Romans 16:20-27 (NIV)
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.
24
25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,
26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him--
27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
You hardly ever think of a peaceful being that is able to crush its opponent, and yet that is the God we serve. Satan is the enemy and it is God that does the crushing and not us. Paul then sends out his closing by asking that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A man by the name of Tertius is the one who was copying the letter down for Paul. Paul sends out more greetings from fellow workers. Notice one is the city's public works director. Now for the benediction. The benediction goes back to the purpose of the book of Romans and that is to explain what the Gospel of God is in Jesus Christ. Pray this prayer over you and over our church. It is about being established by the God who wants to reach all the nations. A few hundred years later Rome became the center for Christianity. God can establish His Word and you in it.
I hope you were able to reread chapters 1, 5, 6 and 8 of Romans. I did and it was quite the treat. I hope none of us will get over the power of the Gospel of our God in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Romans 16:17-19 (NIV)
Romans 16:17-19 (NIV)
17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
Matters of faith matter. People have been killed over matters of faith. People are being killed over matters of faith. People risk their lives over matters of faith. We have a saying that you are not to turn a mole hill into a mountain. I have another one. We are not to turn a mountain into a mole hill. We must know what the important matters of faith are for the believer in Christ. We must know what the mountains are for our faith. Paul is telling this church in Rome to stay clear of those who are teaching what is contrary to what they have been taught. You may ask what are the crucial matters of faith? First and foremost it has to do with who Jesus Christ is and what His work is on the cross. It has to do with our view of Scripture as the authoritative Word of God. It has to do with salvation and how one gains a place in heaven or goes to hell. It has to do with a believer's walk in Christ as one that is suppose to be transformed by His Spirit. These are mountains worth dying on. I am not saying there are not more crucial doctrines. However, I do believe that once you figure out Jesus is the second person of the Trinity and has come to us as God-man to purchase for us salvation everything else will come together. Paul does not have kind words for those who teach what is false. Paul sees them as self-serving and not serving Christ. Paul ends on a positive note as to where he thinks they are in their walk with Christ. He sees the church in Rome as an obedient people and Paul is full of joy over them. What does Paul want for this Church that ministers in Rome? He wants it to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. May we take that on as a goal in our own lives. We need to be really good at being good and really bad at being bad.
You may ask what are we going to do for the next five weeks since we are finishing up with the book of Romans? We are going to review. For this week please read chapters one, five and six and of course, the chapter on the Spirit, chapter eight.
17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
Matters of faith matter. People have been killed over matters of faith. People are being killed over matters of faith. People risk their lives over matters of faith. We have a saying that you are not to turn a mole hill into a mountain. I have another one. We are not to turn a mountain into a mole hill. We must know what the important matters of faith are for the believer in Christ. We must know what the mountains are for our faith. Paul is telling this church in Rome to stay clear of those who are teaching what is contrary to what they have been taught. You may ask what are the crucial matters of faith? First and foremost it has to do with who Jesus Christ is and what His work is on the cross. It has to do with our view of Scripture as the authoritative Word of God. It has to do with salvation and how one gains a place in heaven or goes to hell. It has to do with a believer's walk in Christ as one that is suppose to be transformed by His Spirit. These are mountains worth dying on. I am not saying there are not more crucial doctrines. However, I do believe that once you figure out Jesus is the second person of the Trinity and has come to us as God-man to purchase for us salvation everything else will come together. Paul does not have kind words for those who teach what is false. Paul sees them as self-serving and not serving Christ. Paul ends on a positive note as to where he thinks they are in their walk with Christ. He sees the church in Rome as an obedient people and Paul is full of joy over them. What does Paul want for this Church that ministers in Rome? He wants it to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. May we take that on as a goal in our own lives. We need to be really good at being good and really bad at being bad.
You may ask what are we going to do for the next five weeks since we are finishing up with the book of Romans? We are going to review. For this week please read chapters one, five and six and of course, the chapter on the Spirit, chapter eight.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Romans 15:30-33 (NIV)
Romans 15:30-33 (NIV)
30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there,
32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Paul is nearing the end of his letter to the believers in Rome. He is need of help. It is as if Paul had a bounty on his head for most of his life after coming to faith in Christ. He is asking for prayers that he would escape the unbelievers in Judea. Sometimes Paul wanted prayer to reach the unbelievers and sometimes he wanted prayer to escape the unbelievers. Paul used God-given discernment for those types of situations. Paul is not cavalier at all about this prayer for him. He urges them to join in his struggle by praying for him. He also wanted to be effective in his service to the saints in Jerusalem. He wanted protection and he wanted effectiveness in ministry. The result of this answer to prayer is that he would be able to come to Rome with joy and be refreshed together. Would you pray for me that I may come each weekend with joy and that we as a church be refreshed together. Please pray for each other the same prayer. Try to do this right now. Thank you. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
If man is man and God is God, to live without prayer is not merely an awful thing; it is an infinitely foolish thing.
Phillips Brooks (1835–1893)
30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there,
32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Paul is nearing the end of his letter to the believers in Rome. He is need of help. It is as if Paul had a bounty on his head for most of his life after coming to faith in Christ. He is asking for prayers that he would escape the unbelievers in Judea. Sometimes Paul wanted prayer to reach the unbelievers and sometimes he wanted prayer to escape the unbelievers. Paul used God-given discernment for those types of situations. Paul is not cavalier at all about this prayer for him. He urges them to join in his struggle by praying for him. He also wanted to be effective in his service to the saints in Jerusalem. He wanted protection and he wanted effectiveness in ministry. The result of this answer to prayer is that he would be able to come to Rome with joy and be refreshed together. Would you pray for me that I may come each weekend with joy and that we as a church be refreshed together. Please pray for each other the same prayer. Try to do this right now. Thank you. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
If man is man and God is God, to live without prayer is not merely an awful thing; it is an infinitely foolish thing.
Phillips Brooks (1835–1893)
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Romans 15:23-29 (NIV)
Romans 15:23-29 (NIV)
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you,
24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.
26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.
29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
Paul is letting them know of his upcoming visit. Before he visits with the church in Rome he must first drop off the offering taken by the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the saints in Jerusalem. This is the same offering that Paul is talking about in II Corinthians 8:1-8. Paul talked about this offering by these churches to the Corinthians and is talking about it to the church in Rome. Notice his unique slant that they owed it to the saints in Jerusalem. The Jews, through whom God brought blessing, are owed some material blessing from the Gentiles that are now being blessed spiritually. First Paul lets the church in Rome know that these churches that took up the offering were pleased to do so, but in any case they owed it to them anyway. This is why we must read the Bible. This principle is in the Scriptures more than once. If you have been blessed spiritually by someone then you owe them some material blessing. I do not know the extent of the material blessing that is to be given, but I do know that something is owed. I would of never thought that of that concept in a million years, yet there it is right in the Word of God. This principle also helps up see the connection between the material world and the unseen world. There will always be a material world and there will always be a connection between the two worlds. Paul ends this chapter by letting the Roman believers know that when he comes he will come in the full measure of the blessings of Christ. Wow! That is how I want to come to each service at Crosspoint. Paul said that he wanted to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:8). Perhaps, today, you could pray and ask your Father in heaven to help you to come in the full measure of Christ's blessings. If you get a chance to share with someone then share the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus.
The greatest blessing we ever get from God is to know that we are destitute spiritually.
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you,
24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.
26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.
29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
Paul is letting them know of his upcoming visit. Before he visits with the church in Rome he must first drop off the offering taken by the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the saints in Jerusalem. This is the same offering that Paul is talking about in II Corinthians 8:1-8. Paul talked about this offering by these churches to the Corinthians and is talking about it to the church in Rome. Notice his unique slant that they owed it to the saints in Jerusalem. The Jews, through whom God brought blessing, are owed some material blessing from the Gentiles that are now being blessed spiritually. First Paul lets the church in Rome know that these churches that took up the offering were pleased to do so, but in any case they owed it to them anyway. This is why we must read the Bible. This principle is in the Scriptures more than once. If you have been blessed spiritually by someone then you owe them some material blessing. I do not know the extent of the material blessing that is to be given, but I do know that something is owed. I would of never thought that of that concept in a million years, yet there it is right in the Word of God. This principle also helps up see the connection between the material world and the unseen world. There will always be a material world and there will always be a connection between the two worlds. Paul ends this chapter by letting the Roman believers know that when he comes he will come in the full measure of the blessings of Christ. Wow! That is how I want to come to each service at Crosspoint. Paul said that he wanted to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:8). Perhaps, today, you could pray and ask your Father in heaven to help you to come in the full measure of Christ's blessings. If you get a chance to share with someone then share the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus.
The greatest blessing we ever get from God is to know that we are destitute spiritually.
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Romans 15:14-16 (NIV)
Romans 15:14-16 (NIV)
14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
15 I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me
16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul is beginning to bring his letter to a close. Paul acknowledges that he has written a strong letter. He even says, "I have written you quite boldly on some points..." which, in my opinion, is an understatement (read chapter one again). Paul is wanting them to know that he believes in them, but like anyone else they need to be reminded of God's truth. Paul believes in them so much he says, "...that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another." I think that it would be a good prayer for us that we be full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Even with that as our prayer we will still need to be reminded of God's truth. Paul sees his whole ministry as a gift from God. Paul was a teacher of the law to the Jews, but God made him a missionary to the Gentiles. Listen to how Paul describes himself, "...a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles...". I believe first and foremost we must see ourselves as ministers of Christ Jesus. You cannot imagine how important it is to have the right mindset about who you are. You are a minister of Christ Jesus the Lord. When everything else goes wrong you are to always come back to this identity. A high priority for our church is to help people to see themselves as God sees them. We do not represent ourselves, our church, or our country--we represent Jesus Christ! Paul's goal as Christ's minister was to present Gentiles to God as an acceptable offering. In a way we are a product of Paul's ministry. Pray for yourself and for Crosspoint that those who attend would see themselves as ministers of Christ.
Our greatest need today is not more Christianity but more true Christians. The world can argue against Christianity as an institution, but there is no convincing argument against a person who, through the Spirit of God, has been made Christlike.
Billy Graham (1918– )
14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
15 I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me
16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul is beginning to bring his letter to a close. Paul acknowledges that he has written a strong letter. He even says, "I have written you quite boldly on some points..." which, in my opinion, is an understatement (read chapter one again). Paul is wanting them to know that he believes in them, but like anyone else they need to be reminded of God's truth. Paul believes in them so much he says, "...that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another." I think that it would be a good prayer for us that we be full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Even with that as our prayer we will still need to be reminded of God's truth. Paul sees his whole ministry as a gift from God. Paul was a teacher of the law to the Jews, but God made him a missionary to the Gentiles. Listen to how Paul describes himself, "...a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles...". I believe first and foremost we must see ourselves as ministers of Christ Jesus. You cannot imagine how important it is to have the right mindset about who you are. You are a minister of Christ Jesus the Lord. When everything else goes wrong you are to always come back to this identity. A high priority for our church is to help people to see themselves as God sees them. We do not represent ourselves, our church, or our country--we represent Jesus Christ! Paul's goal as Christ's minister was to present Gentiles to God as an acceptable offering. In a way we are a product of Paul's ministry. Pray for yourself and for Crosspoint that those who attend would see themselves as ministers of Christ.
Our greatest need today is not more Christianity but more true Christians. The world can argue against Christianity as an institution, but there is no convincing argument against a person who, through the Spirit of God, has been made Christlike.
Billy Graham (1918– )
Friday, August 13, 2010
Romans 15:8-13 (NIV)
Romans 15:8-13 (NIV)
8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs
9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
God reached this world by sending His Son to serve the Jews with His eye on the truth. God cannot be a liar. God has to stand by His promises. All the promises that the Lord made to Israel were fulfilled in the person of Christ. However part of those promises were also to the Gentiles and that included the promise that Christ came unto His own and His own did not receive Him. The Gentiles were cut off from the promises of God and yet sprinkled throughout the O.T. were these signs that God was not finished with the Gentiles. Paul quotes three verses from the O.T. to let us see the whole truth. At the end of verse 12 we find these words, "...the Gentiles will hope in him." Paul now turns this phrase to pray that the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. Who better to fill us with joy and peace than the God of hope. My prayer for you is that you will be filled with His joy and peace. His joy that abounds even in the midst of hard times and His peace that does pass all understanding. What else comes with this delicious prayer? With this peace and joy, we may also overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The key is to understanding hope, joy and peace is that these are powered by the Holy Spirit. We cannot muster up hope, peace and joy on our own, all the time, whatever the circumstances may be. Pray for yourself that you would live out your life in the power of His Holy Spirit. Pray that you would experience real peace, joy and hope.
In the kingdom of hope there is no winter.
