Day 68 - Romans 9

In this chapter Paul talks even more about the true character of people and even how God creates people's dispositions.  You'll be surprised to see how Paul describes the two types of people in the world that God created.

Read with me...

Romans 9 (Read it here)

Paul is certain that non-Christian Jews wouldn't likely agree with what he's said thus far.  The Jewish nation was built on the law of Moses and now Paul says that faith in Jesus is more important. In fact, doing all the good deeds in the world won't please God if faith isn't involved.  By the way, this would offend people of many other philosophical positions, as well, not only Jews.

Paul assures the church in Rome that his truthful words are being guided by the Spirit. (v. 1) It breaks his heart that Jews can't separate themselves from the law to find the freedom in following Christ.  He even wishes that he could trade his salvation in order for the Jewish people to fully trust in Christ. (vs. 2-3)  To him, it is sad to think that the nation that was created and founded by God himself, the people who received all His prophecies and promises, would ultimately be left behind. (v. 4) If anyone were to know what God was doing through Jesus, it should've been the Israelites!

The fathers of the faith (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) are all precursors to the ultimate Israelite, Jesus. Here, in the latter part of verse 5, Paul makes no mistake in saying that Jesus is God; the ruler over everything and worthy of worship!

Since mentioning the human founder of the Israelite nation, Abraham, it was worth it to Paul to note an important distinction.  Just because someone is a descendant of Abraham doesn't make that person a child of God! Only children of the promise (per the original Greek, the ones who God approves and deemed right) are considered to be God's children (v. 8) Jesus says something very similar to this in Luke 3:8.

What does this have to do with us in 21st century America? One glaring point should be clear.  We do not inherit faith from a religious or church upbringing.  If your parents are Christ-followers, you are not automatically lumped in with them by God until you yourself come to faith in Jesus. Faith and salvation are not assumed, they are sought after and contemplated carefully.

Abraham's son, Isaac, had another interesting set of immediate ancestors (we'll call them sons). Before the twins were born, Rebekah (Isaac's wife) was told by God that he was choosing the younger son, Jacob, to carry on the promise. (vs. 10-11, 13)  God made His choice even before either son did anything right or wrong.  Even though Jacob would have the terrible habit of deception, God still used him to grow the Israelite nation.  Like Paul says, it really had nothing to do with one son being a better person than the other. (v. 12)

At first glance this does seem unfair, doesn't it?  How could God predestine the older son to serve the younger? But do we know that? Perhaps God simply knew ahead of time that Esau would be so foolish as to give away his inheritance just for a bowl of soup! (Genesis 25:27-34)

Either way, we are not God.  We don't know God's thoughts. Heck, we don't even know other people's thoughts. Who are we to judge? God can do what He wants; it ain't like any human being can stop Him!  He can choose, show mercy and compassion to whomever He wants! (v. 15) We can't even earn God's mercy. (v. 16)


Now God used Pharaoh in a completely different way. God made an example of out Pharaoh, the king of Egypt and probably the most powerful man in the world at that time. (v. 17) For even Pharaoh, with all his power, was powerless in opposition to God. God exploited Pharaoh's arrogance and made him ignore Moses' warnings. (v. 18)

Is God is running around voiding people's free will? Paul asks, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” (v. 19) Again, how can we, the beings God created, question the Creator? (v. 20) Some of us are like vases, we hold and display beauty. Others are like trash cans, they seem to hold garbage. (v. 21) Even if Paul says this, does that mean that God creates the garbage (or evil) that people hold inside? Haven't we been talking about how humanity is naturally sinful? We don't need God to create evil for us to do, we instinctively do it. We are naturally hostile towards God. (Romans 8:7)

And, of course, God is patient with those who exhibit garbage can-like behavior; who have nothing but negativity, hatred and selfishness in them and are on the path of destruction (v. 22; both in destroying their own lives and in the symbolism of hell). There is a night and day difference between being in opposition to God and being one who accepts His mercy; there really is no comparison. Even though they both receive God's blessing of being created, those who accept His mercy will shine even brighter. (v. 23)

Even though God had created some as "vases" and others as "trash cans," that doesn't mean He can't change a person's destiny. Paul refers to the prophecy of Hosea that has been fulfilled. Hosea, speaking on God's behalf, said, “Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before." People who weren't considered His children will be called the children of the living God. (vs. 25-26) Does this not produce hope for any and all people? God truly can change any heart and does love every single person He has created.

In fact, many of the ones God created for a great purpose, namely the Israelites, will end up not being saved. (v. 27) Its not because He decided He didn't love them anymore.  Paul has been telling us the answer; the Jews just don't believe in Jesus, God's true path to faith and salvation. Actually, if God wouldn't have provided this way (through Jesus), all civilizations would share the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. (v. 29)

Even those who never believed can be made right with God now through faith in Jesus. (v. 30) And, on the other hand, those who tried to earn God's love will never succeed without faith. (v. 31) Being a good person, even if its by God's law, has nothing to do with trusting and loving God. The law cannot be one's "god." (v. 32)

God knew this would happen, too. The prophet Isaiah referred to the law as a stone that people will stumble on and fall. It is right for a person to take note of the law and, of course, rectify what it points out. However, it should not be transformed into an idol; for even the law was God's creation.  However, faith in Jesus, who is worthy of worship gives God glory! (v. 33)




Questions


1.) Why do you think that the statement, "you cannot please God without faith" offends so many people? How does it make you feel?


2.) Paul says that God makes some people to be like vases and others like garbage receptors. How does this make you feel? Either way, would you agree with the fact that no matter how a person is created that there's always an opportunity for a person to change is great news? If you had to pick, how do you think you were created; as a bastion of beauty or did you receive a bunch of trash?


3.) Do you think it is ironic for someone to make an idol out of God's law? How common do you think that is? Do you believe that many Christians have more faith in the law (or the rules) than they do in Jesus himself? How does empty faith like that hurt others?

Day 67 - Romans 8

Its been a good week off. It was needed.  However, its been difficult to get back in the swing of things.  Nevertheless, there's not a better place in the Bible to get a recharge than from the contents of Romans 8.  Its one of my favorite passages because it is so encouraging.


If you're not encouraged then either you're not a Christ-follower or not paying attention to Paul's words!


Read and digest them with me!

Romans 8 (Read it here)

There is nothing more true and comforting for a Christ-follower to know than about the truth in verse 1. We are not condemned by God, regardless of what we think of ourselves when we accept and follow His son, Jesus.  God's gift of the Spirit to every believer gives each of us the freedom to thwart temptations to sin. (v. 2) The law doesn't do that. If anything, the law shows us how weak and sinful we are.  No human had the chance of living of a perfect life with sin being in control of our lives. So what did God do? He sent His son in human form, in our likeness, to live a sinless life. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice on our behalf, because we couldn't be like him ourselves. (v. 3)

Did you catch that or have you heard it so many times you read right over it without thinking about what it means?  Jesus chose to LEAVE heaven, come to earth, be born in a horse trough, to be ridiculed, beaten and crucified so that all humans (even the ones who hate him) may have the opportunity to be reconciled with God.  Jesus chose to be born of a human and live a perfect life so he could die on our behalf (when we, humanity, were the ones who actually deserved death).

Jesus' sinless life is crucial because he is the only human (although being God's son, as well) that has fulfilled the law! Through faith in Jesus, we take part in his righteousness and live by the same power that guided him, if we are willing to let the Spirit take control of us. (v. 4)

How do you know if the Spirit has control over you?  Its quite simple.  What are the things you think about? Are those thoughts driven by selfish ambition (what you want or don't have) or hate (how you can't stand so-and-so)? If so, that's not a good sign, obviously.  If you are controlled by the Spirit, you will instinctively do what is pleasing to God. (v. 5) By the way, that hit me square in the gut because my thoughts are, half of the time, not pleasant or encouraging.

For example, while on vacation in Orlando, I let my wife inside my "real self."  We are both people-watchers.  When we go to a mall, for instance, there is little that evades our roaming eyes.  Jenny honestly told me she has a problem with anger towards women who are skinnier than her.  I told her that if not thinking about it, I could mentally think of something to pick on for every person I see.  He's overweight, "where's the rest of her shorts," they can't speak English, he looks like a dork and so on.


I only tell you this for two reasons: 1) This is who we are WITHOUT God. This is what we're naturally like without the Spirit guiding us. The Spirit kicked in when we finally discovered that we were mentally judging almost everyone we saw, even though we would never actually treat someone that way outwardly. What hypocrisy, right? 2) God hears every single word of it! When we belittle others, grumble or say anything else under our breath that isn't encouraging or directed at God, I call them empty prayers. Face it, if no one else hears it, who does? God does.


