Proverbs 10:12 - Loving through Unmet Expectations

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up strife,

But love covers all transgressions.

The Message: Loving through unmet expectations

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: Hatred and Love. They stand on opposite lines, opposite spectrums. The language here is always interesting. The choice of words. Hatred stirs up. When I think of stirs I think of chocolate milk. It is simply where my mind goes. Starting with the pure white milk and then adding chocolate powder or syrup and suddenly the white milk is no longer white and pure, but instead it is impacted completely by the dark color of chocolate. It stirs and discolors that which is pure. 

But it moves beyond this to "stirs up." I find this definition, "Stirs up" generally means to cause a strong emotion or reaction, or to disturb something, often intentionally. Stirring up starts with a substance that isn't in conflict and it stirs up conflict. This represents me so often. I am doing fine, but something comes along to stir me up and suddenly produce something very different in me that is agitated, angry, upset, in conflict. 

This verse starts with Hatred as the active agent. Hatred comes along and stirs up strife. Strife is discord or disagreement. 

Interesting. Hatred and strife are both unfavorable dispositions. I do not want to hate and I do not want to have strife in situations and yet, in this verse both work off one another. It is like in the nature of discord or disagreement hatred is the result of strife. 

NIV - Hatred stirs up Conflict

NLT - Hatred stirs up quarrels

Good news - Hatred stirs up trouble

Literal - Hatred awakens contentions

It is as if, hatred is one thing, standing alone, communicating a contempt for something, a dislike, but then everything stirs up strife. Ellicott says, "Hatred rakes up again old feuds which have slumbered." Joseph Benson says, "they imagine faults where there are none, and aggravate every small offence." 

This interesting. It is as if there is a past feeling that is dormant and in this instance it is stirred up and awakened. It was laying asleep, but now it is up again. 

Yowza. I see this all to often. I suppose I am such an emotional creature, with expectations. Especially in relationships. I have this high expectation in other people and how I think they should be acting. I project on them they way I think they should be and in the process, when they don't meet that expectation, I grow sour and disappointed. However, I don't hate them. I just loathe their decisions. Why can't they choose an alternate way. Often times, or lately it seems it comes down to work. There is something they are expected to do. Almost like a common sense that is present and instead they choose a different way. I brandish them as not meeting that expectation and strife stirs up. I have a problem. And I can't seem to get myself away from it. It just lies there and everyday it stirs up again. I hate the action, but yes, it moves beyond a hatred to then producing strife in me where now my interactions with that person is filled with strife or disagreement. I try to recognize the positive, but keep struggling with that.

The contrasting element of this verse is somewhat simple - love covers all transgressions. I don't know why in me, but I seem to focus more on the negative side of things rather than this - lover covers all sins. Love covers all troubles, vices, offenses. Love comes in the door. Ellicott says, "Love covers up and refuses to look at any wrong done to it." Joseph Benson states, "willingly forgives and forgets the injuries and offences of others, and so prevents contention and mischief." Love does the opposite of stirs up conflict, it prevents the conflict. I suppose currently I don't want to let the offense off. But I need to do that. I need to forgive. But it is hard when I feel so justified. It is almost like love becomes more real when it can look past offenses and does not raise up contention. This is when love is really real. I can love others that have different beliefs. I can love my kids when they often don't go the right way, follow God in the way they should. I need to do more of this - love when my approval hasn't been met. 

I admit Lord I struggle. 

Prayer: It has been 2 months since I did one of these Proverbs Father. My goal, as you know, was to do one a day, but that does not happen. I guess one is better than none. Father, this one is a tough one for me. I see the promise, the contrast, and yet, I admit a big struggle in feelings of justification in allowing strife to remain present rather than simply allowing love to cover it. I try to forgive but struggle in the forgetting. And then it rears its ugly head again. Help me with this Lord. That I may love no matter what. At times at work, I need to call attention to problems, but help me to not let it upset the relationships I have. Help me to pick myself up and remain positive and happy and have joy. Not only when everyone is on the same footing as me, but when there are differences. I need to accept and love and keep having joy. Give me Your strength God because I don't have it. 

