DAY 337    Read Romans 15 and 16.

Today's reading concludes the book of Romans.  Paul closes his argument on a triumphant note of joy in the Lord.  Then he adds a chapter of greetings and blessings.

Memory gem:  "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost"  (Romans 15:13).

Thought for today:
Are you enjoying your Christian life?  If you are not, friend, you need to seek the Lord for a new birth.

Don't be like the man who sailed from New Orleans to New York.  He had come down from Kansas or Nebraska; and, as he had never been on the water before, he was looking forward to this boat trip.  After he had bought his ticket, he had only $1.75 to last him until he got to New York where some friends were going to give him a job.  He knew the trip would take four or five days, so he said to himself, "I'll just get a bag, and fill it full of crackers and cheese and will eat that until I get to New York."

On the ocean you often develop an appetite.  At noon he heard the luncheon bell ring, and everybody went down to the dining room.  He could smell the cooking food, and it made him hungry, so he went behind the smokestack, got out the sack, and began to eat crackers and cheese.  By the evening of the second day, the man found his cheese moldy and the crackers were all soaked up with sea air.  He got the steward to one side and said, "I am a poor man and I am about starved.  What would one meal cost?"

The steward said, "What is the matter with you?  Are you crazy?"

"No, but I am hungry.  I think I could afford one meal."

"Well, why don't you go down and eat?  Don't you know that when you bought your ticket, you paid for your meals all the way to New York?  Go down to the dining room and eat."

Many a Christian today is doing that very thing spiritually.  He is living spiritually on crackers and cheese while God wants us there at the supper table to enjoy the good things of His kingdom.

Friend, every day we can be happy, no matter what comes.  That is what is in store when we are children of God, when we have been born again.  Oh, my brother, sister, friend, live up to your opportunities and your privileges.

DAY 336    Read Romans 12 through 14.

Today's reading:  In these chapters Paul gives practical advice on the Christian's relationship with other people in daily life, including our duties as citizens.

Memory gem:  "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's"  (Mark 12:17).

Thought for today:
A true Christian will be the best citizen of his country.  He will be faithful and peace-loving.  He will not cheat on his taxes, for he is commanded by the Lord to "render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor"  (Romans 13:7).

He is commanded to "be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work"  (Titus 3:1).

A true Christian is to submit himself "to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake"  (1 Peter 2:13).  He is to pray for the rulers of the land and for the peace of the realm  (see 1 Timothy 2:1, 2).

As a citizen he should enjoy freedom of speech and of action.  He should enjoy the right of appeal against accusation.  There should be no condemnation without fair trial.  He should have freedom to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience so long as he does not interfere with the rights of others.

Do we have real conviction?  Do we know what we believe?  Do we have a real trust in God?  As Dr. William Temple, archbishop of Canterbury (1942-1944), said: "Freedom of conscience, that is the sacred thing.  Not freedom to do what I choose or to fulfill my own purpose, but freedom to do what I ought, and to fulfill God's purpose for me."

Would it not be well for each of us to open up the great Book of God and study again the principles of religious freedom, religious liberty?  Should these principles not be taught to our children?  Should they not be preached in every pulpit?  In this way, and this way alone, we may have a new birth of freedom.

DAY 335    Read Romans 10 and 11.

Today's reading:  Paul continues his appeal to Israelites of the flesh, wishing that all of them would believe the good news about Jesus Christ.

Memory gem:  "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved"  (Romans 10:9).

Thought for today:
Believe in Jesus Christ.  Believe the gospel, the good news about Him--that He took our place on the cross and died for our sins, that He was buried in Joseph's new tomb, that He rose again from the dead, that He ascended to heaven.  We must believe that He is our Saviour from sin, and through faith in Him we have eternal life.

And before we can believe that He saved us from our sins, we must believe that there is such a thing as sin, and we must believe that we are sinners.

If we truly believe, we will repent before we are baptized.  We must be able to say from a true heart, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."  A person must be able to understand what he is doing before he is ready for baptism.  He must be a candidate for eternal life.  He must believe the gospel.  He must repent.  He must pray.