Letting that kind of behavior control you will lead to death. Not just physical death (duh, because everyone will die someday) but we're talking about remaining in a state of spiritual death. Where God is not present or welcomed, death is the master. It is there that no one else matters but the self.  A lifestyle of "I gotta get mine" might as well say, "God you gotta get gone." Only when we let the Spirit guide our thoughts and actions do we find peace and what life is really all about. (v. 6)

The way I described myself without God is common to all of us at some point.  In fact, Paul says that human nature is predisposed to being hostile to God. We naturally want to do what is opposite of what God would desire us to do. (v. 7) The aspect of surrendering our old selves is paramount because when we are in complete control of our lives (thoughts, actions and desires), it is impossible to please God.  For we only know what God desires when we give God control. (v. 8) That is why it is said, "without faith, it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6)

Even though Christ-followers may still have bouts with their old selves, they are not controlled by it.  God is the master of your spirit; Christ-followers belong to Him. (v. 9) With God, Christ, the Spirit (they're all the same) living within, the dead spirit in you comes alive! (v. 10) The same Spirit who raised Jesus is what's driving those who follow Jesus. (v. 11)


With that kind of power at our disposal, we have the ability to thwart any sinful temptation that is thrown at us. (v. 12) The more we ignore our selfish desires, the more we live. The more ignore where God leads, the more we die on the inside. (v. 13) 

Even though every human being was created by God, only those who follow His Spirit get the distinction of being called his child. (v. 14) You'll know it when you are a son or daughter of God, no one has to tell you. (v. 16)


If you have received Christ and have noticed a change in the way you see others and the world, you should be confident, not fearful. Your Heavenly Father didn't create you to be fearful slaves. (v. 15)  He created us to be heirs. We will share in God's glory, but also in his suffering.  (v. 17) For even though Jesus has been raised to a position of honor beside God in heaven (as Christ-followers will be, too, one day), he also faced persecution for his faith. Christians inherit both from Jesus. So if my life is rosy, without any problems, I need to wonder if I'm truly living like Jesus. Persecution is a prerequisite.


This life and the pain and struggles we have in it will be nothing compared to the glory God will reveal after we leave this earth! (v. 18)  One day everyone on earth will truly know who exactly are God's children and who are the posers. (v. 19) Even though Adam & Eve's sin brought about the curse of death, the whole creation (not just humans, but everything!) eagerly awaits the day when God will destroy death and decay. (vs. 20-21) Even the earth itself is wanting God to return for it, too, groans with pain and wants to be renewed. (v. 22)


Just think about that. All the earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes are part of the earth itself bringing about death. God did not create the earth to be this way.  The sin of humanity not only brought about a curse on the earth in the garden of Eden but also humanity continues to do so today (global warming, anyone?).  So just as sin can have control over a person, it can definitely have control over the earth, as well.  

Have you ever thought of it that way?


One of the greatest things we will inherit from God when we reach heaven is the inability to sin and suffer. This is made possible because God will give us new, flawless bodies. (v. 23) Too bad Paul doesn't have insight on exactly what that will look like. This promise is money, you can take it to the bank, (v. 24) its just a matter of time. (v. 25)


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Paul switches gears a little here when he references prayer starting in verse 26. Did you know that there are things that God wants people to pray for? Of course, we can't know the entire mind of God so the Holy Spirit prays for us! How wild is that?!


God can have this dynamic at work because he knows everyone's heart and thoughts. He and the Holy Spirit communicate flawlessly, unlike the connection between humanity and God.  The Spirit only prays for God's will to occur in our lives. Sorry, the Spirit is, most likely, not praying for you to get perfect traffic on the way to work.

Verse 28 is one of the most cosmic-sized, one-liners that Paul is famous for.  Its nearly impossible to wrap your mind around it (ok it may be impossible, actually). Paul says, "everything that happens in this world works together for good." If we stop there, we have a problem.  Obviously, there are plenty of people in this world that are models for life being cruel or unfair.  Does a Christ-follower just have better luck or does God make everything in our lives run smooth? Of course not! This is where this verse can cause more harm than good.

You have to remember that God is not partial; He loves everyone.  The reason why everything ends up "all good" for Christ-followers is that God gives them the peace to withstand it.  The average person can be destroyed by tragedy, but not a child of God. They are reinforced by His Spirit to not only survive suffering, pain and tragedy but also thrive in response to it!


All those who have come to faith in Jesus have not come by accident. God knew it would happen. He destines all believers to become like Jesus; to be recognized as righteous in His sight. He, again, will impart His glory both now and later. (vs. 29-30) In other words, we will have the ability not only to enjoy heaven but also the ability to bring a slice of heaven to earth by our actions and words.


Yeah, right. 

If you're like me, you don't bring heavenly feelings with all your actions and words.  Many times we have an opportunity to do something great, something gracious for someone in need and we blow it. That doesn't mean that God turns His back on us. (v. 31)


Since God was willing to spare even his own Son for us all, He will definitely give us everything else we need. (v. 32)  We'll need confidence, zeal, forgiveness, grace, persistence, peace and a million other things that would make this post a mile long.


If anyone ever judges you or calls you unworthy of being a child of God, you can say what Paul says, "How dare you?" (v. 33) As if anyone could know who God has and hasn't chosen to be right with Him. In that way, no one has the ability to condemn but God.  However, God will not condemn His children who have come to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ! (v. 1) Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit, also prays for us, by the way! (v. 34)


So what are we supposed to think if we run into a really rough patch in our lives?  What if we lost most of our valuable possessions in, say, a natural disaster? Does that mean God is judging us? 


NO!

Again, God doesn't condemn those that follow Him!  Nothing that we do, say or think can EVER separate us from the love of God! (v. 35)  This is where the phrase, "No matter what we do, God will not love us any more or any less" gets its reference.

Millions of Christians in other countries face persecution or even death for their faith in Jesus, yet still don't blame God for any calamity! Why should they? God's word promises that He doesn't condemn them, EVER! Victory, in this life and the next is ours because of Jesus has done for us! (v. 37)

Again, NOTHING can EVER separate us from God's love! Not death, nor demons, nor fear, not even hell itself can separate us from God's love! (v. 38) There is nothing that supersedes God's authority and nothing that trumps His love, especially nothing within us! So be encouraged, lift your head and live like you can't fail because its the truth! 




Questions

1.) Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus chose to leave heaven to die for sinful humanity? He had it all in heaven with God, the Father, but his love for us drove him to earth to show exactly how deep his love is! Many people choose not to worship God because they don't want to worship a god that would force his son to die.  This isn't true, Jesus accepted God's will. He could've refused.  What does that say about Jesus' love for us that, even when he could've refused with no repercussions, he chose to die for our sins?

2.) Did you know that both the Spirit and Jesus pray for Christ-followers constantly?  Did you know there are things that God desires for each one of us to pray for?  What do you think God would want you to be praying for (globally, in your community, school and personally)?

3.) Do you believe that humanity's sin affects everything so much as to have the earth bring about death, too, in the way of natural disasters? Why or why not?

BONUS QUESTION: If you are a Christ-follower, do you honestly believe that there is nothing you can do to earn or lose God's love for you? Does your life prove or cast shadow on that fact? Why or why not?

Day 66 - Romans 7

Yes, the blogging side of me has been on a hiatus for two reasons.  I've been sick for the past four days (lost my voice for two days) and yesterday I submitted my application, resume, references and cover letter for the position of Chaplain and Spiritual Life Director at Warren Wilson College! Jenny and I are praying that I, at least, get an interview.  Of course, as with any job, your chances of getting a position dramatically increase when you can speak face-to-face with the person(s) who is hiring.


I also wanted to let you all know that I will be going on vacation to Orlando from Tuesday to Sunday. I doubt many posts will make it up on the site so don't think I've given it up, ok?


Alright, now let's get back to Romans, shall we?

Romans 7 (read it here)

This chapter is one of the most refreshing and genuinely transparent writings of Paul.  I appreciate his honesty so much. Millions of Christ-followers understand exactly how difficult it is to balance righteous living with faith in Christ.  Sometimes we seek to honor the law, or righteous living, more than Jesus himself who is the only way to truly be righteous in God's sight.

Don't you understand? Paul is telling not only Roman citizens but all of us that we should follow Jesus (by his teachings, actions, examples) instead of treating the law as if it were God itself!

Before I give away everything, let's go through exactly what Paul has to say.

Paul says the law applies only while a person is living. (v. 1) Duh, you might say. He gives the example of a woman taking part in a covenant of marriage with a man.  As long as the man is alive, both parties are bound to that covenant. After all, they did promise, in the sight of God, a variation of "to death do us part." It is as the married couple promises; only when one of the two dies is the other free to marry again. (v. 2) Re-marriage in any other context other than infidelity is inappropriate (v. 3; Jesus uses the word pornea in Matthew 5:31 to describe unfaithfulness, which could describe a few other causes than just adultery).

