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The Full Departure From God: Romans 1:26-27
“26) For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27) and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” Romans‬ ‭1:26-27‬
Paul now points out that as society continues to turn its back on God, He gives it over to degrading passions. Wide acceptance of an LGBQT value system is a measuring stick of how far society has departed from the truth of the Holy God of the Bible.
Historically, Paul points out this has happened many times in human history. Satan loves to blind people and turn them over to false gods of sex and pleasure. As human depravity embraces all forms of immoral sin, the gospel message becomes more crucial.
Sex can become addicting and twisted to the point of hating the God of the Gospel. But the love of God sent His Son to redeem lost people. The books of Romans and 1 and 2 Corinthians are testimony of the power of the Gospel to reach lost people. Both societies were fully LGBQT immersed and God sent the Apostle Paul with the life transforming message of the Gospel into both Greece and Rome.
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Exchanging The Truth About God. Romans 1:24-25
“24) Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25) For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” Romans‬ ‭1:24-25
As humanity drifts away from God, it enters into a tail spin into sexual immorality and perversion. Paul talks about this moral decline in Ephesians 4:17-19. Sexual bondage can get dark and ugly.
The reason Paul gives for this decline is found in Romans 1:24; “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” Whenever the truth about the holy God is removed, the void is filled with vanity.
When Christians backslide they often slide down the same slippery slope. Greed, lusts, pornography and immorality are right there to lead them captive into sin. Satans goal is to separate people from God. It can happen quickly.
Often the deception includes the rationalization that “there are no consequences to sin.” Satan fed that line to Eve when he said, “you shall not surely die.” But as we shall see in the next chapter, God does hold people accountable for their actions.
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The Tragic Exchange: Romans 1:23
“23) and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.” Romans‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭
Paul now records the tragic exchange. As people began to drift from God, they exchanged Him for the worship of self or some other creature. People who practice idolatry can makes gods of nearly anything.
Tragically, behind the idol was demonic activity. (See 1 Corinthians 10:19-20) Satan will do anything to displace and distance the true God from people … or the other way around. As the drift continued, entire world religions like Hinduism were formed based entirely on idolatry. Soon the true God was vanished from human consciousness.
The most significant take away from this verse is that God let them go. He stepped out of the way and turned humanity over to its own lusts and deception.
If you feel distant from God, it may be because you have abandoned Him. You have walked away and He has stepped out of your way. In His place you have most likely stuffed all kinds of things, including the pursuit of pleasure and success.
Don’t expect lightening bolts of judgement. Rather expect silence. He has turned you over to your own ways. But you say, “Terry, God feels so distant!” Bingo! Who moved?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global

Early Stages of Human Apostasy: Romans 1:21-23
“21) For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22) Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23) and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.” Romans‬ ‭1:21-23‬ ‭
As I look back over history, there were two times that all people knew the God of Creation. The first related to the generations of Adam and Eve right after Creation. The second related to the generations of Noah right after the flood. Both groups of people knew God.
The apostasy started quickly for both groups. Paul said, “even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks.” (Vs 21) All it took was a passive attitude toward God and they started to slide away from Him. Satan exploited this attitude of indifference and filled them with the seeds of deception. They thought they were getting smart, but in reality they were foolishly and quickly drifting away from both truth and God. Human logic and reason can quickly turn dark.
It only takes one or two generations for people to abandon God and embrace humanism, naturalism and pagan religious practices. It only took six chapters in the book of Genesis for humanity to move from walking with God in the Garden of Eden to gross immorality and dancing with demons just prior to the flood.
The history of Israel is filled with cycles of Gods people turning from Him and embracing the carnal ways of the surrounding nations. (Read the books of Judges and 1 and 2 Kings) This was usually followed by a severe judgment and then a return to God for a few generations.
Pauls description of the decline of human civilization in Romans 1:18-32 can be applied to nearly every civilization in history. Many went through a time of awakening only to give way to tragic moral and spiritual decline.
This text equally apples to nations today. This is the story of the spiritual and moral drift of modern nations as well. They can move from knowing God to hating God in a relatively short period of time. Satan always exploits human depravity to lead people into sinful bondage and ignorance of the truth.
A key point is found in verse 22. During this entire process and decline, humanity boasts of becoming wiser, but in reality they are becoming fools. Sin can become so blinding that human science and ethics can no longer discern the difference between male and female, good and bad, right or wrong. All lines are blurred as truth is trampled under foot… and this is merely the beginning of the slide. Paul gets more graphic in the next several verses.
