Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil

 Romans 16:17-27

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

As he signs off he feels compelled to warn the Roman Christians against a set of trouble makers. He knows their disruptive influence on the churches all too well. Once the business of delivering the money given by the Gentile churches to Jerusalem (a visit about which he has real misgivings) is over, he can look west to Spain, calling at Rome on the way.

Why?

There are some people in the churches we have to warn these men, who smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people, they serve their own appetites. This is a native of human beings.

Paul encouraged the Christians in Rome and give them direction in their life. To be a servant of the Lord.

Wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil: Do our best and wise to do the good, but keep away what is evil. For our conscience help us to choose the way.

Paul likes to visit them in Rome when his travel to Jerusalem finished, and plan goes to Spain for the gospel.

How?

Paul put himself in the mission of the Lord, to be an honest servant of the Lord. Paul is our good example in Christian life.

Greet one another with a holy kiss

 Romans 16:1-16

I commend to you our sister Phoebe,  I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me.

Greet Ampliatus,  Urbanus,  Apelles, Herodion, Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, Greet my dear friend Persis, Greet Rufus, Greet Asyncritus, Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them. 

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

It is in one way surprising to find such a long list of friends in a church that Paul had never visited. For this reason, some believe this chapter originally belonged to a copy of Romans which was sent to Ephesus. Yet all roads led to Rome, and many Christians from the eastern provinces must have passed through the capital at one time or another. It is obvious that despite his bus life Paul did not lose interest in people or lose touch with them.

Why?

There were so many helped Paul on the way of the missionary, these brothers and sisters are God's people they have the same mind and vision with Paul, so they worked hard and loved God, and encouraged Paul's heart in serving the Lord.

A missionary is a hero who can do it, but it is teamwork under the leader of Jesus Christ.

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羅馬書的問安有20多節，不是僅僅禮貌性提及，並且說明他們的事奉。6位姊妹。當時還是重男輕女

 時代，保羅提及這些婦女，表示聖經一樣看重婦女。提到為主受苦的人。為主擺上的保羅都記念。同樣基督也記念我們的擺上，付出。我們是否記念別人為我們擺上的?還是只記得別人對我不好的地方。我們的事奉雖然不是那麼重要，但是也不輕看，我們看重，神必記念。

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How?

Appreciated everyone on my way to be a Christian, for many people's help and God's grace so I may turn to the Lord.

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known

 Romans 15:14-33

Because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

“Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand." Isaiah 52:15

I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy.

In closing, Paul speaks personally. For more than 20 years he has been an apostle to the non-Jewish world. He has seen churches established all over Cyprus. Syria, Turkey, and Greece. Now he has completed this work and discharged his responsibilities. Once the business of delivering the money given by the Gentile churches to Jerusalem a visit about which he has real misgivings is over, he can look west to Spain, calling at Rome on the way.

Why?

Paul honest obeyed what God has commanded him to preach the gospel to those who do not know Christ.

We should boast what God has done for us and through us. For without the Lord I can do nothing.

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1.相信保羅的弟兄們也可以彼此相愛，彼此擔待、接待軟弱 的人

2.沒有什麼可以誇的。只有誇神的作為，藉他所做的工作，神蹟奇事。帶領許多外邦人信主，但是並不以此為傲。

3.立志向未聽過福音的地方傳福音。不是在別人的基礎上建立教會。保羅盼望到最遍遠的西班牙。可見神看外邦人信主多麼重要。

傳福音，宣教的動力在於教會的合一。如果有種族岐視，分門結黨，怎麼能夠傳福音?

外邦人以還債的心，捐款來幫助有災荒的耶路撒冷，提供生活上需要。這樣的教會已經被建立起來，願意付出恩典，保羅可以放心往西班牙去。如果教會成員都願意付出，合一，就是不會有自私的人，就會合一，就有傳福音的事工。保羅的心滿足，是看到每位成員生命成長，願意付出，為神擺上，這就是成熟的教會。福音給猶太人也給外邦人，因為猶太人不信，所以讓外邦人有機會先信福音，再來激動猶太人信主。

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How?

