Tag: Romans

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Reconciliation and the Holidays — Readers’ Choice


Readers’ Choice is here: Over two-thirds of our devotionals get emailed responses from readers like you. Hearing that what we have written is meaningful to you is meaningful to us. That’s why we love sharing some of your comments and messages. Thank you, readers. We do what we do to serve you. There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or by filling out the linked form.

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 28  Read: 2 Kings 9 Listen: (6:32) Read: Psalms 56-57 Listen: (3:11)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Barbara, TN — Yes! We pray that prayer at the end and praise him for calling us! Thank you.

Peter — I’m grateful for this reminder of how much we need God to miraculously intervene in our lives to accomplish what he calls us to…I need to remember that it takes a miracle for any one of us to do what He has called us to do. I’d been meditating on 2 Peter 1:3-11 and the phrase “so that through them [the precious and very great promises of God] you may become partakers of the divine nature”.  Praise God for allowing us to partake in himself!

Like last year, we will repost all Christmas-themed Readers’ Choice posts together in one week. We pray our hearts are prepared to make room for Christ this coming Advent season. This post was originally published on December 13, 2024, based on readings from Ephesians 2:17 and Romans 5.1.

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 2:17

17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Romans 5.1

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Reflection: Reconciliation and the Holidays — Readers’ Choice

By Erin Newton

This week, we have looked at peace within ourselves and among those around us. Divine peace enables a full sense of our identity and the ability to resolve or avoid conflict, to restore and uphold justice, and to calmly rest in his providence. The greatest peace bestowed upon us is God’s goodwill toward man. The peace of Advent is our reconciliation to him.

Peace between God and humanity is perhaps where we should have started. But in our busy and stressful lives, we want to see peace first in our anxious minds or among our tiresome friends and family. We’re tempted to think that if peace can just be established out there, we’d find some peace in here.

Have you ever heard of the vertical and horizontal relationship axes? The horizontal axis is our relationships with those around us. The vertical axis is our personal, solitary relationship with God. They work in tandem at times; our lives with friends and families overflow from our personal relationship with God. And our relationship with God tends to always be in tune with how things are going with those around us.

The peace of Advent covers both axes. We’ve explored the ways divine peace helps us where we are. But even if all outer peace is shattered, we always have peace with God.

Advent points to the intermediary we always needed. Christ is God-made-flesh and God-among-us. The Prince of Peace is not just a bow breaker or sword smelter—he is a bridge builder between Creator and creature.

Meditation on the peace of Advent should lead us to moments of rejoicing in our reconciliation, knowing it is as firm and true and evergreen as He has promised. Sinners in the hands of an angry God? Not anymore.

Advent is the start of the church’s liturgical year and, oddly, the end of our calendric year. I find this rather helpful as we sit in the season of Advent-waiting. In the moments we are afforded to think about hope, peace, joy, and love, we reminisce on how God has worked and expectantly wait on the further revelation in the year to come.

Stay with me in this peaceful moment and meditate on (1) your soul made whole, (2) the resolution of particular conflicts, (3) accountability upheld, (4) relief from a busy mind, and (5) the reality that He calls you “friend.” That is peace.

The Lord’s Prayer:

We will take a break from The Divine Hours prayers for the month of October and instead pray Dallas Willard’s paraphrase of The Lord’s Prayer:

Dear Father, always near us, may your name be treasured and loved, may your rule be completed in us—may your will be done here on earth in just the way it is done in heaven.

Give us today the things we need today, and forgive us our sins and impositions on you as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.

Please don’t put us through trials, but deliver us from everything bad. Because you are the one in charge, and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours-forever-which is just the way we want it!

Read more about Peace from Strife — Peace of Advent

When you are constantly on edge from conflict, it is easy to expect the answer to your crisis will come in the form of a fight.

Peace from Strife — Peace of Advent
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Grafting in the Gibeonites

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Joshua 9 Listen: (3:46) Read: Ephesians 1 Listen: (3:10)

Scripture Focus: Joshua 9.24-27

24 They answered Joshua, “Your servants were clearly told how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. 25 We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.” 26 So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. 27 That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose. And that is what they are to this day.

Romans 11.17-22

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

Reflection: Grafting in the Gibeonites

By John Tillman

The Gibeonites didn’t originate the phrase “If you can’t beat them, join them,” but they lived it.

I was first introduced to this aphorism when Yosemite Sam, representing the British army, could not defeat Bugs Bunny, representing the American revolutionaries, and determined to join the revolution instead.

The NIV says the Gibeonites “resorted to a ruse.” The NASB says, “acted craftily” and the NLT, “resorted to deception.” (Joshua 9.4) The translated phrase has negative aspects of cunning and deception, however, it can also mean prudence, discretion, or even wisdom.

