Romans 1-2

I found these chapters to be very rich in content. I will sum up the two chapters into three points that spoke volumes to me. The evidence of the need for the true understanding of these points are very prevalent in our society today.

Reference Romans 1:24-32. Paul speaks of the sins that these people are choosing to commit. They actively give in to their sinful nature, choosing to put God out of their minds (i.e. Romans 1:28). Because of these acts of debauchery and self-gratification, the Lord gave them over to their sinful ways (i.e. Romans 1:24, 26). This got me thinking. Whenever I read this passage, I always thought very negatively about that statement; "God gave them over to their sinful desires." I once believed that He simply gave up on them and decided they were going to do what they chose and he was not willing to try. That may sound so far off, but it was my first thought. Nonetheless, I delved deeper. The Lord did not give up on them, just as He did not and will not give up on you and me. He simply let them do what they were determined to do. He was not going to cease His desire for their salvation, however, He was not going to force them to make the decision to end the cycle of choice sin. He is ultimately going to prompt us towards Him, but it is still COMPLETELY our choice to make. If we didn't make the choice to love Him and follow Him, it would not be true love and servanthood. God will not force us, we must take notice of the prompting factors around us pointing us towards the Lord (i.e. Romans 1:20) and make the choice to serve Him and Him alone. Still, if we so choose to blatantly ignore the signs around us and give into our fleshly desires, the Lord will allow us to make that decision on our own. With that also comes the consequences of our actions.

Reference Romans 2:5-11. Paul says that because they (myself, as well) are not choosing to submit to God, but rather to our own selfish wants and needs, we are storing up wrath against ourselves for the day of judgement (Romans 2:5). We must make the choice to not submit to the world, but instead, choose to live a life of persistence in seeking to do good (i.e. Romans 2:7). For what we choose to do on earth is what we will receive on judgement day (i.e. Romans 2:6). If we live a self-less life of pursuing God and the good in the world, we will receive eternal life.

Reference Romans 2:25-29. I, personally, have always found it very difficult to deny myself in an effort to do good for the kingdom of the Lord, because I cared so much what people thought about me and how I would be perceived. This spoke to me because all it takes is the choice to follow God and the willingness to have Him transform you from the inside, out. I loved the illustration of circumcision. I mentally substituted the word "baptism" whenever he references circumcision. I was baptized as an outward symbol that I was going to pursue God. I got too wrapped up in the outward symbols to allow God to truly transform my heart. I resisted following His law because I honestly believed I was ok because everything on the outside was as it should be. That was a lie I told myself. Paul clearly states in verses 28-29 that you are not a true follower of God unless you are transformed from the inside first, allowing the outward to follow.

This is all a choice. God will not hunt you down until you give in. He will not make us repent for the things we do, nor will He go easy on us on judgement day if we have not lived a life worthy of being called a Christ-follower. He will, however, circumcise our hearts if only we will allow Him to do so. It is our choice to let Him in and follow His desires for our lives.