What is the mission came from the Lord to me? To honor the name of the Lord and show the love and joy to my neighbor.

You may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

 Romans 15:1-13

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

And again, Isaiah says, The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is nothing Christian about pleasing ourselves. Good relations between Christians are far more important than 'my rights'. With Christ as our role-model, we must do all we can to promote real oneness, no matter what background we come from.

Why?

Man's mind is to build his own benefit first. But Jesus Christ shows us we should bear other's weak and places out neighbors for their good.

Gentile turn to the Lord is God gives Paul this mission, and it could be proved that written by the prophets.

We need endurance and encouragement to do like the model of Jesus Christ. Doing the same attitude of mind toward each other.

God has accepted me, even I am not good, so we should accept others.

Let us fill with encouragement, joy, and hope of God.

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做什麼事情，也不能不顧別人的感受，即使是按著真理，不求自己的喜悅是重要的中心思想，和別人一起來承擔，不能說因為我有平安。如果只求自己的喜悅，就是不以神為重心。落入自傲自大中，耶穌從來沒有為自己行一件神蹟。

在猶太人眼中，只有猶太人和外邦人。在神眼中，只有信主的和不信主的人。福音不是只為自己，而是為萬國萬民。不是只為自己得著平安喜樂，順利。落到自我為中心，竟是就是又回到以前的老我。

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How?

May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in Him.

Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves

 Romans 14:1-23

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 

There are some matters of conscience over which Christians disagree. It is not helpful to argue over 'doubtful points'. Those who are strong in the faith may feel free to do things that would give others a bad conscience. That is would give others a bad conscience. That is no reason to despise them. Neither side should pass judgment on the other. All of us, Pauls says, are answerable, not to one another, but to Christ. It is better to limit our own freedom than exercise it at a fellow Christin's expense.

Why?

God gives us freedom but it is not because this freedom we can do what I like or judge others, for we have not right to judge others, and our conscience is important to face anything. 

Every one of us has to face the judgment of the Lord, love others, and show our kindness is to show the love of the Lord. 

Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. This is the conscience in our hearts and leading by the Holy Spirit. 

Eating, dressing or some entertainment are not important to our life, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is our goal in life.

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1.彼此接納：潔淨與不潔淨的接納。現在的，聖經如果沒有明文教導的，或是在特定情境下的表示是次要，可以因環境不同，有所調整，與處境有關，與靈命無關。街上賣的都可以吃，只要神所賜的都是潔淨了。我們得蒙喜悅，是因為信，不在乎我們做什麼?我們是否以聖靈為我們的喜樂。為主：守，吃，為主：不吃，不守，或活或死都是為了主的緣故。因此任何人不可來批評對方。

2.彼此和睦：在教會中有不同看法的人。原則是不要叫人跌倒、憂愁。重要是否為主的緣故，吃喝的事不重要。吃了心裏平安就有福了，是否為主的緣故，聖靈知道，若不是，聖靈會責備我們。神不是因為我們做了什麼，蒙神悅納，也不是因為我們不做什麼，不蒙神悅納。我們活著是為了主！

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How?

Always pray and rejoice with our brothers, be humble, and love everyone around us. Let us have the image of Jesus Christ.

Love your neighbor as yourself

 Romans 13;1-14

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 

Because the authorities are given their power by God, for the public godd, Christians are required to 'submit' to them. Taxes are to be paid, and laws observed. The Christian has a duty to meet all 'Caesar's' lawful demands. But submitting does not mean that every command must be obeyed. There are times when these demands directly conflic with the commands of God. Then it is right to say 'No', and suffer the consequences.

No debt must be incurred, other than the permanent obligation to love - and not wrong - others. Paul is conscious of living in a time of crisis. 'Salvation is nearer' than when they first believed. So is call to live as God requires has a note of urgency abouth it.

