Contemplative Bible Reading

Romans 1:32 (New Living Translation)

32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

There is a system of justice from God. Certain acts require the punishment of death. Some are listed prior to the above verse and include: wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, gossip, backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. We still use some of this justice system today (murder merits capital punishment). Some of the justice system we have abandoned (capital punishment for gossiping?).

Paul writes to the Christians in Rome that breaking this system is bad. Worse yet is encouraging others to break the system as well. That was happening. It wasn’t enough to be lawless, the law breakers wanted others to join them.

They do we do these things? We do we invite others to mess up with us? Surely we would know better. How does God tolerate us. Thank you God for your grace. Help me in my unbelief.