1 Corinthians 3:3While there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? Sometimes we feel it’s necessary to remind people that we’re only human! In one sense, that’s true. In another sense, it can be a lousy excuse. Sure, we are fallible. We are not yet perfect. But, do remember, if you’ve placed your faith in Christ, something miraculous has taken...  Read More

1 Corinthians 2:12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. Eva Paole was a housemaid working in Argentina when she discovered that her birth father was a well-off landowner that had died years before. By law she was entitled to his estate and took her claim to court. After a lengthy battle and the ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 1:10I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you. Is it possible for all of us to agree? Probably not. But is it possible for all of us to be agreeable? Absolutely! And that’s what this verse is getting at. The New Living Translation uses the word harmony. Think of an orchestra. Harmony allows for diff...  Read More

Romans 16:19I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. Innocent is typically not a way we like to be described. It suggests we are inexperienced and/or naïve. However, in this case, that is the description of a blessed life. Paul commences this great letter with a clear instruction to the saints: be innocent. In other words, be unaware, uncouth, and uncultured concer...  Read More

Romans 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Would you like to have joy and peace? Then verse 13 says go after hope. And if you go after hope, then you know you have to go after God, because He is the God of hope. Now why should God be called a God of hope? Well, hope is a predisposition of a brighter ...  Read More

Romans 14:3Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgement on the one who eats. Should Christians read Harry Potter? Should they listen to secular music? Should they watch movies that condone cursing and violence? Is it advisable to smoke or drink? Should they get tattoos? Do yoga? Recognize Halloween? Should they invest time in video games? I...  Read More

Romans 13:8Owe no one anything, except to love each other. Don’t place yourself at the mercy of another. Be indebted to no man. Be free and unencumbered. This means strive to self-support. As a Christian, God would rather you be under no obligation but one—and that’s to love one another. We are all beholden to love. Ideally, we are not to be on the tab for anything else. No pacts, no bonds. No con...  Read More

Romans 12:10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. We live in such a competitive society that constantly seeks to outdo one another. Well, here’s one thing to outdo others in—showing honor. If someone pays you a compliment, do her one better and give her a referral. If someone shows you a kindness, up the ante and send him a gift. And if someone disrespects ...  Read More

Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!Paul has been sharing some very deep thoughts and complex theology in this book! He’s trying to explain the mind of God, which is so very far above our heads. I am humbled when I realize how narrow my focus can get sometimes, and then the Holy Spirit helps me bac...  Read More

Romans 10:2For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.Paul is talking about his Jewish brothers & sisters – they were ALL ABOUT following the Rules of Righteousness, trying to earn favor with God – but they didn’t understand that ultimately, God does not want our self-sacrifices. We don’t get to heaven just by following all the rules or being a ‘good pers...  Read More

Romans 9:18So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.If God chooses to have mercy on one person but not another, what then is the point of praying for God to save certain people? What’s the point of trying to raise our children “in the way they should go”? What’s the point of telling people about Jesus? It may seem like there is no point, no hope, if we have no as...  Read More

Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.Condemnation = punishment. If you are abiding in Jesus and He in you, you no longer face eternal punishment. Conviction = declaration of guilt. We do all still face conviction because we are all still guilty. Guilty of missing the mark of God’s perfect will for our life, whether that be by walking in pride, anger, b...  Read More