This is not a post on marriage and divorce.  I know that there are other reasons which, in our contemporary society, may be understandable grounds for divorce (physical & emotional abuse, for example). However, Paul is simply using the life-long term of such a covenant as marriage to make his point which is...

If you have given your life to Jesus Christ then you have died to the power of the law (remember the imagery of baptism?) and are completely able to produce a harvest of good deeds for God (v. 4) without fearing condemnation. Giving your life to Jesus is a life-long covenant.

All "good deeds" before becoming a Christ-follower may have been "good," but they might as well be isolated incidents until we produce a harvest (which suggests a plethora of similar incidents becoming like clockwork).  In other words, before accepting Christ we would do "good" only when it benefited us or when it was obvious, felt good or was seemingly unavoidable.  In a regenerated life with Christ, good deeds become part of who we are.  Check yourself! If good deeds aren't pouring from your life, then you may have some soul searching to do.

Before one lays down his life to Jesus, natural sinful desires are free to reign from within.  The results aren't good when our desires are defined without God's inspiration. In fact, humanity tends to produce a harvest of sinful deeds (the opposite of good deeds) which results in death. Death, as it is used here, is not speaking of a finality but of a process.  To make this clear, let me paraphrase. It would be like Paul saying:

The way we are without Jesus, being led by whatever we feel, will not only lead to death (that is everyone's fate on earth) but it will kill us little by little in the process; make us feel like we're dying or dead inside.

Focusing on right and wrong, the main job of the law, becomes antiquated once we have accepted God's Spirit in place of our own. Then and only then will our instincts be completely changed and forever tend to produce the harvest of good deeds, (v. 6) reversing what was "normal."

Of course, this doesn't mean that the law is bad. It is the only way we learn definitively what is right and wrong; what pleases and what angers God. (v. 7) But, for some reason, when humans discover things that they should not do, they instinctively are tempted to do them.  For example, if you are told there is an unwrapped gift for you in the closet, wouldn't you have the temptation to take a peep?  If you wouldn't have known about its existence, the temptation wouldn't exist, either.

This is Adam & Eve's predicament in a nutshell.  What if the serpent had not described the effects of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil? Eve would've never known that eating from this tree would give her and Adam knowledge of right and wrong.  At that time, wrong didn't even exist! (just what Paul is saying in verse 8) Adam was like Jesus, he was a perfect, sinless human being (the same could be said about Eve)!

Like two old sayings tell us: Knowledge is power, but curiosity kills the cat.

Sin comes to life when we are aware of it. The temptation begins its war within us and we are nowhere near strong enough to thwart every temptation. For the more we know what is right and wrong, the more we'll be tempted. When we discover the law, we'll see that it doesn't bring hope, it just shows how broken and sinful we are. Paul describes this process as spiritual death. (vs. 9-10)

Our human nature and sinful desires within us will deceive and make us give excuses for the things we do.  All humans twist the law to say what they want it to say from time to time which is dangerous, downright lethal in some cases. (v. 11)

Don't get it confused. God's law is not the one causing the deception, its our natural reaction to it. A holy law + a naturally sinful human = dead (hu)man walking! Examine the law for yourself (read through Exodus 20, for starters) and see how you measure up.  The moment we make any excuse about how such a law is unreasonable or that it is common to break this particular law, is the moment we discover how sinful we are. (v. 13)

Paul, the writer of the majority of the New Testament, doesn't put himself on a pedestal to be revered for his strict adherence to the law. Ironically, though, he is adored for his honesty in how difficult the law is to follow, even while being a Christ-follower.

Paul says that the law is good, but he is not.  He still finds himself a slave to sin even though he doesn't want to or should be. With all of his being, he wants to do what is right because he knows the difference between right and wrong. Instead, he still does what he hates. He doesn't understand how he can serve God but fail so often. (vs. 13-15) Have you been there?

The fact that he knows an action is wrong shows that the law is good and beneficial. (v. 16)

Here's the most confusing statement that Paul makes, in my opinion: "So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it." (v. 17)


Huh? He isn't doing wrong, but then again, he is? How does that work?


Paul is saying that everyone has sin within them, a natural tendency to let ourselves be in control, no matter what God says or wishes.  Even though we may not be conscious of this tendency in action, it is still us acting in defiance to God. Its like blaming a computer for its virus-ridden software. The software can be replaced but the computer itself will be considered in poor condition until that is remedied.  Simply put, humanity with its "pre-programmed" sinful nature is the virus; Jesus is the new software that makes the computer perform better, not perfectly, of course!


Because even with Jesus, Christ-followers will not be able to be perfect. (v. 18) It won't matter how much you want to do everything that is right, you STILL won't be able to! (vs. 19, 21) You don't lose the sinful desires until you leave this sinful earth. Temptation is everywhere and will continue to only get worse the more wise you get. We are nothing compared to the craftiness of Satan, who uses these temptations for our own demise so that we will doubt our commitment to God.


Even if you love the law and desire to follow it with everything that you have (v. 22) you will find yourself in the midst of an internal war within your mind. (v. 23) The war is between who you are in Christ and who you were by yourself.  You'll want to believe that without Jesus you were in the same boat (sinning), you just feel crappy about yourself more now. Is guilt the only bi-product of being a Christian? If it were, there would be few Christians!


Freedom is found when we discover and wholeheartedly trust that Jesus Christ truly frees us from the penalty of our sins.  We don't have to worry about punishment but only about doing whatever good we can for others. If we are struggling within ourselves about our worth then the law (or what's right and wrong) has WAY TOO MUCH power in our lives!


It never has been about being a good person. If it were, we would all be damned from the very beginning with no hope of earning God's favor.  Thank you, God, that You didn't intend for us to struggle to earn Your love that way.  God offers it free of charge through His son, Jesus.


The more you know only shows how much more you need to learn and implement what you have learned.  The law only shows how much you are not like God and how we all need Jesus' sacrifice and God's Spirit to truly find peace.

Update: The previous paragraph was the last thing I wrote before having a tumultuous day at work. I had to remind myself again and again after nearly losing my cool several times, "I'm free to do good deeds."  I was reminded of a quote by Saint Augustine, an influential early church leader from the 400s, when he said, "When I thought of devoting myself entirely to you, my God, it was I that wished to do it, and i that wished not to do it. It was I. And since I neither completely wished, nor completely refused, I fought against myself and tore myself to pieces." 


To me, this is exactly what Paul talks about.  When we fight with ourselves over guilt or if we're worthy of God's love or forgiveness, we don't win.  The fight was won when Jesus died for us.  For if we fight against ourselves one of two things happen: 1) We will feel defeat no matter which 'side' wins or 2) both sides will tear each other to pieces. Go with God's expression of your worth (Jesus), instead of even your own view of yourself.


Questions


1.) What do you think about my statement: "Before accepting Christ we would do "good" only when it benefited us or when it was obvious, felt good or was seemingly unavoidable.  In a regenerated life with Christ, good deeds become part of who we are.  Check yourself! If good deeds aren't pouring from your life, then you may have some soul searching to do."  If you are a Christ-follower, did that describe you in a before-and-after kind of way? If so, how?


2.) Do you agree that when we discover something that is wrong, we almost naturally begin to think about it and be tempted to do it? Why or why not? (Remember the example with the unopened gift or Adam and Eve.) Is ignorance bliss or is knowledge dangerous (or both)?


3.) We are naturally sinful, there's no way around it.  Its difficult to give up the guilt when we accept Christ because we always experience and fall into temptation. However, real faith in Jesus is knowing that our sins are not held against us (even though consequences of our mistakes are still there) and we are free to do and seek out what is good in confidence! Anything other than that is not giving God the glory He deserves. Do you struggle with guilt and worry over doing more good than bad? Do you "tear yourself to pieces?"

Day 65 - Romans 6

If you've been following CDM since the beginning of this survey through the New Testament, then you'll know that I've taken every opportunity to talk about how I believe that baptism is not a requirement for salvation.  However, today, as Paul talks at length about the importance of baptism, I feel it is time that I stress how important it is to consider and participate in this divine symbolism.


As has been standard through the book of Romans so far, Paul will also continue to stress how faith in Jesus supersedes the observance of the law. In this post, we'll glean a clearer understanding as to why he believes this to be true.

Also, I'll splatter my passion for all to read when I talk candidly about sexuality, consequences, the effects of sin and life without Christ and why there's no other way to live your life other than giving up everything that reeks of the bad you for everything that God can produce in a new you!


