Ephesians 2:8-10 - Why Faith?

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Message: Why Faith?

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Well, these devotionals continue to hit the message clearly about justification. 

    Faith =>  is the Means => for our Justification = where we are Made righteous by the atoning work of Christ

Romans 4 speaks of: 

Righteousness  -  Apart From Works

                            Apart From Circumcision

                            Apart from the Law

                            By Faith

And then just to make sure that you don't think that there is something else to this, Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

___________

But Faith is the instrument [or what we do] to usher in to our life the finished act of righteousness (Romans 5:18); and it must be received (5:17).

Faith is a Gift -- 

    Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith." Salvation and Faith is conjoined. Both are the gift of God. Thus, His gift is not steps to obedience. 

I look at Jesus' words in John 6:35-40

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty. 36 But I said to you that you have indeed seen Me, and yet you do not believe. 37 Everything that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I certainly will not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of everything that He has given Me I will lose nothing, but will raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”\

Verse 35 reminds me of Matthew 5:6 when Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." It almost seems like the blessed ones meet the bread of life, Jesus, and are given righteousness. And another point in this passage is that of everything that He has given Me I will lose nothing meaning the Father gives Jesus followers of him. Some will see him and not believe (v. 36) but when the Father gives followers of Jesus they will not ever not be followers. 

Promise: This faith gift does not return void. It is the instrument men and women practice for their justification in order to receive the finished act of righteousness. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your Word, for speaking to us through it. For helping me understand it. Thank you for the gift of grace and the gift of faith. Thank you for drawing me and I believe, choosing me and not letting me ever go. You have justified me and made me right with God now and for all eternity. I do not deserve this. I never will. And I am even unworthy to be your follow, but you equip and you work in me and you show me the works I need to do. Let me choose to do those works every day. 

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

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

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

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

Saved by Faith - Faith and Righteousness - Faith is what God uses in us to build the bridge to being accepted by God and restored to a right relationship with Him. Justification and Sin - Nothing changes the fact that we are sinners, but our status before God changes by Christ's obedience as this declares us to be righteous. Not by any of our works - Justification is by faith alone. By adding any work, we must add all works.

TABLETALK - June 2017 Articles

To Be Blessed - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) - The idea of blessing by God has lost its meaning. Americans have treated "God Bless America" as a presumptuous declaration that God will bless us no matter what. God blesses according to His covenant with us. Only those in covenant relationship with Him are blessed, and as blessed ones we will strive to pursue the characteristics Jesus speaks of in the Beatitudes -- and as we demonstrate them in the world, we will be persecuted -- and if the Beatitudes are true of us, we are blessed. 

Loving God with Our Minds - R C Sproul (1939-2017 - former chairman of Ligonier ministries) - The human mind is incredible in its thinking, but it is still impacted by sin. People can still be brilliant, but those most brilliant, if they deny God, will actually go further away from God in their reasoning. Unbelievers seek the benefits of knowing God, but do not seek knowing God. Only the Holy Spirit can change our disposition to Know God. But the Christian, once changed, remains fallen and affected by this fallen nature and so lives life seeking to love God more with our minds; a renewed mind (Rom. 12:1-2). This love of God must begin in the mind, for increasing emotion, entertainment, and excitement will not increase our love for God. So we seek to understand Him more by reading scripture so our minds will love Him more. And in turn our praise and worship of Him intensifies. Begin with the mind. 

To Be Blessed - Brandon D. Crowe (Associate professor of NT at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia) - This article reminds us that we need to consider the context of Scripture as well as who we are as saved people before jumping into the beatitudes. 

As we read about “blessing” in the Beatitudes or Sermon on the Mount, because the use of that word has changed today or is thrown around, “blessing” may get lost in translation. This Sermon seeks to guide Christians to righteousness in practice. It must be read within the context of the entire Bible. 

As is mentioned in Psalm 1 which is the same word as the Beatitudes for blessing, the blessed one is the one who meditates on the law of God, knows it and does it. And then also in Deuteronomy, a book written to God's covenant people instructing them in covenantal obedience, are the words that as a people saved by the Lord, they are a Happy and Blessed people and are to live according to God's law. Thus the Beatitudes are given from an Old Testament emphasis on redemption and in the context of Matthew’s gospel in which Jesus will save His people from their sins (Matt 1:21). Redemption precedes living according to these Beatitudes. 