We must check our own hearts to detect any indifference toward God. Are you honoring God in lip service only? Are you secretly fantasizing more about sin than enjoying intimacy with God? Do you have a passive attitude toward God? We must guard our own hearts with all diligence.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global

God Has Left Witnesses of Himself: Romans 1:18-20
“18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19) because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Romans‬ ‭1:18-20‬
The battle for truth stands or falls with the first verse of the Bible. It is the cornerstone of all else that follows. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Satan’s assault is leveled relentlessly against the existence, character and nature of the God of Creation.
Paul returns to this theme in Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clear seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Creation proclaims the glory, majesty, power and Divine nature of the Creator. You can learn immeasurable insight about God by studying what He has created.
So where does the distortion of truth begin? The big lie involves coming up with a theory of origins that leaves God out. Make no mistake, evolution is a relentless attack on Genesis 1:1. It questions God’s eternal power and undermines His Divine nature. It removes the biblical definition of God from human consciousness, government and morals. It results in godless living.
But, there is one huge problem. According to Romans 1:19, “that which is known about God is evident within them…” God has left two significant witnesses of Himself. Scholars often refer to the internal witness of God and the external witness of God.
The internal witness of God stems from the fact that God created man in His own image. Every man, woman and child has an inner void in the shape of God. The human spirit and conscience yearns after God. Nothing else can fill that vacuum with satisfaction. Sin leaves people empty, guilty, lost and searching.
Creation is the external witness of God. When the quest for truth begins, the manifold lies and massive implausibility of evolution begins to be pealed away during the unbiased search for truth. Multitudes of scientists have come to faith in God as the volumes of unexplainable enigmas in the world of nature continually pile up. There are many thousands of them.
The process is marvelous to behold for those who sincerely search for truth. Many others become hopelessly blind as truth is suppressed by their own greed for sin and immorality. They refuse to acknowledge God for then they need to answer to Him.
This process is often aided by a third witness God has left about himself. I call this “the written witness of God.” If you are reading this post, you are being exposed to the third witness of God. You are reading and studying the Bible. It points to Jesus Christ and God’s plan of salvation for sinful humanity.
Notice that Paul ends verse 20 by saying that “they are without excuse.” He concludes that those who close their mind and heart to the first and second witness of God will one day stand before Him with no excuse for their sin and unbelief. They can never say, “no one told me.” Why? Because God left evidence of Himself everywhere in creation and imprinted Himself on human conscience.
Romans chapter 1 concludes that the rejection of God is a willful embrace of deception as an excuse for sinful living. Paul goes on to prove this point with a profound survey of human history. He concludes by leveling the charge that God did not reject man, mankind rejected God.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global

The Battle for Truth: Romans 1:18-19
“18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19) because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:18-19‬
From the time the serpent stepped into the Garden of Eden, truth has been under attack. Throughout all of human history, truth has been under attack. Paul makes it clear in Romans 1:18-32 that civilizations have come and gone because truth is under attack. Make no mistake in your thinking, the battles of the modern era are rooted in this same war against truth.
As we dig deep and analyze the first few chapters of the book of Romans, Paul identifies seven frontal battles in this age old war against truth. These battles are being fought on seven primary fronts. They are:
The battle for truth about the existence of God. The battle for truth about Creation and the origin of all things. The battle for truth about human origin, purpose and dignity. The battle for truth in the area of human religion, philosophy and ethics. The battle for truth about human sexuality, morality, decency and basic right and wrong. The battle for truth about personal responsibility, accountability and judgement. The battle for truth about the gospel and eternity.
I encourage you to read this list over and over again until the lights turn on in your thinking. Read it with your Bible open to the first three chapters of the book of Romans. Read with a highlighter in hand and take notes in your Bible as the Spirit of God illuminates you with insights about this battle.
Whether you care to accept it or not, you are caught in this same battle. The enemy of the human soul seeks to blind, confuse and enslave everyone, including you and me. His goal is to “suppress the truth about God in unrighteousness.”
