Romans 6:15-23
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sin’s Power is Broken
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
One of the mind-boggling things for me has always been that God created humankind with free will. The human inventor tests and tests to insure that his invention performs exactly as designed. He doesn’t always succeed but that is his plan. When God created us, His plan included free will. We get to choose how we will perform.
We choose whether to obey or be disobedient. We choose slavery to sin or slavery to righteousness. Bottom line … we choose death or righteous living.
Make the right choice. Choose a life in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
HEAD TO TOE
Romans 6:12-14
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sin’s Power is Broken
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Use your mind … to study and understand God’s Word.
Use your mouth … to speak a gentle word; to sing a hymn of praise.
Use your arms … to embrace someone who is hurting.
Use your hands … to serve someone who is less fortunate than you.
Use your heart … to care for the orphaned and widowed.
Use your legs … to take a stand against injustice in the world.
Use your feet … to walk away when wronged; to step up when called; to go when sent.
“…use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sin’s Power is Broken
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Use your mind … to study and understand God’s Word.
Use your mouth … to speak a gentle word; to sing a hymn of praise.
Use your arms … to embrace someone who is hurting.
Use your hands … to serve someone who is less fortunate than you.
Use your heart … to care for the orphaned and widowed.
Use your legs … to take a stand against injustice in the world.
Use your feet … to walk away when wronged; to step up when called; to go when sent.
“…use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
ALIVE AND FREE
Romans 6:5-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sin’s Power is Broken
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
What a graphic illustration! SLAVERY! The images from Alex Haley’s TV mini-series “Roots” flash in my mind. There was very little joy in Kunta Kinte’s life as a slave. His life was filled with both mental and physical cruelty.
That is the illustration Paul uses to describe our lives in sin; our lives without Jesus Christ. We were slaves to sin, powerless to live free, joyful, abundant lives. Christ died to break the power of sin. Sin’s chains can no longer hold us just as the grave could not hold Jesus. His resurrection is not just an illustration, an image. His resurrection is a reality.
When we enter a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, “…our old sinful selves … crucified…”, we too are resurrected from the bondage of sin. We too are alive and free, in Christ.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sin’s Power is Broken
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
What a graphic illustration! SLAVERY! The images from Alex Haley’s TV mini-series “Roots” flash in my mind. There was very little joy in Kunta Kinte’s life as a slave. His life was filled with both mental and physical cruelty.
That is the illustration Paul uses to describe our lives in sin; our lives without Jesus Christ. We were slaves to sin, powerless to live free, joyful, abundant lives. Christ died to break the power of sin. Sin’s chains can no longer hold us just as the grave could not hold Jesus. His resurrection is not just an illustration, an image. His resurrection is a reality.
When we enter a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, “…our old sinful selves … crucified…”, we too are resurrected from the bondage of sin. We too are alive and free, in Christ.
Monday, January 28, 2008
NEW WAY TO LIVE
Romans 6:1-4
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sin’s Power Is Broken
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
The walk of a believer is different than that of a unbeliever. They don’t frequent the same places they did before they came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The talk of a believer is different than that of a unbeliever. They don’t allow those ‘four-letter’ words they used to say dominate their vocabulary.
The ways of a believer are different than that of a unbeliever. They give up gossip, backbiting, bad habits, greed, vengeance and being unforgiving.
This is not meant to be a complete list of the differences … just a few thought provoking items. Has the Holy Spirit, just this moment, spoken to your spirit about a new way you need to live? More giving … more loving … more caring. Whatever He speaks, listen and agree by faith to change to the new way.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sin’s Power Is Broken
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
The walk of a believer is different than that of a unbeliever. They don’t frequent the same places they did before they came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The talk of a believer is different than that of a unbeliever. They don’t allow those ‘four-letter’ words they used to say dominate their vocabulary.
The ways of a believer are different than that of a unbeliever. They give up gossip, backbiting, bad habits, greed, vengeance and being unforgiving.
This is not meant to be a complete list of the differences … just a few thought provoking items. Has the Holy Spirit, just this moment, spoken to your spirit about a new way you need to live? More giving … more loving … more caring. Whatever He speaks, listen and agree by faith to change to the new way.