No one can believe for you.  No one can ask for baptism in your place, repent in your place, or pray in your place.  No, you must do it yourself.  You must believe, pray, confess, be baptized.

If there is a soul reading these words who is not baptized, do not put it off.  Start to prepare for it.  Such is the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Such is His example for us.

DAY 334    Read Romans 8 and 9.

Today's reading:  Paul now turns from the painful struggle with sin to a view of the peace and freedom offered in Christ.  Then in chapter 9 he takes up the problem of why God's chosen people refuse to accept the salvation of the gospel.

Memory gem:  "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"  (Romans 8:32).

Thought for today:
Not only did Jesus reveal God to men, He also demonstrated the possibility of a life of victory over sin.  He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin"  (Hebrews 4:15).  And by this sinless life He condemned all sin in human life, as we read in Romans 8:3: "What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh. God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin [that is, as the sacrifice for our sins], condemned sin in the flesh."

That is one reason why some men hated Christ when He was here.  The very purity and holiness of His life condemned them.  That is why some hate Him now--hate His doctrines, hate His teaching, hate His gospel.  They resent it.

Christ has not only given us the perfect example of God among men, but He has made it possible for us to live a holy and righteous life here on earth.  He has revealed the power of God, which is ours as a gift from heaven, all based upon the supreme gift of His own life on Calvary's cross.

Our situation is like that of a man in prison, condemned to die.  Someone brings him a key.  He may unlock the prison door and go free.  If he does not, it is his own fault if he dies in the dungeon.  So the key that God has given us through Christ is His grace, His divine gift.  Oh, friend, use that key; unlock the door.

----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
Romans 8:19, 20, 39.  "Creature"--rather: creation, as the same word is translated in verse 32.  The word in this sense means "the thing (or things) created."
Romans 9:13.  "Hated"--a common biblical expression meaning "regarded with less favor," or "loved less" (for similar usage see Genesis 29:30, 31; Luke 14:26, John 12:25).

DAY 333    Read Romans 5 through 7.

Today's reading:  We penetrate to the heart of Paul's theology.  It will help us to keep in mind that Paul's purpose is to overthrow confidence in works, not to destroy the moral law.

Memory gem:  "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"  (Romans 6:16).

Thought for today:
If faith establishes the law, it does not abolish it.  The law of God points out sin.  "I had not known sin, but by the law"  (Romans 7:7).  In fact, if there were no law there would be no sin.  "Where no law is, there is no transgression"  (Romans 4:15).

Numerous cults now deny the reality of sin.  They claim we have but to free our minds from the idea of sin.  One writer expresses a popular idea that "there is no law save that which he himself imposes."

When we look at the terrible increase of crime and violence today, we are convinced that many have accepted this theory.  They have rejected the law of God and are depending upon mere unsanctified human will to impose a check upon the downward rush to destruction.

The Bible tells us that sin is the transgression of God's law.  The wages of sin is death (see Romans 6:23), and all have sinned (see Romans 3:23).  Man cannot be justified by his own works, because the penalty of sin is not works but death.  Christ died for our sins (see 1 Corinthians 15:3).  He paid the penalty demanded by the law.  Christ took the sinner's place--our place.  He died for us.  We accept, by faith, His vicarious death for our sins.  God has already accepted it.  God's holy law is satisfied.  We stand justified before it--not by our works nor our righteousness, but by Christ's righteousness imputed to us.  Thus Christ's death upon the cross, to meet the death penalty for transgression of the law, forever vindicates the law as the righteousness of God.

    Jesus paid it all,
    All to Him I owe;
    Sin had left a crimson stain:
    He washed it white as snow.
                           --Mrs. E.M. Hall

DAY 332    Read Romans 3 and 4.

Today's reading:  In the first two chapters Paul bore down hard on those who prided themselves on their ancestry.  Now he places their Jewish ancestry in proper perspective, though making plain that ritual works of the law cannot earn salvation.

