5 Dollar Nachos

Romans 1
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, [l]sexual immorality, wickedness, [m]covetousness, [n]maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 [o]undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, [p]unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

I love that “disobedience to parents” was placed in this. This is just a serious as the rest of the evil.

I wanted clarity on the last verse, so I looked it up in the amplified.

From the Amplified:
32 Although they know God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them.

So to conclude this chapter, Paul states that those who see God in all creation ignored Him. They chose to do the evil things they wanted. So God gave them over to these things. He said do what you want. However, this does not come without consequences.

Romans 1
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their [i]women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the [j]men, leaving the natural use of the [k]woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

If you google what the “penalty of their error” was, you get a lot of speculation. The best answer I found was the penalty of their error was their own perversion. The body was now corrupt and defiled, separated from the Lord.

When it comes to this discussion it seems to divide people greatly. My own studies seem to be lacking.

Romans 1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like [h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

So even if you don’t believe in God…
“His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse”

In my opinion this includes nature and its beauty, the rising and setting sun and the seasons.

I read this article about a month or so ago, and I will share it here:

https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/08/22/yale-computer-scientist-david-gelernter-abandons-darwinism/

Gelernter argues that intelligent design, the notion that life on earth was designed by a higher power, is an “absolutely serious argument.” Gelernter cautions his peers in academia against using anti-religious bigotry to justify their dismissals of the theory of intelligent design.

The earth POINTS to its creator. We are without excuse.

Romans 1
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

I imagine I could meditate on this verse for the rest of my life and never fully understand it.

“The just shall live by faith.”

There are very few people living by faith anymore. I think if you boil “faith” down to salvation, then there are some living by faith. However, I believe a life of faith is a much larger concept.

Instead of working yourself to the point of illness, you thank God for what you are capable of and he blesses you with abundance so you can continue working in the church, and spending time with family.
Instead of a 100% reliance on doctors, you pray and thank God for health in your life all the while exercising regularly and eating healthy.

Whenever I think of a life of faith I think about George Mueller. An amazing missionary who ran an orphanage for the Lord. You can read more here: https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/church-history-for-kids/george-mueller-orphanages-built-by-prayer-11634869.html

But here is an excerpt:
More than 10,000 children lived in the orphanage over the years. When each child became old enough to live on his own, George would pray with him and put a Bible in his right hand and a coin in his left. He explained to the young person that if he held onto what was in his right hand, God would always make sure there was something in his left hand as well.

Romans 1
13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

From the Message:
13-15 Please don’t misinterpret my failure to visit you, friends. You have no idea how many times I’ve made plans for Rome. I’ve been determined to get some personal enjoyment out of God’s work among you, as I have in so many other non-Jewish towns and communities. But something has always come up and prevented it. Everyone I meet—it matters little whether they’re mannered or rude, smart or simple—deepens my sense of interdependence and obligation. And that’s why I can’t wait to get to you in Rome, preaching this wonderful good news of God.

It seems Paul has tried to visit the Romans previously and was stopped. He does not specify if it was circumstantial or if the Lord had told him no. It is also important to know that he is on the way and ready to preach the Word.

Romans 1
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve [b]with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

1. Pray without ceasing for the other people of the church. You do not want ANY of them to fall. You want all to be successful and mighty in God.
2. We should WANT to be with our fellow brothers in arms. We should never take for granted the fellowship that we have in the church body. Use it as a time of encouragement. Use it to strengthen yourself.

Today’s society is almost the polar opposite. I would rather hang out by myself doing nothing and I get jealous if someone is doing better than me. So I wish ill on others around me.

I did not realize that we finished the book of Acts Friday.
We started Acts on September 7, 2018. It took us almost a year to go through it. I feel I have learned a tremendous amount from this slow methodical reading of the scripture. I thank you to those dedicated few that stay with me and help me.

I think I will roll right into Romans. If you have a suggestion for a different book of the bible to study, post it up today and I’ll switch it up tomorrow.

On a quick side note, Paul never saw Caesar in the book of Acts, unless I missed something? So hopefully we will get closure in Romans.

So the book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul and it starts with Paul writing a greeting to the brethren.

Romans 1
Paul, a bondservant (a slave) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who [a]was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.