Romans, Day 4 Readings

Christian Living in the Faith Community & Beyond  

Today's first reading offers an overarching view of how Christians are to live with other Christians.  They are to accept each other and recognize that they may have different roles to play, following God's will.  They are to hold on to love and strive to work through disagreements with each other.  They are not to seek out privileges and ranks among themselves, but rather focus on helping one another and being there for each other.  Paul's description of this life together is beautiful and poetic.

Read Romans 12:1-21  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

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The second reading extends this vision to how Christians are to live faithfully in the wider world.  Christians are to respect the government authorities, trusting that God allows their power despite the fact that they probably are not faithful to God.  They are to treat their neighbors with love, respecting them and living peacefully alongside them.  And they are to recognize that eventually this broader world will end and a new world -- where everyone is faithful to God -- will begin.

Read Romans 13:1-14  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Romans 10-13 today.