Various Scriptures - What it Means to Grow in Holiness

Luke 16:16

The Law and the Prophets [were proclaimed] until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Message: Life Coram Deo

What the Lord is Saying: Now to study sanctification—setting us apart as God’s holy people, pleasing God and enabling us to do what He approves of. Grace dominates and fuels the Christian; the Christian life is a race (Hebrews 12:1-2); and we are to fight against the spiritual powers of the devil. Protestant reforms described to live Coram Deo as "before the face of God." We are to be intense in our desires and acts of service in committing to follow God. We are not trying to earn any favor from God, but instead have a love of gratitude for God always for sacrifice of Jesus and the work of the Spirit in our lives to make us like Christ. 

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Matthew 5:20

For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Message: True Righteousness

What the Lord is Saying: As we live, we must value righteousness. In life there is a legal righteousness which meeting the perfect standard of God's justice. This righteousness meets all of the demands of the law - and is imputed to us when we believe in Jesus, his righteousness or perfect obedience is put on our record and in the heavenly courtroom we are declared perfectly righteous. Practical righteousness however is a daily work to love God, obey Him and repent when we fall short. This could be what is talked about in today's passage, as the scribes and Pharisees were more concerned of keeping the law while the follower of Jesus is focused on the heart and doing good out of the gratitude of the heart - and this moves us toward sanctification.  

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John 7:7

The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.

Message: Our Enemy the World

What the Lord is Saying: As Christians, we need to have a single minded desire for Holiness. A desire to live in practice to have a desire each day for obedience but also internally, a love for God and neighbor. We need to fight each day as well to fend off the foes in our lives that are wanting to take our desires off of Christ - the world, our flesh, the devil. The world represents the people in the world that because of the Fall have been infected with pride, lust, and all manner of godliness. These people hate Christ and those united to Him by faith alone. They may not necessarily persecute us but they do want to infect us with its values. Thus, the world does not have a love for God and the things of God, but there is a non-biblical ideal they have. So we as Christians are called to preach the message of the Gospel, the good news, to this fallen world. We live in the world, but we are not of the world. We resist it by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

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Romans 8:1-11

1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Message: Our Enemy the Flesh

What the Lord is Saying: There is a lust that we have somewhat instinctively for the flesh and the desires of the flesh. God gives us an affection for godliness, but still we are drawn ourselves to sin - temptation that the world offers to us so freely and easily. Often Christians or religious people will being to outlaw behaviors of the flesh such as movies, dancing, alcohol, cards, and other things such as public schools. But their are harder works of the flesh such as envy, covetousness, discontentment, unjust hatred, and other inward affections that are often just as difficult, if not more to avoid. This lust grabs me I know. Even the old movies I watch can pull me away. I think it is hard at times to differentiate between the lust of the flesh and good things that I could simply do with my time. 

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2 Corinthians 11:14-15

14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

Message: Our Enemy the Devil

What the Lord is Saying: Satan, the devil is a fallen angel who has rebelled against God and sought to enlist others in his cause. Satan is not mentioned much today as a cause for opposition to God's ways. Others in the past have spoken of Satan like Martin Luther wrote often of his battles with the devil. The word says they disguise themselves as angels of light. Satan will twist the truth. We need to remain focused on God's truth and His word. 

Summary: We are to be intense in our desire to follow God, valuing righteous living and to resist the schemes of the flesh, Satan and the world. 

Various Scripture - Total Depravity Lessons

Genesis 1:27

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Message: The Heights from Which we have Fallen

What the Lord is Saying: It is clear from my study of the Bible, of these Gospels and even of the last two chapters of John 8 and 9 that many do not believe. They have a slant away from God. They are not trying to discover Him. They are people without a need for they believe they have the answers and their reason for talking about Jesus is to discredit Him and to add evidence or credence to their lives that He is not real and should be rejected as Lord and Savior. We describe these people being totally depraved. They don't want the things of God. 

But in saying one is totally depraved, this does not mean a person is utterly depraved and has only evil in them. I believe all the good we describe in our world as good has as its author God. And so whatever is good is from God, even if the one giving the good may not acknowledge God. As today's verse says, every person has been created in the image of God and every person has the potential and will do good things as a God creation. For those that refuse to acknowledge God, there seems to be something in them that prevents them from this acknowledgement. They are depraved. Sin has darkened their understanding of Him. Depraved does not necessarily the person acts with evil as their ambition for their lives. 

This is a hard lesson and many will not understand it because we hold onto this notion that people are good. People are good but their willingness to accept Jesus and live for Him above all things in life is what we are talking about here. We are talking about whether people will have a desire for spiritual things and desire to glorify God above everything else in their lives. We are talking about people and whether they will deny themselves and take up their cross. Yesterday, the pastor talked about sinners and I thought to myself that for one to come to know God they first must see that they are a sinner, that they are in need, that they are imperfect and need something more than themselves. That they don't have all the answers. 

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Luke 11:11-13

11 Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Message: Utter Depravity

What the Lord is Saying: I have acknowledged that people can do good - be kind to others, even love unconditionally, and they can do these even unselfishly as well as selfishly. But their goal in doing these things is very often not to honor God. Even those who do evil often could have done more evil. We may think that what they have done is entirely evil, but it always could have been worse. Thus, utter depravity is always sinning to the greatest degree possible, again all of the time. But as Luke 11 shows, even those being evil still give good gifts to their children. Everyone has potential, but that doesn't mean everyone has a desire to please God with how they live. 

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Romans 1:21-23

21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Message: Radical Corruption

What the Lord is Saying: RC Sproul has mentioned that instead of saying with are totally depraved, perhaps we can use the phrase radical corruption. Every part of our being is corrupted, even though each of us has the ability and can still practice good. We are not evil to the fullest extent. And it is radical because sin has corrupted every part of our human nature. We are not simply creatures where we are looking for the good to outweigh the bad. We are bent away from God and the things that please him. We have to train ourselves to be Godly (I Timothy 4:7-8). We will do good out of fear of punishment, not necessarily out of love for God. In today's passage, even though we know God we don't thank Him for life and instead look inward to define life. We reason away him thinking we are being wise. My atheist friend in London does this all of the time. He believes I am gullible and he is smart. He has exchanged God for an animal to define man. 

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Romans 1:24-31

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;

Message: The "Normalcy" of Sin

What the Lord is Saying: One of the problems with total depravity or radical corruptness in the eyes of many is the fact that sin has somewhat been normalized and we in society often acknowledge certain sins as offensive like murder, but other sins that every one seems to commit like telling white lies or being disobedient to parents or even using God's name in a flippant manner like the slang, OM_, has made us complacent to the seriousness of sin and disobeying God. The Parable of the Tax Collector voices words from the Pharisee that he is not like the tax collector. He doesn't do the really bad stuff so he must be okay. And then he says he does do certain works to offset any bad that has been committed. What he fails to see is the holiness of God and His standard. The one-time sin is as great as the multiple sinful life. Many will agree with most of the sins listed here in Romans 1:29-31 like murder, but what about gossips or those even who are arrogant, boastful or lacking in understanding, do we often place those on a different chart of acceptable behavior? 

