The news is out and excitement is building. After a 17 year hiatus (34 if you go all the way back to the “original” and not the remake), the Muppets are returning to Primetime. But if you’re expecting the family-friendly variety show of the Muppet Show and its revival Muppets Tonight, you will be disappointed. The new show boasts that it is “a contemporary documentary-style show which explores the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships”. Gone are the back-stage antics, happy-go-lucky jokes and fun of the former hit. In its place are broken relationships, inter-species dating issues, and psychologically dysfunctional animals. Remakes of beloved TV shows and movies are a tenuous affair. Nonetheless, producers and directors continue to attempt them and like all things in life, some are successful and some are not. As for this production, I’m not sure it will fly, but it’s an airplane.
The Book of Romans is the most lengthy and eloquent of Paul’s writings. It not only contains some personal notes to those he knows in Rome, it covers some of the greatest theological and doctrinal arguments in all of Scripture: salvation, justification, sanctification and righteousness to name a few. Reading Romans can be a daunting task for some. Lawrence Richards suggests “One should read Romans thoughtfully, guided by an outline with a reading and study guide”. In our “quick-fix” and “instant breakfast” culture this is reason enough for many to jump over the book and move on to Paul’s shorter letters. If you are inclined to do this, you are depriving yourself of some of Scripture’s greatest gems (Rom. 1:16-17, 20; 4:22-25; 5:1-2, 6-11; 6:8-11; 8:1, 28-38; 11: 22, 33-36; 12:1-2, 14-21; 16:25).
The following was a “fun” attempt to “remake” Romans which I wrote several years ago. I must qualify this by saying that I did not intend to replace the divinely inspired writings of Paul. And I do not endorse contemporary versions of God’s Word which have “dummied-down” Scripture in order to make it “more fun” to read. God gave us a mind to use and if we are truly meditating on His word as we are admonished to do, we are “chewing” on it so that while we ingest its meaning we are growing as it nourishes our spirit (Jos. 1:8; Ps. 119:15, 27, 48, 78, 148; 143:5). This poetic version is meant to present a concise collection of some of the great themes in Romans. And for that reason I thought I’d depart from the usual format of Ready for the Road Ahead and share it with you.
The Book of Romans
Hello to my friends who are living in Rome (Romans 1:7),
I decided to write since I don’t have a phone.
I’d like to come see you and share in some fun (Romans 1: 13-15),
But my work with the Gospel isn’t quite done.
I must tell you plainly, so plainly you’ll see,
The Gospel is precious, quite precious to me.
I’m not ashamed to proclaim it; to issue its call (Romans 1:16),
Its power is timeless and given to all.
The Gospel was spoken by prophets of old,
But now through God’s Son its message is told (Romans 1: 2-4).
By faith we receive it, by faith we must live it,
And if we have no faith, then we can’t perceive it (Romans 1:17).
But those who have chosen to not live this way,
Will stand in God’s judgment on one final day.
God’s given them chances to trust in His name,
So if they reject it, they must take the blame (Romans 1:18-32).
He showed them His glory in all that He made,
The sunrise, the mountains, the oceans with waves,
The seasons and stars, the clouds in the sky,
But men chose to ignore Him and followed a lie (Romans 1:25).
So God made a promise to one faithful man,
Not Horton or Marvin, just old Abraham.
He made Abe a promise, a promise He made,
And God has been faithful, and faithful He’s stayed (Romans 4:3, 9, 13, 16).
From Abraham grew a family of God;
A nation of people which He alone called.
God then picked this nation to represent Him,
But even these people stumbled in sin (Romans 3:2).
To Israel He gave His most holy Law,
And oh how I wish they had learned from it all.
The rest of the nations could see Him revealed,
In all that surrounds them; both forest and field (Romans 2:19-20).
But not one was faithful; all of them strayed (Romans3:9-12, 23).
Each owed a debt that had to be paid.
