Study
Study
Use this as a devotional tool. Look up the Scripture provided. Journal about it and/or talk about it with family and friends. Feel free to share, leave comments, or message me at pastorjacobhayward@gmail.com
That we might know and be encouraged
Romans 15:1-7
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Paul, the author of Romans, is using this letter to express the dullest explanation of his theology on the implications of the cross in order to break down the intense divide between Jew and Gentile, as well as several other divides. This letter is one of unity through the revelation of Christ. This passage is the ending of an argument of mutual submission to one another’s beliefs, that we may not be stumbling blocks to those who may be weaker in the faith.
The problem being addressed is about the Old Testament’s restriction of food. Dietary laws in the Jewish custom would not allow certain foods to be consumed ever, while other were meant for specific times or days. These specific laws that were our in place had been fulfilled by Christ and therefore, though we ought to observe the meaning behind these laws, we no longer are under the burden of the law itself. We are not free from being moral or aligning our hearts and lives with the will of the Father, but we are free from the regulations of the law according to our conscience.
That last part is the important part. There were some that Paul was writing to that felt absolutely free to eat whatever they wanted. And Paul was certainly giving them permission to do so. But there were others that felt as though the old law and customs ought to still be observed. Paul is writing in chapter 14 that those who are free to eat of the things once barred from them to be careful to avoid two things. The first is to avoid judgement of those still observing the old food laws. Do not quarrel of the opinions over the regulation of religion, but celebrate the the unity of each believer living unto the Lord. The second is to avoid causing another to stumble. By arguing with a brother or sister and forcing them to eat of something they think is unclean, it violates of their conscience and therefore makes them unclean. Instead of arguing over food or drink, may our minds be brought high to the righteousness and peace and joy found in the Holy Spirit.
This brings us to the passage selected, which states that what was written in the Old Testament is for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement within those words we may find everlasting hope. Paul is trying to get us to a deeper level with Christ here. Let’s break this down into parts:
Instruction- No, the Old Testament does not provide a list of do’s and do not’s that we need to hang up on our fridge. It doesn’t have a series of tasks we need to complete in order to have a relationship with God. The instruction spoken of here is not a recipe, rather a guide for a deep a spiritual and relational walk with the Lord. It is instructions for not how to live but rather how to live well.
Encouragement- There is much to be encouraged about in Scripture. We are given the Words of the Lord, a revelation of who he is. We get to experience his character through story, poetry, wisdom, song. It is a beautiful work of art that allows us to experience the life of those who walked with the Lord and see ourselves in their stories.
Hope- The hope of the Lord is found saturating the pages of the text of Scripture. Hope rises from the pages as the Gospel story is played out from the beginnings until the end.
So why is studying important? This is not like school. We do not study that we can consume all this information just to regurgitate it on test day. No, we study because within the pages of Scripture we are encouraged, we find hope, and we are filled with the light of life. We study because it is through the understanding of the Gospel story we will be able to better lift up our neighbor. And lastly, Paul tells us that by studying the entirety of the Word we may experience the unity of a choir of voices from every nation glorifying the Lord.
How do you see your attitude towards studying the Bible and in what ways should you change your attitude?
Pray that the Lord opens your heart to the discipline of study.
In what ways are you praying that you will grow spiritually?
Pray for a commitment for those spiritual goals and that the Lord guide you to the Word for what you need to learn.
What are you able to set up practically in your life that will allow you to study more freely.
Pray for an opening of time and/or a space that you may freely experience times of study with the Lord.
Make sure to ask and answer these questions on your own and with your family. There may be things that I missed, so please feel free to comment them. If you’d like to continue the conversation, feel free to contact me at pastorjacobhayward@gmail.com. Thanks for joining me, I hope to continue this journey with you soon. God bless.