For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. (NLT)

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians… (NKJV)

Paul who was once a proud Jewish student that looked down of all non-Jewish, non-religious people now has been transformed to see differently. What was once a narrow view of acceptance because of race and education has now become a passion that includes all peoples no matter the race or intelligence.

Paul once hated Christians.

He passionately chased them from town to town, both men and women.  Placing them in prisons and trying to force their renouncing of Christ.  He watched over the coats of the raging crowd that stoned Steven.  Paul was so lost in his hatred and racism that he did not recognize Jesus as He appeared to Paul on his way to imprison more Christians. Paul once traveled to spread HATE, now travels to share HOPE.

Paul’s Vision of people Changed

In Romans 1:15 Paul used the words obligation and debtor when referring to various classes of people.  What a transformation of his outlook on others.  What has changed in Paul’s life that would so overwhelm his years of strict focus and proud heritage that excluded others and now has become indebted to?

 

It is the message of the Gospel.  Paul has received a vision of how lost and hopeless he was when all his hopes were built on his status and intelligence.  That vision of Paul’s righteousness placed him as low or lower than the humble worker in God’s eyes.  Lower than the outcasts of society.  When Paul saw his hopelessness in himself and the hope of the gospel his proud, racist, narrow view, arrogant view toward people, ethnic classes, intelligence was completely broken.  He was hopeless, lost and in need of saving.  The Good News saved him from himself.

Now Paul is eager to preach this same message to anyone and everyone.  Both the Greeks (proud, high status) and the non-Greeks (everyone else).  Outside birth status even the wise and simple minded.  Paul is eager to see the power of the Gospel be shared to everyone.

Q. We are in a world of judging classes of people.  Are we eager to see various classes of people receive hope in Christ?

Q. Do I look down on others because of class, color, status, or intelligence?

Q. Is there a place in my life that looks down on others as a lower class than myself?

Q. How can I break this pattern?  Repent and pray for those you look down on.

Those who know your name trust in you

Psalm 9:10 NIV  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

There are many names of GOD.  The first was spelled without any vowels.  The followers of GOD so honored GOD they gave him an unpronounceable name as YHWH.  It is written Jehovah or Yahweh  but in the early days the name of GOD without vowels sounded like a sigh, a breath.

Other names given GOD because of who He is and His interaction with man. 

Meditate on these names and allow the many names of God expand who He is in your life.  These are just a few of the many:

Yahweh Nissi:“The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15).

Yahweh Shalom:“The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Judges 6:24).

Yahweh Sabbath:“The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Samuel 17:45).

Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: “The Lord your Sanctifier.” Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Exodus 31:13).

Yahweh Ro’i: “The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Psalms 23:1).

Yahweh Tsidkenu: “The Lord our Righteousness.” Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6).

Yahweh Shammah: “The Lord is there.” Portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom (Ezekiel 48:35).

Yahweh Elohim Israel: “The Lord, the God of Israel.” Identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel in contrast to the false gods of the nations (Isaiah 17:6).

(3) Adonai: Like Elohim, this too is a plural of majesty. The singular form means “master, owner.” Stresses man’s relationship to God as his master, authority, and provider (Joshua. 5:14).

The names of the Lord will expand your knowledge of  and confidence toward Him and place lightnside your heart.

Who am I?  Two world views

The post-modern world view says we are only a biological being created by chemistry between two people.  If planned then great, but if you were unplanned through carelessness or abuse you can simply be aborted. No problem!   This world view gives mankind the same value , or less value, than the whale, or hooting owl.  This world view also promotes a low self-worth, and little value on life.

God’s worldview is vastly different than the secular humanist of today. In Psalms 8 David is contemplating the worth of man as he sees the vastness and wonder of creation. What is man compared to the heavens and stars?

God inspired David to write in verse 8 “You have made them (mankind) a little lower than the angels. And crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of Your hands…”

Mankind is crowned with GLORY AND HONOR from God.