Friday, January 25, 2008
RIGHT STANDING
Romans 5:18-21
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Adam and Christ Contrasted
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah said it first (Isaiah 45:23). The Apostle Paul quoted it twice (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10). “…every knee shall bow…” The Lord has declared that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord. There will be those who bow voluntarily and those who are forced to there knees. Only those with right standing with God will gladly bow before His Son. But surely, even those trapped in Adam’s condemnation, will one day have to acknowledge the lordship of Christ.
I don’t know about you but I would much rather enjoy the moment. How about you? Ensure your right standing today. Go ahead and confess Jesus as your Lord.
PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for a friend and co-worker of mine. Brad Cliburn has had a reoccurrence of throat cancer and is facing difficult treatments. He will be going to M.D. Anderson in the near future. Pray also for his wife, Carla, and their teenage son, Cody. I praise God that Brad knows who the is Lord and that God is Jehovah-rapha, our healer.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Adam and Christ Contrasted
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah said it first (Isaiah 45:23). The Apostle Paul quoted it twice (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10). “…every knee shall bow…” The Lord has declared that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord. There will be those who bow voluntarily and those who are forced to there knees. Only those with right standing with God will gladly bow before His Son. But surely, even those trapped in Adam’s condemnation, will one day have to acknowledge the lordship of Christ.
I don’t know about you but I would much rather enjoy the moment. How about you? Ensure your right standing today. Go ahead and confess Jesus as your Lord.
PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for a friend and co-worker of mine. Brad Cliburn has had a reoccurrence of throat cancer and is facing difficult treatments. He will be going to M.D. Anderson in the near future. Pray also for his wife, Carla, and their teenage son, Cody. I praise God that Brad knows who the is Lord and that God is Jehovah-rapha, our healer.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
GOD’S FREE GIFT
Romans 5:12-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Adam and Christ Contrasted
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
In these last days, there are false teachers. God told us this would be so through Peter two thousand years ago (2nd Peter 3). Some are teaching universal salvation … everyone is saved. This is NOT so. A skimming of today’s passage might lead you to the thought of universal salvation but careful reading makes it clear that this is not Paul’s message (remember to whom Roman’s was written – Romans 1:7 – the saints).
In verse 17, Paul says “… for all who receive…”. All who receive God’s free gift will be saved. The gift is available universally but there are those who refuse to hear; refuse to believe; refuse to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. All who DON’T receive God’s free gift remain in the condemnation of Adam’s sin.
Don’t miss out on heaven by refusing to receive God’s free gift!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Adam and Christ Contrasted
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
In these last days, there are false teachers. God told us this would be so through Peter two thousand years ago (2nd Peter 3). Some are teaching universal salvation … everyone is saved. This is NOT so. A skimming of today’s passage might lead you to the thought of universal salvation but careful reading makes it clear that this is not Paul’s message (remember to whom Roman’s was written – Romans 1:7 – the saints).
In verse 17, Paul says “… for all who receive…”. All who receive God’s free gift will be saved. The gift is available universally but there are those who refuse to hear; refuse to believe; refuse to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. All who DON’T receive God’s free gift remain in the condemnation of Adam’s sin.
Don’t miss out on heaven by refusing to receive God’s free gift!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
WILLING TO DIE
Romans 5:6-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Faith Brings Joy
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
How often are you totally repulsed by a news story? Someone has committed a horrific crime, the details of which turn your stomach … make you sick. I think of some of the tragedies of history … the Holocaust … slavery … Pearl Harbor … 9 – 11.
Then I come to Romans 5:8 and understand that God willingly made a way for me … a sinner. He made a way for the worst of sinners. The scriptures say that His ways are not our ways. How true that is! How wonderful it is to know that there is no sin greater than the blood of Christ which saves us from condemnation.
Instead of wallowing in guilt for our sin, because of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can rejoice in the light of God’s great love.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Faith Brings Joy
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
How often are you totally repulsed by a news story? Someone has committed a horrific crime, the details of which turn your stomach … make you sick. I think of some of the tragedies of history … the Holocaust … slavery … Pearl Harbor … 9 – 11.
