Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Message: We are transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
In light of the salvation that we have received, by the mercy of God and the grace of God, through faith, we are to daily present ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice, in ways that are acceptable to God. This is our spiritual service of worship to God. We surrender to God and submit to His will and live out His commandments with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Do not be conformed
This is the hallmark of the Christian's life and really what God expects of every person, that they are not to be conformed to anything beyond Christ and His word and His commandments.
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have the world
But Give me Jesus
This should be our daily heart cry. This should be what our heart sings every day.
Exodus 23:2 - You shall not follow a multitude in doing evil.
Deuteronomy 18:9 - When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations.
2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
To this world
More specifically, we are not to be conformed to this world. When Jesus was tempted, it was the devil that brought him to a mountain top to show him the kingdoms of the world. Matthew 4:8, "Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;" The devil offered to Jesus the authority of the world as a gift from him (Luke 4:6). And in 2 Corinthians 4:4 it says, "in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
It is clear that the devil is the god of this world. I am just not sure this is apparent enough in our thinking. I am not sure we really realize the significance of this in our everyday life. I think Satan is so good at making the Christian think that a couple of visits to the church weekly are enough for us. And he is so good at making us think that a quick prayer of repentance, one time, is all we need to be secure in God's kingdom. And then this allows us to continue to roam around in the world as we desire, continually sampling from the things of this world. And that's just with Christians. But, it almost seems like Christians are who he is luring the most. I don't believe Satan can possess a Christian. But, I definitely think the Christan can be lured away. I only say this because of what I see in my own life.
I think of stalwarts of the faith like Martin Luther, George Whitefield, and Charles Spurgeon and think about the volumes that wrote or the volumes they did and then These men did so much for the faith. They wrote so much and preached so much and yet, they lacked all of the creature comforts we have of this day. They didn't have computers, but very primitive communication. Everything took more time and yet how did they do so much? It is just amazing. Whitefield died at age 55. Spurgeon died at 57. Luther was 62. Those aren't long lives. And yet they were so productive. I just marvel at the distractions we have in this world.
I am reading the book Gospel right now by JD Greear and it really speaks of the importance of the Gospel message in our everyday life. It is not natural for us to live a life of faith-righteousness, but rather works-righteousness is natural. And so it is so important that daily we go to the Gospel and find our security in the gospel.
I understand this message; this sentiment; this belief, but, I don't live it consistently because I am so trained in the things of the world continually that I just don't know how to really separate myself from its ways. Technology in the form of electronics has really created a distraction in our lives. This really started with the visual box--television--that came upon us in the fifties. I think the moment our eyes had something to look at, we would be hard pressed to get ourselves trained away from anything else. The TV replaced the radio which replaced the book. The book and TV remain supplemented by the radio. Then the computer came to really augment the TV as well as now the mobile phone. And if that wasn't enough, we had to make the computer more portable with the tablet (iPad). TV and Radio started out being nightly sources of entertainment, but then moved to all day. In the 80s cable TV came on board and suddenly we had multiple channels and 24 hour news and sports. Shows were originally on broadcast TV only, then it moved to another channel and now it is on pay only channels as well as streaming services like Amazon. And if TV watching wasn't enough, we brought video games through the TV, the computer, the tablet, the phone. We have so many different ways and forms of entertainment seeping through out life. And we brand it all as okay and good.
It is just such a huge part of our life and it seems to be getting larger and larger. Recently, as a household we dropped our cable bill, to help save $50 per month, and went with the antennae. I think there were some adjustments to our viewing habits, but I have noticed something interesting. For the most part, we are just changing what we are looking at, which means we are changing what is acceptable. Yes, we have less choices, but we are still viewing at the same level as we were before. In fact, I am actually viewing more because recently an old movie channel was added to the antennae lineup and I have access to old movies in ways I haven't in the past. However, I continue to be concerned about what my children are accessing as we do have Netflix and Netflix streaming is available and the content on there is actually not that great, as far as clean entertainment.
