Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Romans 11:11-12 - Riches for the World

Romans 11:11-12 - 11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!

Message: Salvation to the Gentiles

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:

Setting the Context
The Message of the Gospel does not return void. Someone will receive the message and find its truth. Many in the nation of Israel, God's original promised people, did not accept this truth. They did not accept the message of righteousness by faith, but instead wanted to walk the road of righteousness by works. And the message went out to all. And other people groups, originally dismissive of God's message began to accept it and make it theirs. 

In Romans 11:7-10 I see that Israel failed. They failed to receive this message. They instead went their own way. But, the message continued and went to others.  

Background
At the beginning of Chapter 11, Paul identifies himself as a Jew and shows that not all Jews neglected the way of salvation, that is righteousness by faith. It wasn't God that rejected His people. It was His people that rejected God. Yet, people of God are people of God by God's gracious choice. God foreknows His people. He chooses His people. And hardens others. In the Old Testament is the picture of God choosing a people and yet many of those people were not willing to accept God's choosing because they were wrapped up in themselves determining how they would get to God. To me, it seems clear, that God's chosen people will have the fruit of that choosing. They will recognize that God sustains life and God declares the justified. People will accept God. John 1:12 talks about those receiving Jesus as Lord. This is receiving the one that God established as a ransom for people or as the one that will justify people. God gives the free gift. Yet, God knows the recipient of the gift He gives. He knows who these people are, before they declare their faith. Now, they will declare there faith, but, first and foremost, it is because He chooses them. 

Difficult Passages
These are always difficult passages to study. Personally, I have always looked at these passages, thinking about them from 2 perspectives. One, is the perspective God has and then the other is the perspective man has toward God. God chooses. Man has faith. I cannot walk around life, looking at a person, pointing at them and then say to God, "Did you choose them?" God tells me to preach the Good news (Mark 16:15). His word states that I am to be a defender of the faith (I Peter 3:15). His word states that I am to not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). It is clear that the God's message of Truth, the Gospel is not simply be something I internalize, but something I declare and bear witness to in my life. Yet I know Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). 

I need to understand the difference, I proclaim. But, God chooses. I am obedient to the message of truth. I pray and ask God to awaken people. I ask God to draw people, but I always stand ready to give an answer for what I believe. Must God use people? No. Does God use people? Yes.

Israel's Fall from Truth is Not Permanent
In my opinion, Paul declares that Israel is not forever lost. But, many are lost for a period. Here, he is speaking of the entire nation of Israel, of all the people that have been set apart as His chosen people. Many will die have never known Christ as Lord, but there will be a remnant of believers (11:5) among Israel, none the less. Israel will be awakened from their stupor (11:8)   

Salvation to the Gentiles 
Sin by the Israelites, resulted in salvation to the Gentiles. In 10:19 is the picture of Jealousy presented. Israel chose other gods and worshiped them in order to make God jealous. God went to a new people, the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous. God chose people beyond Israel. 

Recently, I had a discussion with a Muslim and one of his defenses was taking these passages from the Old Testament that the Apostle Paul saw as passages pointing to the Gentiles and the Muslim pointed those same passage to the Islamic people and Muhammad. Their defense was they could do this because Muhammad was a prophet and the prophet is the one that can declare the words of God and Muhammad was told that they are this other people group. And so Muslims reject Paul and speak of him as an instrument of Satan. It is interesting and shows that there is power in the text of the Bible. It can branch out and have many different applications and yet there is one that holds true. And so that is the challenge.

Transgression results in Salvation
Verse 12 is one of those verses that I always go back to when something difficult is happening in my life or something unwelcome. And not just something unwelcome, but sin in my life. God can use those transgressions for His glory. Romans 8:28 and the truth that God works everything out for good is this sort of reminder. God can take something meant for evil and use it for good. By the transgression of the Israelite or the unbelief of the Israelite, the Gospel is made known to all the non-Jew world. I think this is the message of Deuteronomy 9 and 32. Israel provoked God to anger. Specifically 32:21, "I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation."

Riches
I think of that verse, "it is through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory (Romans 3:7)" My lie became His glory. Israel's transgression meant riches for the world. If something like this happens, and yet God still has a plan for Israel, how incredible great will Israel one day be.

I must take this text and realize that the Jewish people are indeed valuable and must be preserved and esteemed. Israel must be protected. 

Promise: Though the Israel according to the flesh has been resistant to believing in Christ, this will not last forever. Not all Jews will be saved -- just as not all Gentiles will be saved -- but the Lord will bring the Israel according to the flesh into His Kingdom. And He may do so through us as we share the gospel with the Jewish people. -- Table Talk, August 19, 2014

 

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Romans 11:7-10 - Who is Israel?

Romans 11:7-10 - What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; just as it is written,
God gave them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes to see not and ears to hear not,
Down to this very day.”
And David says,
Let their table become a snare and a trap,
And a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened to see not,
And bend their backs forever.”

Message: The definition and description of those that are hardened to God. 

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:  

God's perspective and Man's perspective
This is what these verses seem to be saying at first glance. They appear to be saying that when we look at God's work from His perspective, He chooses. When we look at it from man's perspective, man chooses or man does not choose. The chosen chose. And the rest were hardened. What it doesn't say? It doesn't say that people didn't choose. It says that people had hard hearts. He had foreknowledge of the chosen, we learned previously. But, does it mean he predetermined the chosen ones? I don't think so. To say that, I think, would mean that God orchestrated the entire history of mankind all at once, in one instant and now simply is watching it unfold. Again, that seems unlikely. 

