ. We are made whole in Christ. The work of Jesus on the cross is enough and was the down payment for forgiving us of our sins. God has promised us salvation through Christ and it is something unchanging. We have the right to come to God in prayer or cry out to Him “Abba Father”. We can be sure God hears our prayers and we have assurance of God’s undeserved grace towards us through Jesus as Savior. Amen

“Romans 7:1: Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?”
Paul is telling us that we are under the grace of God, not bound to the law but set free in Christ. He does talk about the law that it is binding as long as a person lives. He is showing that those in Christ have in fact become freed from the law of sin and death. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that the law of Moses is not what saves us, but it is Christ only. The people that read this were Romans in Rome. This includes both Jews and Gentiles (non-jews). The Jewish people he wrote to would have known the law of Moses well and so would the Gentiles. Those that have died in Christ by accepting Him have been risen with Christ and made alive in Him. Amen.

“Romans 6:3: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”

We should overcome sin as if we have died to it and our spirit should be alive to God through Christ. Since, we have been given the free gift of salvation if we love God truly Paul is telling us we should not keep sinning. It would be a shame to accept Christ’s atonement then take God’s grace for granted. In Romans 6 we are challenged with the question, Can we who died in Christ to our old nature keep living in sin? Pauls, answer is no. However, this may lead us to wonder what does we’ve died to sin mean? When we accept Jesus we can be given a new nature and freedom from sin. If we are true believers we ought to act like it. The verse is saying baptized into Christ doesn’t seem to be water baptism but rather a born again experience through the Holy Spirit. In the baptism a new believer is spiritually baptized into Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:13) through the Holy Spirit. Amen

“Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Through faith we are made right before God and His spirit gives us peace now and eternal life. We have the promise of life in Heaven after death through faith in Christ. God’s spirit dwells in the hearts of those that believe, proving a peace that can never be taken away. Paul in this chapter of Romans is making it clear that the laws of Moses are not what saves us. It is faith that justifies us which is something that is impossible to happen by works. Nobody follows the law perfectly or even well. The only way to escape God’s angry judgement for our sins is by faith in Jesus, and His sacrifice for our sins. Now that we have escaped the wrath of God and punishment for sins we are saved. When the term we is used in Romans it is not everyone but those that believe. He is telling us what is true and that the work of salvation through Christ is how we are born again. Amen