These blessings will reflect Jesus and how He lived.  

Indicative precedes Imperative Dynamic in Scripture. Indicative is “God’s great work of salvation to save His people.” Imperative is “the call to obedience in light of God’s saving work.”  Exodus followed by 10 commandments; God’s kingdom precedes the Law.

The Beatitudes- the blessings of those who are redeemed are called to live then in like manner. 

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit - Rev. D Blair Smith (associate professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte) - We must first enter God's blessing empty so that we can be filled. Poor is not necessarily here poverty but needing God for everything physical and spiritual. Self must die if we are going to be filled with Christ. With a debt of sin and bankrupt before God, only He can wipe out our debt so we cry out to Him. Self-reliance, self-sufficiency, self-confidence misses often the blessing of God's presence. We never outgrow this first beatitude. "God, be merciful to me, a sinner" "Humble yourself" "Be poor in spirit." 

Blessed are Those who Mourn - Matt Smethurst (a managing editor of The Gospel Coalition) - A person can be poor in spirit and not mourn their sin, so blessed are those who recognize they have offended God by their deed. There is no fear in being exposed because God gives blessing (comfort) to those who repent. And Jesus does not just mourn over all people's sin, He conquers it. The comfort Jesus provides fulfills Isaiah's words in which God's suffering servant would bring comfort to God's exiled people (Isaiah 61:1-2). 

Blessed are the Meek - Rev. Ken Jones (pastor Glendale Missionary Baptist Church in Miami) - The Beatitudes are prophetic declarations of what God bestows on those whom He receives into His Kingdom. The ones who will gain the earth by inheritance are the meek  Meekness is humility and submission to God. In contrast, the goal of fallen humanity is to make a name for ourselves through accumulation, accomplishment, or through expanding our borders. Commit your way to the Lord and trust in Him (Ps. 37:5). Meekness is a virtue possessed by Christ in His humanity (Matt. 11:29), which means that it is part of His active righteousness that is credited to us for our justification. But on the other hand, meekness is a fruit of the Spirit that the Spirit causes us to manifest in our sanctification, as Galatians 5:23 tells us. 

Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness - Dan Doriani (professor, vp, & dean of faculty at Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis) - Reviewing the Beatitudes - 1. Poor in Spirit - we need and depend on God; 2. Those who mourn - know we are sinners and how we have sinned; 3. We the gentle/meek - not exalting self. And so we 4. Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness. (My thought: In these 4 beatitudes is the gospel - I am lost and in need of God for I am a sinner and so I look to Him. He makes me righteous.) 

Righteousness is our #1 need. 

This righteousness is 1. Legal - received through atoning work of Christ [justification] and 2. Personal - put aside our acts of sin; give to oppressors, love enemies [be like Jesus] > yearn for God to rule our lives >> thirst for God’s word >> thirst for God’s people. 3. Social - Seek God’s cleansing of Society and where we live. 

Blessed are the Merciful - Gary Steward (asst professor history at Colorado Christian University) -  Matthew 5:7 records - Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Mercy is not natural to our nature. Often we are self-absorbed and hardened toward others. But God's saving mercy towards us gives birth to a transformed people who will be kind to others in their suffering. "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36). God Himself is "rich in mercy" (Eph 2:4). The mercies of God references are throughout scripture. By experiencing God's mercy it demands that we show mercy in return. "Those who are characteristically unmerciful demonstrate that they have not received the mercy that comes from Christ in the gospel." Thus, we have the promise in this beatitude that those who are merciful will receive mercy. What a powerful promise.    

