***Five Daily Verse Devotions For Week of 06-03-2019

2019-06-03 – Romans 8:28

Verse of the Day: Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  

As Christians, we have all struggled and gone through trials.  And I am sure we all have probably asked why we need to go through this.  A fair question, however, we must accept these times when they come.  God has reasons for everything He does and everything He allows.  It may be for our benefit or it may be for another’s. 

Francis Schaeffer once said the following, and I am paraphrasing.  ‘Too often we ask God to deliver us from a trial, when we should be praying that God will bring us through the trial.’  Persevering through will make us stronger and able to come through even more.  

However, it could be for the benefit of another.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:3-4 the following, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

What a blessing we can be to so many if we keep this in mind.

 

2019-06-04 – Ephesians 4:31-32

Verse of the Day: Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 

When you observe what is going on in the world, what do you see?  I see a very angry and vicious people.  Now, I want to say that is not everyone I see; however, people are becoming more intolerant as the days go by.  It used to be that if two people disagreed, they would either walk away, or agree to disagree.  Now, violence seems to be the outcome of more and more meetings of individuals or groups where they do not see eye to eye.

Paul is telling the Ephesians this should not be the case with Christians.  We may disagree in areas, but we must not allow this to break into bitterness and anger simply because we do not agree with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  If we do, how are we different than the world?  And how can we preach love and peace to the world when we do not practice it ourselves?  We should set the example we see in verse 32 of being kind and tender-hearted to everyone, not being angry and talking bad of another person no matter what has happened.  

This way, we are following the command to love everyone and shining a light into the darkness that the world will see and be attracted to.  They will see Christ in us.  What a beautiful picture for all to enjoy.

 

2019-06-05 – Proverbs 3-5-6

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.  

This is a crucial verse to practice on a moment by moment basis.  The question it brings up is, do you trust in God regarding everything?  And if you say yes, the next question is, are there times when you revert to trusting yourself or anything else beside God? 

God knows all things, understands all situations, knows the end from the beginning, has only our best in mind.  He loves us with an everlasting love, He never leaves our side, in fact, as Christians he is in us by way of the Holy Spirit.  He is everywhere throughout the entire universe at once, so there is no place we can go where God is absent.  Moreover, He can speak and interact with everyone and everything at the same time.  Can you say the same about anyone or anything else?  I cannot, and I would guess you cannot either. 

This is the reason Solomon said that we must trust God with our whole heart and not trust in ours or any other’s judgement or advise.  If we do, then He will guide and lead us where He knows it is best for us and others.   To trust another is not wisdom and shows a lack of knowledge of the reality of God and His great and eternal love.

 

2019-06-06 – 1 John 2:15

Verse of the Day: 1 John 2:15  Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  

We are not to love this world and what it has to offer.  The things down here are not worth it.  What does it have to offer us?  Verses 16-17 answer this question.  “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”

If you love the world then you truly cannot love the Father, for they are diametrically opposed to each other.  So, Is the world and all it’s pleasures worth more than our eternal God?  If so, then you will need to examine yourself prayerfully and ask why.  Then take what God tells you and change your focus.  You will not regret making the adjustments.

 

2019-06-07 – Jude 22

Verse of the Day: Jude 22  And have mercy on some, who are doubting;   

When we go out to share the love of God and introduce people to Christ, we are going to find various type of people.  One group we tend to mis-understand are those who have doubts about the gospel message.  I have seen Christians who speak with them about Christ and when they express their doubts, they walk away to another who may accept the message more readily.  This is easy to do, but not the right thing to do. 

Now you will come across those who are hostile to the gospel.  However, these are not the ones I am referring to.  I am referring to those who express doubts, are asking legitimate questions and show they really want to know.  They are not hostile; they just do not understand.  Have mercy on them.  We do not know their past and what they have gone through.  Take the time to answer their questions.  Be patient with them.  Give them the time they need.  God brought them to you to help them.  If you need to, introduce them to someone who can help you answer their questions.  

It is important to be prepared for any questions about Christianity.  Paul wrote the following to Timothy, 2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  Let’s all study to be prepared for what/who God brings our way.   

