Romans Chapter 1

The following are an ongoing study which I am writing to help some people to go through the book of Romans. This is obviously a difficult book where one can spend a lifetime preaching from it and yet it is also a simple book that fundamentally preaches a simple message concerning faith and salvation in Jesus Christ. I hope you will find these short studies beneficial (for whoever who stumbles upon this):

Chapter 1:

We are creatures that are made by God. We have evidence and proof of this if we only pause and think about it (v.19-20). But the problem is, we do not pause except to dwell on our hurts, our emotions, our own self-pity/indulgence. Instead, we fill our whole lives with man-made things and achievements to the extent that the things that God has made is clouded by our own things. Nevertheless, all of Creation bears testimony to the One God who created all things (not only nature, but also our own lives. Have we not wondered the complexities that make up our lives?). By definition of Him being our Creator, God demands to be worshipped for He is the only one worthy of it. Because we disobey that clear command, we progress deeper into our sins (v.24-32). That is why the more stubborn a person is in their disobedience, the more sinful and blinded they become; they sit in a perpetual spiritual darkness that they are happy with (Luke 1:79a).

Lessons:

The problem with many who profess (call themselves) to be Christians is their inconsistency. At times, they are moved by much affection (feeling) that they confess that they are sinners before God. But as time goes on, we find that these 'professing Christians' begin to lose sight of their sin. They begin to find confidence in their achievements and their experience. In fact, they begin to accept that they are sinners and that it is OK to be one. Excuses are usually given when others point them to God and their need to really understand their spiritual condition.

Applications:

1. What are some of the things in the life of 'professing Christians' that take away their belief that God alone ought to be worshipped? 
2. Where do these 'distractions' come from? 
3. Do we secretly keep such distractions in our lives, especially during times when we ought to worship God? 

Love does not... seek its own

It is common to find a self-centred preoccupation in our generation. This is advocated mainly from the West, in its marketing of 'human rights' and 'human worth' which comes out strongly in the mass media imported to the East. In the East, the preoccupation is more on the family unit... the social good, rather than on the individual. We cannot deny the penetration of Western ideals into our society as young children are now insisting on them exercising their 'individual rights'. I am not referring to political or even societal issues, but down to the practical relationships. More and more conflicts are arising due to the over demanding tone of people insisting for their own 'happiness' and 'pleasures'. This is reflected in the way people are responding to their wants not being fulfilled - they complain, demonstrate, vent out their frustration and seek attention of others to soothe their bruised ego. It is surprising that this behaviour is labelled as 'love' in our generation. It seems that 'love' is what happens when someone fulfils our heart's desire. How sad.

True love seeks the good of others. It insists on what is important and condescends to fit the person's need. Love does not seek its own greatness, attention, ego and everything that is derivative of those mentioned. Rather, true love seek others good, takes care of their predicament, considers their weaknesses. No greater example is shown than Jesus Christ' own in Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. While we were still sinners, Christ obeyed His Father's Will - dying for unworthy sinners by bearing their sins upon His body. He looked not for His own prominence. In fact, He often withdrew Himself from unwanted attention. He chose to seek the good of others - sinners! How cheap our worldly love is in comparison to the Son of God's love? Best part? Jesus Christ did this not on account of any good that is in us or any potential good in us. It is out of His sovereign mercy and grace.

Love does not... behave rudely

One of the things that I remember from my uni Christian fellowship days is the fondly used term - "Radical Love". This was in the late 90's when many people were trying to be 'radical' and 'different' especially in enticing the young people into churches or para-church organisations. While the more liberal styled professors of Christianity tend to view radical love in emphasis on social works, we have the conservative believers who view it as 'speaking the truth in love' (Ephesians 4:15). Unfortunately for them, in their minds, it is more like "speaking the truth... in love" (emphasis mine). Here are Christian believers believing that it is all right to be blunt and rude - to slap sense to their 'beloved' brethren. The sad truth is that in family lives, there are many who speak to each other in an abusive, rude manner. Name-calling and even at the spur of the moment, cuss words are uttered. All these are justifiable by the one who utters them with the claim - "I did it for love". Friends, if the Lord Jesus Christ controls Himself in His rebukes and rejection of the high and mighty Pharisees and tempers His own anger by showing mercy to His enemies, what more should we do for our brethren if we declare ourselves His disciples? Let love truly be with politeness and care rather than the harsh tones of arrogance and pride. Let love be not rude!

