Acts 20  and  Romans 1-3
December 15, 2014

In Acts we learn that Paul is heading back toward Jerusalem, and tells the leaders from Ephesus that they will never see him again.   Then in Romans we read that Paul eagerly desires to travel to Rome and witness to the people there.    This journey to Jerusalem, and then on to Rome will mark the last trip that Paul makes, as he is martyred in Rome some years later.     Oddly enough it says to me that Paul was always looking forward, and planning for the future.    Maybe it's because we are getting close to the end of the year, but my thoughts have turned to planning recently.    Here is Paul heading toward Jerusalem, but he is sending a letter to Rome, so that when his time in Jerusalem is over, he can quickly be out on the road again.   I think we can learn a lesson from that.  As we head into Christmas, we should be sending out feelers for Easter  (that sort of thing).   As we prepare for Easter, we should already have our summer VBS planned out.   The church seems to suffer when we don't allow enough time for planning.   If as leaders we don't make our decisions early, then others are hindered in allowing their creative juices to flow.

There isn't even a hint of sadness in Paul's writing.  He must have known that he was getting closer to the "end of the line"....he even mentions that in one place, but he never dwells on it.   That's interesting.   It reminds me that I need to keep my face forward, and my eyes on the goal.   We have a limited time here on earth to minister, and we shouldn't indulge in too much self absorption.   I think the devil occasionally uses the "pity party" to get us off track and make us less effective.

A quick word on Paul's discussion of the law v. grace:   Paul is saying that Jews were first to receive the Gospel, and that the Good News that Jesus preached is simply a continuation of what the Jews have had all along.  There isn't anything wrong with circumcision, if you are a Jew.  If you aren't a Jew, it's a little late to start trying to "keep the law" now....since Jesus has come and effectively completed the whole sacrificial system, and given us a new way to be seen as righteous in God's eyes.    In this new dispensation, it is the belief in Jesus Christ, the acknowledgement of our sinful state and the confession of our sins to Him that allows us to receive forgiveness.   It used to be adherence to the law: be circumcised, offer certain sacrifices, do this..don't do that. etc.    None of that is how we are saved anymore.  It was good up until the time of Jesus, now it's outdated, and you are wasting your time to try and go back and "do it the way the Jews used to do it".     Paul says that the one thing that the Law is good for today is to point out to us that we need a Savior.  It can't save us by itself, nor could it ever.   Forget trying to earn your way to heaven, it isn't going to happen.

Now onto my third thought very quickly.   In 2:27 it very plainly states that homosexuality is shameful.   I'm not denying that people have these feelings, I'm just saying that Jesus doesn't want us to.    Some people believe they were born to be alcoholic, or drug abusers.  I don't think God created any of us with a design flaw like that.   There's no denying that we somehow get that way, but it isn't fair to God to say that He did it.   After all, it's His Word that says that it isn't valued.     Trying to argue that God wants some people to be homosexual is proof that 2:28 is true.   "he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done."

I'm not saying that we shouldn't love people who are struggling with sexual issues, I think we should love them.  One way that we truly love people is to tell them when they are doing something that is harming them.   If you truly love Jesus, then you will be compelled to share this truth with others.   Just make sure you do it in a humble loving way, without coming off arrogant or self righteous.


Hoping that you are blessed,


PR