InReView Part 1

As of this semester,we have the unbelievable privilege of leading a wonderful group of college-age students near a University. It is named InView after Romans 12:1-2.

In view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

We have dinner together, sing some praises, and then, at least for this semester, are going to study scripture. My husband was impacted through a study on Romans in college and so we are actually going to go through Romans, a chapter a week. We have a rotating teaching team who will hopefully mediate our group through all of the amazingness that Paul wrote for us.

I do like Romans, and totally believe the Bible. I believe all the stories as truth and believe in living out what they teach. But with some extra honesty added, there are some parts I end up reading over without thinking because I have previously not understood, or didn't want to understand, their meaning. For instance, I was reading Chapter 1 for our first official study and immediately just skimmed over verse 18-32. I have read them before, been very angry at them before, and therefore just skipped past reviewing past strained thoughts and how these thoughts are so very justified. Several hours passed and I wanted to read again, this time thinking what would I say if I was in our group reading over these verses. What questions would I ask? What questions would I think of but not ask? What picture do these verses paint of God and His son?

After delving a bit deeper, I almost suggested that we skip these verses altogether because they weren't necessary. How quaint, a sinner suggesting to skip verses that talk about God detesting sinning. At the moment, all I knew was that they didn't seem to paint a very loving picture of God, and that I had way more questions in my head regarding these verses than I knew what to do with. I began to realize that maybe I should take some time to look back again at these verses, for maybe that place in my life at the time first read was too hectic to ascertain understanding.

I didn't have much time to review them in depth, so I just came to a place where I decided this is one of those sections I will always begrudgingly read and resistantly accept. I even got to a place of resentment towards the people Paul was referring to and wondered why they had turned from God in such a hostile manner. What gives them the right or the desire to do so? But more importantly, why did God let his presence be removed from them? Didn't that just escalate their transgressions? I will tell you, I was half in high-and-mighty status, being a follower of the Way in supposed obiedience, but also half in pity for the lost and hurting souls that God had adandoned.