Learning points for Romans class

Learning points for Romans class

Learning Romans is importance, because it provides importance basic understanding of gospel and how it affected our everyday living. In learning Romans, I often examine myself about these questions: a) Does my day-to-day life mirror the beliefs I hold? b) Do I find myself in a constant battle with hypocrisy? c) How do I constantly be impacted and influenced by the basic truth in my life? How do I live out those beliefs that I hold on to? I guessed the greater gained that I had is through the monthly spiritual exercise, when I need to reflect and think through what does the verses mean to me in my life, where am I now in my current spiritual walk. In one of the spiritual exercise, I was asked to reflect on the grace of God, how much am I aware of the grace of God? I think my personal theology on man would determine how much I aware of the grace of God that has called me. I believe that I am a sinner and am created by God that needed God’s grace to be in the right relationship with God again. I believe that without God’s spirit, my spirit will not be alive. God is the one who is gracious, loving, just, holy. He is gracious and loving, just and holy, because it is His attributes. I do not need to earn His grace, and in my own ability I can’t earn it too.

The righteousness of God

The righteousness of God is one of the theme of the book of Romans. What truly makes me interested is it started the book with tracing the righteousness of God and the ultimate plan of God for human kind. In Romans 1:16-17, Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel, because the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. THE GOSPEL REVEALS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. And, how could someone experience the righteousness of God? The righteousness of God can only be experienced by faith. In verse 17, it said “a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.  What would make someone realize and appreciate God’s grace? It is when I realize my own sin. In Romans, Paul has explained to me, the reader, again on how human beings are falling short of God’s standard, because of our sin. And, I can only receive God’s righteousness when God justifies me by faith. Paul used himself as an example to illustrate God’s righteousness. He was a sinner too, and being transformed to be God’s leader. Lastly, Paul explained how I could apply God’s righteousness in practical ways throughout my life. In examining this book, I have gained better understanding of the meaning of THE GOSPEL REVEALS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.

Genuine Love in the community

As the college and the church is addressing to be a community that learning together, I think it is important for the community to learn to show genuine love. In studying Romans 12, it is a very appropriate passage to apply for Christian living.  Some self-examinations are how do I respond when someone is in need? To what extend has I show love to others when they are in trouble? I think it is a challenge for many people because we are not perfect, and we would definitely wrong others. But, as a body of Christ, we should constantly talk it out, and resolve the misunderstanding. In serving others, everyone of us like an instruments, we need to play together, understand our roles clearly, work together for the one same goal and objectives. Finally, I like what Paul said we ought to overcome evil with good. Many of us may think that how to do it? God has instructed us that we cannot take vengeance into our own hands.  We are to leave it for God to judge, only God know the best.  What we need to do is to let go of what we think it is the best judgement for those who hurts us, harms us. Our role is to show genuine love to others, to serve others, to pray for others with sincere heart, to be hopeful. 

Weak vs. Strong

There is a discussion on the Weak and the Strong. Interesting, the class did a careful presentation and discussion in examining it. The conclusion is that the stronger are those who have a greater degree of Christian faith. The stronger faith was those who has better understanding of the basic of Christian doctrine. The weaker faith was those who has weaker understanding of the basic Christian doctrine.

What is the solution to it? The strong Christian must exercise patience and extend compassion. By doing so, it allows the weak Christian to have time to grow in understanding and comprehend that the doctrine and beliefs sot that they can move forward in Christ.

Currently, there are different conflicting ideas on how to run a church, some said it is not alright to have a church service by watching a pastor preaching, some said it is alright. What is the basic understanding? Again, both should communicate and have more conversations on this topic, so that it could come to mutual respect and understanding, and maintain unity in the church.