Jesus made it clear in John 8:31-32, that victory comes to those who abide in God’s Word and discover the truth. In fact, He promised, “… you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Invite the Holy Spirit to bring a daily truth encounter into your life. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide believers into all truth. (See John 16:13)
Let me personalize this text. The Christian life is an ongoing journey of discovering truth and coming to freedom in each and every area of life. Welcome the journey. Invite the Holy Spirit to bring freedom and healing into your life. God’s people begin to shine for Him as they become trophies of grace, truth and freedom in the above seven area’s. Invite the transformation in your life.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global

God Has A Trigger Point: Romans 1:18-19
“18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19) because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. Romans‬ ‭1:18-19‬
Since the time of the fall of Adam and Eve, a battle has been raging throughout human history. Satan as the master of deception has been trying to suppress the truth of God in unrighteousness. And no wonder, for John 8:44 exposes him as a lier and the father of lies. By contrast, in John 14:4 Jesus calls himself the way, and the truth, and the life… He is the only way to the Father.
Paul exposes this battle in Romans 1:18. He then makes the observation that God always shows up with His wrath to stop Satan and his evil schemes. There is a very real sense in which God’s wrath is Divine intervention. God always steps in before total evil can reign.
God intervened in the ancient world through Noah and the flood. He stopped the reign of evil. God intervened in Sodom and Gomorrah. He stopped the reign of evil. Throughout human history God has intervened time and again to stop the reign of evil in the world.
Here is the key, “unrighteousness always works to suppresses the truth!” Never forget this principle. It happens in nations and it happens to individuals. Satan wants to blind minds, obscure truth and lead people into captivity.
But the good news is that God always intervenes. He has a trigger point where He will let evil go no further. The goodness of God always steps in to prevent the ultimate reign of evil. Let me illustrate this concept in with a very fresh personal illumination.
I have a digital alarm clock next to my bed. I often wake up in the night and look over to see the time. This morning I woke up and looked over to see 3:33 on my alarm clock. I thought to myself, “Wow, that’s really interesting.” Then I starting thinking through the possible scenario’s. I could see 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, 5:55 … but then I stopped with an astounding realization … I will never see 6:66 on my alarm clock. Why? Because right after 6:59, the big 7:00 suddenly shines across the screen.
This morning, I realized that God has left a witness of Himself in time itself. According to Revelation 13:18, the number 666 is the number of the beast. His goal is to rule and reign. He will push his evil and deception again in the end times, but his plans will be interrupted by the return of the perfect One. The number “7” in the Bible is the number of completion and perfection. Just like on my digital alarm clock, right at after 6:59, Jesus is going to return and prevent the reign of evil. Throughout human history, God has never allowed 666 to fully be achieved.
This small illumination about the nature of time itself was a major blessing to me this morning. I don’t know what time it is right now in the world. Many believe the end is very close. It might be 6:55… but I am not going to be overcome by a frenzy of fear, because I understand with great certainty that 666 will never be realized… because 7:00 is about the step in and intervene.
Gods Word is always exact. Did you notice what Paul said in Romans 1:18? “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” If you want to take this to the next level, read Revelation 19:11-16 and see the description of how the King of King and Lord of Lords is going to be revealed from heaven. He is coming with wrath against the evil one and all unrighteousness. He will stop Satan’s goal to rule and reign on earth with his full scene of evil.

Terry Baxter
State Representative Iowa House District 8

Becoming a 1:8 Christian: Romans 1:8
“8) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.” Romans‬ ‭1:8‬
Paul makes mention that the Christians in Rome were very zealous to to share their faith. They were a mission minded church. They began to emulate the dynamics of the those who brought the gospel to them. I personally believe they may have been evangelized by Christians from the church in Thessalonica. Paul hints of this in 1 Thessalonians 1:8; “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.”
This mission mindset may have had roots in Acts 1:8. It was there just before His ascension that Jesus said to His disciples; “but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Jesus wanted every Christin to be a personal evangelist. In fact, it would not be stretching the teaching of Jesus to conclude that one sign of being Spirit Filled is a zeal and fruitfulness in sharing the gospel.
When taken together, these three verses paint the heart of the early church. Every Christian was active and not passive in sharing their faith. Jesus gave birth to a World Changing Movement.
Are these three 1:8 references coincidental? I sincerely doubt it. I believe they are providential. Ask God to transform you into 1:8 fruitfulness. Join the ranks of being a 1:8 World Changer!
Glimpse into a World Changer: Romans 1:9-10
“9) For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10) always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.” Romans‬ ‭1:9-10‬
Paul loved preaching the gospel, ministering to people and being on the front lines of where God was working. He was committed to building new believers and watching them grow into mature and fruitful followers of Christ.