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以信稱義之後的行為。

信仰與政權的關係：所有政權均出於神，無論是否好或是不好的政權。所有政權均要向神交帳。政權存在的目的是要行公義，叫行惡的害怕，保護受欺壓的人。如果不行公義的政府，或是奪取神榮耀，要人高舉他的，神必審判。基督徒要守法，順服政府，行為即繳稅。人與政府只有法律原則，這是薄弱的，基督徒要超越這個，而是順服基督以愛人來表現與神的關係。所有地上政權都是暫時的。因為順服神，所以順服政權，政權還是屬於黑暗的，我們還要預備白日的來到。行事超越法律的要求，行出愛。基督徒與政府的關係。目前我們屬於這個世代的政府，最終我們是屬於天國的國籍。我們不能停留在這裏，我們順服在神的權柄之下。

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Why?

Subject the governing authorities, for they are God established. If is no conflict with God's commands we should obey the law in the world.

Love your neighbor as yourself is the summary of the commands. 

The day is almost here, when we are getting older, we are more closer to the time of God's Day. Be aware to be a "man of light". Don't do anything in the darkness, the shameful things. But doing the right things.

How?

Be aware obey God's commands and love my neighbor as myself and doing with our conscious.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer

 Romans 12:1-21

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Out of sheer love, and at great cost, God has saved his people's lives. Ought they not to be offered back, so that God can transform and renew the,? This will mean a complete re-orientation, changing outlook and attitude as well as behavior.

The transformation begins as individuals take their place in the new 'family' of Christ. Our own stock must go down: our opinion of others, up. The gifts God gives are to be used for the good of the whole Christian community. Love is the hallmark. We are to serve God without flagging. Old attitudes must change - not only towards fellow Christians but towards the outside world. Instead of giving tit-for-tat when we are wronged, we treat the enemy as our best friend and leave God to do the judging.

Why?

God loves us so much, so we have to love others as we can. So be humble and kind to treat everyone. First, love our brothers and sisters for we are a body.

Transformed us by renewing of our mind, for everything is started from our heart.

Do not follow the custom or common treatment of this world but love others as we can, Bless those who persecute us. It is very difficult to love our enemy, but this is the lesson to us in our life.

Do our job according to our gifts from the Lord. If it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. It is our attitude toward life.

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信仰如何活出來？

因為萬有都是歸於神，所以我們當獻上自己身體為活祭：生命是神的，為主而活，讓主的心意在我身上。

聖潔：分別出來的。生命、權柄、一生屬於神，不再屬於世界，不屬於自己。

不要傚法這個世界，離開這個世界，這樣才能查覺神善良，存全的心，明白神的旨意前提是獻上自己，為主而活，不是辛苦反而是恩典！1)對神:要奉獻。

2)對自己:不要自高，要謙卑，依據信心看的合乎中道，我們常常依據能力、才華、經驗、恩賜才有信心。此信心是依靠神的信心。屬靈生命到那裏，信心就到那裏。

3)對肢體，憑信心程度，彼此服事。一般恩賜可以學來的，一些特殊性的恩賜不能學來的。照信心程度，照著順服神的心而講預言。專一：是指忠心。施捨應當誠實，是為了對方的需要，不是彰顯自己，不是為收買人心，治理人的要誠實就是如此，有權柄的，為我所服事的人，不是為自己。憐憫人要甘心：即幫助軟弱的人，有同理心。

4)對仇敵要有以善報惡。不要為自己伸冤，世界是以惡報惡，眾人以為美的事，要留心要謹慎去做，大家都在做的事，不一定對。以免我們跟隨了世界的潮流。聽憑主的怒。炭火堆在他頭上：反而讓他害怕，與我們作對，對他沒有好處。我們是以聖經為標準，不是以法律來定，因為法律是人定出來的。

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How?

Love is our core of Chrisitan, do our best to honor the name of the Lord. Be joyful in hope.

The depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

 Romans 11:11-36

Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry.

