I was going to do an exposition of Romans 4
But it looks just like a big wall of text to me
Too long, didn't read!
Something about Abraham and circumcision...
bla bla bla Abraham bla bla bla circumcision bla bla bla
Anyway, it's Sunday so I deserve a day off 😁
I'll go to work on it tomorrow, OK?!?
Here's an insanely upbeat song for your entertainment:
In the New International Version this section is entitled "The Jews And The Law"
In this section Paul is addressing The Jews
He says that knowing the law is one thing but obeying it is another, and hints that his audience may very well be guilty of confusing the two
He then goes on to say that it is possible for an uncircumcised person to be more righteous than a circumcised person, that being circumcised doesn't make you more holy than a person who isn't
He says that breaking "the law" cancel out one's circumcision and that being circumcised is not what truly makes a person Jewish - observing scripture is
I think he is saying that when it comes to religion circumcision is an optional add-on
He then goes on to say that there is such a thing as "circumcision of the heart" by The Holy Spirit
He is basically saying that true inward spirituality is better and more important than outward spirituality (such as circumcision) - that having God in your heart is more important than being circumcised - which is what he means by "circumcision of the heart" - a heart transformed by God rather than a penis transformed by a blade
He is therefore saying that in order to be a man of God one does not need to be circumcised, only to let Jesus in and to then live accordingly - with reference to scripture.
Paul begins by saying that everyone who judges others is a hypocrite as such people are equally full of sin as those whom they accuse, as all people are sinners!
Also, he says that God judges harshly those who presume to judge others, as people being judgmental displeases him – judging people is his job!
He then says that God will make bad things happen to unrighteous people
And that good things will happen to righteous people
Whether they are gentile or Jew
He then says that many gentiles who are not familiar with scripture behave righteously naturally, even though they don’t have the law
Because God’s law is natural and universal
Romans 1:18-32
In this scripture Paul gives us his opinion on the moral state of Rome's non-Christian population - and he doesn't have anything good to say
Paul says that God is building up anger for those who choose to disregard him and says that there is no excuse for not knowing God other than wickedness - that disbelief is therefore a choice!
I think I'd disagree with him on that point.
He also says that God is displeased by the worship of "created things" as opposed to the creator (i.e. himself)
In this scripture Paul is clearly presuming to speak on God's behalf!
He then mentions homosexuality - both man on man and woman on woman - and does so in a very negative, disapproving light
He then goes on and lists lots of negative things he has to say about those who are not Christians.
Back to Business!
This blog began as a kind of journal, plotting my rather haphazard and chaotic course through Christian scripture
Earlier today I started blogging about Romans
I am reading through Romans and will share my progress on this blog
I am starting at the beginning and working all the way through, to the end
I am being very systmeatic about it all
See the post that comes before this one to see the first instalment - Romans 1:1-16
I shall update this blog every day!
We are now back in business!
Please, leave a comment if you disagree with anything I say!
And also, please consider following this blog!
