Now is the time to ask you to do something I know you won’t like. My years of experience as a teacher tell me if we were all in the classroom you would groan (with creation) at this point. I am about to ask you to do something you won’t want to do. But it is for your benefit. It is like taking medicine. I know it may not taste good. I know it may be a bitter pill to swallow – but do it anyway.
I am about to give you a huge clue in the process of working out the solution to the dilemma Romans chapters 9 to 11. BUT NOT YET. Let’s give you a chance to do it unguided first. For those of you who like to solve puzzles on your own and not rely on the clues or the answers at the back of the book – this one is for you. The others of you can take a rest today and come back next Gem. HARDLY – GET WITH IT. You do it too – you learn the most that way. Who learns the most when you prepare something for the Sunday School or the home group or whatever group? That’s right – YOU!
If Romans 9-11 is disconnected then examine the boundaries of it. Do you remember what we did with John 7:53 – 8:11? Go back and look at it. Bible Gems 58–60. Apply the same principle here. Look at the ends of Romans 9-11 and investigate it for connectedness. Be a Detective. We can solve most of the problems of Scripture for ourselves if we will only bother to do it. But most of us are defectives and not detectives. We just can’t be bothered.
So go back again and read the boundaries of the passage looking for the connectedness.
I will give you the specific clues and pointers next Gem. Then you will know if you are on the right track. But I hope that many of you will solve the problem for yourselves just simply by doing it. Give it a go.
Just Do It – Thanks Nike. Did you know nike [nikē] in Greek means Victory?
Go earn your victory. Solve the problem for yourself. Is Romans 9-11 connected to the rest or not?
When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.“
Anon
The world is full of willing people: some willing to work and some willing to let them.
Anon