You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Has God rejected his people, then? No. Paul himself is a Jew, one of the few who are true to God, as in the days of the prophet Elijah. The nation's blindness is partial and temporary. It has given the Gentiles their opportunity. They owe the Jews a great debt and should never disparage them. In due course, their own faith will lead to a great turning to God among the Jews. God's way is beyond understanding, but his purpose is 'to show mercy to all mankind.'

Why?

Because of the transgression of Jews, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.  But God's mind is hope all mankind could be saved. 

Gentile is under the mercy, Jew is under the election, God's mind, and his way beyond our mind and way. So all of us should be humble and tremble. No one knows the mind of the Lord, No one can give to the Lord. To him be the glory forever.

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1.猶太人的信與不信，猶太人都會得恩典:   神的心意，要猶太人信耶穌後，傳給外邦人:後來猶太人不信，反而外邦人信主，因此激動猶太人發奮，後來也重新思想他們所拒絕的耶穌。

2.外邦人不要自傲。不要以為猶太人不信而認為高一等。猶太人本來是枝子因為不信被折下來。我們外邦人是野枝子，接在橄欖樹上，現在我們也得以聖潔。我們沒有比猶太人高明。猶太人更能夠接在本來的枝子上。我們我們會選擇，夠聰明，或是我很謙卑。若非神的憐憫，我們怎麼可能接在橄欖樹上

3.外邦人得救的人數滿了，以色列人也要得救:神使用猶太人的不信，讓外邦人得救。當外邦人得救了，猶太人還是要得救。神賜福給以色列人列主應許的緣故，仍然是蒙愛的，仍會得救。神可以因人的惡成就善，同樣也可以因為善成就另外一個善。

神的旨意必然成就，即使我們軟弱、背逆、環境不好，不能攔阻神的作為。

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How?

Honest give honor to the Lord and be humble in my daily life.

Did God reject his people? By no means!

 Romans 11:1-10

I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah. And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, It is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”

David says, May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”

Has God rejected his people, then" No. Paul himself is a Jew, one of the few who are true to God. as in the days of the prophet Elijah. The nation's blindness is partial and temporary. 

Why?

God does not reject his people Israel. But for their heard are hardened, so they sought so earnestly they did not obtain, it is meaningless to their life. But God's grace still on them for the Lord elects some of them, but the others were hardened. Their eyes are darkened, so they cannot see, their backs be bent forever. back be bent forever: always shaking and fear.

Our eyes see part of the truth, but the Lord has done much more than we thought and we know. God's grace is poured on those who be chosen by God. Only the elected are a little, much more are rejected.

God's grace is worldwide, there is a remnant chosen by grace. So great that we could be chosen to be Christians.

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猶太人不信不是沒有人傳，是他們不信。但是神沒有放棄他們，仍然會存留一部份人，他們仍然出於神的揀選，他們相信神。以利亞的事為例。

我們要小心，特別我們引以為傲，最在行的，有可能成為我們的網羅。神的目的不是擊潰我們而在重新建造我們。如果我們以為可以靠自己的才幹、知識、能力、恩賜做什麼事，必會犯錯。以色列人就是自傲、自高、自大，以為認識神的旨意，最後走錯。我們必須在神面前謙卑。

神在任何地方都會留下一批人，承接神的使命。願我們就是那批人。不用在乎我們好不好，因為神已經揀選我們。

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How?

God gives us the chance to select our way, may my life could be a light to all people around me, and let them know that God is good.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

 Romans 10:14-21

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course, they did. And Isaiah boldly says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”

And Isaiah boldly says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”

But concerning Israel, he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

The messenger's task is to make sure that everyone hears the good news. And Israel has heard and understood - yet still refused to believe.

Why?

To those who did not hear the Good News, we have to send messengers to tell them the Jesus Christ is their saver. 

But Israelites did not accept the good news so God will make them envious by those who are not a nation, and make them angry by a nation that has no understanding. God let people like to shame Israelites.

The Lord sent many servants to deliver this good news but there are many who did not accept this good news. So they have to bear their own responsibility and face the consequences.

All-day long God has held his hands to his people Israelites, God loves them, but many of them did not care about it.