And we are no different; we’re all in His debt,
But never lose hope, no don’t give up yet!
Because God made a promise to one faithful man (Romans 9:25),
Not Horton or Marvin, just old Abraham.
He made Abe a promise, a promise He made,
And God has been faithful and faithful He’s stayed.
Through Israel God brought His plan for salvation (Romans 5:19).
Through Adam came sin; through Christ restoration.
And when we believe God as Abraham did,
We’re rescued, redeemed and freed from our sin.
Although we will struggle with the ways of our flesh (Romans 7:14-25).
And the Law will convince us that we deserve death (Romans 5:20);
Our faith helps us stand upon holy ground,
So should we go on sinning that grace may abound (Romans 6:1-2)?
NO WAY! My dear Romans, don’t take that advice,
Turn from it, flee from it; don’t even think twice.
Offer your life as a spiritual gift,
Holy, devoted and not set adrift (Romans 12:1-2).
For God made a promise to one faithful man (Romans 9:25),
Not Horton or Marvin, just old Abraham.
He made Abe a promise, a promise He made,
And God has been faithful and faithful He’s stayed.
So God is now working through His body the Church.
But what about Israel, are they left in the lurch (Romans 9-11)?
Yes, what shall we say then of Israel’ plight?
Has God sent them packing? Are they gone from His sight (Romans11:1)?
Oh no, not by far, though they’ve missed their great call,
They zealously follow the words of His Law (Romans 10:1-3).
And yet they have missed what those words were to teach,
So God must correct them and to them I must preach.
If it was my choice, why I’d take their place (Romans 9:1-4);
I wish none of them had to suffer this fate.
But God in His wisdom has widened His arms;
Gives Gentiles new blessings, allows Israel some harm (Romans 11:26).
Their future looks bleak, I know this is true,
But don’t be surprised at what God will do.
Just when you think Israel’s faith is done in,
All of His nation will call upon Him (Romans 11: 25-27)!
God made a promise to one faithful man.
And one day their faith will be like Abraham’s.
He made Abe a promise, a promise He made.
And God is SO faithful that faithful He’ll stay.
So now I must close, it’s time to get busy (Romans 16);
I send all my greetings to the saints in your city.
I close with this blessing to all called by His Name,
Praise God; give Him glory, forever, Amen (Romans 11:36; 16:25)!
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
Week of 9/20/2015
The Book of Romans is the most lengthy and eloquent of Paul’s writings. It not only contains some personal notes to those he knows in Rome, it covers some of the greatest theological and doctrinal arguments in all of Scripture: salvation, justification, sanctification and righteousness to name a few. Reading Romans can be a daunting task for some. Lawrence Richards suggests “One should read Romans thoughtfully, guided by an outline with a reading and study guide”. In our “quick-fix” and “instant breakfast” culture this is reason enough for many to jump over the book and move on to Paul’s shorter letters. If you are inclined to do this, you are depriving yourself of some of Scripture’s greatest gems (Rom. 1:16-17, 20; 4:22-25; 5:1-2, 6-11; 6:8-11; 8:1, 28-38; 11: 22, 33-36; 12:1-2, 14-21; 16:25).
The following was a “fun” attempt to “remake” Romans which I wrote several years ago. I must qualify this by saying that I did not intend to replace the divinely inspired writings of Paul. And I do not endorse contemporary versions of God’s Word which have “dummied-down” Scripture in order to make it “more fun” to read. God gave us a mind to use and if we are truly meditating on His word as we are admonished to do, we are “chewing” on it so that while we ingest its meaning we are growing as it nourishes our spirit (Jos. 1:8; Ps. 119:15, 27, 48, 78, 148; 143:5). This poetic version is meant to present a concise collection of some of the great themes in Romans. And for that reason I thought I’d depart from the usual format of Ready for the Road Ahead and share it with you.
The Book of Romans
Hello to my friends who are living in Rome (Romans 1:7),
I decided to write since I don’t have a phone.
