Galatians 6:7

Verse of the Day Devotion: Galatians 6:7 

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” – Galatians 6:7 

This verse is often called “The rule of sowing and reaping”, basically a farming analogy.   Paul uses this idea several times in his writings.  First, we see it in his second letter to the Church in Corinth.  “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6.  This is probably the more prevalent verse regarding sowing and reaping, and the one I have heard more often than any other.  The basic idea here is if you sow one acre of corn, you will reap one acre of corn.  Not two or three acres, but one.  If you want to reap three acres of corn you need to sow three acres of corn.  This verse is used, and rightfully so, to say that the more you give the more you will get.  “If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.” Deuteronomy 15:7, 10. 

However, our focus verse is not speaking of amounts but crops.  The idea here is that you will reap what you sow, not the amount you sow.  For instance, if you sow wheat, you will not reap barley, you will reap wheat.  If you want to harvest beans, you do not sow cauliflower, but beans.  Whatever a farmer sows is exactly what he will reap. 

Look at verse eight.  “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:8. What Paul is saying here is if what we sow in regards to our life style, be it righteousness or sinfulness, we will reap accordingly.  If we sow to the indulgences of fleshly desires, we will reap corruption.  And this corruption will not lead to eternal life.  However, if we sow to the Spirit, meaning we live a life in the Spirit and not in the flesh, we will reap eternal life. 

Now, the first part of our focus verse says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked.” Galatians 6:7a.  The idea here is that we are not to be fooled into thinking we can expect eternal life if we sow to our flesh.  We cannot fool God in any way.  Also, we should not be deceived regarding our own character.  Theologian Albert Barnes puts it this way. “It implies that there was danger that they would be deceived in reference to their character. The sources of the danger were the corruption of their own hearts, the difficulty of knowing their true character, the instructions of false teachers, etc.” It is so important that we look at ourselves with honesty and integrity.  If we see issues, then we need to address those issues.  We must not think we can get away with deceiving God.

In conclusion, we must realize the idea of the rule of sowing and reaping is a particularly important point in our Christian walk.  If we sow to our flesh, we will reap corruption.  If we sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life.  There are no other options.  Just as only sowing corn will result in only reaping corn, sowing to the flesh will result in only reaping corruption and sowing to the Spirit will result in only reaping eternal life.  Do not be deceived into thinking anything else is possible.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Matthew 23:28

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 23:28 

“So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. ” – Matthew 23:28

This particular verse is part of Jesus declaring the seven woes to the Scribes and Pharisees. This one is associated with the sixth woe which deals with hypocrisy. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27.  This is an extraordinarily strong condemnation of the Jewish leadership. 

He is comparing them to whitewashed sepulchers.  The purpose of whitewashing a tomb was not so much to clean them up or improve their appearance. These tombs were whitewashed annually to alert people that these were tombs so that they could refrain from touching them, which would make them unclean.  They looked quite beautiful on the outside, but because they had dead bodies inside, it was a violation of the law to touch it in any way.

So, when Jesus is comparing the Jewish leadership to whitewashed tombs, He is in essence calling them fakes.  On the outside, they look so good and pure.  They come across to all as righteous, but in actuality they are far from it.  When in public, they show themselves as keepers of the law, but when alone or with others like themselves, they do not follow it as defined.  This is the definition of hypocrisy, which in essence is claiming to have moral standards but whose behavior speaks to the contrary.  He condemns them as not being followers of the law, but pretenders. 

Do we have people today who act one way and think another?  Unfortunately, we do.  And we must be careful that we are not fooled by them, just as Jesus had warned His followers regarding this.  David wrote the following regarding his foes.  “There is nothing reliable in what they say, their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue. Hold them guilty, O God; By their own devices let them fall! In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, For they are rebellious against You.” Psalm 5:9.  They would lie endeavoring to fool him, and he is praying that God will deal with them justly. 

We need to look in two directions to ensure we are not led astray.  First, outwardly with those in the church.  We are not to assume it is going on simply because we believe it is happening.  This is a dangerous road to walk down.  But, if we actually see it, we do not gossip about it, but we go to them and help them to see it themselves and make the changes necessary to correct it.  “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”  Matthew 18:15-17  This may seem harsh, but it is critical for protecting those whom they may be influencing.