Then I come to Romans 5:8 and understand that God willingly made a way for me … a sinner. He made a way for the worst of sinners. The scriptures say that His ways are not our ways. How true that is! How wonderful it is to know that there is no sin greater than the blood of Christ which saves us from condemnation.
Instead of wallowing in guilt for our sin, because of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can rejoice in the light of God’s great love.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
THE FRUITS OF TROUBLE
Romans 5:3-4
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Faith Brings Joy
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Faith Brings Joy
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Face it. No one enjoys trouble. We would love to live our lives free of problems and trials but unfortunately, because of sin, they are an ever-present part of life. The Apostle Paul gives us insight on troubles, not from a natural perspective but from the spiritual. God uses these trials and tribulations to produce fruit in our lives.
What are the fruits produced by our troubles?
- Endurance … to ride out the storm.
- Strength of character … when the lost see the positive character traits of the faithful, in spite of our trouble, they see Christ in us.
- Hope of salvation … when God brings us through life’s troubles, it gives us the confidence to face the ultimate trial (death) with the assurance of eternity in His presence.
The next time trouble comes, focus on and thank God for the fruit!
Monday, January 21, 2008
EXPERIENCING JOY
Romans 5:1-2
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Faith Brings Joy
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
When you and I put our faith in God through a personal relationship with Jesus, His Son, we begin to experience the joy of the Lord.
This joy comes through peace. This peace with God is far beyond our ability to fully understand and is completely undeserved. Yet He gives it anyway.
This joy comes through position (place). God has reserved a place for us around the family table and we take a seat at His banquet.
This joy come through privilege. All the privileges of the Son, the heir, are given to us, the adopted children. We become joint-heirs with Jesus.
And all of this is available, not because we are so good but because of what Jesus did on the Cross!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Faith Brings Joy
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
When you and I put our faith in God through a personal relationship with Jesus, His Son, we begin to experience the joy of the Lord.
This joy comes through peace. This peace with God is far beyond our ability to fully understand and is completely undeserved. Yet He gives it anyway.
This joy comes through position (place). God has reserved a place for us around the family table and we take a seat at His banquet.
This joy come through privilege. All the privileges of the Son, the heir, are given to us, the adopted children. We become joint-heirs with Jesus.
And all of this is available, not because we are so good but because of what Jesus did on the Cross!
Friday, January 18, 2008
NEVER GIVE UP HOPE
Romans 4:18-25
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Faith of Abraham
18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Has God placed a dream in your heart? Does it seem like it will never come to pass? Don’t give up hope.
Abraham looked at his age (100) and the age of his wife (90) and said by all natural circumstances, child-bearing is beyond hope. Yet God said I will be the father of my many descendants … many nations. He never wavered in believing God’s promise. God fulfilled His promise (Abraham’s son Isaac). God never comes short of His Word.
If the source of your dream is God you can have faith that He will bring it to pass. This can’t be said for just any dream. How do we discern whether the source is God? Ask two questions. Does it line up with God’s will? Does it line up with God’s Word? If the answer is yes, never give up hope.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Faith of Abraham
18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Has God placed a dream in your heart? Does it seem like it will never come to pass? Don’t give up hope.
Abraham looked at his age (100) and the age of his wife (90) and said by all natural circumstances, child-bearing is beyond hope. Yet God said I will be the father of my many descendants … many nations. He never wavered in believing God’s promise. God fulfilled His promise (Abraham’s son Isaac). God never comes short of His Word.
If the source of your dream is God you can have faith that He will bring it to pass. This can’t be said for just any dream. How do we discern whether the source is God? Ask two questions. Does it line up with God’s will? Does it line up with God’s Word? If the answer is yes, never give up hope.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
GOD’S PROMISE – A FREE GIFT
Romans 4:13-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Faith of Abraham
13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. 14 If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. 15 For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)
16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. 17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.
For the descendants of Abraham, the Jewish nation, obedience to God’s law was the aim but they always missed the target. The law was good to identify their sin and show them their need for the Messiah. When God fulfilled His promise of the Messiah, those who placed their faith in Jesus were/are rewarded with right standing with God, just as was faithful Abraham.
How sad it is that many Jews continue to aim at keeping the law (still missing the target), have also missed the Messiah. How sad it is for anyone who is missing out on the blessing of God’s promise. That is why those who have faith and believe must be about our Father’s business … sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Faith of Abraham
13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. 14 If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. 15 For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)
16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. 17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.
