Enemies of God

More Familiar Territory
Romans has been another book in which I have invested much time.  2 Peter still holds the record, I have lost count of the number of times I have read and studied that book, probably because it is the book I most use in our workshops.

Despicable We
But Romans… I was reading this morning in Romans 5, again trying to catch up; didn’t.  I got stopped again this time in Romans 5:6 – 10.  Romans 5 is a great, joyous chapter.  In there we see the answer to all of the despair of the first four chapters, the sacrifice of Christ.  But in the midst of that great joy the theme of our abject rottenness is continued.  Look at the words Paul uses to describe us:

Verse	Descriptor
5:6	helpless
5:6	ungodly
5:8	sinners
5:10	enemies

Inconceivable Sacrifice
Those words describe those for whom Christ died.  Paul rightly points out in verse 7 that, frankly, that does not make any sense.  Why in the fat would anyone die for people like that?  For that matter, why die for any of the people described in chapters 1 – 3, they are arrogant, legalistic, proud, and perverted.

But He did.

Oh thank God.

He did.

Escaping Snares

Snares are a Certainty
The Lord encouraged me this morning through Psalm 119:110.  It is the case that if you choose to walk with the Lord and likewise choose to help others do so, you will be resisted.  That resistance will come from the enemy of Christ, but it will also come from the religious community.  We can say that with definite authority.  Why?  Ask yourself from where most of Christ’s resistance came.

I have been asked questions that are intended to paint me into a corner doctrinally.  I have been denied the ability to serve other believers because I did not attend a specific church, someone assumed that I did not hold to a certain creed, was not a member of the right denomination, or did not like the seminary I attended.

I have been laughed at and ridiculed by non-believers when I have gone out of my way to serve and minister to them.  I have been required to report to the police on a mission to equip believers to study the Bible.  I have had to guard what I said and been monitored by governments lest I say something that would lead someone to trust Christ.

How to Escape Snares
How does one deal with these kinds of traps and snares.  David tells us his method.  He does not go astray from the Lord’s precepts.  There have been times that I have been pressured to compromise what the Word says to get along or better fit in.  While I have not done so, I have been hesitant and not a clear in my positions as I could have been.  Those times did not work out well.

It is clear here that we are required by God to stick closely to His Word.  It is when we boldly do so that the snares will be ineffective.

I was encouraged and at the same time rebuked on this in my time in the Word this morning.  That is the amazing thing about God’s Word.  It both corrects and encourages at the same time.

The Joy of Tribulation – Character

Praise in the Night
I have mentioned in the past few days that this has been a tough season.  There are essentially three or four major struggles with which we are dealing.  It is the kind of thing that creates sleeplessness.  It is good that I am in Psalm 119 during this time.  It reminds me to anticipate the night watches and fill them with praise and thanksgiving.

Full Stop
I was getting started in my time alone with God this morning and was trying to catch up with my reading, I didn’t.  The reason?  I was skimming through Romans to get to where I was supposed to be today and came full stop on Romans 5:3 – 5.  I have written about this passage before from a slightly different perspective.  Today, though, I was struck by the purpose of the struggles, tribulation, the Lord brings in our path.  We go through that to develop our character.

I would personally rather take a course somewhere…

Deliberate Praise
But this is His method.  It is repeated in Hebrews 12:4 – 11.  It is a good thing.  It is evidence that God loves us.  It is evidence that He is committed to our Christlikeness.  It is a source of joy.  It should be something for which we give thanks.

That is hard.  At least for me.  I want solutions.  He wants character.