Love does not... parade itself

In the ancient world, or maybe even 100 years ago, man put lesser significance on dates and numbers to their personal lives than the average Joe does today. Aside from religion-influenced culture, we find many fixing dates that are 'significant' or 'auspicious' to them for their marriage, child-birth and baptism. The modern rational justifies it as commemorative in purpose - but it is fundamentally attention-seeking. Such preoccupation almost certainly centres the attention to self - giving and making opportunities for one to be 'puffed-up'. Thus, the world is abuzz on Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day and what-other-relationships-Days one may have.

Christians are given a perpetual concept that surpasses them all in John 13:34 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Love everyone in our circles as often as you are able, everyday, every time and extend your circles for your neighbour is any one who is in need (Luke 10:36-37). True love is fundamentally hidden from the world, but it is consistent, passionate, willing and unrelenting. Even though true gracious love was shown at the cross, some two thousand years ago, when the Just dies for unjust men, yet that love visits the heart of sinners in every generation in an invisible manner spurring those to in turn love others and not self. What blessedness is this for the one who heeds this warning and guards his heart from loving in a wrong, worldly manner?

Love does not... envy

There is a fundamental difference between envy and jealousy. The former comes out of a desire for something that is not the person's while the latter comes out of a desire to prevent what a person has from lost.

Christian love perpetuates the joy and faith of the other person. This is in contrast to the worldly notion of fighting and competing with others for things (whatever form or shape it may come in, e.g. friends, job, results, approval and much more). Evolution teaches and gives a reason for the 'survival of the fittest' - only the strong receives more.

By contrast, God not only teaches about loving others but shows how we should love other by sending His only Begotten Son into this fallen world to save a people for Himself. Creatures of sin cannot bear others in their joy, and thus seek to 'share' or 'possess' the same spoils for themselves. This gives rise to hypocrisy and manipulation as they (spurred by fleshly desires) seek to gain from other people's loss.

Instead, true love rejoices in people's achievements and joy - we do everything to perpetuate and grow their joy. Love is truly without envy but is full of loving others as we love our own bodies (Matthew 7:12). Let us consider our love towards our Christian brethren rightly, and love them in a way that God is glorified even further in their rejoicing!

Love is... kind

This may be obvious to us. Kindness is an act of love or favour shown to another. We expect this from a loved one, but it is a rare trait amongst those whom we live with day to day, week to week or even month to month. Familiarity breeds contempt and this statement is more often true than false.

Modern day love is very big on the grand scale of things, but very poor in the other days of the year. Instead of kindness, we are rough and at times abusive in speech and behaviour. We expect certain things to be done in a particular way, and when it is not, we are angry. It is more believable if it was written - 'love is fearful or angry'. But the Lord Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, showed much kindness even to his enemies. Even the demons knew the power and authority that Jesus Christ had to immediately throw them into everlasting torture (Matthew 8:29) if He so wished. But to the Scribes, particularly to the Pharisees, He was gentle in His rebukes.

This is what we need in our lives - true kindness that is not contingent (dependent) on circumstances which suits us. Love is truly kind. Love one another rightly!

Love is... longsuffering

There are many who like to quote 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  (5)  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  (6)  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  (7)  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  (8)  Love never fails. It is for all intent and purposes, a good definition of love although not an exhaustive one. In light of the world's preoccupation with Valentine's day, which is pagan in origins (contrary to what some may say - http://goo.gl/AGsDW), true Christian believers ought to keep in mind the core principle of separation and consecration to the Lord as outlined by Paul in Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The world's love is sadly generic, sexual, provocative and self-centred by nature.

In the first instance, we are told that Christian love (I deliberately contrast the love described in Scriptures with the world's definition) 'suffers long'. Some translations have the word 'patient'. It is rightly understood in the sense of bearing up with wrong-doings, as God does when dealing with sinners. See 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. It is love that withholds His justice from being meted out immediately upon sinners. His delay in punishing evildoers is not dependent on any sinner's 'good works' but rests entirely on His longsuffering. It is this aspect of God's love that was shown in Jesus Christ' incarnation, where the Son of God condescended to dwell among sinners. It is much like the richest and noblest man who willingly sets aside his status and rights, instead living with the wicked, poor and detestable people. It is sad to see that modern love is not longsuffering - instead, it is always conditional and quick to be broken. For Christians believers, the truth in Proverbs 10:12 - ...love covers all sins is an experiential truth. May we learn to bear up with one another, in a love that reflects God's longsuffering to sinners like us.