Israel
The beginning of verse 7 mentions Israel. In my reading of Table Talk on August 18, 2014, it describes four different ways Paul uses the word Israel. I thought it was interesting. 
  1. Ethnic Jews - True Faith (Romans 9:6)
  2. All Ethnic Jews (Romans 9:2)
  3. Ethnic Jews - No True Faith (Romans 9:31-32; Romans 10:21; Romans 11:7-10)
  4. Believers - All Ethnic Jews and All Gentiles or non-Jews (Galatians 6:16; Romans 11:11-24)

More to this life
Hardness of the heart I think is something very interesting. To me, it expresses comfort. To me, it says that a person is comfortable where they are at. And to me, this is one of the biggest dangers of life, yes we need to be content, but I don't think we need to never be comfortable. I am not talking materially speaking, but I am talking spiritually. 

There is always more to this life, as Steven Curtis Chapman sung. 

Today I watched in silence as people passed me by,
And I strained to see if there was something hidden in their eyes;
But they all looked back at me as if to say
Life just goes on.

The old familiar story told in different ways,
Make the most of your own journey from the cradle to the grave;
Dream your dreams tomorrow because today
Life must go on.

But there's more to this life than living and dying,
More than just trying to make it through the day;
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see,
And there's more than this life alone can be.

Tonight he lies in silence staring into space,
And looks for ways to make tomorrow better than today,
But in the morning light it looks the same;
Life just goes on.

He takes care of his family, he takes care of his work,
And every Sunday morning he takes his place at the church;
And somehow he still feels a need to search,
But life just goes on.

But there's more to this life than living and dying,
More than just trying to make it through the day;
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see,
And there's more than this life alone can be.

So where do we start to find every part
Of what makes this life complete;
If we turn our eyes to Jesus we'll find
Life's true beginning is there at the cross where He died.
He died to bring us...

But there's more to this life than living and dying,
More than just trying to make it through the day;
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see,
And there's more than this life alone can be.

I like that line: There is more than just trying to make it through the day. There is more than just being content.

Chosen and Hardened
Verse 7 states that Israel has not yet obtained what they are seeking. This shows me that people are seeking. People of many different faiths are seeking the answer. They are trying to find the answer. Most think that they have arrived. And where they stand now is in the doing. There is clearly a contrast here between two different types of people: chosen and hardened.

The chosen was talked about previously in verse 5 as the remnant: "there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice." God chose, man responded. God reached down, man grabbed a hold of. 

The Hardened Defined
Verse 8 is a combination of Isaiah 29:10 and Deuteronomy 29:4.  

Isaiah 29:10a
For the Lord has poured over you a spirit of deep sleep,

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear.

Grace means some are chosen, some are hardened. Never for a moment do we think we are better than anyone else because we are chosen because in being chosen we have done nothing to deserve this. And so throughout life we continue to look to the Lord and ask Him to choose. 

Sometimes I wonder if I should wrestle so much with those people that are so bent in a different direction. They are not supple or teachable, but instead they are stiff necked, thinking they have arrived. What is clear is I should never parade myself around as being better than others. In my friend Derek, the atheist, I believe this is something he thinks Christian are, is people that think they are better than others. Maybe it is because of the priest or leader of the faith and how much reverence they give that individual. He sees that there is a clear dividing line between the leader and the adherents or congregation. But, that is really a misunderstanding. God is clear that no one is better than anyone else. He has simply called different people to different functions. He has gifted people differently.


The Hardened Described
Verses 9 and 10 show the picture of what hardening looks like. Romans 1 is also a picture of hardening that Paul describes. "They knew God, but they did not give thanks." And Romans 1 shows the falling away from the things of God and the result, God gave them over to that which they wanted.

And David says,
Let their table become a snare and a trap,
And a stumbling block and a retribution to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened to see not,
And bend their backs forever.

Psalm 69:22-23
May their table before them become a snare;
And when they are in peace, may it become a trap.
May their eyes grow dim so that they cannot see,
And make their loins shake continually.

This is the picture of the hardened person. The place where they eat and what they see, it is all a stumbling block to them. There eating and their perspective is away from God. They are consumed with other things. This is the danger of the hardened for they have replaced the joys of God's providence with abusing things before them. May I always have compassion on people. 

Promise: Unbelief is real and it is not a surprise; There are hardened hearts. 

Monday, December 29, 2014

Romans 11:6 - By Grace, Not Works

Romans 11:6 - But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Message: God is gracious

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:

Well, I don't think there can be any question as to what Paul is preaching here and it is why some have such a problem with him. But, his message is clear. God saves by grace, not by works. It is all about God and His work and it not about the righteousness of works.  

When I study religion and talk to people from other faiths, one thing that is clear is that all religions can't end up in the same place. They are all incompatible with one another. In a way, that is the distressing thing about it all. Tom Nelson made the remark in a sermon I listened to one time that there are really just 2 religions in all of the world, (1) God saves man or (2) Man saves himself. And the startling thing is most religions fall into man saving himself. And yet most are viewed that it is God's only way. 