Russian Proverb
8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs
9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
God reached this world by sending His Son to serve the Jews with His eye on the truth. God cannot be a liar. God has to stand by His promises. All the promises that the Lord made to Israel were fulfilled in the person of Christ. However part of those promises were also to the Gentiles and that included the promise that Christ came unto His own and His own did not receive Him. The Gentiles were cut off from the promises of God and yet sprinkled throughout the O.T. were these signs that God was not finished with the Gentiles. Paul quotes three verses from the O.T. to let us see the whole truth. At the end of verse 12 we find these words, "...the Gentiles will hope in him." Paul now turns this phrase to pray that the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. Who better to fill us with joy and peace than the God of hope. My prayer for you is that you will be filled with His joy and peace. His joy that abounds even in the midst of hard times and His peace that does pass all understanding. What else comes with this delicious prayer? With this peace and joy, we may also overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The key is to understanding hope, joy and peace is that these are powered by the Holy Spirit. We cannot muster up hope, peace and joy on our own, all the time, whatever the circumstances may be. Pray for yourself that you would live out your life in the power of His Holy Spirit. Pray that you would experience real peace, joy and hope.
In the kingdom of hope there is no winter.
Russian Proverb
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Romans 15:4-12 (NIV)
Romans 15:4-12 (NIV)
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs
9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."
For a moment focus on just verse four. Paul is talking about a controversy over religious holidays and more so what a believer can eat. It is as if Paul knew the people reading these words would need a little encouragement and he sticks these words in about the Word of God. Sometimes, I have wondered, why do we have the Old Testament? It is written here that everything in the O.T. is there to teach us. The result of that teaching is through the endurance and the encouragement of God's Word we can have hope. I believe that the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12:1 are those who have gone before us. The O.T. is full of stories of people who endured many trials for the sake of their faith in Yahweh. We are part of that story of faith in God. The Lord wants us to be encouraged as you see this in Paul's prayer in verse five. Paul prayed for the Roman believers, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus...". Paul prays for the these believers that this same God who gives endurance and encouragement may now give a spirit of unity in the church at Rome. Our hope is in the Lord to live a life of love, faith and peace. The result of this unity that Paul prays for is that with one heart and mouth they may glorify the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not unity for unity's sake. It is a witness to those around us that we know and can glorify the Lord together. In verse seven we have one of the references to "one another" in God's Word. There are at least 32 different "one another" references found in Scripture. Here we are told to accept one another just as Christ has accepted us. You can tell there are Jewish believers in this church because now Paul goes into how the Gentiles have been brought in on the promise. There are many reasons not to accept people, but there is a grand reason to accept people and that is on the basis of people's faith in Christ. At the center of our unity stands not a truth but a person who is called Jesus Christ. It is Christ who can bring unity to the church. Of course the big question then is, "Who is Jesus?"
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs
9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."
For a moment focus on just verse four. Paul is talking about a controversy over religious holidays and more so what a believer can eat. It is as if Paul knew the people reading these words would need a little encouragement and he sticks these words in about the Word of God. Sometimes, I have wondered, why do we have the Old Testament? It is written here that everything in the O.T. is there to teach us. The result of that teaching is through the endurance and the encouragement of God's Word we can have hope. I believe that the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12:1 are those who have gone before us. The O.T. is full of stories of people who endured many trials for the sake of their faith in Yahweh. We are part of that story of faith in God. The Lord wants us to be encouraged as you see this in Paul's prayer in verse five. Paul prayed for the Roman believers, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus...". Paul prays for the these believers that this same God who gives endurance and encouragement may now give a spirit of unity in the church at Rome. Our hope is in the Lord to live a life of love, faith and peace. The result of this unity that Paul prays for is that with one heart and mouth they may glorify the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not unity for unity's sake. It is a witness to those around us that we know and can glorify the Lord together. In verse seven we have one of the references to "one another" in God's Word. There are at least 32 different "one another" references found in Scripture. Here we are told to accept one another just as Christ has accepted us. You can tell there are Jewish believers in this church because now Paul goes into how the Gentiles have been brought in on the promise. There are many reasons not to accept people, but there is a grand reason to accept people and that is on the basis of people's faith in Christ. At the center of our unity stands not a truth but a person who is called Jesus Christ. It is Christ who can bring unity to the church. Of course the big question then is, "Who is Jesus?"
Monday, August 9, 2010
Romans 15:1-6 (NIV)
Romans 15:1-6 (NIV)
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul classifies himself as one of the strong in faith. The people who are weak could be those who are new to their faith in Christ. People who are new to their faith usually have zeal, but lack knowledge. Those who are strong are not to endure the new believer, but encourage them. Can a person who has known the Lord for a good period of time still be weak? Some of the people I have talked with in the past are people who were well schooled in their faith and did not want others around them to have different values than them. These people would not, however, be destroyed if you did something different in front of them that they saw as sin. They may judge you and talk about you, but never would they be destroyed. The discernment that is needed in these circumstances is, who is the weaker brother and who is the stronger? Love must control the circumstances and therefore truth must be spoken in love. At the heart of Paul's concern is the unity of the church. A team that is rowing in the same direction is a powerful force of nature. Paul knew if the church would fight amongst themselves then there would be no hope of giving the Gospel to the world. We must seek unity, but not at all costs. I have seen churches become weak because they never help develop the faith of believers. There are times for awkward conversations. There are times for everyone to examine their hearts as to why they do this or that. Are we motivated by love or by selfishness? I find verse three so convicting as Christ did not please himself! Over the next few days think of ways to please those around you.
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul classifies himself as one of the strong in faith. The people who are weak could be those who are new to their faith in Christ. People who are new to their faith usually have zeal, but lack knowledge. Those who are strong are not to endure the new believer, but encourage them. Can a person who has known the Lord for a good period of time still be weak? Some of the people I have talked with in the past are people who were well schooled in their faith and did not want others around them to have different values than them. These people would not, however, be destroyed if you did something different in front of them that they saw as sin. They may judge you and talk about you, but never would they be destroyed. The discernment that is needed in these circumstances is, who is the weaker brother and who is the stronger? Love must control the circumstances and therefore truth must be spoken in love. At the heart of Paul's concern is the unity of the church. A team that is rowing in the same direction is a powerful force of nature. Paul knew if the church would fight amongst themselves then there would be no hope of giving the Gospel to the world. We must seek unity, but not at all costs. I have seen churches become weak because they never help develop the faith of believers. There are times for awkward conversations. There are times for everyone to examine their hearts as to why they do this or that. Are we motivated by love or by selfishness? I find verse three so convicting as Christ did not please himself! Over the next few days think of ways to please those around you.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Romans 14:19-23 (NIV)
Romans 14:19-23 (NIV)
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
What have you done lately to keep the peace? In verse 19 Paul calls us to a life of peace and mutual edification. It sounds so easy and yet is so hard. It is hard sometimes to keep the peace in the home, let alone with hundreds of people. I like how Paul says, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to...". We can only make the effort and leave the results with God. I must do what I can and then leave it. I think we will read too much into these verses if we do not keep our eyes on Christ. We are not called to be door mats. Truth in love must be spoken and lived out. Verse 21 is, again, on the theme of causing your brother to fall. What does this mean to cause a brother to fall? I would say that it means for you to cause someone to go against their conscience. What you do in front of them causes them to do that thing and it is not what they believe to be good for them. Verses 22 and 23 get into the whole issue of conscience. When you read chapter one of Romans you see that there are people who have no conscience and now we are talking about people who seem to have a very sensitive conscience. The point is that we all have a conscience and we are to listen to it and we are to listen to God. A fun question to raise is one of conscience changing. Can a person change their conscience? If you discover that God approves a certain behavior that you once thought was wrong, then can you at least not be offended if someone does that in front of you? Can you eventually enjoy meat? Have a great day and do what you can to create peace.
First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471)
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
What have you done lately to keep the peace? In verse 19 Paul calls us to a life of peace and mutual edification. It sounds so easy and yet is so hard. It is hard sometimes to keep the peace in the home, let alone with hundreds of people. I like how Paul says, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to...". We can only make the effort and leave the results with God. I must do what I can and then leave it. I think we will read too much into these verses if we do not keep our eyes on Christ. We are not called to be door mats. Truth in love must be spoken and lived out. Verse 21 is, again, on the theme of causing your brother to fall. What does this mean to cause a brother to fall? I would say that it means for you to cause someone to go against their conscience. What you do in front of them causes them to do that thing and it is not what they believe to be good for them. Verses 22 and 23 get into the whole issue of conscience. When you read chapter one of Romans you see that there are people who have no conscience and now we are talking about people who seem to have a very sensitive conscience. The point is that we all have a conscience and we are to listen to it and we are to listen to God. A fun question to raise is one of conscience changing. Can a person change their conscience? If you discover that God approves a certain behavior that you once thought was wrong, then can you at least not be offended if someone does that in front of you? Can you eventually enjoy meat? Have a great day and do what you can to create peace.
First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471)
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Romans 14:13-21 (NIV)
Romans 14:13-21 (NIV)
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
The words, "If your brother is distressed because of what you eat..." has caused some distress in believer's communities. I went to a school that I believe built it's rule book around those who might get distressed over this or that. These are strong words, "Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died." Distressed and destroy are two words that would make anyone hesitate in doing something that would cause such upheaval. If you for instance felt it was okay to go to church on Saturday night so you could sleep in on Sunday, but a close friend of yours felt it was wrong, should you stop going to church on Saturday nights? Should the church stop having Saturday night services? If the music of the church is causing some believers to have distress and could destroy other believer's faith, should the church stop that music? The list goes on and on. Notice the meat thing keeps coming up. Paul has stopped using the holy days and stuck with the meat-and-eating theme. I believe there is a reason for this and that is the meat that Paul is talking about has been sacrificed to demons. It couldn't have been pork or Paul would of just said the word pork instead of making it so vague ( simply meat). Paul had to take on the same issue in Corinth. It will take a little more time, but let's look into 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (NIV)
23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.
24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
26 for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
28 But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake--
29 the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?
30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--
33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Make sure you read Paul carefully as he goes over a very delicate issue. I believe some of the same things were happening in Rome. This is why Paul keeps up with the theme of meat. If my assumptions are correct, then that of eating what has been sacrificed to idols could cause distress and destroy someone's faith. Yet think of all the other items that can be put on the list. In Romans 15:1 Paul uses the term the weaker brother. It is my conviction, based upon Scripture and watching the life of Christ, that we cannot let the weaker brother rule in every area of life for fear of causing distress. We would never reach anyone for Christ. We have to be very careful as to how we understand and apply what Paul is saying in Romans and Corinthians. The best part is when Paul says, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Let us enjoy what God has purchased for us.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
The words, "If your brother is distressed because of what you eat..." has caused some distress in believer's communities. I went to a school that I believe built it's rule book around those who might get distressed over this or that. These are strong words, "Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died." Distressed and destroy are two words that would make anyone hesitate in doing something that would cause such upheaval. If you for instance felt it was okay to go to church on Saturday night so you could sleep in on Sunday, but a close friend of yours felt it was wrong, should you stop going to church on Saturday nights? Should the church stop having Saturday night services? If the music of the church is causing some believers to have distress and could destroy other believer's faith, should the church stop that music? The list goes on and on. Notice the meat thing keeps coming up. Paul has stopped using the holy days and stuck with the meat-and-eating theme. I believe there is a reason for this and that is the meat that Paul is talking about has been sacrificed to demons. It couldn't have been pork or Paul would of just said the word pork instead of making it so vague ( simply meat). Paul had to take on the same issue in Corinth. It will take a little more time, but let's look into 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (NIV)
23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.
24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
26 for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
28 But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake--
29 the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?
30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--
33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Make sure you read Paul carefully as he goes over a very delicate issue. I believe some of the same things were happening in Rome. This is why Paul keeps up with the theme of meat. If my assumptions are correct, then that of eating what has been sacrificed to idols could cause distress and destroy someone's faith. Yet think of all the other items that can be put on the list. In Romans 15:1 Paul uses the term the weaker brother. It is my conviction, based upon Scripture and watching the life of Christ, that we cannot let the weaker brother rule in every area of life for fear of causing distress. We would never reach anyone for Christ. We have to be very careful as to how we understand and apply what Paul is saying in Romans and Corinthians. The best part is when Paul says, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Let us enjoy what God has purchased for us.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Romans 14:9-14 (NIV)
Romans 14:9-14 (NIV)
9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
I have been told that wearing a beard is wrong.
I have been told that wearing short pants is wrong.
I have been told, at one time, that my hair was too long (it was over my ears).
I have been told that music with a beat is wrong.
I have been told that using any other version of the Bible other than the KJV is wrong.
I have been told that eating out on Sunday was wrong.
If you challenged these so-called wrongs you felt judged. In my circumstance I felt it because I was told that I was not pleasing the Lord. There is entirely too much judging going on in the church at large these days. We must remember who the Lord is and that we all report to Him. It is one of the most sobering thoughts that I have and that is I have to give an accounting of my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. What we must do is act out of love and not be a stumbling block to others. This is a very tricky statement. I think in the end we are not to force our views on others when it comes to disputable matters. Then the question comes, "What are the disputable matters?" Once the disputable matters are agreed upon it is still incumbent upon me to show love.
Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)
9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
I have been told that wearing a beard is wrong.
I have been told that wearing short pants is wrong.
I have been told, at one time, that my hair was too long (it was over my ears).
I have been told that music with a beat is wrong.
I have been told that using any other version of the Bible other than the KJV is wrong.
I have been told that eating out on Sunday was wrong.
If you challenged these so-called wrongs you felt judged. In my circumstance I felt it because I was told that I was not pleasing the Lord. There is entirely too much judging going on in the church at large these days. We must remember who the Lord is and that we all report to Him. It is one of the most sobering thoughts that I have and that is I have to give an accounting of my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. What we must do is act out of love and not be a stumbling block to others. This is a very tricky statement. I think in the end we are not to force our views on others when it comes to disputable matters. Then the question comes, "What are the disputable matters?" Once the disputable matters are agreed upon it is still incumbent upon me to show love.
Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Romans 14:5-11 (NIV)
Romans 14:5-11 (NIV)
5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.
8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
Evidently there were those in Rome who saw one day as more sacred than another and Paul allows that as long as there is freedom. Freedom of conscience is what Paul is basing his argument on in this passage. It is a great line when the apostle says, "Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." Once you search the Scriptures and are convinced either way about eating meat or that some days are special or are not special, then you can hold to that conviction. However, you cannot hold others to that same conviction. I have noticed that once a person makes up their mind they usually want others to follow suit. I would guess that is the herd mentality. It is hard for many to believe that we as followers of Christ can have differences and still worship and work together. The ones that have a hard time with this unity in diversity are usually the followers of Christ. The genius of the church is that it is an organism that is organized around the person of Jesus Christ. The church is not organized around a philosophy, a set of beliefs, or even truth. The church is totally and absolutely wrapped around Jesus Christ. We can still be interested in philosophy, beliefs, and truth, but our primary objective is to walk with the Savior. This is why Paul now interjects Jesus into the argument when he says, "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord." We are all going to have to answer to the Lord so stop the judging and get on with living for the Lord! I sometimes think we are more of a busybody than we care to admit. All of us need to mind our own business because that is what we are going to have to answer for in the end. I cannot answer for your life nor you about my life. I think that is a good thing, don't you? Here is what Chuck Swindoll has to say about this subject.
Remind the religious phony that the splinter within your eye is between you and your Lord, and to pay attention to the tree trunk in his own eye.
Charles R. Swindoll (1934– )
5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.
8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
Evidently there were those in Rome who saw one day as more sacred than another and Paul allows that as long as there is freedom. Freedom of conscience is what Paul is basing his argument on in this passage. It is a great line when the apostle says, "Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." Once you search the Scriptures and are convinced either way about eating meat or that some days are special or are not special, then you can hold to that conviction. However, you cannot hold others to that same conviction. I have noticed that once a person makes up their mind they usually want others to follow suit. I would guess that is the herd mentality. It is hard for many to believe that we as followers of Christ can have differences and still worship and work together. The ones that have a hard time with this unity in diversity are usually the followers of Christ. The genius of the church is that it is an organism that is organized around the person of Jesus Christ. The church is not organized around a philosophy, a set of beliefs, or even truth. The church is totally and absolutely wrapped around Jesus Christ. We can still be interested in philosophy, beliefs, and truth, but our primary objective is to walk with the Savior. This is why Paul now interjects Jesus into the argument when he says, "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord." We are all going to have to answer to the Lord so stop the judging and get on with living for the Lord! I sometimes think we are more of a busybody than we care to admit. All of us need to mind our own business because that is what we are going to have to answer for in the end. I cannot answer for your life nor you about my life. I think that is a good thing, don't you? Here is what Chuck Swindoll has to say about this subject.
Remind the religious phony that the splinter within your eye is between you and your Lord, and to pay attention to the tree trunk in his own eye.
Charles R. Swindoll (1934– )
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Romans 14:1-14 (NIV)
Romans 14:1-4 (NIV)
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
It is sure easier to have unity when everyone knows the rules to play by. In the Scriptures we have God clearly condemning some behavior and commanding us to do other things. We can have unity around those items, but it is when Scripture isn't clear that problems can really develop. The gray areas of life can really test our love for one another. People will say I have a strong conviction about this or that, but a strong conviction does not equal a verse of Scripture. Paul lays down some principles that are useful in those type of disputes. Paul tells us to accept those whose faith is weak. We are to accept them without passing judgment on them about those disputable matters. In this case Paul uses the issue of food. You have one person who can eat anything and another who can only eat vegetables. The person who can eat anything must not look down on those who are restricted in their diet. The person who cannot eat everything is accepted by God. Paul takes us back to the bigger issue as to how to use freedom. Do we use freedom to get our way or do we use freedom to serve others? There are many disputable matters and both sides need to learn not to judge the other side. This is easier said than done. At my church in Charlotte, some people thought it was wrong to eat food or even have coffee in the church on Sunday. We had to have meetings with these people and walk them through Scripture on this issue. They who thought it was wrong to eat in the church also thought they had a Bible verse to back up their claim. They were taking the Bible verse way out of context. They finally agreed that they didn't have to eat on Sunday at the church or even have coffee if that bothered them. We also agreed that there were those people who felt free to eat on Sunday and have coffee and they wouldn't judge them for doing so. These were not easy meetings. People get really attached to their convictions and their ways of doing things. We must be careful with disputable matters and when dealing with each other on those matters.
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
It is sure easier to have unity when everyone knows the rules to play by. In the Scriptures we have God clearly condemning some behavior and commanding us to do other things. We can have unity around those items, but it is when Scripture isn't clear that problems can really develop. The gray areas of life can really test our love for one another. People will say I have a strong conviction about this or that, but a strong conviction does not equal a verse of Scripture. Paul lays down some principles that are useful in those type of disputes. Paul tells us to accept those whose faith is weak. We are to accept them without passing judgment on them about those disputable matters. In this case Paul uses the issue of food. You have one person who can eat anything and another who can only eat vegetables. The person who can eat anything must not look down on those who are restricted in their diet. The person who cannot eat everything is accepted by God. Paul takes us back to the bigger issue as to how to use freedom. Do we use freedom to get our way or do we use freedom to serve others? There are many disputable matters and both sides need to learn not to judge the other side. This is easier said than done. At my church in Charlotte, some people thought it was wrong to eat food or even have coffee in the church on Sunday. We had to have meetings with these people and walk them through Scripture on this issue. They who thought it was wrong to eat in the church also thought they had a Bible verse to back up their claim. They were taking the Bible verse way out of context. They finally agreed that they didn't have to eat on Sunday at the church or even have coffee if that bothered them. We also agreed that there were those people who felt free to eat on Sunday and have coffee and they wouldn't judge them for doing so. These were not easy meetings. People get really attached to their convictions and their ways of doing things. We must be careful with disputable matters and when dealing with each other on those matters.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Romans 13:11-14 (NIV)
Romans 13:11-14 (NIV)
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
When Paul says, "And do this..." we have to ask is he referring to the "...Love your neighbor as yourself." (verse 9) or is it from the top of the chapter? In this instance I believe it goes back to verses 8-10, because of Paul's insistence to lay aside the deeds of darkness which have to do with the commandments of do not covet and so forth, which is about loving others. Do you feel a chill in the room when Paul says, "The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber..."? Evidently Paul had heard that the church in Rome had become a little careless. Paul explains that the hour of our salvation is nearer now than when they had first believed. This is a reference to the second coming of Christ. One of the themes in the New Testament is that the disciples believed Jesus was coming back real soon. It was Ben Johnson who said, "There is nothing like a hanging to focus the mind." These disciples where extremely focused and some of that had to do with meeting Jesus either by death or by His coming back. Paul is pleading with them as he continues to argue his case that the night in nearly over and the day is almost here, which is another reference to Christ's return. If this be the case then put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. If the darkness is going to lose and it is wrong, then go with the light which is the right way and is the winner. In context the armor of light, in part, is doing the deeds of light i.e. "behave decently." The deeds of darkness is the opposite of the deeds of light. Look what he names in those deeds. When we look at the list that includes orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery as things of darkness. We get those as sins. However, what about dissension and jealousy? Do we really get that these are sins as well? Dissension and jealousy can almost parade itself as righteous acts. I am speaking the truth that no one seems willing to speak or their ministry is really not of God or that wouldn't have happened, etc. Doesn't that sound holy? Notice how Paul places dissension and jealousy in a list that includes orgies! Real transformation has to do with everyday choices. It has to do with clothing ourselves with Christ so we do not allow our sinful selves to rise up and make bad choices. This is about obedience. Listen to what author Jerry Bridges has to say about this: "It is time for us Christians, to face up to our responsibility for holiness." Too often we say we are “defeated” by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient. It might be well if we stopped using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms obedience and disobedience.
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
When Paul says, "And do this..." we have to ask is he referring to the "...Love your neighbor as yourself." (verse 9) or is it from the top of the chapter? In this instance I believe it goes back to verses 8-10, because of Paul's insistence to lay aside the deeds of darkness which have to do with the commandments of do not covet and so forth, which is about loving others. Do you feel a chill in the room when Paul says, "The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber..."? Evidently Paul had heard that the church in Rome had become a little careless. Paul explains that the hour of our salvation is nearer now than when they had first believed. This is a reference to the second coming of Christ. One of the themes in the New Testament is that the disciples believed Jesus was coming back real soon. It was Ben Johnson who said, "There is nothing like a hanging to focus the mind." These disciples where extremely focused and some of that had to do with meeting Jesus either by death or by His coming back. Paul is pleading with them as he continues to argue his case that the night in nearly over and the day is almost here, which is another reference to Christ's return. If this be the case then put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. If the darkness is going to lose and it is wrong, then go with the light which is the right way and is the winner. In context the armor of light, in part, is doing the deeds of light i.e. "behave decently." The deeds of darkness is the opposite of the deeds of light. Look what he names in those deeds. When we look at the list that includes orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery as things of darkness. We get those as sins. However, what about dissension and jealousy? Do we really get that these are sins as well? Dissension and jealousy can almost parade itself as righteous acts. I am speaking the truth that no one seems willing to speak or their ministry is really not of God or that wouldn't have happened, etc. Doesn't that sound holy? Notice how Paul places dissension and jealousy in a list that includes orgies! Real transformation has to do with everyday choices. It has to do with clothing ourselves with Christ so we do not allow our sinful selves to rise up and make bad choices. This is about obedience. Listen to what author Jerry Bridges has to say about this: "It is time for us Christians, to face up to our responsibility for holiness." Too often we say we are “defeated” by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient. It might be well if we stopped using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms obedience and disobedience.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Romans 13:6-10 (NIV)
Romans 13:6-10 (NIV)
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Ouch! Does the Scriptures really have to say we have to pay our taxes? Yes. Rome collected from their own people and those nations they conquered. I am sure there was corruption back in those days as we have today. Yet, Paul knowing all of this, said that they were to pay their taxes. If you owe someone then pay them. Look at the way we can owe people. The currency of owing someone is not always the currency of money. We are to show respect or honor if it is due. The only debt we are to owe all the time is the debt to love one another. This love thing is a big thing. We as followers of Christ are to really show forth the love of God in and through our lives. Paul goes back to the law to prove his point as to love really is important. We fulfill the law if we love our fellowman. Paul names some of the commandments that we fulfill in loving others. The one rule sums up the many rules. If we love, we will for instance, not covet our neighbor's wife. At the very least if we understand love, love does not bring any harm to those around us.
If your love be pure, simple, and well ordered, you shall be free from bondage.
Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471)
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Ouch! Does the Scriptures really have to say we have to pay our taxes? Yes. Rome collected from their own people and those nations they conquered. I am sure there was corruption back in those days as we have today. Yet, Paul knowing all of this, said that they were to pay their taxes. If you owe someone then pay them. Look at the way we can owe people. The currency of owing someone is not always the currency of money. We are to show respect or honor if it is due. The only debt we are to owe all the time is the debt to love one another. This love thing is a big thing. We as followers of Christ are to really show forth the love of God in and through our lives. Paul goes back to the law to prove his point as to love really is important. We fulfill the law if we love our fellowman. Paul names some of the commandments that we fulfill in loving others. The one rule sums up the many rules. If we love, we will for instance, not covet our neighbor's wife. At the very least if we understand love, love does not bring any harm to those around us.
If your love be pure, simple, and well ordered, you shall be free from bondage.
Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Romans 13:1-5 (NIV)
Romans 13:1-5 (NIV)
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
How is your submission mode working nowadays? This command to submit to the governing authorities goes for everyone and that includes the disciples of Christ. According to these verses there is no authority that has been established unless it is established by God. You can have some fun with these verses by asking some questions of this verse? In light of these verses was the United States established as an illegal nation? What about Hitler and his regime? Is it okay for a more powerful nation to be a regime remover? What about the Civil War? These verses tell us that if there is rebellion against the established authority that they bring judgment upon themselves. It would be good to remember that this is written to the Romans who were living in Rome. We can be free from fear of these authorities by being obedient. Here is where it gets even more interesting as to the one who carries the sword. Does a nation or state have the right to take a life? Many point to these verses to say yes. There are still others who say the state has the right to punish, but not to take a life. Try to remember where these verses are located for it is good to remind those around us at different times to understand that God establishes authority and we must trust Him who has placed it here.
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
How is your submission mode working nowadays? This command to submit to the governing authorities goes for everyone and that includes the disciples of Christ. According to these verses there is no authority that has been established unless it is established by God. You can have some fun with these verses by asking some questions of this verse? In light of these verses was the United States established as an illegal nation? What about Hitler and his regime? Is it okay for a more powerful nation to be a regime remover? What about the Civil War? These verses tell us that if there is rebellion against the established authority that they bring judgment upon themselves. It would be good to remember that this is written to the Romans who were living in Rome. We can be free from fear of these authorities by being obedient. Here is where it gets even more interesting as to the one who carries the sword. Does a nation or state have the right to take a life? Many point to these verses to say yes. There are still others who say the state has the right to punish, but not to take a life. Try to remember where these verses are located for it is good to remind those around us at different times to understand that God establishes authority and we must trust Him who has placed it here.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Romans 12:12-16 (NIV)
Romans 12:12-16 (NIV)
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Who are you to become? What are you to become? We are to be a cheerful people. One of the characteristics of a follower of Christ is that of joy. Notice the new twist. We are to be joyful in hope. When tough times come we are to be patient. We want patience, but we are like the person who prayed, "Lord give me patience and give it to me now." We are to be faithful in prayer. It would be good right now if you stopped reading and prayed to your heavenly Father. Try to do that throughout the day. We are no longer to conform to the ways of the world, but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. If you haven't noticed these are all commands. We become what we think and do! We are to be a generous people. We are to share with God's people who are in need. It is so easy to become consumed with our stuff. Two words--practice hospitality. Is your heart and home open to others. Now the tough stuff. We are not only to walk away when being persecuted we are to bless them. This is why you need to read Romans 5-8 before you read these words. We are dead to sin and alive to God. We have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Here is another real kicker. We are to rejoice when others are rejoicing and mourn with those who mourn. Paul makes no allowances for our feelings at this juncture. We are commanded to do it. Paul breaks down the social class system with these words in verse 16. Are you proud? Are you conceited? What do you do to live in harmony with other people? I plead with you not to read these verses too fast. Let them sink into your soul.
Christianity does not teach a doctrine of weakness. But the strength it gives a man is quite different from his natural strength. It is a God-directed strength, doing what God wills. It wins great victories, but they are only over evil and self, not the destructive victories that are won over others.
Paul Tournier (1898–1986)
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Who are you to become? What are you to become? We are to be a cheerful people. One of the characteristics of a follower of Christ is that of joy. Notice the new twist. We are to be joyful in hope. When tough times come we are to be patient. We want patience, but we are like the person who prayed, "Lord give me patience and give it to me now." We are to be faithful in prayer. It would be good right now if you stopped reading and prayed to your heavenly Father. Try to do that throughout the day. We are no longer to conform to the ways of the world, but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. If you haven't noticed these are all commands. We become what we think and do! We are to be a generous people. We are to share with God's people who are in need. It is so easy to become consumed with our stuff. Two words--practice hospitality. Is your heart and home open to others. Now the tough stuff. We are not only to walk away when being persecuted we are to bless them. This is why you need to read Romans 5-8 before you read these words. We are dead to sin and alive to God. We have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Here is another real kicker. We are to rejoice when others are rejoicing and mourn with those who mourn. Paul makes no allowances for our feelings at this juncture. We are commanded to do it. Paul breaks down the social class system with these words in verse 16. Are you proud? Are you conceited? What do you do to live in harmony with other people? I plead with you not to read these verses too fast. Let them sink into your soul.
Christianity does not teach a doctrine of weakness. But the strength it gives a man is quite different from his natural strength. It is a God-directed strength, doing what God wills. It wins great victories, but they are only over evil and self, not the destructive victories that are won over others.
Paul Tournier (1898–1986)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Romans 12:6-13 (NIV)
Romans 12:6-13 (NIV)
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
We are all different. We all see the world through a different set of lenses. We have different gifts. Our differences have been given to us by the grace of God. It is not only that God's grace has given us different gifts, He has given us the gift of being different. Yet, this "greatest gift" can almost drive us crazy at times. We must always come back to the grace of God. It is in God's grace that we are different. We must all be on the same page and it seems at the same time we must draw our own drawing on that same page. Those that are called to serve, should serve and those that are called to teach, should teach, etc. The point is that we do it for God's glory and under His command of His great commission. Paul is instructing us on all these different gifts and then what does he come back to after that teaching? Paul comes back to love. Paul does the same thing here that he did in his letter to the Corinthians. He talks about the different gifts and then inserts 1 Corinthians 13 in the middle of his teaching on gifts. Here he says love must be sincere. Love should not be faked. In verse 10 we are told to be devoted to one another in brotherly love. We are family! Then he strikes a chord that we all should learn how to do more. We are commanded to honor one another above ourselves. I really like verse 11. We are to keep up our spiritual fervor. Perhaps one of the keys to keeping the church unified and going forward in the battle is this item of our zeal. What gets you fired up for the Lord? What helps you to become stronger in Him? What keeps you lit up for God's kingdom? Let's go back to that thing of honoring one another. How can we really do that apart from God's zeal being in us? How can we sincerely make someone look better than us apart from God's grace working in us? Have you noticed that we are in the details of what it looks like to be transformed by the renewing of our minds? We cannot skim over these verses for in the end they are the heart and soul of how the church of Jesus Christ is to function. This is how God builds a new community.
Biblically the church is an organism not an organization—a movement, not a monument. It is not a part of the community; it is a whole new community. It is not an orderly gathering; it is a new order with new values, often in sharp conflict with the values of the surrounding society.
Charles Colson (1931– )
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
We are all different. We all see the world through a different set of lenses. We have different gifts. Our differences have been given to us by the grace of God. It is not only that God's grace has given us different gifts, He has given us the gift of being different. Yet, this "greatest gift" can almost drive us crazy at times. We must always come back to the grace of God. It is in God's grace that we are different. We must all be on the same page and it seems at the same time we must draw our own drawing on that same page. Those that are called to serve, should serve and those that are called to teach, should teach, etc. The point is that we do it for God's glory and under His command of His great commission. Paul is instructing us on all these different gifts and then what does he come back to after that teaching? Paul comes back to love. Paul does the same thing here that he did in his letter to the Corinthians. He talks about the different gifts and then inserts 1 Corinthians 13 in the middle of his teaching on gifts. Here he says love must be sincere. Love should not be faked. In verse 10 we are told to be devoted to one another in brotherly love. We are family! Then he strikes a chord that we all should learn how to do more. We are commanded to honor one another above ourselves. I really like verse 11. We are to keep up our spiritual fervor. Perhaps one of the keys to keeping the church unified and going forward in the battle is this item of our zeal. What gets you fired up for the Lord? What helps you to become stronger in Him? What keeps you lit up for God's kingdom? Let's go back to that thing of honoring one another. How can we really do that apart from God's zeal being in us? How can we sincerely make someone look better than us apart from God's grace working in us? Have you noticed that we are in the details of what it looks like to be transformed by the renewing of our minds? We cannot skim over these verses for in the end they are the heart and soul of how the church of Jesus Christ is to function. This is how God builds a new community.
Biblically the church is an organism not an organization—a movement, not a monument. It is not a part of the community; it is a whole new community. It is not an orderly gathering; it is a new order with new values, often in sharp conflict with the values of the surrounding society.
Charles Colson (1931– )
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)
Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
We learned that to be transformed we must be renewed in our minds. Part of that renewal has to do with how we think about ourselves. Paul uses what I find to be an unusual statement to start out his thoughts on this subject. Paul says "For by the grace given me I say to every one..." and you have to ask why at this juncture does he use this phrase? I believe everything that Paul has been saying is by the grace of God. For me it is as if Paul is going to become like a coach to these people. Paul is wanting God's team in Rome to really come together to serve the one and true God. Paul is letting them know that he is on this team and it is by the grace of God that he is on this team. One of the first things you have to address on the team is getting people to think rightly about themselves. If you have people going around thinking they are cut out to preach but they really belong in the sound booth then you have a problem. These words of Paul are pure wisdom from above when he says, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment...". When we hear the words, "It is not about you" that does not mean that you are not addressed in the God's Word, you just need a right opinion about yourself. You have to think of yourself with sober judgment. In a world gone wild about themselves the Word tell us to get sober on the subject of self. In Galatians, Paul is even more blunt when he says, "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (Gal. 6:3). This new thinking has to be done by faith, the faith that only God has given us. Now Paul starts talking about the team, but not until he had dealt with the "self." Paul uses the analogy of the human body that is one, and yet each member of a human body (the eye, mouth etc.) has different functions. The vision of the church is for everyone to find their place and then serve in that place with their whole heart. What could be getting done in the name of the Lord if that vision was ever realized? Would you please dream with me to see more of this vision realized here at Crosspoint?
Weak things united become strong.
Proverb
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
We learned that to be transformed we must be renewed in our minds. Part of that renewal has to do with how we think about ourselves. Paul uses what I find to be an unusual statement to start out his thoughts on this subject. Paul says "For by the grace given me I say to every one..." and you have to ask why at this juncture does he use this phrase? I believe everything that Paul has been saying is by the grace of God. For me it is as if Paul is going to become like a coach to these people. Paul is wanting God's team in Rome to really come together to serve the one and true God. Paul is letting them know that he is on this team and it is by the grace of God that he is on this team. One of the first things you have to address on the team is getting people to think rightly about themselves. If you have people going around thinking they are cut out to preach but they really belong in the sound booth then you have a problem. These words of Paul are pure wisdom from above when he says, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment...". When we hear the words, "It is not about you" that does not mean that you are not addressed in the God's Word, you just need a right opinion about yourself. You have to think of yourself with sober judgment. In a world gone wild about themselves the Word tell us to get sober on the subject of self. In Galatians, Paul is even more blunt when he says, "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (Gal. 6:3). This new thinking has to be done by faith, the faith that only God has given us. Now Paul starts talking about the team, but not until he had dealt with the "self." Paul uses the analogy of the human body that is one, and yet each member of a human body (the eye, mouth etc.) has different functions. The vision of the church is for everyone to find their place and then serve in that place with their whole heart. What could be getting done in the name of the Lord if that vision was ever realized? Would you please dream with me to see more of this vision realized here at Crosspoint?
Weak things united become strong.
Proverb
Monday, July 12, 2010
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We must ask what the word "Therefore" is there for at the beginning of chapter 12. Some say it only goes back to chapter 11 where Paul says we are all bound up to His mercy. There are others that say it goes back to the whole discourse on the Gentiles being let in and the Israelites being laid off to the side, which is found in Romans 9-11. I am one who says the "Therefore" goes all the way back to Romans chapter 1 and the whole theme of the book of Romans which is Romans 1:16-17. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to any who believe. God's mercy, in its fullest way, has been revealed in this Good News about Jesus Christ. Paul has been teaching about all the ramifications of this Gospel since he stated those verses. Now he is bringing it home. In light of all of what God has done for us in His mercy we have only one response and that is to become a living sacrifice. This is our spiritual act of worship. It is worship seven days a week. We are to have a moment-to-moment relationship with our God. If we place ourselves upon Jesus Christ in this way we must no longer conform to the ways of the world. The transformation that takes place is what happens in our minds. Our minds, the way we think, must change by the grace of God. It is then that we are able to taste the sweetness of the will of God. Could you, would you, place yourself upon the altar once again and let God be God in your life? What do you need to get a grip on and of what do you need to let go? Let us look at Romans 12:1-2 in The Message.
Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)
1 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
2 Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We must ask what the word "Therefore" is there for at the beginning of chapter 12. Some say it only goes back to chapter 11 where Paul says we are all bound up to His mercy. There are others that say it goes back to the whole discourse on the Gentiles being let in and the Israelites being laid off to the side, which is found in Romans 9-11. I am one who says the "Therefore" goes all the way back to Romans chapter 1 and the whole theme of the book of Romans which is Romans 1:16-17. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to any who believe. God's mercy, in its fullest way, has been revealed in this Good News about Jesus Christ. Paul has been teaching about all the ramifications of this Gospel since he stated those verses. Now he is bringing it home. In light of all of what God has done for us in His mercy we have only one response and that is to become a living sacrifice. This is our spiritual act of worship. It is worship seven days a week. We are to have a moment-to-moment relationship with our God. If we place ourselves upon Jesus Christ in this way we must no longer conform to the ways of the world. The transformation that takes place is what happens in our minds. Our minds, the way we think, must change by the grace of God. It is then that we are able to taste the sweetness of the will of God. Could you, would you, place yourself upon the altar once again and let God be God in your life? What do you need to get a grip on and of what do you need to let go? Let us look at Romans 12:1-2 in The Message.
Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)
1 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
2 Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
These people lived in Rome. These people saw a government that was pretty good compared to other barbarians, and yet Rome had armies that would bring countries into submission. In other words, Rome wasn't as bad as we are sometimes led to believe. However, it was a heathen nation. Evil for evil would have been something of a common practice for that day even in a more sophisticated society as Rome. Do not conform to the ways of your culture, but rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody is one of the hardest lines that I know of in the Scriptures. We are all on call all the time. People are watching and we are to behave in a way that is right. This is hard stuff! It is hard because - wonder if you are doing something that you know is not wrong, but the people watching think it is wrong. What do we do with our freedom in Christ? Do we teach at that moment or do we submit? Here is a real read on people, If it is possible- as far as it depends on you -live at peace with everyone. We may go to great lengths to live at peace with people and yet there still be no harmony. This is a reality that has to be accepted. Do you realize revenge is not wrong it is just wrong for us? If we step in, we may mess up either God's mercy or His wrath. Here is hard obedience for us followers of Christ: love your enemies. Is it possible for good to overcome evil? The answer is yes! Please meditate on these words and let them go to the deepest recesses of your soul.
Christianity is neither contemplation nor action. It is participation. Contemplation is looking at God as if he were an object. But if you participate in God in the sense that you let yourself be penetrated by him, you will go to the cross like him, you will go to work like him, you will clean shoes, do the washing up and the cooking, all like him. You cannot do otherwise because you will have become part of him. You will do what he loves to do.
Louis Evely (1910– )
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
These people lived in Rome. These people saw a government that was pretty good compared to other barbarians, and yet Rome had armies that would bring countries into submission. In other words, Rome wasn't as bad as we are sometimes led to believe. However, it was a heathen nation. Evil for evil would have been something of a common practice for that day even in a more sophisticated society as Rome. Do not conform to the ways of your culture, but rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody is one of the hardest lines that I know of in the Scriptures. We are all on call all the time. People are watching and we are to behave in a way that is right. This is hard stuff! It is hard because - wonder if you are doing something that you know is not wrong, but the people watching think it is wrong. What do we do with our freedom in Christ? Do we teach at that moment or do we submit? Here is a real read on people, If it is possible- as far as it depends on you -live at peace with everyone. We may go to great lengths to live at peace with people and yet there still be no harmony. This is a reality that has to be accepted. Do you realize revenge is not wrong it is just wrong for us? If we step in, we may mess up either God's mercy or His wrath. Here is hard obedience for us followers of Christ: love your enemies. Is it possible for good to overcome evil? The answer is yes! Please meditate on these words and let them go to the deepest recesses of your soul.
Christianity is neither contemplation nor action. It is participation. Contemplation is looking at God as if he were an object. But if you participate in God in the sense that you let yourself be penetrated by him, you will go to the cross like him, you will go to work like him, you will clean shoes, do the washing up and the cooking, all like him. You cannot do otherwise because you will have become part of him. You will do what he loves to do.
Louis Evely (1910– )
Friday, July 9, 2010
Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)
Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
What did the Lord say to Job when he was complaining? "Where were you when I hung the moon?" That is one of the things that God said to Job. God had to point out the obvious to Job in his situation. In Isaiah, the prophet states the obvious in this way: God's ways are not our ways. Paul has tried to lay out in three chapters how God has been working here on this planet in order to save it. At one time God used Israel as His main way of reaching out and now it is this thing called the church which has included the Gentiles. Paul gives a doxology at the end of this chapter to try to explain God's plans in human terms. I believe Paul knew he could only explain God's plans up to a point and then faith has to take over. We have to believe that God is good and that He is good all of the time. What we find in verses 33-36 is an acknowledgment that God is wise and knowledgeable beyond anything we can fathom and we cannot in good conscience question His plans. We can take these verses to heart in our own personal lives. There have been times that I have questioned what God is doing - or at least allowing - and then I have to come to the realization that I am not God. I can barely see the next step, let alone look around the corner. There is only one acceptable position when in God's presence and that is on our face in complete humility and repentance. Have you been questioning God's plans of late? Have you been taking on more of a role as God's life planner instead of letting God be God and you be a follower? Believe. Faith. Hope. Trust. Love.
The attributes of God, though intelligible to us on their surface yet, for the very reason that they are infinite, transcend our comprehension, when they are dwelt upon, when they are followed out, and can only be received by faith.
Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
What did the Lord say to Job when he was complaining? "Where were you when I hung the moon?" That is one of the things that God said to Job. God had to point out the obvious to Job in his situation. In Isaiah, the prophet states the obvious in this way: God's ways are not our ways. Paul has tried to lay out in three chapters how God has been working here on this planet in order to save it. At one time God used Israel as His main way of reaching out and now it is this thing called the church which has included the Gentiles. Paul gives a doxology at the end of this chapter to try to explain God's plans in human terms. I believe Paul knew he could only explain God's plans up to a point and then faith has to take over. We have to believe that God is good and that He is good all of the time. What we find in verses 33-36 is an acknowledgment that God is wise and knowledgeable beyond anything we can fathom and we cannot in good conscience question His plans. We can take these verses to heart in our own personal lives. There have been times that I have questioned what God is doing - or at least allowing - and then I have to come to the realization that I am not God. I can barely see the next step, let alone look around the corner. There is only one acceptable position when in God's presence and that is on our face in complete humility and repentance. Have you been questioning God's plans of late? Have you been taking on more of a role as God's life planner instead of letting God be God and you be a follower? Believe. Faith. Hope. Trust. Love.
The attributes of God, though intelligible to us on their surface yet, for the very reason that they are infinite, transcend our comprehension, when they are dwelt upon, when they are followed out, and can only be received by faith.
Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Romans 11:25-33 (NIV)
Romans 11:25-33 (NIV)
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,
29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.
30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,
31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you.
32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
I really like a good mystery and in the Bible we have more than one. Paul reveals to us a mystery and reveals the answer for the mystery. The mystery is that Israel is only hardened in part until the full number of Gentiles has come in. The exact number has not been revealed to us. Then Paul comes back with this staggering news, "...all Israel will be saved." Paul then quotes some O.T. verses to show that this was part of the plan all along. Does all of Israel, mean all of Israel? I do not know the answer to that question. Here is what I have come to believe about Paul's statement. In the book of Revelation John says that there will be people in heaven from every tribe and nation. As you know, John also talks about the 144,000 that will be sealed and therefore saved in the end times. Most agree that the 144,000 are Jews. A little math shows us that would be 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes. I will go that far and that is at least 144,000 Jews will come to faith when Jesus comes back. This means all the tribes that received the promise are represented. I do not have the time to go into how "all" is used in the Word of God. It has come to my attention in different readings that sometimes depending upon the context "all" does not always means "all." This has to do with the way Eastern people think. Now here is something we kind of understand and that is God's mercy. Paul is letting us in on the way God has worked and that is on the basis of mercy. God has made sure that we all need it. No one can say that they somehow have proved themselves and therefore are exempt from needing God's mercy. We have all sinned and therefore we all need mercy. The more you are in touch with your sin the more you will be be glad for God's mercy. It is also in God's mercy that the Lord has kept us from becoming what we could have become. We have every reason to thank God for His mercy that He has poured upon us.
Whoever falls from God’s right hand
Is caught in his left.
Edwin Markham (1852–1940)
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,
29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.
30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience,
31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you.
32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
I really like a good mystery and in the Bible we have more than one. Paul reveals to us a mystery and reveals the answer for the mystery. The mystery is that Israel is only hardened in part until the full number of Gentiles has come in. The exact number has not been revealed to us. Then Paul comes back with this staggering news, "...all Israel will be saved." Paul then quotes some O.T. verses to show that this was part of the plan all along. Does all of Israel, mean all of Israel? I do not know the answer to that question. Here is what I have come to believe about Paul's statement. In the book of Revelation John says that there will be people in heaven from every tribe and nation. As you know, John also talks about the 144,000 that will be sealed and therefore saved in the end times. Most agree that the 144,000 are Jews. A little math shows us that would be 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes. I will go that far and that is at least 144,000 Jews will come to faith when Jesus comes back. This means all the tribes that received the promise are represented. I do not have the time to go into how "all" is used in the Word of God. It has come to my attention in different readings that sometimes depending upon the context "all" does not always means "all." This has to do with the way Eastern people think. Now here is something we kind of understand and that is God's mercy. Paul is letting us in on the way God has worked and that is on the basis of mercy. God has made sure that we all need it. No one can say that they somehow have proved themselves and therefore are exempt from needing God's mercy. We have all sinned and therefore we all need mercy. The more you are in touch with your sin the more you will be be glad for God's mercy. It is also in God's mercy that the Lord has kept us from becoming what we could have become. We have every reason to thank God for His mercy that He has poured upon us.
Whoever falls from God’s right hand
Is caught in his left.
Edwin Markham (1852–1940)
Monday, July 5, 2010
Romans 11:17-24 (NIV)
Romans 11:17-24 (NIV)
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,
18 do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."
20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
It is my interpretation that when Paul is talking about the branches being grafted in that he is talking about the church. The branches that were broken off were the nation of Israel as a channel of redemption to the world. The new way of reaching people for Christ and bringing God's glory to this earth is through the church. In verses 20-22 it looks as if Paul is teaching that we as individuals can lose our salvation. That would be true if he were talking about individuals and not God's overall plan for reaching His mission. God's plan certainly includes individuals, but the part about not becoming arrogant has to do with the church. If God corrected the original plan because His people would not obey do not think for a moment God will not correct His plans with the church, if we as the church do not do His work. In verse 23 Paul again addresses the issue of Israel as a nation and not just individuals. Israel will be coming back at the right time. Individual Jews can come to faith in Christ right now, as Paul came to faith. Even in the O.T. individual Gentiles came to faith in the Lord and were baptized to show their new life. It is the nation of Israel that has been set off to the side not individual Jews. It is the same with the church. God will set aside the church as a whole if we do not do what God asks us to do. This also applies to individuals because we must obey God and never become arrogant. Verse 22 is a great verse to help us grasp who God is to some degree. God is not some pushover as we see His sternness with Israel. We also see His kindness in reaching out to the "wild by nature" people and giving them a place in the cultivated olive tree. We serve a kind God who is also all powerful and holy through and through. It is only by His grace and mercy that we walk with Him.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,
18 do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."
20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
It is my interpretation that when Paul is talking about the branches being grafted in that he is talking about the church. The branches that were broken off were the nation of Israel as a channel of redemption to the world. The new way of reaching people for Christ and bringing God's glory to this earth is through the church. In verses 20-22 it looks as if Paul is teaching that we as individuals can lose our salvation. That would be true if he were talking about individuals and not God's overall plan for reaching His mission. God's plan certainly includes individuals, but the part about not becoming arrogant has to do with the church. If God corrected the original plan because His people would not obey do not think for a moment God will not correct His plans with the church, if we as the church do not do His work. In verse 23 Paul again addresses the issue of Israel as a nation and not just individuals. Israel will be coming back at the right time. Individual Jews can come to faith in Christ right now, as Paul came to faith. Even in the O.T. individual Gentiles came to faith in the Lord and were baptized to show their new life. It is the nation of Israel that has been set off to the side not individual Jews. It is the same with the church. God will set aside the church as a whole if we do not do what God asks us to do. This also applies to individuals because we must obey God and never become arrogant. Verse 22 is a great verse to help us grasp who God is to some degree. God is not some pushover as we see His sternness with Israel. We also see His kindness in reaching out to the "wild by nature" people and giving them a place in the cultivated olive tree. We serve a kind God who is also all powerful and holy through and through. It is only by His grace and mercy that we walk with Him.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Romans 11:11-16 (NIV)
Romans 11:11-16 (NIV)
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry
14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.
15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Where is Israel in God's plan? This is the question Paul is asking and answering. For your information there are two dominant theological paradigms in the American church. One is called "Covenant Theology" which says that the church is Israel. In other words, the one and only plan/church and Israel are really interchangeable terms. The other paradigm is called "Dispensationalism" which says the church and Israel are two separate entities. The Dispensationalists like to ask, "Did you sacrifice your lamb today?" and if you say 'no' then you are a Dispensationalist. Trust me there are extreme elements in each of these theological systems. I land in the Dispensationalist camp with what I call a modified version of their system. I believe when you read Romans 9-11 you cannot help but to see two ways that God was relating to His people and hence to the world. God has literally put Israel on the 'injured reserve'. The Gentiles were not even on the bench but now they are the starters! God is using this plan of reaching the Gentiles to arouse Israel to faith in Yahweh.
