Romans 2:1-4

 (I'm aware I skipped a passage. I have it written, but I also don't want to start an internet debate. If you would like to read it, I would be more than happy to send it to you; just leave me a comment!)

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Ohhhhhhhh... Paul's getting tough now. Slightly sassy.

God has revealed to me the extent of friendly fire within the church over this past year. I have begun to recognize that we have allowed this sin to multiply among us without restraint. And God used a very unique way to reveal this to me.

Her name is Rylee.

Rylee is unlike anyone I've ever met. I met her through Cru. She's a bit of a hippy, loves her tattoos and piercings, and is vegan/vegetarian. She has different opinions on politics and different standards of clothing and makeup choices. Honestly, at first, I was a bit uneasy around her because she wasn't the picture of the "good" Christian girl that's been painted before me. She was different than me. The temptation was to pass judgement on her simply because of how she appeared.

And yet, she's now one of my closest "heart friends", who I can feel completely safe and comfortable pouring out all my issues too. I don't have to be perfect around her. I know that I can message her at 2am with my heart burdened (and know that she'll still be awake 'cause I don't think she ever actually sleeps :P) With her, there is no judgement and no pointing fingers.

We get together and eat vegan pasta and cookies and watch Charlie Brown Christmas shows on Netflix and go buy cheap clothes at used clothing stores. We talk freely without fear of having judgement passed between us. I can confess my struggles (and even areas of sin) and know that she will stand with me to help and encourage me in conquering them.

If only all relationships were that way.

Sadly, not all relationships are like that. There are many people that I don't feel free to talk to because I'm afraid that a finger will be pointed at me, telling me how wrong I am to have a problem. There have been many times within my faith community where I have felt like I needed to pretend I was someone else out of fear of judgement.

I know that on many occasions, I have been the one doing the judging, and I am guilty of this as much as anyone else. But it HAS to stop! We cannot continue letting our churches be a place of fear!

A friend and I once discussed that the darkest places in our lives, the ones Satan targets the most, are the areas we are most afraid to talk about. To admit that one struggles with ______ is to allow the other person an opportunity to judge you. From personal experience, I know that this makes the problem so many times worse!

Do we forget, as Paul writes, "the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience"? Have we forgotten grace? Oh Father, may you bring us to a place where we love as you have!

In a world without judgement, there would be pure open community, rather than pretending. There would be Biblical confrontation of sins, rather than gossip. There would be many fewer issues, because fear would not keep us from seeking uplifting companionship. It would be beautiful.

Let's stop the friendly fire.

Romans 1:14-15

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

Obligation. To be bound by duty.

The Greek word used is "ὀφειλέτης, ου, ὁ", transliterated "opheiletés".

The word refers to a debtor, or one who has sinned against another.

It's the same word used in Matthew 18:23-33, the parable of the talents.

What a statement that is. "I am obligated."

Paul, in those 3 words, recognizes himself as a sinner. And yet, because of God's grace, Paul's sin was covered. Forgiven. Salvation had come.

So what was Paul obligated to?

Love.

To share Christ's love.

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3)

Paul is a man surrendered. Surrendered to being Christ's hand of love, without discrimination. He desires so greatly to be able to serve the early church in Rome!

We are a people that have been called to a state of full surrender. A people that love as Christ loved. A people that love everyone we see with an unconditional mercy.

Will we?

Romans 1:1-7 (Part 3: A Commission)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— ² the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Part 3... Paul has already spoke of his renewed identity, as well as telling the gospel. And in the last 3 verses of this passage (5-7), Paul gives the church of Rome a commission.

A commission has a rather lengthy definition. It can be used as both a noun and verb.

com·mis·sionnoun
the act of committing or giving in charge.
an authoritative order, charge, or direction.
authority granted for a particular action or function.
a document granting such authority.

verb
to give a commission to
to authorize; send on a mission; to give the order that places a warship, military command, etc., in a state of complete readiness for active duty. 

Though the common use of the word "commission" generally has to do with money, it's a very military word. And that's what Paul is doing here.

"You are called to obedience. You are called to belong to Jesus Christ. These are your orders."

1 John 5 says this of obedience: 

2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Therefore, we can see that obedience is the fruit of love for God. This is the fruit that the Christian bears. This is the commission, the authoritative order, Paul asks of the early Christians... and of us.

Love God. Obey God. Be His.