Why did Paul write Romans 1?  That is the question I ask as I read it.

 

Romans 1  18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

 

On the road to Syria–on his way to kill and exterminate Christians–with the world at his command….Paul was radically changed and became part of the greatest “religious” movement of all time.

 

Jesus Christ had risen from the dead–

And His offer to all man had been accepted by many.  And this movement was unique:

  • It did not form a clique–ALL were welcome to receive Him:  Men or women, Jews or Samaritans, Romans or Greeks–the movement was so diverse that this diversity, on its own accord, it was a miracle.
  • It did not require a resume–simply a RESPONSE to the Holy Spirit’s call on a wandering heart.
  • It did not require a certain ceremony or a rite of passage or an educational accomplishment in order to join—just a radical inner transformation that made the outside appearance different.

 

And it was connected to Judaism but not restricted by it.  Those who were considered “heathens” by the Jews were now invited to be in the “front row”—to be promoted—above those who had been serving for years……Without radical transformation, they never would have allowed women, Samaritans, Romans, or any other person to join them in equality…..and they made this transformation overnight…..

 

Jesus does that to a person.

 

Has He moved that radically on your life?

 

Whether He has or hasn’t…..today is a new day.

 

Ask Him to come and transform your inner self that you might be born again in the Spirit, that you might begin to live, and love, in a way that the world has never seen.  That you, just like the people that encountered Him, might be transformed into a new way of life.

 

As I write these very words the Spirit is tugging on my heart as well—for His call on our hearts is much more important than the answer to the opening question…..The Answer (Him–Jesus) is far more important to us than the answer, or answers, to any of our questions.  So let’s stop and worship the only Answer that we have ever needed—-

 

And ask Him to transform us like He did a lost group of people 2000 years ago—that we might start a new movement—

 

A movement made up of:

  • Democrats and Republicans who don’t adhere to either side—but are attached to their Savior and what their Savior cares about.
  • Not only traditional Christians, but those who will hear the call of Jesus on their hearts and RESPOND to be born again.
  • Americans and North Koreans and Mexicans and Cubans and every other nationality.
  • Rich and poor.
  • Educated and privileged as well as those who have no rights, those who have no status, or those who do not “look the same”.

 

And let us worship the Living God and allow His Spirit to take us into a new place….

 

A place where Jesus and His Word and His teachings—have importance, and respect, and honor…..

 

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.  To Him be the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory……..Forever and Ever.  Amen.

 

In The Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

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Coach J