Let's get into it!


Romans 6 (Read it here)

In the latter part of Romans 5, Paul is emphatic about how God's grace and love are more powerful than any collection of sin and condemnation that has been stored up by humanity. This doesn't give us a license or excuse to sin because hypocrisy is a virus that leads non-Christians to quarantine themselves from God. You are either all-in or all-out. You can't pick and choose when to follow God and when not to. If you've truly put your faith in Jesus, then how can you be righteous while acting sinful? (vs. 1-2)

Paul reminds those within the church in Rome of their baptism.  Baptism signifies a person's unity or association with Jesus. During baptism, when a Christian is immersed underwater, it signifies that we have died (like Jesus, because even he was following the will of God) to ourselves; God is now in control. And when a Christian comes out of the water, it symbolizes being raised (like Jesus again) from death (the curse of sin) to a new life filled with the Spirit! (vs. 3-4) Baptism is also a symbol of how Christ-followers will also be raised after their deaths to be joined with God in heaven. (v. 5; again like Jesus was)

Did you know that so much symbolism was packed into baptism? That's why I believe its important for all Christ-followers to 1.) Get baptized and 2.) know exactly what it means to do so.

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When Jesus died, God granted those who placed their faith in him freedom from the bondage of sin. We don't have to live a life full of animosity, fear and uncertainty towards God anymore. (v. 6) Instead of experiencing the life that is marred by sin, we can experience what God truly intended for us to experience; a life united with Him! (vs. 7-8)

The penalty for sin is death. (v. 23) But Jesus proved that death was powerless in the face of God's power when He raised his son from the tomb! Jesus will never die again. And after Christ-followers die, they will never die again, either. (v. 9) In fact, after Jesus judges everyone in the world, death itself will die. (Revelation 20:14) There is no room for death in heaven! (Revelation 21:4) Hell, its founder and its inhabitants will cease to exist!

The only control that sin or death holds over our lives is the control that we give it.  We, like Jesus, can surrender ourselves to the power of God. Yet it is a daily, sometimes second-by-second choice, to allow God to be in control or for our own selfish, sinful desires to re-assume the reigns in our lives. (vs. 10-11)  This is not a question of being saved but being captive of sin.  People that are going to heaven (who are saved) still sin, of course.

You have to make the choice as to whether you're going to live apart from God (with all the inflicted and self-inflicted pain and suffering that we cause) or whether we're going to live with God's Spirit renewing, reshaping, breaking and molding us constantly! (v. 12)

Paul encourages Christ-followers to practice self-control, especially when it comes to how we use our bodies. Surrendering ourselves to God means that our bodies should engage in what is right for the glory of God. (v. 13) Our bodies should reflect, radiate and shine with the brightness and goodness of God!

Now what does that look like? 

I hope you don't assume I'm talking about tattoos or piercings; for such things can honor God. For example, is a tattoo of a Bible verse or of Jesus on a cross sinful? They can definitely be used as a testimony to God's grace!

Ok, so what is Paul implying then? 
 
Instead of me assuming what Paul is implying, let's go back to the laundry list of sins he stresses back in Romans 1 and focus on those that require the body:

• Sodomy
• Murder
• Fighting (quarelling)

And, also let's not forget what Paul and the church in Jerusalem said that all new believers (or Gentiles) had to avoid in order to show their allegiance to Christ. Sexual immorality (pornea in the original Greek) included:

• Prostitution
• Adultery
• Pre-marital sex (fornication)

 Basically any kind of sexual activity outside the bonds of marriage.

There are other ways to honor the body God gave you, of course.  For the most part, other than those mentioned above, the other ways are pretty subjective. A few that come to my mind are: gluttony (I'm guilty of), "cutting," smoking, drugs and alcohol abuse.  These all have negative effects not only on our physical bodies, but also our emotions and even the genetic makeup of the children we choose to have!  That (negative physical and emotional effects) is definitely true with sexual immorality, is it not?

Again, even if you have always been a certain way, have had a track record of screw-ups or have been a cynic towards spirituality and faith, it doesn't have to be that way.  You can live in freedom from all that judgment, condemnation and even from the rules themselves! (v. 14) This doesn't mean that sinning doesn't have its consequences, however. Even though God offers forgiveness to His children for past and future sins, the consequences of our actions aren't always prevented by God. 

For example, if someone murders another human being, God is willing and able to forgive that, no question about it.  However, repentance won't likely keep that person from going to prison! Or what if someone has sex with their girlfriend/boyfriend and the girl gets pregnant? God will definitely still love and honor the existence of that child and forgive the parents, of course. Unfortunately though, that decision to have premarital, unprotected sex (and unintentionally, a child out of wedlock) will present some unique problems/challenges that would've been non-existent if that sex were in the context of a committed marriage, right?
 
To make it simple, Paul says that you either have to be a slave to sin, which leads to death or to be a slave to righteousness, which is found in obeying God and trusting in His son, Jesus. (vs. 16-18) Even though using the imagery of being a slave (either sin's or God's) doesn't sound particularly appealing, its gets the point across. So you have to decide, who are you going to give your heart to: God, who created you and knows you better than you know yourself or to yourself and your selfish desires? Its really that simple. Choosing yourself will drive you deeper into sin and separate you from God, even though God doesn't want that. He wants you to be His holy child, like Jesus. (v. 19)

Jesus, even though he was human and capable of making his own decisions, followed God in complete obedience.  When Jesus knew he was going to suffer and die, he thought twice about it, (Luke 22:42) like any normal human being would.  But Jesus wasn't normal, he followed his Father, even to death.  A person apart from God isn't even expected to do what's right. (v. 20) What would you expect? A person who is ignorant or indifferent when it comes to God and His law isn't going to worry about what God considers right, wrong, gracious and unjust. They are only left with their own interpretations of what those terms mean. Humans on their own don't think like God. (Isaiah 55:8)

Just ask anyone who has come to faith in Jesus. They'll tell you that they've done some stupid stuff before they came to Christ; things they wouldn't consider doing now since they are directed by God's Spirit! My wife says that if she hadn't came to faith in Jesus, gotten involved in ministry and began searching out God's purpose for her life, she would've killed herself. That's the power of sin and death at work and what Paul means by eternal doom; a since of being unable to escape the clutches of death! (v. 21; thanatos in the original Greek).

Once again, it doesn't have to be that way. You can come unashamedly to God just as you are, baggage and all. He will not only accept you but, through faith in the transforming power of Jesus, He will change you into someone you never thought you could be and worthy of favor and eternal rewards you never thought you could deserve! (v. 22)

Why wade in the purposeless and pain of life without God? I'm not saying things will become perfect but I guarantee you'll respond to anything that happens to you with peace and grace!


Questions

1.) Why do you think the proper context for sex (among other physical sins) is important to God? Why would He care about such things if our faith focuses so much about the condition of the heart and what we believe?

2.) Before coming to faith in Jesus people tend to live with a sense that God and His law doesn't apply to their lives causing them to sin without much thought.  That all changes when God is granted control over them.  If you are not a Christ-follower do you find that you ignore what God says is right and wrong? Why? If you are a Christ-follower, what has changed about you? What did you use to not care about but you do now because you live under the influence of God's Spirit?

3.) All sin leads to death, that's why all people will eventually die. Christ-followers will never die again because we will follow the life-death-resurrection-eternal life pattern of Jesus Christ.  However, death can be self-inflicted. The power of sin and death can lead to utter hopelessness and the desire to "end it all." Do you believe that the main cause of this hopelessness is the absence of God or is it something else? Can the joy of salvation and eternal life be a literal feeling that drowns all hopelessness? Why or why not?

Day 64 - Romans 5

When our parents, mentors and/or teachers reiterate something over and over, they are implying how important it is.  For the third consecutive chapter in the book of Romans, Paul will continue to explain how God accepts people through faith in Christ Jesus and not through an observance of the law or any collection of what we think are good deeds.


Yet today we'll read and examine how Paul contrasts God's other son with the salvation-creating work of His son, Jesus Christ.


Let's jump in!

Romans 5 (Read it here)

When we are right in God's sight, we have peace with God. (v. 1) We no longer have to worry about wondering if our actions are making God smile or burn with anger.  God is no longer the being whose wrath has to be satiated, He becomes our Father not only caring for our needs but also granting our desires and filling out our destinies!  Jesus' sacrifice on the cross transforms our relationship with God just as much as it transforms us.

Paul says that because of our faith in Jesus, we now look forward to sharing in God's glory. (v. 2) You may ask, "What does that even mean?"

The word glory (or doxza in the original Greek) can be translated in this verse one or two ways.

