the book of Romans | Daily Encouragement

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8, NIV)

God’s love for all of us is unconditional — particularly those who have no use for God.

The noted German pastor, Martin Niemoller (1892-1984) said: “It took me a long time to learn that God is not the enemy of my enemies. He is not even the enemy of His enemies.” The enemies of Niemoller’s reference were the Nazis. While he had good reason to hate Hitler and his ilk, Niemoller knew that for Christ’s sake, he had no excuse.

We must take to heart that if God chooses reconciliation with His enemies, we, too, must choose reconciliation with both our enemies, and the enemies of God.

Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians is a pointed reminder of God’s love for all persons and of our obligation to follow our heavenly Father’s example. – Luther

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July 15

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“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)

We cannot discern God’s will with an earth-bound mind.

An earth-bound mind conforms to the will and the ways of our world. An earth-bound minds cares more about what pleases others than what pleases God. It is a mind that is squeezed and pressured from all of the forces outside of us; what we hear and see.

A transformed mind is also informed by other sources, but instead of coming from the outside in; it comes from the inside out — as true transformation always does.

We can change our actions without changing our mind; but we cannot change our thinking without witnessing an eventual change in our deeds. A mind that is informed, and transformed, by the spirit of God will always know the will of God. – Luther

Tagged a transformed mind, discernment, God's will, the book of Romans, transformation

July 14

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“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3, NIV)

It is a regrettable fact of human nature that we inflate our self-worth, and that we devalue the worth of others. It is particularly regrettable because, most of the time, we get it wrong.

Having God’s point of view means not only seeing others as God sees them, but seeing ourselves as God sees us: Vices as well as virtues. Evaluating ourselves with “sober judgment” is a painful exercise, but it is an essential exercise if we have ambitions of being like Jesus. – Luther