God has not forgotten His people, the Jews. In the book of Revelation, we see that God has a remnant of 144,000 Jews protected and ready to receive the Messiah. God wanted to use Israel to fill this earth with His glory and they went after other gods. God has now brought in the Gentiles by using the church in order to reveal His glory to the earth. Some theologians call this "the age of the church" while others call it "the age of grace." It is probably both in that God is revealing His grace through the church in Jesus Christ. We live in extraordinary times and for that we all should be grateful. We may be the generation to see Jesus come back and take His people home. These extraordinary times call for ordinary people to rise up above their circumstances and live out the purposes and plans of God in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8). Before I go, be sure to check out Paul's reasoning on the rejection of Israel as a blessing to the Gentiles. He comes back and lets us know that when Israel is reinstated what a blessing that will be for all of life. God is not finished with His people! AMEN!
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry
14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.
15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Where is Israel in God's plan? This is the question Paul is asking and answering. For your information there are two dominant theological paradigms in the American church. One is called "Covenant Theology" which says that the church is Israel. In other words, the one and only plan/church and Israel are really interchangeable terms. The other paradigm is called "Dispensationalism" which says the church and Israel are two separate entities. The Dispensationalists like to ask, "Did you sacrifice your lamb today?" and if you say 'no' then you are a Dispensationalist. Trust me there are extreme elements in each of these theological systems. I land in the Dispensationalist camp with what I call a modified version of their system. I believe when you read Romans 9-11 you cannot help but to see two ways that God was relating to His people and hence to the world. God has literally put Israel on the 'injured reserve'. The Gentiles were not even on the bench but now they are the starters! God is using this plan of reaching the Gentiles to arouse Israel to faith in Yahweh.
God has not forgotten His people, the Jews. In the book of Revelation, we see that God has a remnant of 144,000 Jews protected and ready to receive the Messiah. God wanted to use Israel to fill this earth with His glory and they went after other gods. God has now brought in the Gentiles by using the church in order to reveal His glory to the earth. Some theologians call this "the age of the church" while others call it "the age of grace." It is probably both in that God is revealing His grace through the church in Jesus Christ. We live in extraordinary times and for that we all should be grateful. We may be the generation to see Jesus come back and take His people home. These extraordinary times call for ordinary people to rise up above their circumstances and live out the purposes and plans of God in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8). Before I go, be sure to check out Paul's reasoning on the rejection of Israel as a blessing to the Gentiles. He comes back and lets us know that when Israel is reinstated what a blessing that will be for all of life. God is not finished with His people! AMEN!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Romans 11:7-10 (NIV)
Romans 11:7-10 (NIV)
7 What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,
8 as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day."
9 And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."
Why did God seemingly just give up on some and others got in no matter what? I believe that Paul is back arguing about the whole package of Israel being hardened and not individuals. In the next verses Paul picks up the argument about the Gentiles being grafted into the vine which is Israel. You will see that Paul lets us know that if the church does not do its job, then that branch will be pulled out. The whole nation of Israel sought God's blessing, but on the whole they were disobedient. Israel sought God's presence in wrong way and paid a heavy price for it. There were those that God had set aside so that all Israel would not be lost. There are two lines of reasoning that Paul has to deal with in this letter of Romans. He has to deal with the individual as in Romans 10:10 "...that everyone who calls upon the Lord will be saved." Then Paul has to deal with the Israel and church issue. Israel thought that the kingdom was going to come and Jesus announces at Peter's confession that he will build his church. What is a church? It wasn't long afterwards that Israel found out and they, for the most part, did not like it. They were going to lose their identity and yet, in Christ, they would find their true identity. Jesus was Israel's messiah. We got in on this by the grace of God!! Thank God He did not darken our eyes and allowed us in as who were, so far from His promises, to participate in His grand and glorious promises.
7 What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,
8 as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day."
9 And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."
Why did God seemingly just give up on some and others got in no matter what? I believe that Paul is back arguing about the whole package of Israel being hardened and not individuals. In the next verses Paul picks up the argument about the Gentiles being grafted into the vine which is Israel. You will see that Paul lets us know that if the church does not do its job, then that branch will be pulled out. The whole nation of Israel sought God's blessing, but on the whole they were disobedient. Israel sought God's presence in wrong way and paid a heavy price for it. There were those that God had set aside so that all Israel would not be lost. There are two lines of reasoning that Paul has to deal with in this letter of Romans. He has to deal with the individual as in Romans 10:10 "...that everyone who calls upon the Lord will be saved." Then Paul has to deal with the Israel and church issue. Israel thought that the kingdom was going to come and Jesus announces at Peter's confession that he will build his church. What is a church? It wasn't long afterwards that Israel found out and they, for the most part, did not like it. They were going to lose their identity and yet, in Christ, they would find their true identity. Jesus was Israel's messiah. We got in on this by the grace of God!! Thank God He did not darken our eyes and allowed us in as who were, so far from His promises, to participate in His grand and glorious promises.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Romans 11:1-6 (NIV)
Romans 11:1-6 (NIV)
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah--how he appealed to God against Israel:
3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"?
4 And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
This is a huge concern for people who call themselves followers of Christ. Here is why it should concern you. Does God reject His people? Does He choose people to follow Him and then arbitrarily turn His back on them? Why follow a God that is going to dump you? The answer of course is no, God has not rejected His people. Paul being a Jew of the Jews could say this with a lot of authority. God always protects a group that truly believe in Him. In the Scripture the term "a remnant" is used to describe that group of people. The question that is going to arise is how did they get in on this and the answer is God. God chose these people to make sure there was always going to be a witness. If it was left up to us it would not happen. They were chosen by the grace of God. I do believe they responded to God's grace out of obedience. It was not something that those particular people had done in order to get in on God's grace. If it was, as Paul argues, it would be of works and not of grace. Have you ever pondered why you are His child? Have you thought back to all the events that led up to you saying yes to Christ Jesus? Have you thought through as to why you are still a follower of Christ? Are you just lucky? You and I are a grace child. We have been adopted by our heavenly Father. Grace, grace, grace how stupendous is His grace! It is truly amazing grace.
As the earth can produce nothing unless it is fertilized by the sun, so we can do nothing without the grace of God.
Saint Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney (1786–1859)
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah--how he appealed to God against Israel:
3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"?
4 And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
This is a huge concern for people who call themselves followers of Christ. Here is why it should concern you. Does God reject His people? Does He choose people to follow Him and then arbitrarily turn His back on them? Why follow a God that is going to dump you? The answer of course is no, God has not rejected His people. Paul being a Jew of the Jews could say this with a lot of authority. God always protects a group that truly believe in Him. In the Scripture the term "a remnant" is used to describe that group of people. The question that is going to arise is how did they get in on this and the answer is God. God chose these people to make sure there was always going to be a witness. If it was left up to us it would not happen. They were chosen by the grace of God. I do believe they responded to God's grace out of obedience. It was not something that those particular people had done in order to get in on God's grace. If it was, as Paul argues, it would be of works and not of grace. Have you ever pondered why you are His child? Have you thought back to all the events that led up to you saying yes to Christ Jesus? Have you thought through as to why you are still a follower of Christ? Are you just lucky? You and I are a grace child. We have been adopted by our heavenly Father. Grace, grace, grace how stupendous is His grace! It is truly amazing grace.
As the earth can produce nothing unless it is fertilized by the sun, so we can do nothing without the grace of God.
Saint Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney (1786–1859)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Romans 10:16-21 (NIV)
Let's roam.
Romans 10:16-21 (NIV)
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."
20 And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."
21 But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."
The message has to go out and that is job number one. After we do our part of getting out the message then our responsibility is almost done. We are not done if someone responds and they need more help to grow in their new found faith. However, if people do not respond we can do nothing for them except pray that God would open their hearts to His message. We have all felt the urge do something more, but in truth there is nothing we can do. Paul asks the question, "Did they (Israel) not hear?" and Paul answers with, "Of course they did." I think it is very important to read these verses carefully and see how they apply in your life and mission. I have seen people in Key West, Fla., Columbia, S.C., Sumter, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., Northbrook, Ill., Dallas, Texas, and in the Lake Country area who are so ready to hear the message and receive it that it blows my mind. The opposite has also been so true in all these places that people really don't want to have anything to do with Christ's message. In Isaiah we see where the Lord lets His people know that there will be a people that will believe and they don't have near the understanding of the Israelites. You can see why the Jews were so upset about this Gentile thing. The Gentiles didn't have a clue and now they are heading up the mission. Perhaps the saddest words in this passage are in verse 21 where we see God holding out His hand to the Jewish people who are disobedient and obstinate. Just because someone hears and has some degree of understanding does not mean they will respond to God and His message. There have been times in my life that I felt I let people down when they brought their friends to hear the Gospel to be presented by me and then nothing happened. I feel I have let down my own family, friends, etc., in my attempts to share my faith with them and then see no response. I think, to some degree, we have all felt that way at one time or another in our life. Yet, the Word of God is clear that we must present the Gospel in the clearest way possible and then leave the results with the Lord. For me that is easier said than done. Before I close did you get the irony of verse 20? God was found by those who did not seek Him. Go figure.
People say that it is so hard to bring Jesus Christ and present him before the lives of men today. Of course it is, it is so hard that it is impossible except by the power of the indwelling Holy Ghost.
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
Romans 10:16-21 (NIV)
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."
20 And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."
21 But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."
The message has to go out and that is job number one. After we do our part of getting out the message then our responsibility is almost done. We are not done if someone responds and they need more help to grow in their new found faith. However, if people do not respond we can do nothing for them except pray that God would open their hearts to His message. We have all felt the urge do something more, but in truth there is nothing we can do. Paul asks the question, "Did they (Israel) not hear?" and Paul answers with, "Of course they did." I think it is very important to read these verses carefully and see how they apply in your life and mission. I have seen people in Key West, Fla., Columbia, S.C., Sumter, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., Northbrook, Ill., Dallas, Texas, and in the Lake Country area who are so ready to hear the message and receive it that it blows my mind. The opposite has also been so true in all these places that people really don't want to have anything to do with Christ's message. In Isaiah we see where the Lord lets His people know that there will be a people that will believe and they don't have near the understanding of the Israelites. You can see why the Jews were so upset about this Gentile thing. The Gentiles didn't have a clue and now they are heading up the mission. Perhaps the saddest words in this passage are in verse 21 where we see God holding out His hand to the Jewish people who are disobedient and obstinate. Just because someone hears and has some degree of understanding does not mean they will respond to God and His message. There have been times in my life that I felt I let people down when they brought their friends to hear the Gospel to be presented by me and then nothing happened. I feel I have let down my own family, friends, etc., in my attempts to share my faith with them and then see no response. I think, to some degree, we have all felt that way at one time or another in our life. Yet, the Word of God is clear that we must present the Gospel in the clearest way possible and then leave the results with the Lord. For me that is easier said than done. Before I close did you get the irony of verse 20? God was found by those who did not seek Him. Go figure.
People say that it is so hard to bring Jesus Christ and present him before the lives of men today. Of course it is, it is so hard that it is impossible except by the power of the indwelling Holy Ghost.
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Romans 10:14-18 (NIV)
It is a great day to roam in Rome!
Romans 10:14-18 (NIV)
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
This passage is used at mission conferences around the world. It should be used at mission conferences and it should be used in the local church. In Romans 1:16 we learned that the Gospel is the power of salvation unto all who believe. The theme of the book of Romans in this message is lived out by faith. Paul is bringing this passage right back to the theme of the book and asking some very pertinent questions. You can't call on one you have not believed. You can't even believe in something if you have not heard of it. People can't hear about it unless someone is sent to tell them. I believe in the missionary gift. I also believe that everyone is responsible to reach their friends, relatives, acquaintances, and neighbors. All of us have different gifts but we all have one mission and that is to tell the world about the Gospel of God! Now Paul comes back to the Israelites to say they have heard and they have rejected. This is very hard for all of us. We have friends, relatives etc., who have heard and as far as we can tell they have rejected or at least shown no interest. I believe in the fertile ground principle. When Jesus was teaching about the seed being sown by the farmer he talked about the soil being ready. The seed is good, but for a seed to grow it must have good soil. The good soil is the hearts of those where the seed of the Gospel is sown. I believe we must pray and find out where the good soil is for sowing the Gospel and then pour our resources there in those people. We can't afford to keep sowing good seed into the bad soil. Where does faith come from in order to believe? Faith comes from hearing the message. Even for the believer we must hear the message again and again in order for our faith to grow and be sustained. We must tell people the message of Christ if they are ever to believe. When is the last time you shared your testimony with an unbeliever? When is the last time you really shared the message of Christ with an unchurched person? I have to constantly be on my toes about this action step in my life. It is easy for me to get up and share from the so-called pulpit compared to my sitting down face to face with someone and sharing Christ's message. Let us help one another in this arena.
