Romans 1:21

Romans 1:21 says, Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  I believe that Paul was pointing out the fundamental problem for mankind since the garden of Eden.  It is not that people do not know God, but that when they do, the become vain in their thoughts and their hearts are darkened.  People choose to follow their own desires.  Adam and Eve did not sin because of a lack of an understanding of God, but because they thought that they could be like Him.  When people fail to acknowledge God today, it is because they want to be in charge of their own fate, but this is a vain thought.  God will always be in charge of His creation, and that includes the everlasting fate of mankind.  For that reason, God sent Jesus to be our Redeemer.  Verse twenty-two adds, Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.  We today, especially in the powerful nations, come up with ideas and inventions that make us feel very wise, but we forget what Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, and that is true wisdom comes only from God.  So, when we declare that there is no God or if there is He is nothing important, we become as fools.  Once again, to refer back to Solomon, he said that the fool said in his heart that there is no God. When we feel that we are too smart to believe in God and view the world was a cosmic accident, then we are truly acting as a fool.  The mere fact that we pronounce ourselves to be wiser than God points to our greatest foolishness, as we see next.  Verse twenty-three continues, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  No matter what idol we make to worship, it is corruptible and cannot represent God, Who is incorruptible.  Even if we worship the image of, or a man himself, we are changing the glory of God to something corruptible.  This is the greatest evidence of our foolishness.

Romans 1:18

Romans 1:18 says, For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Paul had just said that the just shall live by faith, and now he speaks of God's reaction to those who do not come to God by faith in Christ.  God deplores sin, and it separates mankind from Him.  If we will not accept God's salvation made available to all through Christ, then we face His wrath.  I don't believe we can interpret this to mean that God is just waiting to punish unrepentant sinners, but that He allows people to go forever out of the protection of His love and into the consequences of their sins.  We hear people say that they don't believe that a loving God could send people to hell, and He doesn't.  He simply allows them to go if they so choose. We, as followers of Christ, should never take pleasure in the fact that anyone is bound for hell.  If we feel that they are finally getting what they deserve, then what of us?  We only have hope through Christ taking on the penalty for our sins, no matter how big or small.  This verse points out a very important truth, and that is that ungodliness and unrighteousness will be dealt with, either through Christ or our own ability, which is nothing.  Sin can never be ignored.  Verse nineteen adds, Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  Paul tells us that we are without excuse.  God makes Himself known to mankind, and there is no one who can say they didn't know or have a chance.  We in America have it so easy compared to many in the world.  Since we profess ourselves to be a Christian nation, we certainly have ample opportunity to hear the gospel.  Yet so many choose to not believe. We cannot say God did not make Himself known to us.  Verse twenty continues, For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Paul says that from the creation of the world, the world itself has been a witness to the existence of God.  We cannot look at the world or the universe without acknowledging that there is a powerful Creator Who also sustains it.

Romans 1:14

Romans 1:14 says, I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.  Paul did not consider that others owed him anything, but instead that he was a debtor to all. These people may not have liked each other, but Paul said he was indebted to them both.  His debt was because of the sacrifice of Christ, and the payment was to preach the gospel.  This does not mean Paul or anyone could buy salvation, but that he lived his live out of gratitude to God.  The Greeks considered themselves superior to all others in wisdom, but whether the people considered themselves to be wise or unwise, both needed to hear the gospel.  Paul did not speak to both groups the same way, but spoke to them so they could best understand the gospel.  We should do the same.  If we reach out to people with the gospel in terms they can understand, not from an air of superiority, but as one who has a debt to proclaim the gospel, we will be much more effective.  Verse fifteen adds, So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  Many people might have been afraid to go to Rome where the people considered themselves so wise to share with them the simple good news of the gospel, but Paul was ready.  He said that so much as was in him, he was ready.  We can never share more than is in us.  As followers of Christ, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit when we witness, then no matter where we are or the circumstances we find ourselves in, we will be able to share the gospel.  We must be ready to give all that we have to do so.  Verse sixteen continues, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, because he knew by experience that it was the only way to salvation.  Some people today want to deny the necessity of being by born again for salvation, but the truth of God teaches us otherwise.  Paul said salvation was available to all, and we must acknowledge the same thing. Verse seventeen concludes, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.   Through the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed by faith.  We simply believe it, then live it by faith.  God even gives us the faith to believe, but as always, the choice is then ours whether to believe or not.

Romans 1:11

Romans 1:11 says, For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;  Paul explained here why he was praying to be able to come to Rome.  He said that he might impart some spiritual gift, but I believe this means he wanted to help them grow in faith.  People do not give spiritual gifts. Only God can do this.  We may at times need someone to help confirm our spiritual gifts in our own mind, but God gives them and will reveal them to us.  Paul also said he wanted to help them be established in the faith.  After we reach people with the gospel, we have a further responsibility to help them grow in their new faith.  Verse twelve adds, That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.  Paul did not desire to come to them as a super Christian that they were to only receive comfort from, but as a fellow believer who would also be comforted by them.  If we begin to view ourselves as superior to other Christians, and not seek to be comforted together, the we are not living in accordance with God's plan.  We are all equal in Christ.  Again, if we start to believe that we deserve more than any other Christian, I do not believe this is God's plan.  We may be able to help others become established, or grow in their faith, but it does not in any way make us superior to them in the eyes of God.  Verse thirteen continues, Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. Paul, though one of the greatest men of faith, did not always get to do what he wanted.  He desired to go to Rome to proclaim the gospel, but he was led elsewhere by the Holy Spirit for a long time.  We need to acknowledge today that we are to go where God leads us, not just where we want to go.  We are not called to work God into our plans, but to submit our lives to God's plan.