Blessed are the Pure in Heart - Michael Allen (associate professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL) - A call to purity, social mores, behavior. Here, like the other beatitudes, is a gift or promise - the "pure in heart" are those who "shall see God." (1) Seeing God is a gift of the gospel. David prayed for this one thing - "to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord (Ps. 27:4)." Dwelling with God attests to this when old things have passed away and a divine desire to yearn for God (Rev. 21:3); loudly we "Behold" the very presence of God. And Jesus makes God visible (John 1:18; 2 Cor 4:6). (2) God is our hope as God reshapes behavioral purity. "All the fulness of God" (Eph. 3:19) is found in Him as God is the end of the gospel. Thus "pure in heart" ae only satisfied by the sight of God. Overall, this article focuses more on the result of being pure, seeing God, than defining purity.      

Blessed are the Peacemakers - Dirk Naves (chief creative office at Ligonier Ministries) - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. This is one that engages conflict to resolve it, seeking justice, harmony, repentance, and reconciliation. Like Christ, we labor toward God and man, applying the gospel in (1) evangelism and (2) conflict resolution. We approach this from a place of peace with God and having been reconciled with God and seek others to share in this. We seek this peace with and for others. Grace brought about peace in our lives so grace must also be at the heart of our mission as we engage with others. It is hard, but the blessing is the distinction of being sons or children of God. Like Christ, peacemaking can be lonely and result in suffering as Jesus was led to the cross. But this is not the end, for the crown of life awaits.  

Blessed are Those who are Persecuted for Righteousness Sake - Michael J. Glodo (associate professor of biblical studies at Reformed Theological Seminary) - We begin beatitudes with God focused attitudes - die to self, mourn our sin, commit to the Lord instead of committing to make a name for yourself, yearn for His righteousness, seeking the things of God. Then shift to manward concerns - be kind to others, be God centered - pure, and seek peace with others. The persecution or suffering talked about here occurs when I am persecuted for doing the will of God, our Master. And receiving the kingdom of God is receiving his righteous way and rule, not necessarily what man values. Of note is persecution means we are living a godly life (2 Timothy 2:12) versus just thinking the world must think good of us (Luke 6:26). Bonhoeffer warns against exchanging discipleship for citizenship. Am I really seeking to gain only God's righteousness or am I too interested in man's acceptance of me? Being like Christ is sharing the things of Christ and Christ suffered and how he was rejected and reviled. 

Blessed are The Reviled - Rev. Donny Friederichsen (pastor of Covenant Presbyterian church in Short Hills, NJ) -   Being reviled for my faith or taking a stand for it is a difficult part of life, but it is also a reason for great rejoicing. Previously, all the other beatitudes addressed traits to have, but this one shifts and says, "Blessed are you..." It is the longest statement of any of the beatitudes. We will be assaulted for our beliefs. We must. Be not of this world (John 15:18-19)and share in the sufferings of Christ. Share with others before me (Matthew 5:12) and be a part of the best group of believers focused on future glory (2 Corinthians 4:17), realizing that future rewards await that will far outweigh this suffering now (Matthew 7:11). 

Growth by Degrees - Jason Helopoulos (associate pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - In Christ, we grow by degrees. Don't get discouraged if you think you are not progressing. The Master Architect and Great Builder has a plan and He knows what He is doing, but you can't always see evidence of it today. Growth in Christ happens by degrees, small alterations. Keep reading the Bible, praying, walking humbly, persevering, taking the sacraments. You are being changed. 

The Christian and Sin - Jeffrey K. Jue (provost/executive VP at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia) - As Christians, we are both justified righteous and a sinner. How does the Christian deal with the continuing presence of sin? Constantly remind ourselves who we are in Christ and what Christ has done for us. Be part of a church that preaches the gospel. Take seriously holy communion. We need the belt of truth, the breast place of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:10-20). The Holy Spirit will help us. 

Use Your Words Wisely - Melissa B. Kruger (women's mnistry coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, NC) - Proverbs 12:18 - There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. -- 4 Ways to build up one another. 1. Encourage one another - praise people, provide thank you notes; let your thoughts move to action (Heb. 10:24); 2. Exhort one another in love. 2 Timothy 4:2 - reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. At times, these words may cause pain our discomfort; 3. Give thanks in song (Eph 5:18-20) - Join with one another in corporate praise; 4. Words used to pray faithfully for one another (James 5:16) - we help one another as we cry out to God on another's behalf. 