And second inwardly with ourselves.  We must examine ourselves and make sure we are not living a life of hypocrisy.  It can be easy to fool ourselves.  Before I was saved, I honestly believed I was a Christian, even though I lived a life contrary to the Christian walk.  However, God led two brothers to show me where I was wrong, and after a short period of time, God made it clear to me and I then gave my life to Him.  It is important we all pray and see where we are.  If there are changes to be made, then we make them.  It is the only way to be who God has called us to be, true followers of Christ.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Luke 15:7

Verse of the Day Devotion: Luke 15:7 

“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” – Luke 15:7

At the beginning of chapter 15, we see many people coming to Jesus to listen to Him.  “Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.” Luke 15:1.  There were many Jews around Him who took offense, for this was contrary to the ideas of the scribes and Pharisees who would not give any of these the time of day.  So they murmured loudly, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 5:2b.  You can sense the disgust in their wording.  So Jesus, having heard their words, tells them a parable. 

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” Luke 15:4.  The tax collectors and the ones designated ‘sinners’ were of Jewish descent.  The Jewish nation was frequently represented as a flock of sheep.  “You led Your people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Psalm 77:20.  Therefore, Jesus is saying that these tax collectors and sinners are part of the flock of Israel, just as the scribes and pharisees are, and He was going out to bring them home.  This is what any shepherd would do when a sheep is lost.  Each sheep is as important as any of the others.  And Jesus says He rejoices when He brings him home.  “When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”  Luke 15:5-6.  When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he carries him home rejoicing as he does, them he calls his friends and neighbors to celebrate with him.

This shows how important a single sheep is to the shepherd.  And this is also a great picture of how important we are to our shepherd as well.  Jesus here, in our focus verse, says the following.  “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7.  Finding a valuable lost object is always a time of celebration.  And the more valuable that object is, the greater the celebration.  This shows the value God places on a lost person, for there is greater joy over a repentant sinner than over those who do not need repentance for they are already in the flock.  He does rejoice over all, but for those who come home, the rejoicing is greater for a lost sheep has come home.

When we became saved by accepting the work Jesus did on the cross, there was much rejoicing in Heaven, celebrating another sheep has come home. For gentiles, we are grafted in and are part of the flock as well.  We are all that important to God and to all who are there.  God wants everyone to be saved.  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.  And this is why we are sent out to spread the good news of Christ to all.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. 

By leading others to Christ, and showing them how to live that life, we cause a great celebration in Heaven that has no rival here on earth.  Let’s all go out and give Heaven many, many reasons to celebrate.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Matthew 11:28

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 11:28 

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Jesus is here giving a word of encouragement.  He started this by giving thanks to His Father.  “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.” Matthew 11:25-26.  First He thanks His Father for hiding His message from the wise and revealing it to the infants. What is meant here by the wise are those who think themselves wise and intelligent, those being the Scribes and Pharisees who refuse to submit to the righteousness of God (Salvation by Christ), to follow the righteousness they themselves have established.  They knew of the coming Messiah, and if He did not fit their rules and beliefs, then they wanted nothing of Him.  However, it was revealed to the infants, those who were the simple-hearted people who submitted to be instructed and saved in the way God intended.

In those day’s things were hard for many people.  And this was especially hard for the poor and weak in society.  Much of the leadership in both Rome and Israel were more often concerned with how to benefit themselves rather than others.  This placed a lot of stress on the hearts and minds of the people.  Jesus put it this way in a later chapter, referring to the leadership.  “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.”  Matthew 24:5.  In other words, they placed rules and burdens on the people they themselves are unwilling to carry, unless of course they were to be seen.  “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.” Matthew 23:5.

Now, where the Jewish leadership placed burdens on the people, God takes them away and gives them rest.  Sinners who are burdened and wearied by their iniquities, are invited by Jesus to come to Him to have their sins removed.  Those burdened with crimes who now are penitent can go to Him and receive an instant pardon from the sins they have committed.  Believers who are caught in a pattern of temptation, oppressed by the remains of their carnal thoughts can go to Him and find rest.  All are invited to go to Him and find rest.  Jesus put it this way.  “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33.  We will all go through difficult times, but Jesus promised us that we are to be courageous and strong, for He has overcome the world. 

Let us always remember we are never alone when we trust in Christ.  We can always go to Him and He will give us the rest we need.  Call on Him, He is always ready to meet our needs in the midst of any struggle. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

1 Peter 4:7

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Peter 4:7 

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” – 1 Peter 4:7  

Peter is exhorting those he is writing to that they should realize the end of all things is near, that this world and its sinful ways will soon end.  Jesus spoke many times regarding this world as they know it coming to an end, that their suffering will be coming to an end.  The church during this time was under a two-fold attack.  First there was Rome.  If you did not worship Caesar as God, then you would be subject to punishment up to and including death.  Rome hated the early church and wanted it done away with.  A classic example of this is the death of the Apostle John’s disciple Polycarp.  He was arrested for his Christian faith, and because of this taken into the arena.  When they required him to denounce and reproach Christ, he said, “86 years have I served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”  He refused to denounce Him, so they burned him alive.

