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Tag: Romans

Making Mountains out of Molehills

I’ve been making mountains out of molehills lately.

It’s not that the molehills aren’t there.

They are.

It’s that I’m considering them to be so much greater than they are.

There are things in life that are irritating, like a sliver that needles into your heart.

It grows to be uncomfortable.

Then it’s inflamed.

It becomes painful.

Unbearable.

Moments that are real and raw pile up and grow bigger, and bigger, and bigger.

In fact, the more I look at my suffering, it metastasizes.

The molehill that could be crushed by my foot has skyrocketed into a towering mountain.

All I can do is stare at the sheer face of the cliff and crumple in despair.

And then the Lord brings a verse to mind.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18

Now, usually, I don’t try to measure my suffering against someone else’s. I’ve learned over the years that the Lord has made us differently with different paths and different loads to bear.

Yet, I can’t help comparing my suffering with the man who the Lord used to write this verse.

Paul’s suffering was physical, mental, and spiritual. He endured years of trials. Beatings, hunger, sleeplessness, shipwreck, betrayal, rejection, stoning… just to name a few. His suffering surely was greater than mine is. 

Yet, through the Spirit, he can write that the sufferings of his present time were not worthy to be compared to glory.

Instead of focusing on the suffering, he focuses on the glory.

Paul’s not making a mountain out of a molehill.

He doesn’t even look at that molehill.

He looks up for the glory. The glory of God.

The glory of Christ which will be shared with us.

What a perspective!

With that outlook, I’m not making much of my suffering, but making much of my God!

It encourages me, even in my moments of hardship.

Because even though those moments are real, raw, and painful…

They aren’t to be compared with the glory that is to come.

So I’m taking my eyes off of the molehill.

I’m lifting my eyes off the horizon, 

and up to Him.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

Roman Road

This is not a Roman Road.

Unless…. all roads lead to Rome! (ha-ha… cue the groans)!

The Roman Road is the next section to memorize in #100BibleVerses.

If you missed the last posts, catch up on the last one, or read about the start of my journey to actively memorize God’s word.

Romans is a fascinating book to study. If you want an interesting overview, check out these videos by the Bible Project (part 1 and part 2).

The “Roman Road” is a selection of verses in Romans that highlights the gospel. Various “stops” along the road give insight into what it means to be saved.

Let’s map it out:

Stop #1

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

All. The universal need. No one has lived a perfect life (except one… more on that later!) and we can’t measure up to God’s glory.

Stop #2

for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Bad news: for the wages of sin is death. Death is the natural consequence of sin. BUT (I love that word) in the same breath is the Good News: the FREE gift of God is eternal life. That’s completely the opposite of death! In Christ Jesus our Lord signals the way we receive the gift: through Christ.

Stop #3

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

This next verse touches on how we are able to receive that gift of eternal life. It’s free to us… but it wasn’t free to Him! Christ laid down His life. He died for us, and not after we cleaned ourselves up or even loved Him first… He died for us while we were yet sinners. It’s doubly sweet to know that this great sacrifice was made because God loves us.

Stop #4

that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

For with the heart one believes resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses resulting in salvation.

Romans 10:9-10

It’s not enough to know the facts. It’s what you do with them. Believing that Jesus died and rose again for you… that’s you getting His righteousness. What a glorious exchange.

Stop #5

for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

Romans 10:13

The reason it’s all caps is not because Paul is shouting here (it’s actually a quote from the book of Joel). Regardless, I think this phrase could be shouted from the rooftops! It’s one of the most comforting verses in the Bible, and a fitting one to end the “Roman Road.” God will take whoever calls on Him. He promises to save. It’s an invitation, open to anyone.

What about you?

Now that we’ve mapped out the Roman Road… where are you on it?

  • Do you know that you’re a sinner (3:23)?
  • Do you know what sin’s consequence is, and what glorious alternative you are offered (6:23)?
  • Do you know how (and why) that gift of eternal life was obtained for you (5:8)?
  • Do you know what to do with the facts (10:9-10)?
  • Have you called on the name of the Lord (10:13)?

If you have questions or would like more explanation, please reach out!

This is the most important “road” you’ll ever travel. And while all roads might lead to Rome, not all roads lead to God. Make sure you’re on the right one.


Bonus: I made a video quoting the Roman Road… warning: there is some singing, since that’s how I first memorized them! 🙂

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