***Four Daily Verse Devotions For Week of 05-27-2019

2019-05-28 – Isaiah 46:10

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;

This verse should bring us all comfort.  Why you ask?  Because God knows all things; past, present and future.  God loves us and wants the best for us.  Moreover, His best for us cannot be thwarted because His purpose has already been established and thus His good for us will happen. 

This is important because He cannot be surprised.  His love and goodness are not based on what we have done, because He knew everything about us before we were created.  He loves everyone, but only some return that love and He knew who those were before they were in their mother’s womb. 

So, when you think that God has changed His mind about anything, this is an impossibility.  In this I take much comfort.  God told me a long time ago to prepare for what He had planned for me.  I have not been perfect, but I also know He has not taken back His command to prepare.  This brings much peace and contentment to me.  I pray it does the same for you in your walk.

 

2019-05-29 – Philippians 2:13

Verse of the Day: Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 

Have you ever felt that God seems to require more than you are able to do?  When I first received Christ, I read the scriptures for hours every day.  I learned a lot, but I would ask myself, how can I do all that is asked of me? 

It is so important for us to obey His word and the calling He has given us.  Pray, hear His voice.  He will not ask more of us than we can do.  Today’s verse tells us two things we need to understand.  First, He will work through us to work His good pleasure.  We just submit to Him and let His Spirit lead and guide us.  But more importantly, He will give us the desire to do it.  It says He will work through us first to will, then to do.  He will give us the desire to do His good pleasure, then thepower to do it.  Our love for Him will lead us to submit to anything He asks of us.  Then He will work through us to make it happen.

What a beautiful relationship we have with God.

 

2019-05-30 – Proverbs 9:10

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  

This verse in Proverbs tells us where true wisdom and knowledge come from.  Many think wisdom comes from the very wisest in our society, and that knowledge comes from schooling.  This may be true; however, they are not the ultimate sources.  Let’s look at what this verse says from one of the wisest and most knowledgeable men that ever lived, Solomon.

First, wisdom starts by fearing the Lord.  The word fear in this context means respect and reverence. True wisdom comes through the reverence of the true God, honoring and praising Him for who He truly is, not who or what we think or what Him to be, such as a figment of our imagination.  For true wisdom comes through belief and the holding firm in real reality, not in trying to create a false reality. 

Understanding comes through knowing and seeking the source of this actual reality, one who knows the end from the beginning, who is infinite and has never not existed, and who knows everything.  When we seek knowledge, do we go to someone who might know, or do we choose someone who truly knows?  I go to the latter, God. He will provide wisdom and the knowledge that leads to understanding to anyone who seeks Him.

 

2019-05-31 – John 14:6

Verse of the Day: John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.  

It is important that we grasp this truth so that we can counter the belief that there are many roads that lead to God.  Jesus said He was the only way to the Father.  Paul said in his letter to the Romans, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” Romans 10:9.  This counters the ideas of the Post-Modernists who believes there is no absolute truth, but that everyone has their own truth which they must follow.

We must stand strong in the reality that Jesus is the only way to salvation and any relationship with God; not to argue in anger but to speak in love.  They may try to convince you they are on a path to God, but a different one.  However, the truth is there is no other way.  It is our job to live our lives as though we see this as absolute truth so they can see that light in us and desire it themselves. This is our role as Christians here.  To lead people to the true God via the only path available, that being through the shed blood of Christ and all that entails.

***Five Daily Verse Devotions For Week of 05-20-2019

2019-05-20 – Titus 2:1

Verse of the Day: Titus 2:1  “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

It is important that if we are going to teach the scriptures, that we make sure we teach what it says, and not what we think it says or what we want it to say. There are many false teachers out there who are deceivers, declaring things that the Word of God clearly does not say or speaks against.  Do not teach things that others teach without checking it out.  Note Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”  Check if it is accurate.  And also make sure your teachings are not based on false presuppositions.  Be open to having your mind changed by God as you study.  It is important to teach God’s Word as God said it.  It is what everyone needs, both believers and unbelievers.