Grace
God's unmerited favor. Grace is everything for nothing for those that don't deserve anything. It takes on the meaning of charm and gift. In life we are said to be gracious when we shower someone with a gift that they don't deserve. Like when a homeless man offers a donation. They have neither earned it or deserved it, but when we give them a gift, we are said to be gracious. 

The contrast in this verse is looking at human activity versus divine activity; works vs grace. There is no mention of faith here. God does not wait for faith to occur in the life of a person before he initiates grace. 

Since grace is based on God's choosing this must quicken us to pray. Rely on God and him being the one who gives the gift. Trust in Him. Pray to him to awaken the hearts of unbelievers. This is where I must stand. 

What I learned yesterday in the message at church is that God saves anyone, so I need to share with everyone. I am not to pick and choose those that need to hear. The gospel is open to all and I have no idea where a person is at until I share the message with them. God is often working in the most unlikely places. In fact, these are normal workings of God, but my perception is they are unlikely. 

I read an article yesterday about the focus we often place on revival and praying for revival. We are often praying for God to work in a mighty and special way. We want a special version of God. Yet, God is always at work. He is always working in the lives of people. He doesn't stop. He doesn't give up. We need to come alive and see this and join Him in what He is doing. 

Promise: God is the giver of grace. Keep focusing on the one that chooses the sinner. Keep praying. Keep asking for God's favor on people.  

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Romans 11:1-5 - God's Chosen Remnant

Romans 11:1-5 - 1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 "Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.

Message: There is no rejection of God's people. God foreknew His people. Many, seemingly, of the faith, will not follow God in the proper way, but God will save a remnant.

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:  

Background
Again, this is a fitting next thought by Paul. He has just basically said that the Jews have been given opportunity to be accepted by God. It is true that they created their own version of righteousness, by the Law, rather than a righteousness of faith. And they rejected God. They tried to make God jealous by serving other gods and God turned the tables on them, grafting in a previous rebellious people, the Gentiles. They were presented the gospel message and they received it. 

But, even in this explanation, Paul clarifies a message or principle from God, that he shows was consistent throughout the Old Testament: God saves whom He saves. He is sovereign and He calls His people to be His. And this calling isn't necessarily based upon certain good behavior or people being faithful. In fact, Israel served other gods and provoked God to anger, and yet He still called them His people. 

But, the message now to the Jews is each Jew cannot necessarily think that they are all accepted by God, just because they are a Jew. It is not through keeping the commandments or through being circumcised or through being a caretaker of the oracles of God or by being God's original chosen people that will then always merit God's favor. People must see that Jesus is the ransom. Jesus is the one to be followed. Jesus is the one to trust and they are to trust Him as Lord and Savior. They are to accept His dying once and for all for sin. Just as sin entered the world through one man, through One Man sin can be vanquished from a person's life by having faith. God will impute or transfer the righteousness of the perfect Lamb to the believer through the faith that person states, not in that person's goodness, but in God's greatness in providing a ransom. 

This is the Gospel that Jesus lived and died. Man is a sinner. God must deal with sin. He dealt with sin in His Son. Will we follow Him? Will we have faith in Him and trust Him with our entire life? By doing so God grafts us in so that we are now God's chosen people. This is our creed.  

No rejection
Don't think for a moment that God rejects His people (Absolutely not), rather people reject God. Paul is an Israelite. Paul is a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Paul is a "people of God."

I Samuel 12:22 - For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself." 

But, we can't think that God rejecting some people means that God will always and forever now reject Israel. 

Hosea 9:17 says, "My God will cast them away because they have not listened to Him; And they will be wanderers among the nations." They will wander, but they will return. God still holds a special place for the Israelites and will come back. The church has not replaced them. 

God foreknew His people
Here is the crux of the message. We can be so focused on the thought that we determine our life. We simply wave the white flag and surrender. We tell God it isn't about us, but it's all about him. We aren't out there trying to do our best, trying to make ourselves worthy in order to earn salvation. Salvation is a gift. And there is a giver. We are simply to come to God with open hands; receive the gift. God doesn't reject people because God foreknew people.

Foreknew is a difficult word because its use negates the idea of personal responsibility. To use this word is not to mean that God simply knew in advance who would surrender their lives to Him, but rather he pre-planned His descendants, is a challenging thought. Yet, it is not something new in Scripture, for Moses spoke of this often in recording the words of God. God has set apart a people for himself.   

Yet, we can never stop here. I can never look at this doctrine and then close my Bible. I must look at all the truths and commands of Scripture and hold close to all of them. I must continue to speak the truth of God and continue to uphold His name and be an ambassador for truth. The one problem I see is there has been such a huge focus on getting people to the Gospel when it seems rather that what Jesus wanted was for us to bring people to be a follower or disciple. I think at times we place too much emphasis on the confession and not enough on the transformation. 

I think the focus is too much on whether God foreknew or not. Our focus should be on helping Christians live a complete life in Christ. And this means upholding all of the commands of the Bible. 

Elijah pleads against Israel, not for Israel
I Kings 19:10, He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” And this same thought is repeated in verse 14 of the same chapter.