1. Paul could be telling Christ-followers to expect sharing a residence with God in heaven. Have you ever heard an old-time preacher say, "He/she has left this world and gone on to glory"? That is a reference to someone dying and entering heaven.
2. Or Paul's reference to doxza could mean that we share in God's power, brightness and/or radiance. In this way, we have the power of God in us to shine as a beacon of hope in an otherwise hopeless world. Because of our faith in Jesus, we can literally appear to others as being different from average human beings, in which we can be a reflection of Christ and less of ourselves.

Does it really matter which one it is? Can we not apply both definitions of God's glory to our lives; one in expectation and the other in humble application?


Verse 3 implies that perhaps our second definition of glory may be correct because Paul tells us that we should rejoice because we have the power to not only survive problems and trials in our lives, but those problems will only make us stronger. That's not true of everybody on earth.  Without Christ, when people face trials, life often becomes a ruthless "survival of the fittest" emotional/psychological battle.

Jesus transforms the scars of our lives into our strengths. What initially makes us feel inferior and weak should make us more bold. Those scars are not to be hidden but expressed to others who currently are experiencing the pain we have already felt before.  We can give them the confident hope of salvation that we have been given by God! (v. 4)

God did not want us to feel separated from Him, which is why He gave us the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Spirit is a sign of His love. (v. 5) Yet the greatest example of God's love was shown by His son, Jesus.  In verse 6, Paul is describing humanity's situation without God's favor as being helpless; like a diseased person without a cure. We couldn't save ourselves and even when humanity was beating him, spitting on him, pressing thorns into his brow, having him flogged, forcing him to carry his own cross, nailing down his hands, watching him die and ridiculing him, Christ was in the process of making salvation attainable by everyone, all sinners! (v. 6)

This isn't normal by any stretch.  Most people wouldn't die for just anyone, even someone especially good. (v. 7) We cannot compare God's love with the pithy capacity of a human being's love. Jesus, being God chose to sacrifice himself for the humanity that was seemingly against him. (v. 8) He, essentially, was practicing what he had preached when he said, "love your enemies." For Jesus, died so that even his enemies could know and experience the forgiveness and glory of God! That's wild!

Even those who had Jesus condemned to suffer could be spared from God's condemnation if they would only accept Christ's sacrifice as payment for the penalty owed to God for their sins. (v. 9) The enemy of God could become a friend of God through the power of Jesus! (vs. 10-11) This is exactly what happened to Paul on the road to Damascus! The murderer became a preacher!

I want you to know a sliver of truth that is easy to miss in regards to what I've just shared with you.  An enemy or opponent of God is not someone who oppresses the gospel of Jesus or persecutes his followers. Everyone sins and until we come to faith in Christ and receive God's forgiveness and favor we are simply ignoring God's invitation to do so.  When we ignore God, there is a higher probability that we'll ignore the plight of others and elevate our own selfish desires. Until we come to God, we are instinctively against God. Period.

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Did you know that God had another son?

He did.  Paul calls Adam, the first created human on earth, God's son.  When Adam & Eve defied God's command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17 and 3:6), death (the penalty for sin) came into the world for all subsequent generations to inherit. (v. 12) Even though the law hadn't been created yet, sin was still prevalent. But there is no way of keeping an accurate record of sins without comparing it to the law. (v. 13) How would people know what sins they were committing if they didn't know God's expectations through the law?

Through Adam & Eve's defiance every person after died, even though most did not disobey a direct commandment of God. (v. 14) But what's the difference between God's two sons? Adam failed the test of Satan's temptation in the garden of Eden, which caused death for all. However, Jesus would stand up to Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13) and, ultimately, would reverse the curse. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded. Jesus' sacrifice unleashed God's wonderful grace and His gift of forgiveness and eternal life to all! (v. 15)

Even the condemnation from multitudes of sin are nothing compared to the overwhelming power of God's gracious gift of grace through our faith in Jesus. (v. 16) It is only through Jesus that we can triumph over sin and death! No other power, especially our own "will power," can free us from being a slave to sin. (v. 17)

Because of Adam's sin, the entire human race became sinful. However, because of Jesus' obedience to God, we can all have the honor of being made righteous. (v. 19) If all of us were to examine God's law in the Old Testament, and Jesus' interpretation of them in the gospels, we would be able to tell very quickly how inadequate our behavior is towards God and others. However, no matter how much we sin, God's grace is always more abundant than that! (v. 20) No matter how evil a person is, God's love belittles the power of sin. God can, at any moment, cast away the condemnation built up from years of being "against Him!"

Sin doesn't have to be everyone's slave master and death sentence anymore.  God's grace and the gift of His glory (Why can't both of the former points be true? Can't we bring heaven to earth by letting God's Spirit become our own for all others to see?) can be ours if only we would see the lengths to which He went through to save us by His son, Jesus Christ! (v. 21)

Questions

1.) Which is more appealing to you, one day experiencing heaven with God or being filled with God's Spirit while on earth? Why? Would it make you more bold if I told you that BOTH were actually true? How is God using you to bring heaven (or the Kingdom of God) into this world?

2.) Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? I don't believe in the common phrase what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I know plenty of people who couldn't survive emotionally from another family member dying, losing another job, having another miscarriage, being bullied, etc. Experiencing another tragedy could make suicide feel like the only way out. Follow up question: Do you believe that God has brought you through something terrible in order to make you stronger and able to help someone else through a similar situation? If so, what happened?

3.) Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?
If we don't make a decision to follow Christ or not, if we are "on the fence," that means we have already made our decision.  Not making a decision is making a decision. Saying no and maybe is not saying yes, if that makes sense. Follow up question: Why are people "on the fence" about God and/or Jesus? What's the main reason why they don't just say yes?

Day 63 - Romans 4

I pray that you all had a wonderful St. Patrick's day weekend! I sure did!


I was blessed to be present at the wedding of two fantastic people, Chris & Sarah Pressley, and also got to host a potluck and screening with LiNK, a non-profit organization that Jenny and I are very passionate about. Check out their website at linkglobal.org!

Now onto Romans 4, shall we?

Romans 4 (Read it here)

Instead of Paul just letting the reader take his word for it, he appeals to the Genesis accounts regarding Abraham's faith and how he was made right with God. (v. 1) Even by the most conservative estimates, Abraham lived at least 600 years prior to the law being given at Mount Sinai in Exodus 20. In other words, you cannot judge Abraham's righteousness by if he followed God's law or not because the law didn't even exist yet!

If you read through the accounts where Abraham conversed with God, you can tell that he is always humbled, reverent, apologetic and ultra-respectful to the power and majesty of the LORD. Abraham didn't have anything to flaunt to God (v. 2) because he was powerless to provide a son with his wife, Sarah. God told him that, even in his late nineties, he would become a father not only to a son but to so many descendants that it would be nearly impossible to count them all! (Genesis 15:5)

Abraham took God at His word and completely believed that God would do what He said. This act of faith made Abraham righteous in God's sight. (v. 3) Abraham's salvation and eternal destination were secured.

This principle may not seem natural to us in our American culture because the money we make from work is earned not given by employers but its not that way with God. (vs. 4-5) King David understood this principle when he described it in Psalm 32. David said that those who are forgiven by God will truly find joy in knowing that they are "right" with God. (vs. 7-8)

This has to be for both the Jew and the Gentile because Abraham wasn't made right with God by being circumcised. Abraham was actually circumcised after being counted righteous by faith. (vs. 9-10)

Just in case you're keeping score at home, God counts Abraham as righteous because of his faith in Genesis 15:6 and doesn't demand circumcision in Genesis 17:10.

Circumcision, like baptism is for Christ-followers nowadays, is a sign that Abraham already had faith and that he had already been accepted by God.  This would make Abraham not only the founder of the Jewish nation (v. 1) but also for anyone who has ever come to faith in God; circumcised or uncircumcised. (v. 11)  In order to be accepted by God we must have the same level of faith that Abraham exhibited. (v. 12)


This principle of being accepted by God through faith alone continues to every other living person on the face of the earth. (v. 13) If God were to promise us anything upon complete adherence to His law then receiving anything from Him would not require faith but an expectation of payback. (v. 14) Unfortunately, many still inherently believe such a false ideology.  If all God's promises, blessings, etc were dependent on our fulfillment of the law, we wouldn't receive gifts, only constant punishment! (v. 15)

Can I get an amen for God's grace?!

