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.

Day 62/260: Read Romans 10

Zeal is important, but it must be coupled with knowledge. Uneducated zeal often leads to much harm. Yet, knowledge without zeal benefits no one either.

What does one need to know? The Scriptures are clear that a knowledge of God is essential. In the first century, before the written Word was completed, the Spirit gave miraculous knowledge to certain individuals. Now that the Scriptures are completed in written form, we no longer need the miraculous. We have the benefit and blessing of access to the New Testament by which we can verify what God has revealed.

God’s plan was a mystery before the revelation. He gave bits and pieces to prophets as He willed, but the full picture was not revealed until the first century after Christ came. Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus that “when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4). We have the product of the miraculous, so we no longer need the miraculous.

Knowing the Bible is so important because it “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We should zealously study and zealously teach God’s Word!

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

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

Pray

Pray for zeal along with the knowledge of the will of God as you read His Word.

Day 61/260: Read Romans 9

What a humble, loving man Paul was. His heart ached for his Jewish brethren because they rejected the prophesied Messiah. Do we have the same grief over our neighbors when they disbelieve and disobey the gospel?

There are too many “Christians” who are faithful in regards to worship services, and even live moral lives, but who do not give a second thought to the eternal state of those they claim are their friends. Co-workers, neighbors, even family members may go a lifetime without ever hearing the gospel because no one took the time to talk to them about spiritual things. Oh, they are good, moral people, but they are not carrying out Christ’s Great Commission!

Paul dedicated his life to spreading the gospel. Do you recall all the tribulations he faced in the book of Acts? The Jews were constantly trying to shut him up, throwing him in prison, planning to ambush him and kill him. Did that stop him? What stops us today? Are we afraid of losing friends? Of being made fun of? Of being talked about behind our backs?

What is the eternal state of those who do not obey the gospel? Shouldn’t that motivate us to share the good news with everyone we know?

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

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

Pray

Pray for opportunities to share the gospel, and pray for receptive hearts in those who hear the message.

Day 60/260: Read Romans 8

Whose side are you on? If you are on God’s side, you’re on the winning side. It doesn’t matter what happens in this life, if you are with God, you will be victorious.

How does one choose to be on God’s side? We must align ourselves with Jesus, obey the gospel so that He will add us to His church. Those who are in Christ, walking according to the Spirit, will be justified, not condemned, when all is said and done. Isn’t that a great blessing?

Romans 8:28 reveals a great promise to God’s followers as well. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Does that say that everything will be good? No, but everything—good and bad—will work together for good. We will face troubles, we will be persecuted, we will struggle, but if we love God and are among the called, it will be all right. God is using your situation for good.

God will never stop loving you. Nothing can separate His children from His love. We have the freedom to leave Him at any time, but why would we? All of the blessings and promises available in Christ, it would be foolish to walk away. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Romans 6:3. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Pray

Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the love of God.

Day 59/260: Read Romans 7

For as long as I can remember, many religious folks have been upset about the removal of the Ten Commandments from schools and public buildings. Yet, we do not live under the Ten Commandments today.

When Christ died, His covenant went into effect. We now live under this new covenant, revealed by inspiration in what we call the New Testament. The Old Testament is useful to learn principles about how God deals with man, and how man can properly respond to God. But we are no longer under the Law of Moses now that Christ’s covenant has gone into effect.

It is true that nine of the ten commands have been repeated in Jesus’ new covenant. We obey those commands because Christ has commanded them, not Moses. To go back to the Law of Moses is to make Christ’s blood of no effect.

We live under a better covenant. We have a better Law, a better Lawgiver, and a better High Priest. Why should we desire to go back to the “handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us” when “He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross”? (Colossians 2:14)

Rather than fight and fuss about the Ten Commandments in schools, let’s teach and try to get Christ’s Law in more hearts.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Romans 6:3. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into _______________ Jesus were baptized into His _______________?

Pray

Pray that more will recognize the difference between the Old and New Testaments, and that Christ’s gospel will have an effect on more hearts.

Day 58/260: Read Romans 6

Have you obeyed the gospel of Christ? Those who have not obeyed will find themselves in a sorry state when the judgment comes (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8). If you don’t understand the question, stay with me. It’s eternally important.

The gospel (“good news”) is this: Christ died, was buried, and was raised again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). How are we supposed to obey that? Romans 6 shows us!

Read Romans 6:3-4 again: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

In summary, the gospel is that Christ died, was buried, and was raised again. To obey the gospel, we must die to sin, be buried in the waters of baptism, and then be raised in the newness of life.

The question must be asked again: have you obeyed the gospel of Christ? Be honest in your evaluation of the Scriptures and how you have responded to God’s Word. The answer is of eternal importance.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Romans 6:3. Or do you not know that as many of us as were _______________ into Christ Jesus were _______________ into His death?

Pray

Pray for the humility to accept God’s Word as the final authority, recognizing your dependence upon Him for salvation.

Day 57/260: Read Romans 5

God should have known better. He should have known that His creation would turn their backs on Him and rebel. He should have known that they would reject Him and deny Him and hate Him. God should have known better.

Jesus should have known better. He should have known that, despite showing power over nature and using miracles to heal the sick, He would be reviled. Rejected. Despised. He should have known that His closest friends in the flesh would run away when times got tough. They would deny knowing Him. They would hand Him over to His enemies. His friends would watch His enemies torture Him and kill Him on a cross, a humiliating and excruciating death.

God should have known better. Jesus should have known better.

Here’s the thing: they did know.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Despite our hatred, He loved us. Despite everything we had done and everything that we would do, He died for us.

God be praised for His love!

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Romans 6:3. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Pray

Pray for a greater love for God and a greater love for each other. Pray that you may demonstrate the love described by Jesus in Mark 12:30-31 in your life.