Elijah pleads to God, for his life to be saved. He is watching the sons of Israel not being true to their faith. And in this rejection of their true north position with God, they are wanting to permanently shut up Elijah. Elijah is pleading to the Lord to save him. And the Lord lets Elijah know that their will be a remnant among the people of Israel, 7,000 to be exact (I Kings 19:18). Elijah felt like he was alone and that there was no one else. God wanted to show him that he was not alone. The world seems so dark at times and it does seem like the Christian has a target on their back. But, God is faithful and He has a remnant. We are to remain a voice, though, and not simply huddle together.

Remnants
In all people groups, Jewish and Gentile, there is "a remnant according to God's gracious choice.

God saves us not because of our good doing or good behavior, but because of His grace. 

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - “The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

It is by grace we have been saved. - Ephesians 2:8 

Promise: God does not reject His people, He saves them by His grace. It is not everyone He saves, but a remnant. 

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Romans 10:19-21 - Israel's Jealousy

Romans 10:19-21 - 19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation, By a nation without understanding will I anger you.” 20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me,
I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” 21 But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Message: Israel didn't accept God's way of salvation and God grafts in another nation, the Gentiles

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Background
To me, the significance of this chapter has been that in Paul communicating that people, despite appearing religious and having a zeal for God, often are not following the Lord in the way He has intended. People busy themselves with law keeping, focusing on the following the commands of God rather than surrendering to the Lord and relying on God for His provision of salvation in His Son. And it seems to be such a danger because in life we are often continually trained in the notion that doing your best or being good enough will result in favor. Right now, it is Christmas time and the message of Santa Claus is just that. Have you been good this year? Only good boys and girls receive favor from Santa Claus.

This is rather frightening. I think it calls to attention how much we are persuaded by the World and its messages. And we tend to be digressing more and more in that direction as naturalism and the worlds ways and thinking more and more takes center stage in all walks of life.

Christ ended the law of practicing righteousness. 10:4, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." 

Paul contrasts this message in verses 5-8. I find it somewhat difficult to communicate that contrast in today's world climate because that message is everywhere. Then, the message of living a principled life by the Christian seems to be absent from many lives because they think they have their "Get out of Hell free" card and so their life of living by faith is often not lived. 

This is the importance of verses 9-15. Christians must carry the Light. 

Though Paul does communicate that people need to preach the message of Christ. People need to be ambassadors of Truth. Yet, he also wants to make it clear that the revelation of Christ or the revelation of faith has not been absent from the Lord. 

Grafting another people in
Deuteronomy 32:21 says, "They have made Me jealous with what is not God; They have provoked Me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation." 

According to Tabletalk on August 13, 2014, "The verse in Deuteronomy is part of a song that Moses sang when the nation of Israel was about to enter the Promised Land. This song recounts God's relationship with Israel up to that point, and it also looks forward to the future. Since Israel had provoked and would continue to provoke the Lord to jealousy by serving other gods, God would provoke the Israelites to jealousy by adopting another people who were not a nation--who were not separated unto Him like the Israelites."

Thus the words in verse 19, "But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they?" Israel was given the first and greatest opportunity and yet rejected God because they did not want to worship Him according to His ways. They actually worshiped other gods in order to make God jealous. They picked up idols. And Moses predicts that another people, a foolish nation, will be grafted in; the Gentiles.

Be bold
Verse 20, "Isaiah is very bold." Proverbs 28:1, "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion." It is said that those who have the Spirit are bold. Isaiah was bold in his declaration. It is clear that the God follower is to be bold. 

Open hands
Isaiah 65:1-2, "I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name. “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts."
Verse 2 of Isaiah 65 says that the Lord holds out his hands. We either clinch or grab or we hold open and welcome. We are clinching people often, eager to hold onto more and more. I saw this pictured in the Hallmark movie, "Have a little faith" by the Rabbi portrayed by Michael Landau. He said we come into the world with clinched hands, grabbing, and we should leave with open hands. It is hard for the Lord to hold out his hands to a nay-saying world and a disobedient world. God is patient.

The Gentile on his own does not seek for God. Romans 3:11 says, "There is no one who seeks for God." 

A people that reject God
Isn't this interesting that Isaiah declares in prophetic way that the nation of Israel would reject the Messiah, Christ Jesus. He looks at Isaiah 65 and verse 2. 

God does not necessarily bestow his favor and grace upon those that are faithful to him. 

Deuteronomy 9:6-7, "Know, then, it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stubborn people. Remember, do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness; from the day that you left the land of Egypt until you arrived at this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord." Instead it says that God must deal with wickedness. His favor on people is because he must deal with the wickedness of others. 

Promise: God graciously reveals Himself.  

Monday, December 15, 2014

Romans 10:16-18 - Faith and the Word of Christ

Romans 10:16-18 16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have;Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”

Message: Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ. 

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying: 

This is a wonderful chapter and yet it's overall theme is rejection. 
  • Romans 10:1-3 Many have a zeal for God, but it is not in accordance with knowledge. People try to establish their own righteousness than resting in the righteousness of Jesus. 
  • Romans 10:4 Christ ended the law of practicing righteousness. 
  • Romans 10:5-8 contrasts the two messages of life. There is a message of practicing righteousness based on a law. This is contrasted with a righteousness by faith. 
  • Romans 10:9-13 tells us the gospel is open to all and there is no distinction. Faith is what sets apart the believer from the unbeliever. For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. We are to confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead. 
  • Romans 10:14-15 spoke of the need for the Gospel to be brought to people. The church is to send people. God calls harvest workers to carry the good news and the church needs to support people.   
Heard, but rejected
Here in verse 16, Paul speaks about the person that hears but does not receive the good news. I find that the most difficult people to reach are those that are already religious or deep in their faith.  