Romans 1:7

Romans 1:7 says, To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul was addressing all the believers in Rome, whether rich or poor, Jew or Gentile.  We are all indeed equal through our belief in Christ, even if in earthly terms we are not.  Belief in Christ as our Savoir does not mean everything will be equal in this world, but in our relationship to God, we are all equal.  We are beloved of God and set apart for His purpose in our life.  To be a saint does not make us perfect, but simply set apart from the world.  Paul wished them grace and peace.  The usual greeting was for peace, but Paul knew that only by the grace of God could we have peace.  Verse eight adds, First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.  Paul thanked God that the faith of those early believers was spoken of throughout all the world .  We as followers of Christ today need to have that same testimony.  Our faith needs to be known by all the world.  I know that not all the world is aware of who we are, but anyone we encounter should be aware of our faith in Christ, and we should always be thankful to God that Christ died and arose to make our salvation possible.  Even though the world may not know us personally, our faith, the belief in Christ as our Savior, needs to be spoken of throughout the world.  Verse nine continues, For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;  Paul was very earnest in his prayers for other Christians.  He called God to be his witness to this fact.  We need to be just as earnest in our prayer life.  I will pray for you can be an empty promise made to help us feel or look good if we aren't careful.  Verse ten concludes, Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.  After praying for others, then Paul made his request for his desire.  It wasn't for things, but for being able to visit those that he was writing to and praying for.  We need to pray for others first, then share our desires, not demands, with God, and these should have to do with the advancement of His kingdom and the welfare of His people.

Romans 1:1

Romans 1:1 says, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.  We see first that the writer is Paul.  Some consider Paul to be, if not the greatest Christian of all time, then at least one of the greatest.  Paul tells us who he is, not by earthly degrees and standing, but by his relationship to God.  When asked who we are, this would always be a good place to start.  Our relationship to God is all that will ultimately matter, so it should be of primary importance now.  Paul said he was an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.  As followers of Christ, we to are separated to the gospel and should live accordingly.  The apostles are considered those who were the first called by Christ, but Paul considered himself no less an apostle. Verse two adds, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)  The gospel is no afterthought for redeeming mankind.  The plan for redemption, the gospel, existed before creation, because God gave man the free will to choose or reject His will for their life.  We may have a hard time understanding such love as God has shown us.  Knowing the possibility of people rebelling against Him and following their own will, God not only created us, but had a plan of redemption already in place.  Verse three continues, Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;  The redemption plan was, and always will be, salvation through Jesus Christ alone.  Having been a devout Jew, Paul understood the coming Messiah, and after encountering Him, he never doubted Who the Messiah was, and that was Jesus.  Likewise, we can never doubt Him once we encounter Him.  Verse four states, And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:  Paul tells us here how we can be sure that Jesus is the Messiah.  He was declared to be the Son of God, by the spirit of holiness, through His resurrection from the dead.  No other religion can call people to follow their leader because he has overcome death.  Christ alone can make this claim.  Verse five adds, By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:  Here, Paul tells us how we are to live as God's people.  Since by His grace we have received our calling, we are to be obedient to God, a witness to Christ to all nations.  This is and always will be our commission from God.  Verse six continues, Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:  We are the called of Jesus Christ.  All people are called to come to Jesus, but only those who accept His calling are the called.  Accepting Christ as our Savior makes all the difference.

(I missed the last few verses of Ecclesiastes it seems, so here they are before we move to Romans.)  Ecclesiastes 12:4 says, And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;   Solomon is continuing to tell us why we should remember our Creator when we are young.  He continues to speak of some of the problems of old age.  As we get older, we tend to not want to venture out as much.  We close the doors to the streets.  This could also mean being more fearful even when we are at home.  We hear so many times about the elderly being attacked in their homes that we may become fearful.  Our hearing, as well as our vision is failing us, yet we rise up at the sound of a bird.  We just don't sleep as deeply as we once did.  We don't hear music as well as we once did.  No matter how good the sound reproduction of a product, if our hearing is gone, then it really doesn't matter to us.  Verse five says, Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:  As we grow older and less sure on our feet, then we are less likely to go to high places.  Again, remembering that Solomon is telling us why we should remember our Creator while we are young, we need to serve God when we ar ready to go anywhere.  I know that if we are truly serving God that we will serve Him at any age, but we cannot deny that our abilities may decrease with age.  Sixty may be the new forty, but neither is the new twenty.  Verse six says, Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.  Now matter how many years we live, death is our fate unless Christ returns, and even then this old body will die to be transformed into something new.  That is why in verse seven, Solomon concludes, Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.  Our spirit will return to God for judgment.  Those who accept Christ will stay with Him, and those who reject Christ will be sent away to everlasting separation.  In verse eight, Solomon pronounces the final conclusion about this life: Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.  Everything done simply for this world amounts to nothing, as it will all pass away.