What theological principle did you find encouraging to you this week in Romans 1-4?
Justified by grace, through faith.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he has passed over former sins. (Romans 3:23-25)
While encouragement can undoubtedly be found elsewhere in this week’s reading, I find it difficult to be more encouraged than when I read Romans 3:23-25. We all fall short; none of us deserve it. Yet we are still justified. It is a gift, received only by faith, due to Christ’s faithfulness and God’s righteousness, to pass over our sins.
How does theology help us shepherd people in times of need?
Theology is the study of who God is and what He is like. When we talk about people in times of need, I think we need to ask ourselves (and those in need) what is really at the root. What is it that they really need? Of course, the only correct answer to this question is Christ.
Is the person you are shepherding suffering from a material need? Matthew 6:25-24 says that God provides our every need and that we should seek Him first.
Are they struggling with fear? Isaiah 41:10 says to fear not that God is with us and will strengthen us, help us, and uphold us.
Maybe it’s an emotional need? Perhaps one of the many, many verses about God’s love for us, such as John 3:16, Romans 5:8, or John 3:1, can help.
This list could go on and on…
At the end of the day, it’s good theology, a good understanding of who God is, what He’s like, and what He says about us and to us that will help us shepherd people in times of need.