Day 331

O. Book of Romans (from Corinth)
1. Universal sin and its answer; justification by faith, none are righteous
a. Universal need - Romans 1:1-32; 2:1-29; 3:1-20
b. Justification by faith - Romans 3:21-31
c. Illustration from history - Romans 4:1-25


For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned n their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.  (Romans 1:26-27)


This passage reminds me of a sermon I read by John MacArthur, When God Abandons a Nation.  Our nation is in dire need of prayer and seeking Father's divine intervention in causing repentance.  Otherwise we stand in great need of HIS judgment for our wickedness.


Filled with?  Unrighteousness ~ fornication ~ wickedness ~ covetousness ~ maliciousness ~ full of envy ~ murder ~ debate ~ deceit ~ malignity ~ whisperers ~ backbiters ~ haters of God ~ despiteful ~ proud ~ boasters ~ inventors of evil ~ disobedient to parents ~ w/out understanding ~ covenant breakers ~ w/out natural affection ~ implacable ~ unmerciful.


Hmmm, most of these words are readily understood, but a few caught my eye.


debate - G2054 - Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, that is, (by implication) wrangling.


implacable - G786 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G4689; literally without libation (which usually accompanied a treaty), that is, (by implication) truceless.


My heart continues to cry out, not only for the Bride, but for this nation to which I have providentially been placed.  Lord, we deserve none of Your loving kindness, mercy or forgiveness.  Only by Your sovereign hand can the eyes and ears of those who are blind and deaf be opened to see and hear the width and breadth and depth of our depravity.  Lord, not for the sake of the people of this nation, but solely to glorify Your name, bring repentance upon these shores.


For the name of God is blasphemed (to speak impiously) among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.  (Romans 2:24)


Quoting Matthew Henry:  "It is a lamentation that those who were made to be to God for a name and for a praise should be to him a shame and dishonour."


I can see a lot within the Bride of Christ that would bring shame and dishonor to God's name.  As I ponder upon that thought, the inward trembling question comes to mind:  What in my life causes Him shame and dishonor?  Lord, search us, Your people, cleanse us and make us fit for thy service.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear how we ought to conduct ourselves as we walk through this dry and weary land.  Help us to not be ensnared with the trivial and trinkets this world tries to lure us with, but to be focused upon giving a proper estimate of You.