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

Isaiah 53 - Penal Substitution

Isaiah 53:5-6

But He was pierced through for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being upon Him; and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. 

Message: Penal Substitution

Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739-681 BC under the reign of 4 Judean kings -- Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, dying under the 5th king, Manasseh. Most likely he hailed from Jerusalem. He spoke of judgment - hoping God's chosen people would return to Him. 

What the Lord is Saying:

As I studied previously, Jesus as our Priest made it possible for human beings to approach God. Through His sacrifice on the cross Jesus covered our sin. Let's better understand the crucifixion. 

Jesus' death is described as the ransom or delivering man from the punishment for sin and to defeat Satan (our rulers/authorities). In penal substitution, the penalty is paid by a substitute. In our case, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) as the act of sin results in death. This is described first in the garden (Genesis 2:16-17) -- The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” 

In Leviticus 4, God speaks to Moses outlining sin offerings to occur when a person sins in any of things that which the Lord has commanded not to be done. An animal (bull, goat, or lamb) will be slain in the presence of the priest with the hand on the animal, placing blood on the altar and pouring out the rest; all fat is removed and it is burned as a soothing aroma to the Lord and thus the priest makes atonement of the person and sins are forgiven. This depicts the transfer of sin and guilt from the sinner to the substitute. The sinner lives because the animal died in the sinner's place, bearing the punishment the sinner deserved. This was effective, but it was an act that must be repeated and did not represent true atonement, once and for all. Hebrews 10:4 says, "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" and therefore they were shadows of the true atonement as is recorded in Isaiah 53, "by His scourging we are healed" as "the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." 

This is the gospel. Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe. 

Promise: All people have guilt for their sin or transgression, though many suppress it, justify it, or compare themselves to others, but against the Law of God we are condemned. If you have trusted in Christ alone for salvation, He has paid for your sin and your guilt is no more. 

Prayer: Thank you God for providing us, right after sin was committed by Adam and Eve, that you would bring forth a substitute for my sin in order to bring me back into the book of Life. Lord, draw people to this truth all around me. Help me to voice this to those in need. 

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 May 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.

- The Divine Nature of Christ, The Human Nature of Christ, Jesus the Last Adam, Jesus the True Israel, Jesus the Messiah, Obedience in Childhood, Obedience in Baptism, Obedience in Temptation, Obedience under the Law, Obedience in Suffering, Christ Our Prophet, Christ the Priest, Christ Our King, Penal Substitution

Mark 15:27-32 - Crucified and Reviled

Mark 15:27-32
27 They *crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. 28 [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”] 29 Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. 32 Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.
Message: Crucified and Reviled

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 has arrived at the cross. He was too weak to carry the crossbeam after being beaten, scourged, spit on, mocked, so Simon the Cyrene was grabbed as he passed by and he carried the beam until it was joined with the upright post. Jesus' garments were divided among the soldiers.

They *crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. Jesus is not alone but has two robbers on either side of Him being crucified. By placing robbers on his right and left his reproach is equalized or ever worse than these two thieves. These men could have been part of the brigade of Barabbas. Yet, Jesus had not even sinned and still the rejection and mockery that he received was focused squarely on him. Mark does not even mention that they walked with Jesus to the cross bearing a crossbeam. Obviously the death on the cross is great, but for Jesus it went beyond physical pain to an attempt to hurt him emotionally and psychologically. [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”] Isaiah 53:12 states, "Because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors." The brackets around this verse are there because this verse is omitted from most manuscripts. But, it does show the fulfillment of prophecy.

Mark now talks of the emotional suffering that Christ endured by first, those passing by. This could have been a road or walkway or perhaps people made a specific trip to the crucifixion. Yet, there, seeing Jesus suffering isn't enough for them as they were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” Again, it is interesting to me what Mark calls attention to here. Peter was there, witnessing this and making note of how people responded. For Peter he seems to be focusing on other people a lot in this gospel. And the remark from the people is again a misunderstanding of what Jesus had said. The temple he had mentioned was himself not the physical structure. In fact these words will be fulfilled. Their words are as Gil mentions, "thou poor vain miserable creature, that boasted of thy power, where art thou now? and what dost thou think of thyself?"

The second group that Peter mentions is the expected chief priests and scribes: In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Their condemnation of Him seems more expected. Yet, unlike the passerby's the mocking is among themselves. But was not this their practice, to speak among themselves and instead motivate others be the ones assaulting him. Yes, they questioned Jesus, but this was more of a slanderous act they were doing.

And finally the 3rd group mentioned are those on the left and right of Jesus: the robbers who were also being crucified. This contempt is odd by all. Nothing more can be done to Jesus and yet there is an attempt to do more, by everyone around him continuing to mock him. The robbers were almost declaring that they were unlike him, but even worse. Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him. 

Summary - Mark will now take a moment to not talk about how Jesus is suffering physically on the cross, but how the passerby's or the people watching Jesus be crucified don't just watch, but continue to mock him and insult him.

Promise: R.C. Sproul writes, "Jesus was not about saving Himself. He was about saving His people, which required that He stay on the cross until the bitter end."

Prayer: Lord, you experienced pain that I will never know. I seek to escape pain. Thank you Lord. That's really the best I can do is thank you and try to pledge my life in service to You. You didn't deserve it and yet it fulfilled prophecy. None of this was needed and yet you endured whatever it took to save me, to save all of us.

Mark 11:25 - A Condition for Forgiveness

Mark 11:25
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.

Message: A Condition for Forgiveness

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 and the disciples have come into Jerusalem in the morning, and it appears this is the 3rd day since they embarked on their entry into Jerusalem from Bethany and the Mount of Olives, as Jesus comes to die. Previously, he went to a fig tree seeking fruit from it because of seeing leaves, but found no fruit. It had the appearance of fruit and with that appearance is the expectation that the tree is following through on being a fruitful tree. Instead Jesus cursed it. A similar thing happened when he came upon the temple. There he saw the priests and scribes hustling people by turning the temple into a business or sort of market to sell things to people. The outcry by Jesus was inferring that they had missed their calling to reach all people, that includes the Gentiles. The priests and scribes didn't like this - they feared Jesus. Jesus left. The disciples and Jesus the next day come into Jerusalem again and see the fig tree and after Peter states that it is indeed withered, Jesus tells him and the disciples that they must have faith in God for God to act, for God to move mountains, for God to answer prayers.

After this, Jesus will now make another remark about praying and specifically the idea of forgiveness. Up to this point, in Mark's gospel the idea of forgiveness has been mentioned few times.

• Mark 3:28-30 - Jesus spoke of all sins being forgiven except for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 
• Mark 2:1-12 - A key passage about forgiveness. Jesus has come upon a paralytic and in front of the Jewish counsel he first forgives the man's sin and then heals him of his paralysis. Jesus provides forgiveness to this man, the thing he needs the most, more than healing of his paralysis. Forgiveness occurred in response to the people who brought him and lowered him down to Jesus from the roof. Faith first, then forgiveness. 

Jesus remarks - Whenever you stand praying, forgive. Standing is simply their normal posture when praying. Jesus says, when you pray - forgive. Not when you pray, seek forgiveness. Jesus continually put forth a 'serving other people' idea. I'm not sure I completely recognize the significance of this message from Jesus and that -- it is the way I conduct myself with other people. Jesus came to save the lost - he came to redeem people - he came to serve them. I am asked to do the same - serve others. God saves, I serve. Yet, much of life is spent not on service, but acquisition. Even in my bible study, my desire is often to better my own understanding. Jesus has just spoken of prayer and getting answers to prayer, moving mountains, and getting what we want. And now Jesus more specifically says that with that praying is forgiveness - forgiving others.

If Jesus says we must forgive, then it must be clear that people are doing things toward us that we do not like - that hurt us - sin against us. And our response to them is forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a concept I understand, but the way I conduct myself is often not showing forgiveness. I get angry when people don't meet my expectations. If anything, I belittle them or ridicule them, sometimes behind their backs. I poke fun at them. Work is often a source of these types of situations. We all have jobs to do, tasks to accomplish and when they are not accomplished in the right way, I am often critical of this. But, do I take a moment and say in prayer "I forgive." I don't hold a grudge. Jesus commands - forgive, if you have anything against anyone. Anything.

I think of a friend in his marriage and the anger that he and his wife often display toward one another, for not getting what they want, for the other person not meeting their expectation and here Jesus says, forgive, if you have anything against anyone. I don't think we get this concept, this idea. In a way, it is so simple - it is too simple. But it is so powerful. In some ways it is a daily habit. I just see so often I first complain, then justify, then seek from other people agreement to my complaint and in unison we agree it was wrong and with that agreement I walk off satisfied. Ha! It's horrible. All that I have done is help other people sin as well. It's horrible. But, forgive, if you have anything against anyone. 

And Jesus says - so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. Forgiveness is something we do to be forgiven. Jesus says, "Have faith in God, then forgive others." So there Jesus is saying - you want to be forgiven? You want something for yourself? Then first do something for someone else. For me to really understand what it forgiveness means, I need to forgive others. Don't hold a grudge. Don't gang up on another person. Don't walk around with a critical attitude toward that person. Don't try to get other people on board with my way of thinking toward that person. No, instead I need to forgive first.

Summary - Jesus, after telling his disciples that faith is the key to our prayers being answered, tells them also that they need to forgive others. Receiving forgiveness from God happens when we forgive others for then we really understand what forgiveness means.

Promise: God is most concerned with my heart, and my forgiving hearts indicates to Him that I have seen my sin and I am truly casting myself on the Lord's mercy.

Prayer: Lord, change me. Make me new. Make me different than I am. Right now Lord I run to others when someone has hurt me or sinned against me. I complain. I try to get others to agree with me. And once I get that agreement I feel satisfied. Lord, I need to listen to what you are saying to me and forgive. Forgive first. I want to have faith in you and forgive others. Change my ways Lord.

Psalm 51:1-9 - David's Plea for Forgiveness

Psalm 51:1-9
¹ Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
³ For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
⁴ Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.

⁵ Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
⁶ Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
⁷ Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
⁹ Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.

Message: David's Plea for Forgiveness

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've heard that this Psalm is a great prayer for a sinner, pleading for God for His forgiveness. These words here so clearly convey our need for the Lord's love and forgiveness.

Blot out my transgression...wash me thoroughly from my iniquity...cleanse me from my sin...you know...i know...i have sinned, against you God...against you I have done evil. You have every right to judge me for you are blameless. In sin, I came into the world, but what you desire me if truth and wisdom. Purify me then. Make me clean. Wash me so I will be whiter than snow. As a clean vessel, i then will hear joy and gladness from you and I will rejoice. Hide your face from my sins that continue to be committed and see my sins no more. 

It is clear throughout scripture that God's message to people is "Believe." But that belief is predicated on one idea and that is that I am a sinner or I have sinned. It is true, that over time, and even as we age, most of us rid much sin in our lives, but the reality is we are still sinners, whether the quantity is 1 sin or 100. God has always said in scripture that their must be atoning sacrifice for sin. Sin separates us from God and to restore that relationship their must be atonement. Throughout history, he has provided that atonement. For many years it was blood sacrifice in the form of an animal on an altar, a temporary fix, but at all times, people looked forward to a permanent fix- Messiah.

This is what we are asked to believe. Believe God and believe that he has our best interest in mind and that he has provided us with the answer. And at its core there is the recognition that I have sinned and my transgression needs to be removed by a Savior. This is the message then of these verses from Psalm 51. It is the recognition that I have sinned and God is the one that cleans me. Thus, I believe.

But, within acknowledgement of sin and believing that God provides the atonement for my sin, is also then the desire to not sin. But, this desire, I believe, comes about after believing and putting the trust in God's provision, for God then gives us a new heart, with the ability to see our sin for what it is, know that it displeases God and then the desire to go and sin no more. This is an about face that now occurs in the life a believer. It doesn't mean that I will always no longer hate sin for their will be moments that I don't trust God's provision and seek out my own solutions, which often result in sin; but it means that my overarching focus is to live for Christ and deny self, walking by faith, not by sight.