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Romans 1:32

and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Message: The Sinfulness of Sin

What the Lord is Saying: It is bad enough that we have normalized sin, but we take it a step further as Romans 1:32 states. The move of sin to acceptable behavior comes about when we come together in groups and sometimes simply one with another to agree over the sin. I think this is the move in society that we see to further normalize it. I think the homosexual and pride events that are now an annual celebration in our cities are a stark example of this, taking something that is blatantly wrong and we instead join forces to celebrate it, in the name of loving our neighbor. God loves us, but hates sin and nowadays society doesn't know how to separate those two ideas. And yet we even do this as Christians, sometimes in sharing prayer requests out of concern for our Christian brother it might move to pride that we are not like that other person and we are shocked by the sinfulness of their behavior. I must admit that I will often pick apart someone's behavior, getting others to agree with me - and all the while I can feel the Holy Spirit convicting me to not speak in this manner. I sense the Spirit providing a way out (I Cor 10:13) and yet the more I speak, the harder it is not to not speak. 

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John 8:14

Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.

Message: Enslaved to Sin

What the Lord is Saying: Many can acknowledge that we are all sinners, that we all disobey God. In sharing with people in an evangelism setting, people can admit often they have told a lie. I've mentioned previously that people are capable of doing good. God is good and all that He has created has been good and so anyone can be a conduit for this good. But the harder idea is moving to pleasing God. Mark 12:30 gives us the goal: "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." That move to all is the big step in us. God clearly wants this as we see numerous examples of this throughout the Old Testament. The issue here is we like to think that each of us is capable on our own to move us out of a bad situation. I love reading people's testimonies of how God has changed their lives. Often the one's that stand out are the people that have practices a very clear life of opposing God. And then to see the awakening that took place in their life. Some are moved to this awakening but others aren't. It seems clear that God sovereignty is the key that we often don't recognized or call to our attention. Lately I've been memorizing Ephesians 2:1-2, "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walking according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience." This is a radical statement that I seriously wonder if many of us believe or can accept or even see. That we were spiritually dead and that this deadness was because of the prince of darkness and an evil spirit moving in people towards disobedience. 

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Ephesians 2:1-10

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Message: Total Moral Inability

What the Lord is Saying: I did not realize when I was writing earlier that this next lesson is on Ephesians 2. This is a powerful text. But this idea in verse 2 verses is people are enslaved and living in disobedience. What will make them change? Paul uses powerful language to say a person is dead. It seems consistent to Jesus saying one must be born again. What will shift them will be their faith in verse 8. But prior to that they are living on this earth - dead. A sober reality. A sober proclamation. But as I have seen, what changes in people is the Spirit of God awakening them. But how this is done I am not sure we are clear on. And so these lessons have yes chronicled the condition of people, that some are depraved or stated another way, radically corrupted. The world has corrupted their thinking. The prince of the power of the air has corrupted them. In our world we see those who are made alive in Christ and those who are not. I think we need to find the harvest and pray that the Lord would lead us to the harvest, that we might share with them to help them discover Jesus and the Savior he can be to their life. We are His workmanship (verse 10). 

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

John 1:14-15 - The Incarnation of the Word of God

John 1:14-15

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”

Message: The Incarnation of the Word of God

Time: Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. 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: As I have stated, to me, it is puzzling that John uses "Word" to describe Jesus. I often think that so much could have different if he would have simply said Jesus and yet as today's text states, the Word became flesh. The one that was "in the beginning" and "with God" and "God" and "in the beginning with God" and "all things came into being through Him" -- this Word, this one "became flesh." How much more clear can it be said? That God/Jesus became flesh, "dwelt among us" and "we saw His glory." 

Jesus lived on this earth, the God-man, so that we could be alongside him and yet in Him we saw God's glory. We saw the bright light, but visible in a way that we could see Him. 

And this is the one "John testified about." I don't think there can be any confusion that John is not on the earth to testify of himself but all glory and focus is to be on Jesus. 

Summary: The Word - Jesus - became flesh to dwell among us and through Him we see God's glory. 

Promise: Under the old covenant, the glory of God took up residence in the tabernacle and the temple (Ex. 40:34; 1 Kings 8:1–11), and this is the very same glory seen in Christ. 

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the truth of Your Word and reminding me of the clarity of who You are. You Jesus were at creation in the beginning and You are God and You came to dwell among us. You are worthy of my worship, always. Thank you for this truth and that I can testify of You as well. 

John 6:22-59 - The Lord's Supper and Feeding on Christ

John 6:22-59 

54 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.

Message: The Lord's Supper and Feeding on Christ

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus repeatedly in this passage speaks, "I am the bread of life." In verse 51 he says, "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh." These are strong words Jesus is proclaiming. Immediately I think of that Islam man I spoke to and how they only accept the book of Matthew. Naturally, they don't accept this text because it is so clear that we must surrender to Jesus and He is the only means to eternal life. 

These words Jesus is speaking were probably before any mention of the Lord's Supper. I would think there may be different interpretations of this text and its full meaning. 

Today's passage speaks of rather striking verses from Jesus. He says we are to eat His Flesh and drink His blood. Roman Catholics and Lutherans believe the bread and cup become the actual flesh of Jesus while Reformers do not believe Jesus' body can be present in more than one place at a time. 

So for me in reading this passage, I do believe Jesus is using these words to help us understand in a more physical and tangible manner the meaning of being joined with Him. As I read the Old Testament, there is much mention on duty. I know God wans His followers to trust Him and be surrendered before Him, but Jesus seems to take it a step further and speaks of a union with Christ we are to have. Jesus comes to earth all God. And he wants us to fully embrace Him with all of us. It is more than outward obedience but inner obedience and a complete life of surrender. God is not someone we simply hang on the wall, but we take Him in. He makes it clear to us, "I am the bread of life."  I am not simply a part of life for you, but I am what you need at every moment of each day. 

Bread and drink is something we need to survive. Jesus is saying you need Him to survive. True life is found in Him. And yes perhaps latter when he institutes the Lord's Supper this passage will bring greater meaning to us. So that as we take the bread and cup we are reminded of Him redeeming us and that we need Jesus not simply at a moment in our life but at every moment. We need Him throughout the day. As my body cramps and looks forward to food. I am to look forward to my time with Jesus. I am to desire that time with Him. He is my sustenance. 

I will be honest in saying I do not think I comprehend this yet. I do enjoy my moments with Him as I do enjoy my moments with my kids, friends, and Pamela so much. May I yearn for Him in an even greater way. Like the man sitting down on the floor as I walked in Heights as a young boy going to Potluck dinner and he was there looking at his Bible and singing with Joy in his Soul. He has always stuck in my mind for maybe for the first time I saw someone completely surrendered and in love with Jesus. And it struck me. 

