Romans 12: How To Live?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
1. Holy (V1-3)
V1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
God through Apostle Paul pleaded with the Corinthian Christians to give their lives to God in holiness and humility as there was intense infighting among the Corinthian Christians. The Corinthian church was divided into at least 3 groups – the so-called successful or strong Christians, the average ones and the weak ones. They failed to realise that it was only by God’s mercies, grace and love that they had the faith, the talents, and the great privilege to have the eternal home in glorious heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ.
V3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
2. Honour (V4-16)
V10 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
God desires the Christians to live with the highest honour that reflect His attributes of holiness, humility, honesty, etc. Indeed, the Christian ought to be the most honourable and hardworking in their life and conduct at their workplace, school, church and home.
V11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”
3. Honest (V17-21)
V17 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
The world says, Honesty is the best policy, but God says, Honesty is the only policy. The world says, Evil for evil, an eye for an eye, but God says, Overcome evil with good. The world says, Fight against those who harm you, but God says, Live peaceably with all men. It is only when we submit and surrender our lives to God that we can truly lead a life of holiness, honour and honesty in a world of dissatisfaction, dishonour and dishonesty.
V18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to live in holiness, in honour and in all honesty.
Romans 11: Do You Know The Goodness And Severity Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V22) “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
1. Goodness And Severity Of God (V1-27)
V21 “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”
God warned the Gentiles, or the grafted branches, or more specifically the church, to be humble and fear Him, as he has chosen them to be His people, because the Jews, the natural branches, whom He had originally chosen, had rejected Him. However, God extends His goodness and grace to the Jews, if they will repent of their unbelief, and return to Him, otherwise His severity and judgment is still upon them for their unbelief.
V22 “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
2. Gifts And Calling Of God (V28-32)
V28 “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.”
The Jews were enemies of Christ when they rejected and crucified Him. However, one day, during the Millennium, the Jews shall be His beloved, because He shall fulfil His promise that He made to their forefathers, the likes of Abraham and Isaac, that He shall be their King forever. Indeed, God’s gifts and calling, or His promises, shall be fulfilled!
V29 “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
3. Wisdom And Knowledge Of God (V33-36)
V33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
God’s wisdom and knowledge draw the hearts of the people whether they are Jews or Gentiles to Him. However God gives man the choice. If we choose to believe and trust in Christ, and repent of our sins, we have a pearly heaven to gain. However if we choose to reject Christ, then we are condemned to fiery hell. Ultimately, God’s plan and purpose is that all may know Him, that He is our Saviour and Lord, and all glory be due to Him!
V36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your goodness and severity that keep me trusting You.
Romans 10: What Is Your Heart’s Desire?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
1. Zeal Of God (V1-2)
V1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
Apostle Paul’s desire and prayer to God was for his people, the people of Israel, to know the Lord Jesus, and to make Him known throughout the world. However, the people of Israel only had the zeal of God, but they did not have the truth and knowledge of God. They stubbornly refused to believe that Jesus Christ was truly the Son of God. Today, many people may have their own religions and are very religious, but the truth of the matter is that they have no salvation. Salvation is only by faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
V2 “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
2. Righteousness Of God (V3-13)
V3 “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
The Jews refused to believe in Jesus, and they rebelled against God by keeping their own tradition and established their own righteousness. Today, many people zealously keep their own tradition and establish their own righteousness, but they are sincerely wrong because we can only be saved and have the righteousness of God when we confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and believe in our heart that God had raised Him from the dead.
V9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
3. Word Of God (V14-21)
V14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Our faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ is only possible when we have the opportunity to hear the word of God. Therefore Paul encouraged the believers to preach and share God’s Word so that all may come to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
V17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please fulfil my heart’s desire that all may come to know You.
Romans 9: Who Are You?
Verse of the Day: (V26) “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”
1. Christ (V1-19)
V1 “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,”
God revealed to Paul that he must not only preach to his own people, the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. However, Paul was falsely accused by some of the Jews for reaching out to the Gentiles. These Jews rejected God’s plan that whosoever believed in Christ could be saved. Though God promised Abraham that the Jews were His chosen people, yet God’s plan was for both Jews and Gentiles to believe in Him by faith. In fact, these Jews not only opposed Paul, but they sought to take his life. This was why Paul’s heart was heavy and sorrowful as he defended himself that he spoke the truth in Christ, and was of Christ.
