It is in the book of Romans that the plan of God comes to us in such a way that the righteousness of God becomes a reasonable prospect for the child of God. What had seemed unattainable now is held our as God’s free gift for all who believe Him. We no longer stand on the earthly shores hopelessly looking heavenward, but Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, clearly states that the committed walk of a child of God is a “reasonable service.”
The Psalmist said, “lift up your heads—and the king of glory shall come in.” What he said for Israel, Paul says for each of us. We no longer should stand on earth’s dry land wishing for more than we have ever had when it is available to all who call upon God and are saved, sanctified, and risen in Christ.
Romans gives us hope, joy, assurance, and satisfaction in the work that Christ wants to do in each of His children. It is sad that so many flounder in their walk, trip over the elementary truths about God’s will and purpose for us. Paul understands the desperate position of the one who has not allowed God to take charge of his life and removed the barrier of self from his Christian life.
There is no perfection down here, but there is always more than we have experienced. Our gracious God has provided all that we need to have the experience of that new life in Christ. It does not have to be just a desire, but it can be a reality for all who lay claim to the promises of God.
It is a relief to discover that attaining God’s righteousness can no more be done in our own strength than being born again. The Romans road is more than a walk into a heavenly relationship, but it is a royal parkway that brings rich rewards to those who stop trying to work their way into His fellowship, but relinquish all human endeavor and allow the Spirit of God to take control of the life.
It is a continuation of the simple step of faith that brought about the riches of salvation to the believer. The Disciples all had trouble with the concept that Jesus had come to die. They also were frustrated at the thought that the Son of God knelt before them with basin and towel to wash their feet The royal king of heaven presented a picture of what being a servant of God is all about. When Paul states that we should present our bodies as a living sacrifice, he brings us to that place where life takes on totally new meaning.
Our goals for living must change. We can not afford to live for self and our outlook must always be an upward one that understands and sees each person as better than ourselves. This comes when we understand that we live our lives for the one who is not just better, but is best of all. He becomes the ultimate goal of living.
Knowing Christ begins to be a reality and the better that we know Him, the more that we become like Him. As that takes place we move toward the reality that John talks about in I John where we stand in His presence and are like Him for it is at that point that we shall see Him as He is.
Seeing Christ as He is only becomes possible when we see ourselves as we are today. Most of us see ourselves as we will be one day, but that is not today. We are in a short journey that leads to the day when we reach that wonderful goal of total sanctification that never could be while we still have this old sin nature.
The beautiful journey through Romans guides us in that growth.
The Psalmist said, “lift up your heads—and the king of glory shall come in.” What he said for Israel, Paul says for each of us. We no longer should stand on earth’s dry land wishing for more than we have ever had when it is available to all who call upon God and are saved, sanctified, and risen in Christ.
Romans gives us hope, joy, assurance, and satisfaction in the work that Christ wants to do in each of His children. It is sad that so many flounder in their walk, trip over the elementary truths about God’s will and purpose for us. Paul understands the desperate position of the one who has not allowed God to take charge of his life and removed the barrier of self from his Christian life.
There is no perfection down here, but there is always more than we have experienced. Our gracious God has provided all that we need to have the experience of that new life in Christ. It does not have to be just a desire, but it can be a reality for all who lay claim to the promises of God.
It is a relief to discover that attaining God’s righteousness can no more be done in our own strength than being born again. The Romans road is more than a walk into a heavenly relationship, but it is a royal parkway that brings rich rewards to those who stop trying to work their way into His fellowship, but relinquish all human endeavor and allow the Spirit of God to take control of the life.
It is a continuation of the simple step of faith that brought about the riches of salvation to the believer. The Disciples all had trouble with the concept that Jesus had come to die. They also were frustrated at the thought that the Son of God knelt before them with basin and towel to wash their feet The royal king of heaven presented a picture of what being a servant of God is all about. When Paul states that we should present our bodies as a living sacrifice, he brings us to that place where life takes on totally new meaning.
Our goals for living must change. We can not afford to live for self and our outlook must always be an upward one that understands and sees each person as better than ourselves. This comes when we understand that we live our lives for the one who is not just better, but is best of all. He becomes the ultimate goal of living.
Knowing Christ begins to be a reality and the better that we know Him, the more that we become like Him. As that takes place we move toward the reality that John talks about in I John where we stand in His presence and are like Him for it is at that point that we shall see Him as He is.
Seeing Christ as He is only becomes possible when we see ourselves as we are today. Most of us see ourselves as we will be one day, but that is not today. We are in a short journey that leads to the day when we reach that wonderful goal of total sanctification that never could be while we still have this old sin nature.
The beautiful journey through Romans guides us in that growth.