Last night, sitting down, not feeling very well, and just wanting to rest, I wanted to watch a movie. One of the services we have now is FeelN, a streaming service backed by Hallmark providing family friendly content. They don't have a huge catalog, but I have noticed I am never disappointed with anything I watch. And yet because I have the option of Amazon Prime and Netflix, I sometimes revert to searching for entertainment through those sources. My concern is whether or not I end up choosing media that really is filled with content that would never be viewed in a church setting. Just like cable TV, once we have availability, does it possibly open us up to content that we justify in our viewing by saying, it is not that bad? Should that be the calling card for determining if we watch something? Whether it is not that bad?
To not be conformed to the world, I think, should mean that even our viewing habits are not likened to the world's viewing habits.
Now, back to the message, which is "Do not be conformed to the world." Those words are almost hard to read and think about and mediate on. Why? Because I love the things of the world. It is what I've known and where I've been trained. And it is becoming more and more a dominant force in our life. And to think, Paul saw this temptation back in his day. It is so hard to imagine the extent of what Paul saw in the 1st century. And yet, I believe, that this calls to evidence more that God did inspire the writing of his text because God stood outside of time and saw the importance of this message throughout time. Maybe it seems more applicable today, twenty centuries later, but there have always been distractions. The gospel message and sharing that with others was needed and prominent even in Paul's day. The first chapter of Romans speaks of the encouragement Paul gained from the church at Rome because they were sharing the faith.
But be transformed
I know I am taking this passage slow and probably spending way too much time on it, but it is actually an amazing passage of contrast from my normal life. Its message is really foundational and revolutionary to our lives. Here with this word, "but be" means that when one is not conformed to this world, there is an alternative. There is another way. There is another way we are to be training ourselves daily (I Timothy 4:7-8).
The word transformed is in the passive voice. Active voice would mean that I am needing to do something in order to accomplish the transformation. But, here the word is passive, so an outside force is making its mark on me, transforming me. "Do not be conformed" is active, "but be transformed" is passive. The Spirit will transform us.
This is in the imperative mood which means I have responsibility. What I need to do is turn from sin and then make myself available or able to be molded. I do have a responsibility and that is to avail myself to the work of the Spirit in me. I think this is a very important step and part of the process. We have a responsibility daily in our lives. We can't just live our lives the way we see fit because as we do we will be conformed to this world. We must stop and present ourselves as a sacrifice to Him. "Lord, Here I am." "Lord, I come to You." "Lord, I surrender to You." "Lord, I present myself to You." "Lord, I want You in me."
In addition, transformed in in the present tense, so it is not a past event, but an ongoing event in our lives. Each day, I am to present myself to the Lord and each day He will make a change in me.
By the renewing of your mind
This is the result of surrendering to the Lord and being transformed, my mind is renewed. I become something different than what I was in the past.
This newness and this difference is not simply a condition that is then on par with what I was in the past, before being in Christ. It is superior.
My mind is what determines my action, my decisions, my choices, my living life. The mind needs to be renewed. The mind can be molded. That is incredible. We often are baffled by the evil that is present in people's lives, in the world. We are baffled as to how people think. That someone could work in adult films or be a stripper day in and day out. That someone could have a business of sex trafficking. That someone could be in the business of selling drugs. That someone could be in the business of gambling. And this verse throws a bright light on us and reminds us that our mind is to be renewed, so if it isn't renewed, it is trained by the one that is over this world. We are not to be conformed to this world and yet for those not in Christ, conforming to the world is natural and encouraged.
I read yesterday from JD Greear's book, Gospel, "The tragedy is that if you are spiritually blind you have no idea that you are missing anything at all." What a compelling and truthful statement. When the mind is not renewed and we are blind at seeing the things of the Gospel, Truth, God, we are living a life that we think is right. I dare to say that the majority of the people in the world seem to be living in this blind darkness.
so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect
So, here is the sequence. The Christian does not conform to the world but is transformed, by surrendering to the Lord, and the Spirit transforms us. This renews our mind. For what purpose? Because this is the will of God. We are daily transformed. God is transforming us to prove God's will. His will is good and acceptable and perfect. And our lives are to be a perfect reflection of who He is.
