Romans 11--Hope

Are there people whom you long to see come to faith? This passage is about hope. Paul was speaking about the concern he has for his people the Israelites. When he was writing this passage, the progress of the gospel had flourished among the Gentiles but had halted among the Jews. So, some were saying that God had rejected the Jews in favor of the Gentiles.

It certainly seemed that there was a genuine hardness among the Jews. They had had Jesus among them and all the law and the prophets to testify to him, but they still refuse. Even still, Paul was hopeful for a great awakening among Israel.

When you look at our world, do you grow discouraged and think that no one would respond to the gospel in faith? I believe that Paul carried great hope for his people and we should carry the same hope for our people. Paul can think of his own story when he was an enemy of God. Yet, God still won him over. We too can think of how God has had mercy on us and that can give us hope.

Even more than his own story, Paul looks to the character and wisdom of God. The great mercy of God gives us hope that he can and will show compassion towards people who make themselves his enemy. This hope is the crescendo of the book of Romans. All eleven chapters drive to this point where Paul essentially expresses his faith that God’s judgment and mercy is glorious beyond all of our searching and thought. It leads him to worship and the worship leads him back to ministry. That’s what hope can do.

Posted by Marc

Acts 17--A new platform

Guest Blogger: Aaron Miner

What is religion? Is it simply belief in a God who is all powerful and all knowing? Or is it simply a set of beliefs on supernatural and moral claims? Can you be religious and misguided?

Luke in the Acts 17 continues to reflect the movement of the gospel reaching the gentiles. In Thessalonica, a large number of Greeks and a few Jews believed (v. 4), in Berea a number of both gentiles and Jews believed. In Athens however, Paul experienced a different crowd. After preaching in the synagogue he receives an invitation to speak in the Areopagus.

Paul’s sermon sparked some controversy but he directly confronted the idolatry of the Greeks. Many of us may be familiar with the Greek gods such of Zeus, Hermes, Apollo, Hades, and many others. Though they ‘knew’ all these gods they did not know the only one that matters. Paul teaches that this God is more than just all powerful and all knowing but that he created and sustains life and desires that men seek and know him. Paul declares that ignorance is no longer an option (v. 30). We cannot worship an unknown god.

What does this mean for us? Initially that being deeply religious is not enough; we must repent from our ignorance and seek him. True religion is active and therefore not just a set of beliefs. I can even have good theology but if I never let it touch my heart then it is worthless. Lest we feel that our actions are all that we need, the resurrection completes and proves the validity of the work of Christ. It is because of the Cross and resurrection that we are to live actively for Christ this is our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1).

So how do we still live in ignorance? What areas of our life do we still prohibit the grace of God to reign? Is it money, pride, material goods, relationships, control, or another?
So let us worship God and live our lives repenting from our continued ignorance.