The Joy of Church Membership - Jonathan Leeman (editorial director of 9marks) - Most of this article is witnessing one man coming alongside another and hearing that one pour his life out and seeing how God walks us through challenges of life. It immediately made me yearn for this, but also thinking of my friendship with Scott G and Bobby and Scott D and Fred and Lance at times and coming alongside these men and thinking about what God is doing in our lives. These guys have been my church. There is great joy in these relationships. We are body parts of one another, and unity in Christ, giving each other gifts (Luke 11:11-13). I am doing this with people online as well, encouraging them, walking with them. I need to remember this and remember the church He has given me that looks different from an actual local body, but serves the same purpose. 

Seeking Forgiveness - Erik Raymond (Lead pastor at Emmaus Bible Church in Omaha, Nebraska) - During the sermon of the mount, Jesus offers a curious teaching on forgiveness in Matthew 5:23-24. To the one that has offended another in their covenant community, Jesus says we are to go, urgently, and reconcile. Jesus prizes reconciliation in the Church and so states we must reconcile prior to offering sacrifices. Whether it is bible reading, gathering together, taking the sacraments, serving one another, or evangelism, this reconciling takes priority. Finding this true reconciliation is key, like Ephesians 4:26 mentions between a husband and wife. Forgiveness is precious and delightful. Yet, the reality is that it is uncomfortable to humble ourselves. Yet, at the cross, Jesus came to reconcile us with the Father (Colossians 1:21-22), though He had done nothing wrong and we had done everything wrong.  

A Detail-Oriented Church - Kevin Struyk (Associate pastor at Saint Andrews's Church in Sanford, Florida) Likening his time growing up in a family with a father who is an entrepreneur and keenly focused each day on going the extra mile and being detail oriented in being courteous to others and serving others, the church to reach a community with the gospel must be detail oriented in their (1) preaching teaching whereby the teach explains the test, how to apply it, and then gets out of the way so the Lord can speak; salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone must be preached, (2) day-to-day ministering to the flock; people need to be noticed, caring for each other's needs by the church members who are being equipped to minister by a teacher and (3) outreach to the local community; know the needs of your community, who is meeting those needs, and how people can use their gifts to meet those needs. 

How Will We Live Now - R. Albert Mohler Jr (President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky) - 1976 and Al Mohler turned 17 and was given a copy of Francis Shaeffer's book How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. He saw a new worldview taking shape with the threat of personal affluence and personal peace. He criticized the church's legacy of racism. Will Christians now believe and live authentic biblical Christianity?

Entering Adulthood - J. Derek Halvorson (President of Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia) - The college years are times when young people grapple with philosophical questions and what kind of person they want to be. Yet, many also leave the church during this time. Young people must feel they are a part of the church body. Rugged individualism is anti-Christ. Nothing can replace the church, not even attending a Christian college. So, invest in the lives of young people before they leave for college. Be empathetic toward them, pray for them, and invite them into our lives. God ordains growth and joy for your life through the church.  

Excerpts from

TABLETALK | JUNE 2017 | VOL. 41 | NO.6

Ligonier Ministries

This material may be protected by copyright.

Romans 4:9-12 - Not by any of our works

Romans 4:9-12

Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS RECKONED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." How then was it reckoned? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. 

Message: Not by any of our works

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: 

Well, I am back to trying to get into the word after having the COVID-19 virus during the month of January. As I think about this lesson, I am reminded of Bible Study Fellowship and our study of Genesis and Abraham. 

Abraham instituted the covenant of circumcision at the age of 99, as related in chapter 17 of Genesis. This is when God changes Abram's name to Abraham. What Paul is relating to us here in this passage is that prior to this, in Genesis 15:6 is the acknowledgement from Abraham of believing in the Lord and He (God) reckoned it to him as righteousness. So Paul is calling attention to this as he speaks to the Jews of the day that being declared righteousness preceded the work of circumcision. That the covenant followed his salvation or his declaration of righteousness. He is not belittling the act of circumcision but is simply stating that the work of circumcision, in this instance, followed the reckoning of Abraham as being righteous and the Lord made many promises to Abraham as well, up to this point. God had spoken to him Genesis 13 and commissioned him. 

