Romans 16: More About Living Sacrifices

In Romans 12, Paul described the term “living sacrifice.” From there to the end of Romans 15, he showed how this principle works in different areas of life. Now, he does another remarkable thing—he lists person after person who were living examples of living sacrifices at that time. What a great theme for meditation!

 

Romans 15: Let's Use the Old Testament Well

In verse 4, Paul told the Roman Christians that the scriptures from former days were written for the benefit of those who live now. In order to show how to use them for our benefit, he quoted from the Old Testament at least six times in Romans 15. Take note of each one as you read, and use Paul’s methods to make good use of the rest of that part of the Bible.

 

Romans 14: Do Not Destroy Him

Getting along with one another can be one of life’s greatest challenges. Sometimes it even gets harder when we are among people who are very different from us due to background, nationality, customs, and former religions. So it was in the early church. Romans 14 is one of several places in Paul’s writing where this is discussed. In all of the advice—and commandments—that he gives, what could be more helpful than the heading of this meditation? How about the next thing he said? “Do not destroy your brother with your food, for whom Christ died” (v. 15).

 

Romans 13: Christians Obey the Law

All people should obey the law, but Christians should be leading the way. The key to it is the same thing that led us to obey the gospel in the first place—the spirit of submission (Romans 6:6-18). This spirit is in the first line of Romans 13: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.”

 

Romans 12: It Makes Sense for Us to...

As a result of being saved from sin (Romans 1-8) and being a part of the one body that includes Jews and Gentiles (Romans 9-11), Paul says that the reasonable thing for us to do is to be living sacrifices in order to show that the will of God is good, acceptable, and perfect. So, in this chapter, he lists more than two dozen things that we can do in our daily lives that are acceptable to God, good for us, and helpful to the people in our lives.

 

Romans 11: That He Might Have Mercy Upon All

Romans 9, 10, and 11 are Paul’s explanation of how God is able—because He so very much desires it—to save Jew and Gentile by the gospel. The fact that sin is so terrible, and we are so helpless in saving ourselves—coupled with God’s desire for our salvation—is why the gospel was designed. The great thing to be learned from this is the conclusion of Romans 9, 10, and 11. Please read, read again, and highlight Romans 11:33-36.  

 

Romans 10: They Have Not All Obeyed

This comes from verse 16. The word “obeyed” comes from a word that means “heard,” or “hearkened.” God has the right to expect people who hear the gospel to hearken to it! Hearing—honest, fair hearing—should lead to obedience (Acts 6:7). When it does not, punishment will follow (2 Thessalonians 1:8). In the Bible, people who truly “heard” and “believed” also obeyed. Let us not disappoint Him (v. 21).