Summary: Jesus is the Bread of Life. Like bread and wine (drink) I need to want him every moment of every day and I need Him to nourish me. 

Promise: When we take the supper in faith, we are communing with Christ and marked as those who will inherit eternal life. 

Prayer: O God, you are great. I thank you for these words from John and the great meaning of You being our sustenance and for me to be the same as food that I need each day many times during the day. You are my food and my bread and my drink. You have bore my sin and secured me with you forever in eternity. May I keep remembering this and as I take the Lord's Supper may it be an extra bit of joy and time of celebration as to what You have done for me. 

My Utmost for His Highest - March 23rd - Am I Carnally Minded?

for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people? - 1 Corinthians 3:3 

No natural man knows anything about carnality. The flesh lusting against the Spirit, that came in at regeneration, and the Spirit lusting against the flesh, produces carnality. "Walk in the Spirit" says Paul, "and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)"; and carnality will disappear.

Are you contentious, easily troubled about trifles? "Oh, but no one who is a Christian ever is!" Paul says they are, he connects these things with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens petulance in you? That is a proof that you are yet carnal. If sanctification is being worked out, there is no trace of that spirit left. 

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He does not ask you to put it right; He asks you to accept the light, and He will put it right. A child of the light confesses instantly and stands bared before God; a child of the darkness says--"Oh, I can explain that away." When once the light breaks and the conviction of wrong comes, be a child of the light, and confess, and God will deal with what is wrong; if you vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.

What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone it is the most real thing imaginable. God will see that you have any number of opportunities to prove yourself the marvel of His grace. The practical test is the only proof. "Why", you say, "If this had happened before, there would have been the spirit of resentment!" You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.   

Oswald Chambers - From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her Print Edition

- carnality - of the flesh, material, worldly
- trifles - something of little value or importance
- petulance - impatient or irritable, especially over a petty annoyance 

Matthew 21:18 - The Human Nature of Christ

Matthew 21:18 - Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry.

Message: The Human Nature of Christ

Time: The date of Matthew's composition is anywhere from 55-60 AD probably in Antioch of Syria, written by Matthew, the former tax collector, and one of the 12 disciples or apostles. The writing is most likely to the Jews. His purpose was to show them that Jesus of Nazareth was the expected messiah and both his genealogy and his resurrection were legitimate proofs of this. 

What the Lord is Saying:

Overview

I am currently studying Jesus, Christ alone. Jesus, the human, is the anointed one, the Christ or the Messiah, predicted in the Old Testament as the one who would come and save the world from sin. Jesus is one person who possesses two natures, a divine nature and a human nature, as truly God and truly man. Jesus did not become divine nor did God become a man, Christ was instead the God man. 

Today's Lesson

Many passages teach the humanity of Jesus:

• Jesus is hungry - Matthew 21:18 - Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry.
• Jesus slept - Mark 4:38 - Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
• Psalm 121:4 - Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
• Jesus is ignorant or lacks knowledge of an event - Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
• God is all-knowing or omniscient - Psalm 139:4 - Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all.
• Jesus is tempted - Matthew 4:1 - Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 
• James 1:13 - Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 

Thus, in this lesson today are examples of Jesus' humanity in light of the fact that God not having need of anything or being all-knowing. 

Promise: Hebrews 2:17-18 - For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing me clearly that Jesus is human and he can come alongside me, for he has experienced what I have experienced. Help me to remember this Spirit. Keep reminding me as you do. I feel so alone at times, but help me to be reminded of how you are like me in this way. I am not alone. 

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 April is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.

My Utmost for His Highest - December 9 - The Offence of the Natural

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. GALATIANS 5:24

The natural life is not sinful; we must be apostatized from sin, have nothing to do with sin in any shape or form. Sin belongs to hell and the devil; I, as a child of God, belong to heaven and God. It is not a question of giving up sin, but of giving up my right to myself, my natural independence and self-assertiveness, and this is where the battle has to be fought. It is the things that are right and noble and good from the natural stand point that keep us back from God’s best. To discern that natural virtues antagonize surrender to God, is to bring our soul into the centre of its greatest battle. Very few of us debate with the sordid and evil and wrong, but we do debate with the good. It is the good that hates the best, and the higher up you get in the scale of the natural virtues, the more intense is the opposition to Jesus Christ. “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh (Galatians 5:24)” — it is going to cost the natural in you everything, not something. Jesus said — If any man will be My disciple, “let him deny himself (Matthew 16:24)” i.e., his right to himself, and a man has to realize Who Jesus Christ is before he will do it. Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own independence.

The natural life is not spiritual, and it can only be made spiritual by sacrifice. If we do not resolutely sacrifice the natural, the supernatural can never become natural in us. There is no royal road there; each of us has it entirely in his own hands. It is not a question of praying, but of performing. From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

My Thoughts

• I must give up my right to myself - give up my natural independence and self-assertiveness - THIS is where they battle is fought.
• I must move from good to best. Things are right, noble,, good - naturally. God's ways are best. 
• Our main opposition in life is not with doing sordid, evil, or wrong practices - but instead we debate with doing what is simply good. But, good hates the best. 
• The flesh is natural man and natural man has good ambitions - this is his independence. 
• It is interesting, but growing up we talk of being independent as being something good that we aspire to in life. Yet, independence is in opposition to God. 

Psalm 84:1-7 - God's Lovely Dwelling Place

Psalm 84:1-7
¹ How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts!
² My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
³ The bird also has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.
⁴ How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!
They are ever praising You. Selah.

⁵ How blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the highways to Zion!
⁶ Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.
⁷ They go from strength to strength,

Every one of them appears before God in Zion.

Message: God's lovely dwelling place

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:

I continue to learn about prayer and intentional praying. I have good days and not so good days. But, I believe I am showing my deep commitment to Him more and more and my dependence on Him. I want to be devoted to the Lord above everything else and perhaps this Psalm provides me with those words to pray.

Verse 1 speaks of the loveliness of the dwelling places of the Lord. In this regard, it is right to make the dwelling places of the Lord beautiful. We should desire that our places of worship are aesthetically beautiful and are places we desire to be. Yet, loveliness I think also means that it is an inviting place where the people find rest there. Verse 2 talks about my soul longs to be there. Do I long to be at church? Do I long to be in fellowship with others or are my longings for sports and games and friends or just being at home? Church should be a place that we desire to be. For it is there My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Verse 3 says it is a place the bird and swallow find sanctuary to be at. God's creature desire to be with God's other creatures. 

Verse 4 speaks of the special blessing that takes place to those that gather at the House of the Lord. It is a joy to ever praise you. I think of a concert I went to recently. There was a joy being with people that shared the love for the music and sang along with the songs. When we are all singing at church in one accord there is beauty in that moment, as we worship the Lord. Verse 5 speaks of my strength being in the Lord and that blessedness. The Bible repeats over and over that we are to be blessed and so we should always be seeking out from God's word what it means to be blessed and we should seek after those things. 

