Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

18-The Work of a Watchman When you pull back and look at the book of Romans with a wide-angle lens, it looks like a chain comprised of three separate and distinct links. The first link encompasses the first eight chapters, which are very theological, doctrinal, and conceptual in nature. The last link encompasses chapters twelve through sixteen, and we will find that this section tends to be very practical, applicable, and functional. But there's this connecting link in the middle that encompasses chapters nine through eleven. And the question naturally arises, "Which link does it most look like? Is it doctrinal or practical?" Both. Chapters nine through eleven essentially illustrate the doctrine of salvation and yet they also anticipate the practical calling on the Christian life to make God's salvation known. The centerpiece is the nation of Israel, which was in line to receive God's salvation. We're going to see that something went wrong with them, but before Paul goes into detail about what went wrong, he throws his own heart into the ring. Notice how strong his language is: "I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren." Paul isn't discussing doctrine in a detached or distanced way here. He wasn't just a wordsmith penning an impressive epistle; he was a watchman pursuing people who needed the very salvation he had just expounded on. There's a beautiful balance of knowing and acting, a balance that ought to be present in our lives. The truths we believe in are things we should want to touch others with. Are they? Or do we keep them to ourselves, locked up in the attic of our minds? God forbid! May our doctrinal understanding be balanced by a practical outworking. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today? When you pull back and look at the book of Romans with a wide-angle lens, it looks like a chain comprised of three separate and distinct links. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?