How?

Let me be a messager to deliver the Good News to those who haven't heard, let more people turn to the Lord, and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord.

Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes

 Romans 10:1-13

Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Paul himself once shared this misplaced zeal. Now he longs for the Jews to believe as he does that 'Christ is the end of the law'.

Why?

The righteousness that is by the law: The man who does these things will live by them. But the righteousness that is by faith. This is the point between Jews and Paul.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, it is an easy way but it is very hard to many people. Most people believe they have to do something to gain the benefits.

Trust and with the faith to live out the image of Jesus Christ is a long way to go.

How?

Through the help of the Holy Spirit, we can make it to honor the name of the Lord

Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.

 Romans 9:25-33

I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people, and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,

 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written: See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

People of other nations, knowing their failure, welcomed God's gift and achieved 'righteousness based on faith'. The Jews, pursuing righteousness on the basis of deeds, refused God's better way.

Why?

My people are the people of Isreal, who are God's chosen ones, but they did not receive Jesus Christ so they are not God's people. Others, not Jews become the sons of God for their belive.

Jews pursued the righteous deeds but they stumbled for they stumble on the rock, Jesus Christ. All of these are written in the Bible.

God is fair and full of love, the problem is people's pride and their narrow mind and sinner mind.

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人喜歡和神爭公平的問題。

人其實不配得到神的恩典。那裏還有立場說公平。

用何西阿書描述神的愛，何西阿無須照顧非他所的孩子，但是他還是照顧他們。

人的罪孽深重像是所多碼俄摩拉一樣早被滅絕。但是神施慈愛存留餘種，使猶太人得以得救。如果神是公平，我們早已被滅絕，不配得救。

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How?

Turn to the Lord and give thanks to God, for Jesus has raised up from the dead, so everyone follows and trusts in Jesus will be saved from the dead. 

It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy

 Romans 9:14-24

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!  

It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

And we can hardly call him to task for it. The Maker has an indisputable right to do as he pleases with what he makes.

Why?

God has mercy and the right to choose who will be. So our human being has no right to argue with the Lord, for God is the creator, God is the Lord. All of us are nothing if God's wrath comes upon us, but even so, God has patient to those who will be the objects of his wrath? the one he called, God prepared in advance for glory. 

Our faith is come from the Lord and for the hope in us so we can face the trouble and many difficulties. God is helping us. We have the sonship with the Lord.

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神有百分之百的權柄，不用在乎任何人。我們也不能判斷神是否公平?只有神判斷人對不對。

神有絕對的主權，保羅以法老為例，存留法老的生命是要他傳揚神的名，神的大能顯現。神也容許法老抗拒祂，法老以為可以抗拒神，愈可以從法老身上看到神的大能。神的名絲毫不受影響。損人不利己，為什麼要做?我們與神拔河，愈是更顯出神的權能，傳揚神的名。

如窯匠，泥土沒有資格問，但是神允許人來問?這問有兩種，一個是相信的問，一個是不相信的問。抗拒神的，神還是寬容、忍耐，給人機會悔改，若不悔改，必遭審判。神都給人機會。人實在沒有資格再問神是否公平。

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How?

God is the creator, God has the best plan for all of us, no matter what I have done, and who I am.

It is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring

 Romans 9:1-13

I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

Not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

As Paul dwells on God's glorious provision for all who are 'in Christ', he is filled with distress for Israel, God's own specially chosen and privileged people. How could they refuse to believe in their own, promised Messiah? The Gentiles responded eagerly to the gospel - but not the Jews. And Paul would have sold his own soul to have had it otherwise.

How can he account for this strange anomaly? God has not broken his word. All along he exercised his sovereign right of choice.

Why?

Paul felt anguish in his heart for Israel did not know the true Messiah, even God has chosen them to be his inheritance. 

To be the children of God is not by physical descent, but it is the children of the promise.

Be to a son of God, it is not by works but by him who calls. It is not because of who I am or what I have done, but because of God's chosen and his grace.