God literally used Him to raise up the first and second wave or gospel workers who carried the Christian faith across Asia Minor, Macedonia and into Rome itself. This guy was a living, breathing, walking and talking catalyst for Jesus Christ.
These two verses illustrate that point. They give us a glimpse into Paul’s prayer life and and his life ambitions. He literally ate, drank and breathed missions. In Philippians 1:21 he said; “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” That was indeed the mantra of Pauls life.
Not everyone can have the focus and intensity of Paul for missions, but certainly God wants His people to move in that direction. Jesus made it clear in John 15:8 that God wants every believer to be fruitful for His glory.
The modern church is like a service station to patch people up so they can go their merry way through life with as few bumps, bruises and hurts as possible. The early church was a radical transformation center that changed people from the bottom up and give them a new focus, purpose and calling in life. The modern church turns out people with a religious bent. The early church turned out World Changers.
Paul didn’t care how he got to Rome, he just wanted a slice of the action for the glory of God. When he finally arrived, he didn’t get there sailing buisness class. He arrived in chains as a prisoner of Rome. But he became a spark that changed course of human history.
These two verses give us a glimpse into the heart of the Apostle Paul. His passion, love for Jesus and fire for the gospel were contagious. Ask God to infect you with this same passion for missions. Step into the sandals of Paul for just a few weeks. Sign up for a short term missions trip with GoServ Global or your church. Make this your transition year into becoming a World Changer for the glory of God.
Keeping the Old Sword Sharp: Romans 1:11-12
“11) For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12) that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans‬ ‭1:11-12‬
In these two verses Paul reveals his heart toward others. He longed for the believers who lived in Rome. He wanted to meet them and build them up. The idea of “imparting some spiritual gift to them” had in it the root idea of “enhancing their grace walk with Jesus.” He wanted to impart value to their spiritual lives and service.
I do not believe the Roman believers were deficient in any of the manifestations of the Spirit spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Rather, I believe Paul was talking about mentoring them in daily Christian living, fruitful ministry and godly wisdom.
Let’s face it, the Christian life is very opposite of secular values. In fact, it is a radical culture shock for a worldly non-Christian to enter into the “ways of God” that accompanies salvation. When someone is born-again a change takes place on the inside that is hard to comprehend or understand. Inner values begin to change. Paul longed to be present and guide the new Roman believers through this transformation process.
Verse 12 reveals the underlining mystery of true ministry. You cannot pour into others without being blessed yourself. When you encourage others, they encourage you. This is part of the bond of genuine Agape love.
This mystery has shaped my view of discipleship. It is never a one way street. Paul understood that even the newest believer could speak into his life as well. When you pour into others it becomes reciprocal. Iron sharpens iron! You stay sharp by helping others become sharp. Paul knew he could learn from the Romans as well. He was forever a student. He longed to keep his old sword sharp.
Very Different People But The Same Message: Romans 1:13-15
“13) And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14) I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15) Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” Romans‬ ‭1:13-15‬
In these three verses, Paul is acknowledging the radical difference between people and cultures, but that the gospel is the same for all people. We can adjust our methods, but the message remains the same.
Keep in mind, he was writing from Corinth which was part of the Greek empire. It was very intellectual, educated, sophisticated and refined. It featured the fine arts and philosophical debate. It could be defined as “high culture.”
By contrast, the Romans were forceful, fierce and demanding, and they were proud of it. They were by no means as educated as their Greek counterparts. Paul described them as “barbarian”, and so they were compared to the Greeks. Rome could be defined as “low culture.”
The contrast between the two was very drastic. The Greeks featured the original Olympic Games, whereas the Romans built the Colosseums which featured the gladiators with blood and violence for sport. Everything about Greek and Roman culture was different right down to food and entertainment choices.
That’s what makes these three verses so profound. Paul acknowledged that he was equipped by the Holy Spirit to reach both groups and that the message was the same. The Gospel is as much needed by the rich and famous as it is by the common and ordinary.
Did you get that? The message does not change. Why? Because Paul latter argues that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Everyone is sinful, lost and separated from God and in need of the good news of the Gospel. He concludes that people can be smart and lost or foolish and lost.