The Jews also persecuted the Christians.  They would bring them in to be tried and if they did not renounce Christ, they would find themselves punished.  And as we see from several instances that happened to Paul, they worked with the Roman government, just as they did regarding the crucifixion of Christ.

This was the level of persecution the Christians endured during this time.  And it grew greater as time went by.  What Peter was telling the church was that these days would not last forever, that soon, this would end.  And he encouraged them to remain strong throughout all this.  He told them to remain sober, meaning serious and thoughtful.  Also to remain calm and collected.  Yes, these times will be difficult, but do not let it take away your serious expectations of what is coming.  Instead of losing control over what they are seeing, they were encouraged them to spend time in prayer, going before God and lifting up their concerns to Him.  They should abstain from anything of a sinful nature, so as to be ready for the time when all this is over. 

And this should be our answer to this as well.  Things today are getting very difficult.  We need to be encouraged as well that the end is coming soon, and we must remain calm, cool and collected.  We must not lose control of ourselves, but carefully remain in prayer with the one who will take care of us.  We are seeing the church ridiculed and looked at in negative terms, being called racist, sexist and the remover of people’s rights.  Just remain calm and do not give in to their desires, for God’s plan for us is right on time.  He is with you and in you.  No matter what they do, stand firm.  Your reward is coming soon, in fact, it is on the way. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Romans 13:1-7

Verse of the Day Devotion – Romans 13:1-7

Submission to Authorities – Romans 13:1-7

Rom 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 
Rom 13:2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 
Rom 13:4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 
Rom 13:5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 
Rom 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 
Rom 13:7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 

v1 – We are all to be under submission to governing authorities.  This is an important question because:

  • Christians professed supreme allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ; he was their Lawgiver, their Sovereign, their Judge. It became, therefore, a question of great importance and difficulty
  • The kingdoms of the world were then “pagan” kingdoms. The laws were made by pagans and were adapted to the prevalence of paganism. Those kingdoms had been generally founded in conquest, and blood, and oppression. Many of the monarchs were blood-stained warriors; were unprincipled men; and were polluted in their private, and oppressive in their public character. Whether Christians were to acknowledge the laws of such kingdoms and of such men, was a serious question, and one which could not but occur very early.
  • Many of the early Christians were composed of Jewish converts. Yet the Jews had long been under Roman oppression and had borne the foreign yoke with great uneasiness. The whole pagan magistracy they regarded as founded in a system of idolatry; as opposed to God and his kingdom; and as abomination in his sight. With these feelings they had become Christians; and it was natural that their former sentiments should exert an influence on them after their conversion. How far they should submit, if at all, to heathen magistrates, was a question of deep interest; and there was danger that the “Jewish” converts might prove to be disorderly and rebellious citizens of the empire.
  • Nor was the case much different with the “Gentile” converts. They would naturally look with abhorrence on the system of idolatry which they had just forsaken. They would regard all as opposed to God. They would denounce the “religion” of the pagans as abomination; and as that religion was interwoven with the civil institutions, there was danger also that they might denounce the government altogether and be regarded as opposed to the laws of the land.
  • There “were” cases where it was right to “resist” the laws. This the Christian religion clearly taught; and in cases like these, it was indispensable for Christians to take a stand. When the laws interfered with the rights of conscience; when they commanded the worship of idols, or any moral wrong, then it was their duty to refuse submission. Yet in what cases this was to be done, where the line was to be drawn, was a question of deep importance, and one which was not easily settled. It is quite probable, however, that the main danger was, that the early Christians would err in “refusing” submission, even when it was proper, rather than in undue conformity to idolatrous rites and ceremonies.
  • In the “changes” which were to occur in human governments, it would be an inquiry of deep interest, what part Christians should take, and what submission they should yield to the various laws which might spring up among the nations. The “principles” on which Christians should act are settled in this chapter.

Submit. The word denotes that kind of submission which soldiers render to their officers. It implies “subordination;” a willingness to occupy our proper place, to yield to the authority of those over us. The word used here does not designate the “extent” of the submission, but merely enjoins it in general. The general principle will be seen to be, that we are to obey in all things which are not contrary to the Law of God.  They were told here by Paul to submit to the Roman leadership and hierarchy.

This is because their authority was given to them by God.

