Romans Devotional

Day 49 - Footprints

Reading: Romans 13: 11-14

Reflective Thoughts

Footprints

Reduce the size of your carbon footprint! This is an urgent message by global warming advocates to make as little impact on our environment as possible. Paul had a similar urgent message for believers of the first century. His concern, however, was for their spiritual footprint-and he wanted them to make it bigger.

The sense of urgency to live lives of love was most certainly referring to the fact that the Lord could return at any moment. How would Jesus find His Church? Other reasons also beckoned believers to be awake and alert to urgent needs. Lives in the Roman Empire didn't matter. Infanticide was a common practice. Plague outbreaks caused entire towns to abandon their sick. Immorality was rampant. A fire in Rome would soon propel the first wave of brutal Christian persecution. All of these became the staging ground for the growth of the Church and the glory of God.

When you think of loving your neighbor and of putting off the sinful nature, do you do it with a sense of urgency? All that we can leave behind us are footprints. Where will yours be found-and will anyone be able to see them?

Day 48 - Personal Debt

Reading: Romans 13: 8-10

Reflective Thoughts

Personal Debt

The Federal Reserve in 2010 indicated that the total amount of consumer debt in the U.S. economy was $2.4 trillion dollars. That works out to around $7,800 for every man, woman and child who live in the United States. Most financial experts will tell you that debt is not a good thing. Paul seems to concur in verse 8, with one exception-what he calls the debt of love.

We don't often think that we owe others our kindness our love or even forgiveness-unless they have paid the same to us in full. However in God's economy it doesn't work that way. The unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:23-35 was condemned because he failed to acknowledge the mercy of his Master in his dealings with others. If the measure of God's love for us determines the degree of debt we owe to love others, how are we doing in paying it out?