The church is under orders. Evangelistic inactivity is disobedience.
John R. W. Stott (1921– )
Romans 10:14-18 (NIV)
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
This passage is used at mission conferences around the world. It should be used at mission conferences and it should be used in the local church. In Romans 1:16 we learned that the Gospel is the power of salvation unto all who believe. The theme of the book of Romans in this message is lived out by faith. Paul is bringing this passage right back to the theme of the book and asking some very pertinent questions. You can't call on one you have not believed. You can't even believe in something if you have not heard of it. People can't hear about it unless someone is sent to tell them. I believe in the missionary gift. I also believe that everyone is responsible to reach their friends, relatives, acquaintances, and neighbors. All of us have different gifts but we all have one mission and that is to tell the world about the Gospel of God! Now Paul comes back to the Israelites to say they have heard and they have rejected. This is very hard for all of us. We have friends, relatives etc., who have heard and as far as we can tell they have rejected or at least shown no interest. I believe in the fertile ground principle. When Jesus was teaching about the seed being sown by the farmer he talked about the soil being ready. The seed is good, but for a seed to grow it must have good soil. The good soil is the hearts of those where the seed of the Gospel is sown. I believe we must pray and find out where the good soil is for sowing the Gospel and then pour our resources there in those people. We can't afford to keep sowing good seed into the bad soil. Where does faith come from in order to believe? Faith comes from hearing the message. Even for the believer we must hear the message again and again in order for our faith to grow and be sustained. We must tell people the message of Christ if they are ever to believe. When is the last time you shared your testimony with an unbeliever? When is the last time you really shared the message of Christ with an unchurched person? I have to constantly be on my toes about this action step in my life. It is easy for me to get up and share from the so-called pulpit compared to my sitting down face to face with someone and sharing Christ's message. Let us help one another in this arena.
The church is under orders. Evangelistic inactivity is disobedience.
John R. W. Stott (1921– )
Monday, June 21, 2010
Romans 10:5-13 (NIV)
The Lord is good and He is good all the time.
Romans 10:5-13 (NIV)
5 Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."
6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down)
7 "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
If you live by the law you will live or die by the law. The righteousness that is by faith can do nothing to affect Christ. Righteousness that is by faith simply receives what the Lord has done. We are now coming to the heart of the Gospel. Perhaps you have used the Romans road presentation where you start out with Romans 3:23 to show we are all sinners. Then you move to Romans 6:23 where it is revealed that the wages of sin is death, but through Christ we live. How do I then connect with God. Now we are at Romans 10:9. It is summed with confession and belief in Christ. Some have asked me, "Do you have to first say Jesus is Lord and then believe." The answer is no. The point Paul is making in context is that we do nothing for this gift of salvation. Anyone who truly believes will eventually confess with their mouth. They will tell others of their faith in Christ. If they don't do that, then there is a chance they have not believed in Christ. In verse 10 Paul goes into the mechanics that happen inside of us. We believe in our hearts and with our mouths we make that belief known to others. Let it be said here and now there are no secret believers. In verse 13 we move to the next part of the Romans road plan of salvation. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved! Do you believe that the Gospel is truly for everyone? The Lord blesses, no richly blesses, all who call upon Him. We have a great message and I believe the only message of salvation for the world.
Please pray with me and for me and our team that we become even more effective in helping people understand Christ's message.
Our task is to live our personal communion with Christ with such intensity as to make it contagious.
Paul Tournier (1898–1986)
Romans 10:5-13 (NIV)
5 Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."
6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down)
7 "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
If you live by the law you will live or die by the law. The righteousness that is by faith can do nothing to affect Christ. Righteousness that is by faith simply receives what the Lord has done. We are now coming to the heart of the Gospel. Perhaps you have used the Romans road presentation where you start out with Romans 3:23 to show we are all sinners. Then you move to Romans 6:23 where it is revealed that the wages of sin is death, but through Christ we live. How do I then connect with God. Now we are at Romans 10:9. It is summed with confession and belief in Christ. Some have asked me, "Do you have to first say Jesus is Lord and then believe." The answer is no. The point Paul is making in context is that we do nothing for this gift of salvation. Anyone who truly believes will eventually confess with their mouth. They will tell others of their faith in Christ. If they don't do that, then there is a chance they have not believed in Christ. In verse 10 Paul goes into the mechanics that happen inside of us. We believe in our hearts and with our mouths we make that belief known to others. Let it be said here and now there are no secret believers. In verse 13 we move to the next part of the Romans road plan of salvation. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved! Do you believe that the Gospel is truly for everyone? The Lord blesses, no richly blesses, all who call upon Him. We have a great message and I believe the only message of salvation for the world.
Please pray with me and for me and our team that we become even more effective in helping people understand Christ's message.
Our task is to live our personal communion with Christ with such intensity as to make it contagious.
Paul Tournier (1898–1986)
Friday, June 18, 2010
Romans 10:1-4 (NIV)
Romans 10:1-4 (NIV)
1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Paul was a Jew among the Jews. Paul does not want anyone to accuse him that he is against the Jews. So again he reiterates his love for his people. He wants the Israelites to come to faith in Christ. Paul sees a problem within the Jewish community and that is they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Paul was helping to kill Christians and was doing it in the name of God. Paul knows about zeal without the proper knowledge. Knowledge is power. Jesus said you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. People can think they know, but they don't know. Paul many times prays for eyes to be open, for understanding of God, because he knows the importance of truth. The Israelites were totally wrong on how we gain righteousness from God. There is no such thing as self-serve righteousness. Only God can bring us His righteousness and no one else. How do you like verse 4? Christ is the end of the law. If you ever doubted, then this verse ought to help you to have clarity. In the new covenant everyone can have this righteousness because it comes by faith in Christ. We live in great times. We must do whatever is necessary to get this message out to people in the most effective way possible. Notice how Paul says that this message is for everyone who believes! We must not forget this truth. Let God use you today in telling others about Christ.
1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Paul was a Jew among the Jews. Paul does not want anyone to accuse him that he is against the Jews. So again he reiterates his love for his people. He wants the Israelites to come to faith in Christ. Paul sees a problem within the Jewish community and that is they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Paul was helping to kill Christians and was doing it in the name of God. Paul knows about zeal without the proper knowledge. Knowledge is power. Jesus said you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. People can think they know, but they don't know. Paul many times prays for eyes to be open, for understanding of God, because he knows the importance of truth. The Israelites were totally wrong on how we gain righteousness from God. There is no such thing as self-serve righteousness. Only God can bring us His righteousness and no one else. How do you like verse 4? Christ is the end of the law. If you ever doubted, then this verse ought to help you to have clarity. In the new covenant everyone can have this righteousness because it comes by faith in Christ. We live in great times. We must do whatever is necessary to get this message out to people in the most effective way possible. Notice how Paul says that this message is for everyone who believes! We must not forget this truth. Let God use you today in telling others about Christ.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Romans 9:27-33 (NIV)
Romans 9:27-33 (NIV)
27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.
28 For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality."
29 It is just as Isaiah said previously: "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah."
30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.
32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
33 As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
I want to reiterate that I find chapters 9-11 of Romans some of the hardest passages to grasp. You will find good Christian people who disagree with each other on these passages. I am more settled about their meaning than I was some years ago, however I still struggle at times with what is being said by Paul. With all that being said, lets dig into these rich verses.
We have already heard Paul say that not all of Israel is Israel. In other words, just because you were born a Jew does not mean you are automatically in the kingdom of God. The remnant are those who exercised faith in God by obeying Him. The other Jews exercised their works in hoping to please God to let them into His kingdom. The non-remnant exercised no faith whatsoever. To be born a Jew and to have all the advantages of being a Jew becomes a disadvantage when they miss the point of faith. Again the Jews are upset because the Gentiles are getting in on all the promises and they are not Jewish; they were not born a Jew! If you are not born a Jew then how can one get in on the riches of God's grace? Paul says it is receiving righteousness that is by faith and not by works. We know that this is true because even Abraham believed and it was credited to his account as righteousness. Then Christ shows up and teaches this righteousness by faith and what do many of the Jews do? They reject Him! The one that could complete them and bring it all together for them, they throw upon a cross. This truth is dripping with irony and pain. How do you escape the pain and shame? You take this Jesus Christ as as your Savior and Lord. It is still true today that Christ is either a stumbling block or He is the stepping stone of blessing.
Caesar was more talked about in his time than Jesus, and Plato taught more science than Christ. People still discuss the Roman ruler and the Greek philosopher, but who nowadays is hotly for Caesar or against him; and who now are the Platonists and the anti-Platonists? There are still people who love him and who hate him. . . . The fury of so many against him is a proof that he is not dead.
Giovanni Papini (1923– )
27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.
28 For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality."
29 It is just as Isaiah said previously: "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah."
30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.
32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
33 As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
I want to reiterate that I find chapters 9-11 of Romans some of the hardest passages to grasp. You will find good Christian people who disagree with each other on these passages. I am more settled about their meaning than I was some years ago, however I still struggle at times with what is being said by Paul. With all that being said, lets dig into these rich verses.
We have already heard Paul say that not all of Israel is Israel. In other words, just because you were born a Jew does not mean you are automatically in the kingdom of God. The remnant are those who exercised faith in God by obeying Him. The other Jews exercised their works in hoping to please God to let them into His kingdom. The non-remnant exercised no faith whatsoever. To be born a Jew and to have all the advantages of being a Jew becomes a disadvantage when they miss the point of faith. Again the Jews are upset because the Gentiles are getting in on all the promises and they are not Jewish; they were not born a Jew! If you are not born a Jew then how can one get in on the riches of God's grace? Paul says it is receiving righteousness that is by faith and not by works. We know that this is true because even Abraham believed and it was credited to his account as righteousness. Then Christ shows up and teaches this righteousness by faith and what do many of the Jews do? They reject Him! The one that could complete them and bring it all together for them, they throw upon a cross. This truth is dripping with irony and pain. How do you escape the pain and shame? You take this Jesus Christ as as your Savior and Lord. It is still true today that Christ is either a stumbling block or He is the stepping stone of blessing.
Caesar was more talked about in his time than Jesus, and Plato taught more science than Christ. People still discuss the Roman ruler and the Greek philosopher, but who nowadays is hotly for Caesar or against him; and who now are the Platonists and the anti-Platonists? There are still people who love him and who hate him. . . . The fury of so many against him is a proof that he is not dead.
Giovanni Papini (1923– )
Monday, June 14, 2010
Romans 9:19-26 (NIV)
Are you ready for a little more of Rome? Here we go!
Romans 9:19-26 (NIV)
19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?"
20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'"
21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction?
23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory--
24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
25 As he says in Hosea: "I will call them 'my people' who are not my people; and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one,"
26 and, "It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"
Let us review the context of chapter nine. I believe verse 25 helps us to see that Paul is addressing the issue of Israel being set aside in God's grander scheme of things. He is showing that even in the prophets it was predicted that a people would come along that had not been part of God's plan. If God wants the Gentiles to now have a prominent place in His plan then God can do that if He so wishes. In verses 20-21 Paul goes back to Jeremiah to help him frame his argument in the attribute of God's sovereignty. It is ironic that the Jews or anyone would question the plans of God, since it was His to begin with. In our lives we must always understand who we serve and why it is we serve Him. The Jews were really struggling with this thing called the church. They were really struggling that Gentiles could really know God and be used by God. Christ had come and turned the Jewish world upside down. In turning their world upside down, God had in turn, turned the Gentiles world upside right?!?! Amen! Rejoice in God's plan and purposes and remember to let God be God in your life today.
Romans 9:19-26 (NIV)
19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?"
20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'"
21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction?
23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory--
24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
25 As he says in Hosea: "I will call them 'my people' who are not my people; and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one,"
26 and, "It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"
Let us review the context of chapter nine. I believe verse 25 helps us to see that Paul is addressing the issue of Israel being set aside in God's grander scheme of things. He is showing that even in the prophets it was predicted that a people would come along that had not been part of God's plan. If God wants the Gentiles to now have a prominent place in His plan then God can do that if He so wishes. In verses 20-21 Paul goes back to Jeremiah to help him frame his argument in the attribute of God's sovereignty. It is ironic that the Jews or anyone would question the plans of God, since it was His to begin with. In our lives we must always understand who we serve and why it is we serve Him. The Jews were really struggling with this thing called the church. They were really struggling that Gentiles could really know God and be used by God. Christ had come and turned the Jewish world upside down. In turning their world upside down, God had in turn, turned the Gentiles world upside right?!?! Amen! Rejoice in God's plan and purposes and remember to let God be God in your life today.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Romans 9:10-18 (NIV)
Good morning to you who follow Christ in the good times and the bad times.
