When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do !!

October 17, 2021

In reading the book of Romans, my mind wandered to that old cliche, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." How does this idiom parallel the scripture? Well, let us look at a good definition of this phrase, taken from dictionary.com as follows:

"When visiting a foreign land, follow the customs of those who live in it. It can also mean that when you are in an unfamiliar situation, you should follow the lead of those who know the ropes."

The apostle Paul surely knew the ropes of Rome. Being a staunch Jew, and converted persecutor of those of “The Way" (Christians), he had experienced both sides of the proverbial fence. (Philippians 1:2)

Acts Chapter 21, Paul has returned to Jerusalem and (predictably ) he is accosted by an angry Jewish mob. The Roman officer assigned to protect Paul interrogates him about being the leader of a specific band of terrorists or assassins) also mentioned by the historian Josephus.

The Romans at first treat Paul like just another troublesome slave. Here he is lashed between two poles with his arms and back outstretched, as the soldiers plan to beat him. Paul reverts to his Greek-speaking citizen persona: "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?"

Uh-oh. The response of the centurion to the Man In Charge: "What are you going to do?" What he does, of course, is let Paul go, and that right quickly.

An abbreviated version of I Corinthians 9:20-23 describes Paul's serious motivation for this comedy of manners, mistaken identity, and cross-cultural evangelism: "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews, to those not having the law I became like one not having the law, so as to win those not having the law. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel."

One thing Paul was NOT saying was that he got down into the pig pen in order to win those wallowing in the filth of the mud. He WAS saying, that he used what ever means legally possible to win the lost.

As we consider our city, we understand that there are various ungodly societies prevalent here.

On one hand, we have the American Indian's and their casinos, and some are still practicing the culture of their forefathers, worshiping nature, animals and sun, moon and stars. Our city boasts of the Chinese temple where spirits of the ancient dwell.
Many of the Hmong people are born again Christians, but some still practice worshiping their ancient gods of family and tradition. We must NOT enter into these type of worship that is not pleasing to our Holy God.

As Christians, we cannot mix family culture and even Jewish traditions with our New Testament Experience of Salvation. The Last supper was a Jewish celebration of the Pass Over, but it was the LAST supper, which is now the new covenant celebration of remembering all that Jesus did on the cross.

How should we as Christian believers respond when the leader at church, asks everyone to stand, and later says, “You may all be seated?” Should we do as they request, or should we in our hearts say, “No one tells me what to do?”

The Bible says our hearts at times are full of stubbornness and rebellion.
1 Samuel 15:23 “For rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft; sorcery, and divination CJB), and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry.”

How should we react when it is time to worship the Lord, and everyone else has their hands raised in praise? Should we keep our hands tightly at our sides, rather than joining the Romans? When in a body of believers and they begin to worship and praise the lord with their mouth – should we be silent, or should we join in?

Are we actually not defying the ministers but are in reality grieving the Holy Spirit by not yielding to His bidding?? Think about it.

When in Rome, let us do as the Roman's do. When all are using their voice to make declarations, to praise the Lord, and to worship, may we not just be following the lead of someone else, but from our heart, may we respond to the gentle prodding of the Holy Spirit and enter into praise and worship adding our voice with the others.

Praising Jesus and Worshiping Him, will prepare your heart to intercede for the Lost. Let us yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to create in our hard and stubborn heart a yielded attitude and a willingness to even do what we may consider foolish, but to the Lord it is a sacrifice of praise and pouring out of our adoration of His beauty.

So when in a group of Charismatic or Pentecostal Christians, and they begin to dance, sing, praise, raise their hands and voices in worship, let us do as they do. Just like the Romans.