King James Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: You Are An Example
For: Monday November 22, 2010
Chapters: Romans 11-13
Click Here to Read Or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-22

Details of Today's Chapters: God's grace, God's mercy for Israel and Gentile nations, a living sacrifice, one body in Christ, and the behavior and character of a Christian.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word emulation means a strong desire to excel or imitate others, we all have a competitive nature, which is healthy in some ways, competition keeps us motivated and gets us to go that extra mile in reaching goals. However, if we are not careful that desire will get so intense that it consumes us and instead of excelling we fail. Once in a while I get this thing in the back of my head when I see someone boasting about things to want to challenge them and show them that I can do it better. You know what? It's great to take pride in your work, but we should never think of ourselves as replaceable or better than someone else. We are all replaceable and to tell you the truth, God did not give us all the same gifts, He brought us here and gave us all different skills and lifestyles so that we can do His work. There are just some things in life that we are not able to do. However, there is one thing that everyone can do and there is only one way to do it and that is ask Jesus to save you. No matter who we are or where we come from God saves all who believe in His Son. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13. Praise God!

There was some strife going on in Rome, the Jews and Romans were arguing that they were the people that only God saves. The Jews believed that since they were the chosen ones only they could get to heaven. Likewise, the Romans believed that since they were Christians only they could get to heaven. Now, Paul is speaking to the Romans. “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches...Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” - Romans 11:13-16,20,21.

Paul is reminding the Romans that while I was called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, I am also an Israelite, therefore, do not get offended by me trying to save some of them. Even though you are saved do not boast, if God will not spare one of His chosen people for their unbelief, He will not spare one of yours either. We should all have a strong desire to save our own people, but we should never assume that they are already saved because they are going to church or are a certain race. Salvation has nothing to do with religion, it's only about believing in Jesus Christ and regardless of who you are He is the only way to heaven. It is a gift from God, it can not be earned or bought with anything that we do and it certainly can not be given to us by any other person. God knows what He is doing, therefore, He made sure there was only one way to heaven and Christ is the one that paid the price with His blood. “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - I Corinthians 6:20.

Paul explains the importance of Christians representing themselves as the respectful, children of God that they are supposed to be. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” - Romans 12:1-3.

Why is it important? We set an example for those who live in the world by the transforming and renewing of our lives filled with Christ. Now, of course, you are going to get some that think you are crazy for living for Christ, but they are watching you because they see the change and blessings in your life and eventually they will see that Christ truly is the way, life, and truth. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” - I Peter 5:2-4. Praise God!

God gives us all gifts that enable us to do His work more effectively, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good...Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:6-9,19-21.

Now, while doing good does not save us, doing good after we are saved not only rewards us here on earth, but in heaven as well. Come judgment day we are going to get a review of everything we have ever done or had the opportunity to do for God after we got saved and we are going to be rewarded according to what we have done for Him. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” - Matthew 16:27. This does not mean that you get cast into hell for not doing anything at all, there are many people that just get saved and get in the gate, but those that do His work will receive greater rewards. I always say that I rather be in heaven scrubbing floors than in hell burning for eternity. Amen!

You are a child of God, it is time to show Him how grateful you are that He saved you, by being the example He expects of you. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” - Romans 13:11-14. Paul reminds us that we are one day closer to heaven, be the example you are to be and help the lost find their way by your effort.

Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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