  • Dan 2:21  “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. 
  • Dan 4:17  “This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers And the decision is a command of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes And sets over it the lowliest of men.” 
  • Dan 4:25  that you be driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes. 
    • This does not mean
      • That he approves of their conduct
      • That what they do is always right
      • That it is our duty “always” to submit to them

The main thing to remember is what Francis Schaeffer once said, and I paraphrase:        “Obey the laws of man where it does not counter the laws of God”

“But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name. And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:17-20

“When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them,  saying, We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. But Peter and the apostles answered, We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:27-32 

v2 – That is, they who rise up against “government itself;” who seek anarchy and confusion; and who oppose the regular execution of the laws. It is implied, however, that those laws shall not be such as to violate the rights of conscience or oppose the laws of God.

vs3-4 – The general principle is that if you do good works, then we have no need to fear it.  They are generally not a terror for good works.

v5 – As a matter of conscience, or of “duty to God,” because “he” has appointed it, and made it necessary and proper.

Christians professed supreme allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ; he was their Lawgiver, their Sovereign, their Judge. It became, therefore, a question of great importance and difficulty

  • “Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God. I say, Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God. Do not be in a hurry to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases. Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing? He who keeps a royal command experiences no trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure.” Ecclesiastes 8:2-5

vs6-7 – This is the same thing Jesus said to His disciples. “But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? They said to Him, Caesar’s. Then He said to them, Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:18-21

Go Forward to Chapter 13 Part 2

Romans 13:8-14

Verses of the Day – Romans 13:8-14

Fulfilling the Law Through Love – Romans 13:8-14

Rom 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 
Rom 13:9 For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 
Rom 13:10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 
Rom 13:11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 
Rom 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 
Rom 13:13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 
Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. 

v8 – After discussing the believer’s responsibility as concerning the government and civil magistrates, he moves on to our responsibility to our neighbor.  We are to owe no man anything but love.  We should have no obligations to anyone but to love them.  If we do not pay back a person, then we possibly hurt them and cause them to think wrongly themselves.  Plus, owing others may restrict what we may be able to do for our fellow man.

vs9-10 – We are to do love everyone, and if we do, then we will not deprive them of anything that is theirs, neither his wife, life or any of his possessions.  And if we truly love them, we will not even desire, or covet, what he has for we will want him to enjoy what he has.  He then ends this with reminding them that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.

vs11-14 – These things should be our focus, knowing that the time is getting close for the return of Christ.  We must lay aside all our deeds of darkness that do not show love and do those that please the Father and show love to everyone.  We must live the live out the life that Christ lived, through to the point of death.  Our salvation from the life is almost over, the new life with God in His kingdom is at hand. 

We must show all who see us that this what we believe is true and there is little time left in this present life.  And the only way they will see it is if we live it.  Therefore we must be a light in this dark world, showing them the beauty of living in the light and ridding themselves of the darkness.  Therefore we must put on Christ, live the life He showed us, and make no provision for the lust that the flesh pushes on us.

Go Back to Chapter 13 Part 1

Matthew 28:6

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 28:6 

“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” – Matthew 28:6              

Now, Jesus has been crucified.  And when it was time to bring His dead body down from the cross, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph who also had become a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered it given to him.  “And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.” Matthew 27:59-61. 

The next day, after the preparation, the chief priests and pharisees met with Pilate. “and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, After three days I am to rise again. Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Matthew 27:63-64.  Pilate was not interested in this, for it was the Jewish leadership that was concerned about the idea of resurrection,  so Pilate essentially told them to place their own guards at the tomb, which they did.

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.” Matthew 28:1.  Now, it is understood that they came there not just to see the grave, but to see whether they could enter in and anoint the body with the spices and ointments which they had prepared and brought with them.  Suddenly a great earthquake hits.  According to Matthew, “for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.” Matthew 28:2b.  An angel of the Lord descended from Heaven, rolled the stone away and then sat on the stone.  The guards appears to have collapsed in fear, however, the woman seemed to be afraid but not to the same extent.  “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.”  I believe they said this to ease their minds.  Then, they say what the focus verse is, “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” Matthew 28:6.  After they saw that He was not there, they left quickly to go back and tell the disciples as the angel told them to. 

But there was a  surprise awaiting them as they were going back. “And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”  Matthew 28:10.  Then they left to deliver the message.

This is the picture Matthew draws for us regarding the resurrection of Jesus.  Everything was put into motion when both Mary’s arrived at the tomb.  The angel comes, the stone is rolled away, and the angel declared to them that Jesus was not there, even though there were many guards at the tomb and the stone had not yet been rolled away before they arrived.  Both ladies had incredible faith and were, both afraid and full of joy. “and they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.” Matthew 28:8.  And I believe that to remove any possible doubt regarding a resurrection because of the words spoke about taking the body to fake it, He appears to them with a message to the disciples. 