Romans 9:10-18 (NIV)
10 Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac.
11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand:
12 not by works but by him who calls--she was told, "The older will serve the younger."
13 Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!
15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
You have to really keep these verses in context. Here is what this Scripture is not saying: 1) God sends some to heaven and some to hell. 2) God knows who is going to heaven and we do not have to witness. 3) God in some arbitrary way just goes about His business and what we do or how we respond makes no difference.
The context of these verses has to do with God no longer using Israel as His primary way of reaching the world with His message. God had raised Israel up to be the nation to show forth His mercy and grace, but that has been taken from them because of their disobedience. You will see upon further reading that God has now replaced Israel with this thing called the church. There are, what we call, the primary purposes that are revealed in Scripture. We all have a purpose and yes God has a plan for our lives. What we have to face as we read Scripture is that there are some that are chosen for a higher purpose. One example of that higher purpose is what God chose John the Baptist to do. Upon further examination you will see that in Peter's life as well as Paul's. In these chapters Paul is dealing with what we call down south the "Big Dog!" Israel has been put on the sidelines and the Jews are not getting with the new program. Paul goes to the O.T. to show how God, in the process of raising up Israel, chose Jacob over Esau to make it happen. Many people apply the Jacob and Esau passage to prove what some call the doctrine of unconditional election. This doctrine teaches that God chooses whom He will and the basis of that has nothing to do with our response. I contend that God does choose people, but we are not privy to how He does this thing of election. Remember here Paul is talking about Israel being put on the shelf for a while.
Read these verses very carefully for they are used in showing some end-of-the-times teachings in some circles. Just a thought as you read chapters 9-11; God is going to reach this world with or without us so why not join in?
Romans 9:10-18 (NIV)
10 Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac.
11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand:
12 not by works but by him who calls--she was told, "The older will serve the younger."
13 Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!
15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
You have to really keep these verses in context. Here is what this Scripture is not saying: 1) God sends some to heaven and some to hell. 2) God knows who is going to heaven and we do not have to witness. 3) God in some arbitrary way just goes about His business and what we do or how we respond makes no difference.
The context of these verses has to do with God no longer using Israel as His primary way of reaching the world with His message. God had raised Israel up to be the nation to show forth His mercy and grace, but that has been taken from them because of their disobedience. You will see upon further reading that God has now replaced Israel with this thing called the church. There are, what we call, the primary purposes that are revealed in Scripture. We all have a purpose and yes God has a plan for our lives. What we have to face as we read Scripture is that there are some that are chosen for a higher purpose. One example of that higher purpose is what God chose John the Baptist to do. Upon further examination you will see that in Peter's life as well as Paul's. In these chapters Paul is dealing with what we call down south the "Big Dog!" Israel has been put on the sidelines and the Jews are not getting with the new program. Paul goes to the O.T. to show how God, in the process of raising up Israel, chose Jacob over Esau to make it happen. Many people apply the Jacob and Esau passage to prove what some call the doctrine of unconditional election. This doctrine teaches that God chooses whom He will and the basis of that has nothing to do with our response. I contend that God does choose people, but we are not privy to how He does this thing of election. Remember here Paul is talking about Israel being put on the shelf for a while.
Read these verses very carefully for they are used in showing some end-of-the-times teachings in some circles. Just a thought as you read chapters 9-11; God is going to reach this world with or without us so why not join in?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Romans 9:4-9 (NIV)
Romans 9:4-9 (NIV)
4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.
5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
6 It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."
8 In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.
9 For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."
In verses 1-3 Paul told of his anguish that Israel did not know the Messiah. He is now addressing a couple of issues regarding the Jewish nation. The first issue that Paul addresses is that it was not a waste to be a Jew. There were a lot of advantages in being a Jew and Paul lists them in verses 4-5. Paul would say that the Jews did not take advantage of being in their unique position to see that Jesus was the Messiah. Jews were coming to faith, but the nation as a whole had not turned to Jesus. Many Gentiles around the world were believing in Christ and they did not have the built-in advantages that Israelites had as a people. Perhaps a bigger issue is that of people thinking that God somehow had failed His people. In verses 6-9 Paul begins to answer that question. Not all Israel are Israel. What a great phrase that sums up what is really going on in God's bigger plan. Just because you have some Jewish blood does not mean you are automatically in God's family. Paul then turns to the children of the promise which is different than a blood line. That is why Paul says later that God has mercy on whom He has mercy. What is happening in these verses is like a glimpse behind the curtains of an epic drama. The deeper you go into this drama it becomes apparent that God wrote the epic play and He is directing it as well. As I read chapter nine I grieve for Israel with all their opportunities to know and obey the truth, but did not act. Pray for Israel as they are still in God's plan and then make sure you act upon the opportunities that have been and are given to you.
4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.
5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
6 It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.
7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."
8 In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.
9 For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."
In verses 1-3 Paul told of his anguish that Israel did not know the Messiah. He is now addressing a couple of issues regarding the Jewish nation. The first issue that Paul addresses is that it was not a waste to be a Jew. There were a lot of advantages in being a Jew and Paul lists them in verses 4-5. Paul would say that the Jews did not take advantage of being in their unique position to see that Jesus was the Messiah. Jews were coming to faith, but the nation as a whole had not turned to Jesus. Many Gentiles around the world were believing in Christ and they did not have the built-in advantages that Israelites had as a people. Perhaps a bigger issue is that of people thinking that God somehow had failed His people. In verses 6-9 Paul begins to answer that question. Not all Israel are Israel. What a great phrase that sums up what is really going on in God's bigger plan. Just because you have some Jewish blood does not mean you are automatically in God's family. Paul then turns to the children of the promise which is different than a blood line. That is why Paul says later that God has mercy on whom He has mercy. What is happening in these verses is like a glimpse behind the curtains of an epic drama. The deeper you go into this drama it becomes apparent that God wrote the epic play and He is directing it as well. As I read chapter nine I grieve for Israel with all their opportunities to know and obey the truth, but did not act. Pray for Israel as they are still in God's plan and then make sure you act upon the opportunities that have been and are given to you.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Romans 9:1-5 (NIV)
Are you ready to dive in?
Romans 9:1-5 (NIV)
1 I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--
2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race,
4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.
5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
Paul never forgot where he came from. In the south they will say, "they got above their rais'en" when they think somebody has forgotten their roots. Paul was a Jew among Jews. Paul had a holy heart burn for the Israelites to come to faith. It deeply troubled him that they did not know the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. "Great sorrow and unceasing anguish" are the words Paul uses to describe how he feels about the chosen people of God not knowing salvation in Christ. Today we have extreme sports and in my opinion they are extremely amazing but sometimes crazy. Some of the things I see these younger people do on bikes, snowboards, skateboards, etc., are truly amazing and very risky. The risk they take is for the adrenalin rush and glory they receive. You could call Paul's statements about how he wants to reach the Jews as extreme evangelism. I do not believe it is for the rush or the glory that Paul says, "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race." Paul is saying that he would go to hell for them if they would come to faith. Paul has an authentic heartache for his people that do not know the Messiah. Of all the issues that are in the public debate forum none are more important than where does a person go once they die. Paul made it personal in these verses when talking about reaching people for Christ. Paul felt it and did not just know it. Who does your heart ache for in order for them to come to Christ? Pray for them and ask God to open the eyes of their heart.
Are we as willing to go into debt for the work of God as we are for a vacation to Hawaii?
Erwin W. Lutzer (1941– )
Romans 9:1-5 (NIV)
1 I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--
2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race,
4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.
5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
Paul never forgot where he came from. In the south they will say, "they got above their rais'en" when they think somebody has forgotten their roots. Paul was a Jew among Jews. Paul had a holy heart burn for the Israelites to come to faith. It deeply troubled him that they did not know the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. "Great sorrow and unceasing anguish" are the words Paul uses to describe how he feels about the chosen people of God not knowing salvation in Christ. Today we have extreme sports and in my opinion they are extremely amazing but sometimes crazy. Some of the things I see these younger people do on bikes, snowboards, skateboards, etc., are truly amazing and very risky. The risk they take is for the adrenalin rush and glory they receive. You could call Paul's statements about how he wants to reach the Jews as extreme evangelism. I do not believe it is for the rush or the glory that Paul says, "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race." Paul is saying that he would go to hell for them if they would come to faith. Paul has an authentic heartache for his people that do not know the Messiah. Of all the issues that are in the public debate forum none are more important than where does a person go once they die. Paul made it personal in these verses when talking about reaching people for Christ. Paul felt it and did not just know it. Who does your heart ache for in order for them to come to Christ? Pray for them and ask God to open the eyes of their heart.
Are we as willing to go into debt for the work of God as we are for a vacation to Hawaii?
Erwin W. Lutzer (1941– )
Friday, June 4, 2010
Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)
Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul, who spent quite a bit of time in prison, did not see himself as a loser, but as a conqueror. In sports they talk about the swagger of a team or an individual that has done well in their field. The conversation usually turns to the fine line between pride and confidence. They would say if Tiger Woods or Michael Jordon, in his day, would say something about winning it was not pride, but confidence because they have won championships. Is Paul bragging or does he just have some swagger because he has seen what the Lord can do through a life that is yielded to Him? Paul's confidence came because of his experience and his knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul knew from experience that the Lord was with him in the bad times and the good times. As you read verses 38 and 39 you can tell that this was not a contrived confidence, but a real belief that God and Jesus are real and are present. God was present with Paul and is now with us as well, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The connection for Paul was the love of God. In verse 37 and 39 Paul brings it down to God's love for us and nothing will separate us from that love. Does God love you? If God loves you would He abandon you? Is that not one of the reasons that this chapter is on the Holy Spirit? To help us understand that the Spirit has been given to help us experience His presence and His power? Who are you? No really, take a little time today to reflect on this question and let God speak to you.
Our confidence in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent, or careless, but, on the contrary, it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives and doing good. There is no self-confidence to compare with this.
Ulrich Zwingli (1484–1531)
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul, who spent quite a bit of time in prison, did not see himself as a loser, but as a conqueror. In sports they talk about the swagger of a team or an individual that has done well in their field. The conversation usually turns to the fine line between pride and confidence. They would say if Tiger Woods or Michael Jordon, in his day, would say something about winning it was not pride, but confidence because they have won championships. Is Paul bragging or does he just have some swagger because he has seen what the Lord can do through a life that is yielded to Him? Paul's confidence came because of his experience and his knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul knew from experience that the Lord was with him in the bad times and the good times. As you read verses 38 and 39 you can tell that this was not a contrived confidence, but a real belief that God and Jesus are real and are present. God was present with Paul and is now with us as well, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The connection for Paul was the love of God. In verse 37 and 39 Paul brings it down to God's love for us and nothing will separate us from that love. Does God love you? If God loves you would He abandon you? Is that not one of the reasons that this chapter is on the Holy Spirit? To help us understand that the Spirit has been given to help us experience His presence and His power? Who are you? No really, take a little time today to reflect on this question and let God speak to you.
Our confidence in Christ does not make us lazy, negligent, or careless, but, on the contrary, it awakens us, urges us on, and makes us active in living righteous lives and doing good. There is no self-confidence to compare with this.
Ulrich Zwingli (1484–1531)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Romans 8:29-30 (MSG), Romans 8:31-36 (NIV)
Romans 8:29-30 (MSG)
29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
30 After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
These verses were covered earlier, but I thought it would be good to read them in The Message. I like how verse 29 reads when he says, "to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son." For the follower of Christ the issue is that of becoming like Christ. God is using everything to help us to become like His Son. We are being shaped into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This process goes better when we are on board with that goal of what God wants to do in our life. We must be careful not to tell God how He could do a better job if He did it this way or that way--you know the backseat driver syndrome. We must trust Him in this process of becoming like Christ.
Romans 8:31-36 (NIV)
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
When I read verses like these my response is, "What a great God we serve!" The Lord gave us His Son. Will He not graciously give us all things? Yes! God will give us all things, because the greatest gift has already been given. We are set for eternity, not just in this life. This would be a good day to lift up the name of Christ, to praise Him in all things. Amen.
29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
30 After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
These verses were covered earlier, but I thought it would be good to read them in The Message. I like how verse 29 reads when he says, "to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son." For the follower of Christ the issue is that of becoming like Christ. God is using everything to help us to become like His Son. We are being shaped into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This process goes better when we are on board with that goal of what God wants to do in our life. We must be careful not to tell God how He could do a better job if He did it this way or that way--you know the backseat driver syndrome. We must trust Him in this process of becoming like Christ.
Romans 8:31-36 (NIV)
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
When I read verses like these my response is, "What a great God we serve!" The Lord gave us His Son. Will He not graciously give us all things? Yes! God will give us all things, because the greatest gift has already been given. We are set for eternity, not just in this life. This would be a good day to lift up the name of Christ, to praise Him in all things. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