 

2019-05-21 – James 1:2-3

Verse of the Day: James 1:2-3 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Paul says something here that seems to run contrary to the way most people think.  Count it all ‘joy’ when we experience trials?  This does not come naturally.  It is much easier to be sad and downcast.  However, it is important to see that the joy is not because we are suffering, but because of the strength that comes from patience.  And as Paul said, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance”. 

God allows us to go through trials to build up our endurance so that we can remain steadfast in our walk; to stand against those things contrary to God and His ways.   The more we see God bringing us through these tough times, the more endurance we will have to stay true to Him no matter what we face.  And we will need this endurance as anti-christian attitudes continue to grow as we get closer to His return. 

 

2019-05-22 – Matthew 5:6

Verse of the Day: Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “

We all desire to be righteous before God.  However, how strongly do we desire it?  Jesus said that we should hunger and thirst for it.  In other words, we should desire this above anything else.

This is what God desires of us.  To be righteous, to do the right thing, to be as He created us to be.  However, if we do not make this our focus, or if other things can take precedence, we will not attain it.  I want to encourage everyone reading this to go before God in prayer, asking Him to guide your steps to do all that He commands and turn away from that which He does not want.  Ask Him to help you be a righteous servant and son.  For if this is truly your greatest desire, you will attain it. 

 

2019-05-23 – Matthew 6:1

Verse of the Day: Matthew 6:1  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

Jesus is not saying we are not to practice our righteousness before others, but we are not to practice it for the purpose of having other people see it.  If we do, then we are exalting ourselves and not God, and this is unacceptible.  We should do it such that we receive no glory from man, but that we glorify God.  

The emphasis is on ‘why are we doing what we are doing?’  Are we doing righteousness for others sake, or for our sake.  Verses 2-4 completes the idea.  “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” 

Nothing we do should lift ourselves up.  Others may see what we do, but our focus should be on doing the right thing.  We should live a righteous life because it is the right thing to do.  And then our Heavenly Father will reward us accordingly.   And what more could we ask for?

 

2019-05-24 – Matthew 6:19

Verse of the Day: Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,”

Where are our treasures?  More importantly, what are our treasures?  What is it that means the most to us?  Are they things down here which are subject to decay or can be taken away from us by thieves?  

I want to first say it is ok to have nice things.  However, they must be in proper perspective.  Remember what Jesus said to the rich young ruler.  Mat 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” It was not because it was wrong to have stuff.  It was wrong to place these earthly possessions above Christ.  In the next verse, it says “When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”  His stuff was more important than following Christ.

If these earthly things get in the way of doing God’s will, then we may need to separate ourselves from them.  For nothing takes precedence over God and His will.  Again, it is ok to have nice things, but God’s work is more important.  Jesus summed it up best when He said, Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

***Three Daily Verse Devotions For Week of 05-13-2019

2019-05-13 – James 2:18

Verse of the Day – “James 2:18  But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 

Salvation comes through faith in God.  Both in the fact He exists and His words.  Do we believe He exists and do we believe what He says?  Our works show the answer to both of the above questions.  If the asnwer to both questions are YES, then we will do what He says.  We will honor Him with our lives and give our all to Him.  If they are not both YES, then we will not be totally devoted to Him. 

Our works show where our heart is.  And the world looks at our works to see if we truly believe as we profess.  If not, then they will doubt the reality of the Christian life.

 

2019-05-14 – Philippians 2:4

Verse of the Day:  “Philippians 2:4  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

This can be a very difficult idea to follow.  The world today acts on the idea of “I take care of myself”.  And there is nothing wrong with that.  However, if we are to be like Christ who gave himself for all people; past, present and future, we must not focus on ourselves and what is necessarily best for us.  We must show the world the love of Christ, so they will see His love and accept His grace and follow.

We, as Christians, have everything we need.  We are taken care of, both now and for all eternity.  It may not seem like it sometimes, but His promise in Mat 6:25-34 says as much.  So let us go out and help the lost understand that God loves them and wants them to have the same guarantee.  We must show them that God loves them, and we do as well.  That their eternal salvation is so important to us, we will do what we can to help them secure it.  That is showing true love to them and is exactly what we are called by God to do.