Memory gem:  "Do we then make void the law through faith?  God forbid: we establish the law"  (Romans 3:31).

Thought for today:
What does the phrase mean, the "righteousness of God without the law"  (Romans 3:21)?  Is this in harmony with the statement that all God's commandments are righteousness?  Yes.  There is no contradiction.  God's law is not ignored in the process of righteousness by faith.  Notice carefully now.  Who gave the law?  Christ gave it.  How did He speak it?  As one having authority, even as God.  The law came from Christ as well as from the Father, because They are one.  It is simply a declaration of the righteousness of His character.  Therefore the righteousness that comes by the faith of Jesus Christ is the same righteousness that is revealed in the law.

On one side stands the law, a swift witness against every sinner.  It cannot change, and it cannot and will not call a sinner a righteous man.  It cannot be bribed by any amount of penance or good deeds or works.  On the other side stands Christ, full of grace as well as truth.  He calls the sinner to Him and offers to forgive him.  At last, weary and in despair of his struggle to get righteousness from the law, the sinner listens to the voice of Jesus and flees to Him.  Hiding in Christ, he is covered by His righteousness.

And now look at the change.  The sinner receives by faith from Christ what he could never have obtained by struggling.  He receives it as a gift.  He has not earned it.  He has believed, and it was counted to him for righteousness.  He now has all the righteousness that the law requires, and it is the genuine article.  The law, which formerly condemned him, now witnesses to the genuineness of his righteousness.  Before God he is a righteous man, with the righteousness "which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith"  (Philippians 3:9).

That is the only way to be safe, my friend.  And you can be certainly sure this very day if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your complete and perfect righteousness.

DAY 331    Read Romans 1 and 2.

Today's reading:  Apparently shortly after completing the letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote to the Romans.  In this epistle he covers the same subject--righteousness by faith in Jesus.

Memory gem:  "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth"  (Romans 1:16).

Thought for today:
The apostle Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because the gospel actually did the things he claimed for it.  It actually changed men's lives.  When the apostle Paul preached the gospel, people were converted.  Thieves became honest.  The impure became pure.  The faithless became true.  I'll tell you something, friend: the gospel does the very same thing today.  It changes men.  It changes them from inside out.  It is more than just a coating or veneer of civilization and culture on the outside.  The gospel changes the heart by the miracle-working power of God.  It brings conversion, justification, and sanctification, and finally, when Jesus comes, glorification.

I have seen lives changed by this miracle power of God revealed in the gospel.  The mail coming in to the Voice of Prophecy tells us of hundreds, thousands, who have been gloriously changed by the presence of the gospel.

We do not need to be ashamed of the gospel today, for it is still power--"the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."  Will you believe?  Will you give your heart to Christ?  If you want to break the chains of habit, give your heart to Jesus.  If you want to overcome in the battle of life, give your heart to Him.  If you want to change your thinking, give your heart to Christ.  If you want to change your ways of living, give your heart to Christ.  If you want to be happy in this world, give your heart to Him.

Just now say, "I will, Lord--God helping me. I will accept Christ as my personal Saviour.  Fill my heart with Thy Spirit.  Point out to me my sins and give me grace to overcome.  Send the Holy Spirit into my life to cleanse me and to lead me.  This I ask in Jesus' name.  Amen."

And, friends, He will do it, and you will find as the apostle did that the gospel of Christ is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."

DAY 330    Read Galatians 4 through 6.

Today's reading:  Precious gems of truth sparkle all through Paul's argument in defense of righteousness by faith.  Our memory gem picks out one of them.

Memory gem:  "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father"  (Galatians 4:6).

Thought for today:
This Spirit, which is the Holy Spirit, is the Comforter whom Jesus promised.  We know that the witness of this Spirit, this Comforter, who is to comfort and confirm us in the faith, is true; for He is called "the Spirit of truth"  (John 14:17).

