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About-Him.Com Devotional 09-29-2012 Http://About-Him.Com Thoughts in Romans I'm Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. We don't know who founded the church at Rome, but it was not the apostle Paul. Perhaps it was Priscilla and Aquila in whose house they met (Ac. 16:3). Perhaps it was some of the Jews and proselytes (Ac. 2:10) who were at Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was first poured out. Being filled with the Spirit, they returned to Rome and established a church there. The church also had gentile members. Perhaps Cornelius the Roman centurion or some of his household, whom God had filled with His Spirit (Ac.10), had returned to Rome and carried the gospel back with them? It is believed that the Roman church was primarily Jewish with a faction of gentiles. It is easy to see that there would be conflicts between these two groups of believers. As in any conflict, somebody was right and somebody else was wrong. Or both were partly right and partly wrong. Both sides held their prejudices. The Jews held to their claim as God's chosen people and the gentiles felt that the Jews were steeped in ritual and tradition. Both had something to learn, as do we (1 Co. 8:2). The important thing is that Paul considered both groups to be believers with equal standing in the sight of God. They had been saved by grace, washed in the blood of Jesus , and filled with the Holy Ghost (Eph. 2:8; 1 Co. 6:11; Tit. 3:5). That has never changed! God doesn't look at the name over our church door, nor does He care about our pedigree. His only demand is that we believe and obey the gospel (Mr. 1:15). Not ashamed In this day of political correctness, the world would like Christians to simply keep their mouths shut. Sorry, we can't do that. First of all, Jesus said that if we don't confess Him before men, He won't confess us before His Father and His angels in heaven (Mt. 10:32; Lu. 12:8). Remember when some Pharisees wanted Jesus to silence some children who were getting a bit beside themselves in praising Him? Jesus said that if they were to hold their peace, the stones of the earth would cry out in their place (Lu. 19:40). I don't want any stones crying out in my stead. Psalms 119:46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; The gospel of Christ There are many gospels, but only one gospel of Christ. In the early 20th century some progressive preachers replaced the preaching of the cross with what they labeled as the social gospel. Later in the civil rights movement of the sixties, the cross took a back seat to promoting civil rights. One of the main leaders of the movement is on record as arguing against the resurrection of Jesus. Needless to say, society's ills need to be corrected, but let's not forsake Jesus in the process. Now we have the prosperity gospel that perverts the gospel of Christ and places riches as the proof of discipleship. Once again the blood bought way of salvation takes a back seat to the soothing of our carnal desires. See: God Wants You Rich The apostle Paul said that if an angel from heaven were to preach any other gospel than he had preached, let that angel be accursed (Ga. 1:9). Come to think of it, there is a very large cult here in the west that started as a so called restoration movement at the supposed direction of an angel. They teach that the Father was once a man who ascended to godhood. Another gospel is promoted by those who acknowledge Jesus as a god rather than the one God Almighty described in Deuteronomy 6:4. Any gospel that denies the divinity of Jesus is a gospel that will take us straight to hell. The gospel of Christ is exclusive. Jesus said that He was the Life, the Truth and the Way and that no man could come to the Father, except by Him (Jn. 14:6). There's only one way to God and that is through Jesus. He is the eternal God who was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory (1Ti 3:16) . John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins. The power of God Power is energy, defined as work performed in a measurable unit of time. God demonstrated His power when He spoke the worlds into existence. This was vividly demonstrated when He said, "Let there be light" and instantly there was light (Ge. 1:3). Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of God and enthroned in the heavens far above all the powers of this earth (Ep. 1:19-23). We likewise have been translated from the power of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son, by God's glorious power (Ga. 1:11-13). Unto salvation John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. To everyone who believes Some call it easy believism, but scripture cannot be more clear. When we truly believe on Jesus, life is imparted. When we recognize our own sinfulness and look to the sacrifice of Jesus as atonement for our sins, we become a new creature. John 1:12-13 lets us know that when we believed on and received Jesus, we were born of God. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. When we believe God, we will obey all of His commands and seek for the fulfillment of all of His promises. Jesus is eager to baptize us with His Spirit. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Believing on Jesus takes away condemnation that results from our past sins. But if we don't believe Him, we are condemned to eternal damnation. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Eternal life with Jesus is our reward for believing on and obeying Jesus. John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: To the Jew first, and also to the Greek. The Jews at Rome clung to their designation as God's chosen people and were perhaps slow to recognize the gentiles. Later in Romans, Paul lets them know that they had lost their lofty status, because of disobedience. Likewise the gentiles who once knew God but who refused to honor Him as God had been given over by God to fulfill all of the works of the flesh. Paul let both groups know that all were in need of a Savior. Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; There will be no devotional next week, but hopefully we'll continue on with Romans 1:17 the week after. Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; I remember learning this song when I was 4 years old. If anyone has the lyrics and/or the music, would you please send me a copy? i would like to record it. My burdens rolled away, my burdens rolled away Down at the feel of Jesus, He healed my soul's diseases And my burdens rolled away Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries
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