Verse 6 speaks of the valley of Baca and passing through it. I found these words from a commentary online:

The valley of Baca was some waterless and barren valley through which pilgrims passed on their way to Jerusalem; but faith turns it into a place of springs, finding refreshment under the most untoward circumstances, while God refreshes them with showers of blessing from above, as the autumnal rains clothe the dry plains with grass and flowers.

God makes barren feel full. God is our strength and as we seek him and desire to worship him, he makes a dry land bring refreshment. I think of the man that I see at church who sits up front, but I watch him during the service and he is deep in praise and worship of God. His arms are open and his body is in highest praise. He looks like this is his favorite place. He looks like he is there to dwell with God. He is captivated by that moment and he positions himself in the center, at the front. It is appealing to watch him and yet, his devotion is out of place and somewhat different. Yet there are others, like the Denman's that are embraced, arm in arm and smiling and happy as they sing together. But, there are many of us that just stand erect and stare and are basically in between two worlds. We are trying to pull ourselves away from one and walk into another.

O God, teach me over and over the meaning of worship. I want to stand before you and worship you. Teach me how to do this. I don't just want to enjoy music and instruments though I thank you for the enjoyment of those tunes and the song leaders and the violin. But, I want my heart to focus on worship and what it really means. Jesus, help me.

Promise: From Tabletalk -- Christ is better than any of the pleasures this world has to offer.

Proverbs 5:1-14 - The Trap of Adultery

Proverbs 5:1-14
¹ My son, give attention to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding;
² That you may observe discretion and your lips may reserve knowledge.
³ For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech;
⁴ But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
⁵ Her feet go down to death,  her steps take hold of Sheol.
⁶ She does not ponder the path of life; her ways are unstable, she does not know it.

⁷ Now then, my sons, listen to me and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
⁸ Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house,
⁹ Or you will give your vigor to others and your years to the cruel one;
¹⁰ And strangers will be filled with your strength and your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien; 

 ¹¹ And you groan at your final end, when your flesh and your body are consumed;
¹² And you say, “How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
¹³ “I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to my instructors!
¹⁴ “I was almost in utter the midst of the assembly and congregation.”

Message: The Trap of Adultery

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

The focus of today's passage is on adultery. This is long because it is meant to be clear. This is not fire to play with.

One thing that I looked at and noticed in my study yesterday of Proverbs 1, was that people are enticed and taken away by something often in their life. I often call this a temptation or that I have wandered off path and are engaging in sin. In actuality, in the Bible, this is referred to as having an idol in our lives. Idolatry is anything in our lives that we do to bring us joy and we do it in order to give us peace about life. We do it to give us joy. Our joy is not found in Christ, but it is found in this other thing that isn't just a part of our life but it becomes often what keeps us going. It becomes what we spend our money on or what we spend most of our time on. It becomes what we think about. And over time, God and His word are replaced more and more. No longer am I surrendering to God and His word and thinking that God's word is the highest source of good in my life. Now, I see this idol as that which can give me joy.

Their is idolatry in: video games, TV watching, Movie watching, eating, shopping, music, smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, friends. There are many different idols in our lives, some not even so sin apparent.

This is rampant in our lives. The idol could be anything and often with people, it is anything. And yet what most people find, when they are honest with themselves is this idol does not necessarily bring them lasting joy. There isn't a peace in life like there is when Christ is on the throne. Testimonies from people resonate this when they say, "I tried ........ and it never brought complete satisfaction, but then I turned my life over to Christ and let Him take the reins and life became fulfilled."

In Proverbs 1:10-19 the enticement was friends that lured the pupil away to do things that were impure. The passage spoke of evil things but that evil could be anything. The key was it was with the wrong people, doing bad stuff, and that bad stuff ended up having a consequence. The last phrase of verse 19 says, "It takes away the life of its possessors." It's end is death. And today in this passage is immediately an equal warning as Solomon says in verse 5, "her feet go down to death; her steps take hold of Sheol."

What is it that I have done in my life to try and replace God in order to give me the peace and enjoyment that only He can bring? For me, money comes to mind. It's not that I have a lot, necessarily, but I often think that if I just had enough then life would be simpler. I say this because our wants are abundant and so I think that by having those things that I desire, and my family desires, that then I will be satisfied. Yet, I know it will be momentary because our desires never cease.

Very Important Subject Matter
First of all, I like how Solomon begins. Son, (1) Give your attention to me. Not an easy task sometimes in life to get someone to concentrate on what the other person is saying. Solomon clearly is saying that "I have something important to say. (2) Incline your ear to my understanding. Bend your ear not just to listen, but understand. We hear a lot of things each day, but how much do we really internalize or then practice? Solomon is saying to his pupils, what I have to say is meant to be followed. (3) That you may observe discretion. Retain these words in your heart. These words are my counsel to you. (4) Your lips may reserve knowledge. Literally, this is "Thy lips shall keep." This is life long understanding. This is life long "watch out." This is not momentary or just for a season. This is long-term. You need to be able to speak these words back to me. This is how important these words are. You need to be able to state this in your own words.

Warning
Verse 3 is interesting for the translation I have used has translated the word zur to mean adulteress. Zur is translated in the KJV as strange. The meaning is this is an apostate Israelite woman gone over to the idolatrous impurities of heathen religion. The idea of adultery here is someone that has traded in something they have been called to be for something else. It is not necessarily speaking of a woman that has started out with a husband and decided that her husband did not satisfy her desires, for whatever reason, and so is seeking out something else, not God-given, but what man has provided. God has been traded in for what people think is something better.

James 4:4 is a verse I have tried to memorize. It says, "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James is speaking to people that have chosen to trade or replace God with the things of the world and for this he speaks to the people as adulterers.

This is significant because what is being spoken of here is not simply reserved for married people that are seeking after other people in their life and are practicing sex with someone else in their life. It is true that is adultery. God has given you a gift of a mate and you are saying to God, "The gift that you gave me is not what I think I need; I choose someone else and I think that person will fulfill my needs."

The application then for Proverbs 5 is far reaching. Adultery here is actually treason or any idol that we might have in our life.

And the idol or whatever we are being tempted to have in our life drips with honey. It is sweet. It is appealing. It suits my tastes. It drips honey and smoother than oil is her speech.  I can see why the word adulteress was chosen because this woman is using flattering speech, smooth talk, offering something which man desires, alluring speech. This is not, "Come over and clean the toilet" no this is come experience your wildest dreams. 

Not as it appears
Verses 4-6 then basically say, "things are not as they appear." Though this strange woman has spoken with flattery and allured you in her direction, in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps take hold of Sheol. She does not ponder the path of life; her ways are unstable, she does not know it. 

Wormwood is an herb and an eastern medicine this was looked upon as being poisonous. Wormwood is the complete opposite of wormwood. It reminds me of the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the man that lured people by showing them sweet candy on his truck and then when they crawled in the truck it turned into a cell block. It went from sweetness to being a prisoner. 

