Day 9 - Romans 2:25 - 2:29

25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.

28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Tori's Comments - 

Okay, he lost me a little in the first paragraph but I think I have got the gist of it now.

But the second paragraph really floats my goat. How God cares more about the state of your heart obeying the law. Like the widow who put two coins into the offering in Mark 12:41-44. 

"And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people." (vs. 29) Do I do this? My people-pleasing heart already knows the answer. 

I have just put this in my planner as my goal for the week, though: Seek praise from God, not from people.


Terrie's Comments -

This must have rocked the Jewish world hearing this from Paul... It's no wonder they sought to kill him.  They prided themselves on following the law and circumcision was a sign between them and God... or at least a sign that they were "God's chosen People".  Now Paul is telling everyone that gentiles that follow the law and are not circumcised are better than those who are circumcised if they don't follow the law.  

Bottom line is that God cares about a changed heart.  It is also clear that the heart change that pleases God is worked out by the Spirit.  Once the heart is changed we will seek the praise of God rather than the praise of men.  I guess that is a good check point as to how we are doing.  Do I care more about what God thinks or am I making this decision based on what others think?  Hmmmm good question. 


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 8 - Romans 2:17 - 2:24

17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.

21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

Terrie's Comments - 

The only thought that comes to mind here is to keep proper perspective in life... I am who I am ONLY because of what JESUS DID for me... It is by grace we have been saved through faith so that NO ONE CAN BOAST.  This verse came to mind as well:




Tori's Comments - 

"you boast about your special relationship with him." (vs. 17)

Just gotta say, not specifically a Jewish problem. 

I know I have put the holier-than-thou attitude on. And honestly, that attitude is nothing but cow puckey. Nothing that I did made me righteous. Only Jesus. 


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 7 - Romans 2:12 - 2:16

12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.


Tori's Comments:

"will judge everyone's secret life." (vs. 16) That sends shivers up my back. Sometimes we tell ourselves if we just put our church clothes on and pretend like nothing is wrong we're okay. But God knows everything. I suppose that's why things like confessing and apologizing are so important. 

And I never made the connection between people's consciences and God, although it makes PERFECT sense. People who aren't Christian still have a sense of right and wrong, and it seems like something God installed into us when He created us. Awesome.


Terrie's Comments:

God cares about what is on the inside of us... "our secret life".  The one that not even our closest friends and family knows about.  And what is even less settling is the fact that God will be judging that "secret life" according to His law, whether we know what it is or not.  

However did you also notice the three words in this passage that change everything???

"through Christ Jesus"  If we were being judged on our own merit we would already be condemned.  But "through Christ Jesus" means that we are seen as pure, clean, and perfectly righteous if we have put our faith in Him.  Hallelujah!!!! AMEN


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 6 - Romans 2:1 - 2:11

2 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

Terrie's Comments:

This passage makes me want to take back every remotely judgmental thing I have ever said or thought about anyone.  In the same breath however this passage also gives me hope that NO ONE IS TOO FAR AWAY FROM GOD TO BE SAVED.  God does not show favoritism!  For anyone who turns to God there will be glory and honor and peace from God.  

I think the previous two days of reading provide us with a warning to not be foolish.  Be careful to not exchange God's truth for a lie.  Worship God alone and now finally to not judge anyone and thereby condemn yourself because you have been rescued only by God's mercy and grace.  God has His arms open to accept everyone who is willing to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of their life and live by faith in His word alone.


Tori's Comments:

WHOAAA.

Just let me recover for a minute, because that was a big plot twist. I did not see that coming.

One minute I thought we were condemning people, and the next we are told to stop condemning.

Was he trying to trick us? Because it feels like it.

(Vs.4) So our kindness should turn others from their sin? I guess this makes sense for people who have been cast out of 'good society' and are in need of love. And considering how many times I mess up, I am not really in a position to condemn anyone. 


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!