 

2019-05-17 – Romans 8:38-39

Verse of the Day: Romans 8:38-39  “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

This is an absolutely beautiful passage.  Paul is very clear that there is absolutely nothing that can cause God to stop loving us who are members of the Body of Christ,  This should give us immense peace.  Because of His love, He will always be with us, helping us through all of our trials and troubling times.  And you can trust this, because He said I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

You can trust God to bring you through everything you go through.  If hard times come, remember He is with you.  And He will always be with you.  This is His promise to you, and one thing we know for sure, He always keeps His promises.

***Four Daily Verse Devotions For Week of 05-06-2019

2019-05-08:

Today’s verse: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ”  Matthew 5:14-15. 

The world is in darkness.  They need a light to guide them out of this darkness.  And that is where we come in.  As Christians, the light of Christ shines through us out into the darkness if we truly live the Christian life, as it should be lived, at all times.  When the world sees this, they are drawn to Christ.  Therefore, it is critical that we do not just proclaim we are Christians, but show through our actions that our proclamation is true. 

The world needs Christ.  But how can they see it if professing Christians do not even live their lives as if it is real?  So lets read and study God’s word, and fervantly pray so that we can honor God in all we do, and show it’s truth to a lost world.

 

2019-05-10:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mat 28:19-20

We, as Christians, are called to make disciples of all nations.  The word ‘disciple’ comes from the Greek word ‘mathetes’ which means pupil or learner.  It is not just to get them saved, but to disciple them as well.  They need to understand what being a Christian is really about.  Then, they can go out and make disciples of those who accept Christ.  This is our mission here on this earth.

Study of Romans 5:12-21

Death in Adam, Life in Christ

Rom 5:12  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 
Rom 5:13  for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 
Rom 5:14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 
Rom 5:15  But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 
Rom 5:16  The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 
Rom 5:17  For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 
Rom 5:18  So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 
Rom 5:19  For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 
Rom 5:20  The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 
Rom 5:21  so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

v12 – Up to this point when discussing our need for a savior, he had not mentioned Adam, the first man, and the one through whom sin was introduced into the world. Now, many people, including some Christians, do not believe that Adam and Eve were real people. They tend to think of this story as a myth or allegory. Paul never thought this way. He is very definitive in stating that through one man sin entered the world, and because of this, death as well. He does not mention his name in this verse, but in verse 14 he does. Jesus also believed the creation of Adam and Eve as the first people was not a myth. “And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’?  So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” Mat 19:4-6 So, just as through one man, Adam, sin entered the world, and because of this sin, death also came through this sin. If man had not sinned, he would not have died. However, sin carries with it death and this death was passed through mankind because all men have sinned. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Rom 3:23 Death passes to all who sin because “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.“

v13-14 – All men sinned. Sin was in the world before the law was given. This is very apparent. Look at Adam and Eve as well as the pre-flood society. Even immediately after the flood there was sin. However, since there is no law, sin was not imputed to men. Imputed here means not laid to their charge. In other words, their sin was not laid to their charge. Sin here is the violation of a divine law in thought or in deed. So, if there was no law given at this time and there was sin, there had to be another law. Let us look at what Paul said in chapter 2. This is in reference to the Gentiles who were not under the law, so it fits here as well. “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,” Rom 2:14-15. There is a law written in our hearts. This is the law they were under and they disobeyed that law and thus were sinners. Death reigned from Adam to Moses, therefore the law that was broken before the Mosaic Law was the law written on their hearts. Lastly, Paul says that Adam was a type of the one to come. What I believe is meant here is that since by Adam’s transgression all men died, by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead all men shall be made alive. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Cor 15:22.