This is the crowning verse of the Christian. We are God's representation on this earth and our lives are meant to reflect who He is. Our lives should resemble Him.
Recently, I have been encouraged by something. I've always wanted to stand out and several people lately have actually told me that my walk with God is something that they admire. I don't believe they are elevating me, but I do think that they see God in me. My life does reflect Him. And He gets the praise for that, not me.
Promise: Trust in the Lord and He will make your paths straight.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices
Romans 12:1 - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Message: Presenting myself, holy and acceptable to God
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
The Set Up
Therefore. As always, we ask what is therefore there for? I think this verse is a break from the previous 11 chapters. I think it is a culmination of everything that has been said. There has been very little commands of personal duty or application. There has instead been a presentation of the condition of man or at times the digression of man away from God. There has been talk as to how many tries to earn value in life and earn God's acceptance. Man has a natural relationship between himself and God and man has a constant desire to be valued and accepted by God.
The problem with man is he naturally lives in a works-righteousness way. He naturally is very self-centered and very focused on achieving things for himself and putting forth a separation between himself and everything and everyone else. And so even though he knows there is a God, he believes God is waiting for him to show himself worthy of being a God-child.
The Book of Romans is very refreshing because it anchors us in the things of God. It anchors me in the idea that life is about the Gospel. Life is about surrendering myself to God. It is about submitting myself to God and who He is and trusting in Him. God knows it all and God has chosen man to be His.
Yes, there are chosen people, there are people that God has set aside for himself, but that doesn't mean that only these people will know God. Faith is an individual thing. We do not get grafted in because of our belonging to a group. Our position is only their because of faith in what God did in transferring the righteousness of Christ to man. This was done by His grace and it reflects a person's life by their faith.
Yet, this verse also marks a natural next step after hearing the previous statement, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." Life is about God and everything that has been stated thus far in this book if for God, through Him and to Him. All of these words of doctrine are for Him, through Him and to Him. So, to Him be the glory forever.
But even here in the book of Romans we see that in the first 11 chapters the focus has been on what God does. It his mercy and His grace that beckons us to Him, that saves us. It is his doing. And now, in response, we are to live from Him with our bodies. He has done the work, now we respond to live as a living sacrifice. Our life is not lived in that way as a condition for God's saving grace, but as a response.
I urge you
It is no secret that the rest of Romans is about our service to God. Doctrine and truth has been established, now, How Must We Live? Paul is not giving a command, he is urging, exhorting, beseeching or begging. The called have been called and now they are urged to live in a way that is consistent with their calling.
By the mercies of God
Again here Paul reiterates what is said all along. This urging is upon God's mercy. It is the mercies of God first that comes and then the response. The covenant first, the life lived second. This cannot be emphasized too much because works-righteousness is so much a part of our life.
To Present
To bring or introduce into the presence of someone especially of superior rank or status. It is to place at someone's disposal.
Romans 6:13 explains the contrasts between the two "presents" - and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
We are not to present the members of our body to sin, but rather present the members of our body to God. In Romans 6, sin is a picture of death, so why would we present our bodies to that which is dead? But, rather we present our bodies to God, that which is alive.
Included in this is love. We love God so we present ourselves. We are to abide in Him. We bow down to worship God.
Your bodies
This is our present to God: our body. This is encompasses everything we are. We present our entire body to Him. We present our feet that walk, our arms that work, our brain that thinks, our ears that listen, our eyes that see, our nose, that smells, our mouth that tastes. So, we present our thought life, what we do, what we eat and speak, our viewing habits, our surroundings, what we listen to -- we present it all.
A Living
How can a sacrifice be living? It is true we are to deny ourselves, but Paul has been speaking of our life of sin, the works-righteousness in our life. For the wages of sin is death. The life we live apart from Christ is basically a dead life. The life in Christ is living. However, that life of sin, though God sees as dead because He sees Christ in us, we still let it live, so we are to daily kill it.
