Read Romans 4:9-12
The Christian world today is by default eclectic and synchronistic. We seem to believe that Christian unity means accepting almost any teaching and putting up with the most bizarre doctrines. Paul, on the other hand, was relentless in meticulously setting right false notions and ideas within the church.
It wasn’t ok for Paul that some people wanted to believe that Abraham was justified by works. It wasn’t ok that some people wanted to see Abraham as just the father of the Jews. Paul’s concept of unity is that everyone stands together on God’s revelation and believes it rather than the strange concoctions of the world.
The natural question arising from Paul’s discussion in verses 1-8 is whether or not the blessedness of God’s forgiveness is only for Jews or is it for everyone. Paul would not allow factions on this crucial issue. He would not tolerate any opinion for the sake of a veneer of unity. Paul stresses the point that Abraham was credited as righteous before he was circumcised, not after. Being circumcised did not make Abraham righteous it was a sign or a seal of the
As such, Paul concludes this section with the jaw dropping statement that Abraham is the father of both the circumcised and the uncircumcised who live by faith. To call Abraham the father of Gentiles would have raised a few eyebrows in Paul’s day and would have no doubt caused much confusion, angst and anger among his readers. It was revolutionary. Yet Paul fearlessly preached the truth! Those who walk by faith, whether Jew or Gentile, will have the righteousness of Christ credited to them in the same way that Abraham did.
As we consider Paul’s stance and his revolutionary words to the church at Rome we see that unity does not come from standing arm in and arm and declaring our unity upfront while holding different beliefs. Unity comes from standing upon the Word of God and believing His revelation. Of course there are a few grey areas as Romans 14-15 will show but the foundation of unity, true God-given unity, rests on His revealed Word not some form of loose tolerance.
Prayer:
Given today’s reading jot down your own prayer points:
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks
Supplication:
¥ Ask God to bring growing unity through the congregation, the denomination, across denominations, through your area, your state and your nation. Pray that the revealed Word of God would be the foundation of this unity.
¥ Pray that our cell groups would be growing and expanding as they reach out to others in the congregation and to new members. Pray that we would see everyone in the congregation involved in cell groups.
Discipleship Moment For Girls
Intro: Do you see new people coming to your church? Sometimes you’ll see new people around your age walking into your church. This is a great opportunity for you to welcome them and to help them settle into your church. It shows them the love of Jesus and shows the world that we really love Jesus.
Share a time you welcomed a new comer and how it went.
Read: Romans 12;9-13
How is love described in these verses?
How can you show love to a new comer in your church?
As you read the things in this verse that are loving things to do state whether each one is love from the head or heart or hands.
Pray that you and your church will be a loving church that shows the love of Jesus.
Intro: Do you see new people coming to your church? Sometimes you’ll see new people around your age walking into your church. This is a great opportunity for you to welcome them and to help them settle into your church. It shows them the love of Jesus and shows the world that we really love Jesus.
Share a time you welcomed a new comer and how it went.
Read: Romans 12;9-13
How is love described in these verses?
How can you show love to a new comer in your church?
As you read the things in this verse that are loving things to do state whether each one is love from the head or heart or hands.
Pray that you and your church will be a loving church that shows the love of Jesus.
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