For the descendants of Abraham, the Jewish nation, obedience to God’s law was the aim but they always missed the target. The law was good to identify their sin and show them their need for the Messiah. When God fulfilled His promise of the Messiah, those who placed their faith in Jesus were/are rewarded with right standing with God, just as was faithful Abraham.
How sad it is that many Jews continue to aim at keeping the law (still missing the target), have also missed the Messiah. How sad it is for anyone who is missing out on the blessing of God’s promise. That is why those who have faith and believe must be about our Father’s business … sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
RELIGION’S BILLBOARD
Romans 4:9-12
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Faith of Abraham
9 Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. 10 But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised!
11 Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. 12 And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.
In the early days of the Jewish nation, circumcision was the sign for themselves and others that they had faith in God. It was the Jewish religion’s billboard. As well as being an act of obedience, this work is an indicator of faith … not faith itself. The use by religions of billboards continues. For some Jews today their beards and black hats are their billboard. In the Christian faith we have billboards of baptism (and even baptismal methodology), practice of certain spiritual gifts, dress or even the absence of make-up as signs of our faith.
Whichever billboard you claim as yours, be sure it is based on your faith in God through Jesus Christ, not just the erection of the billboard. You can put up the sign but without faith, you are still lost.
Prayer Request: Please pray for Michelle Hoskins. She has multiple physical problems related to digestion. She and her husband, Glenn, are requesting prayer to find the earthly physician with the wisdom that the Heavenly Physician will use to bring relief and healing.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Faith of Abraham
9 Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. 10 But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised!
11 Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. 12 And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.
In the early days of the Jewish nation, circumcision was the sign for themselves and others that they had faith in God. It was the Jewish religion’s billboard. As well as being an act of obedience, this work is an indicator of faith … not faith itself. The use by religions of billboards continues. For some Jews today their beards and black hats are their billboard. In the Christian faith we have billboards of baptism (and even baptismal methodology), practice of certain spiritual gifts, dress or even the absence of make-up as signs of our faith.
Whichever billboard you claim as yours, be sure it is based on your faith in God through Jesus Christ, not just the erection of the billboard. You can put up the sign but without faith, you are still lost.
Prayer Request: Please pray for Michelle Hoskins. She has multiple physical problems related to digestion. She and her husband, Glenn, are requesting prayer to find the earthly physician with the wisdom that the Heavenly Physician will use to bring relief and healing.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
DEPOSIT TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Romans 4:1-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Faith of Abraham
Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
4 When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. 6 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:
7 “Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sins are put out of sight.
8 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Faith of Abraham
Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
4 When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. 6 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:
7 “Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sins are put out of sight.
8 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”
I can almost hear David singing, “… what joy…” there is in being forgiven. “What joy…” there is in knowing that the sin debit on my account has been cleared by a righteousness deposit because my faith is in God.
Monday, January 14, 2008
WHEN WE BELIEVE
Romans 3:21-31
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Christ Took Our Punishment
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
It is important to understand, in totality, what God’s Word says to us about our sinful condition. There is some faulty theology out there which I would classify as ‘feel good’ theology. We want to feel good about God and feel good about ourselves. We feel good about God when we say God is love. We feel good about ourselves when we say our loving Father has forgiven our sin.
God’s love and forgiveness is universally available but the Apostle Paul makes it crystal clear that it is not universally applied. The one God … the God of Jews and Gentiles … makes people right with himself only by faith; only when they believe in Jesus Christ. A theology which focuses only on the saving work done at Calvary without a personal confession of faith in the One who did the work, falls short. To say that we are all saved dilutes the truth of the scriptures. Salvation is only sure for those who have confessed the Savior, Jesus Christ, as God’s only Son and placed your eternity in His hands.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Christ Took Our Punishment
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
It is important to understand, in totality, what God’s Word says to us about our sinful condition. There is some faulty theology out there which I would classify as ‘feel good’ theology. We want to feel good about God and feel good about ourselves. We feel good about God when we say God is love. We feel good about ourselves when we say our loving Father has forgiven our sin.
