2022_08_10 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Romans 11-12
As I’ve mentioned before, the book of Romans is not “light reading,” and it covers some important and challenging issues that require more than a mere glancing over. We see in chapter 11 the history of the Jews being chosen, rebelling against God, and then the consequences of their unfaithfulness. We also see how the Gentiles (non-Jews) were adopted into God’s family, as they understood His invitation, which led to numerous questions. Then we transition to chapter 12, which has some very distinct and clear application points that follow on from our prior reading, for instance:
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:9–10 (NLT)
We may have questions and uncertainty about some of the teachings in chapter 11 (I still do!), but 12:9-10 is as clear as can be when it comes to living out our faith – [Kim Feld’s post on Monday states this well]
We need to be careful that we never abandon what we know with certainty, while we explore things that may be more complicated. Followers of Jesus are always to show love to others, regardless of who they are. We are especially commanded to love each other in the church as family and to look for ways to honor and respect each other. There will be differences of opinions for sure, but love needs to never be abandoned. Errors will be made and promises broken, but love needs to stay intact. There will even be times where sin creates hurt and distrust, but never are we to stop loving each other. Living this truth out is not easy, and that is why our Heavenly Father has given us His Holy Spirit so that we have the capacity to follow through (see Galatians 5:22-23).
Some things are hard for us to understand in the Bible, but let’s keep learning and while we’re at it, continue to encourage each other to “go with what we know.”
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor