Into the Heart of Romans
A Deep Dive into Paul’s Greatest Letter
Led by the Spirit (3|4)
Pages 97-103
Numbers 14:20-24 (NIV) As surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times — not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
Galatians 5:24-26 (NIV) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other.
Colossians 3:5-8 (NIV) Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NIV) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
In Numbers 14, God insists that His people must move forward into the inheritance, not just the land, but ultimately the whole creation that will one day be filled with His glory. Paul echoes this in Romans 8, where believers are called into God’s larger plan to flood all creation with His presence. Does seeing the promised land as a signpost to God’s renewal of the entire world affect your understanding of what it means to follow God into His future?
Psalm 2 points to the Messiah inheriting the whole world, yet Scripture shows that this worldwide rule comes not through conquest but through the suffering, self-giving path Jesus walked, and calls His followers to walk as well. What does it mean to follow the Messiah’s path in your own life? Where do you sense Jesus inviting you to embrace self-giving obedience rather than force or dominance?
How does understanding self-denial and “putting to death” old habits change the approach to spiritual discipline and daily discipleship?
Paul insists that Zion (and now God’s people) are meant to be places where heaven and earth meet. How does seeing yourself as a “place where heaven and earth meet” affect the way you understand your holiness and identity?