Paul quotes a verse that John also quoted in John 12:38. It is from Isaiah 53:1, "Who has believed our report?" Chapter 53 is all about Jesus and the prophecy of the Messiah. Isaiah 53:3 says, "He is despised and rejected by men.

"Heed" is an interesting word that Paul uses because it intertwines faith and obedience. We are saved by faith, but faith works. Faith is obedient and moves us to obedience. Obedience is a response to our faith not a condition. But, obedience is not ever absent. The problem here with Paul's audience, the Jew is they heard the message, they had the message of the prophet Isaiah but they have rejected it. 

But, it must be heard
Verse 17 proclaims the truth that faith comes by hearing. It does not come by reading. As is clear in the 1st century, faith was a product of the voice, of people being told, of people hearing the message. We preach the word of Christ. We preach Christ crucified. The message of the gospel is centrally a message of Jesus and his work for us. What separates Christianity from other religions is the central message of Christ. Other faiths push it to the side or add it as an addendum or make it a part of their message, but the central message of our faith is the Word of Christ. It is a message of Jesus and it is a message that came from Jesus. 

And the Jews have heard
Verse 18 is a classic verse from Paul for it is another time when he uses a question from the audience, per se, and answers it. Has the Jew heard? Definitely they have. And he quotes Psalm 19:4, but I want to begin with verse 1: 

1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.

God's message has been declared. No one has an excuse before Him. The problem isn't the message not going out, but that people don't want to listen, but thank goodness many have listened. Thank goodness for the remnant, for the people that do believe.

Promise: Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ. 

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Romans 10:14-15 - The Gospel Sent Forth

Romans 10:14-15 - 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Message: The Gospel is Brought to People

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:

Background
The progression of the message from Paul continues. Man is not to create his own righteousness or think that by keeping the Law a person can be saved (10:3). We are all sinners and righteousness must be based on faith (10:6). This is a message for everyone. Each person is to confess and believe and they will be saved (10:9). Each person is to call upon the name of the Lord (10:13; Joel 2:32). These are the facts. 

A Dilemma
In verse 14, Paul introduces a dilemma. How will people know this? The reality is Paul admits that people come up with their own means of getting to God. People come up with their own set of rules. People devise their own methods. I think people want the answer but people don't seek God for that answer. They instead come up with something that they are comfortable with. 

But Paul makes it clear the message doesn't just happen. The message needs a conduit. 
  1. If we know a person must call upon the name of the Lord, then how will a person call that has not believed? Verse 10 of Romans 10 stated, "believe results in being made righteous and calling results in salvation." So, calling on the name of the Lord saves a person, but this calling is preceded by a belief. A person is not going to call on the name of the Lord when they don't even believe their is a God or a Savior that can save them. 
  2. How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? So, if we need to get a person to first believe, that person must have heard. "Have you heard of God?" 
  3. How will they hear without a preacher? In order for people to hear, there must be someone to give the message. 
  4. How will they preach unless they are sent? Interesting, a person must be sent. It is not just a preacher that is necessary, but a person must be sent.
That last one is interesting. Is that last one mostly forgotten? Do we send people? Or is this talking about God being the one that does the sending? 

Matthew 9:38 states, "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” This verse in Matthew speaks of the idea that we are to pray to God for harvest workers as He will send out workers to the harvest, that is, the Lord.

Then in Matthew 28:18-20 is the sending message from Jesus: And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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.” 

Is Jesus simply making a statement in the same way a pastor might tell people to "Go spread the good news" echoing the words of God? And yet, Jesus speaks of an authority that has bestowed upon Him. This authority is something He has received that we do not see. And we know that the Lord sends out workers to the Harvest. So, it seems that the Lord sending out workers and Jesus sending out workers of the harvest is one sort of substantiate evidence for Jesus being God or at the least that they both have the same mission and authority. Either way, the command is clearly given by Jesus. Jesus had the authority from God. 

Matthew 28 is a message Jesus gave to the disciples, so is this a command only to the disciples and no one else? Well, I know already from reading Romans 1 that Paul was encouraged by the way the Roman Christians were preaching the gospel. 

I say this because as I talk to people of other faiths, they often try to make out the Bible is not a message to all people but only to a select few. Thus, when Jesus gave commands in the New Testament, those commands were often to the disciples. So, the argument is often made that the disciples are the only ones that are to be obedient to those commands. This is an argument I've heard from a Muslim. And then from an LDS missionary I've heard the command that it is only through the laying on of hands that a person can proclaim the gospel. Yet, I know in the Bible, the call to repent is a call Jesus made to everyone, like in Acts 17:30. Joel 2:32 refers to everyone that calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:9-10 talks about each person confessing and believing. 

But, isn't preaching or spreading the Gospel an act of service? Ephesians 4 talks about gifts given to people for the purpose of equipping the saints. 

Conclusion
I think the significance of these verses is that for someone to believe, they must hear. And for them to hear, one must preach. And for one to preach, they must have been sent. But, being sent is a part of being a Christian. The message of repentance is to all people, not just to a select few. He is our shepherd and we are the sheep. He leads the sheep of the pasture. 

Paul quotes from Isaiah 52:7, "
How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Promise: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
 

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Romans 10:9-13 - Belief and Confession

Romans 10:9-13 - 9 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; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Message: Salvation Promise: Belief and Confession

TimeWritten in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying: 

The Means to Salvation
We reach a very clarifying moment in this passage and in all of the New Testament and Scripture. Paul has shown that righteousness is something the Jew thought they could attain themselves. Rather than believing by faith and accepting God's hand of providence, they have created their own means for salvation or God's acceptance.

If someone hit your car in an accident and then got out of the car and looked at the damage to your car. That person then made the determination that based upon what he could see, the damage was about $100. They handed you the money and left. Now, what would you think of that situation? You would say, "Wait a second. You don't get to decide the value of the damage and what is necessary to pay off this offense. I get to decide it. I will call a mechanic and body shop and have an estimator determine the damage." Who determines what is necessary to clear the offense? Is it the one that committed the offense or is it the offender? I believe it is the offender or the one that has been violated. So, shouldn't this be the same way with God. He is the one that has been sinned against and so shouldn't he be the one that determines what is needed to clear the offense?

And throughout history, religion after religion has tried to come up with their own formula for what it means to keep the statutes of God. All religions have a different formula or set of rules. And each one believes their way is the best way. But, are religions really studying what it is that God says is needed to clear the offense or are they coming up with something that they think works well for them? I believe religion has good intentions. I think they want to do what is right, but that doesn't mean that they are doing what is right.

Pursuing righteousness, on our own, is not the answer
But, Paul showed us in verse 5-8, once again, that his message is not a new message, but an old message. Paul is simply showing how the Jew has gotten off of track. Deuteronomy was so poignant for it showed why Moses went to get the Law, the stone tablets. Israel was stubborn. Israel was not obedience. And so God specified more clearly to them his Law. The Law was really not necessary. The Law never should have had to have occurred. God gave them so that they could know more clearly what he wanted from them for they stubbornly did not trust God. They went their own way. They created their own Gods. They weren't getting it. They weren't getting that God wanted a surrendered heart. They want rules, so God gives them rules, and yet they immediately were to see that they can't keep these rules. Yes, good things come from keeping laws. Blessings will come their way. Good things will happen throughout their lives from keeping the law. But, the Jew must remember that God did not give Canaan over to them because of their righteousness, but because of Canaan's wickedness. Wickedness must be dealt with. And it is dealt with by a Holy God.

So, righteousness is not the answer for the individual because the individual has sinned. It never will be on our own, without God. God circumcises our heart (Deuteronomy 30:6). God's intention always is to change our heart. We get right with God from the Inside/Out.

The Law is important, but we must look to the one that kept the Law. Jesus kept the entire Law and so Jesus was able to be the ransom and justify sinners. 

Salvation Promise
Paul in Romans 10:9-10 spells out the promise. "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; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

Back in verse 8 a phrase from Deuteronomy 30:14 was used: "The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" -- that is, the word of faith. Faith occurs when you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. The point is that we don't have to look far, but God has provided something near. The answer is by means of our mouth and heart.

Why is the confession of Jesus so significant? Well, Paul mentioned in Romans 3:21-26 why faith in Jesus is so important. 

"But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Being right with God -- this seems to be what people want. If people believe in God, then their goal is to be right with God. Paul is stating here that receiving the righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ. Why must it be this way? Because all have sinned and all fall short. Our goal should be justification or being made right with God. In Christ, by God's mercy, God passes over the sins previously committed. Why? To show that He is God. Sin must be dealt with, but God defines how it is dealt with and God does the work in dealing with it. 

Jesus made a statement that I often remember. He said, "Your faith has made you well." 

In Mark 11:52, blind Bartimaeus is healed. In verse 52, "Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road." 

Matthew 20:29-34 records this healing or it is different. With Matthew it is two blind men. But, in the end, the outcome is what is important. Verse 34, "Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him." Jesus made them well. They both had faith that Jesus would make them well. 

Luke 18:35-43 also records the healing of Bartimaeus and again it says in verse 42, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And he followed Him. 

Matthew 9:18-22 speaks of a woman suffering from hemorrhage for 12 years. And upon the woman just touching Jesus' garment Jesus said in verse 22, "Daughter, take courage, your faith has made you well." 

One of the 10 lepers healed turned back to Christ to give Glory to God for his healing and Jesus said to him, "Rise, and go your way; your faith has made you well." 

All of these occurrences have a common ingredient: "Faith in Jesus." Faith in God is not named, but faith in Jesus. And this faith and restoration produces a desire to follow. 

The focus is not on being righteous or on being good, but the focus is on Jesus. It is not our efforts that are the issue, but the issue is our sin (3:23).

Belief results in justification. Confession results in salvation. We must first believe God is the only source of righteousness. This is our belief. We look at our sin and confess it and he forgives us and cleanses us (I John 1:9).

Not be disappointed
Paul, in verse 11, then quotes from Isaiah. The word Scripture is in the plural. Sometimes specific scripture is reference by using a word Scripture in the singular. Paul believed that quoting scripture was quoting God.

Throughout the New Testament, when the Old Testament is quoted, the Septuagint or the Greek translation of the Hebrew is quoted. Paul here is quoting a phrase from Isaiah 28:16.

Isaiah 28:16 (NASB) -
Therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone,
A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes in it will not be disturbed.