Solomon says it affects the body (feet go down to death) and affects the soul (steps take hold of Sheol/grave/hell). Idols in our life don't just want a part of our life, but they want your entire life. She does not ponder the path of life. In her is not a big picture. If we could see our entire life in a moment, upon making a decision, it would affect our decision making. There are ramifications for our choices, but if we train ourselves into not looking at those consequences then over time we no longer have any long-term perspective thinking.

Heinrich Albert Schultens (1749-1793) stated that the design of the wise man seems to be, to point out the inconstancy, irregularity, and wickedness, of the strange woman's life. Her ways are inconstant; she is not attached to her husband, or to any one man, but abandons herself to the first comer; has neither knowledge, wisdom, nor discernment; she has no other rule than her passion, no other end than her pleasure. She is profligate, and wholly lost; affected neither by the fear of God, nor the care of her own salvation.

Second Warning
As if one warning was not enough, Solomon gives a second warning. This is a very significant event. In verse 7 and 8 he states further to: (1) Listen to me; He said previously that he wanted the pupil's attention and wanted his ear bent to understand. He says again, "listen to me." Listen to what I am going to tell you. The pupil will now hear of the consequence. (2) Do not depart from the words of my mouth; Don't choose the path; do not depart from my words. (3) Keep your way far from her; The last warning I saw in Proverbs 1:10-19 was Keep your feet from their path. With this issue the feet are to be far from the path. (4) Do not go near the door of her house. To clarify further, do not even go near the door of the house. We all know that going inside is a disaster, but do not even go near the door. 

A Hard Life
In a way this final part is similar to "God gave them over" found in Romans 1 (one of my favorite passages). The warnings have occurred. The danger sign is in place. "Keep Out" has been posted. But, if that isn't enough, he will now detail the results of going down that wrong path.

Or you will give your vigor to others and your years to the cruel one - Your strength; your person; your life and your future, will be handed over to the cruel one. The idea of vigor is what your life has meant thus far. Other translations use the word honor. Who you are is being given away. 

And strangers will be filled with your strength and your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien. Everything you have worked for is gone.  

And you groan at your final end, when your flesh and your body are consumed; And you say, “How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof! I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to my instructors! I was almost in utter the midst of the assembly and congregation.” Pride has taken over. Recovery in this moment is practically hopeless. 

Promise: Beware. Beware. Beware. Adultery always has destructive consequences. 

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 - Pursuing Contentment

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Message: Pursuing Contentment

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

This message is entitled contentment, which for me, is a difficult concept. I am not sure what it means to be content. I think I know what it means from an economic stance. I need to be content with what God has provided me and not feel like I need more. In fact, it seems like in life, the more I have the worse off I am. Every time I get a raise, the money is gone before I know it, being spent on other commitments.

But, contentment in life, on a time standpoint, as far as what I spend my time on, is also difficult. In my present job I could easily stay at work all night, but I know that I need to leave the office and get home. At home, I wonder how much time each day should really be spent in relaxation, sitting in front of a screen watching something. That is where I struggle to this day, often not real satisfied with just sitting in front of a TV, so I can get through such and such TV show that my wife and I have decided we like. I think about reading a book instead during that time or even doing a Bible Study. I think about the early days of dating and courting and how much time was spent in the Word, and now, it happens individually, but not very often as a couple.

In my TableTalk, the write-up begins with this idea of seeking contentment or balance in our lives.

The Preacher here in verse 4 brings up an interesting point to begin by stating, "every labor and every skill which is done is rivalry between a man and his neighbor." To me, he may be using this to set up a point because I am not sure this is the focus of man, but rather there is the potential of man to think that his work is basically the result of envy and we work because we want something better than our neighbor. I think I work hard to work for the Lord and provide for my family. Sure, there are times when I think my providing isn't enough and that "isn't enough" thought often is there because I look out on the landscape at other people and what they have been able to provide for their families and immediately, I think what I am doing is not good enough (and yet more is not always what I think is needed, but rather the right balance).

After this statement he remarks that this is vanity and striving after wind. This makes sense, if our desire is simply to do better than our neighbor then this is a losing battle. We will never be satisfied and even if we think we are accomplishing it, what does it matter, but temporal enjoyment.

So, that is the laborer, but then the Preacher mentions the fool or the lazy man. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. The fool does nothing but sit idly. This is the person that equally disturbs me. This is the person that seems content to live off the government or their parents or both. If given the opportunity this person is going to do whatever it takes to basically do thinks that feed his flesh. The flesh likes to be entertained and fed -- once again spent time doing things that are fleeting and will pass away. In the end, the laborer and the fool or lazy person have the same outcome in their lives. They both are living an empty life of seeking after things that don't really matter. The hard worker amasses toys, the lazy person amasses nothing, but both are seeking things that will result in little. 

Verse 6 provides the conclusion. What is it that we should desire in life? One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. It is better to possess what you can handle or what your one hand can hold versus living life wanting to fill up both hands or even folding his hands (verse 5). Rest is important in our lives and rest is often about trust. I should work hard six days and then the 7th rest and feel fine that I am resting because I do not have to be busy all the time.  

Promise: Pursue contentment, accepting what God has provided.

Jesus Calling: June 11

     Trust Me and don't be afraid, for I am your Strength and Song. Do not let fear dissipate your energy. Instead, invest your energy in trusting Me and singing My Song. The battle for control of your mind is fierce, and years of worry have made you vulnerable to the enemy. Therefore, you need to be vigilant in guarding your thoughts. Do not despise this weakness in yourself, since I am using it to draw you closer to Me. Your constant need for Me creates an intimacy that is well worth all the effort. You are not alone in this struggle for your mind. My Spirit living within you is ever ready to help in this striving. Ask Him to control your mind; He will bless you with Life and Peace.

Isaiah 12:2
English Standard Version

“Behold, God is my salvation;
    I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
    and he has become my salvation.”

Romans 8:6
English Standard Version

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Verse Thoughts
There is a contrast here - a mind set on the flesh vs a mind set on the Spirit; flesh and Spirit. Flesh is death; Spirit is life and peace. Where is my mind set? We "need to be vigilant in guarding our thoughts." There are a lot of good things in this world I can set my mind on, but what I am asked to do is set my mind not simply on good things, but on the Spirit. 

My Prayer
Lord, teach me to trust you and not my circumstances. I don't want to march through life because of what I am feeling, but I want to hang on your promises. I have everything that I need in Christ. Keep my eyes focused on those truths. Help my thoughts to glorify you. Control my mind.  

