Corona Devo 1085

Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says.  ~Romans 16:25

Thank you, Lord.  How do You know exactly what we need to hear right now?  

How do You know that we are weak?  That our spirit, our mind, our hopes...are craving something/someone/some-truth who is able to make us strong today?  

How do You know?  

Because You are the only wise God...forever (Romans 16:27), and You choose to know us.

Thank you, Lord. 

But not just us.  You choose to know every heart that seeks to believe and obey You (Romans 16:26). 

How I got in this "group", I am still baffled by, but the Bible reiterates (for my own acceptance and for my proclaiming-of-it to others) that this message is not just for the few/the elect/the trained/the "good"/ the "Godly"/the do-gooders"/the non-swearers/the non-drinkers/the non-sinners/the on-their-best-behaviors...

NO!

This message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.  ~Romans 16:26

For Jewish people in Paul's day as he wrote this, it was very hard for them to accept that God's message of salvation was for everyone, and not just them.  In their defense, since the dawning of Creation, God had made clear that the Jews were His "chosen people", so the idea had been (correctly) instilled in them and their spiritual upbringing.    

But the dawning of Jesus Christ on all Creation brought a new definition to "God's chosen people".  A new plan.  A more grandiose plan.  An all-inclusive (not-just-Jewish) plan.  An all-encompassing plan.  A plan kept secret from the beginning of time (Romans 16:25). 

This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.  (26) But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.  ~Romans 16:25-26

God (the eternal) has commanded this, so why would we (in any way) get in the way of it?

God's Word reminds us today, reminds me today, that this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him (Romans 16:26).

If we have placed any hurdles between us and non-believers or between non-believers and God (or meeting God), it's time to knock out those hurdles today.  

When I ran track in high school, one of my (hurdle) coaches' favorites pieces of advice was not to jump over the hurdles, but to run through them.  Instead of leaping high, we would be much faster if we merely extended our leg (in correct time), to run right-over, or right-through the hurdle.  If done correctly, there is no contact, and also no wasted time in "jumping" over.

Too many of us (consciously or subconsciously) set up "hurdles" for others to jump over in coming closer to Christ.  We shut people out that don't meet our credentials or that we think do not meet God's credentials for salvation.  

But we are wasting effort and time, and we are missing the mark.  

God removed all hurdles between us and Him when He sent His Son, Jesus to earth (first) and then to the cross for us.  Jesus ran through the hurdles for us, and He removed all barriers.  His message is for everyone and He makes it known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.

If we are piously/self-righteously/legalistically/elitely/condescendingly/errantly standing in anyone's way of drawing nearer to Christ today, may God's plan no longer be kept secret from us.  

May it be known and made clear to our hearts that this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him (Romans 16:26).

May we assist/guide/lead/and love others to run through any hurdles between them and Christ today, and may we stop requiring anyone to jump over hurdles to meet Him.

(27) All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen. ~Romans 16:27

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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