March 14

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR MARCH 13, 2025: 1 SAMUEL 11, ROMANS 1, PSALM 19:1-6                                   1 SAMUEL 11 The Ammonites, one of Israel’s continuing enemies, besieged Jabesh-gilead, an Israelite city on the east side of the Jordan. The men of the city told Nahash, the Ammonite king, that they would serve him in order to stop the siege. Nahash responded that he would agree to this so on the condition of his gouging out the right eye of all their men. Faced with a seemingly no-win choice, Jabesh-gilead asked for a week’s time to see if the rest of Israel might come to their aid.  Apparently sure of Israel’s disunity, Nahash agreed.

When news spread throughout Israel, the reaction was one of sadness and defeatism.  When the Spirit empowered Saul, however, his reaction was one of anger against these enemies of God’s people who thought they could humiliate the God of Israel.  Just maybe when God’s purposes and His word are being ridiculed, we should consider Saul’s approach. We serve the Almighty God after all. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). Are we afraid to witness for our great Jesus? Are we afraid to be thought out of step with current sinful trends?  Remember whom we serve.

Saul rallied the nation with a graphic, but appropriate, threat. This brought a huge force to Bezek, on the west side of the Jordan. The next day, Saul put his troops in three columns and routed Nahash. Of course, everyone loves a winner, so the people lobbied for retribution against Saul’s initial naysayers. Saul wisely demurred and praised the Lord for the victory. So far, so good for Saul. Samuel used this unifying moment to reaffirm Saul’s leadership 

ROMANS 1 Paul knew exactly who he was: a bondservant of Christ (vs. 1), called to be an apostle (vs. 1), set apart for spreading the Gospel (vs. 1), focused on reaching the Gentiles (vs.5), especially those who had never heard about Jesus before (Rom. 15:20). Paul’s life clearly shows his self-awareness was on target. What about us? First, are we a bondservant of Christ? If not, it is God’s primary will for us to be saved (Rom. 10:9) and then to offer ourselves completely to God (Rom.12:1). Then over time God’s Spirit will reveal who we are (Rom. 12:2) as we test our gifts in the context of the church (12:3-9). Don’t sense the call to evangelize? But if we don’t tell the Gospel to our friends and family, who will? If no one comes to mind, this likely is God’s will for us. Many of us might not have much time left to “find ourselves,” so let’s study and obey Romans as if our life and our loved ones’ eternal lives depend on it. 

What is the Gospel? The entire book of Romans answers this question. We first encounter it, though, within the first 10 words of Paul’s letter. Here are some statements from Romans 1 that begin to answer that essential eternal-life question:

  • The Gospel was prophesized about in the Old Testament (vs.2) as involving the Son of David in human terms and the Son of God in divine terms—two natures in one person (vs. 3). An essential aspect is Jesus’s resurrection from the dead through the power of the Holy Spirit (vs. 4).

READINGS FOR MARCH 13, 2025 CONTINUED: ROMANS 1, PSALM 19:1-6

  • This holy sacrifice and joyous victory over the grave facilitate God’s grace enabling us to come to faith, which in turn expresses itself in obedience (vs.5).
  • This obedience includes serving God through sharing the Gospel (vs.9). 
  • A believer who truly understands and has experienced the Gospel should be eager to communicate it to others (vs. 15).  It is an honor to share this Bread of Life to those who need it (i.e., everyone). 
  • There is no need ever to be ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to all who believe (vs.16). Possibly Paul wrote this, however, because he knew we often are ashamed. 
  • The Gospel reveals the righteousness of God that is life for all who embrace it by faith (vs.17).  HAVE WE UNDERSTOOD, EXPERIENCED, AND SHARED THE GOSPEL? IF NOT, WHY NOT? 

BUT (someone always asks at this point) what about those who never heard the Gospel? In a way Paul says, “I’m glad you asked that question.” Although his answer may not satisfy all of us, and while it may not be the complete answer, he does address it:  “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by 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 reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened” (Rom.1: 18-21). Also: “They show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscious... accusing or defending them” (Rom. 2:15).

God’s wrath comes upon those who suppress the truth. How could we do that? In Rom 2:15 God’s moral truth is given to all people (our conscious) and in Rom. 1:19 His eternal power, through viewing the created universe (Gen.1 and the cosmological and teleological arguments discussed Feb. 5, 2024).  Remember Jesus said those, who do not accept (suppress) the truth they are given, will not receive more but actually lose what they have (Matt. 13:10). Yet the servant who maximized what he had received more (Matt: 25:28). Believe and receive more. In addition, consider in Matt. 28 how much Jesus wanted his disciples to come to Galilee to hear His command to preach the Gospel to the entire world. Paul constantly risked, and eventually gave, his life to share the Gospel. Most of the disciples also gave their lives. If we’re really concerned for those who have not heard, let’s get busy! Trust God to judge with love, holiness, wisdom, and justice: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” (Gen. 18:25).

The final 10 verses in Rom. 1 explore the consequences of those who suppress God’s truth. God eventually gives them over to their own unrighteous instincts (vs. 24). Many resulting sins are listed, but perhaps the most emphasized and controversial are homosexual acts.  Wesley Hill, a theologian and a celibate gay, thoughtfully affirms the Biblical injunction against gay sex, but also gives the church wise counsel on how to support those with same-sex attraction. His writings are highly recommended. 

PSALM 19:1-6 These first six verses are the perfect Old Testament companion to what we just studied in Romans 1: “His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made.” This truth, often called general or natural revelation, can’t be censored or banned. It is understood in all cultures. In fact, possibly the least receptive places to God’s truth currently are Western Europe and North American. (Too busy with our cell phones?)  “When morning gilds the sky, our hearts awakening cry, may Jesus Christ be praised!"