V2 “That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.”
2. Clay (V20-24)
V20 “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”
God through Paul rebuked the pride of these Jews who rejected the truth that God also loved the Gentiles and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for both the Jews and the Gentiles. Indeed, God is the Potter and we are the clay, and without God, we are nothing!
V21 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
3. Children (V25-33)
V26 “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”
God had chosen Israel to be His people to testify to the world that the God of Israel was the true God. However Israel failed God, as they rebelled against Him. God then sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the sins of the whole world, and established His church to replace Israel as a witness that He is the true God. Hence all including the Gentiles who believe in Christ by faith are called the children of the true and living God.
V30 “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Potter and I am Your clay, Your child!
Romans 8: Do You Have The Love Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V39) “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is n Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1. The Spirit Of God (V1-15)
V9 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
God sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts once we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. This was why Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, commanded the Christians in Rome as well as all of us today that we must be led by the Spirit of God, and not by our flesh or own understanding. When we are led by the Spirit, we shall live a victorious life, and conversely, when we are led by our flesh, we shall live a defeated life.
V15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
2. The Will Of God (V16-30)
V27 “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit work together in the life of a Christian so that we shall always be in the centre of God’s perfect will. Indeed, the most dangerous place is the safest place when we are in the will of God, and conversely, the safest place is the most dangerous place when we are out of the will of God. This is why it is not all things work together for good to the unbeliever, because ultimately he shall be condemned to fiery hell, if he refuses to renounce his wrongdoings, and accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. All things, including bad things, only work together for good, to those who believe in God, love Him, and are called by Him, according to His purpose and will.
V28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
3. The Love Of God (V31-39)
V37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
We are more than conquerors once we become Christians, because God loves us so much that He shall protect and preserve us from all evil, and nothing can stop His love for us.
V39 “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your love and leadership!
Romans 7: Are You Serving The Law Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
1. Dead To The Law (V1-5)
V4 “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
Apostle Paul shared three stages of his life. The first stage was when he was an unbeliever. Though Paul knew the law of God, yet he did not believe in Christ and instead he persecuted the Christians. Paul then described one’s life as that of a woman married to her husband, who represented the law. However, the law could never save us, and it was when her husband died, and she married another, who was Jesus, that Jesus could save our souls. Indeed, Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, and whosoever believes in Him should never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V5 “For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.”
2. Warring Against The Law (V6-23)
V18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”
The second stage of Paul’s life was when he believed and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, and yet he had great struggle with his Christian life. The good things that he was to do for God, he failed to do, and the sins that he was not to do, yet he committed them. Paul’s Holy Spirit in him and his own flesh of sins were warring against each other, and the only way to overcome this intense fight was for him to fully yield to the Holy Spirit of God.
V23 “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
3. Serve The Law (V24-25)
V24 “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
The third stage of Paul’s life is when he realised that in order for him to have a victorious Christian life he must fully yield himself to God and serve His law, instead of letting his flesh take control of his life. Indeed, we need to let go of self, and let God be in control.
V25 “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Prayer of the Day: Dearest God, please help me to serve Your law by yielding to You and You alone.
Romans 6: Are You Free From Sin?
Verse of the Day: (V23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1. Dead To Sin (V1-13)
V2 “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
God through Apostle Paul commanded the Christians to yield themselves to God as instruments of righteousness, and be dead to their sin. If the Christian does not fully yield to God, he will then yield to instruments of unrighteousness which are the lusts of his eyes, the lusts of his flesh and the pride of life, and subsequently sins against the holy God. This is why the Christians must continue to yield or surrender to God every day of our lives, so that we can live holy and victorious lives for His glory, honour and praise!
V13 “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
2. Free From Sin (V14-21)
V17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
Let us thank God, the Father, who sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die and shed His blood on the cruel cross for the sins of the whole world. Whosoever therefore believes in Jesus, his soul shall never perish in hell, but shall have everlasting life with Him in heaven, and from the servant of sins, he becomes the servant of righteousness.
