Skeúos (σκευ̂ος) Gr. 1. a vessel; 2. an implement

Sunday Recap: June 22, 2008

In verses 1-2 of chapter 12 Paul looked back at the great mercy of God in providing a sin sacrifice for our sins through His Son Jesus Christ as the great motivator for living godly lives.  Now Paul looks ahead in verses 11-14 of chapter 13, to the future for further motivation; “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.  Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

When Paul uses the phrase “besides this…” we know that he is calling our attention to the preceding context.  In this case it is verses 8-10 which speak of loving one’s neighbor but he is no doubt including all that he has said in chapters 12-13 thus far.  Paul says “In view of God’s mercy present your bodies a living sacrifice, allow yourselves to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and live like this; be humble, serve, love, forgive, submit, and love some more.  Do this remembering the great mercy of God but also don’t forget the time.”

Goodbye...for now.

 Dr. Colin J. Smith 

1954-2008

Absent from the body,
present with his Lord.

"ki l'olam chasdo"

Sunday Recap: June 15, 2008

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Paul continuing his train of thought from verse 7 says pay taxes to whom taxes are owed, give honor to whom honor is due and give respect to whom respect is due, in fact Paul says in verse 8 “Owe no one anything.”  Many have used this verse to suggest that borrowing money is absolutely forbidden.  Well, that is not in keeping with the context here.  Certainly Scripture is clear that for the believer financial debt should be kept to a minimum but here Paul is talking about debt in terms of relationships not money

Sunday Recap: June 1, 2008

Romans 12:17-21 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Paul’s first words here in verse 17 reveal the direction Paul is going to take us.  Paul says “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”   When wronged Paul says act in mercy.  Rather than demanding your rights, rather than giving what is deserved act in mercy.  

Sunday Recap: June 8, 2008

Romans 13:1-7 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."

While this passage may seem pretty straight forward it is and has been one of the most controversial passages of Scripture in the history of the church. How do believers in Jesus Christ, citizens of heaven relate to earthly powers, civil government?

Sunday Recap: May 25, 2008

Romans 12:15-16 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.” 

In verses 15-21 there are two prominent characteristics that should permeate all of the Christian’s relationships; humility and mercy.  The focus of this text is humility.  One of the most distinguishing characteristics of a Christian is humility in his/her relationships with others.  Christians who have the mind of Christ will consider others more important than themselves, and the needs of others more important than their own.  They will exhibit an attitude of selflessness characterized by a willingness to, as J Vernon McGee says, “enter emotionally into the lives of others.”  This is precisely what Paul exhorts us to do when he says “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

To rejoice with those who rejoice a person must truly put themselves “out there” as we say.  We must put our own needs, wants, and desires aside in order to identify others.

Sunday Recap: May 11, 2008

Romans 12:14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”

In verses 3-13 Paul spoke specifically to the believer’s life and conduct within the local body, now he expands his circle outward to include unbelievers as well.  In doing so Paul begins with perhaps one of the most difficult commands in his letter thus far and that is to “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”

When Paul speaks of persecutors here he is clearly speaking of unbelievers, those who seek to do us harm.  The words here are interesting.  In verse 13 Paul said that we are to seek to show hospitality.  The word seek in verse 13 is the Greek word “diokontes” which means “to pursue.”  The translation is an imperative command “you, pursue hospitality.”

In vs. 14 the same word, “diokontas” appears here but this time is translated persecute.  There is a kind of play on words taking place here.  It goes like this; “contribute to the needs of the saints and pursue others with  hospitality and when others pursue you for evil, to do you harm, bless them.” 

 What then is persecution?  The dictionary defines persecution this way: “A program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs”