Judges 10 and 11 - Jephthah Rises to Lead Israel

Judges 10 and 11

So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back to fight against the sons of Ammon and the Lord gives them up to me, will I become your head?” - Verse 9

Message: Jephthah Rises to Lead Israel

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: After Abimelech dies, 2 judges are mentioned - Tola and Jair. Tola judges for 23 years. Jair judges for 22 years. Not much is said of them but they are mentioned. They are part of the history. It is mentioned that Tola arose to save Israel. 45 years pass. A generation. The good news during this period is nothing bad happened. No news is good news. Things were rotten under Abimelech but now things are good. These two judges were good men, good leaders. 

Then verse 6 states, "The sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord." These same words have been said before - in 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1. This has not been mentioned for 4 chapters. It was not mentioned under Tola and Jair. But now the people have fallen back into idolatry. The problem is they "exchanged the truth of God for a lie. (Romans 1:25)" They served other gods. They broke God's commandment to have no other Gods (Ex. 20:3). Today I think those gods are comfort, safety, riches, entertainment, health. Even a freedom from problems and trials. Anything that robs our personal quality of life I think at times is greater than what God speaks of in His word. I need those things in my life. I do. All of us do. In those times, the problem was they aligned themselves with the non-chosen people and the gods they worshipped. The people of the land that I saw previously that remained in the land - the Canaanites. But their are others. It is like we assimilate ourselves with the world and its ways. It is hard to stand out and be different and easier just to go along. 

Because of this falling away by the people of Israel (people of God), "the anger for the Lord burned against Israel" in verse 7. He sold them or as it says in Romans "gave them over." They were afflicted and crushed for 18 years. They had it good for 45 years, but now for 18 years they were embattled. 

"Then the sons of Israel cried out" (verse 10) stating they had forsaken the Lord. They were proud for a while, not admitting their sin. It took a revival of their hearts a while to occur. But here is the problem - God let them know that it isn't a formula. They turned on God and he rejects their plea. He tells them to go to the gods they have joined forces with. He says to them, "let them deliver you in the time of your distress." Look, you serve those gods, so rather than running to me now you are in distress, maybe you should run to them. Maybe this is a test. Maybe God is trying to test them to see what they will do. 

How do they respond? Verse 15, "We have sinned." That's it. They recognize their sin. Good for Israel. This is the right respond of people and what we are looking for, what God is looking for - people that recognize their sin. 

Yesterday, I read an article about Islam. They do believe that Allah will forgive sins (Sura 39:53). But Christ is not recognized. Instead, Sura 7:8 states: “As for those whose scale will be heavy with good deeds, only they will be successful.” Jesus is missing and as such, the atonement is missing. Even in the Old Testament, burnt offerings or atonements are mentioned. This seems to be missing from Islam. 

Are people simply bothered that bad things have happened or do they really have a desire for God? It almost seems like that what is occurring here. 

Chapter 11 begins and Jephthah enters. Verse 1 he is called a valiant warrior. Gideon was called the same in 6:12 although it was said of him, "The Lord is with you." 

The sons of Ammon are mentioned here. I am not sure what to make of these people. They seem to be adversarial in chapter 10 to Israel. Israel's evil ways in 10:6 includes serving the gods of the sons of Ammon. The Lord's anger resulted in Israel being sold into the hand of the sons of Ammon (10:7). Israel's 18 years of affliction took place in Gilead, a land of the sons of Ammon (10:8). The Lord mentions to Israel delivering them from people that included the sons of Ammon (10:11). But the author then mentions at the end of 10 that the leaders in Gilead would raise up for Israel someone to fight against the sons of Ammon (10:18). 

In Chapter 11 Jephthah is born as a Gileadite. But not by Gilead's wife, like his brothers, but by a harlot, which resulted in the brothers sending Jephthah away from them. Then these sons of Ammon are mentioned again as fighting against Israel (11:4). The elders of Gilead in response believe Jephthah to be the answer to lead the people (Israel not mentioned here) against the sons of Ammon (11:6). Jephthah is surprised he has been chosen (11:7). But the leaders confirm that Jephthah is the one to lead all the inhabitants of Gilead (among with I think the sons of Israel are as well) against the sons of Ammon (11:8). Jephthah makes a point that the Lord must be with him in this fighting and leading (11:9). Jephthah makes a statement to recognize that to defeat the sons of Ammon the Lord must be with him, and then the elders of Gilead would make him a leader. Back in 8:23 Gideon responded to leadership that God is the true leader of the people. But there the people make him head (11:11). 

Jephthah sends a message to the sons of Ammon wondering about the strife between them. The sons of Ammon respond that taking our land by Israel is the problem. Jephthah responds they didn't take the land, just wanted to pass through it and did not get permission. Since they were unwilling the Lord possessed all of the land of the Amonites through fighting (11:21). The Lord did this for the people of Israel (11:23). The sons of Ammon however rejected these words from Jephthah (11:28). 

Then the text mentions the Spirit of the Lord coming upon Jephthah (last mentioned towards Gideon, the previous judge in 6:34) as he heads to the son of Ammon (11:29). Jephthah then makes a vow to the Lord (11:30). If God will, then he will offer up "whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me" as a burnt offering to the Lord (11:31). The burnt offering shows a person's complete devotion to God. It is offering a spotless animal as atonement. And so the sons of Ammon were subdued (11:33). 

The chapter ends with a conversation between Jephthah, regarding his daughter. He returns from the battle and is greeted by his daughter with her celebrating his return (dancing with musical instruments) (v. 34). He remembers his vow, tears his clothes because he she is the one that has come out to greet him, not what he wanted because his vow to the Lord is to sacrifice the one who comes of the door first to greet him (v. 35). The daughter trusts her father though and tells him to do as he has vowed (v. 36). The vow the daughter and Jephthah agree to is not a burnt offering which is not allowed - see Leviticus 18:21; 20:2; Deuteronomy 12:31-32; 18:10-12. Instead the vow that is described as her not having any relations with man. I saw a Bible commentary online that said, "He was willing to give up his only hope of grandchildren and perpetuation of the family line, enduring a social stigma, in order to obey God."

Jephthah kept his vow, though the scripture renders the vow as a burnt offering. It seems possible that the burnt offering is a translation error. Burnt offerings are animals, not people. The daughter coming out was God-ordained. Thus, there is a little problem here with the text possibly. If he adheres to sacrificing the life of his daughter then he breaks the rules of the Law prohibiting sacrifice of humans. If he does what he did then the burnt offering described was wrong. And verse 29 starts with the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him. The bottom line though to me is he kept the promise for a sacrifice. 

Summary: Israel declares they have sinned and Jephthah rises to lead Israel. He makes a vow to the Lord and honors it by his only child and daughter being barren, a curse somewhat among the people to not have any offspring. 

Promise: Our promises to God are more important than societal and even religious traditions. We should be true to God, admitting our sin. 

Prayer: O my Lord, Father, Hashem - you are the one I respect and revere. I need to trust in You and I want to trust in You and be true to how you have called me to live and be. Thank you for these readings and that these records are preserved and the examples remain timeless. You continue to send leaders to instruct us and guide us, but ultimately it is only You that saves and You provide your Son Jesus to atone for my sins, forgiving me for all eternity. I confess I am a sinner. Lord, there are many in my life that I pray would see this - their sin and then the relationship with you that follows. Jephthah reminds me follow You true. What situations in my life would cause me to make a vow? To make a promise to You in order for you to get me out of a jam? I am not sure. But I can keep my word. When I take on a responsibility I can follow through on it and this is something I need to improve on. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Various Scriptures - Prayer

Exodus 15:11

“Who is like You among the gods, O Lord?
Who is like You, majestic in holiness,
Awesome in praises, working wonders?

Message: The One to Whom We Speak

What the Lord is Saying: These lessons for this post are based upon R C Sproul's teaching series on Prayer. This lesson reminds us to consider the God that we approach in prayer. Over the years, society has become more casual and this can have an effect on how we view our supervisors and those over us as well, as more familiar and more of a friend. Yet, we need to remember the God who is majestic in holiness, as today's scripture mentions, awesome and one who works wonders. We can be familiar but we also need to be reverent and give him the respect He deserves. 

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Luke 17:7-10

7 “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and [properly] clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9 He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10 So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”

Message: The One Who is Speaking

What the Lord is Saying: We are to come before God with awe and wonder. Today's passage is a reminder of the relationship between us the servant and Him the master. We don't approach God demanding God to work. We look to His grace and implore Him to be gracious to us. Always we must remember who we are - sinners, needing salvation and forgiveness by His grace. I have been speaking to a man lately online and He is appalled that God is not answering His prayers. I think there is something about us, often always comparing and always seeing others and what they have and thinking we should have the same. I know this is common for me as well. But God is not a puzzle to figure out how he works and us come up with the right formula to get him to do something. He is God and we must respect Him. 

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Psalm 34:3

O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

Message: Adoring our Lord and Maker

What the Lord is Saying: Thinking about the acrostic for of ACTS - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication as a way to think about prayer. Many believe prayer to be difficult. As we learn to know more about God, we can't help but adore Him and begin to speak of that adoration. By adoring Him we also come before Him with humility, recognizing He is greater than us, has characteristics we don't have. And in adoration we make mention of those characteristics, like His holiness, worthy of praise, faithfulness, the salvation He gives us, His strength and His grace and mercy, to name a few. 

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2 Corinthians 7:9-10

9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to [the point of] repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to [the will] of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to [the will of] God produces a repentance without regret, [leading] to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Message: The Prayer of Confession

What the Lord is Saying: I have been in dialogue with someone else who makes it clear that I John 1:9 is not a salvific verse and yet it is a verse that we come to maybe as a reminder of the importance of confessing our sin. I am not sure if she is saying this is something we don't do, but isn't it important to state before God that we are agreeing that we are sinners, that we need his forgiveness. And today's verse acknowledges a need to repent, to say I am sorry, to turn and go the opposite way. Attrition is sorrow for the consequence of sin. Contrition is sorrow acting against the holiness of God. 

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Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with [an attitude] of thanksgiving;

Message: The Prayer of Thanksgiving

What the Lord is Saying: ACTS praying. Now onto T - Thanksgiving. All of our transgressions have at their root 2 primordial (created or developed from the beginning) sins: idolatry and ingratitude. Although changed by God into a new creation at salvation, we still have a tendency toward these sins. But by cultivating thankfulness in our life, thanking God we combat against these sinful tendencies. We also take God's blessings for granted, get absorbed with the present and forget to thank God for specific blessings. By thanking Him regularly we practice remembering and acknowledging that He is the provider of all. 

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Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Message: Supplication in Prayer

What the Lord is Saying: Supplication is making requests known to God. In today's passage we are to make our requests known to God and to be persistent (Luke 18:1-8). Supplication is requested of us, but we need to also remember to also stay balanced in Adoration, Confession, and Thanksgiving. Jesus intercedes for us and the Father wants to hear our prayers. The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us. He assists in praying in an unselfish manner. 

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Matthew 6:9-13

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 ‘Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.

12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

Message: The Model Prayer

What the Lord is Saying: The Lord's Prayer is an example of the kind of prayer that honors God. 'Our Father' reminds us of an intimate relationship we have with God, believing in Christ alone for our salvation. God's name is 'hallowed' or honored as holy on the earth. There is prayer for 'God's kingdom come' and 'will to be done' which is Jesus asking that God's kingdom which is the people that call Jesus Savior, Lord, recognize their sin, that Jesus has now removed the stain of sin on their lives through His shed blood and rising from the dead -- this like-minded kingdom of people is what Jesus wants to see - that everyone will call upon the name of God to be saved. Whiteheart in 1989 had the great song, "Let the kingdom come" which holds to the same idea. And oh how this should be our request each day - O God, May your kingdom come. May people continue to surrender to God and trust in His salvation, instead of making their own way to find worth and meaning in their life. Would you please bring people to a confession of faith and I pray those people would then live their lives obedient to your will. That people everywhere would walk by faith in You. From here Jesus speaks to personal needs - "our daily bread", our agreeing with God of our sins, "forgive us our debts" while also how we relate to one another and keep peace amongst one another and unity and oneness "forgive our debtors," preserve us from 'temptation' and be far away from the schemes of the devil. - I realize the 10 commandments set up in a similar way - God first then ourselves and our relationship with others.   

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James 5:16b-18

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

Message: Does Prayer Change Things?

What the Lord is Saying: The simple answer to this question today and often all questions of evangelism and any good works is God has requested that we be obedient and that our obedience matters. Our lives matter. And so while texts like Ephesians 1:11 may state that "God works all things after the counsel of His will" that statement does not absolve us from being involved. God wants us. I believe we are God's gift to Jesus (John 17:24) and as a gift we are intended to serve a purpose. God has shown in His word the effect of our praying and so we continue to pray and talk to Him. I still think it is easy in this thinking to not pray and not be involved. But that moves to disobedience. Prayer is not about changing God's will but being involved in God's will. Thank you God for wanting me, for expecting me to be involved and for working through me. In all of that work may you be glorified. 

John 4:16-22 - Debating Theology with Jesus

John 4:16-22

He said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband''; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly." The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews." 

Message: Debating Theology with Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

 

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has now told the Samaritan woman about living water and that this living water, when requested, He provides her something that causes her to actually never thirst again. He provides her eternal life. Interesting how eternal life is likened to living water. Water is something we need to survive each day on this earth. It sustains us. Even when we are fasting, we are drinking water. And Jesus says to take living water from Him merits eternal life. 

I also think back to Jesus' words in chapter 3 and he remarks, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Could there be a link between the two? Is the water in chapter 3:5 referring to the living water that Jesus is speaking of here? 

Next up in our study of the encounter Jesus has with the Samaritan woman is Jesus asking about her husband and she admits she does not have a husband and Jesus clarifies with this woman that she actually has had five husbands. Again, this woman, is an outcast. She most likely comes to the well by herself, not the common practice, because no one will come with her. She was rejected in her community by her sexual immorality. She's had five husbands already and the man she is with right now is not her husband. She admits this. Upon Jesus confronting her, she does not lie or hide. Before him, she admits that she has no husband. Could it be that because of the way Jesus speaks to her she has a need to be honest and admit her sin? "the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly." And yet she at first tries to hide by saying she has no husband. 

Upon hearing this, though, the woman is astonished and further understands Jesus as being someone different. He's already mentioned living water. And now he know about her and her past. And yet she knows he is still speaking to her. I am reminded that this is significant because Jews were very careful about associating with anyone or anything that was deemed unclean. Surely this woman would be an example of someone unclean. And yet Jesus in these back to back passages speak to a religious leader and a social outcast and both have the same need - spiritual rebirth. 

Even though the woman is an outcast she has understanding of spiritual matters. She understands the difference between the Samaritans and the Jews. The Samaritans only worshipped here and only recognized the first 5 books of the Old Testament and other alterations. And Jesus acknowledges this but also makes me mention that the past ritual of where one should worship is not the issue of the moment - but rather the issue first and foremost is salvation and it is from the Jews (v. 22). 

Jesus makes it clear that where you worship or the surroundings will not be important. There will not be limitations to worship. Salvation will be different. In chapter 3, I saw something significant and that is the ability of a person to even see their need to believe and be born again (v.16) came about from the Spirit (v. 6,8) and in this awakening their sin is exposed (v.19).   

There is clearly something really different here. And it is like it isn't over yet and there is more to understand. 

Summary: The woman's sin of being with a man not her husband is exposed by Jesus and Jesus points to her a time when worship will be different and salvation from the Jews. 

Promise: In the Gospel, our sin is exposed and we acknowledge our estrangement from God. The Gospel does more than make life better. It improves and satisfies the condition of us. 

Prayer: Father, you are real and true and Jesus is true and Holy Spirit, you have awakened me to know You and have salvation in You. Thank you for continuing to teach me through the reading now of Your word. Keep enlightening me and others and help me to speak the truth of Your gospel to others. Expose people. Expose their sinful nature so they see you are the answer. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

I Corinthians 11:27-32 - The Lord's Supper and Examination

I Corinthians 11:27-32

27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

Message: The Lord's Supper and Examination

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church.

What the Lord is Saying: In thinking and studying about the Lord's Supper, it seems that there is more to this observance or sacrament than meets the eye. I think we are tempted to think this is simply a duty and a duty that must be done to stay in good standing with God and the Church. But after further study, it is way more than this. Yes, it is about remembrance. But it is also about being united with Christ. Jesus desired to have this time with us and so He is with us in this time. God redeemed His people and this needs to be celebrated. It is also a means to proclaim what Christ has done and so in a way it is evangelistic. And yet there seems to be a supernatural meaning, like I studied last time, that by taking this I am feeding on Christ. Jesus is the Bread of Life, meaning He is my everything and when I am with Christ in this observance, I am receiving everything I need. 

The idea that there is more to this sacrament than meets the eye can be inferred in today's passage when Paul states that the Lord's supper needs to be done after self-examination for when it isn't done in this way then judgment happens to a person. Verse 30 states, "For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep." 

A quick example of this is found in Genesis 3:14 when "The Lord God said to the serpent, because you have done this, cursed are you..." Our actions can bring about a curse and so we do need to be careful about how the Lord's Supper occurs in our lives. 

In 1 Corinthians 11, starting in verse 17, Paul mentions hearing about divisions among people in the church and he says therefore that when they meet with these divisions, they are not to eat the Lord's Supper. And then in verse 27, remarks that taking of this must be done not "in an unworthy manner." There is consideration that must be made to our brother. This isn't a meal to fill hunger and Paul infers this by saying, "If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home (verse 34)." Thus, eating this is different. It is different than having a meal or eating food. And he mentions we need to "judge the body rightly." This is something to observe that commemorates what Christ has done for us on the cross in saving us, in redeeming mankind, in redeeming Me. Since I have been alive, churches have mentioned that therefore this is a sacrament that only the Saved are to take and receive. The unrepentant and un-regenerated sinner should not take this because they are not yet remembering a change of heart. And this should be done to remember that and to celebrate in our union with Christ. 

Thus, when we come to the Lord's table, we or "a man must examine himself." We need to be careful to state this Supper as ascribing only to Jesus. We use words to describe it and each person needs to be in prayer in not only thanking God but confessing that they are rightly receiving it and are changed because of Christ in their life. 

I am encouraged often in the Bible that I need to be careful. We need to be careful of our actions. We are to consider our ways. The world preaches this mantra of following one's heart and just doing what we want, but God tells us and reminds us that we need to be careful (Luke 8:18; Proverbs 13:3; Mark 4:24; Proverbs 4:23; Deuteronomy 8:11). 

Summary: In coming to have the Lord's Supper, examine oneself, treat this meal as different from other meals and if there is a problem, don't partake of it till it is cleared up. 

Promise: If we come to the Lord's Table confessing our sin and repenting for it, we may freely partake of the bread and wine.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping me see the importance of the Lord's Supper. It is not to be taken in a casual manner. It is a serious occasion to examine myself, but it is also a celebration that signifies my new life in Christ and what you have done for me; done that which I could not do on my own. So help me to encourage this, to encourage this in my life and others. Let it bring You glory and be done always for the right reason. Guard people in this in churches and throughout our land and world so that You are always honored Lord and Praise. 

Romans 4:6-8 - Justification and Sin

Romans 4:6-8

Just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to who God reckons righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account." 

Message: Justification and Sin

Time: The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16 year old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. Persecution of Christians wouldn't begin until AD 64. The church was experiencing times of relative peace. From where he wrote, Corinth, was a hotbed of sexual immorality and idol worship.

What the Lord is Saying:

As I saw in the previous study, faith is the means of justification. At justification, a person is declared righteous and this declaration will allow said person to endure God's judgment and enter into eternal life. There are different interpretations of what determines this declaration of righteousness - whether it is faith alone as Reformers and Bible-based Christianity now teaches or whether faith is coupled with baptism (as the Romans Catholics and Church of Christ teach and some Southern Baptist churches) and/or also coupled with penance (the act of confessing sin to a priest and receiving a requirement to fulfill). I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness - might be a verse that is used to support this. 

From my perspective, there is a lot of quibbling over things that every Christian will do. Baptism will be followed by all as Jesus was baptized and repentance or being sorry for one's sin is a natural part of a person following Christ and then also a desire to do what the word of God teaches as Paul states in Ephesians 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God promised beforehand, that we should walk in them. And yet these differences result in different denominations and churches. 

In today's passage, we see that in addition to being made righteous, this means also that a person's sin has been removed and never again will be counted against them. Psalm 32:1-2 records How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the manto who the Lord not impute iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit! Our sins are washed away. Hebrews 10:10 says By this will we have been sanctified (sins washed away) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

Jesus washes sin away once and washes all sin away. It is true that we sin, but our sin will never have eternal or separation issues with God. Now, there may be consequences to committing sin in this present life but once we have been declared righteous by God, our sin is not imputed against us any longer. Again, consequences may occur. God hates sin and even in this life God may punish us for the sin we have committed. There is therefore a distinction between eternal consequences and temporal consequences. The Christian needs to continue to confess their sin in this life for it is a part of their growth as a Christian to daily turn from sin and embrace God's power in their lives. 

But eternal cleansing is the main focus and the conclusion of today's passage, Romans 4:8 - "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account." This is good news. 

Promise: Before God's judgment seat, in justification, our sin and guilt are removed and we are covered by Christ's obedience, enabling God to declare us righteous in His sight. In Christ, our sins will never be held against us. However, in Christ, during this present life, we may still experience punishment for sin. 

Prayer: O God, your mercies are new every morning. Thank you for declaring me righteous, not because I did something to earn it but because you chose me. Thank you for Jesus and the offering of His body on the cross, having completed a life of being perfect, without sin, so that all the sin of saved mankind falls on Him and is transferred to Him. I will never understand this. In this life, you keep showing me how my sin has consequences and though those consequences are not eternal any longer for me, there are temporal consequences and I confess I don't take them seriously all the time. I am wrong in this. Keep changing my thinking and giving me the power to seek you First. Glory to God.  

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of June is about justification; May was about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

Mankind's Condition - The Sins of the Gentiles - Though born with God being evident, Gentiles do not honor God or give thanks, look to their selves for truth, and God gives them over to their sin, and in the process God's wrath is sin which will culminate on the Day of the Lord. The Sins of the Jews - Jews thought their status meant only Gentiles were true sinners. Romans 2 and 3 explains that Jews are just as guilty before God. 

The Law Speaks - The Law and Accountability - the Law reminds us we are sinners and doing good will not outweigh this bad; I am condemned. Righteousness According to the Law - The Law can make one righteous if obedient to all. Our sin keeps us from this. Human Inability - the simple reminder that man cannot make himself righteous because he is a sinner. 

Only Justified through Christ (God) - The Obedience of One - with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin; we trust only in His words, not ours. God's Initiative In Justification - God initiates the act of justification through the work of Christ alone; he saves us out of His kindness. Faith and Justification - no one is continually righteous; only through Jesus one will be made righteous; to be made righteous one must believe in God, ask for His mercy. Faith and Righteousness - Faith is what God uses in us to build the bridge to being accepted by God and restored to a right relationship with Him. 

Mark 15:35-39 - The Centurion's Confession

Mark 15:35-39
35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, “Behold, He is calling for Elijah.” 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Message: The Centurion's Confession

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is on the cross being crucified. He came to the cross already weak from the beatings, having the pain of the crown of thorns, the name calling, the belittling, the mocking. He had already endured much and then he had the cross and the pain of being nailed to this cross, though Mark doesn't mention these details. He talks about the people that mocked him while he was on the cross, the passerby's, the chief priests, and the robbers on either side of him. After he endured all darkness fell on the face of the earth from 12 to 3pm and then he voiced to God a fear of rejection plea in saying, "My God, why have you forsaken me?"

When some of the bystanders heard Jesus call out to the Father, "Why have you forsaken me?" they said, "Behold, He is calling for Elijah."  The fact that Elijah did not die, but God took Him directly to heaven resulted often led to speculation among the Jews of the day. Elijah became a man that could provide supernatural assistance to their lives in times of need because he was thought to be a supernatural being. But, this was a misunderstanding of who Jesus was, focusing on the man instead of the God who did the work. And even in this moment of Jesus on the cross, it seemed that some bystanders thought they heard Jesus calling out to Elijah, but he wasn't, he was calling out to God. Again, in life, we often hear what we want to hear.

And the mystery of Elijah continues when someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” There are differing details regarding this account. But Mark simply follows that someone saw that Jesus needed a drink. Perhaps his remark at the time of feeling forsaken, feeling thirsty, meant that someone felt compassion for Him in that moment and provided Him one last drink before He would die. Because after this Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. Mark again is not specific on the words of the cry, but that Jesus uttered this loud cry which signified a culmination, an ending for he then breathed His last. He bore a pain and a torment during the 3 hours of the earth being darkened and now he dies And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Crucifixions happened but it becoming dark in the middle of the afternoon with Jesus on the cross was different and now this veil of the temple torn in two was something else different, almost supernatural signs of what Jesus had accomplished on the cross, dealing with sin and then removing the veil or curtain and giving everyone the same access to Jesus.

Then there is what appears to be the first favorable response of someone after witnessing this act from Jesus. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Though others had misunderstood Jesus' words, thinking Elijah, the centurion guard heard something different and responded with the confession that Jesus was the son of God. It was that recognition that He was who He said He was. It was the job of the centurion to watch the crucifixion and confirm that it has been carried out correctly, and obviously in Jesus' crucifixion he witnessed things different. This was no ordinary crucifixion. He confesses him not as the Son of Man which was the name Jesus often referred to himself as, but instead states that He is the Son of God. He is God. He is divine.

Summary - Upon Jesus at the end of His life, He has endured the wrath of God and the divine judgment of sin and he cried out that it was finished. People misunderstood Him and some thought He was calling out to Elijah, but after crying out and breathing His last, one of the Centurion guards, tasked with watching and making the crucifixion makes a confession that Jesus is the Son of God. He is divine.

Promise: RC Sproul says, "The Centurion was the first to realize that something of cosmic significance was happening that afternoon outside Jerusalem." God revealed Christ to this man - wisdom to the unlikely.

Prayer: O Lord, My Lord, How majestic is your name in all of the earth. You conquered death and purchased my sin on the cross of Calvary. You went to the cross free from sin and gave all of yourself. You withstood the pain of the wrath of God and did it all. And immediately people were affected and saw you as you rightly are, the son of God, divine, holy. Help me to keep looking to You and trusting in your Salvation. You are my Savior. You have rescued me. I am free, free indeed.

Mark 8:27-30 - Peter's Confession of Faith

Mark 8:27-30
27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” 29 And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter *answered and *said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And He warned them to tell no one about Him.

Message: Peter's Confession of Faith

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface: Jesus is now in Bethsaida, a community believed to be north of the Sea of Galilee, perhaps near where the feeding of the 5,000 were. But a community not necessarily filled with a lot of belief but rather question. Jesus heals a blind man, outside the City, in a progressive manner, not all at once. He reminds me that his healing in his time, in his way.

From Bethsaida, Jesus now heads to Caesarea Philippi, a 32-mile round trip, so not a quick jaunt, but a long trip lasting multiple days. Others have said it is a 25-mile trip, climbing elevation. This text is about that journey and one of the things that was discussed on that journey.

Jesus asks 2 simple questions: Who do people say that I am? and Who do you say that I am? The response was that the first century Jews placed Jesus in the same class as the greatest prophets, John the Baptist and Elijah. 


And then the contrasting question is mentioned directly to the disciples and the response is was that Jesus was not merely a prophet, but the Christ, the Jewish Messiah. Earlier they had been questioned by Jesus for having a hardened heart, so their is a progression that has occurred in their understanding of Him as the Christ.

Early Rabbis recognized all of these passages as referring to the Messiah.

• Messiah was to be born at Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 (Micah 5:1 in Hebrew Bible)
• Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah: Genesis 49:10
• Messiah would present himself by riding on an ass: Zechariah 9:9
• Messiah would be tortured to death: Psalm 22:1-31
• Messiah would arrive before the destruction of the Second Temple: Daniel 9:24-27
• Messiah’s life would match a particular description, including suffering, silence at his arrest and trial, death and burial in a rich man’s tomb, and resurrection: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Jesus response to the words of his disciples was consistent to his response at other times, and especially true based upon where they were headed - tell no one about Him. Let people figure out who I am, but he is on mission to preach to people but Jesus clearly does not want to stir the pot with those that do not accept Him. The disciples still had much to learn and Jesus wanted to teach them. Jesus knew his journey and there would be plenty of time for them to tell others, as he will commission them later to do this (Great Commission).

Summary: On their way to Caesarea Philippi Jesus questions the disciples on who others see that he is and who they believe he is. They get it right and He implores them to tell no one as his desire is to continue to be able to teach them about who He is. They are learning but have more to learn.

Promise: Jesus accepts the words from Peter, representing the group of the disciples, that He is the Jewish Messiah, the Christ.

Prayer: Lord, I believe in You. You are the Messiah. I look to You. I rest in who You are. Thank you for revealing yourself so clearly, to me.

Mark 1:4-6 - The Wilderness Preacher

Mark 1:4-6
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.

Message: The Wilderness Preacher

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Overview
As I look at these verses, which speak of a time before Christ has shed his blood, I am reminded that the Gospel message is central to the entire Bible. This was really a revolutionary idea that John was preaching. To repent is to turn from one's sins. It is to acknowledge sin in your life and then to turn from it. Up to this point baptism or the cleaning of oneself was at times done for Gentiles as they converted to Judaism. Cleanliness and being unclean are very common principles in Judaism and so the washing signified that the person was now clean. But, Jewish belief overall focuses on the advantage of simply being a Jew, not necessarily a changed heart which anyone can exhibit.

My take
I wonder if this is a preamble to Christ's coming and the baptism of the Holy Spirit that will come. Up to this point sins were dealt with through the blood of the lamb on the altar of the Temple. In some ways, I think this is a difficult passage to read, understand, in light of the message that is yet to come. In the next verses, Mark will speak of Jesus and his coming. So, is John preparing a way for Jesus and helping people to understand the message that is to come? Does this mean these acts are practice or are they salvation?

Again, the message here is repentance or confession of sins, baptism, forgiveness of sins. The key here seems to be a changed mind. In these verses, Christ, Jesus, is not mentioned, yet. Does that matter? Is that important? I am not sure.

So, I take a moment to look at what John MacArthur is saying about these verses. He mentions that John is proclaiming himself as a prophet by his dress recorded in verse 6. he leather belt around his waist and the robe of camel's hair signified clearly that he declared himself to be a prophet.

Here John is preparing for the arrival of a king. Anytime we prepare for an arrival, we get things in the best shape that they have been in thus far. We clean the house, clean the surroundings, in anticipation of someone. Here, people are being cleaned. John's message is to Roman Christians. It is to Jews and it is to Gentile. As mentioned, some Gentiles may have been baptized in the past, to show they were being cleaned of their old life and could now enter into a new life of Judaism. But, John brings this message to everyone - Jews and Gentiles. So, he remarks that even the Jew should be baptized, which I'm sure was a surprising message. Thus, the Jews are being called no better than the Gentiles. All need this same act of baptism.

This is not baptism in Jesus' name. It is getting oneself ready for baptism in Jesus' name. Baptism is not salvation. It is a picture of salvation. Thus, I think this is a preparation message, but not the final message. I don't think full salvation is occurring, but rather preparing people for the inner change that is going to come. The gospel message as spoken of in verse 1 is confession, believing and accepting the substitution of Christ. John is preparing the people for this message by first putting for the idea that all people, regardless of race or religion or tradition need to confess their sins and seek a change for forgiveness.

Promise: We cannot rely on membership, family affiliation, lineage, our history of Christian service, our birth into a religious family in order to be saved. Salvation comes through individual confession and cleansing by God.

Prayer: Lord, continue to give me wisdom, divine wisdom as I read these words and study them. Help me to have your understanding of these texts. Continue to teach me. I am not saying I have arrived. I want to be taught by the Spirit of God. Keep teaching me.

Study Question: Often in life, traditions can affect how we live and our surroundings affect us as well. Sometimes naturally we are the same religion as our parents. Yet, Jesus came to save sinners and did not give the idea that you can be saved only by family affiliation. For each person, there needs to be an individual and internal change in that person that occurs or each person saying they believe in Jesus. In your life, when did you realize you were a sinner and you needed God’s forgiveness for your sins?

Psalm 84:8-12 - One Day in the Courts of the Lord

Psalm 84:8-12

⁸ O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah.
⁹ Behold our shield, O God,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.
¹⁰ For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
¹² O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Message: One Day in the Courts of the Lord

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.
 
What the Lord is Saying:

Yesterday, in looking a Psalm 84, the inspiration of this Psalm seems to be entering the dwelling place of the Lord. This could be church, as it does seem to clearly speak of the Temple of the Lord. It is an appealing place, a place I long to be. It is a place that people look forward to being there. Everyone present is excited and ready to worship the Lord and listen to the Word of God taught. God lifts us up from the mire, and he makes places that are otherwise not exciting to be exciting. He makes barren feel full. 

As I continue in this Psalm today, I see that the in verse 8, that the worship center or place is also a place to pray - to offer our petitions. In high school, I learned the acronym ACTS - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. Prayer is this. It is adoring God, acknowledging where I need God, where I have sinned, offering Thanksgiving to him and then finally Supplication. Often, I notice in prayer a skipping over of the first 3 and going straight to "give me." Lord, teach me to pray so that my position before you is always one of gratitude, not just expectation.  

Verse 9 - Behold our shield, O God. Shield I think could mean many things in this context. Ephesians talks about taking up the shield of faith. Faith in God is the combat force that moves us through all of life. If there is one thing that is attacked more and more in this world, it would seem to be our faith. But, our shield or what protects us in life is that faith. 

Verse 10 - For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. One day with You in your courts, is better than a thousand not with you. You are our shield. We enter into the praise and in that place it is amazing. It is more wonderful to stand on the threshold, or to not even enter the room, but just be standing in the in-between than to be in the tents of wickedness. 

John Calvin writes:

He would rather be cast into a common and unhonored place, provided he were among the people of God, than exalted to the highest rank of honor among unbelievers.

He is a sun. He is a shield. He shines his powerful light on us. He protects us. He gives grace. He gives not what we deserve. He gives what we do not deserve. He gives us his glory, his purpose is the highest of heavens, the presence of God and that is our gift from Him. Verse 12 - How blessed is the man who trusts in You! This is what we want in life, to be blessed, and in Christ, in our trust in God, I am blessed.

Promise: From TableTalk, to dwell with HIm is to enjoy a blessing that can never be lost.

Job 42 - Job's Repentance and Restoration

Job 42

Message: Job's Repentance and Restoration

Time: The time of Job is unclear and commonly debated. Often the language of the book can give clues. It seems to be that Job had a lifespan of close to 200 years as Job 42:16 says he lived 140 years after the events in the book.

What the Lord is Saying:

I've been studying these chapters in Job, somewhat selectively, based upon the readings of Tabletalk. It's taken me a while to get through them for the words are poetic and generally are tough for me to understand. As I saw last time, Chapter 42 concludes the book with Job answering the Lord, the Lord speaking the truth about his friends and then God restoring Job's fortunes.

There are 17 verses in this chapter.

Job's Confession
The first 6 verses Job answers the Lord and in his response he admits his error before the Lord. He has listened to the words from the Lord, like chapter 38 that I looked at, and he now understands better. He says in verse 2, I know you that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. It is a rather simple proclamation that Job makes stating that he knows that the Lord can do all things. He is omnipotent, meaning God can do anything or he has unlimited power. I can go about each day with the simple understanding that God is in control.

Job is now a humble person. I think it takes a lot to be humble these days. We are a proud and puffed up people and we think our intellect and knowledge puts us in control. Job mentions in verse 3, I have declared that which I did not understand. He admits that he has made an opinion on things that are beyond his understanding. It's one thing to talk about God through the words of a song, like Chris Tomlin does in God is incomprehensible or rather indescribable. We need this. We need to realize that God doesn't need to be described completely. We need to let there be things about God that are indescribable. We need to admit that there are things we do not know.

For me, this becomes clearer and clearer with each new day. God, I don't understand what is going on in people's lives. I don't understand why some people have and some people have not. I must admit, I am weak, in that my mind wants to ponder this and wants to examine this and figure it out, but O God, help me to turn from that and simply acknowledge that you are omnipotent and I need not understand every tit and tattle. Help me to accept the unknown. Help me to stay in what I do know. Give me wisdom in the day to day. That's where I want to live. If I don't know it, then I need to bring it before you and pray for it. This should be my calling card for life. Forgive me for being so quick to thinking that I must understand it all before I can step forward.

Lord, verse 4 of this chapter, seems to put forth this sentiment well. Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask you, and You instruct me. This is how I should come before God. I come before Him praying and asking and waiting for His instruction. Help this to be all I need.

I like what Albert Barnes says here:

The most holy men may have occasion to repent of their presumptuous manner of speaking of God. We all err in the same way in which Job did. We reason about God with irreverence; we speak of his government as if we could comprehend it; we discourse of him as if he were an equal; and when we come to have any just views of him, we see that there has been much improper boldness, much self-confidence, much irreverence of thought and manner, in our estimation of the divine wisdom and plans. The bitter experience of Job should lead us to the utmost carefulness in the manner in which we speak of our Maker.

Even the most holy men have occasion to repent. 


God Displeased with Job's Friends
God speaks to Job's friends and simply says, you have not spoken of Me what is right and he asks them to repent by offer(ing) up a burnt offering for yourselves. When God confronts us, we need to repent.

O God, forgive me for thinking I know better than you. Forgive me for thinking that I know how to raise my children. Forgive me for thinking that I have it all figured out and that I even have you figured out. Help me to be on my knees more and studying Your Word and accepting of your ways. Keep me anchored in a path of not questioning. I am to father and care for my children. Show me God what this means more and more.

God Restores Job's Fortunes

Job needs to have a right understanding of God. This is what I need in my life. The Lord restored the fortunes of Job. This restoration wasn't necessarily immediate, but it was lifelong. God is more interested in my character than my wealth or social position. I must be focused here.

Job had it all, but then lost it all. He questioned God, but then had a right understanding of God. And God blessed Job. His later days were greater from his beginning. The hallmark of his life was putting his trust in God.

Lord, help me to trust you. Help me O God. Keep me focused on you. 

Promise: Expect restoration while we persist in faith and do not speak ill of the Lord. God will keep his promises.

Jesus Calling: May 20

     When your sins weigh heavily upon you, come to Me. Confess your wrongdoing, which I know all about before you say a word. Stay in the Light of My Presence, receiving forgiveness, cleansing, and healing. Remember that I have clothed you in My righteousness, so nothing can separate you from Me. Whenever you stumble or fall, I am there to help you up.
     Man's tendency is to hide from his sin, seeking refuge in the darkness. There he indulges in self-pity, denial, self-righteousness, blaming, and hatred. But I am the Light of the world, and My illumination decimates the darkness. Come close to Me and let My Light envelop you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace. 

I John 1:7
English Standard Version

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Verse Thoughts
Verse 5 says, "God is light, and in him is no darkness." I am to walk in the light, walk in God. A true Christian does not walk in darkness, but only in the light. It is this walking in light that allows us to have fellowship with one another. There is an intimacy of being in the Body of Christ that is like nothing else.  

Isaiah 61:10
English Standard Version

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
    my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 

Verse Thoughts
This is the OT picture of imputed righteousness, the essential heart of the New Covenant. When a penitent sinner recognizes he can't achieve his own righteousness by works, and repents and calls on the mercy of God, the Lord covers him with his own divine righteousness by grace through his faith.  

John 8:12
English Standard Version

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

My Prayer
Thank you Lord for forgiving all my sin and cleansing me, I am seen by You as pure, and as white as snow. It amazes me because I know the darkness of my life. Sure, I can put on a good front with people most of the time, but you know my inner thoughts, and you can hear the words I often express toward people even as I sit there listening to them talk. Thank you for saving me. The fact that I sinned one time made me not perfect and in need of a substitute. Thank You Jesus for redeeming me so that never again will sin have a hold on me. Yes, I want to live a life that honors you but I'm thankful that no matter what happens, you have covered me with the robe of righteousness.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

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

Time:  Written 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.