It does not matter when you were born. Does not matter where, the planning process, even if you are the result of a sexual assault. You are  fearfully and wonderfully made and are crowned with GLORY AND HONOR from God. Your  value is over all the works of God. You were made in God’s image with a spirit that can speak with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. You are highly  valued by God. You are the reason Christ died for salvation. God wants to live with you forever.

Man might say mistake, God says majestic.

Man may say biological, God says BLESSED.  You may feel of low value or have a poor self-image.  God sees you right now where you are as a creation in His image the is crowned by God with Glory and Honor.  You have high value.  Your value is over all the animal kingdom and all the creations of God.  God sent Christ to the cross to provide a path  to bring you to Himself to live forever

Who am I? I am a child of God. I have value. Right now in whatever situation or status of living this world would rate me. I am CROWNED WITH GLORY AND HONOR FROM GOD’S VIEW.

Listen to Casting Crowns song “Who am I?” It will place lightnside your body that is crowned with glory and honor.

I might have a harvest among you
Romans 1:13-15 NIV

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. [14] I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. [15] That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

The word “harvest” jumped out to me.  A harvest is more city wide than a spiritual gift to one church. It is a revival atmosphere attracting lost souls to the Good News of Christ.

This reminds me of Mark 1:1-5  The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, [2] as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:  “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— [3] “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” [4] And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [5] The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

This was a  harvest time when people outside the limits of the church began gathering to hear John preach.  What attracted the people? Two things, (1) first the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit and (2) changed lives.  People saw the evidence of the power of Christ’s blood through Faith.

In Rome, Paul was burdened with two things.  The maturity and spiritual growth of the church, and the harvest, revival of the city.  This passage in Romans is similar to Christ’s statement in Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV):

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. [36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

We need a revival harvest atmosphere in our cities.  In our schools, jobs, and even our tweets! To the educated, non-educated.  The our failure culture and those different than us.  We need a harvest move of GOD and people will be drawn to hear with their ears and awaken Faith in their SPIRIT.  Lord put your revival spirit in America before you come back! In our cities place your lightnside.

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. ⁹ God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you ¹⁰ in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. ¹¹ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Paul is encouraging the Romans by his confession that he gives thanks to God for their reported faith and that it is being noticed all over the world.

This is a good idea for us leaders to encourage those whom we are over.  Instead of only looking for ways to teach and correct,  we could also encourage others by sharing how much we thank God for them and praise their efforts of faith.   He said their faith was growing and honored them for that.  There are some things later that Paul  will instruct and even strongly accuse. But first is encouragement.  Paul chose to encourage the most important part of anyone’s relationship with Christ.  Our faith in Him.

 

In verse 12 Paul also stated they could encourage each other by their stories of faiths.  Sharing our life and experiences with each other encourages our own faith in what God is doing in our lives.

Questions:

Do I thank God first for those in my area of influence and tell them so?(verse 8)

Do I share how proud I am of the most important element in Godly living (faith) no matter that actual situations I could bring up?

Do I recognize I can be encouraged in my heart as I share my faith issues and listen to theirs?

Am I a encourager or a spotlight?  Lord Help me to place a lightnside of my friends by giving thanks to you for them and encouraging them for their faith.

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.  Proverbs 4:18‭-‬19 NLT

Keep your heart close to God will illuminate your days actions and plans.  Your purposes and progress will be  clear in your mind and heart.  The bible says the way of the wicked is a stumbling path.  The obstacles are not seen until it is too late.

One of the major problems today is addiction.  If the person could see clearly the path of their actions they would run away from it, but it is hidden from their sight because of darkness.  Only the present pleasure is seen and desired. 

 How many people are very unhappy and are losing jobs, health, family all because they did not see what was ahead.  Lord let me see my path in the sunlight or (SON-light).

Follow righteous and the problem issues of life will be seen in time for prayer and guidance from God. You will have light in your path and lightnside.

You will have a time of trouble.  In the trouble there is your God.

Maybe 2017 was a great year.  If so, expect trouble in 2018.  That is life.  There will be times of trouble, darkness and fear.  David was running for his life from his own son Absalom.  During this painful, dark, and seemingly panic time David writes about his reality on two levels. One is the outward reality.  The other is the inward spiritual reality.

