Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”

As we grow in our Christian faith, things that tempted us early on no longer entice us… for we have grown in wisdom and godliness.  So when you see a new Christian struggling,  remember where you were as a baby Christian, and as  I Thess. 5:14 says, “Help the weak, be patient with everyone.”  God  brought them to you to encourage not to condemn.

Psalm 145:3 ” Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.”

Paul’s letter to the Romans tried to explain our incomprehension of God’s greatness when he said, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33)  As humans, we cannot start to understand or ever figure out just how wonders and miracles happen…for the Lord’s power is truly unfathomable.

Romans 2:1 ” You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at what ever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”

We all give snap opinions mentally  everyday.  No one may hear them…but we’re constantly pronouncing judgment on those around us.  But for as harshly as we judge others…in the same way we will be judged someday…which kind of makes you think doesn’t it.

Romans 16:17 ” I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.”

You will hear something, and it won’t sit well with your Spirit.  It may not be blatantly against what the Bible teaches…but it still gives an uneasy feeling when you hear it.  Satan will corrupt and twist a Biblical principle just enough in order to make it “more politically correct and acceptable to all”…because you know, we don’t want to offend anyone.  But unfortunately, bending over backwards as to not offend anyone, has gone to a whole new low in Christian circles.

Romans 1: 11-12 ” I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each others faith.”

When you and another Believer meet, you have much more in common than you think, even if it’s a chance meeting in the grocery store.  You share the mutual faith in Jesus Christ and are both part of the community of Believers.  So your interaction now becomes inspired, giving hope and confidence to one another, and boosting each others faith.

Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”

Multi-generational  Discipleship is a wonderful way of handing down Godly wisdom…from generation to generation.  When old and young are paired together in  cross-generational activities, wisdom and sage advice are shared…enthusiasm and energy are appreciated.   The personal knowledge gleaned from a long-lived Christian life  teaches  far beyond what any class could do.

Romans 15:13 ” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may over flow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

That deep inner psychological sense of hope, confidence and expectation can only be reached and fully satisfied when we allow the Lord to fill that “God shaped” void inside us.  And that wonderful transformation then allows us to “spill over”….for the God of all hope fills us to over flowing so that we might give that hope  to others.

Romans 3:20 ” Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the Law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”

The writer of Romans, Paul, reasoned that obedience to the Law cannot justify one before God – because no one can keep the Law perfectly.  For the very nature of the Law was to prove to us that we’re sinful…and the purpose of the Law was to lead us from our futile attempts at keeping it to putting our trust in Jesus instead.

Romans 12:21 ” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

While Jesus walked this earth He had many enemies who hated and despised Him…but He never returned that anger with rage of His own.  We need to look at His example  daily as we deal with unlovable people around us.  People may be hostile, but we don’t need to have hostility against them.  We may be hated, but we don’t need to be hateful back.  Anger will never be calmed by more anger.

Romans 11: 33-36 Doxology

” Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!

Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been His counselor?

Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever!       Amen. “