Gibeon is the third of three stories of deception or betrayal in the early chapters of Joshua. Rahab betrays Jericho, Achan betrays Israel, and the Gibeonites betray Canaan’s other kings. These stories illustrate what Paul would later write about the “tree” of Israel—unfaithful branches will be broken off and “wild” branches grafted in. (Romans 11.17-24) Achan is broken off while Rahab and Gibeon are grafted in. As Peter would learn, God accepts from any nation ones who fear him and do what is right. (Acts 10.35)

People sometimes think that the “Old Testament God” and “New Testament Jesus” are two different beings. One is murderous. The other is merciful. One is violent. The other is virtuous. Let not faulty human logic separate Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They are one. These stories show that they are. The hard-hearted face justice. The repentant find mercy. The proud perish. The humble escape.

The Gibeonites had the right idea, even if they did it in a wrong way. God accepted them, even though they didn’t deserve it, just like Jesus accepts us. Israel had the right idea to accept them, even if they did it for wrong reasons and never fully included them.

There’s probably someone in your life who thinks, like the Gibeonites, they’ll never be accepted by God as their true selves. They don’t know God but they see what is said about him and what is said about them. Perhaps they will just harden their hearts against God, like the other Canaanites hardened their defenses. But perhaps they will come to you, maybe with the wrong reasons, maybe in the wrong way.

If they do, find in your heart the same grace for them that God showed the Gibeonites. Those who come to Jesus in repentance won’t be second-class community members. They will be fully accepted family members.

Remember, you don’t deserve to be grafted in either.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Happy are they who fear the Lord, and who follow in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of your labor; happiness and prosperity shall be yours. — Psalm 128.1-2

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: Ask and Keep Asking

By God’s sovereignty, not only the Ephesians but we are included in Christ by hearing and believing the gospel of salvation.

Ask and Keep Asking
Read more: Becoming Part of the Promise

Rahab the Canaanite prostitute becomes a part of the Abrahamic promise…No situation is hopeless and no person is doomed to destruction who turns to God.

Becoming Part of the Promise

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Reconciliation and the Holidays — Peace of Advent

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezra 5 Listen: (3:02)
Read: Revelation 4 Listen: (2:09)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Read: Ezra 6 Listen: (4:24), Read: Revelation 5 Listen: (2:39)
Read: Ezra 7 Listen: (4:39), Read: Revelation 6 Listen: (3:12)

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 2:17

17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Romans 5.1

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Reflection: Reconciliation and the Holidays — Peace of Advent

By Erin Newton

This week, we have looked at peace within ourselves and among those around us. Divine peace enables a full sense of our identity and the ability to resolve or avoid conflict, to restore and uphold justice, and to calmly rest in his providence. The greatest peace bestowed upon us is God’s goodwill toward man. The peace of Advent is our reconciliation to him.

Peace between God and humanity is perhaps where we should have started. But in our busy and stressful lives, we want to see peace first in our anxious minds or among our tiresome friends and family. We’re tempted to think that if peace can just be established out there, we’d find some peace in here.

Have you ever heard of the vertical and horizontal relationship axes? The horizontal axis is our relationships with those around us. The vertical axis is our personal, solitary relationship with God. They work in tandem at times; our lives with friends and families overflow from our personal relationship with God. And our relationship with God tends to always be in tune with how things are going with those around us.

The peace of Advent covers both axes. We’ve explored the ways divine peace helps us where we are. But even if all outer peace is shattered, we always have peace with God.

Advent points to the intermediary we always needed. Christ is God-made-flesh and God-among-us. The Prince of Peace is not just a bow breaker or sword smelter—he is a bridge builder between Creator and creature.

Meditation on the peace of Advent should lead us to moments of rejoicing in our reconciliation, knowing it is as firm and true and evergreen as He has promised. Sinners in the hands of an angry God? Not anymore.

Advent is the start of the church’s liturgical year and, oddly, the end of our calendric year. I find this rather helpful as we sit in the season of Advent-waiting. In the moments we are afforded to think about hope, peace, joy, and love, we reminisce on how God has worked and expectantly wait on the further revelation in the year to come.

Stay with me in this peaceful moment and meditate on (1) your soul made whole, (2) the resolution of particular conflicts, (3) accountability upheld, (4) relief from a busy mind, and (5) the reality that He calls you “friend.” That is peace.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me, O God of Israel. — Psalm 69.7

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more about Peace from Strife — Peace of Advent

When you are constantly on edge from conflict, it is easy to expect the answer to your crisis will come in the form of a fight.

Peace from Strife — Peace of Advent

Read more about Supporting Our Work

Help promote biblical literacy, rhythms of discipleship, and gospel-centered, Spirit-guided action in our readers’ lives. Please consider becoming a donor.

