God Deserves Honor and Thanks

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Romans 1:21-22              

Even though this portion of scripture is speaking about those who chose not to honor God for who He is or give Him thanks, it can very well be addressed to  those of us who chose to honor Him and give Him thanks.  Are there not times in our lives when we too chose not to honor Him as God?  Are there not times in our lives when we chose not to give Him thanks?

I can’t help but think of all the times I have not honored Him with my action or words.  I am sure it is more disappointing to my heavenly Father when His own child is disobedient and brings shame to His name.   I am sure this same disappointment is felt when I fail to give Him thanks for all things.  How ungrateful of me when I receive good things from His hand and forget to give Him thanks.  It is to Him I owe thanks for my very being. 

These thoughts give me a desire to strive even more to honor Him.  In fact I should do all that I can to honor Him.  I want my goal in life, my one desire, to be to live for Him in such a way that my entire being honors Him, who gave all for me.   I desire also to make every effort to give Him thanks for all things, for He is worthy of all praise and honor.   May God help me to honor Him and thank Him with more than my words.

The matters of our religion lie in works, not in words. - Justin Martyr

Obligated and Eager

I am under obligation to both the Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish; so I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. – Romans 1:14-15

The apostle Paul was sure of one thing- that he was called to preach the gospel.   Since he knew his calling, he therefore felt it was his obligation to preach to all those he came in contact with and those he was sent to.   He was not only obligated but he was eager to do it.   It seemed to be his passion and his desire.  He did not shy away from it.  He tackled the task head on.   Neither would he be hindered- it did not matter the opposition, dangers, and uncertainties he would face.  He was going to fulfill what his Lord called him to do.  John Chrysostom writes concerning Paul’s eagerness and obligation to preach the gospel. 

“Having taken on himself a task full of such great danger, a voyage across the sea, temptations, plotting, risings- for it was likely that one who was going to address so great a city, which was under the tyranny of godliness, should undergo temptations thick as snowflakes.  He lost his life in this way, cut down by a tyrant.  Yet still he was ready to undergo great troubles.  In fact he was enthusiastic even in travail, even as one in haste.  He was in a constant state of preparation.”

As recipients of this same gospel, what are we willing to do with it?  Do we feel obligated to share it with others?  And are we eager to do so?   Will we let the certainty of opposition dissuade us from making known the salvation of Christ?   I pray we won’t.  I pray God will instill in each of us the burden to share His message of salvation with all those we come in contact with.   I pray He will give us an eagerness to proclaim His message with all gentleness and respect.    As we wait for God to bring us opportunities to spread the gospel, let us be found “in a constant state of preparation” for the glorious task. 

Glorifying God

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Romans 1:8

The apostle Paul was praising the church at Rome and thanking God for the witness of their faith.  Their faith was known around the world and it was having a positive impact.  Reflecting on the verse causes me to ask myself, “What is my faith saying to those around me?”   Probing a little deeper I ask “Does my witness to the world glorify God, or does it bring shame to Him?”  The puritan commentator Matthew Henry writes “…those who have many eyes upon them have need to walk circumspectly, for what they do, good or bad, will be spoken of.”   

We too have many eyes upon us.  Just think of all the people that we come into contact with on a daily basis, we have our family, our friends, our coworkers, our neighbors, and countless strangers we pass by on a daily basis.  Not to mention the unknown number of eyes watching us if we are plugged into social media.   This means we have the great responsibility and opportunity in every aspect of our life to bring glory to our God.  As Christians, Jesus commands us to “let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.”   What an immense opportunity we have every day to tell others about the love of God, not just with our words but with our actions.   Therefore, let us emulate the faith of the church at Rome by flooding our homes, our work place, our neighborhoods, and the internet with the love of God.  Let us do this, not so that we can be praised, but so that God will be glorified. 

Slaves of Christ

Romans 1:1  “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”

I would like to point out three truths from this text.

First, Paul knew exactly who he was.

Paul knew he was a slave of the Lord’s.   He knew he was purchased and therefore owned by his new master.    He explains this in his epistle to the church at Corinth when he writes, “our bodies are not our own, they have been bought with a price.”

Second, Paul knew what his Master purchased him for. 

The Lord had not only purchased Paul to save him from eternal separation from God, but he purchased him so that he could use him in a specific way.  Paul was going to me a messenger. 

Thirdly, Paul knew his Master’s plan for his life. 

Paul was a slave who had one purpose.  That purpose was to be a messenger of the gospel of God.  Therefore, Paul’s new life was to be dedicated to learning His Master’s plan and sharing it with others.

 The 19^th century theologian Philip Schaff sums up this section of scripture by writing “… Paul was selected from the world, singled out, consecrated to, and destined for the gospel service, at the time of his conversion.”

The understanding and application of these three truths kept Paul focused and in the will of God.    I believe if we as Christians understand and apply these three truths in our own lives then we too will be focused and will continually be in the will of God.   

Becoming familiar with the voice of God

In the opening of St. John Chrysostom’s homily on the book of Romans he writes, “As I keep hearing the Epistles of the blessed Paul read, and that twice every week, and often three or four times…gladly do I enjoy the spiritual trumpet, and get roused and warmed with the desire at recognizing the voice so dear to me, and seem to fancy him all but present to my sight and behold him conversing with me.”

This statement comes from a man who truly treasures God’s word and delights in them.  His dedication to listening to Paul’s epistles epitomize the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

I notice 4 things in Chrysostom’s statement. 

1.  He listens to the reading of all the epistles of Paul at least twice a week. 

 Can you imagine what would happen to our souls if we spent this much time in the word of God?  Or at least listened to the reading of His word? 

2.  He enjoys it.

As we mature in our faith, God’s word becomes alive, sweeter than honey and better than life.   We should look forward to the reading of scripture and desire to turn to it often.

 3.  He is familiar with Paul’s voice.

One of the benefits of continually reading God’s word is that we become familiar with His voice.   It is just like spending time with a friend.   The more time you spend with them the more familiar you become with their voice.  Eventually you could distinguish your friend’s voice from someone else’s.

4. He imagines as if Paul is talking directly to him.

For me this is the greatest benefit of reading God’s word, because it allows God to speak to me personally.  This is the time where I can allow the word’s of God to fill my heart, mind and soul.   The more time we spend in His word the louder and clearer He will speak to us.

What a great privilege we have today to read and hear the word of God at anytime and almost anywhere.  I pray we take every advantage to do just that.   When we make a habit of continually reading or hearing the reading of God’s word, we too will begin to cherish it, hear the voice of God, and realize that He is speaking to us.