V18 “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
3. Wages Of Sin (V22-23)
V22 “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
Once we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Lord and personal Saviour, we are free from sin and spiritual death, and become the servants of God. Though we shall all die, yet for the Christians, our souls shall live forever with God in the portals of heaven, because we have the gift of God through Jesus Christ. However, those who ultimately reject Jesus Christ shall reap the consequences of their sin, which is the eternal condemnation of their souls in the fiery pits of hell, forever separated from God.
V23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to yield to You and be free from the wages of sin.
Romans 5: Do You Hope In The Glory Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
1. The Glory Of God (V1-2)
V1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Apostle Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit encouraged the Christians in Rome to have the hope in the glory of God in spite of the heavy persecution by the Romans. Though the Christians suffered much yet they had the peace with God and the faith in God, that God was with them to comfort and encourage them through all their sufferings.
V2 “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
2. The Love Of God (V3-13)
V3 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”
The Christians rejoice and glory in our suffering for Christ’s sake because we believe that through suffering our faith and patience shall be strengthened. Indeed, when we believe, trust and hope in God, the love of God immediately sends His Holy Ghost into each of our hearts to comfort and encourage us as we go through life storms and struggles.
V5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
3. The Grace Of God (V14-21)
V15 “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”
In the beginning when God created Adam, He commanded Adam that he could eat all the fruits of the trees except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Yet Adam chose to eat the forbidden fruit, and as a result, the entire human race fell into sin. However God has a redemption plan for mankind. As one man had offended God, by God’s love and grace, He sent another man, His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Whosoever believes in Jesus shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V16 “And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, I trust and obey You and hope in Your glory now and forever.
Romans 4: Do You Have The Faith Of Abraham?
Verse of the Day: (V16) “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,”
1. Steps Of Faith (V1-12)
V2 “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”
Abraham would never be justified by his works before God because there was nothing perfect in his works. He was justified before God because he walked the steps of faith in God. It was also not his circumcision that justified him, as he was justified before his circumcision. It was his faith in God that truly justified him. Therefore everyone whether we are Jews or Gentiles is justified before God when we believe and have faith in God.
V12 “And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.”
2. Righteousness Of Faith (V13-15)
V13 “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
Abraham was righteous before God because he had faith in God and not because he obeyed God’s law. Man can never be righteous because he can never obey the entire law. God’s law is meant only to point man to his sins and man is only justified by faith in God.
V15 “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.”
3. Strong In Faith (V16-25)
V16 “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,”
God chose Abraham as the father of all nations because he was strong in faith. When God promised Abraham that he would have a child, he believed in God. Though he waited for many years until he and his wife were too old to have a child, yet he still believed in God. Finally God gave him and his wife a son. Indeed, there is nothing impossible with God.
V20 “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to have the faith of Abraham.
Romans 3: Do You Have Faith In God?
Verse of the Day: (V3) “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”
1. The Faith Of God (V1-8)
V1 “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?”
Apostle Paul explained to the Jews that even though they were supposedly God’s chosen people and practised circumcision, yet they could never be God’s chosen people if they had no faith in God. In fact, God would freely accept the Gentiles as His chosen people if they had faith in Him. Hence, though the Jews had an advantage over the Gentiles, because they were chosen of God to be a testimony for Him, yet they would still be condemned to fiery hell, if they had no faith in God, and chose to rebel and disobey God.
V3 “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”
2. The Fear Of God (V9-20)
V9 “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;”
Paul reiterated that even though God chose the Jews to be His people, and gave them His law to lead and guide them, yet they feared not God. However, God never gives up on them as He has a redemption plan through His Son, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. During the Old Testament, God saved the people, whether they were Jews or Gentiles, when they repented their sins and believed by faith the coming of the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, who would die for their sins. During the New Testament, and until today, God saves us, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, when we repent our sins and believe by faith that the Messiah came and died and shed His precious blood for our sins.
V18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
3. The Glory Of God (V21-31)
V23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
We are imperfect, unholy and we can never fully obey God’s law, and we certainly come short of God’s glory, holiness and perfection. It is God’s amazing grace, abundant mercy and everlasting love, and not our work or obedience to His law, which saves us from fiery hell and promotes us to pearly heaven, if we truly repent our sins and have faith in Him.
V24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I have faith in You, and that I shall live for Your glory.
