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Romans 13

We’re near the end of Romans, where Paul lays out all the ways we can be obedient in Christ. While we’re still in somewhat of an overview mode, Paul helps us see that, as good Christians, we should acknowledge the power and authority people have in their given positions. It’s important to know that, as a president, CEO, area leader, or head of two people, God gives all these powers` and none are won by people alone.

So if the authority is given by God, in living under that leadership, we are not just respecting the office the person holds but also reverencing God. Fear of the Lord is the ultimate goal here, not really fear like scared, but fear as in respect.

He goes on in this chapter to further take that respect for leadership and then shows how each of us should commune with our neighbors. It’s through the love of God that we were loved by, that we are then to pass on to all those around us. It’s like the pay-it-forward concept. God loved us so we could love our neighbors, and that includes enemies as well as friends. We were once God’s sworn enemies, and so because He loved us, we should love ours as well.

Think today a bit about how we take some small steps to bridging the gap between us and our leaders, and us and our frien-emies. It’s is the second of the two commandments, love your neighbor as yourself, and the first, love the Lord your God, that we are obeying in doing these things. Yep, two birds, one stone! So go frward today and share the love of Christ!

Leviticus 18

Up until this point in scripture, there weren’t too many rules about who a person was allowed to marry. Sure, Abraham asked for certain things for his sons’ wives and so on, but nothing that seemed clearly defined by God. This chapter is a game-changer in this arena.

Marrying or having relations with anyone who was in close relations with you was no longer allowed. Previously, I think the assumption was that it was permitted because there weren’t as many “fish in the pond” to populate the earth, so it was permitted. Now, close relations were off limits. This also underscores the fact that we live in a fallen world. I am no geneticist, but what I understand is that, as DNA is split and recombined through procreation, it loses data, and we start to see more and more defects appear. This happens much more rapidly when the relation is close. So, it would appear that God draws the line in Leviticus 18 to protect against those things.

I also don’t want to miss a very important verse in this chapter. Verse 32 specifically calls homosexuality “detestable” to the Lord. There are so many who disregard scripture and, despite not practicing it, allow it to remain in their faith. It is detestable to God, it’s a perversion for a man to have relations with another, and it is also wrong to have relations with other created beings other than men with women. God is clear here. There’s no mistaking it.

“You must not have sexual relations with a male as one has sexual relations with a woman; it is a detestable act.” (Lev. 18:32)

Let’s spend more time in scripture. IF we missed it this easily, then other things that can guide us in our walk with Christ can be missed too. I, for one, need to seek Him more in the battles that rage in my life and trust Him in all aspects of life.

Leviticus 17

This chapter presents one of the first times God acknowledges the foreigners who came into the camp of Israel and were residing among the people. Many times, when the Israelites are taking over a new land, they are told to conquer the people and utterly destroy all that is there, from soldiers to fluffy pet Fido. However, it seems God recognizes that they aren’t going to do that all the time, and there will be people who come in and take part in what God has blessed.

While this is long before Jesus, it is starting to open the door for us as Gentiles. The parallels aren’t all there, but God does want to bless all people, and instead of kicking out those who aren’t bloodline Israelites, He allows them to linger among the Israelites and blesses them, too.

The church today is full of people much the same. Our churches are full of those who have completely given their lives over to God and worship Him alone, but they are also filled with those hoping to do enough good to go to heaven. Going to church, checking off the Sunday checklist, and such. Instead of kicking these people out, God wants them to worship among His people, hoping that they, too, will commit wholeheartedly to Him.

Psalms 27, 28, 29

Those are some pretty intense psalms. I hope you read them carefully today and consider what the writer is saying. It’s not just where his heart is, but his recognition of where strength comes from. How many of you have considered yourself downtrodden because you faced some difficulty in life? Have you ever faced adversity for any reason? I believe 100% of people would raise their hands. I have for sure.

The psalmist in the first two of these three psalms is recounting how the Lord will save him in times of trouble. Notice there isn’t a conditional “if I face trouble,” but rather “when I face trouble.” He knows, and we know that trouble is going to happen, so instead of wishing when trouble gets here, the writer is already inviting God to stand in the way of his adversity before it even arrives. It’s coming, I promise you, so be prepared.

Then the last of the three psalms speaks of the might and power of God's voice. Have you prayed today? Have you stopped the mumbo jumbo of words flowing through your head long enough for God to speak to you? Sadly, I haven’t slowed down today yet, but soon I will. Let’s listen together today and HEAR the voice of God in our prayers. People may be seeking our wisdom, and it’s not really us they want to hear from. How would God respond in their situation? What does He say about it?

Let’s listen and gain knowledge, as it is so sweet from the lips of the Lord, and allow His voice to thunder in our lives. God is mighty and strong. Let us praise the Lord in His strength today!

Leviticus 16

One of the major roles of the priest is to keep the peace between the Israelites and God. God knew it was inevitable that people would sin and that His wrath would come down on them if there weren’t something in between them. As He set up the statutes between Him and the people and the practices they were to carry out, He described scenarios to the “tee,” and they had to follow them exactly.

One wrong move and Aaron would have been struck down in the tabernacle. If he didn’t do his job correctly and if he had entered into the wrong part at the wrong time or appeared before the Lord unclean and unfit for duty, things would have gone very badly for him. Sin has a way of keeping us from experiencing the true fullness of God in all of His holiness because, without Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, we fall short and are completely inadequate.

These acts they are to carry out are their sworn duties, and they have to be sure to do everything just right. We no longer have that struggle, and we have God within us through the Holy Spirit. We are blessed beyond belief to have that final say settled, because no matter how good or bad your life has been, the atoning sacrifice that the scapegoat took upon himself, as it was Jesus, is beyond perfect and takes care of all past (and future) due fines.