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Disputes Matter

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 11 Listen: (3:53)
Read: Romans 14 Listen: (3:28)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 12 Listen: (4:26), Read: Romans 15 Listen: (4:32)
Read: Ezekiel 13 Listen: (4:14), Read: Romans 16 Listen: (3:30)

Scripture Focus: Romans 14.13-21

13 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. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

Reflection: Disputes Matter

By John Tillman

Things outside the core teachings of Christianity are sometimes called “secondary issues” or “disputable matters.” Paul says disputable matters shouldn’t cause disputes. And yet…we have many disputes in the modern church.

Public disputes about secondary issues affect Christians and non-Christians. Unbelievers tell me, “If God is real and the Bible is true, why doesn’t everyone agree?” Christians face a similar frustration. “The Bible is clear! Why don’t all believers agree?” This frustration can cause doubt or deconstruction of faith.

The Bible is clear on many things but not everything. Paul knew this. Paul’s former colleagues, the Pharisees read the same Torah as the Sadducees, yet disagreed on important matters. One major example is that the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection. Pharisees did. Paul used this to his advantage when defending himself before the combined council. He got the Pharisees on his side by declaring his belief in the resurrection of the dead! (Acts 23.6-9)

Christianity falls apart without belief in the resurrection. It’s a core truth. But is it a problem that we disagree on secondary things?

First, universal agreement is an unrealistic expectation and a false assumption we don’t apply to other fields of study. There is broad agreement about the central tenets of complex topics, but views diverge at the fringes. In physics, mathematics, and literature, there are unproven theories, debates over the meaning of data, and varied interpretations. That doesn’t make these topics worthless or their settled conclusions false. It makes them interesting and demonstrates their commitment to seeking truth.

We don’t need universal agreement to be united under Christ’s authority. We don’t need to disrupt fellowship unless we disagree about core truths. However, don’t use this freedom to sin or encourage sin. (Galatians 5.13) Paul doesn’t encourage the Romans to become wishy-washy, doubtful, or cave to culture, but to lean into scripture and fellowship.

Embrace curiosity and pursue deeper understanding. Take the scripture seriously and hold to it tightly. By engaging the scripture in a community, make up your mind and live out your convictions but don’t use them to judge or attack other believers. Paul tells us not to judge others or tempt them to act against their convictions.

Don’t let variances of interpretation in secondary matters tempt you to throw out scripture or Christian siblings. Bear with one another. Allow others the same freedom in Christ you enjoy.


From John: Some might ask, “Where do we draw the line between core teachings and secondary issues?” It’s a good question. But there’s no room in a 400-word devotional to answer it. The shortest answer I can give is, that if it is not mentioned in the Nicene Creed, the Lausanne Covenant, or Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis, there is a strong chance it is a secondary issue. A humorous answer is that where to draw this line is also a secondary issue.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

God is a righteous judge; God sits in judgment every day. — Psalm 7.12

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more about More Important Matters
Jesus identifies the most important matters of the law as “justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” We can’t ignore them, hyperfixating on rule-following.

More Important Matters

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The Debt We Owe

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Ezekiel 10 Listen: (3:16)
Read: Romans 13 Listen: (2:35)

Scripture Focus: Romans 13.7-10

7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”  and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law

Reflection: The Debt We Owe

By John Tillman

What debt do we owe? Why do we owe it? Who do we owe it to?

Paul lays out civil obligations to submit to authority, have respect for law and order, and pay taxes to support those serving in government. These are intertwined with Paul’s concern for our moral obligations. Paul sums up what we owe in one word: Love.

In seminary, I performed with a creative arts team that traveled to churches, conventions, and camps performing and sharing the gospel through drama and dance. On a few occasions, we were given a “per diem” for expenses instead of a credit card. As the director, I received a large amount of cash and was charged to give each team member a specific amount of money for each day’s meals. As soon as I received that money, I owed a debt to each team member. It was not my money. It was theirs. I owed it to them.

I could have kept the money. I could have given smaller amounts than instructed, then bought myself extravagant meals with the extra. I could have paid part of my college loans or my tuition with it. Doing any of those things would have defaulted on the debt. I would have stolen from them as surely as if I took money from their pockets. I would also have stolen from the one who gave me the money in the first place.

This is the situation we are in with the love of God. He freely gives to us and commands us to freely give to others. (Matthew 10.8) God’s love is for us, too. Just as the per diem cash was intended to feed me too. But if we lavishly enjoy and indulge in God’s love for us and never give freely of that love to others, we are defaulting on our debt. We rob God and harm our neighbor.

Some want to qualify or minimize our debt of love. For example asking, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10.29) Kinists and racists justify themselves by saying “your neighbor” is only Christians or only your race. These false teachers counsel us to eat more than our share of the per diem. Jesus disagrees. (Matthew 25.45)

What debt do we owe? Love. Why do we owe it? Jesus. Who do we owe it to? Everyone.

Don’t default on our debt of love.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me, O God of Israel. — Psalm 69.7

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

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It is rare that a person will admit, even to themselves, that they act out of racism directly. Racism always wears a mask.

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Read more about Friendly Neighborhood Christians
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