BACKWARD

For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you must also consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Romans 6:10-11

I realized this morning in an even deeper way that my generation, the one that has raised children and had prominent positions in the church, has had it backwards.  We have seen the fallout.  Have I discipled others like Jesus?  Have I mentored like Paul?

His message to the Roman Christians is not one long list of ‘Do this and don’t do that!’ In fact, the first five chapters of Romans do not contain one command.  It is all teaching.  This is who Christ is. This is what sin is.  This is our spiritual condition.  This is what Christ did for us.  This is how much He loves us. On the broad foundation of that, we are finally told what to do and what not to do.  Loving instruction has a context.

Jesus built a foundation with his disciples.  He loved them, He ate with them, He lived with them, and upon such friendship He began to teach them.  Why is it that Christians have a reputation for being moral policemen without any joy?  When my children were small, I’m afraid I spent more time quoting verses than I did telling them how much Jesus loved them.

To put it simply, I have heard it said that if God’s children really understood, on a deep personal level, how much God loved them, their obedience would sky rocket. If they really believed the reality of their mystical union with Christ, they would live by faith.

Scripture is only treasured within the context of knowledge and revelation by the Spirit of God.  I am asking God to prepare me to hear all the commands that are to follow in Romans.  Whether or not I want to engage with them reveals whether or not I’ve really internalized the meaning of everything Paul has taught me so far.

I commit the rest of my life to prepare the foundation of listener’s hearts.  Help me, by the power of Your Spirit, to share that the joy of being loved by You is what captures other’s attention. Amen