There are all kinds of sinners. Some may be educated and sophisticated and know the finer arguments of philosophy and psychology, but like the Greeks, they are still sinful and lost. Others may be forceful and brutish and driven by all kinds of base passions, but like the Romans, they are still sinful and lost.
The profound take away from these verses it that the Gospel message is the same for all people and needed by all people. Because of that, Paul recognized that he was qualified and equipped to reach all people. His message of Jesus Christ was the same for Jews, Greeks and Romans. He was confident sharing the gospel equally with everyone.
The same is true today! Modern people are as sinful and lost as ancient people were. The Holy Spirit still uses the same simple gospel message to reach and transform people today. It is the same message for all people, in all places, and at all times.
If you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit wants to use you to point others to Jesus Christ and the Gospel. We as Christians are merely the mouth piece of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who does the work of drawing and saving people. We merely love people and share the story.
Daily Bible Commentary Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global

Very Different People But The Same Message: Romans 1:13-15
“13) And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14) I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15) Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” Romans‬ ‭1:13-15‬
In these three verses, Paul is acknowledging the radical difference between people and cultures, but that the gospel is the same for all people. We can adjust our methods, but the message remains the same.
Keep in mind, he was writing from Corinth which was part of the Greek empire. It very was intellectual, educated, sophisticated and refined. It featured the fine arts and philosophical debate. It could be defined as “high culture.”
By contrast, the Romans were forceful, fierce and demanding, and they were proud of it. They were by no means as educated as their Greek counterparts. Paul described them as “barbarian”, and so they were compared to the Greeks. Rome could be defined as “low culture.”
The contrast between the two was very drastic. The Greeks featured the original Olympic Games, whereas the Romans built the Colosseums which featured the gladiators with blood and violence for sport. Everything about Greek and Roman culture was different right down to food and entertainment choices.
That’s what makes these three verses so profound. Paul acknowledged that he was equipped by the Holy Spirit to reach both groups and that the message was the same. The Gospel is as much needed by the rich and famous as it is by the common and ordinary.
Did you get that? The message does not change. Why? Because Paul latter argues that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Everyone is sinful, lost and separated from God and in need of the good news of the Gospel. He concludes that people can be smart and lost or foolish and lost.
There are all kinds of sinners. Some may be educated and sophisticated and know the finer arguments of philosophy and psychology, but like the Greeks, they are still sinful and lost. Others may be forceful and brutish and driven by all kinds of base passions, but like the Romans, they are still sinful and lost.
The profound take away from these verses it that the Gospel message is the same for all people and needed by all people. Because of that, Paul recognized that he was qualified and equipped to reach all people. His message of Jesus Christ was the same for Jews, Greeks and Romans. He was confident sharing the gospel equally with everyone.
The same is true today! Modern people are as sinful and lost as ancient people were. The Holy Spirit still uses the same simple gospel message to reach and transform people today. It is the same message for all people, in all places, and at all times.
If you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit wants to use you to point others to Jesus Christ and the Gospel. We as Christians are merely the mouth piece of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who does the work of drawing and saving people. We merely love people and share the story.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global

Keeping the Old Sword Sharp: Romans 1:11-12
“11) For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12) that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans‬ ‭1:11-12‬
In these two verses Paul reveals his heart toward others. He longed for the believers who lived in Rome. He wanted to meet them and build them up. The idea of “imparting some spiritual gift to them” had in it the root idea of “enhancing their grace walk with Jesus.” He wanted to impart value to their spiritual lives and service.
I do not believe the Roman believers were deficient in any of the manifestations of the Spirit spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Rather, I believe Paul was talking about mentoring them in daily Christian living, fruitful ministry and godly wisdom.
Let’s face it, the Christian life is very opposite of secular values. In fact, it is a radical culture shock for a worldly non-Christian to enter into the “ways of God” that accompanies salvation. When someone is born-again a change takes place on the inside that is hard to comprehend or understand. Inner values begin to change. Paul longed to be present and guide the new Roman believers through this transformation process.
Verse 12 reveals the underlining mystery of true ministry. You cannot pour into others without being blessed yourself. When you encourage others, they encourage you. This is part of the bond of genuine Agape love.
This mystery has shaped my view of discipleship. It is never a one way street. Paul understood that even the newest believer could speak into his life as well. When you pour into others it becomes reciprocal. Iron sharpens iron! You stay sharp by helping others become sharp. Paul knew he could learn from the Romans as well. He was forever a student. He longed to keep his old sword sharp.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global