For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Rom. 13
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.” (Rom. 13:14). The last half of that verse is an interesting statement. “Make no provision”, Paul said. How often do we, without even being aware of it, pave the way for our sinful nature? How often do we set ourselves up for failure, leaving the door wide open for sin to come in and take what it wants? Why do we do that? I suspect more often than not it comes back to simply not paying attention. Remember, sin comes naturally to us. The ways of God do not. “Putting on” Jesus is an intentional act. Knowing ourselves and our weaknesses likewise requires intention. So maybe, if we are intentionally focused on doing the right thing, our destructive nature won’t find it so easy to get what it wants.
Rom. 14-15
Not only is it important for us to understand our own weaknesses, we also need to understand the weaknesses of others. Paul said, “Therefore, let us no longer judge one another.” (Rom 14:13a). I think what he means here is not setting ourselves above a fellow believer who is weaker in faith and understanding. Just because another doesn’t see something the way we do, even if we know that we know what we see is truth, it does not make them any less ‘worthy’ than we are. The hard truth is that none of us are worthy at all, and never can be. So if we have a better understanding and deeper knowledge of our faith and freedom in Christ, that too is by His grace and not for us to hold over anyone else.
Paul follows his admonition not to judge by saying, “Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.” (Rom. 14:13b). Some good advice I often hear on dealing with life is to concentrate on what you can control and not on what you can’t. That cuts out an awful lot of worry because the short list of what we can control at all in life boils down to our own actions and attitudes. I see Paul’s statement in verse 13 supporting this thought. We can’t control what others think, see, or believe. What we can and should do, however, is make sure our actions and attitudes point them to the giver of wisdom and don’t block their path to Him. Their weakness is not an open door for our boast but, rather, for God’s grace to flow through us.
Rom. 16
Paul warned against those who create divisions and obstacles, teaching things contrary to the pure truth of God’s gospel. He said such people, “do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites.” (Rom. 16:13a). I had an “aha” moment regarding this statement a while back. What that “aha” pointed to was Esau. Esau flippantly traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a bowl of soup. I’d say that qualifies as serving his appetite.
Therefore, I’d say that bowl of soup story is a parable of what it is to oppose God. Esau traded his God-given gift to serve the desires of his flesh. God’s gift of grace to us is to share in the birthright of Christ as heirs to God’s kingdom. Will we, like Esau, toss that birthright aside for what equates to no more than a bowl of soup? When we choose our way over God’s way, pride over humility, serving the flesh over serving the Spirit, that is exactly what we are doing.