Day 68/260: Read Romans 16

In Romans 1, Paul noted the reputation of the church at Rome: “your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8). Here, at the close of the letter, Paul writes, “For your obedience has become known to all” (Romans 16:19).

True, Biblical faith produces an obedient response to God’s Word. Paul speaks of Phoebe, calling her “a servant” and stating that she “has been a helper of many and of myself also.” He notes Priscilla, Aquila, and Urbanus are “fellow workers.” He says that Mary, Tryphena, Tryphose, and Persis have labored.

Christianity is a working lifestyle. We are not called to be bench warmers. We are called to labor in the vineyard of the Lord. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

We are commanded to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). A disciple is a follower. Followers are “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

If Paul wrote a letter to your congregation, would you be identified as a fellow worker, a laborer, a servant?

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Mark 2:17. When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are ___________ have no need of a physician, but those who are ___________. I did not come to call the righteous, but ___________, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray for opportunities to work in God’s kingdom and to spread His good news to those around you.

Day 67/260: Read Romans 15

God is the God of hope to all who are faithfully obedient. Sadly, there are many trapped in false religions—Islam, Buddhism, Catholicism, and divisive denominationalism. Those who have been deceived by these and other anti-Christian religions possess only a false hope.

Those who enjoy true hope in God, however, can be filled with joy and peace in believing. The joy of the Christian life was announced by the angel unto the shepherds upon the birth of our Lord (Luke 2:10), and peace was prophesied by Zacharias (Luke 1:79).

These blessings of joy and peace allow us to not only have hope, but to abound in hope! There is nothing better than being a Christian because we know what awaits us! The promises of God are grand and glorious for His faithful children.

With hope in His truth, we can confidently sing with the church:

His oath, His covenant His blood
Supports me in the ‘whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Mark 2:17. When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s promises that create hope, peace, and joy.

Day 66/260: Read Romans 14

Unity is a hallmark of Christianity. We must be in agreement on those things that are revealed in the Holy Scriptures. Jesus prayed for the unity of all believers (John 17:20-21) and Paul wrote by inspiration, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

This does not mean that our opinions will always align with one another, however. We must be careful that we do not allow our opinions on matters not revealed in God’s Word to become points of contention in the church. Too many congregations have split over matters of expediency. The number of cups used during communion, the use of technology, even the color of the carpet—such things should never cause division in the Lord’s body.

To Paul’s point in this chapter—some ate meat, others did not. When you are with a brother who is opposed to the eating of meat, don’t eat meat. It’s that simple. Let your love for him trump your Christian liberty.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Mark 2:17. When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray for unity in the Lord’s body, and for humility in your relationship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Day 65/260: Read Romans 13

Have you paid your taxes yet? Tax time is never a fun time, even if the deadline has been delayed temporarily. But God says we have an obligation to support the government under which we live.

The Jews who lived under Roman rule tested Jesus with the question of taxes. Jesus asked whose image and inscription appeared on their money, then told them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25).

Paul repeated the Lord’s command in Romans 13, stating that governing authorities “are appointed by God.” Remember that Paul lived under Roman rule, and both Jews and Christians were often persecuted by the government in the first century. Despite this, he wrote, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.”

Abiding by the laws of the land, inasmuch as they do not contradict or cause you to disobey God, is commanded by God. “Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Romans 10:10. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Pray

Pray for the governing authorities, that they will allow you to live a godly life in peace.

Day 64/260: Read Romans 12

In Romans 12, Paul offers a number of short exhortations to his readers. The King James Version translates the first part of verse 11, “Not slothful in business.” The Christian should be diligent for his employer, but the context this verse has more to do with the business of the church.

We sing a song, “I want to be a worker for the Lord.” Do we mean those words when we sing them? Do we truly want to “be busy every day in the vineyard of the Lord,” or are we just giving lip service?

All disciples are to be actively engaged in the work of the Lord’s church. We should be busy making disciples (Matthew 28:19), encouraging each other (Hebrews 10:24-25), and helping the needy (Galatians 6:10; James 1:27).

We do not always see the fruit of our labors, but we must not give up. If we are mocked or rejected or persecuted by those around us, we keep obeying God (1 Peter 2:19-20). The things we do in the name of the Lord are not done in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). May we never lag in diligence when it comes to the Lord’s work.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Romans 10:10. For with the heart one believes ___________ righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made ___________ salvation.

Pray

Pray for laborers to join you in the vineyard, and pray for the energy to do the Lord’s work in that vineyard.

Day 63/260: Read Romans 11

Some have said that the God of the Old Testament is one of wrath, while the God of the New Testament is one of grace. The truth as revealed by Paul, however, that God has always been one of both wrath and love.

“Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.”

The Jews were God’s chosen people to bring the Messiah into the world, but they turned their backs on God’s grace and were cut off. Opportunity was given to the Gentiles to be “grafted in,” but Paul warns against a haughty attitude lest they be cut off as well.

Those who disobey will experience God’s wrath. That is a position no one truly desires. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

For those who are obediently faithful, however, the goodness of God is infinite. Remember just a few chapters ago, Paul said, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Romans 10:10. For with the heart one _______________ unto righteousness, and with the mouth _______________ is made unto salvation.

Pray

Pray for the humility to accept God’s grace, understanding the dire situation of the unfaithful.