As I have said before, this was the greatest 3 days in history, and this event was its culmination.  Jesus was crucified for the sins we have committed, was buried in the tomb of a rich disciple, and then was raised in order to sit at the right hand of the Father for our sake, and soon to come back so we can be with Him forever.  So, let us rejoice and be glad for as the angel said, “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.”  Matthew 28:6.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Romans 12:9-21

New Testament Study – Romans 12:9-21

Marks of the True Christian – Romans 12:9-21

Rom 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 
Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 
Rom 12:11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. 
Rom 12:12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 
Rom 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 
Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 
Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 
Rom 12:17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 
Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 
Rom 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 
Rom 12:20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. 

v9 – Without hypocrisy. Let it be sincere and unfeigned. Let it not consist in words or professions only, but let it be manifested in acts of kindness and in deeds of charity.

  • “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”  1 John 3:18
  • “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” James 2:15-16

v10 – The word used here occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly denotes tender affection, such as what subsists between parents and children; and it means that Christians should have similar feelings toward each other, as belonging to the same family, and as united in the same principles and interests. In showing or manifesting respect or honor. Not in seeking honor, or striving after respect, but in showing it to one another. The words “giving preference” means going before, leading, setting an example. Thus, in showing mutual respect and honor, they were to strive to excel; not to see which could obtain most honor, but which could confer most, or manifest most respect.

v11 – Whatsoever we do, do it with our might. In every business diligently and fervently serving the Lord – Doing all to God, not to man.

v12 – “Now faith is the assurance of thingshoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1. In these things we hope for, we rejoice that we shall at some point receive it.

No matter what troubles and persecution we experience, we are to persevere to the end.  We are not to quit or doubt in our faith.

And we are to be devoted to prayer, which is our great honor to communicate with our loving Father. 

  • “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

v13-16 – The idea here is however you think of yourself we are to think of others the same way.  An example given here is that we should not be haughty or arrogant, thinking we are better than others. We should not think of ourselves as the only source of wisdom, but we must understand we can learn and be instructed by others.

v17-19 – “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.”  Deuteronomy 32:35

v20 – If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.” Proverbs 25:22-23. The idea here in heaping hot coals is to give them more than they need. Heating the home and cooking was done through the use of hot coals. If someone finds their coals have gone cold, the idea is that one who has hot coals will give them an abundance. And in those days, the way things were carried was in pots held on the heads.

v21 – Paul ends this chapter by encouraging them to condemn evil, and do not act in such a way as to become what you condemn in others. And the way to vanquish evil is to do good to others.

Go Back to Chapter 12 Part 2

Study of Romans 12:3-8

New Testament – Romans 12:3-8

Gifts of Grace – Romans 12:3-8

Rom 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 
Rom 12:4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 
Rom 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 
Rom 12:6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 
Rom 12:7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 
Rom 12:8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 

v3 – Not to over-estimate himself, or to think more of himself than he ought to. What is the true standard by which we ought to estimate ourselves he immediately adds. This is a caution against pride; and an exhortation not to judge of ourselves by our talents, wealth, or function, but to form another standard of judging of ourselves, by our Christian character.

  • The Romans would probably be in much danger from this quarter. The prevailing habit of judging among them was according to rank, or wealth, or eloquence, or function. While this habit of judging prevailed in the world around them, there was danger that it might also prevail in the church. And the exhortation was that they should not judge of their own characters by the usual modes among people, but by their Christian attainments.
    • There is no sin to which people are more prone than an inordinate self-valuation and pride. Instead of judging by what constitutes true excellence of character, they pride themselves on that which is of no intrinsic value; on rank, and titles, and external accomplishments; or on talents, learning, or wealth. The only true standard of character pertains to the principles of action, or to that which constitutes the moral nature of the man; and to that the apostle calls the Roman people.

vs4-5 – As the human body consists of many parts, each having its respective office, and all contributing to the perfection and support of the whole; each being indispensably necessary in the place which it occupies, and each equally useful though performing a different function.

  • We who are members of the Church of Christ, which is considered the body of which he is the head, have various offices assigned to us, according to the measure of grace, faith and religious knowledge which we possess; and although each has a different office, and qualifications suitable to that office, yet all belong to the same body; and each has as much need of the help of another as that other has of his; therefore, let there be neither pride on the one hand, nor envy on the other.

vs6-8 – Whatever gift we are given in support of the Body of Christ, we are to exercise those gifts.  We are not to hold them back simply because it is not like another’s gift.

Go Forward to Chapter 12 Part 3

Go Back to Chapter 12 Part 1