People are against me (even my own family), and they are saying “God will not deliver him”.  To say it another way,  “the situation is beyond God’s power to change or even God does not care for your success.”   We will have times in our life where visually it seems we are going through trouble that seems endless.

David calls out to His God and finds strength in his spirit, mind and even his health. He turns to God and declares: a. You are a shield about me – to block verbal arrows, internal doubts; b. You are my Glory (kabowd – God’s presence, dignity, honor, reputation), because You are my God and I am following You;  c. Therefore, because of Your glory on my You lift my head high. (Where ever I am and in what ever situation I am in I can lift myself up because of God’s glory gives me dignity, honor, and a good reputation.

Because of God and in spite of the situation, I lie down and sleep (ever have sleepless nights? I have.) and I awake because the Lord sustains me.  I will rest in His power, glory, shields during the battle.

Holy Spirit remind me of this Psalms when my mind forgets.

When deliverance comes it is because of the Lord.  Not only the deliverance of the situation but the deliverance of my heart, mind and body during the dark times.  Even when difficult times come turn yourself into God’s presence.  He will give you a lightnside.

 

Romans 1:5-7 NIV

5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does the  calling of God feel like.

Calling of God is a nudging of the Holy Spirit when a song, scripture or situation is at hand that God can use to call our spirit to the awareness of Christ.  We are not attracted to God on our own.  It is all His calling.  We do have the connection tool that engages our heart and mind to begin to embrace Christ.  It is faith.  Belief in who He is and what He has done for us.

Verse 5 in the NIV say calls  the Gentile to the obedience that come from faith.  The power word here is faith.  The meaning is this,  the benefits of believing in Christ are so overwhelming that you WANT to follow Christ and become obedient because of the Grace and Mercy, power, and forgiveness you receive.

 

God is calling you.  Believe and enjoy.

Obedience is a pleasure and the benefits are a real blessing in your life, family, and profession.  You are called by God to become obedient to Christ achieved only through His power  that comes from your faith in Him. Lightnside

Romans 1:2-3

² God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. ³ The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, ⁴ and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

What would you call good news?

The war is over.  Got tax money coming back.  The pain I feel is nothing serious and should be back to normal soon.  Getting married.  Not getting married. What ever you call good news brings a time of happiness and relief.

Paul calls the Gospel of Jesus the Good News.  The Old Testament especially Psalms and Isaiah speaks of the Good News of God’s salvation and of a coming Good News for all people.  Jesus is the Good News.  While He was preaching Jesus called the subject Good News, or the Kingdom or the Gospel.  It’s all the same.  So what exactly is the good news?It is what Jesus did for us.

Romans is not a “how-to ” book for us.  It is a book about  Jesus and what HE has done for us.”

 

The good news is we don’t and can’t become holy or righteous on our own.  Our sinful nature will defeat us every time.  BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS JESUS BRINGS OFFERS US HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS BECAUSE OF WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED ON THE CROSS.

 

Romans is not a book of history but a book that revels the lostness and hopelessness of every man and woman on our own.  We justify ourselves by comparing our deeds to others worse than ours.  But the reality is anyone, even the most holy living person you know, falls short of God’s requirement of righteousness.  Romans shows us our hopeless nature…but the Good News is Christ has provided help for us.  It is powerful and life changing.  It is also nothing we can earn or achieve.  The Good News is it’s a free gift through faith in Christ.

Romans stands between the Old Testament, the life of Jesus, the creation of the church, outpouring of the Holy Spirit  and the living out the gift of Christ.  The Good News. From Corinthians to Jude are practical guidance and reminders of the Good News and how to live in it.

 

Revelation speaks of all who received the Good News by faith along with the eternal reward in Revelation 21-22.  Good News is here.  Good News is Christ.  Good News will put lightnside your life and future.

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord , and you will gain knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1‭-‬5 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.2.1-5.NLT

 

Take time to meditate on Scripture and seek it’s meaning.  Treasure must be dug out in spite of the daily grind.