"Romans 9-13"
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Have you ever heard of a DINO? How about a RINO? Some Democrats and Republicans use these terms to describe people in their party who don't support the party's ideology. They'll say, "he's a Democrat In Name Only," a DINO. Or, "she's a Republican In Name Only," a RINO. They're trying to distinguish those who hold the same views from those who just go by the same party name.
Israelites in Name Only
In our readings on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (Romans 9-11), Paul does something similar, as he tries to answer the big questions about Israel. To answer these questions, he has to explain how you know a true Israelite — a Jew who is more than an Israelite in name and ethnicity. He's not putting his Jewish kin down. As you read this week, you'll hear his passion for his nation and his heartbreak (Rom. 9:2-3) that "not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel" (Rom. 9:6).
Monday's reading (Rom. 9), draws from Isaiah and Jeremiah to envision Israel as pottery crafted by God for his purposes. God has used all of Israel for his purposes, just as he even used Pharaoh for his purposes. However, some of Israel chose unfaithfulness, and they'll face God's wrath.
Tuesday's reading (Rom. 10) highlights the difference between those Jews (and Gentiles) who will be saved and those who won't. God saves those who hear the good news of the Messiah and believe it, confessing their allegiance to Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:5-17). No wonder Paul felt such a debt to everyone to share the gospel (Rom. 1:14-16)! So should we!
Wednesday's reading (Rom. 11) concludes the discussion of Israel, showing that Israel isn't one monolithic group. God has always had a remnant of faithful Israelites within the nation, and so he does today. But lest us Gentiles get a big head, he reminds us that we're grafted onto the tree of Israel. We should honor Israel's role in salvation history and count ourselves grateful to find ourselves among Abraham's children.
Christians in Name Only
On Thursday (Rom. 12), Paul transitions from explaining the gospel to applying it, challenging us with commands for daily Christian living. In a word, "therefore," he packs the ideas of the previous eleven chapters — like grace, faith, justification, and hope — and directs all of that energy into a command. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1).
Are you offering God your body (Rom. 12:1), transforming your mind (Rom. 12:2), and using your gifts (Rom. 12:3-8)? Do you love unhypocritically (Rom. 12:9), wholeheartedly serving others (Rom. 12:10-11,13)? Do you celebrate their joys and mourn their heartbreaks (Rom. 12:15)? Do you respond to life's difficulties with hope, patience, and prayer (Rom. 12:12)? And are you willing to respond to hurtful people in a way that overcomes evil with good, confident in the Lord's justice (Rom. 12:17-21)?
Friday (Rom. 13), we'll learn how to respond to government authorities (Rom. 13:1-7), the one debt we owe everyone (Rom. 13:8-10), and what it means to be people of the day (Rom. 13:11-14).
So do you genuinely reflect God's love to people around you? Do you place your trust in Christ and present yourself every day as a living sacrifice? Are you more than a Christian in name only?