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羅馬書到第八章指出福音是給猶太人，也給外邦人。當時猶太人多未得救，是否神的應許落空呢?

聖靈可以證明他對於猶太人沒有信耶穌，心中哀痛。保羅願意猶太人得救，寧可他自己沒有得救。保羅愛到猶太人一個地步比自己更重要，如果神愛我們甚至於捨命。

神的應許沒有落空，神的應許不是因為血統，而是從應許而生的。不是亞伯拉罕的後裔都是神的後裔。第二是因為神的揀選。不是玩的根據人的功勞、長相，人尚未出生，神就是揀選雅各，人沒有任何功勞。神的主權和恩典。猶太人不會自動得救要經過信。第二代基督徒，上帝只有兒子，沒有孫子。即使生在基督教家庭，不會自動變成基督徒。猶太人有特殊身份是神的揀選。藉著信人門，也因為信繼續蒙恩。信靠、放手、交託、依靠生命才會成長，才會蒙福，得更豐盛的生命。

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How?

Be humble and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit, working with the Lord is the best life forever.

In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose

 Romans 8:18-39

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope for the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

He is our foretaste of the glory to come - a living spring of hope within us. And he turns our inarticulate longings into prayer. It is God's intention that every one of us should be like Christ. Like him in character now; like him in glory eventually. God is recreating us 'in his own image'. And every little circumstance of life is worked into this great overall purpose. Nothing can shake it. No one can ever make God write us off - we have Christ in heaven to plead our cause. And no power in heaven or earth can cut us off from his love. So whatever life may bring, we can win through.

Why?

Frustration: empty, null

We can pray through the Spirit who is living in our hearts.

Who can against us? What can separate us from the love of Christ? No one, Nothing. For God has sacrificed his own son for us, God's love is beyond anything. We are under the protection of God's love and we are hoping in accordance with the will of God.

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我們在受洗、得救後，聖靈的工作在第八章說明清楚。賜給人力量可以勝過軟弱，最終得著榮耀！

4.得盼望，勝過今日的苦難 5.得禱告的力量

如何賜給人力量，勝過今日的苦難?在於盼望！聖靈讓我們知道將來有盼望，得榮耀。

人還是有軟弱的，在忍耐的過程中，聖靈會賜力量。聖靈如何幫助我們，聖靈會為我們禱告。用說不出來的嘆息（無法表達的呻吟，聖靈在乎我的感受）。第二個方法，依照神的旨意為聖徒祈求，百分之百會成就。客觀的環境依然為人的益處所預備的。

四個誰能?抵擋、控告、定罪、隔絕我們呢?靠著主我們能夠得勝有餘。我們喜歡聖靈的工作，豈只是那些一般教會追求的膚淺表徵嗎？

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How?

Be strong, don't fear for God has given us the promise, and his grace has come upon us. We have the faith to face every day.

Life through the Spirit

 Romans 8:1-17

1)Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

2)Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

3)For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 

God has done what the law could not do. We are no longer controlled by or human nature: we can live according to the Spirit. The Spirit of God is alive and actively at work in everyone who belongs to Christ. Even out bodies, which still die, will be raised to life by God's Spirit. It is his presence hat convinces us we really are God's children.

Why?

It is the Spirit of God who lives in us, so our mortal bodies could live for Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Christ gives us life and live in us, so we do not fear, we received God's adoption to sonship.

The Spirit of God set us free from the law of sin and death. 

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chap 7:良善與惡的力在掙扎！我想要... 靠著耶穌脫離

chap 8: 不是我能……聖靈的工作讓我們勝過。聖靈的五個工作，1)得釋放，2)得生命、3)得兒子名份，4)得著盼望5)得禱告的力量

得釋放:聖靈的律使我們得釋放。勝過罪和死亡的律。

體貼：為祂著想。討主的喜歡。隨從：現在可以隨從聖靈。

得生命v9-11:身體都會死，心靈都會活著，有永遠的生命。勝過死亡的年，神的靈住在我們裏面

得著兒子的名分v14： 不是因為懼怕而行善，而是聖靈與我們的靈同證我們是神的兒女。因為與神之間的愛而行，不是奴僕的身份。將來我們要成為後嗣。當然我們要警醒，不用懼怕，不用因為做好才有愛。奴僕要看成果，兒子不用看業績。

因此我們可以不再受罪的轄制。有力量勝過罪惡和死亡的律！

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How?