Promise: Christians are new creations in Christ.

Proverbs 17:9-10 - Discerning Rebuke

Proverbs 17:9-10
He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.  A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

Message: Being wise with our words

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:

He who conceals a transgression seeks love
He who conceals a sin or hides a sin or covers a sin or does not bring that sin to light -- in his brother or sister takes the course which leads to gain. We live in a world that loves to find wrong in others. It is presidential election time and the goal often is to find something in the life of a candidate to discredit him. It is to find something that will make him look bad. Right now, we have a candidate that is speaking matter of fact, but I find that what people love the most is he assaults people and he brings to light the things that they have done wrong. It is kindness and forbearance that we forgive one another and not just forgive one another, but ignore sins. Verse 9 speaks of friends and so this phrase is even more talking about our attitude towards each other. 

He who repeats a matter separate intimate friends
How often have I in my life brought up a sin from my own kids that they have done in the past and held it against them once again? Too many times. I am embarrassed at how often I have done this. I am not to catalog sins so as to add more fuel to the fire and make people feel worse. My goal should be to encourage and mention things that can build others up. I am to be kind in my speech. I am to be encouraging. O God, how poor I have been at this. How wretched I am. Help me to learn to praise more and thank people more and forgive more. Forgiveness needs to be the mark of my life. But, I should not think this covers all sins. The point here is the minor sins and minor infractions that really do not need to be brought up again and again.

A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
If a rebuke is needed, then it goes deeper, or will have more of an affect on one who has understanding.  A word is enough for the wise. If I am a person that has understanding, then rebukes or a harsh word will be more palpable. This seems like a personal characteristic at times. As I consider my children and how they respond to criticism; some seem to handle it better than others. And I think of employees that I have as well. Some accept the criticism better than others.

than a hundred blows into a fool
But a fool can't take even a hundred blows and come out unchanged. Lord, there are others that do not accept any sort of criticism. For the cypress tree, the more it is watered, the more it is withered. And even more of an issue is the person that has become so callous to correction. The horse has to have a bit and bridle in its mouth in order to be moved to change. Great lengths are necessary for some people to even hope that you can get a change out of them. 


Promise: The Bible over and over talks about our speech and its importance. I am to speak the truth in love, not seeking to crush sensitive souls but to build them up in Christ.

Romans 11:11-12 - Riches for the World

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

Message: Salvation to the Gentiles

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

What the Lord is Saying:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Romans 5:20-21 - The Reign of Grace

Romans 5:20-21 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Message: Grace reigns to eternal life. Sin reigns in death.

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:

Review
As this section ends on original sin, namely the passing of one's man sin to the entire human race, and death to all, I also think about this chapter as a whole.
The focus of this chapter has been on the results of justification. I started out looking at the peace of God.

• Peace is the result of being justified. It isn't a momentary peace, but it is a forever peace. It's true I may not always feel that peace, but the reality is the peace is there.
• I am congratulating myself of the access I now have been given to God and the certainty of my future state in God's glory. 
• I get to experience tribulations (great difficulties). There is joy in tribulations. God uses those tribulations to produce in me patience. It helps me to focus beyond the ordeal, to a future event. It proves my character and authenticates my faith. It marks hope in my life that God is there and firm in my life. They remind me overall that God does love me. 
• God loves me so much because I am helpless. Jesus died for sinners, for those not good. I am that person. 
• I am saved from God's wrath. 
• I am reconciled to God through Christ: past, present, future. 

And then it shifted to a contrast of being condemned to being justified. Sin entered the world through on man and death through sin. Sin and death spread to all men. Even without the law sin still exists. The Law helps sin be called sin, but sin still exists apart from the law (just as death exists apart from the law). Grace is much greater than sin. One man brought death. One man brought life.