And Holy Sacrifice
We are to simply to make some sort of sacrifice to God. We are not simply to make an offering to the Lord of any type. In the Old Testament, the sacrifices that came before God were very specific. Not just any animal could be offered. The animal must be clean. And not just anyone could offer it. I think we must be careful to always examine our lives and what we think we are doing for him. We must be careful to examine our sacrifices and the motives of those sacrifices.
Our sacrifice is to be holy. It is to be set apart from the world unto God, with a special purpose. We sing Holy, Holy, Holy because the Lord our God is holy and set apart. Yet, he calls us to live our lives in the same manner. Why wouldn't we based upon what we have read in the first 11 chapters? Why wouldn't we based upon Romans 6-8 and the clear picture of being dead to sin?
One clear reason we don't is instead of surrounding ourselves continually with the things of God, we are now in the habit of surrounding ourselves continually with the things that are not of God. I think about my phone and all the apps I have that really are not about making a holy sacrifice. They are about entertainment and socialization and learning of the world, but I often do not surround myself with the things of God. I have trained myself to be bored if I only have a few things in my life. I must have numerous things and bounce from one to the other. The gospel is simple and straight forward and yet, in today's world, it is almost too simple and straight forward. I have trained myself to not live a simple life, but one that needs a lot of variation. Variation is okay, but I must be careful with all of the inputs I allow in my life.
I think of that song I Surrender All:
All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Him, I freely give
Wow. Wouldn't life be great if those words were actually heeded? That said, my life is to be an offering. He will take me the distance.
Acceptable to God
The question that went around 10 or 15 years ago was the question, "What Would Jesus Do" from the book entitled "In His Steps." Yes, our sacrifice is to be Holy, but it is to be acceptable to God. Again, how often do we simply throw things at the foot of Jesus and they say, "there you go, I gave something." We spend so much of our day in other activities, and then just give things like to God and think, "Well, I did something."
What is acceptable to God? Do I really think about this? I'm not saying I must read more books, but maybe I should. I spend so much of my day still on the TV, entertaining myself. Again, do I define rest in my life or do I let God define rest?
Your Spiritual Service of Worship
This is the only use of this word in the New Testament, Spiritual, and it really takes upon the meaning of being reasonable or logical.
Here is the deal. After verse 36 of chapter 11, that from Him, through Him and to Him are all things, is there any other logical or reasonable way we should be living? It really doesn't make sense to live any other life. It only makes sense if we don't really believe God to be God and His sacrifice for me to be that significant.
Sometimes I am concerned that we play such a high priority on going to church several times a week and taking part in different acts of worship at church but then don't share Christ with others. This past week someone came to our house for work and we gave him work to do and paid him. I never left my chair to talk to this young man. He comes into my lap and I do nothing.
Promise: There is not one area of my life that does not fall under the Lordship of Christ.
Message: Presenting myself, holy and acceptable to God
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
The Set Up
Therefore. As always, we ask what is therefore there for? I think this verse is a break from the previous 11 chapters. I think it is a culmination of everything that has been said. There has been very little commands of personal duty or application. There has instead been a presentation of the condition of man or at times the digression of man away from God. There has been talk as to how many tries to earn value in life and earn God's acceptance. Man has a natural relationship between himself and God and man has a constant desire to be valued and accepted by God.
The problem with man is he naturally lives in a works-righteousness way. He naturally is very self-centered and very focused on achieving things for himself and putting forth a separation between himself and everything and everyone else. And so even though he knows there is a God, he believes God is waiting for him to show himself worthy of being a God-child.
The Book of Romans is very refreshing because it anchors us in the things of God. It anchors me in the idea that life is about the Gospel. Life is about surrendering myself to God. It is about submitting myself to God and who He is and trusting in Him. God knows it all and God has chosen man to be His.
Yes, there are chosen people, there are people that God has set aside for himself, but that doesn't mean that only these people will know God. Faith is an individual thing. We do not get grafted in because of our belonging to a group. Our position is only their because of faith in what God did in transferring the righteousness of Christ to man. This was done by His grace and it reflects a person's life by their faith.
