Reflections from Romans 4/7/11

This summer the SWO staff are going through the book of Romans together. The following is from my journal and just some of my thoughts coming from Romans 2:16, and Romans 2:24-29 that really hit me hard: In Romans verses 24-29 Paul begins to talk about circumcision. Doing one thing outwardly and yet acting another way. It is a warning against hypocrisy. A warning against 'acting' without inner change...your actions and attitude both must change not simply our outward appearance of perceived obedience. We must remember that we represent God above all. When we teach/speak in a certain way but our actions contradict, others look at us and shake their heads in amusement. "They are Christians?". We make a mockery out of God. But, (and here's where the Holy Spirit whacked me over the head) when we obey God's commands but our attitudes, and motivation contradict those actions, we do the same thing even though those around us may be none the wiser. We mock God to his face. Mock: To hold up, to scorn or contempt; ridicule, to cheapen. To defy, and make futile. (adj: a sham; false imitation). We really, really, really need to think about this and understand the ramifications of this! "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. a man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7). Do we realize who we are 'playing games' with? We cannot lie to, or manipulate God. God knows our hearts, our secrets, and the motivation behind our actions. This goes back to Romans 2:16 where it talks about "when God judges men's secrets through Jesus Christ" We must be really stupid or we just do not understand. It is not just an issue of actions...it's about attitude and motivation. How do we mock God in our daily lives?

• By thinking he can be an accessory to our lives


• By preaching/teaching in a way that we do not act


• By acting in a way that does not fit our attitudes (hearts)


• by doing things we know are sin but continuing in them anyways


• by ignoring the fact that God is sovereign and we either obey him or reject him


• By forgetting that Christ was nailed to the cross for the sin we daily justify to fulfill our personal gratification


• By making Christianity a list of 'dont's' and seeing how close to the line we can get without 'breaking the rules'


• By forgetting that our lives are not our own


• By forgetting that life is a battle not a game. We do not have the right to play/toy with our bodies, hearts, minds, and relationships however we want. We are called to a higher purpose and higher standard.


• By forgetting that we do not deserve anything. That kindness, tolerance, patience, and love our gifts from God bestowed out of his grace toward us.


• By forgetting that the consequences of sin is death and it is ONLY through Christ that we are saved.

This journal entry laid out the question for me to answer: How often do I mock God? How often do I pray that he will give me the right attitude...in addition to giving me the strength to obey his commands? I think somewhere down the line I forget that attitude does matter to the God that knows my every thought.

I'm doing this new idea where I read a Psalm every day. This reminded be of Psalm 51 when David came before the Lord broken and repentant, crying "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me" (verses 10-11).

David got it. Do we get it?