When the Spirit of God lives in me I do not fear and I am son of God, I may call Him Abba, Father, this is a new relationship with the Lord. How precious this relationship!

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

 Romans 7:14-25

We know that the law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Paul takes a personal example. He describes his own situation as a Jew, knowing the law and finding himself condemned by it, to the point of despair. This is how it was before he gound deliverance from the grip of sin. He knew what was good and right, yet he found himself unable to dot it. Sin held him prisoner. Who could effect his escape? 'Who but God"... through Jesus Christ our Lord'

Why?

Sinful nature in me, what a wretched man I am: For the weak of our body, we can't do what I want to good, but there is inner law urge me to do the evil.

Even we know the law is good, told me what should I do, but we can't do the right and do evil. Only through Jesus Chris our Lord, we can escape this bondage.

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兩個知道：

V14我們原曉得律法是屬乎靈的，但我是屬乎肉體的，是已經賣給罪了。

V18我也知道在我裡頭，就是我肉體之中，沒有良善

我們知道不對的一直在做，人性是善還是惡。保羅指出了人知道卻行不出來。有惻隱之心卻沒有用，是否能夠行出來是問題。

通常都是惡贏了，愈想靠自己，靠自己，肉體的力量愈強大，把我們擄去。如立志要好好讀經，好好愛人，好好……。離了主我們沒有能力做……，似乎的是傳福音，其實是指生命成長的果子。靠主耶穌才能勝過，脫離罪的捆綁。

靠我們自己的力量遵行神的經濟犯話語是不能的。讓我們不斷學習枝子連在葡萄樹上才能結果子。

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How?

Keep following the word of the Lord and keep God's word in my mind. Pray to the Lord gives me a clean heart and righteous spirit.

Through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful

 Romans 7:7-13

Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. 

Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 

For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

Not that there is anything wrong with God's law in itself. It is wholly good. But by its very existence, it creates an awareness of sin.

Why?

Sin seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment deceived me, this opportunity trigger from sin. For all of us have sinned. Such as covet.

Law is not sinful, the Law let us know what is evil.

We need to fight is the sins, not the law, but for through the commandant, sin might catch me, so we need Jesus Christ away from the sins.

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因律法而生的惡慾，使我們犯罪。律法有說的我做，沒有說的我不做，這還是陷人律法，容易失敗。律法說不要貪心，反而貪心的想法發動。因此想要按著規定來做，卻往往提醒人內心的惡慾，使人犯罪。罪藉著規定、律法，引發人的惡慾。愈是規定的事，我們愈不想遵守。想要反抗神的傾向。新約沒有寫十一奉獻，所以我們可以不行十一奉獻，就是犯了守儀文的樣式。

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How?

For weak of our flesh, pray to the Lord, and may the Holy Spirit remind me, giving me the strength to against sins.

We serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code

 Romans 7:1-6

For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. 

So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Paul has already made it plain that the law cannot save: we cannot work our passage to heaven by keeping rules. The law is also limited to a person's lifetime. The new life God gives releases us from the law.

Why?

If we died to the law seem we died to the world, actually, all of the men are limited in the law, when we died to the law, we are not limited by the law. One day all men will end his life in this world, there is no way to heaven for their sins. 

Jesus Chris free us from the law through faith so we are free from the law. free from evil. But be a servant of Jesus, we belong to another country in heaven.

The new way of the Spirit: the new way guided by the Holy Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.  Written code is a ceremony,  many people are bind in this code, it is meaningless to those who die in the law.

How?

We are free from the Law, but be careful do not to fall into the trick of the law for our weak flesh.