v15-17 – There are two historical acts stated in these verses. First, by the historical act of Adam, all mankind became sinners and ultimately died. And second, by the historical act of Jesus, all mankind who are lost can be raised up. We look at so many things in history, such as walking on the moon or the fall of Rome. However, their impact pales in comparison to the two mentioned above. For walking on the moon and the fall of Rome have a transient affect on our lives. However, what Christ did through His death, burial and resurrection has an eternal affect. So lets look at the three comparisons found in these verses. First, the free gift is not like the transgression. By the one man’s transgression many died. Transgression is sin or misdeed. However, by one man’s death through grace, many received new life. The difference is all die -vs- many live. In the next verse says, the free gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned, specifically condemnation. By one transgression judgement arose and many were condemned, however, the free gift came on account of many transgressions resulting in justification. The difference is one transgression – condemnation, one free gift – justification. And lastly, by the transgression of one death reigned through the act of Adam, and by the grace of one, God, the gift of righteousness reigns through the act of Jesus. The difference is death reigned due to the act of Adam – the gift of righteousness reigned due to the act of Jesus.

v18-19 – Putting it succinctly, one sin brought condemnation, one act of righteousness brought justification. This is the clearest distinction between Adam and Christ. And the last comparison, By one man’s sin, all became sinners and by one man’s obedience many will be made / declared righteous.

v20-21 – What Paul is saying is that when the Law came, man became aware of their sin. And when they became aware of what was sin, it increased. This is what the Law is for. “because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” Rom 3:20. Paul says in a later chapter, “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET. But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.” Rom 7:7-11. Also according to these verses, the Law also brought to the surface desires for doing that which the Law said not to do. Therefore, focusing on the comparisons again, as sin reigned in death, grace would reign through righteousness resulting in eternal life through Christ.

Go Back to Chapter 5 Part 1

Study of Romans 5:1-11

Peace with God Through Faith

Rom 5:1  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Rom 5:2  through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 
Rom 5:3  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 
Rom 5:4  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 
Rom 5:5  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 
Rom 5:6  For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 
Rom 5:7  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 
Rom 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 
Rom 5:9  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 
Rom 5:10  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 
Rom 5:11  And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. 

v1 – Paul sums up what he previously said with this verse. Paul here is referring to true Christians when he uses the term ‘we’. He is saying the result of being justified by faith is peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, justification is to declare or pronounce one to be righteous. This justification has nothing to do with our works, but everything to do with His grace. We are no longer enemies of God because of our sinful ways, but we are at peace because we now called righteous because of what Jesus did and our accepting this work instead of attempting to attain it on our own.

v2 – By Jesus Christ the way is opened for us to obtain the favor of God. It is only through His death, burial and resurrection that we have received access. It was only through Christ that we could even approach God, and then continue in this loving relationship with Him. We are not brought to God to discuss a relationship, but to remain with Him, to be in His family, and to walk in His light. All through faith in Christ, not through our works.

v3 – We see rejoicing as the product of something good happening. And so it is. However, not only is this due to prosperity and good health, but also in trials and suffering. And the reason for this is that trials and suffering, with the help of Christ, produces endurance or patience. Sinners are made angry when these things happen, and they are troubled by it. They do not have the loving God to console and comfort them. However, Christians see God’s handiwork in it. They have confidence in God that He is all wise and good, who has determined that it was necessary for the Christian to go through it. It is a way that He kind of weans us from the ways of the world through the patience it produces.

v4 – Then, when we are patient in trials, this produces character (or experience in the trial). The idea here is that they have proven their attitude and strength through troubling times. It shows the person who he is with the purpose of showing his authenticity. Trials are many times sent for this purpose. It is part of the sanctification process, which is the process of becoming like Christ. Then, this character produces hope. This shows that Christianity is genuine, unquestionably from God. They help us to understand that we are of another world, and that this world cannot affect who we now are in Christ. Hebrews says the following, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Heb 11:1. In the Hebrew, hope is that which we know is coming. It is not what we wish for. So character assures us that what is promised by God will come to pass.

v5 – And because we go through the trials we do, and we have shown our faith to be genuine, we have this hope because we trust God. We have trusted Him through the trials, therefore we trust Him in the certainty of His promises for us. And this hope does not put us to shame, in fact we glory in it. God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and this love assures us that we are safe in Him and can trust Him in his promises to us.

v6 – Therefore, how can we now doubt God’s love? For when our strength was low and we did not follow the ways of God, Jesus the Christ came to die for our sins. Again, we could no nothing regarding this, it took God declaring us righteous because of our trust and faith in Christ. He died for us while we were yet sinners.