God’s love and forgiveness is universally available but the Apostle Paul makes it crystal clear that it is not universally applied. The one God … the God of Jews and Gentiles … makes people right with himself only by faith; only when they believe in Jesus Christ. A theology which focuses only on the saving work done at Calvary without a personal confession of faith in the One who did the work, falls short. To say that we are all saved dilutes the truth of the scriptures. Salvation is only sure for those who have confessed the Savior, Jesus Christ, as God’s only Son and placed your eternity in His hands.
Friday, January 11, 2008
HOW BAD ARE WE REALLY?
Romans 3:9-20
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
All People Are Sinners
9 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous—
not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away;
all have become useless.
No one does good,
not a single one.”
13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “They rush to commit murder.
16 Destruction and misery always follow them.
17 They don’t know where to find peace.”
18 “They have no fear of God at all.”
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
“Hold on Paul. I’m not all that bad. I do a lot of good things. I’ve gotten praise from many people for the works I have done. I even have plaques on my walls to prove it.”
Was that your reaction when you read these verses? Can you look at those around you and say, by comparison, there are a whole lot of folks who are a lot more wicked than I am? That may be true but the problem is they are not the example. They are not the plumb line. They are not one to measure yourself against.
When we look at Jesus … fully human, yet without sin … we don’t measure up. We see how sinful we really are.
Prayer Request: Please pray for Bob Neill (we who know him from Kairos, know him as Uncle Bob). He has recently and suddenly developed a problem with an elevated blood sugar level. Pray for discernment of the source of the problem and complete healing. Uncle Bob has much work to do as state chairperson for Kairos of Mississippi.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
All People Are Sinners
9 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous—
not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away;
all have become useless.
No one does good,
not a single one.”
13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “They rush to commit murder.
16 Destruction and misery always follow them.
17 They don’t know where to find peace.”
18 “They have no fear of God at all.”
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
“Hold on Paul. I’m not all that bad. I do a lot of good things. I’ve gotten praise from many people for the works I have done. I even have plaques on my walls to prove it.”
Was that your reaction when you read these verses? Can you look at those around you and say, by comparison, there are a whole lot of folks who are a lot more wicked than I am? That may be true but the problem is they are not the example. They are not the plumb line. They are not one to measure yourself against.
When we look at Jesus … fully human, yet without sin … we don’t measure up. We see how sinful we really are.
Prayer Request: Please pray for Bob Neill (we who know him from Kairos, know him as Uncle Bob). He has recently and suddenly developed a problem with an elevated blood sugar level. Pray for discernment of the source of the problem and complete healing. Uncle Bob has much work to do as state chairperson for Kairos of Mississippi.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
TRUTHFUL, FAITHFUL, FAIR AND RIGHTEOUS
Romans 3:1-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
God Remains Faithful
1 Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? 2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.
3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? 4 Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him,
“You will be proved right in what you say,
and you will win your case in court.”
5 “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) 6 Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? 7 “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” 8 And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.
When you tell somebody about the God you believe in and serve, what are the attributes you use to describe Him?
The Apostle Paul, in four brief verses, touches on four of God’s many characteristics.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
God Remains Faithful
1 Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? 2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.
3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? 4 Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him,
“You will be proved right in what you say,
and you will win your case in court.”
5 “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) 6 Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? 7 “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” 8 And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.
When you tell somebody about the God you believe in and serve, what are the attributes you use to describe Him?
The Apostle Paul, in four brief verses, touches on four of God’s many characteristics.
- God is true. (vs.4)
- God is faithful (vs.3-4)
- God is righteous (vs. 5)
- God is entirely fair (vs. 6)
Try this… Make a list, either mental or physical, of five things you would say to describe God and included with each attribute/characteristic why this item is real to you. (Example: God is a healer because He has healed my body.)
Prayer Request: Please pray for the Barth family in Illinois. Click this link for more information. --> http://www.friendsofbarths.info/Family_Story.htmlTuesday, January 08, 2008
A HEART RIGHT WITH GOD
Romans 2:17-29
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Jews and the Law
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
Are you a religious person? Your name on a church role? Attend regularly? Sing in the choir … serve on the usher board? Give generously to support the programs of the church? If your answer is yes, that's good but that's not enough.
