Romans 5:15-21 (NIV)
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.
19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grace wins! You cannot beat grace. Sin, hell, and the devil cannot beat grace. Your sin cannot beat grace. In the world of winners grace is king. Sin came into the world and wrecked it. However, grace came into the world after it had been wrecked by sin and it still wins. Grace sets the world right. Here is how verse 20 appears in the Message, " All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down." Grace reigns over death, unrighteousness, sin, condemnation, and anything else hell can throw at us. Celebrate the God of grace today. Christmas is really about grace-mas. God has revealed His love, mercy, and grace to us in Christ Jesus. Let the God of grace capture your heart again in Christ Jesus.
Grace is an energy; not a mere sentiment; not a mere thought of the Almighty; not even a word of the Almighty. It is as real an energy as the energy of electricity. It is a divine energy; it is the energy of the divine affection rolling in plenteousness toward the shores of human need.
Benjamin Jowett (1817–1893)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Romans 5:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--
13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
It was through Adam that all creation fell. The consequences were dire. One sin brought sin to all the world. The great thing about Jesus Christ's gift is after all the sin in the world and what computer could track that massive amount, Christ one act brought life to many. Christ one act has overflowed to the masses and has not only given forgiveness, but life as well. The way I look at Paul's statement is the mess caused by sin was greater than the one act of Adam and this mess of humanity going all the way back to Adam God took care of through Christ. In reality we have no idea of the miracle of the cross. It was Christ being crucified and him becoming sin for us that we have received life. Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David and the true Israel were all depending on this one sacrifice to take their sins away. Rejoice in your miracle this day. Rejoice that you have life in Christ. Give thanks that Christ followed through on His mission.
Now read it in the Message and have a better day.
Romans 5:12-17 (MSG)
12 You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we're in—first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death.
13 That sin disturbed relations with God in everything and everyone, but the extent of the disturbance was not clear until God spelled it out in detail to Moses. So death, this huge abyss separating us from God, dominated the landscape from Adam to Moses.
14 Even those who didn't sin precisely as Adam did by disobeying a specific command of God still had to experience this termination of life, this separation from God. But Adam, who got us into this, also points ahead to the One who will get us out of it.
15 Yet the rescuing gift is not exactly parallel to the death-dealing sin. If one man's sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God's gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do!
16 There's no comparison between that death-dealing sin and this generous, life-giving gift. The verdict on that one sin was the death sentence; the verdict on the many sins that followed was this wonderful life sentence.
17 If death got the upper hand through one man's wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--
13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
It was through Adam that all creation fell. The consequences were dire. One sin brought sin to all the world. The great thing about Jesus Christ's gift is after all the sin in the world and what computer could track that massive amount, Christ one act brought life to many. Christ one act has overflowed to the masses and has not only given forgiveness, but life as well. The way I look at Paul's statement is the mess caused by sin was greater than the one act of Adam and this mess of humanity going all the way back to Adam God took care of through Christ. In reality we have no idea of the miracle of the cross. It was Christ being crucified and him becoming sin for us that we have received life. Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David and the true Israel were all depending on this one sacrifice to take their sins away. Rejoice in your miracle this day. Rejoice that you have life in Christ. Give thanks that Christ followed through on His mission.
Now read it in the Message and have a better day.
Romans 5:12-17 (MSG)
12 You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we're in—first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death.
13 That sin disturbed relations with God in everything and everyone, but the extent of the disturbance was not clear until God spelled it out in detail to Moses. So death, this huge abyss separating us from God, dominated the landscape from Adam to Moses.
14 Even those who didn't sin precisely as Adam did by disobeying a specific command of God still had to experience this termination of life, this separation from God. But Adam, who got us into this, also points ahead to the One who will get us out of it.
15 Yet the rescuing gift is not exactly parallel to the death-dealing sin. If one man's sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God's gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do!
16 There's no comparison between that death-dealing sin and this generous, life-giving gift. The verdict on that one sin was the death sentence; the verdict on the many sins that followed was this wonderful life sentence.
17 If death got the upper hand through one man's wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Romans 5:6-11
Are you ready to Rome?
Romans 5:6-11 (NIV)
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!
10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
When I used to do more counseling as a pastor there was a question that I use to put to people who were struggling with life. The question that I would I ask was "Do you know that your parents loved you?" Ninety-nine per cent of the time people would say yes I know that my parents loved me. Then I would ask this question, "How did you feel your parents love?"
