November 28. Weeks 46 and 47. Nuggets from Paul.

Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians.

Wow, we are really moving along fast now.  Sometimes reading an entire book in one sitting. 

For the remainder of the New Testament, I have switched to the “Message” version to listen on my phone.  It has really helped me hear what Paul is saying in a fresh, contemporary way.  I have always found Paul hard to read because he is so long-winded and honestly, he sometimes rubs me the wrong way.  So I have been looking for nuggets of truth in what he is saying instead of getting hung up on cultural practices and little details.  And what I have discovered lately is that I am paying attention to how the basic doctrines of Christianity were being formed in those early days. 

I have observed that women were included in the new Way.  I had heard that before, but this time, since I am reading big chunks of scripture at a time, I am seeing it for myself.  And I am seeing that the original Christians could not help but talk about it because they had actually seen Jesus for themselves after he was resurrected.  Nobody could take that away from them.  They absolutely knew it was true.  (read I Corinthians 15, verse 6)

Also, I think it is fascinating to think about how the doors to the Kingdom were suddenly open to everyone, not just the Jewish people.  That must have been so exciting for non-Jewish people, but it also must have been really hard for the Jewish people to accept it, after all those generations of being exclusive. 

A few favorite nuggets from Romans:

Chapter 6, verse 17….”You have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.”  Wow, isn’t that a cool verse!   

Chapter 7, verse 6…”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.”  (How freeing!)

Chapter 8, verse 9…”You are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit.”

Verse 17 …”We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”…That one blows me away if I REALLY stop to think about it.   

 Did you see the mystery hidden in Chapter 11: verse 25 – 26?

Chapter 11, verse 33-36 is a beautiful poem or song:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

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

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So, we will keep reading with imagination and watch for new nuggets, mysteries, and insights!