Day 338 Reading Schedule: Romans 12-16

Romans 12 New Life in Christ

[Overview]

Our bodies are purchased with the blood of Christ, and should be offered to God. Therefore, the worship that the saints offer should not be forced or formal, but should be offered with a heart of true gratitude. This is the true worship that God rejoices in (verses 1-2). Each believer should wisely consider the grace they have received and serve the church with it, since the grace they have received is not for themselves. Meanwhile, Paul says that love comes with responsibility. Love should be sincere, have warm familial affection, and respect each other first. In addition, we should serve the Lord diligently, be joyful in hope, be patient in tribulation, always strive in prayer, care for the poor, share joy and sorrow, and not repay evil with evil (verses 3-21). In this way, this chapter, which emphasizes the action policy of goodness and love in all aspects of life, shows the major premise of the Christian code of conduct.

Romans 13  The Life of the Saints Living the End

[Overview]

Paul teaches in this chapter that Christians must obey the government. The reason for obeying the government is that all authority has been established by God. Therefore, when the worldly rulers practice justice and work for the peace of the community, the saints must obey their authority and help them in both material and spiritual ways (verses 1-7). Love is the power that enables us to joyfully and joyfully keep the heavy and burdensome law as the completion of the law. Therefore, when the saints live in the world, they must not only look after themselves, but must always look after the circumstances of their neighbors and strive to show love (verses 8-10). In addition, the saints are those who live in Christ. Therefore, the saints must live awake in life. Being awake here means putting on the armor of the light of the word and being clothed with Christ (verses 11-14). In this way, the saints must live a life in which their faith and life are completely in accordance with the word.

Romans 14  Life by Faith

[Summary]

In this chapter, Paul talks about the freedom of conscience of Christians. The issue of eating meat and the date of religious holidays are particularly discussed, and Paul teaches us in various ways that we should leave it to our own consciences and be free and not criticize each other (verses 1-13). Paul says that criticizing a brother because of the issue of freedom of conscience will ruin that brother, and he advises us not to destroy the work of God by criticizing a brother for whom Christ died on our behalf because of the issue of food. Rather, he says that the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, so we should only pursue peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (verses 14-23).

Romans 15  Imitate Christ and Forgive One Another

[Summary]

In this chapter, Paul says that we should not divide ourselves over the issue of freedom of conscience in the faith of believers, but should accept and unite. To do this, he commands Christians to imitate Christ's actions (vv. 1-13). Meanwhile, Paul, as an apostle to the Gentiles, declares that he has the authority to write to the church in Rome (vv. 14-21). He announces his plan to visit the church in Rome briefly on his way to Spain and asks the church in Rome to intercede for him (vv. 22-33).

Romans 16: Paul's Greetings to the Church in Rome

[Summary]

In this chapter, Paul writes about the specific names of the saints in Rome and expresses his gratitude for their actions (vv. 1-16). And as the final exhortation of this letter, he tells them to watch out for those who go against the teachings. He reveals that obedient saints are wise in good deeds and foolish in evil deeds (vv. 17-20). Meanwhile, he conveys the greetings of the Corinthian church saints to the church in Rome (vv. 21-23), and finally gives praise and glory to God the Father (vv. 25-27).