Proverbs 6:20-22 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

TTTB stands for The Tie That Binds. I have not left the Romans study but this proverb explains a comment I left in the study that requires some explanation. In the 15^th chapter of Romans Paul uses Old Testament scriptures to tie together the Jew and the Gentile in Christ.

My understanding of this proverb leads me to a conclusion that if the Jews had done what was asked here and lived a life where His Word was written upon their hearts and tied upon their neck to demonstrate their beliefs as they went about their days, they would have welcomed the stranger into fellowship and worship of our God.

They didn’t and so now Paul is quoting scriptures that points to the two issues of worship left out in the teachings of their Rabbi’s, mercy and grace.

The Jews of that day held themselves aloof and separate from others, which is best demonstrated in their distaste for the Samaritans who worshipped the same God.

In those scriptures I saw John the Baptist saying he was not worthy to tie the sandals upon Jesus’ feet. Then I saw Paul using mercy and grace to bind the Jew and Gentile together in Christ, the tie that binds, as it was meant to be.

If you do not see that, it is okay. I’d only ask you to think on this proverb as you read Romans 15:1-13 and allow the Holy Spirit to speak into the moment.

Romans 14:23b for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

BAO stands for By Appointment Only.

You are sick and need to see your doctor. So you call the office and they tell you that they can squeeze you in next Thursday at 3:45. Be sure to have your ID and insurance card and a list of all your medications.

They treat you like they don’t know you.

If we live our life without faith being at the forefront of everything we do and say, we have sin. People do not want to hear that. I understand, we who believe do not want to think we live a sinful life. So be it.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

The truth is that we sin, like it or not, His Word declares it to be true. So how do we deal with it? Do we call to book an appointment with our Great Physician? What does that call sound like?

“I can come in on Sunday any time between 9:30 and 11 but I have to be back in time for the kick off.”

“Can I get an after-hours visit Wednesday night between 7 and 9?”

Jesus is our 24-7 Savior and we treat Him like He is an appointment in our day planner.

1 John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

Is your life in Christ manifested in you or by appointment only?