v7 – In essence, what he is saying is that for good and righteous men few if any would die for. In those days, one who is good is one who, not because of God’s grace but his own ways, were charitable and gave liberally to those in need. He was one who bountifully gave to the poor and needy. He was not righteous by God’s grace, but was righteous in his own eyes. Paul is saying that people would scarcely die for a self-righteous person, but maybe for one who gave much to the poor and needy.

v8 – However, Christ came and died for His enemies. Those who were against Him. This is true love. Man tends to love only those who are close to him. God loves all, including those who are against Him. He did for us what we are not willing to do.

v9 – Since we, true Christians who have been declared righteous by God through the shed blood of Christ, we shall also be saved from His wrath. He does not hold our sins against us. The penalty has been paid and we have been reconciled to God.

v10 – Now expanding on verse 9, if we were reconciled to God through Christ’s death, through justification because Jesus paid the penalty, then through His life we are saved. We died with Christ for reconciliation with God, and we were resurrected with Christ to enjoy the new life he gives us. We died with Him and we were resurrected with Him. This begins the thought of us being new creatures in Christ. John says something similar. “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.” John 14:19.

v11 – And beyond all this, we can rejoice because we are now not separated from God anymore. We are no longer enemies but we are His friends and family. We can go to Him anytime and He will be there for us. We have full access to the Father because of the death, burial and resurrection that we have accepted as payment for the penalty we owed due to our sins. This is what is meant by atonement.

Go Forward to Chapter 5 Part 2

Study of Romans 4:13-25

The Promise Realized Through Faith

Rom 4:13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 
Rom 4:14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 
Rom 4:15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 
Rom 4:16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 
Rom 4:17  as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 
Rom 4:18  In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 
Rom 4:19  He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 
Rom 4:20  No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 
Rom 4:21  fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 
Rom 4:22  That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 
Rom 4:23  But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 
Rom 4:24  but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 
Rom 4:25  who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. 

v13 – There are two ways to look at this verse, and both are helpful in understanding what Paul is saying to the church. First, that one is not saved by any aspect of works, but completely by faith. This is, of course, what is written throughout the writings of Paul, and the Abrahamic story laid out in Rom 4:1-3. However, what he may also be saying is the promise did not come through the Mosaic Law, since it was not given till around 500 years after Abraham. This shows that Abraham’s justification did not come because of the Law, which had not yet been given to man, but through the faith Abraham had for what God promised him.

v14-15 – If becoming children of God comes through works, then the promise to Abraham is void because faith has no meaning. He goes on to say that the law brings wrath. The idea here is not simply anger, but in the sense of punishment. The meaning here is that the law demands perfection; perfect purity. Any sin that is done condemns the sinner. Moreover, Paul stated in the 2nd chapter, “but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” Rom 2:8. I feel comfortable we have all, in some points in our lives, did not obey the truth, but unrighteousness. Also, remember, “For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.” Rom 2:12. You are either under the law or not. But either way, we will be judged, found guilty and perish if we commit any sin. And wrapping up this thought, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Rom 3:23.

v16 – Therefore, since we have no hope of reconciliation with God based on our works only, since we would need to be perfect, there must be a way aside from our works. And that is why it is faith in Jesus Christ that provides the means of reconciliation. This is not limited to the Jews only, but is open to all who believe God. I like the wording here, ‘the one who shares the faith of Abraham’. He believed wholeheartedly what God told him. And He changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude’. Not just of the Israelites, but of all who believe.

v17-18 – Here, Paul clarifies the point that it was not just the Jews. He quotes the following, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.  No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.” Gen 17:4-5. Looking at v18, we see that Abraham knew that God could do anything, even those things that are seen as impossible, such as his ability to father a son through Sarah. He believed if God said it, then it was possible. Therefore, since God told him he would have a child through Sarah, then it would happen. “They said to him, ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’ And he said, ‘She is in the tent.’ The LORD said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.  Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?’ The LORD said to Abraham, ‘why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.’ But Sarah denied it, saying, ‘I did not laugh,’ for she was afraid. He said, ‘No, but you did laugh.‘” Gen 18:8-15. Sarah may have doubted, but Abraham absolutely did not.

