Romans 1:18-32
Isaiah 45:18b Isaiah writes the following:
"He [Yahweh] made the world to be lived in, not a place of empty chaos."
Isaiah shares God's desire to give order and purpose to the world where everyone has a sense of significance and belonging because they are in relationship with God and understand who they are.
In this section of Paul's letter to the Romans, Paul comments on the human race in general and its history of running away from God. Humanity has decisively ignored the truth that God has revealed to humankind. They have made a conscious choice to go their own way. In the back of Paul's mind is Genesis 1-3. The world was created with order and purpose as well as a place for men and women to be fulfilled as human beings. Humanity chose to be deceived and follow its own way. We see how Cain ran from God after killing his own brother, even though God told him he would protect him. Cain went East, away from the Garden where God was, and built cities where he would feel comfortable in his now fallen skin. Here Cain could make his own rules and plot his own way. If he wanted something he could take it. If he didn't like someone he could deal with it without God looking over his shoulder. Cities and nations rise in this rebellion. They defy God and carry on like He was not there. Today we bear the history of this human legacy.
The truth is that men and women will never feel at home until such a time as they are restored to relationship with God. Paul describes the atrocities of human expression, sexuality and behaviour. There is a sinister reversal that has happened in the human race. Rather than worship God [Yahweh] they worship themselves or even worse animals, reptiles and insects. Even the sexes turn in on themselves in a confusion of roles and purpose in the world. Evil is on everyone's mind and evident in everyone's behaviour. In Roman culture during Paul's day, evil was very evident. Homosexuality was rampant, family breakdown was evident, unwanted children were left on the trash heaps to die to the elements, rulers were corrupt - blood thirsty for power and prestige. There was no leap to the imagination for the readers of Paul's letter to understand this human rebellion. Death is the essential end for humanity. It is bent on self destruction. Yet this was not God's plan. God's plan is for a world of order and purpose where humanity is fulfilled. This is the world that breaks into the present through Jesus. God is about restoring the world to His plan and purpose.
As we understand what the climate of relationship was in the Roman churches - "I'm better than you are." - this climate lent itself to the type of chaos that was evident in the world and city that they lived in. It was "anti-Christian." To take stock in one's background, behaviour and pedigree was to mirror humanity in rebellion. That is why Paul is so adamant about "not being ashamed of the good news for its God's power that changes those who believe!" [1:16] Paul had nothing to do with restoring relationship with God. It was all God. All Paul had to do was trust that this was true. Rather than boast in himself - a dangerous thing in Paul's mind since it is the very thing that rebellious humanity does - Paul boasts in the fact that God saved him and changed his life! All this was done in the person of Christ - not the person of Paul. For the Roman believers the same stands true. The change that happened in them was the work of Christ not of Gentile believers or Jewish believers. Paul is attempting to show the Roman believers that their behaviour mirrors more that of humanity in rebellion than that of humanity redeemed. In chapter 2 and 3, Paul will make this plain for the Roman believers to see in themselves.
Group Time:
In your groups this week discuss the damage we do as believers when we behave in a way that mirrors the type of rebellion and behaviour in humanity throughout history.
What happens when God pleads with us to lean on him and we ignore his plea?
What happens when we are proud about how "Faithful" we are and how we're great examples of being Christian over/against those other Christians in the church across the street? Better yet, those people living across the street?
What are we setting ourselves up for with this kind of behaviour and attitude?
posted by Luciano Lombardi @ 12:59 PM
2 Comments:
Luc
This blog is a great idea not only as a good way to distribute info but for us to discuss what worked and what didnt in regards to the material.
I say that because I struggled to deliver the first round of material at our first small group. Once the ice-breaker and values portion was taken care of we moved into the material and the questions didn't spark much conversation. The background material was excellent but aside from reading the first the verses it was difficult to transition to the discussion period. Perhaps there can be an introduction to what topics we are going to discuss tonight or review the general themes? I also found the first set of questions to be quiz-like. (eg:Paul introduces the concept of the good news or the gospel in his introductory comments - What is the good news? ) This kind of question illicited answers like "The cross, Jesus rising from the dead, etc which of course is good news indeed but not necessarily discussion provoking.
What I have always enjoyed most about a small group setting is how the material applies to us in a real life setting and then hearing people talk about their lives, families, christian walk etc. I feel as though this is where the relationship building happens and the walls break down.
This weeks material looks really good. One thing I'd like to discuss is how 21st century canadian society prides itself on being progressive and forward thinking on a number of issues (eg: gay marriage, pot legalization etc) and has this attitude crept into God's Church like the Romans experienced? Is this a product of human boasting? What do you think? Too "Hot Button"-ish?
Marcel
Marcel,
I think those are exactly the kinds of questions you can be addressing in your small group. I don't believe in sugar coating our behaviour as Christians. Paul certainly doesn't sugar coat the behaviour of the Jewish and Gentile Roman believers. He shows it for what it is - judgmental and divisive. Church is the one place on earth where everyone should be accepted for who they are. Rather than judged, people are loved. Rather than excluded people are embraced. What rules over people in this community is love, not judgment. Judgment is rerserved by God in order to deal with evil once and for all.
The hardest thing for us a believers to admit to is the evil that breeds in us and among us. Only honesty and authenticity will expose this for what it is and help us get on a better path to being followers of Christ.
Luc
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