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 13:12-14 - Living in the Light of the Day

Romans 13:12-14 - ¹² The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Message: Put on the Lord Jesus Christ

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

What the Lord is Saying:

Overview
As a person in Christ, I am to "put on" the Lord Jesus Christ each day. I have a responsibility in how I live and breath and act in the world in which I live. I was reading from an article in TableTalk about living an Ordinary Life in such a manner that glorifies an extraordinary Man. It referenced I Thessalonians 4 and (1) controlling my sexual desires and living a pure life, (2) loving one another, especially those in the church, and (3) work hard and be content not being noticed. So, as I read these verses now in Romans that are a culmination of this section on my responsibility toward my neighbor, it helps me to focus on walking properly, put on the armor of light, cast off the works of darkness, make no provision for the flesh, do not gratify the flesh's desires, but instead put on the Lord Jesus Christ in my life. 

I have really enjoyed thinking about discipline and training myself and it is often a quest to live within the means of the person God has made me, and learn to control myself, so that I will walk in Christ. 

My central reason for living like this is not so that I would like pious or God would shine a light on Me, but I live this way to glorify God with my life for He has saved me, and there is no other way to live, but a life of gratitude. 

If people see good in me, then it is because of Jesus in Me and I want to give glory to God for this. 

Breaking it down

The night is far gone (v.12)
The night or darkness is cut off or has come to a close. I must remember that God declares me completely righteous ("The righteous man shall live by faith (1:17)"; "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe (3:22)") and so in Christ the night or the opposite of light has been cut off and I am far gone from it. 

The day is at hand (v.12)
The glory of living in heaven is near. On one hand, living in darkness is gone from my life, and living with God in heaven is near or at hand. In between, I am being sanctified or growing in holiness and conformity to Christ. 

Preparation (v.12)
What does a person do that is preparing to go to the White House? They should put on their good clothes and clean themselves up. I think of all the details that occur when someone like the president comes to town for a visit. People roll out the red carpet, sometimes not literally, but often in ways such as making the surroundings look nice, making themselves look nice, and making sure every detail is ready. As a Christian, I am preparing to go to heaven, and even now, I should be in constant preparation. I should be living in anticipation of that day. I will want to put aside the works of darkness and instead present myself in the Light.  I am to put on the armor of light. This armor includes truth, righteousness, faith, hope, love, humility. 

Walk in the daytime (v. 13)
In the daytime, all of my actions are clearly seen. It is at dark that foul and wicked deeds are done. I am to live as if all my conduct were seen and there was nothing to conceal. My life should be lived the same way in private that is in lived in public. In public, my life is on its best behavior. But, my private life should be lived in the same manner. 

Not living in lewd behavior, strife, or envy (v.13)
There should not be any disorder or sensuality, rioting and drunkenness, lewd, immodest behavior. These are common to the heathen. There is a deception that is present in these sins. Often, there is the thought or idea that this type of behavior or living is better than simple monogamy. But, really this just is another type of drug or greed that takes place in life. Often times, what I notice in life, is that trusting God is difficult because we have things presented to us that seemingly have clear outcomes and they are things that the heathens shout from the rooftops that there is nothing better than these enjoyments. But, God asks us to trust Him. He created us and he created sensuality and so he most definitely understands how it should best be a part of our lives. And I need to remember this. My happiness in marriage means I am submitting to the Lord and accepting His hand of providence. 

The vices that are listed here are not independent of one another, but are often performed in concert with the others. Our envy results in us feeling like we must have what other people have. 

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ (v.14)
Put on takes on the meaning of putting on a jacket or apparel. Jesus was different from anything in the previous verse. He was temperate, chaste, pure, peacable, and meek. He is to be my example, my guide, my pattern and guide. 

No provision (v.14)
On the contrary, make no quest for anything that is contrary to the Lord, or is natural man's desire.

Promise: Jesus is My everything

 

Romans 9:6-9 - Children of the Promise

Romans 9:6-9 - 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be named.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”


Message: Children of the Promise; Paul continues to share Christ with his people

Time: Romulus founded ancient Rome about 753 BC. By 600 BC it had become a wealthy, flourishing city with a monarch. Around 500 BC, the monarch was overthrown. A republic resulted and after war, Rome became the only great power in the Mediterranean, succeeding the empire of Alexander the Great. Before and after the birth of Christ, Rome's dominion continued to expand to about two thirds the size of the continental US. At the time Paul wrote, Rome had a population of about 1,000,000. Most were slaves. It was a vast empire, but had many religions present. It is unknown how the church started in Rome, but Gentiles and Jews both were involved. Paul was writing to address a problem, but he wanted to be there and perhaps, make Rome his base for his missionary journey's

What the Lord is Saying:

Outline
Here is another outline I found on biblepilot.com.

1. 9:1-5 Anguish for Israel
1. 9:1-3 Paul’s deep love and grief (Exodus 32:32)
2. 9:4-5 Israel’s extraordinary heritage
2. 9:6-29 God’s sovereign election and mercy
1. 9:6-8 Children of the promise
2. 9:9-13 Election illustrated by Israel and Edom
3. 9:14-18 God’s purpose and mercy illustrated
1. 9:14-16 Mercy on Moses (Exodus 33:19)
2. 9:17-18 Hardened Pharaoh (Exodus 9:34 – 10:1)
4. 9:19-24 The sovereign potter’s preparation
5. 9:25-26 Inclusion of gentiles declared by Hosea
6. 9:27-29 Exclusion of Israel declared by Isaiah
3. 9:30-33 Pursuit of righteousness
1. 9:30-31 Success by faith. Failure by works.
2. 9:32-33 The stumbling stone

In my open Bible, 9:1 - 11:36 is called the vindication of the righteousness of God and it states -- It appears that God has rejected His people, Israel, but it is really Israel who has rejected her Messiah. God's rejection of Israel is only partial (there is a spiritual remnant that has trusted in Christ) and temporary (they will be grafted back, 11:23-27). Paul appropriately quotes from the Old Testament in this section, and he emphasizes that God will be faithful to His covenant promises and restore Israel. 

Thus far, in the first 5 verses, Paul has declared his great love for the people of Israel, his fellow kinsmen, the Jews. As I have seen, Paul is speaking to the church in Rome. He is speaking to gentiles there, but it seems this book is predominantly written to the Jewish Christians there. And though the Jewish Christian is new in Christ, thoughts and questions remain in their life. Throughout Romans, Paul poses and answers these questions that are probably coming from them. He desires to encourage them and help them to understand the questions that they are undoubtedly having. His love for them is great. And his sorrow for them is great as well. He desires them to live fulfilled lives in Christ. He desires them to embrace all of the gospel in their lives. He would rather separate himself from the love of Christ than to see his friends not embrace Christ.

What stands out to me is not just Paul's incredible compassion on people but his deep concern over those that don't express a belief in God. I'm continually amazed in my own life as to how I spend time with people, have conversations about various things in life, work, family, raising children, sports, and yet not bring up, that which I believe to be most important, and that is a new life in Christ.

This is why the message here in Romans is so important because Paul recognizes that the people he is writing to have friendships with those that are unconverted. And he wants to encourage them in their own understanding so that they can then share that with others.

And yet this is a message not just to Jews, but also to Gentiles. The truths are the same. People may be impacted by them differently, but they benefit everyone.