Paul does not here simply speak only of circumcision but circumcision represents any work that is done - whether ceremonial or moral. 

Within the realm of faith in God or what we might call being justified before God - there are generally two main ideas -- justification by faith alone and justification in cooperation with man's works. And what I have been studying continually in the last several years is the idea that man is not even capable of being involved with God in this justification because there is nothing in man that can make man worthy. He is lost without Him and it is only the work of Christ that makes us worthy of the rewards of Heaven. 

The works of righteousness are needed in our lives and these works occur in our lives. Yes, we need to be told often what we are to do, but our doing them is in response to God's love for us rather in cooperation with God. I'm not sure that I am at a point of thinking that those that believe it is a cooperation are not saved, that is not even for me to decide. I think what I must continually examine is what is the truth and how am I to live by this truth. 

I almost liken it to Paul stating that we would not have known what sin was unless the Law told us (Romans 7:7) and in the same way we are told what obedience looks like and encouraged often to practice this but the obedience follows our justification, just as our breaking of the law follows our condition of being a sinner. Granted, I do begin to understanding the differences of belief and how many different faiths express it, but I am agreeing more and more with the doctrine of faith alone because it agrees with the idea that God is adored and worshipped and praised in this doctrine versus sharing in this with man. 

Promise: Justification is by faith alone. By adding any work, we must add all works. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing me back to your truth and simplifying it for me. Thank you for teaching me through Bible Study Fellowship and tying these studies together. Lord, continue to teach me and help me to walk with You in the Word and show me how I am to live in obedience to You. You have created me for good works, to walk in them, and I do want to do this and continue to show me the way you want me to walk. Thank you for saving me - not because of me but because of my need and declaring me righteous, not because of anything I have done alone or alongside you but you have saved me by the works of Jesus, in his life, on the cross, and through his resurrection. I praise the Lord. 

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

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

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

Only Justified through Christ (God) - The Obedience of One - with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin; we trust only in His words, not ours. God's Initiative In Justification - God initiates the act of justification through the work of Christ alone; he saves us out of His kindness. Faith and Justification - no one is continually righteous; only through Jesus one will be made righteous; to be made righteous one must believe in God, ask for His mercy. Faith and Righteousness - Faith is what God uses in us to build the bridge to being accepted by God and restored to a right relationship with Him. Justification and Sin - Nothing changes the fact that we are sinners, but our status before God changes by Christ's obedience as this declares us to be righteous. 

Romans 4:6-8 - Justification and Sin

Romans 4:6-8

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

Message: Justification and Sin

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

What the Lord is Saying:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Romans 4:1-5 - Faith and Righteousness

Romans 4:1-5

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh has found? For if Abraham was justified by works he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. 

Message: Faith and Righteousness

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: 

I am not yet halfway through this month of studies on justification - how man is reconciled to God, accepted by God. Thus far in these studies I have seen that all people are sinners and their sin results in all people being guilty. And keeping laws only works if completely obedient to all otherwise the Law reminds us we are guilty. Jesus was always obedient. God gave us Jesus as a sacrifice for sin. We access this through faith. 

But, let's break this down even further. Because of sin, man has violated God's order and ways. Thus, we are lawbreakers. Lawbreakers incur a debt that must be paid. In life, serious lawbreakers incur the sentence of life imprisonment. Often there is a hope that an inward transformation will occur in a person that might result in being paroled or relieved of serving the entire sentence. This is available to some but those that committed more serious crimes, even this is not available. 

Deuteronomy 25:1 reminds us what occurs in a court of law: If there is a dispute between men andt hey go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. And it says the guilty are beaten but the righteous are justified and can return to their life. 

This word for acquittal is the Greek word dikaioo used in Romans 4:5 - Him who justifies the ungodly. God acquits are pronounces "not guilty" those who are lawbreakers. But God is not changing a person, but simply declaring that person does not have a debt to Him. Like in our court system, people incur a debt to the court or the ruling body, mankind incurs a debt to God for breaking the commandments. Yet God will justify some. 