God's promise to Abraham is received by faith; he doesn't feel as if he deserves it from God because of anything he's done. And if we have a faith like Abraham's, then we can receive the same free gift of God's favor, acceptance and salvation. (v. 16)

Abraham thought he and his wife were too old to bear a son in their old age.  But he believed that God could revive an old, dead womb and, literally, bring life out of nothing. (vs. 17, 19) Even though Abraham had no evidence to prove that having a child in his late nineties was even possible, he continued to trust that it would happen because God told him over and over that it would! (v. 18)  He didn't think or just believe that he would become a father, he trusted that it would happen! This kind of faith, which may seem completely nuts to all other rational folk, ultimately, brings great glory to God. (v. 20)

God is capable, willing and able to do whatever he promises. That's what we should believe! (v. 21) Knowing that Abraham was counted as righteous by his faith (v. 22) was not only for Abraham's benefit. (v. 23) God was giving us a clear indication thousands of years ago, way back in the book of Genesis, that coming to faith in God's power in raising the Savior Jesus from the dead would supercede the law in importance every time! (v. 24) This is crucial because if Jesus wouldn't have been resurrected we would know that Jesus wasn't who he said he was. (v. 25)

This chapter, for me, answers an important question that I struggled with earlier in my faith, "What happens to all the people who were alive before Jesus came and his gospel was preached? Are they able to go to heaven, even though they never had the opportunity to trust in Jesus?"

Paul is saying, undeniably, "Yes, they do have the opportunity to be saved and know the true God!" God looks at and knows the human heart.  If a person lives by faith in God, then all things are possible (and I know this will rile some of my Christian friends), even salvation without knowing who Jesus Christ is.  Please understand that I'm talking about the context of people who lived prior to Jesus on this earth, although I am not denying the possibility of salvation for a person who never hears or knows of Jesus.

If the law is written on every person's heart and the existence of God cannot be denied by the majesty of His creation, who is to say a person's spirit cannot be moved by God to experience and follow Him without that person ever hearing of Jesus?

This is all speculation as far as I'm concerned because the Bible doesn't give us much to go on regarding these extenuating circumstances. However, I will always believe that if Jesus is the Judge on Judgment day, then I will leave it up to him to choose who is worthy of his acceptance, salvation and reward.  I have no way of knowing who he will choose and who he won't.  Don't pretend that you do, either.  It will make the world a much better place and Christ-followers would be more respected, too.

Questions

1.) How do you treat God? Do you have faith and take everything as a blessing or do you try to follow a strict moral code (law), earn God's favor and expect blessings? What's so dangerous about expecting blessings from God?

2.) Taking Paul's words in Romans 4 into account, we can be assured that people who lived before Christ had the opportunity to trust God and be rewarded with righteousness, salvation and eternal life.  But what about people who don't hear about Jesus? (Hint: this is kind of a trick question because there are a few other Bible verses that can influence our beliefs on this question)

Day 62: Romans 2:17-29 - 3:31

I pray you get some encouragement from today's post.  This is the crux of the gospel; what's its all about. People make it out to be so difficult.  Read up and share any thoughts, questions or comments you have!

Romans 2:17-29 (Read it here)

Even though this letter was sent to the church in Rome, Paul spends the rest of chapter 2 essentially debating the Jews over the centrality of the law.

Paul calls out Jews by telling them that relying on the law doesn't give you the perk of being righteous. (v. 17) They believed that since God initially chose them (the Jews) and gave them the law through Moses that they are the guides for the blind and a light for people who are lost. (v. 19) This kind of arrogance can only be backed up by a strict adherence to the law.  With this type of haughtiness, the Jews are basically saying, "Come to the synagogue and learn from us what God wants you to do."

This arrogance is only made worse by hypocrisy. 

Paul had experienced first hand how many times Jews had schemed to have him killed. He saw how corrupt the Sanhedrin (Jewish high council) was in trying to cover up the assassination plots on his life.

Therefore, Paul says, "if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself?"

Even more than what we know of Paul's interactions with Jews in Acts, he also confronts them with other infractions of the law.  He had witnessed Jews stealing (v. 21), having sex with other men's wives and using items dedicated to false gods (v. 22)!

"No wonder there's so much hatred for you and God when you act this way," Paul says! (v. 24)  

Ahem, the same thing can be said about Christians, too. I can't tell you how many times so-called Christians have been utterly hateful and completely intolerant under the banner of standing up for Jesus' moral standard.  Pfft, that stuff even turns me off!

Paul says that circumcision (which physically distinguished Jewish men from all other men of other nations) didn't mean a thing if Jews didn't obey God's law. In fact, not following the law nulls the purpose of circumcision making the Jew no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. (v. 25)  For example, in today's church culture, it would be like me telling Christians, "Why get baptized if you truly don't have faith in Jesus.  Only Christ-followers get baptized! Being baptized doesn't make you a Christian! (v. 28) If you continue acting the way you did before you came to faith after baptism, then you basically just had a public bath! That kind of "baptism" has no significance."

And, yes, I would say that a person who comes to genuine faith in Jesus without being baptized WILL be accepted by God just as an uncircumcised Gentile who comes to faith would be, as well. (v. 26) For baptism and circumcision are the same in the way that they are both physical markers that distinguish people who have made a commitment to follow God.


A person's standing with God depends on their heart. People must have a circumcision of the heart where it is evident that God's Spirit has changed their attitude, priorities and the way they treat and serve other people.  This kind of heart seeks God's approval, not human popularity. (v. 29)

Romans 3 (Read it here)

Paul doesn't want his readers to think that circumcision is useless; it is definitely has its benefits. (v. 1) I would say the same thing about baptism.  Baptism, for me personally, was the starting point for walking the talk of my faith. It was no turning back for me after baptism.

Just as Jews were at first, all Christ-followers are to be the mouthpiece of God. (v. 2)  Many people feel intense anxiety about being a "mouthpiece" of God. They feel as if they are unworthy because of their imperfections.  This is completely normal, but if it was appropriate then who would have the privilege of speaking on God's behalf to spread the gospel of Jesus?

Just because we sin doesn't mean God will ever abandon us. Even when we lie to God, He will always be true to us.  He never returns evil for evil. (vs. 3-4) So be bold, even if you're not perfect! There are many times in which I've judged, belittled or harshly treated others, but Paul demands that if those imperfections cause us to ignore telling others about Christ that would be a bigger sin!

Some people may think that the more we sin, the more graceful God will seem to non-Christians. This would make people want to follow God, right? (v. 5) NO!  Don't you know that when Christ-followers (or Jews, as Paul is talking about) do one thing and say another it is a huge turn-off to non-Christians? Of course it is! Justice is just as much a part of God's character as grace is! The Judge of the universe can't be fair to only certain people; that would defeat the purpose of impartiality and justice! (v. 6)

Do you know why this kind of talk was happening?  The moment Paul, Peter or any other apostle of Jesus began preaching that the law was secondary to having faith in the Messiah, people translated that as, "We don't have to follow the law anymore!" That was blasphemy to the average Jew and punishable by death! That oversimplification is not entirely true. (v. 8)

Remember, if you know God's law, you are bound to it! We bring God more glory when we instinctively follow the law rather than to use His grace callously. (v. 7) The closer we get to Jesus, the more we will act like him and less like ourselves. It is within Christ, that we are justified.

Jews nor Christ-followers are no better than any other person from any other faith, social standing, race, whatever, period! Not one person on God's green earth is righteous by their actions! (vs. 9-10) No matter what anyone thinks, no one is wise in comparison to God. No one naturally wants to drop everything and seek God with everything they have all the time. (v. 11)

Everyone has turned away from God at point or another. In fact we are all worthless without God! In Him we live, move and exist! (Acts 17:28) He alone is good! (v. 12)

When people are separated from God, (which is always by our choice, not His) their speech will be perverse.  Paul quotes Psalm 5:9 in saying that such speech is like the stench from an open grave! (v. 13)  Such words are not encouraging; their words will be destructive, belittling, profanity-filled (v. 14) and judgmental.  Such speech is not inspired or condoned by God!

It is destructive, belittling and judgmental talk that can literally rob someone of their self-esteem and sense of self-worth; it is like venon, which can be lethal.

People far from God are more apt to take a life, constantly be destructive and depressed. (vs. 15-16) If such people don't find the Prince of Peace, the Creator and embodiment of love, where can true peace be found otherwise? (v. 17) Surely not in anything He created!

And I will testify to the fact that I don't always have a fear of God. (v. 18)  This is true for Christ-followers and non-Christians alike.  Either we completely ignore God or we get used to Him.  Why else would we feel so free to sin? 