Re-teaching
Much of the message from Paul in Romans is to try to re-teach the Jewish Christian. They have been trained over the years in certain ideas regarding the Law, it's keeping, circumcision, understanding of sin, the Spirit of God, righteousness, and Paul shows them how they have been misinformed. I've always been struck by the principle of training. I often think of I Timothy 4:7-8 that says, "Discipline or train yourself for godliness." It just always reminds me of the importance of training in our lives and the need to train ourselves to be Godly. The reality is people's beliefs and convictions in life are deep. Everyone has been trained throughout life. The convictions that people hold are there because of years of training. We are constantly being trained in life. Habits are constantly being formed. Our perceptions of things are being defined. And we are becoming deeply engrossed in these ideas.

I see this in the life of my own family members. I watch my children daily get trained. And as their parent, it makes me nervous often to see a path they are going down. Yet, I'm confident in God and He can bring them down His path, as He did with me. But, still it is hard. I've had this conviction since mid-August to have a daily family devotional time in the evening. It started out occurring 4 or 5 times a week, then 3 times, then 2 times, then once and now, in the last week, not at all. It's such a struggle to develop a new habit because no one is accustomed to this in their lives and they already have their lives filled up with other stuff. Every time I initiate it, I feel like I'm disturbing them. Often, when we sit down and talk, the time is great. But, getting to that point is so difficult. Lately, I find myself even talking myself out of bringing it up. So, see, even in something so elementary to faith in this house, there is training that has occurred and it is hard to re-train.

Election
Paul wants so badly for people to understand. This new section, verses 6-29, I believe will begin to bring home the idea of election. Election is a difficult principle in Scripture. It clearly is taught, but it is still hard to unpack. Election is the act of God whereby in eternity past God chose those who will be saved. The definition is clear, but the accomplishment of this and the process of the accomplishment is hard to comprehend.

Back around 2000 or 2001 when we were attending First Baptist Church in Tijeras we saw this truth come full center. It was clear that this was a doctrine that had never really been discussed head on in that church. Our pastor at the time, Mark Waite, felt moved to discuss it, and as he did, their were many in the church that had a really hard time with it. Mark's delivery on all matters was one of authority and conviction and unashamedly convinced of the truths of scripture. Again, I don't think the doctrine was in question, but what that doctrine meant in regards to all of the other church disciplines that we knew to be important. For suddenly, the delivery of the gospel in the pulpit, the work of evangelists, the prayer of the saints, and eventually, the fellowship of those in Christ, really began to be threatened and questioned. It was a big subject and I'm not sure it was unpacked very well. I never believed that Mark was trying to change how we approached those different disciplines but in his dogmatic preaching of these concepts it clearly created a division. And when different ideas are presented, many times people really struggle to give those new ideas the time of day because once they hear a difference they stop listening. It eventually culminated in a church split with two clear sides. It was tragic. My wife and I struggled during this time and yet we believe God had called us to the church and this specific body of believers, so no matter what we thought of the situation, we did not sense God moving us. He moved others obviously and our rapidly growing church suddenly was not just cut in half but probably one-thirds left. There was intense pain that resulted from this. It was a little tragic to see the result of this. In some ways, I'm not sure if that church has ever really recovered.

While I have no problem accepting the doctrine of election, I continue to believe all the other disciplines in the Bible remain. I still pray. I still share the Good news with others. I still speak to others about truth. I guess what I think is election is real but my perspective is not God's. The fact that God chose His people doesn't change my service. 

Word of God has not failed
Paul states in verse 6, "But it is not as though the word of God has failed." See, I think he says this because so many Jews were not Christians. This is true today. So, really, how is it that God chooses a people and then those people don't respond? That's the argument or the question, perhaps, in the background, that is being stated. God set the Jews out to be the carriers of salvation. Yet, this didn't happen. Jewish Christians should have occurred, it would seem, but instead the Gentiles embraced the message and Jews tend to be playing catch up or continue to resist the message. So, how could this be right is the pervading question.

Defining Descendants
Paul points out that God's word has not failed because what we think of the only descendants of Israel are not in fact the only descendants of Israel. Again, as is Paul's continued custom in this book, in his writing, it is to expose the teachings that he know has been passed down over the generations, over the centuries, and retrain God's children. But, these words, had to have created problems in people's thinking. To put forth that the Jews are not the only descendants of Israel must have created some questions. Paul kind of already mentioned something like this back in chapter 2.

In chapter 2, verses 25-29 Paul addresses circumcision and what it really means. It is an outward sign of an inward decision and what Paul mentions is important here is the inward decision, and not necessarily the outward sign. In verse 26, he states, "So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?" That's really a bold statement.

However, Paul is not saying here that all believers in Christ are descendants of Israel. I don't think that is what he is referring to, but I'm sure this is an interpretation people could have from this text. Instead, I think what he is saying is being physically born a Jew does not mean you are spiritually God's chosen.

He continues this thought in verse 7 in saying, "nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants." Galatians 3:29 states, "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise." Paul is focusing here not on physical descendants, but instead spiritual descendants. I remember Chapter 2, verse 13, when Paul communicated that the Jew does not somehow receive a free pass and will escape God's judgment just because they are born a Jew. He says in 2:13, "for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified." I don't think that most people who walk around in life really think they are saved by their good deeds, but I do think they believe that because of their affiliation with a church, a denomination, or what they have been born into, that they do think this gives them a free pass into the kingdom of God.

And yet, Paul is really taking the Jews here down a different sort of course. In the next phrase he states, "through Isaac your descendants will be named." This is a quote of Genesis 21:12, - But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. Here he is setting up that not all descendants of Abraham are part of the chosen line. Ishmael, born from Hagar and Abraham, is not part of the line. And not even all the descendants of Isaac.

Children of the Promise
In verse 8, Paul reiterates that, for each person, the focus is not on your affiliation, how you were born, the flesh that makes you a true descendant. I can see how this could be confusing. Paul mentioned in Romans 5:13-17 that being a descendant of Adam exposed all people to sin (and death) when Adam sinned. One sin resulted in sin to all. All men are condemned. But, not all are descendants here.

This idea of the promise is interwoven throughout scripture. I'm not sure I ever realized how much this word is used. The 1828 Webster definition of promise is, "In a general sense, a declaration, written or verbal made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience or law, to do or forbear a certain act specified."

In scripture, promise refers to blessing. It is simply listening to God and what He says and then having the confidence that He will do it. And it will be carried out. The onus is not on the faithfulness of man, though, but all of the onus is on God. Once the promise is made, we can have the assurance that it will be carried out.

Verse 9 states the promise, "“At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” The promise has been given. Now, will people listen? Sarah didn't listen and got Abraham to be intimate with Hagar in order to have a child. This is a quote of Genesis 18:10 that states,  He said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. 

This is really, right here, the crux of our faith. Will I believe God? There are volumes of sermons that have been preached, books that have been written, and it all comes down to one easy question, "Will I believe God?"