Do Laws increase sin? 
I don't think so. The Law is not sin, as Paul states later. The Law exposes sin. Sin is hidden often without a law. Sin can be deemed acceptable behavior without the law stating it is wrong. We need laws in our society otherwise people would run wild. There is definitely a tension in the world today as to what is a law and what is not a law. But, I think what God wants to make clear is the conscience of man knows what is good and evil. The Law declares it sin for society at large.

Sin entered the world through Adam. This is clear. And it is also clear from the previous verses that sin was completely paid for and removed through the death and resurrection of Jesus. But, in between Adam and Christ is Moses. Paul wants to be clear that the Law was never meant to save the sinner, but rather expose the sinner.

Paul uses the word transgression 6 times in Chapter 5 and each time it is used it refers to the sin of Adam. Each time it is used in the singular, referring the sin of Adam. We all share a sin nature. Transgressions show how we have crossed the line. The Law shows us the specific acts of sin that we are rebellious on.

Sin results in huge amounts of grace
Wayne Grudem defines sin as "any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature. Sin is here defined in relation to God and his moral law. Sin includes not only individual acts such as stealing or lying or committing murder, but also attitudes that are contrary to the attitudes God requires of us."

Grace is God's generous favor to undeserving people. As I share the gospel with people, I define grace as receiving something you don't deserve. When a homeless man comes up to you and asks you for a meal, if you give it him, he has neither earned it nor can he pay it back. By giving it to him you have been gracious. As I share with people it amazes me how people don't understand grace. But, the important thing is I always wait to introduce grace after I have defined sin or rather, the breaking of God's Law.

Last week in the sermon at church, Matthew 9:37 was quoted about the harvest being plentiful, but the laborers are few. The reality is the harvest is growing more and more plentiful. Why? Because exposing sin as sin is decreasing and the people are becoming more focused on living grace than the need for grace. It is really rather tragic. The world has trained us to not defer to how they define what is right and wrong. And in the process, what God defines as right and wrong is being snuffed out. Yet, the Bible is clear, Satan is at the helm of this world.

Sin reigned in death
As sin lessons more and more in our world, God is put more and more on trial. Why? Because of death. Without sin, death has no comprehension. For the people that believe in God, they are under more and more scrutiny because death is still occurring. Kids are dying from diseases. A car crash takes the life of a father of many children. Painful deaths continue. Diseases of every kind are on the rise. Death continues. And the world does not comprehend that God can be real with all of this going on.

It actually seems like a natural progression of man as man decides that sin is less and less prominent. Paul states it clear here in verse 21, "Sin reigned in death." When Adam sinned and brought sin into the world, the result of sin in Genesis 3 was death.

People are not surprised that death occurs, but they are surprised by how it occurs. With our advancements in medicine, treating diseases, prolonging life, the reality is death still occurs in unexpected ways. And this is incomprehensible to man. It is unfortunate, but it shouldn't be a surprise. I don't think people have a problem that death occurs, but they definitely have a problem with how it occurs and when. As in everything in life, man wants to be in charge and decide the right time for life to end.

I will say that up to this point I have not felt that Romans 5:12-21 are difficult verses, but here in verse 21, when sin and death are now being talked about, this is a difficult subject. But, I think it is difficult is because as people we want so badly to understand death and why it is occurring. Everyday, new reports come out as to what may be causing heart disease or cancer or other types of death and suffering. But, when unexplained death happens and in the background, people of faith continue, the masses in life can't comprehend how faith people can continue when unexplained death occurs. But, I must move on in this text.

Grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life
God has the answer and the answer is His grace. Earlier in Chapter 5, I saw that because of being justified I have peace with God and I can exult in hope. There is a sureness of my future. And even then in tribulation, those difficulties should place my focus on the future. Grace reigns. Eternal life can only be answered by grace. It can only be answered by God and His answer for life because man is a sinner and sin results in death.

It is all because of Jesus. Mr. Repeater (Paul) tells us again that eternal life is because of Jesus. What we need to know is our life would not be as great is Adam had not fallen. We have a greater life in Christ that we could have ever had in Adam.

Promise: From Tabletalk, April 15, 2014: "For justification, the law multiplies transgression, revealing it for what it is and driving us to Christ for the righteousness that alone can justify us."