I remember when I was a new follower of Christ back in 1976, I was challenged to memorize Scripture. I can still recall one of the first passages I committed to memory was Ephesians 6:10-20. It still brings my mind to view spiritual warfare in a Biblical way. A few weeks later I was invited to my first Christian Camp, Circle C Ranch, in the Kansas City area; it was there that I was challenged to memorize God’s Word in order to “win a prize”. Up for the challenge and a desire to win something, I memorized over 50 verses in one week! Oh, for the days of a young uncluttered mind. And also, during that time, our pastor started a scripture memory program for the entire church where we were memorizing 5 verses a week. So, needless to say, my spiritual foundation was built upon Scripture memory.
I must confess that I have moved away from my roots of memorizing the Word on a regular basis. How about you? Have you developed the discipline of Scripture memory? What occupies your thoughts all day long? I want to encourage you to join me and others as we pick up the “habit” of memorizing Scripture together. Maybe you can memorize with your Missional Community, or friends or spouse. Find someone who will help you in the process. “Together is better”.
Since being in the book of Romans, we have a set of memory verses for each section that I preach through. Just in case you don’t know what they are I will list the ones we have covered and even the ones that are upcoming. We are now on the Condemnation section for the next two weeks. Come on and start memorizing God’s Word…one verse at a time. It’s a New Year and it’s time to start!
Revelation:
Romans 1:16–17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:20 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Condemnation:
Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
Romans 2:12–13 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Romans 3:9–12 9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:13–18 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”