The basis of righteousness is Jesus. Again Romans 5:19 says - through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Man acquires this by calling on God and having faith - 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner.' 

But let's be clear - faith does not make us righteous. We are counted as righteous by faith. Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness as recorded in Genesis 15:6. Righteousness though is what makes our debt paid before God.  

Promise: Faith is what God uses in us to build the bridge to being accepted by God and restored to a right relationship with Him, but ultimately it is Jesus and His obedience that results in us being seen as continually righteous. 

Prayer: O God, you have made me righteous through the obedience of Jesus my Savior and Lord. You knew that my crime could only result in His obedience. Thank you for bringing me to this saving faith. You sunk it into me on August 10, 1982 and I'm still trying to understand it. Thank you for sealing me forever. Keep instructing people in this truth. Thank you for this study and Ligonier ministry. 

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

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

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

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

 

Habakkuk 2:4 - Faith and Justification

Habakkuk 2:4 

Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith. 

Message: Faith and Justification

Time: Habakkuk is mentioned 2 times and we know little of him (could be a professionally trained prophet in Law of Moses and/or a priest involved in worship). He mentions the imminent Babylonian invasion which probably puts the time period as 609 - 598 BC, in Jehoiakim's reign. Chapters 1 and 2 is an extended dialogue between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk was frustrated, but he took out his frustrating in prayers. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

I continue to march through these devotional messages about justification. I'm in the 6th month of this 12 month study of key doctrines related to the 2017 500th year celebration of the reformation. The subject matter has been meaty and intense. I'm 2 years into it, having started December 18, 2018. It is slow going. 

Justification. Previously there was an entire month about salvation by grace alone and to me this message of justification is a close partner. As recorded in the introduction, justification is the key idea of religion, the crux of the message. It is not the only message but it speaks to how we can be reconciled to our Creator. 

I'm 53 now. I've been in church all my life. I had a turning point in August 1982, a month shy of my 15th birthday when at that moment, I prayed to receive Jesus as my savior. I turned a corner that day and since then I've been on a journey to understand this salvation, as well as live it. Part of what I am doing in these studies is reading the conclusions that are voiced in these devotions and then as I study seeing if I walk away with the same conclusion. 

The message of justification here now is that I am justified or found to be acceptable by God which then results in fellowship with Him, eternal life with Him, peace with Him and peace in life, and it all begins with answering the question of -- what must I do to be in a right relationship with God? 

Ecclesiastes 7:20 - Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.

No one is good continually or all of the time or always. Everyone has sin. 

Genesis 8:21 - ...for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth;

This is a strong statement by the Lord given after He has flood the earth. Yet, he gave a similar statement prior to the flood in Genesis 6:5 -- every intent of the thoughts of his (man's) heart was only evil continually. 

No one is good continually. And also the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth. It sounds like that man has a bent towards evil and this bent has been prominent since his youth. 

Romans 3:9-11 - ...both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God. 

None of us has keep God's law. Paul seems to be making this point in Romans 3 toward the Jew who may have thought that as a Jew and being God's chosen people, that they have a special relationship with God. That might be so but in the manner of being righteous, the Jew is not, just like the Gentile. There is none righteous. Again, the intent of man's heart is evil. And there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good. Thus, if one believes that it is righteousness that makes us right before God and on one is righteous continually, then if the standard is continuous righteousness then none of will be worthy. Thus, righteousness must come outside of ourselves. 

One of the questions that springs up in me is this -- is perfect obedience the standard? I think the crux of this is that 'on my own, I cannot attain righteousness.' Can someone be righteous and yet not continually righteous? The following verse speaks to Christ and His obedience making us righteous. 

Romans 5:19 - For as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

So this verse answers the question that partial righteousness is not a goal. For it is only through Jesus One will be made righteous.

Now, it could be that all of the above discussion is focused on grace - that righteousness occurs only through Jesus. Yet, this month we are focused on how does one obtain this righteousness. Is it open to everyone simply because Jesus died? Or does man become a benefactor of Christ's work through a means? 

It seems what a person must do is call on God - believe God - put their trust and faith in God. 