Leviticus 15

This chapter is focused on bodily functions that we really only know as common things that happen, and that we probably don’t give a second thought to unless something is abnormal about them. Women have their monthly patterns that directly stem from the fall in Genesis 3. Men have bodily discharges that happen for reproduction. But God says both of these can cause us to become unclean.

The people of Israel had to be careful not to lose track of their lives. They were not permitted to come into the tabernacle or close enough to defile it because they would die. These things are very important to God, and He watches over each. I don’t know what this person looks like or smells like in God’s eyes, but I find it quite amazing that He would recognize each person’s impurity as an individual. They didn’t wear signs around their neck, I don’t think, that said, “I am unclean”. But God knew, and in some ways, that gives me comfort that He knows you and me at a greater depth than we can imagine.

I know these things all point back to God’s holiness and our separation from Him. But I still find it very special to be known by God. He’s so big and so great, and yet we are reminded that He knows us, He knows how many hairs on our heads, and He knows how our bodies work. For anyone who suffers from chronic pain or illnesses, He knows you too. He knows your struggles, the things you balance, and He blesses you the same through Jesus. He calls each of us still to holiness, and since we are so lost in our ways, He paid that price too.

Romans 12

Oh, how I could dwell on those first few words of this chapter that exhort us to look back at the previous 11 chapters of Romans and see the theology and depth of our lostness. But instead, this chapter really points us forward to the life that we are called now to live in Christ.

Living as sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, first, we are to live and work with joy. As I am writing this, I am just moments after sending my son on a school trip to compete and learn more about his future. This kid's future is bright, and he has two very divergent paths he could take. The verses we are given from Paul are astoundingly important to a person in his position, as many new graduates are. The words here that tell us how to do our work are these: diligence, sincerity, mercy, and cheerfulness. We look to the future, and we get scared, but the future holds promise, and we are called to live that out in joy and holiness, working as unto the Lord.

The rest of this chapter, we are called to the “opposite” life, the upside-down kingdom that Jesus called us to in the Beattitudes. Do you have enemies? Do you have people who rub you the wrong way? Put behind you your differences and seek the Lord. How is it that you could be a reflection of who Jesus is to them? Let that Gospel message that drew you in radiate through you today as you do all things for God. Whether your skills are in leadership, cleaning up aisle 7 at the grocery store, or making pretty pictures for your workplace, do it for Him with joy, peace, and patience shining forth the love of God.

Leviticus 14

Yesterday, we gained a better understanding of what to look for when skin diseases occurred in the Israelite camp. Once a person was declared clear of the disease, they were to take certain steps to become ceremonially clean again before they could do anything with the rest of the people. It’s the physical and spiritual cleanliness that was required by the Lord. Again, to be holy as He is holy.

The regulations Moses was given are much like those given for other things that defiled people. Animals may have been different, but in essence, it was a sacrifice to be allowed back among the people.

The next aspect of life was similar. While they may not have known much, if anything, about the tiny spores that shoot out of molds, it was imperative not to let these things fester in a person’s physical house. It wasn’t just the physical body that God was concerned with; He also gave instructions for keeping your house clean. Many of us can relate to mildew and molds growing in wet basements or other outdoor spaces. God wanted to make sure that everyone was breathing clean air and staying healthy. So, cleansing was needed at home as well as in the body.

These regulations are important for understanding what God deemed important. We can continue to see His holiness, as it takes a great deal to be made clean again, and He cares about our physical well-being.

Leviticus 13

Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Maybe this was the whole point of this chapter, but really, it’s showing just how important it is to take care of our bodies and how important it is to the Lord. He lays out a list of things for the priests to watch over, and they seem to take the place of early doctors who diagnosed boils and sores. These things have to be closely watched as they can spread fast, as we’ve seen in history with plagues that wipe out thousands of people.

I feel like this is also a way for us to recognize that sickness is part of life as a result of the fall. We shouldn’t just be “ok” with it, but we can recognize where it comes from and that we can’t do anything about it by fretting or worrying. These unintentional shortcomings of our bodies and the things that get passed around in communities also contribute to our need for Christ, a savior who overcomes all things.

Let’s spend some time today being thankful for His hand in protecting us and redeeming us. He’s paid the cost of cleaning us from our filth and sin, and there’s nothing we can do to repay Him. Though we can share His faithfulness and His might with those we talk to in order to bring glory to His name.

Romans 11

This chapter settles a major dispute. The opening part of it clearly argues that God has not given up on His holy nation. Salvation came to the Gentiles for their own sake, but it was also given to them through grace, so that the jews would awaken from their sleepy stupor and cause jealousy to rise in them, and they could come back to the Father.

Neither group, the jews or the Gentiles (I mean this group to be everyone except those who are not Jewish by bloodline), deserves a lick of what God has given. We all have sinned, and it’s purely by His own mercy that we are allowed to breathe another moment here, let alone have assurance in Christ that we will one day be with Him in heaven and kept from the punishment we all rightfully deserve.

We cannot take for granted what the Lord has done. By His plan from the very moment the world was being drawn up, He knew what He would have to do. There’s not a contingency plan in place, or a “welp, I guess I gotta...”. We are in Christ because of God’s gracious plan, and as a gentile race, we are not replacing Israel. The Jews are the root of all this, and it’s because of them and the promise given to Abraham that we are grafted into this family, adopted by the blood of Jesus, and allowed to praise the Lord’s name all the rest of our days.

The chapters ahead in Romans will help us learn how to live in light of this grace. Not one to rush to sin or put up legalistic battles to say it’s all us, but to live in the grace and mercy of the Lord.