The purpose of the law isn't to separate us from God (although it does when we can't completely obey it) but it is to show how imperfect we are in comparison to a holy God! (v. 19) Its impossible to be like God whose very being fulfills the law with the bat of an eye. Yet when we feel this way, we are not supposed to beat ourselves up but look to Christ as the one who makes us right with God!. (v. 21) Faith in Christ is the ultimate cleanser of all sin, from the murderer to the liar! (v. 22)

Paul reinforces this point by stressing that everyone has sinned; everyone falls short of God's perfection! (v. 23) No need to judge anyone.  A serial killer and a Baptist minister both need the forgiveness Jesus offers through his sacrifice for the same reason! (v. 25) God freely gives this gift of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life to ANYONE (there are no behavioral stipulations) who chooses to receive it, even though NO ONE deserves it! (v. 24) God declares ALL sinners (that's every human being alive, if you're curious) to be right in His sight when they have faith in Jesus! (v. 26b)

Actually, speaking of justice and fairness, God held back punishment from anyone who had sinned against Him! (v. 25b) The sins of many were not punished until Jesus came to earth so that they could come to faith in Him. How is that fair, really? God held back what so many richly deserved with the ultimate gift of forgiveness, which the law would say people definitely DIDN'T deserve! (v. 26a)

Only God has the right to boast about being good, righteous or fair. We surely didn't earn it by obeying the law! God's salvation is only dependent on faith alone. (vs. 27-28) This is the only God in existence that demands only our heart drenched in faith.  All our "pathways to God" require adherence to a moral code or discipline in which you "earn" your way to god's approval (or as some faiths would say, to where you become a god yourself). When all other faiths suggest you climb up to their god, the only true God is willing to reach down to lift you, or any other human, up out of the sin you are in! (v. 30)


Yeah! Give me that kind of God!

Bottom line is that faith is the key to salvation (from ourselves, the penalties of sins we've committed and from hell), not the law. Faith even leads us to fulfill the law! (v. 31)

Questions

1.) Is there anything worse than a "religious" person being hypocritical about what they preach?  Have you ever struggled with something that you've challenged someone to stop doing? If so, how did that play out with the other person or with you internally?

2.) Do you find that people who are far from God are more apt to perverse or corrupt language?  What does that mean when a Christ-follower uses such speech?

3.) Do you have a problem with murderers and rapists being treated the same as you by God when they come to faith in Jesus Christ? Why or why not?

4.) How do you feel about how God is the only divine being that offers to help humans come to Him in contrast to other gods and their moral codes? Have you ever thought of it that way?  Perhaps that's the reason why God makes following the law secondary, eh?

Day 61 - Romans 2:1-16

I have to let you know that writing a commentary/summary/journal on Romans is proving difficult!  There are so many things that Paul is teaching his readers at once.  Just in the 16 verses I'm covering tonight, I could easily write 10 pages explaining all the implications of faith that Paul is mentioning and come up with 20 questions to ask!


If it seems like I'm moving from one point to another abruptly that's because I'm forcing myself to be short, not long-winded, on the variety of points that Paul makes.  Like I said, Romans is dense!


Feel free to ask about a particular verse or idea, if you don't think I went deep enough.  Depth will not always be possible when I'm trying to cover as much ground as possible in a day.


Romans 2 (Read it here)

Even though Paul continues to refer to people who have not repented of their sins and are far away from God, there is a TON that Christ-followers can learn from his words!  Almost every thing that Paul chastises non-believers about, I believe Christians still likely struggle with today!

In fact, there may be many times when you'll feel as if God is convicting you of something that you do that is wrong, but really, its Paul challenging non-believers.  That's the power of God working through His word! Christ-followers and non-Christ-followers still have a lot in common. Just because someone gets saved doesn't mean that sin, sinful thoughts and unhealthy desires stop. 

I should've included verse 1 with my thoughts on how sodomy is no worse than any other sin that Paul mentions that people are capable of in Romans 1:29-31. Just because something is completely foreign to you or I doesn't make it more sinful, as if God viewed sin as certain humans do.  Paul says is best, "You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! You...do these very same things."

Its so easy to get caught up on one sin. For instance, when Paul says "such people" in the beginning of verse 1, he's NOT talking about homosexuals! His statement could refer to anyone or any of the laundry list of sins that he mentioned earlier!  No one has an excuse to judge anyone else, no matter the grievance of the sin. Sin is sin; it all separates us from God. We all do these very same things.

The only difference between those who ignore God and those who follow God by accepting His Son, is that Jesus has taken our punishment for sins on the cross.  Paul suggests that people who ignore God will incur punishment. (v. 2) However, God will still discipline even His own children (Christ-followers) for being judgmental and for being hypocritical. (v. 3)

If anyone should know the grace and patience of God, it should be Christ-followers, right? Yet instead of extending grace, we test God's patience by judging others just as much as non-believers do. (v. 4)

But God doesn't let evil go unpunished. People do get what they deserve eventually. (v. 5) The phrase refuse to turn from your sin literally means those who have not confessed or repented of their sins to God.  The day of anger is basically synonymous to Judgment day. This could've very well been what Paul said that frightened Felix in Acts 24:25.

The spiritual fruit of one's life will be a sign whether someone is following Christ and is worthy of God's gift of eternal life. (v. 7) Honor cannot be earned; we receive it when we give up our rights to ourselves. If you live for yourself, to give yourself the best reputation, the most possessions, etc, then it might as well be an idol.  What your serving is yourself. Replacing the Creator with anything that He created as God is wicked! (v. 8)

If I were to translate verse 9 from the original Greek I would say, "There will be suffering and difficult circumstances for all those who keep on harming others." This is why I honestly believe that God doesn't just save people from hell in the afterlife. Another huge part of His saving grace is saving us from ourselves.  When we follow ourselves, many times we don't even know what is harmful to us. The other times we ignore the harm we inflict because of what we gain.  And even though, for Christ-followers, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1) we still can create difficult circumstances for ourselves by sinning, right?

If Jesus said "no one (even himself) is good but God," (Luke 18:19) then how will sinful human beings do good? It is only rational to conclude that people do good when influenced and led by God, who alone is good.

I'll be honest, I don't like the assumption that the New Living Translation makes in verse 12. It doesn't seem to connect with verse 13 to me.  The NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) says, "All (the word Gentile is not present in the original Greek) who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law."

We all have sinned and will die, obviously.  Paul is just making a point that people who are not aware of the law of the Old Testament will not be held accountable for it. However, Jews will definitely be held accountable for obeying the law!

Don't get it twisted, Paul will explain how verse 13 is humanly impossible (to perfectly follow the law) later on through the book of Romans.  As of now, he is explaining that God only accepts perfection through the law.  Only one person was ever completely sinless and perfect, Jesus. It is he that we should accept and place our faith in to truly be right in His sight! That is what is meant by justification by faith. We are justified (made right with God) when we place our faith in Christ Jesus!

God's law wasn't just meant for the Jews, though. This is proven when people who have never read the Old Testament still instinctively know what is right and wrong and follow the laws.  For example, even the vast majority of atheists would agree that murder, adultery, stealing, cheating, lying, bestiality and rape is wrong! (vs. 14-15)

The "day of anger" or the Judgment Day will be when Jesus will judge everyone's secrets, what they believe, etc. (v. 16) You can't BS God, who created your mind!

Questions

1.) Throughout these 16 verses did you feel that God was teaching you something (even as a Christ-follower)?  If Paul's intention were to have a completely Christian audience, do you think his letter would still be effective? Why or why not?

2.) Most of you reading this blog are not Jewish (making you a Gentile).  However, will you be held accountable for the law of the Old Testament when you die? (If you know the 10 Commandments, you know a summary of the Jewish law, by the way.) Does that intimidate you and/or make you want to know exactly what the standard of the law is?  Is it your job to completely and perfectly obey the law? Why or why not?

3.) Since Jesus will be the judge of all humanity's secret lives on Judgment Day, how do you think he will judge those who have never read the law or heard the gospel?

4.) Since Jesus knows all your secrets, how genuine is your faith in him? Isn't it worth it to have a clear conscience before God? How do you get a clear conscience?

Day 60 - Romans 1

Today marks a cause for celebration!  If you've been following since the beginning, you have now read through 2,148 verses of the Bible, which is 27% of the New Testament or 7% of the entire Bible. On this pace, we'll be done with the New Testament on or around September 22 and (I don't know now if my first prediction of February 12, 2014 was correct) the whole Bible on or around October 31st, 2014.  This means that not posting on Sundays and missing 3 days during the last month has threw off my goal by 10 months now! I'm gonna fix that. Hopefully.

I had said that we were going to start going through Matthew and Mark, but since Luke ends the book of Acts with Paul in Rome I figured reading what Paul had to say to Roman Christians would be the natural place to continue. Agreed? Aren't you curious on how Paul preached to those in Rome. We only got so little from the end of Acts.

Let me just forewarn you that Romans is one of the most theologically (theology is simply the study of God, by the way) dense books in the Bible.  Don't be surprised if I have to slow the pace even more as we make our way through one of the most influential books of my Christian life.