Luke 18:9-14

And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt; "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner.' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted."

There is a contrast here: the Pharisee is thanking his own work. He is proud of himself. He is proud that he is unlike others because of what he is and that he behaves differently from others. The Pharisee is religious and practices his religion. And this is the point of the parable for the Pharisee trusted in themselves that they were righteous and others were therefore not. But the contrast is that the tax-gatherer looked only to God. 'Lord have mercy.' This man had humility. 

Romans 4:2-3 - For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 

Abraham believed God. Abraham had faith in God. Abraham focused on God.   

Habakkuk lived in the late 7th century BC. He was bothered that God seemed to be silent and inactive. The people of Judah were guilty of sin, so he wondered why God was not judging them. 

Habakkuk 1:2-4 - How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and Thou wilt not hear?...Why dost Thou make me see iniquity...the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. The wicked surround the righteous.

God replies to Habakkuk in 1:5-11 that He will send the Chaldeans/Babylonians to judge the people - Look! Observe! I am doing something - I am raising up the Chaldeans...rulers are a laughing matter to them; they will sweep through the wind and pass on, but they will be held guilty. 

Habakkuk was surprised in verse 12 - thou, O Lord, hast appointed them to judge. For they approve evil. And Habakkuk ultimately declares in 2:1 that he will keep watch to see what God will speak to him and how he may reply. 

In verse 4, God says -- Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith. God replies that proud people are not right within themselves, but it is only the righteous who will live by his faith. And then Habakkuk ends his book by saying in 3:19, The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places. 

God is the one. God does it. And I access this through acknowledging this continually in my life - believing in God, asking for His Mercy, declaring the Lord is my strength, trusting in Him. 

Promise: At the most basic level, what I need is God. I believe in Him. I call out for His mercy for I am a sinner. He is my strength. I obviously do not depend on me because in me is evil intentions. Only Jesus makes me righteous.  

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for these truths and taking me through these texts to better understand me and better understand You. I put my trust in You God. I believe in You. Have Mercy on Me God, a sinner. You are my strength. It is You and only You that I need. Keep my eyes on you. Holy Spirit, thank you for speaking to me and illuminating me with your words of truth. I don't want to get distracted from this simple message. I pray that I remain focused on you God as the author of truth. I live in this world but I don't want to live by its distracting message, but I want instead to trust in You God only, always. Keep my eyes more focused on you than the events of my world. Thank you for knowing that I need a substitute and that Jesus and His obedience has made me righteous. I cry out to you God in faith. Like Habakkuk I will continue to wait patiently for Your words to speak to me.     

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

- The Sins of the Gentiles - Though born with God being evident, Gentiles do not honor God or give thanks, look to their selves for truth, and God gives them over to their sin, and in the process God's wrath is sin which will culminate on the Day of the Lord. The Sins of the Jews - Jews thought their status meant only Gentiles were true sinners. Romans 2 and 3 explains that Jews are just as guilty before God. The Law and Accountability - the Law reminds us we are sinners and doing good will not outweigh this bad; I am condemned. Righteousness According to the Law - The Law can make one righteous if obedient to all. Our sin keeps us from this. Human Inability - the simple reminder that man cannot make himself righteous because he is a sinner. The Obedience of One - with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin; we trust only in His words, not ours. God's Initiative In Justification - God initiates the act of justification through the work of Christ alone; he saves us out of His kindness. 

Titus 3:4-6 - God's Initiative in Justification

Titus 3:4-6

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His Love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. 

Message: God's Initiative in Justification

Time: Paul wrote his letter to Titus from Nicopolis in AD 63, after the apostle’s release from his first Roman imprisonment. Paul identified himself as the author of the letter to Titus. Titus accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey. Paul accompanied Titus to the island of Crete, where he intended Titus to lead and organize the island’s churches in their early years of existence. 

What the Lord is Saying:

There are different ways that Scripture talk of salvation. In Romans 10:1, Paul writes, "Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for salvation." This is his appeal to Israel to be redeemed by Christ and enjoy all that salvation offers in Christ -- justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. In other ways, like I Corinthians 1:18, Paul speaks to the ongoing purification that occurs in the believer, "For the word of God  is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Titus 3:4-6 explains how we are declared righteous, "when the kindness of God....appeared, He saved us not on the basis of deeds...but according to His mercy..."

