Thoughts on Romans 9

As I read Romans 9 this morning I was once again made aware of my lack and my desperate need of the Holy Spirit. I read this chapter through the eyes of a Gentile sinner, through a western world view and through a theological lens that is very clouded and limited in perspective. So I share with you out of my desperate attempt to understand what Paul is trying to convey and what the Holy Spirit might have for all of us. Read Romans 9 (Preferably in an easier translation such as the NLT). As you read the text hear the passion that the Apostle Paul has for his Jewish brothers and sisters, God’s chosen people. Abraham, the “father of many nations” or “exalted father” and the foundational focal point of three major world religions; Judaism, Islam and Christianity is referenced by Paul but more so from the standpoint of the ancestral linage via Isaac and then Jacob (Israel).  Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too. This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children. Romans 9:7-8 (NLT)

As you read on you on the theological depth continues and my lack of comprehension begins. Here is what I do know…in theory anyway; God is just and will have mercy on whom He chooses, regardless of the person who wills and the person who tries to work for it. “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Once again the unanswered "why" questions are asked, (God doesn’t answer why questions). The correct answer: “who am I to question God or to have answers to define Him.” It is the same foolish logic that we see in the latter chapters in the book of Job. V.21, From the same lump of clay a vessel for honor and one for dishonor. I find myself shouting at Paul, “But what about…; And what if…; What you are saying is too much for my little brain to grasp!” Do you want to hear my conclusion, or better my default of ignorance; “I am but His clay for Him to mold and do whatever He chooses with me and I cannot worry or wonder about anyone else.”

Lord this knowledge is too great for me to comprehend. May your words given by your Holy Spirit reveal yourself to me. For I am a vessel of dishonor, a Gentile sinner living in ignorance to your righteous ways and yet your mercy has been bestowed upon me. Lord your mysteries are unsolvable, your ways are unattainable, and your grace is hard to understand. My pride closes the eyes of my heart and makes it difficult to see you and your love for me and others. Help me to know you more, expand my capacity to grasp even an atom size of your glorious truth. Please help me to love others like you love...and may you grant me a heart that sees and feels like yours does. Help me to understand and love your people Israel and to see your plan through that lens.

Teachable?

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:1

This verse has been translated in numerous ways, some ridiculous while others are just short of biblical brilliance. Of course, I will share what I think is the biblically brilliant rendering and see how it applies to our lives.
Blessed: Some will translate this word as “happy”, but it carries more of the idea of being favored, fortunate, and prosperous in conjunction with living a life of obedience to the Lord. Those who do the word of God are favored by God, which could result in being happy, fortunate and prosperous.  

 Poor in spirit: Those who are not “spiritually arrogant”. The spiritual “know it all’s!” Now there is a huge difference between those who actually do know a great amount of things and those who pride themselves in the knowledge that they do know. But let’s make it a bit more personal. There is also a difference between head knowledge and experiential knowledge, meaning I can read something, hear something or think about something but only have it in theory hovering inside my head. Experiential knowledge means that I have engaged with this thought or teaching and have implemented it into my life. I have “done the word” verses just hearing it, “checking the box” and filing it away. One can lead us towards a heart-set of pride, while the other can lead us towards victory, healing, power, blessing etc.

To be spiritual arrogant can sound and look like the following: (I have firsthand knowledge because I am taking these from my own vocabulary) “Oh, I have heard this before”; “I know this already”, “I can teach this stuff”, “I learned that a long time ago”, “I took a class on this”, “this is boring” etc... It can translate to you not thinking you need to have a formal quiet time, to not needing to go to church or small group every week, you just stand during the worship time, but not sing because it isn’t your style of song, or maybe you don’t respond to the message or invitation because you have that “wired” already or that you above such a response. Bottom line, when you resist the Holy Spirit, or when your head knowledge doesn’t translate into a holy life action it could indicate spiritual arrogance.  James states it well, the one who knows the right thing to do and doesn’t do it, to that person it is sin.  James 4:17. You may be reading this and saying to yourself, “I know this already” guess what? Yep, you are not “poor in spirit”.

Questions to consider:
·        Am I teachable even on the simplest of truths?
·        Am I living what I know?
·        Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness? Matt. 5:6
·        Am I pure in heart? Matt. 5:8

Steps to take:

·        Ask the Lord to search your heart in order to reveal any spiritual arrogance
·        Repent of what He reveals to you
·        Recalibrate the areas or disciplines you have drifted from
·        Reengage with your “first love”. (See Rev. 3:15-22)
·        Receive the love, grace and “blessing” of the Lord

Time to Get Ready

Do you realize that the time of Christ is near? I know it is easy to forget such truth in the midst of life’s chaotic bombardment. We are distracted by so many things in life, so many people, problems and projects that the idea of anything else in life beyond 5 minutes from now seems like an eternity away. We can get so buried in “stuff” that we can’t see beyond the walls that have us boxed in and blind us to anything but the immediate deadline. In the midst of all this “life”, you may be experiencing various types of trials, difficulties, spiritual attacks, unexplainable mayhem that could have you discouraged and or spiritually weakened. Regardless of what has your immediate attention or you’re your spiritual, emotional or mental mindset is, we are in the “end times”, Jesus is coming soon and you and I better be ready for Him. Peter says it like this:

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.  The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 1 Peter 4: 1-2, 7, 12-13, 19 (NLT)
 
I don’t know what you are going through, but whatever it is I know it is to prepare you for what’s ahead. God doesn’t do things in our lives for no apparent reason. Believe that in the midst of the “muck” He is shaping you more and more into His image. (Romans 8:29) Believe that He has you in the palm of His hand, not willing to let you go even when it feels like you are all alone. This is a time to have your faith strengthened, to sharpen the sword of the Spirit, the word of God in your life and walk in all that He tells you to. This is not a time to be placid, but a time to step up strong.  I didn’t say make yourself busier, or be more involved just be better, deeper in love with Christ, bolder in your faith, better prepared. I challenge you to steep deeply in 1 Peter and allow the Holy Spirit to overwhelm you with His abundance of truth and life insight. I guarantee you will never be the same, so enjoy!