Promise: Salvation comes to us only through faith, and it is only for those who believe in Christ.

Romans 9:1-3 - Paul's Love for his Kinsmen

Romans 9:1-3 1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

Message: Paul's Love for the Jews, his kinsmen

Time: Romulus founded ancient Rome about 753 BC. By 600 BC it had become a wealthy, flourishing city with a monarch. Around 500 BC, the monarch was overthrown. A republic resulted and after war, Rome became the only great power in the Mediterranean, succeeding the empire of Alexander the Great. Before and after the birth of Christ, Rome's dominion continued to expand to about two thirds the size of the continental US. At the time Paul wrote, Rome had a population of about 1,000,000. Most were slaves. It was a vast empire, but had many religions present. It is unknown how the church started in Rome, but Gentiles and Jews both were involved. Paul was writing to address a problem, but he wanted to be there and perhaps, make Rome his base for his missionary journey's

What the Lord is Saying:

Chapter 9, ball most definitely turns a corner and begins to express to the Jews, who he is primarily writing, God's righteousness. He wants to be clear and be honest. He even starts with a threefold expression of honesty in verse 1: I am telling the truth; I am not lying; my conscience testifies.  It is interesting that he ended chapter 8 with the relational part of sanctification, the encouragement that throughout all of life's struggles the love of God, because of our union in Christ, God is always there. He has given promises to these Christians that God will always be there and now in these verses he expresses the great sorrow and compassion that he has for them and what they are undoubtedly experiencing.

He has sorrow for the nation of Israel, God's chosen people. He understands them better than others, but he also sees that they are not embracing God as their Savior and Lord. 

In verse three he states a heartfelt burden for these people by expressing that he could wish that he was not in Christ...and they were instead. This is his great love for them. I remember chapter 1 when Paul stated that he was under obligation both to the wise and the foolish.

If there is one thing that Paul has is a burden or great desire to not only preach the gospel, but to see lives changed. Chapter 1 expresses this and starts the message that this is his number one goal in writing. He wants to see lives changed. And his love for people is so great, he'd rather see his life separated from God that to see them not know God.

Promise: July 7, 2014 Tabletalk, "Paul's love for the Jews models the love of Christ for us, in that He was willing to be rejected Himself so that His people could be saved. "

Romans 8:12-13 - Debtors to the Spirit

Romans 8:12-13 - 12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Message:Debtors to the Spirit

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Review and reaffirm
Verse 12 starts off with "so then" which prompts us to review. Reviewing is always good. I go back to chapter 7, verse 14 that says, "The law is spiritual, but I am of flesh." This was an important verse for Paul wanted to make it clear that the Law is a good thing for us. The Law had a good purpose, but it also exposed us and further defined the sin in our life. I think one could say that the Law's original intent was to set a standard that man would obey. Problem, no one can obey it completely. Why? Because of what is stated in chapter 5, verse 18, "through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men." Adam sinning meant we all sin. Sin entered the picture and death. But, thanks be to God, I have been set free from my body of sin/death (7:25). The Law condemned me, but Christ imputed righteousness to me so now I can reap the benefit of 8:1 that "there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus."

I'm not sure there is any greater joy in life than the realization that I am counted as worthy for not being worthy. The world trains us continually that in order to receive something good we must work hard (school grades, job pay, peer acceptance), but I am made clean not by doing, but simply by agreeing with God that I am a sinner and I need a redeemer.

I think of the Israelite's who stood at the edge of the red sea, still doubting and still in unbelief and yet God paved a way for them to safety by parting the the waters.

Again, look at what Paul does leading up to this verse.

Verse 2 - Life in Jesus has set me free
Verse 3 - Because Jesus sentenced sin to death while he was in the likeness of flesh
Verse 4 - Meeting the requirement of the Law
Verse 5 - So now the Spirit is in us, so now we live according to the Spirit
Verse 6 - I set my mind then on the Spirit for that is life and peace
Verse 7 - Reminder: The flesh is hostile to God
Verse 8 - Reminder: The flesh cannot please God
Verse 9 - I am changed, I have the Spirit of Christ in me
Verse 10 - The spirit is alive because of righteousness being imputed to me
Verse 11 - My life now has new life in me

And so Paul does what Paul does best is drill his point further. I am still amazed at people that can read these passages and not comprehend the truth or even be distorted down a different path. Paul goes over and over and over the same idea, finding new ways to reinforce it. Backwards and forwards.

I am under obligation to live by the Spirit
The sinner, not in Christ, walking in the way of the Law, is under obligation then to his flesh. When talking to people about their faith, I am often surprised when they say that they are living just to do the best they can, but in actuality, this is the paradigm in which they live and I should not be surprised. They are under obligation to their flesh. But, for the Christian in Christ a change has taken place. We are no longer under this obligation to the flesh. Yes, we have sinful tendencies as discussed in chapter 7, but our obligation is not the flesh. But, rather our obligation is the Spirit.

Is living by the flesh possible? Certainly, but I am a new creature in Christ, and so my bent or slant is to live by the Spirit.
 
Not the flesh
The way Paul introduces spirit living is not stressing what it should look like, but stressing emphatically what it should not look like. I am not under obligation to the flesh. I am not to live according to the flesh. If I do, I will die. That was the result of Adam sinning--death. I am no longer in Adam. I am to flee from things that harm me. I am to stay far from them. The tendency I have continually, as I live in the world, is to stay in the world and live the ways of the world. Paul says, "Don't do it."

Putting to death the deeds of the body
This is interesting. "Putting to death" expresses a process. As we engage in life and walk through life, we are putting to death the deeds of the body. Could it be that this is a process?

Twice today I sent emails to people, without first consulting a person involved in the email. I didn't give that person an opportunity to give their opinion. I didn't even think about it until both individuals wrote me separate messages and said, "I would appreciate you talking to me first to give me an opportunity to give a comment." I was not willful in not addressing them, but I just didn't consider it. My bent or slant was on my way of doing things, based upon believing my way was the best way and I didn't need anyone's opinion. But, I learned from it. And my focus is to be considerate of others and so I will change. My flesh is weak. But, I desire to live by the Spirit.

I don't know the evil always in my life. Sometimes it has to be pointed out to me. I think I'm fine, but then realize I am not. My hope is that I can continue to put to death the deeds of the body. I hope I can recognize my sin and continue to put it to death.

This also means I need to be careful about the expectations I place on other Christians to immediately have the same convictions that I have. We all have different past lives and old lives and different struggles. I must be dependent on God and realize He is changing people, but sometimes people are not quick to change. I can be involved in pointing things out, but I must remember, people may not accept my criticism very well, but that doesn't mean I should be silent. I must care enough to confront. But, I can't control outcomes.

Promise: From June 10 Tabletalk, "Justification secures our glorification, but sanctification is the road we travel between the two. We work with the Holy Spirit to grow in personal holiness."