Romans Devotional #12: Introduction to Chapter 2

Chapter Summary Pictures:

Look at today's picture.  Did you notice today's picture stands vertically on the page while many of the past pictures laid down horizontally?  This was done intentionally.  The pictures that stand vertically summarize the message of an entire chapter.  The pictures that lay down horizontally summarize verses within each chapter.  

In Liberia, many of the people we work with are either illiterate or barely literate.  As we teach Romans, we clip each picture to a clothes line so students can see the book's message from beginning to end.  Since the chapter summary pictures stand vertically on the page, they hang lower than the pictures that summarize verses.  This enables students to easily see where one chapter begins and another ends. 

How God is using the Romans study in Liberia:

Yesterday, we started testing bush pastors on this Romans study.  Our heart's desire is to see a healthy church in every town and village on Kokoyah Road.  This is what we labor for.  We know the only foundation for a healthy church is Jesus Christ (1 Cor 13:0-11)!  We also know the fearful warnings Scripture gives for preaching a false gospel (Gal 1:6-10).  When we started this study, many of the pastors were not Christians and none of the pastors understood the book of Romans.  I left our first day of testing rejoicing and praising God.  These pastors truly understand the gospel now!  Praise God!  Yesterday, we were able to test 18 pastors.  All but 1 were able to tell the message of Romans chapters 1 and 2 for memory using only the pictures we created.  

Cyrus is my partner in ministry.  Everywhere I go, Cyrus is there with me.  I praise God for this dear Brother!

Later, in April, these pastors will be tested on chapters 3-8 and will be required to have the message of these chapters memorized.  My heart is overflowing with joy as a burden is being released.  God is laying a firm foundation for His churches on Kokoyah Road!  Praise God!  Please remember these pastors in your prayers.  

I want to show you a map of Kokoyah Road so you can rejoice with me for the wonderful things the Lord is doing! The pastor's names are written in blue next to their town's name.  By April, the Gospel will start going into all these towns and villages!

I challenge you to memorize the message of Romans as well.  If you accept this challenge, the knowledge you gain will be a blessing to you throughout your lifetime!

The flow of the book of Romans:

Lets take a moment to review the flow of Romans.  Romans is divided into 5 parts.  Try to memorize these parts:

Part 1:  Sin (Chapters 1-3a)

Part 2:  Salvation (Chapters 3b-5)

Part 3:  Sanctification (Chapters 6-8)

Part 4:  God's Sovereignty (Chapters 9-11)

Part 5:  Our Service (Chapters 12-16)

Mark your Bible:
Look again at the summary picture for Romans 2.  The message for chapter 2 is, "You are under sin."  For today's devotion, read chapter 2 and circle the words "you," "your," and "yourself" each time they occur.  As you read, you will see that chapter 1 is about "their" sins while chapter 2 is about "your" sins.  

Note:  
Chapter 1 uses the words "they," "them," and "their" to describe Gentiles.  Chapter 2 uses the words "you," "your," and "yourself" to describe Jews.  

Prayer to Pray:
Father, please use this study to reveal every unclean way within me so I can repent.  Help me see myself for who I truly am.  Please forgive all my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  Empower me to live a different life.