I’d like to come see you and share in some fun (Romans 1: 13-15),
But my work with the Gospel isn’t quite done.
I must tell you plainly, so plainly you’ll see,
The Gospel is precious, quite precious to me.
I’m not ashamed to proclaim it; to issue its call (Romans 1:16),
Its power is timeless and given to all.
The Gospel was spoken by prophets of old,
But now through God’s Son its message is told (Romans 1: 2-4).
By faith we receive it, by faith we must live it,
And if we have no faith, then we can’t perceive it (Romans 1:17).
But those who have chosen to not live this way,
Will stand in God’s judgment on one final day.
God’s given them chances to trust in His name,
So if they reject it, they must take the blame (Romans 1:18-32).
He showed them His glory in all that He made,
The sunrise, the mountains, the oceans with waves,
The seasons and stars, the clouds in the sky,
But men chose to ignore Him and followed a lie (Romans 1:25).
So God made a promise to one faithful man,
Not Horton or Marvin, just old Abraham.
He made Abe a promise, a promise He made,
And God has been faithful, and faithful He’s stayed (Romans 4:3, 9, 13, 16).
From Abraham grew a family of God;
A nation of people which He alone called.
God then picked this nation to represent Him,
But even these people stumbled in sin (Romans 3:2).
To Israel He gave His most holy Law,
And oh how I wish they had learned from it all.
The rest of the nations could see Him revealed,
In all that surrounds them; both forest and field (Romans 2:19-20).
But not one was faithful; all of them strayed (Romans3:9-12, 23).
Each owed a debt that had to be paid.
And we are no different; we’re all in His debt,
But never lose hope, no don’t give up yet!
Because God made a promise to one faithful man (Romans 9:25),
Not Horton or Marvin, just old Abraham.
He made Abe a promise, a promise He made,
And God has been faithful and faithful He’s stayed.
Through Israel God brought His plan for salvation (Romans 5:19).
Through Adam came sin; through Christ restoration.
And when we believe God as Abraham did,
We’re rescued, redeemed and freed from our sin.
Although we will struggle with the ways of our flesh (Romans 7:14-25).
And the Law will convince us that we deserve death (Romans 5:20);
Our faith helps us stand upon holy ground,
So should we go on sinning that grace may abound (Romans 6:1-2)?
NO WAY! My dear Romans, don’t take that advice,
Turn from it, flee from it; don’t even think twice.
Offer your life as a spiritual gift,
Holy, devoted and not set adrift (Romans 12:1-2).
For God made a promise to one faithful man (Romans 9:25),
Not Horton or Marvin, just old Abraham.
He made Abe a promise, a promise He made,
And God has been faithful and faithful He’s stayed.
So God is now working through His body the Church.
But what about Israel, are they left in the lurch (Romans 9-11)?
Yes, what shall we say then of Israel’ plight?
Has God sent them packing? Are they gone from His sight (Romans11:1)?
Oh no, not by far, though they’ve missed their great call,
They zealously follow the words of His Law (Romans 10:1-3).
And yet they have missed what those words were to teach,
So God must correct them and to them I must preach.
If it was my choice, why I’d take their place (Romans 9:1-4);
I wish none of them had to suffer this fate.
But God in His wisdom has widened His arms;
Gives Gentiles new blessings, allows Israel some harm (Romans 11:26).
Their future looks bleak, I know this is true,
But don’t be surprised at what God will do.
Just when you think Israel’s faith is done in,
All of His nation will call upon Him (Romans 11: 25-27)!
God made a promise to one faithful man.
And one day their faith will be like Abraham’s.
He made Abe a promise, a promise He made.
And God is SO faithful that faithful He’ll stay.
So now I must close, it’s time to get busy (Romans 16);
I send all my greetings to the saints in your city.
I close with this blessing to all called by His Name,
Praise God; give Him glory, forever, Amen (Romans 11:36; 16:25)!
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
Week of 9/20/2015
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