QT 24/06/2024 Mon. Romans 13. Unity in testimony. 合一：在见证里合一

QT 24/06/2024 Mon. Romans 13. Unity in testimony.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/rom13
LISTEN
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Romans.13

Paul's upcoming ministry in Rome was threatened by the two major obstacles. He was on the way to Jerusalem (Rom 15:25) but wrote to the Roman believers to prepare them (Rom 15:25-26) to overcome these obstacles.

OBSTACLE (1): The Gentile and Jewish believers were REJECTING one another before the watching world in Rome (Rom 2:1) and were DIVIDED (Rom 16:17). For this Paul exhorted them to practise acceptance (Rom 14:1, Rom 14:3, Rom 15:7) in order that the believers there could become good witnesses before he arrived in Rome.

REFLECTION (1): The one who shouts "acceptance" might surprisingly be the least accepting of all! The one who shouts "inclusiveness" might fail to include people that are supposedly very close to him. Are you such a person?

Is there anything more painful in God's sight than to see a sinner who is saved by grace and not works (Rom 3:24, 4:14, 5:2) rejecting another sinner who had been similarly saved? Forgiven sinners speak with less pride while talking to other forgiven sinners. Do a reality check today.

OBSTACLE (2): The believers in Rome might have hoped to overthrow the Roman government in order to establish their own nation and king. This was especially after the emperor expelled the Jews (Acts 18:2).

For this Paul exhorted them to submit to governing authorities because they were instituted by God (Rom 13:2). Disorderly and unsubmissive attitudes explain their refusal to pay taxes, refusal to give respect and honour to those in authority (Rom 13:7).

REFLECTION (2): A person who habitually "Does NOT SUBMIT to God's law" (Rom 8:7), "Did NOT SUBMIT to God's righteousness" (Rom 10:3) might be more inclined NOT TO SUBMIT to the authorities or be subject to them (Rom 13:1, Rom 13:5). Do I fall into this category?

星期一 2024年6月24日 今日读经：罗马书13章. 合一：在见证里合一
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Rom/13/
听音频罗马书13章
https://www.bible.com/bible/41/rom.13.cnvs

保罗在罗马兴起的事工受到两大阻碍的威胁。他正要往耶路撒冷那里去(罗15:25)，但却写了一封信给罗马的信徒预备他们(罗15:25-26)，让他们克服这些阻碍。

阻碍(1):外族人和犹太人信徒正在罗马众人前彼此拒绝(罗2:1)、分裂(罗16:17)。为此，保罗呼吁他们要互相接纳(罗14:1,罗14:3,罗15:7)，以致在那里的信徒可以在他抵达罗马之前成为好的见证人。

反思(1):那个呼喊“接纳”的，或许会出乎意料地变成那个最没有包容心的人！而那个呼喊“包容”的或许会把那些与他很亲的人都排除在外。你是这样的人吗？

有什么事能比一个因着恩典而不是行为得救的罪人(罗3:24,4:14,5:2)，拒绝另一个同样得救的罪人，更让神痛心的？得赦免的罪人在与其他得赦免的罪人说话时应该谦卑。今天就审查自己的态度。

障碍(2):罗马的信徒或许希望能够推翻罗马政府以建立自己的王国和君王，特别是发生在帝王把犹太人赶走之后(使徒行传18:2)。

为此，保罗劝勉他们要顺服在位的权威，因为这些权威是神所设立的(罗13:2)。乱纷纷及不肯屈服的态度是他们不肯交税、不肯敬畏和尊敬那些掌权的人的原因(罗13:7)。

反思(2):一个人如果习惯性地“不服从神的律法”(罗8:7)，“不服神的义”(罗10:3)或许会比较不愿意顺服掌权者或臣服于掌权者(罗13:1,罗13:5)。我是否也列入其中？