But how does the Holy Spirit bear witness?  The answer is, by bringing to our remembrance the Word which has been recorded, the Word which He inspired holy men to write.  When this Word is brought to our remembrance, it is as if the Holy Spirit were speaking directly to us in an audible voice.  So we can by faith accept the fact that we are the children of God.  Then we can cry, "Father, Father," as the apostle says.

What a glorious truth then breaks upon our soul!  We realize that we are truly the children of God.  He is our Father.  We are not alone in this world.  We are not alone in this universe.  We are not alone at any hour of the day or night.  We now know that we have the witness in ourselves.  It is not merely an impression, an emotion that may pass away, but the actual word and promise of God Himself.  God does not ask us to base our faith upon any thing unsubstantial as an impression or an emotion.  He gives us something more reliable than that.  Anyone who trusts in the feelings of his own heart is a fool, for the Scripture says so (see Proverbs 28:26).  The witness that we are to trust is the unchangeable, unfailing, eternal Word of God.  And we may have this witness through the Spirit in our own hearts.  Then we can say, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift"  (2 Corinthians 9:15).

----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
Galatians 4:6.  "Abba, Father"--two words meaning "father," the first Aramaic (the common speech of Palestine) and the second Greek (see also Mark 14:36 and Romans 8:15).

DAY 329    Read Galatians 1 through 3.

Today's reading:  During the three months Paul spent in Corinth (see Acts 20:3), he learned of the demoralizing work by "Judaizers"--converted Jews who insisted that Christians must observe all the Jewish ceremonies.  Keep in mind Paul's purpose in writing as you read this letter.

Memory gem:  "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me"  (Galatians 2:20).

Thought for today:
This is regeneration--being born again.  Now the Holy Spirit's mighty power has brought about the miracle of spiritual creation.  We are new creatures (a new creation) in Christ Jesus.

When a man has a new heart or mind, his life will be changed.  If he claims to be born again and beats his wife, cheats in business, and forgets to pray, you may be pretty sure that his claims are greatly exaggerated, for a new heart makes a new life.  This is the only way we can live a happy Christian life.

We may not understand how God changes a man's heart, but we can see the effect of the change.  We cannot see the wind, but we can see the evidence of it--the drifting clouds, the waving trees, the nodding flowers, the tossing waves.  "So," says Jesus, "is every one that is born of the Spirit"  (John 3:8).

We have seen men and women, time after time, have this wonderful experience; and you can have it too, friend, if you surrender yourself to Jesus.  He can help you.  He is anxious to help you and to deliver you from your sins and bad habits.

----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
Galatians 1:13.  "Conversation"--rather: conduct.

NOTE:  In all of Paul's letters except this one he found something to say in commendation.  Nothing of that nature appears here.  Rather, he says, "I marvel"  (Galatians 1:6).  He is amazed at the believers' departure from the true faith so soon.

DAY 328    Read 2 Corinthians 11 through 13; Acts 20:2, 3.

Today's reading:  In these closing chapters of the letter, Paul mentions the experiences he has endured in Christ's service--several of them not detailed in the book of Acts.

Memory gem:  "He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness"  (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Thought for today:
"The apostle Paul was highly honored of God, being taken in holy vision to the third heaven, where he looked upon scenes whose glories might not be revealed to mortals.  Yet all this did not lead him to boastfulness or self-confidence.  He realized the importance of constant watchfulness and self-denial.

"Paul had a very humble opinion of his own advancement in the Christian life.  He says, 'Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.' Philippians 3:12.  He speaks of himself as the chief of sinners.  Yet Paul had been highly honored of the Lord.  He had been taken, in holy vision, to the third heaven, and had there received revelations of divine glory which he could not be permitted to make known....

"Paul had a view of heaven, and in discoursing on the glories there, the best thing he could do was to not try to describe them.  He tells us that eye had not seen nor ear heard, neither had entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for those that love Him.  So you may put your imagination to the stretch, you may try to the very best of your abilities to take in and consider the eternal weight of glory; and yet your finite senses, faint and weary with the effort, cannot grasp it, for there is an infinite beyond."  Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1107.

-----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
2 Corinthians 11:6.  "Rude"--literally: unskilled.