Paul takes the last phrase of Isaiah 28:16 and uses the Septuagint to say, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." The more literal translation of "not be disturbed" is "not to be in a hurry." So, why did Paul say, "not be disappointed?" Paul is saying that the sinner who places his faith in Jesus will not be defeated or be ashamed. Note: The Septuagint was the first attempt to translate the Hebrew. It is often referred to as the Greek New Testament. It was completed in the 2nd Century BCE (before the common era or BC, so before Christ).

All can call on Him
In verse 12, Paul makes mention that all can call on Him. Salvation is available to all. In Matthew 28 Jesus made the command to "Go and make disciples of all nations." Paul reiterates that the mission of presenting the Gospel is to all. We are not to place a distinction on anyone. The Church needs to be welcoming of everyone.

Whoever calls will be saved
In verse 13, Paul echoes the words of Joel 2:32, "And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Paul states, "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." 

The call is individual. The gospel is for whoever. The gospel is for everyone. Each person is to call on the name of the Lord. And the Gospel is simple. Paul wants it to be known that calling on the name of the Lord shall save a person. This is significant because as I study scripture and people study scripture, we tend to attach so many other truths to this simple idea of "calling on the name of the Lord." I think we must be careful in this. Continually, we must come back to the Gospel. 

Promise: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.


Saturday, December 6, 2014

Romans 10:5-8 - The Message Concerning Faith

Romans 10:5-8 - 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

Message: The Message Concerning Faith

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:

Leading Up to Today's Text
At first glance, in reading Romans 10, Paul seems to be clarifying further the meaning of the Law. I wonder if people really see the tough love that Paul is communicating. It is really tough love. And yet it is not like he is favoring the Gentile over the Jew at any time. He states "For all have sinned (3:23)." I think Paul knows that he needs to be clear with his listener regarding the righteousness of God because he knows how they think.

Back in Chapter 2 Paul spoke to the Jew to let them know that if they choose to live their life based upon what they are thinking, practicing their righteousness through good works then they will be judged by the standard of the Law. With God, there is no partiality. The Jew was very good also with seeing the splinter in other people's eyes. But, sometimes they didn't point the finger back at themselves. But, Paul reminds them that the focus of their life is not from the praise of men, but from God (2:29).

The Jews are a special people. There is no doubt about it and Paul upholds this in his words. They kept and preserved the text of the Scripture, the oracles of God (3:2). But, just by holding on to it doesn't make them right before God. The problem with man is not that his goodness can overshadow the bad, but the problem with man is he has been bad. Yes, he is to live a life that honors God, but not because that will earn God's favor. We are sinners incapable of being righteous on our own.

In the Old Testament sin was a big problem. Animals must be killed in payment for people's sin. This would happen in the temple. God required this substitionary death. Yes, we need to say we are sorry for sinning and yes, we need to confess our sins and yes, God will forgive us. But, sin must be paid for by another once and for all. The Old Testament did this temporarily by way of a perfect lamb or animal, but it always looked forward to a Messiah that would completely take away the sin, once and for all. This occurred in Christ and now because of it man can be free.

In Chapter 4 Paul communicates that this is not anything new, but Abraham was also made right before God though His faith (4:2-3). It is our willingness to trust God and Him alone that makes us right with God. And he shows that circumcision is not null and void. Circumcision is "the sign...the seal of the righteousness of the faith." Paul never wanted to remove anything from the Jew's life, just clarify the meaning of what God intended. It was the same message that Moses spoke and Abraham spoke. Abraham's promises were not because of his lineage, but because of his faith. He believed God (4:11).

Two lives in contrast
People live in only two manners on this earth. They live by a set of rules, adhering to those rules (verse 5). Or they live by faith (verse 6-8). Man either works to be righteous. Or righteous is imputed to man by faith.

In giving the Law, there is a theoretical idea within the Law that if you keep it, you will be justified. This idea is throughout the Bible.

Leveticus 18:5 states, "So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord." The key in this word, is "if he does them." Yes, a person may live if he does them. It is amazing how a verse like this has created so many religions. And each religion then comes up with what they believe our the things that must be adhered to, in the realm of the Law, in order to be saved.

Paul states in Galatians 5:3 that, "And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law." Paul states the separation between Christianity and every other faith. Can the entire Law be kept? No. So, those other religions must believe that God will have a secret formula at judgment to determine if a person is accepted. 

Paul offers the remedy in Romans 10:9, "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."

This is the dividing line. Deuteronomy 27:26 states, ‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Paul quotes this verse in Galatians 3:10, "For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 

Has he quoted this correctly? Paul specifies that everyone is cursed if they do not abide by all things written in the book of the Law. The question could arise whether he is quoting the same as the meaning of Deuteronomy 27:26. My bet is people look at Deuteronomy 27:26 and try to make it sound like that God only wants people to confirm that the Law is relevant. But, then the question will always arise as to whether adherence has to be in full. If the meaning of Deuteronomy 27:26 is only that we are to confirm that the Law is relevant in our life, then the question will always come up as to how relevant should it be? Can we get by on partial abiding by the Law? None of us are perfect. We may believe that we can be perfect at some point in our life (though I don't while we are on earth), but even if that is believed, what about all the years in which a person was not perfect? 