Paul, in addressing the Jews living in Rome, was asking these same kind of questions. They knew what the law said they were supposed to do, yet they failed to measure up. Yes, they failed to keep the regulations but greater still, they failed to give their whole heart to God. God is more interested in a heart that is right with Him than our human attempts to follow some rules and regulations.
Has your heart been changed by the Spirit of God?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Jews and the Law
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. 18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
Are you a religious person? Your name on a church role? Attend regularly? Sing in the choir … serve on the usher board? Give generously to support the programs of the church? If your answer is yes, that's good but that's not enough.
Paul, in addressing the Jews living in Rome, was asking these same kind of questions. They knew what the law said they were supposed to do, yet they failed to measure up. Yes, they failed to keep the regulations but greater still, they failed to give their whole heart to God. God is more interested in a heart that is right with Him than our human attempts to follow some rules and regulations.
Has your heart been changed by the Spirit of God?
Monday, January 07, 2008
THE SECRET LIFE
Romans 2:1-16
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
God’s Judgment of Sin
1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.
We all have things in our past that we would rather the whole world not know about. (I can’t imagine the life of a politician where anything you have ever done is subject to become front page news.) Truth be told, those things which we call secret are not secret at all. One day, “…everyone’s secret life…”, will be the subject of God’s judgment. We may be able to hide them from man but we can never hide them from God.
The only hope … the only answer … is to have our sin covered. We all have sin and the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ is the only way. Either you will pay for your sin … “the wages of sin is death” … or the cost can be covered by Jesus’ death on the Cross. There is no other way. If you depend on yourself, you are lost. If you place your faith in Jesus, “…He will give eternal life…”.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
God’s Judgment of Sin
1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.
We all have things in our past that we would rather the whole world not know about. (I can’t imagine the life of a politician where anything you have ever done is subject to become front page news.) Truth be told, those things which we call secret are not secret at all. One day, “…everyone’s secret life…”, will be the subject of God’s judgment. We may be able to hide them from man but we can never hide them from God.
The only hope … the only answer … is to have our sin covered. We all have sin and the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ is the only way. Either you will pay for your sin … “the wages of sin is death” … or the cost can be covered by Jesus’ death on the Cross. There is no other way. If you depend on yourself, you are lost. If you place your faith in Jesus, “…He will give eternal life…”.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
TURN FROM YOUR WICKED WAYS
Romans 1:24-32
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
Should I tiptoe around these verses? Should I avoid possibly offending one of my readers and be ‘politically correct’? God forbid if we avoid the truth from His word.
Look at God’s words … shameful … foolish … that’s what He here calls the homosexual lifestyle. In the Old Testament, His word for it … abomination. But this is not just about homosexuality. These verse speak to sin. God hates all sin. It was not just one kind of sin that nailed Jesus to the Cross. He paid the price for all sin.
Jesus Christ is the answer, no matter what the sin. His blood paid it all. It cleanses completely, those who will surrender to Him but you must surrender. Continuing in sin results in God abandoning you to your shameful ways and foolish thinking. His grace, mercy and love is available to whoever will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
Should I tiptoe around these verses? Should I avoid possibly offending one of my readers and be ‘politically correct’? God forbid if we avoid the truth from His word.
Look at God’s words … shameful … foolish … that’s what He here calls the homosexual lifestyle. In the Old Testament, His word for it … abomination. But this is not just about homosexuality. These verse speak to sin. God hates all sin. It was not just one kind of sin that nailed Jesus to the Cross. He paid the price for all sin.
Jesus Christ is the answer, no matter what the sin. His blood paid it all. It cleanses completely, those who will surrender to Him but you must surrender. Continuing in sin results in God abandoning you to your shameful ways and foolish thinking. His grace, mercy and love is available to whoever will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways.
Friday, January 04, 2008
WISE OR FOOLISH … YOUR CHOICE
Romans 1:18-25
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
God’s Anger at Sin
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
When you look at the sunrise … you choose. When you observe the wonders of nature … a butterfly … a rose … an elephants trunk … the giraffe’s neck … the annual march of the penguins … a newborn baby … you choose. In all these things, you choose either to see the God of creation or to ignore the obvious. Those who deny the truth which surrounds them are just foolish and Paul tells us that God will leave them to their foolish choices. We know this is also true just by observing the behavior of the wicked … the utter foolishness of their actions.