v19-22 – Paul goes on to describe the power of his faith. Against all probability, he believed and placed his faith in that promise. He did not doubt any point of God’s promise. He knew that if God said it, it would come to pass. This is the type of faith we need. There is an old saying ‘if God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me.’ This should be the way we live our life. He closes this thought be declaring that this strength of faith was counted/credited to him as righteousness. This is why Abraham was justified. Because he believed God.

v23-25 – In closing this argument, he declares these words are not just for Abraham, but for our sakes as well. Our faith and belief in Jesus Christ, who died, was buried and raised from the dead for our sins, will be counted to us as righteousness. It has nothing to do with our works, but has everything to do with our faith; the same way Abrahams faith and belief was credited as righteousness to him. What saves us is our faith in Jesus who was delivered up for our transgressions and raised from the dead for our justification. This is a beautiful thing, for we have no hope aside from the work of Christ.

Go Back to Chapter 4 Part 1

Study of Romans 4:1-12

Abraham Justified by Faith

Rom 4:1  What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 
Rom 4:2  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 
Rom 4:3  For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 
Rom 4:4  Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 
Rom 4:5  And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 
Rom 4:6  just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 
Rom 4:7  “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 
Rom 4:8  blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” 
Rom 4:9  Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 
Rom 4:10  How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 
Rom 4:11  He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 
Rom 4:12  and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 

v1 – This is the primary objection a Jew would have regarding what Paul is saying. This objection does not necessarily come from anyone, he is simply asking the question so as to address the issue before it is asked. In essence, the question is basically how does this doctrine of justification by faith you are telling us line up with their scriptures telling of the story of Abraham? He was circumcised, did Abraham derive any advantage from it in regards to justification from the covenant which God made with him? The object of the apostle now is to answer this inquiry. This is basically a similar issue he dealt with in chapter 3 as well. ” Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?” Rom 3:1

v2 – Paul gives this answer to the question. If Abraham was justified on the grounds of what he did, then he would have a reason to boast about his good works. He may even consider himself the prime cause of his justification. There was absolutely no cause for self confidence or boasting.

v3 – Lets look at Gen 15:1-6, where he quotes verse 6. ” After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.’ And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.’ And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’  And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

v4-5 – Paul is saying that if you do any works to attain your salvation based on the Law and the covenant of circumcision, then this salvation is basically a payment due us. it is not grace and the work of Christ would have nothing to do with it. In fact, Christ would not have had to die if it is due us on account of what we do.

v6-8 – The two verses is basically a quote from Psalm 32. (See Psa 32:1-11) Look at these verses and you will find David speaking about sin he had committed, which he acknowledged to God not trying to cover it up, he confessed it to God and the Lord forgave him.

v9-10 – Paul then asks the question, is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? He answers this by declaring it was before He was circumcised. In fact, it was somewhere between 17 and 25 years prior to the day he was circumcised. This will be important in his discussion throughout this chapter.

v11 – He was circumcised as a seal of his justification by God through faith while he was still uncircumcised. To “seal” an instrument is to make it sure and truly binding. This similar to sealing a deed or a will. when we are sealed, we are vouching for the truth of God and assume the propitiation (the covering of our sins) as true and secure.

v12 – And this was done to show that both the circumcised and the uncircumcised are justified (righteousness imputed to them or declared) to them not through works but through faith. Abraham was declared righteous due to his faith, not by anything he did, and the same is true of us. And because of this, circumcision based on the law, and all other parts of the law could not have been the reason for his justification.

Go Forward to Chapter 4 Part 2

The Book of Romans 4

Chapter three speaks of God’s righteousness being upheld. Man’s condition is on man himself and not in any way the fault of God. It also addresses the Mosaic Law and it’s role in salvation, and that there is no difference for anyone. It shows that the Law is powerless to save, and then shows the true salvation.

Part 1 – Abraham Justified by Faith
Part 2 – The Promise Realized Through Faith