Paul's argument is we try to justify ourselves by adhering to the law, but the moment you do not obey all of it or the first time you mess up you forfeit righteousness. 

Was the law meant to be kept? Yes. But, not as a means to justify oneself. This is the dividing line between Christians and all other faiths. 

Verse 6 meaning
In Romans 10:5-6 Paul quotes from Deuteronomy. He does not quote entire verses or passages, but instead quotes phrases. It was not necessary for him to quote entire verses. The word of God was central to Jew and he knew it. 

Paul states first a phrase from Deuteronomy 9:4 "do not say in your heart." Deuteronomy mentions how God would give over to Israel the Canaanites. But, this giving over had nothing to do with Israel's righteousness. 

This is really an amazing passage:

Deuteronomy 9:1-5 “Hear, O Israel! You are crossing over the Jordan today to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, great cities fortified to heaven, a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?’ Know therefore today that it is the Lord your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the Lord has spoken to you. “Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God has driven them out before you, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,’ but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you. It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

The Lord handing over the Canaanites had nothing to do with Israel's righteousness. Why? The passages states that the Israelites are stubborn. He delivered Canaan over to Israel because of Canaan's sin and unrighteousness. 

O the danger we have in thinking that God's providence is because of our righteousness.  God saves Israel even while they are stubborn and unrighteous. 

Remainder of verse 6 meaning and verse 7 and verse 8
And Paul also mentions Deuteronomy 30:11-14, “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it." See Paul is letting people know here in Rome that God has already done the work. The word is in their mouth and heart. 

Deuteronomy 30: 6 states, “Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live." The Lord circumcises our hearts so that we will love God. We submit and surrender to Him. And He provides.

Promise: God does the work to establish His saving relationship with us. -- Tabletalk, August 7, 2014 

Monday, December 1, 2014

Romans 10:4 - Christ, The Goal of the Law

Romans 10:4 - For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Message: Christ, the end of the law

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:

I really love these verses. I think what I love is to notice things in life that are completely contrary to the message we often we receive in life through the world and its message.

I must admit, I have spent the past 3 weeks talking to a Muslim through GMO and he has asked some interesting questions.This message that Paul is speaking. Is it the same message of the Gospels? I don't know if I can really answer that right now, but I do know that Jesus was all about faith. And what he saw in others was faith. They had faith in Him. They believed in Him and because of that belief good things did happen to them. So, there is power in faith. And if there is power in faith then there is not power in works. We can't have both. Works are important, most definitely, but faith is what separates those who know Christ and those who pretend. And Paul is clearly mentioning a dividing line between the two.

The focus of the Old Testament and the Jew is pointing people to a Messiah. The Jews recognize this clearly. All the focus is on a Savior, on someone that will permanently take away sin.

From Precept Austin site:

Everything about the Jewish religion pointed to the coming Messiah—their sacrifices, priesthood, temple services, religious festivals, and covenants. Their Law, the Temple ceremonies, the sacrifices, etc were all "word pictures" given by God to tell His chosen people that they were sinners in need of a Savior. But instead of letting these "pictures" and the Law bring them to Christ (as mentioned in Galatians 3:24 "the law is our tutor, bringing us to Christ"), they worshiped their Law and rejected their Savior! The Law like the tabernacle, temple, and sacrifices was a signpost, pointing the way. It was a means to an end, not the end itself. It could never take them to their destination. The Law cannot give righteousness but only lead the sinner to the Savior Who Alone was the source of God pleasing righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30 - "But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption").
So once again, Paul isn't saying anything new. He is instead looking at the Old Testament and bringing together the words and themes of the Old Testament with the Messiah.

Fulfillment of the Law by the Savior
In Matthew 5:13-20 Jesus talks about fulfilling the Law and the Prophets. He states that he did not come to abolish but fulfill. Paul reiterates this many times in Romans stating the Jesus fulfilled the Law. And by doing so that fulfillment is passed onto me through faith. Christ did the work, we receive it. But we are to be obedient to the Law. Don't think for a second that we are not to be about law fulfilling ourselves. This is clear in this passage in Matthew 5.

End of the Law for the Saints
Yet, in this verse, it states the end of the law. So, while what I have said above is true, Paul's words here are that the Law, as a means of attaining righteousness, has ceased.

Jeremiah 31:31-32 - “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.


Hebrews 8:13 - When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

But, I'm still not sure that the intent of the Law was ever to make a person righteous. It is a standard and it is something to be followed, but I don't think that what Paul is saying here is that something has changed. His audience is the Jews primarily, though he speaks to Gentiles as well. So, his focus is on speaking their truth and they believed the Law, in its entirety, was to be kept, for the purpose of being declared righteous? Is that correct?

Believe produces a new heart
Belief is an individual thing. Each person must have a belief. Each person must make an individual decision. We are not grafted into the faith because of the family we were born into or the people we hang around with.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 - Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.


I am made new in Christ.

Believe is really one of the most powerful words we have. People believe so many different things in their life. I think it is so interesting all the different ways in which people believe, in which they hold something to be true. Yet, the belief that is being talked about here produces a change, produces a new life, produces a difference in me. That is what I always see as incredible. Christ in me produced a change in me. And people all over take on a new life in Christ. It's a beautiful thing.

But, this end of the Law only occurs to those that believe.


Promise: Christ fulfilled the Law, not so we wouldn't have to, but because we couldn't.