Listen to The Daily Word online.  When I was in college, I had to win every argument I started. I loved being right and hated losing a debate. Because I was a very opinionated freshman, I started a lot of arguments my first year. I paid a huge social cost for my combativeness the next year. My friends didn’t want to argue with me, and since that’s all I seemed to do, they left me alone. I eventually learned that not every debate can or needs to be won. Friends live with differences of opinion.  In Romans 14.1-15.13, Paul outlines … Continue reading Living with Differences of Opinion (Romans 14.1)

Listen to The Daily Word online. As a minister, I officiate at numerous weddings and funerals every year. I wear the same thing for both: dark suit, white shirt, subdued tie, and black shoes. My sartorial intention is not to stand out, to keep everyone’s focus on who’s getting married or buried. But lately, I’ve stood out nonetheless. With more and more people dressing casually for milestone events—including wearing shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops to funerals—I’m often the only suit in the room. Doesn’t anyone dress appropriately for the occasion anymore?  In Romans 13.11-14, Paul uses the image of dressing appropriately … Continue reading Dressing Appropriately for the Occasion (Romans 13.14-18)

Listen to The Daily Word online. Recently, while shopping in Target for our nieces, my wife and I came across a child’s T-shirt emblazoned with “The Toddler Laws of Property”: If I like it, it's mine. If it's in my hand, it's mine. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine. If it looks just like mine, it's mine. If I think it's mine, it's mine. Isn’t it sad that we all know adults who still operate by these childish rules?  Romans 13.8-10 outlines a more mature mentality:  Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to … Continue reading Mine or Thine? (Romans 13.8-10)

Listen to The Daily Word online.  Recently, my wife and I were on vacation in Stockholm, Sweden. Our tour guide was extolling the virtues of Sweden’s welfare state: free schooling, free healthcare, free assistance to parents of newborns, etc. Finally, my wife—who has an MBA from Pepperdine—could take it no longer. She asked what Sweden’s tax rates were, and, when told, pointed out that none of those services were free. They were bought and paid for by taxpayers.  Taxes are a tricky subject. Some American Christians think we ought to raise taxes in order to provide more services for citizens, … Continue reading Taxes and Other Obligations (Romans 13.6-7)

Listen to The Daily Word online.  Yesterday, I argued that submission—which I defined as deference to authority and obedience to law—should be the Christian’s fundamental attitude toward government. I also noted that Acts 5.29 qualifies the extent of that submission when the state makes and enforces fundamentally unjust laws. But submission describes only the responsibility of the Christian citizen. What is the responsibility of the state? What is government for?  Once again, let’s read Romans 13.1-5:  Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have … Continue reading What Government Is For (Romans 13.1-5)

Listen to The Daily Word online.  In even-numbered years, we Americans turn our attention to government as we cast our votes in national elections. With those elections just a month away, I’d like to take this opportunity to share a few biblical insights about government.   Now, don’t worry! I’m not going to tell you how to vote in this fall’s elections. That’s not my job as a pastor. My job is to teach biblical principles. Your job is to apply them as best as you know how in real-world situations.  Listen to what Paul writes about government in Romans 13.1-5:  … Continue reading Submission to Government (Romans 13.1-5)

 Listen to The Daily Word online. Have you prayed for the salvation of Osama bin Laden today?  I ask this deliberately provocative question because I fear that American Christians are failing to act distinctively Christian during our nation’s War on Terror. Militant Islamic terrorists mean to do us Americans harm. They are our enemies. Simple justice requires that they be stopped. And according to Romans 13.4, government is God’s agent for doing precisely that.  For he [that is, the government] is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the … Continue reading Reciprocity and Reconciliation (Romans 12.17-21)

 Listen to The Daily Word online. In Romans 12.9-16, Paul teaches us twelve imperatives of Christian community. If we put these imperatives into practice, our relationships will be healthy and our church life vibrant and strong. John Stott provides a one-word summary of each imperative, so let’s use his outline for sake of ease.  First, sincerity: “Love must be sincere.”  Second, discernment: “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” I discussed these two imperatives in a previous devotional, so I won’t repeat what I wrote there, except to say that the more we love one another, the more … Continue reading Twelve Imperatives of Christian Community (Romans 12.9-16)

Listen to The Daily Word online.  Love is the foundation of Christianity.   Such love refers, first of all, to God’s love for us. According to Romans 5.8, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” But that public demonstration bears private fruit. According to Romans 5.5, “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” So intense is God’s love for us that, according to Romans 8.39, there is nothing “in all creation, [that] will be able to separate us from … Continue reading True Love Hates (Romans 12.9)

Listen to The Daily Word online.  When I was born on Thursday, May 8, 1969, my parents named me George Paul Wood. Ever since, they have called me George. My sister calls me George. My wife calls me George. My extended family calls me George. My friends and colleagues call me George. And that’s the way I like. It is, after all, my name. But sometimes, people at church call me Pastor. Listen, if you’re my friend, please don’t call me Pastor.  There are several reasons why I don’t like to be called Pastor. One, it makes me feel old. … Continue reading Don’t Call Me Pastor! (Romans 12.4-8)