Invariably the people would sit there with a blank stare. Only ten to fifteen per cent ever gave me some concrete answers to this last question. If the question was changed just a bit and it was worded this way, "Do you know that God loves you?" Most believers would say yes. I have had them say yes to this question. However when the question of how do feel God's love is placed before them it is a different story. If you were to answer these questions how would you answer them? Romans 5:1-11 is overflowing with the message that God loves us. God has sent the godly to die for the ungodly. God manifested His love in that when we were helpless sinners Christ died for us. We were enemies, but God has reconciled us and given us life. Christ's death and resurrection has changed everything we are to believe about God and ourselves and yes how we feel! I believe that feelings are to follow what we believe!
God carries your picture in his wallet.
Tony Campolo
Romans 5:6-11 (NIV)
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!
10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
When I used to do more counseling as a pastor there was a question that I use to put to people who were struggling with life. The question that I would I ask was "Do you know that your parents loved you?" Ninety-nine per cent of the time people would say yes I know that my parents loved me. Then I would ask this question, "How did you feel your parents love?"
Invariably the people would sit there with a blank stare. Only ten to fifteen per cent ever gave me some concrete answers to this last question. If the question was changed just a bit and it was worded this way, "Do you know that God loves you?" Most believers would say yes. I have had them say yes to this question. However when the question of how do feel God's love is placed before them it is a different story. If you were to answer these questions how would you answer them? Romans 5:1-11 is overflowing with the message that God loves us. God has sent the godly to die for the ungodly. God manifested His love in that when we were helpless sinners Christ died for us. We were enemies, but God has reconciled us and given us life. Christ's death and resurrection has changed everything we are to believe about God and ourselves and yes how we feel! I believe that feelings are to follow what we believe!
God carries your picture in his wallet.
Tony Campolo
Friday, April 2, 2010
Romans 5:2-8 (NIV)
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We have peace with God and that changes everything---I mean everything. We have access by faith into his grace and there is where we are to live. The natural thing to do then is to rejoice in this new found hope as well as we should. Here comes the curve ball, the unexpected--but we also rejoice in our sufferings!! What? We have grace, peace, and we have been justified forever. Now why does Paul go this direction? First reason that is not mentioned here is that followers of Christ are expected to suffer. Our Lord and Savior suffered and we are not above our Savior. Paul at this point does not go into this reason instead Paul takes us into the practical side of suffering. Paul shows us that if we rejoice in our sufferings then growth happens in our lives. These are powerful words that he chooses that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. If we do not rejoice in our sufferings then we become complainers and that produces excuses and excuses turn into character flaws and that gives us a narrow view on life and no hope. The hope that God gives does not disappoint because the Holy Spirit is involved in this process. The Holy Spirit pours out the love of God into our hearts. How do we know God loves us? The Godly died for the ungodly. We are loved as we are so why would God let us down now or in the future? God would not do that to us. Have a great day.
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We have peace with God and that changes everything---I mean everything. We have access by faith into his grace and there is where we are to live. The natural thing to do then is to rejoice in this new found hope as well as we should. Here comes the curve ball, the unexpected--but we also rejoice in our sufferings!! What? We have grace, peace, and we have been justified forever. Now why does Paul go this direction? First reason that is not mentioned here is that followers of Christ are expected to suffer. Our Lord and Savior suffered and we are not above our Savior. Paul at this point does not go into this reason instead Paul takes us into the practical side of suffering. Paul shows us that if we rejoice in our sufferings then growth happens in our lives. These are powerful words that he chooses that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. If we do not rejoice in our sufferings then we become complainers and that produces excuses and excuses turn into character flaws and that gives us a narrow view on life and no hope. The hope that God gives does not disappoint because the Holy Spirit is involved in this process. The Holy Spirit pours out the love of God into our hearts. How do we know God loves us? The Godly died for the ungodly. We are loved as we are so why would God let us down now or in the future? God would not do that to us. Have a great day.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Romans 5:1-8
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
We were born into death, unrighteousness, and condemnation. Apart from Christ this is who we are in Adam, our first prototype. This is why Paul writes that for all have sinned. Paul can say that because we were born sinners. In Christ we have life, righteousness, and we are no longer condemned, we are justified. Christ came to counter everyone of the problems that we had with God the Father. We now have peace with God, because we have been justified. We have a brand new beginning in Christ. How did such a radical transformation take place? It is by faith that we gained access into this grace. Anyone can believe. It is not our works and that truth is found in the next verses.
Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
When I am having a bad day these are some of the verses I turn to remind how fortunate I am. That God loves me right now in His Son--period! It does not get any better than knowing and experiencing this magnificent truth. Hold your head high dear fellow believer. You are held in high regard by your Father in heaven. Have you memorized any Scripture lately? Maybe one of these verses strike you as one you should memorize. Go for it.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
We were born into death, unrighteousness, and condemnation. Apart from Christ this is who we are in Adam, our first prototype. This is why Paul writes that for all have sinned. Paul can say that because we were born sinners. In Christ we have life, righteousness, and we are no longer condemned, we are justified. Christ came to counter everyone of the problems that we had with God the Father. We now have peace with God, because we have been justified. We have a brand new beginning in Christ. How did such a radical transformation take place? It is by faith that we gained access into this grace. Anyone can believe. It is not our works and that truth is found in the next verses.
Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
When I am having a bad day these are some of the verses I turn to remind how fortunate I am. That God loves me right now in His Son--period! It does not get any better than knowing and experiencing this magnificent truth. Hold your head high dear fellow believer. You are held in high regard by your Father in heaven. Have you memorized any Scripture lately? Maybe one of these verses strike you as one you should memorize. Go for it.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Romans 5:1-5
I hope you all are doing well. God is good and all the time God is good.
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:1-2 (MSG)
1 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus.
2 And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
In chapter four Paul argues vigorously for faith in Christ plus nothing. In chapter five Paul begins to lay out more of the implications of a life lived by faith. Our justification through faith brings us peace with God. The same doctrine is taught by Paul in the book of Ephesians. We have been brought near by Christ's death on the cross. We who were far away are now bought near. Listen to Paul in the letter to Ephesus:
Ephesians 2:12-13 (NIV)
12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
The good news of God is that He has sent His Son to us to fuel reconciliation and peace. None of this makes any sense unless you are acquainted with the history of humanities treatment of God. If you need to read Romans chapter one again, perhaps you can read it in the Message. There is this part of us that just does not want God over us. We run from this relationship and of course the boundaries that go with that relationship. God reached down to us to make peace with us. This is what we can not fathom. God took the first steps and finished the steps. God first loved us and this is how we know love. God revealed Himself to us and this is how we know Him. We have peace with God. You are on speaking terms with our righteous God. This is all brought to us by His grace and we gained access through faith. Are you taking advantage of this new and profound relationship with your maker and savior?
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:1-2 (MSG)
1 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus.
2 And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
In chapter four Paul argues vigorously for faith in Christ plus nothing. In chapter five Paul begins to lay out more of the implications of a life lived by faith. Our justification through faith brings us peace with God. The same doctrine is taught by Paul in the book of Ephesians. We have been brought near by Christ's death on the cross. We who were far away are now bought near. Listen to Paul in the letter to Ephesus:
Ephesians 2:12-13 (NIV)
12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
The good news of God is that He has sent His Son to us to fuel reconciliation and peace. None of this makes any sense unless you are acquainted with the history of humanities treatment of God. If you need to read Romans chapter one again, perhaps you can read it in the Message. There is this part of us that just does not want God over us. We run from this relationship and of course the boundaries that go with that relationship. God reached down to us to make peace with us. This is what we can not fathom. God took the first steps and finished the steps. God first loved us and this is how we know love. God revealed Himself to us and this is how we know Him. We have peace with God. You are on speaking terms with our righteous God. This is all brought to us by His grace and we gained access through faith. Are you taking advantage of this new and profound relationship with your maker and savior?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Romans 4:18-25 (NIV)
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead.
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."
23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone,
24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
In Galatians Paul asked them do you receive His Spirit and see God work miracles because of the law or believing what you heard? The correct answer is because of the faith they had in what they heard. Abraham stands in that tradition of believing God's word. This passage says that Abraham did not waver concerning the promise but was even strengthened in his faith. Abraham had to have children in order to become the father of many nations. He had no children and his wife was beyond child bearing age. Abraham believed and God credited that to him as righteousness. How is your faith in the Lord Jesus coming along? Christ was crucified and rose from the dead for our justification. Do you believe you are completely forgiven by this Holy God? God has delivered us from the penalty of sin, from the power of sin, and one day from the presence of sin!! As Paul says in Galatians, "For this freedom you have been set free." You all have a great free day today!
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead.
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."
23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone,
24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
In Galatians Paul asked them do you receive His Spirit and see God work miracles because of the law or believing what you heard? The correct answer is because of the faith they had in what they heard. Abraham stands in that tradition of believing God's word. This passage says that Abraham did not waver concerning the promise but was even strengthened in his faith. Abraham had to have children in order to become the father of many nations. He had no children and his wife was beyond child bearing age. Abraham believed and God credited that to him as righteousness. How is your faith in the Lord Jesus coming along? Christ was crucified and rose from the dead for our justification. Do you believe you are completely forgiven by this Holy God? God has delivered us from the penalty of sin, from the power of sin, and one day from the presence of sin!! As Paul says in Galatians, "For this freedom you have been set free." You all have a great free day today!
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