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when
I read scripture, especially romans, I read a lot concerning the jews
and how they need to act - does that apply to me today?
a
rewriting of romans?
well
james, i
was reading romans a few months ago and felt God speak
to me in a new way – a different way, but not a
strange way. all
i kept getting was, “change a few words and you will
see.” my first
thought, besides me being crazy, was to give it a
shot. thought the rewriting the reading
would have a whole new meaning if I simply changed a
word – check out this short clip from romans 2:17-29.
“If
you're brought up Christian, don't assume that you can
lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy,
feeling smug because you're an insider to God's
revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God,
informed on the latest doctrines!
I have a special word of caution for you who are
sure that you have it all together yourselves and,
because you know God's revealed Word inside and out,
feel qualified to guide others through their blind
alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God.
While you are guiding others, who is going to
guide you? I'm
quite serious. While
preaching, "Don't steal!" are you going to rob
people blind? Who
would suspect you?
The same with adultery.
The same with idolatry.
You can get by with almost anything if you front
it with eloquent talk about God and his grace. The line from Scripture, "It's because of you Christians
that the outsiders are down on God," shows it's an
old problem that isn't going to go away.
Baptism,
the water ritual that marks you as a Christian, is great
if you live in accord with God's grace.
But if you don't, it's worse than not being
baptized. The
reverse is also true:
The un-baptized who keep God's ways are as good
as the baptized - in fact, better.
Better to be in God's grace un-baptized than
leave it baptized. Don't you see: It's not the
temperature of the water that makes a Christian.
You become a Christian by who you are.
It's the mark of God on your heart, not the water
on your head that makes you a Christian. And recognition
comes from God, not legalistic critics.”
as
you can tell, when we look at this set of scriptures
with the changes we get a whole new look at what paul is
saying. while i am certain some will see this as
"sacrilegious" i see it as an exercise in
knowing where we stand in our faith.
as
you can tell, when we change the wording we have a
meaning that is a little more direct - a little more
powerful. over the next few months i will be
working on the entire book of romans to give it the same
relevant bit.
the
message; romans, page 310, copyright, (c) 1993
eugene h. peterson. all rights reserved. originally
published in the u.s.a. by navpress, p.o. box 35001,
colorado springs, co 80935, and in association with the
literary agency of alive communications, 1465 kelly
johnson blvd. #321, colorado springs, co 80920.
blessings,
john
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