Romans 12:9-21

As Christ’s body, we are to show the love of God to each other and to the world. Paul spells out what love in action looks like – pursuing good, honouring others, faithfully praying, showing humility, living at peace with others and overcoming evil with good. What does this look like this week, for you?

Romans 12:3-8

Part of the transformation that takes place in us is a humbling (vs3) and a joining together with other believers, as the body of Christ. Paul encourages us to think of the church as a body, with many parts that work together for one purpose. And so, he encourages us to serve, prophesy, teach, encourage, give and lead, together as one in Christ.

Romans 12:1-2

As Paul moves on from writing about Israel, he urges his readers to worship God by offering our whole lives as a sacrifice. This means that we need to be transformed by God and not be conformed to the world. In particular, our minds need transforming. To what extent are we conforming to the world rather than be transformed by God?

Romans 11:25-36

Paul is fully expectant that “all Israel will be saved” (vs26), backed up by the words of Isaiah, reminding us of God’s covenant with his people. Knowing that “God’s gifts and call are irrevocable” (vs29), we are to expect God to pour out his mercy on the Jewish people (vs31) in the same way he showed mercy to us. Paul is not suggesting that the Jews will be saved apart from Christ. Jesus is the only way of salvation, and the expectation is that ‘Israel as a whole’ will come to salvation in time. We are to show mercy to the Jewish people and pray for their salvation.

Romans 11:11-36

God’s mercy seen through radical inclusion of all.

Romans 11:1-10

Does God reject those who reject him? Paul gives a resounding ‘no’! He refers to Elijah, who declared to God “I am the only one left” (vs3) and yet God reserved seven thousand faithful, who had not worshipped Baal. This is grace. Paul tells us that there is a remnant chosen by grace (vs5), from which God will bring salvation. But for those whose hearts are hardened, they will not see the truth of who God is and his saving grace (vs8-10).

Romans 10:5-21

To have faith means to believe and declare Jesus as Lord. Paul tells the church in Rome that faith is a matter of the heart (vs9) and of our words (vs10). We believe and we profess Jesus as Lord. The only way non Christians (including the Jews) will hear the Gospel is if we tell them. Isaiah reminds us of “how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” (vs15). We are to declare Jesus as Lord and to share the good news. Not all will believe (vs21), but we are still compelled by love to share the Gospel.

Romans 9:22-10:4

Paul outlines God’s plan to reveal His glory to this world, through the Jews and the Gentiles (vs24), as prophesied in Hosea (vs25-26) and Isaiah (vs29). As Gentiles (non Jews) we have found salvation through faith (vs30). The Jews have not found salvation yet as they pursed works, not faith (vs32). We are made righteous before God, by faith in Jesus. Paul longs for the Jews to be saved through Christ, who is the culmination of the law (vs4).

Romans 9:1-21

Paul now turns his attention to the Jews in chapters 9-11, from which he came (vs3). The heritage of Israel is great – covenants, the law, the temple, God’s promises and the patriarchs (vs 4-5).  And yet, Paul grieves that the Jewish people have not yet been saved, rejecting God’s gift of redemption and forgiveness in Christ. Paul remembers Isaac (vs6-9) and Jacob (vs10-13), pointing to the truth that God’s sovereign choice is his own. Sometimes we don’t fully understand God’s sovereign purposes, but we are called to trust him nevertheless and continue to pray.

Sunday 24th November, 9:30 service, Natalie Worsfold.

Romans 8:37-39.

Even as we face opposition in our lives, we live as men and women who are victorious, because of Christ’s victory over death and sin. We are also victorious because of the endless promise of God’s love for us.

As this passage reminds us, nothing can separate us from the love of God, in Christ.