Ya'll ready?


Romans 1 (Read it here)



So the year is around 58 AD. Jesus has been dead and resurrected for nearly 30 years. Ironically, the book of Romans was written before Luke and Acts; Luke wouldn't write and distribute his gospel and the book of Acts for another 2-5 years. It would make sense that the Romans wouldn't know anything about Christians other than the fact that people were denouncing their faith (Acts 28:22) because they don't have a gospel that describes the life, teachings, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus yet.  So, the purpose of Paul's letter to the church in Rome was to present a detailed explanation of the gospel of Jesus. 



I hope that we can now revert back to much of Paul's story in Acts with familiarity as we go through the book of Romans.


From his conversion experience, in which he was blinded and commissioned by Jesus to preach the gospel, it is obvious as to why Paul would consider himself a slave who was chosen by God to be an apostle to preach. (v. 1) This gospel that Paul preaches is not his invention but was promised by God long ago through what we now know as the Old Testament. (v. 2) The Old Testament all points to Jesus, God's Son, who was King David's 7x great-grandson (v. 3) and proven worthy of worship as Savior when he was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit. (v. 4) No human had a hand in raising Christ, God Himself raised His Son from the dead.



And it was through Jesus that Paul was given the right and privilege to preach to Gentiles (non-Jews) everywhere.  Having them come to faith in Jesus pleases and honors God greatly. (v. 5)  Paul wants all  Romans to know that they are definitely urged to become apostles, as well.  Not just followers, but fellow spreaders of the gospel! (v. 6) There is no other way to belong to Jesus than to spread his fame and glory! In fact, all people, including Romans (who were generally hated by Jews for occupying their lands), are loved by God and called to be His people! (v. 7)



It is very easy to miss the importance of the last half of verse 7, though.  With the statement, "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace," Paul is telling his Roman audience to accept this letter with peace of mind, knowing that God shows no favoritism; that He shows grace to all!

Ain't that the truth? I can attest to that.
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Because of the faith exhibited in the church in Rome, the center of civilization back then, people are hearing about Jesus all over the world. (v. 8) Of course Paul prays for them but he says that his true love is displayed to God by continuing to preach the good news about Jesus. (v. 9)

Did you catch that? The way we can truly show our love to God is by sharing His love and grace with others...and yes, by actually speaking! Actions may speak louder than words, but no one will know the purpose of your actions without you telling them why you do what you do, right?

What does Paul mean when he says, "I always pray for...the opportunity...to come...see you"? (v. 10) Many scholars believe that Paul composed his letter to the church in Rome while staying in Corinth.  Perhaps, that is one of the reasons why Paul stays in Corinth for a year and a half. (Acts 18:11) In fact, we find out in Romans 16:22 that Paul didn't literally write the letter at all.  Tertius, a friend of his from Iconium, wrote down what Paul spoke.  Paul would eventually make it to Rome 3-4 years later.

The phrase we find in verse 11 "spiritual gift" maybe better interpreted by the original Greek to mean that Paul wants to impart grace to them. After all, they would need Paul's patience if they were just learning about how to follow Jesus. Yet he still wants to be encouraged by the faith they already have. (v. 12)

Even though perfection is not expected, Paul does expect spiritual fruit to be evident from the Christ-followers in Rome. (v. 13) If God is impartial then it is Paul's calling to be the same way; preaching to everyone, no matter where they live or their social status. (v. 14) Paul is eager to preach in Rome (v. 15, and he does, starting in Acts 28).

This may be the statement that explains why Paul continued his preaching even though he was constantly threatened with the possibility of being killed, imprisoned and rejected.  Paul is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. He believes that the gospel has power to save and literally change everyone who believes it. It was offered first to the Jew but then to everyone else (v. 16, Gentiles).

It is by Jesus' sacrifice that we are made right with God. All we have to do is have faith. Notice I didn't say just believe. To believe is to think or know but to have faith is to trust what you know!  For instance, in James 2:19, the half-brother of Jesus and bishop of the church in Jerusalem said, "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." You wouldn't say that demons place their faith in God would you? Of course not, yet they do believe that He exists!

People better make that distinction because it is by faith that a righteous person has life. (v. 17, He's also quoting an Old Testament prophet in Habakkuk 2:4, too) People don't accrue faith by being righteous or perfect, its the other way around.

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What are examples of righteousness and spiritual fruit? There are many, actually, but Paul chooses to focus this next part on what is immoral and signs of bad spiritual fruit.

God is truly angered when sinful, wicked people prevent others from hearing the truth, or worse yet, convince them to believe a lie, even though they know what they "believe" is wrong! (vs. 18-19) Everyone from prehistoric man to Mayans to Greeks have assumed that a higher power or powers have controlled the earth because of its sheer mass. Something with great power of a divine nature had to have made this universe.  That alone leaves no excuse for not knowing there's a God, Paul says. (v. 20)

Instead of giving God the thanks He deserved, people preferred to philosophize about what God was like (which explains why there are so many carvings, statues and paintings in so many cultures trying to depict what their "god" looks like). They became so "smart" that they became confused fools. (vs. 21-22) The true God that created this universe, and any other that exists, cannot be fashioned by human hands like the idols that are made to look like people, birds, animals and reptiles. (v. 23, which all these creatures were, well, created by God)

So, in response, God did a scary thing. He let them believe and do whatever they wanted to.  He didn't try to stop them from believing in their false gods. And when God is out of the equation, Paul says, people do vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. (v. 24) When people have ultimate freedom apart from God, they'll start worshiping and serving the things God created instead of the Creator! (v. 25) How true is that? Don't we often really desire the material things or even other people more than God Himself?  This is the ultimate insult to God.

Turning away from God would mean turning from His word, the Scriptures, too.  Even though it was condemned by God, sodomy became "normal," even though it was never intended to be. (vs. 26-27) Notice that neither Paul nor I said homosexuality itself is a sin, but the action of sodomy is what is condemned by Paul here. However, it was the desire, or you can say the homosexuality, that caused the shameful sexual things to occur.

In my humble opinion (or belief), if homosexuality can be tempered or controlled, a gay person can definitely be a Christ-follower and bring glory to God! If not, it may act as an idol, causing one to reshape God to fit the sexuality or lifestyle. But aren't we all sinners?  Don't we all struggle with different things? There is nothing especially horrible about sodomy that it should cause a phobia or harsh treatment, ever!

Yes, I live in Asheville where gay pride is alive and well. But I don't agree with the philosophy of acting a certain way if you were born a certain way.  I could pose another question in return (and this is just how it sounds to me): If a person is genetically predisposed to being having an addiction to alcohol, should that person then become an alcoholic because he/she was born that way?

Sodomy was not the only symptom to perverse theology; being apart from God causes many other things that should never be done. (v. 28)  If we abandon God, even for a second, anyone runs the risk of greed, hatred, envy, murder, arguing, lying, slandering, gossiping, back-stabbing, blaming God, arrogance, pride, disobeying parents, breaking promises, being heartless and unmerciful. People even concoct new ways to offend God. (vs. 29-31) In our most carnal and undisciplined moments, aren't we capable of most, if not all, of those things that Paul lists? Aren't Christ-followers even susceptible, too?

People know that these things are wrong because, ultimately, nobody wants others to do any of those things listed above to them, right?  And Jews, who knew the law very well, should know that for such grave misbehavior to God and to other humans, His creatures, this warrants a penalty, death. But the worst part, again, are the people who know this truth but yet encourage others to act as they do (v. 32), which may be why the phrase "do as I say, not as I do" may never cease to exist.

Questions

1.) Paul says that he shows his true love for God by continuing to preach the gospel in verse 9. Jesus also told his disciples, "If you love me, obey my commandments," in John 14:15. Many times, Jesus commanded his disciples to preach the good news.  Do you believe that you have to share your faith in Jesus with others to prove your love and devotion to God? Why or why not?

2.) Would you say that you believe in Jesus or have faith in him?  Can you now distinguish the difference between the two? How would you explain the differences to someone else?

3.) Do you agree that anyone and everyone is vulnerable to do evil deeds if God is forsaken, even for a moment? Remember the long list that Paul gives (greed, hatred, envy, murder, arguing, lying, slandering, gossiping, back-stabbing, blaming God, arrogance, pride, disobeying parents, breaking promises, being heartless and unmerciful)? Which of these are you most susceptible of falling into or have fallen into before?

Bonus Question: What do you think about my beliefs on the subject of homosexuality versus sodomy?  Is Paul condemning sodomy or homosexuality or both?  Also, do you believe that my rebuttal question (regarding the alcoholic) is rational, non-applicable or what? I am completely open to being educated further myself, by the way.