The chief need of everyone is to be saved. Everyone is perishing. Everyone needs the power of God displayed in his kindness to save us. Salvation is not by our deeds, but according to His mercy. 

Paul also in these verses refers to "the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."  Some have argued that this speaks of the act of baptism ("washing") in order to erase the original sin born onto man or baby. And some say that this is another example of baptism being a part of the conversion process of a believer. Yet, Paul mentions in places like Romans 4:5 faith is the instrument of righteousness - "...not work, but believes in Him ...his faith is reckoned as righteousness." Galatians 2:15-16 repeats this, "even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ."  Thus the idea I think is that anything beyond faith could be construed as a work although some may argue that acts of obedience follow faith and baptism is one of those acts of obedience that should follow faith in every believer. 

So what did Paul mean when he wrote these words -- "the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit?" To wash is to remove dirt. The only other use of this word washing is found in Ephesians 5:26, "that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." This verse provides a parallel act of husbands loving wives just as Christ loved the Church (Eph 5:25) that loving and Christ giving Himself up for the church marks an act of cleansing her by the washing of water with the word. This seems to not be a literal washing but rather Christ's act of giving Himself for the church is so that the church is covered, as in a washing, with the Word of God. So does this help us with Titus 3:5? 

Perhaps Paul is communicating that the washing occurs by way of God regenerating and renewing the follower of Christ through the Holy Spirit. So in both instances it could simply be talking about washing being a symbol or emblem to provide the picture of how the power of the Holy Spirit converges upon us by way of God's mercy -- the Holy Spirit washes us or bathes us or renews us. We are renewed in a bath. From this standpoint, it does not seem like a literal baptism is being spoken. But, I went to the commentaries and saw that Charles Ellicott (19th c Church of England) states that God has put us in the state of salvation by the laver of regeneration which is the baptism ordinance or sacrament. Then Albert Barnes (19th c Presbyterian Church) states it is not the laver but rather a symbol or emblem of regeneration. And the other commentaries have the differing views. 

Thus, where are we at the end of the day? I believe the text can have only one meaning, and yet we do not have Paul here with us and so we sit as detectives trying to figure out what it is that it says. Because of the differing views, my conclusion is we can't know and so this issue is non-essential to our salvation and can result in debate. And yet, if I had to choose an interpretation, I would say washing is a symbol or emblem of regeneration rather than speaking of the act of baptism as an ordinance for salvation. 

Promise: What I know is that Jesus has saved us by His mercy and not by our deeds and we must have faith.

Prayer: Lord, it is fun to take time to look at your word, examine it and study it to see what it says. Lord, in this passage I understand that faith is clear and I thank you for giving me that faith in You and confirming yourself to me over and over. I am not righteous and yet you have made me righteous by the life and work of Christ Jesus and me believing in Him. I thank you that I have been baptized and you showed me the importance of this. God, there are places in your Word that I must admit I have questions and I do not have an overwhelming conclusion of what is meant. Help me Holy Spirit to walk in truth and reveal to me what is the right way, but keep me strong in You and studying and focusing on those things that matter most. Help me God to speak to others about your truth and respect people that may have a different conviction. You speak to me and use me and for that I will never understand but thank you for this. 

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

 - The Sins of the Gentiles - Though born with God being evident, Gentiles do not honor God or give thanks, look to their selves for truth, and God gives them over to their sin, and in the process God's wrath is sin which will culminate on the Day of the Lord. The Sins of the Jews - Jews thought their status meant only Gentiles were true sinners. Romans 2 and 3 explains that Jews are just as guilty before God. The Law and Accountability - the Law reminds us we are sinners and doing good will not outweigh this bad; I am condemned. Righteousness According to the Law - The Law can make one righteous if obedient to all. Our sin keeps us from this. Human Inability - the simple reminder that man cannot make himself righteous because he is a sinner. The Obedience of One - with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin; we trust only in His words, not ours.