Today, look for something amazing in nature and when you see it, don’t just take it for granted. Give praise to Him who is worthy of eternal praise.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
God’s Anger at Sin
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
When you look at the sunrise … you choose. When you observe the wonders of nature … a butterfly … a rose … an elephants trunk … the giraffe’s neck … the annual march of the penguins … a newborn baby … you choose. In all these things, you choose either to see the God of creation or to ignore the obvious. Those who deny the truth which surrounds them are just foolish and Paul tells us that God will leave them to their foolish choices. We know this is also true just by observing the behavior of the wicked … the utter foolishness of their actions.
Today, look for something amazing in nature and when you see it, don’t just take it for granted. Give praise to Him who is worthy of eternal praise.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
NOT ASHAMED
Romans 1:8-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
God’s Good News
8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.
10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. 11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. 15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
How did you respond the last time you faced a challenge to your faith? Did you take the ‘politically correct’ position, not bringing religion into the situation? I can remember, when I worked for a large corporation, I was advised that there were two things I needed to keep out of the workplace … politics … and religion. While I don’t think it is necessary to be a Bible totter, always ready to hit someone over the head with the Word, I do believer there are times when we just can’t hide our faith. We must daily carry ourselves in a way which brings honor to the God we serve. Our lifestyle can speak volumes … words are not always necessary.
But sometimes we must speak up. When our Father is blasphemed … when our Savior is trashed … when the truth of our faith is challenged … we must be ready to declare ourselves.
By deed or by word, are you ready to declare that you are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ? I am!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
God’s Good News
8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.
10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. 11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
13 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. 15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
How did you respond the last time you faced a challenge to your faith? Did you take the ‘politically correct’ position, not bringing religion into the situation? I can remember, when I worked for a large corporation, I was advised that there were two things I needed to keep out of the workplace … politics … and religion. While I don’t think it is necessary to be a Bible totter, always ready to hit someone over the head with the Word, I do believer there are times when we just can’t hide our faith. We must daily carry ourselves in a way which brings honor to the God we serve. Our lifestyle can speak volumes … words are not always necessary.
But sometimes we must speak up. When our Father is blasphemed … when our Savior is trashed … when the truth of our faith is challenged … we must be ready to declare ourselves.
By deed or by word, are you ready to declare that you are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ? I am!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
INCLUDED AMONG THE GENTILES
Romans 1:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
The Good News (the gospel) is all about God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Paul points to the three main elements of the Good News … the birth … the death … the resurrection … of Jesus Christ.
When we read a newspaper, we seldom find good news. It is usually the horrific that grabs the headlines. When there is good news, it seldom makes the front page. Another thing about good news is that it is not always good for everybody. What is good news for one person may mean something negative for another.
The Good News of Jesus Christ is good news for everybody who believes. Christ came to His own (the Jews) but they rejected Him. Yet it is still good news for those (Messianic Jews) who believe. The Good News was also shared with non-Jews or as the Bible refers to them … the Gentiles. God’s plan of salvation included everyone … Jews and Gentile. That means, if I have to make it any plainer, you were and are included in God’s plan. You are loved by God, no matter how unworthy you may feel. Yes, you are called to be one of His holy people. The Father calls you to be His child.
That’s good news!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
The Good News (the gospel) is all about God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Paul points to the three main elements of the Good News … the birth … the death … the resurrection … of Jesus Christ.
When we read a newspaper, we seldom find good news. It is usually the horrific that grabs the headlines. When there is good news, it seldom makes the front page. Another thing about good news is that it is not always good for everybody. What is good news for one person may mean something negative for another.
The Good News of Jesus Christ is good news for everybody who believes. Christ came to His own (the Jews) but they rejected Him. Yet it is still good news for those (Messianic Jews) who believe. The Good News was also shared with non-Jews or as the Bible refers to them … the Gentiles. God’s plan of salvation included everyone … Jews and Gentile. That means, if I have to make it any plainer, you were and are included in God’s plan. You are loved by God, no matter how unworthy you may feel. Yes, you are called to be one of His holy people. The Father calls you to be His child.
That’s good news!
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