SCRIPTURE: Romans 10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” [Matthew 23:37]
Can you sense the pain and sorrow in Jesus’ heart?
Paul shares this pain and sorrow [remember Romans 9:2].
But the Jews of Jesus’ day were not willing.
Not willing to receive God’s charity, they wanted to earn it on their own. Continue reading too proud to believe?

SCRIPTURE: Romans 9
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.” [John 15:16]
God does what He does for a purpose.
Why does God seem to choose the least likely, and overlook the ones who expect to be favoured?
Why did Jesus bypass the religious leaders and choose these uneducated commoners and criminals (tax collector, zealot)?
Why does God turn to the Gentiles to build His church and give up on His covenant people? Continue reading chosen for a purpose

SCRIPTURE: Romans 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” [John 10:28-29]
According to Jesus, we are totally secure.
No matter what.
Paul echoes this in Romans 8, nothing can separate us from the love of God.
This is our confidence, even though for a time we may go through weakness and suffering. Continue reading nothing, no one, nada!

SCRIPTURE: Romans 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.” [Matthew 12:33].
Jesus pointed out that in order to change the fruit of a tree, you have to change the tree.
As long a the SOURCE is tainted, the FRUIT will be tainted.
As long as our primary identity is the sin nature, the FRUIT of our life will be sin. Continue reading the new me, set free

SCRIPTURE: Romans 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” [John 8:34-36]
Am I a slave to sin, or a slave to God?
I can’t be both.
Of course both sin and God are present in our lives (God is active in every sinners life, sin is active in every child of God’s life), but which one is our main identity?
Either I’m a slave to sin and alienated from God, or I am a slave to God and alienated from sin.
Paul makes this either/or very plain.
We need to develop this kind of mindset to help us deal with the lingering effect of sin in our lives. Continue reading set free from sin

SCRIPTURE: Romans 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“’Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’” [John 8:10-11]
Jesus removes the barriers between God and us, and removes the label “condemned” from over us.
No condemnation, as far as God is concerned.
He does not label us as no-good sinners, but as fully restored, fully loved children.
Sure there is still “stuff” in our lives that is unholy, unacceptable, unlovable.
But God has chosen to deal with that stuff through Jesus, so that we can be welcomed back, so that with His help we can start living more and more like He created and saved us to live. Continue reading new identity, new life!

SCRIPTURE: Romans 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” [Luke 7:50]
This is what Jesus says to a sinful woman who came to Jesus with deep sorrow, and anointed His feet with her tears and perfume, wiping them with her hair.
Jesus saw into her heart, and there He saw humility, honesty, sincerity… love.
What God wants from us is a broken, contrite heart [Psalm 51:17]. Continue reading sincere, humble faith

SCRIPTURE: Romans 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 5:20].
How do we do better than the Pharisees?
The answer – we don’t, we can’t.
The answer, Jesus helps us.
Paul is making the point that the Law does not make the Jews superior because they are now better people, but because it exposes their sin, and reveals their need for divine mercy and help. Continue reading the only way to be righteous

SCRIPTURE: Romans 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” [Matthew 7:1-2].
Paul, like Jesus, warns us against judging others.
He exposes the judgmental person, showing that they need God’s mercy as much as everyone else.
God is patient with us, and He is patient with others – so that they can repent.
We also need to be patient with others.
The day is coming when we will stand before the true Judge, and He will show our hearts for what they really are, not just our religious façade. Continue reading I need mercy too

SCRIPTURE: Romans 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” [John 10:9-10]
Believing in Jesus as God’s human-divine Messiah is the only way to experience this full, God-empowered, God-blessed life.
This is what inspires Paul as he writes this letter to Roman Christians.
He begins with sharing His passion for God, for Jesus and for the good news message of Jesus for all people.
He is so eager to share this with those in Rome, and is confident that this message can radically transform their lives. Continue reading the way to real life