Yet, this verse also marks a natural next step after hearing the previous statement, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." Life is about God and everything that has been stated thus far in this book if for God, through Him and to Him. All of these words of doctrine are for Him, through Him and to Him. So, to Him be the glory forever.
But even here in the book of Romans we see that in the first 11 chapters the focus has been on what God does. It his mercy and His grace that beckons us to Him, that saves us. It is his doing. And now, in response, we are to live from Him with our bodies. He has done the work, now we respond to live as a living sacrifice. Our life is not lived in that way as a condition for God's saving grace, but as a response.
I urge you
It is no secret that the rest of Romans is about our service to God. Doctrine and truth has been established, now, How Must We Live? Paul is not giving a command, he is urging, exhorting, beseeching or begging. The called have been called and now they are urged to live in a way that is consistent with their calling.
By the mercies of God
Again here Paul reiterates what is said all along. This urging is upon God's mercy. It is the mercies of God first that comes and then the response. The covenant first, the life lived second. This cannot be emphasized too much because works-righteousness is so much a part of our life.
To Present
To bring or introduce into the presence of someone especially of superior rank or status. It is to place at someone's disposal.
Romans 6:13 explains the contrasts between the two "presents" - and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
We are not to present the members of our body to sin, but rather present the members of our body to God. In Romans 6, sin is a picture of death, so why would we present our bodies to that which is dead? But, rather we present our bodies to God, that which is alive.
Included in this is love. We love God so we present ourselves. We are to abide in Him. We bow down to worship God.
Your bodies
This is our present to God: our body. This is encompasses everything we are. We present our entire body to Him. We present our feet that walk, our arms that work, our brain that thinks, our ears that listen, our eyes that see, our nose, that smells, our mouth that tastes. So, we present our thought life, what we do, what we eat and speak, our viewing habits, our surroundings, what we listen to -- we present it all.
A Living
How can a sacrifice be living? It is true we are to deny ourselves, but Paul has been speaking of our life of sin, the works-righteousness in our life. For the wages of sin is death. The life we live apart from Christ is basically a dead life. The life in Christ is living. However, that life of sin, though God sees as dead because He sees Christ in us, we still let it live, so we are to daily kill it.
And Holy Sacrifice
We are to simply to make some sort of sacrifice to God. We are not simply to make an offering to the Lord of any type. In the Old Testament, the sacrifices that came before God were very specific. Not just any animal could be offered. The animal must be clean. And not just anyone could offer it. I think we must be careful to always examine our lives and what we think we are doing for him. We must be careful to examine our sacrifices and the motives of those sacrifices.
Our sacrifice is to be holy. It is to be set apart from the world unto God, with a special purpose. We sing Holy, Holy, Holy because the Lord our God is holy and set apart. Yet, he calls us to live our lives in the same manner. Why wouldn't we based upon what we have read in the first 11 chapters? Why wouldn't we based upon Romans 6-8 and the clear picture of being dead to sin?
One clear reason we don't is instead of surrounding ourselves continually with the things of God, we are now in the habit of surrounding ourselves continually with the things that are not of God. I think about my phone and all the apps I have that really are not about making a holy sacrifice. They are about entertainment and socialization and learning of the world, but I often do not surround myself with the things of God. I have trained myself to be bored if I only have a few things in my life. I must have numerous things and bounce from one to the other. The gospel is simple and straight forward and yet, in today's world, it is almost too simple and straight forward. I have trained myself to not live a simple life, but one that needs a lot of variation. Variation is okay, but I must be careful with all of the inputs I allow in my life.
I think of that song I Surrender All:
All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Him, I freely give
Wow. Wouldn't life be great if those words were actually heeded? That said, my life is to be an offering. He will take me the distance.
Acceptable to God
The question that went around 10 or 15 years ago was the question, "What Would Jesus Do" from the book entitled "In His Steps." Yes, our sacrifice is to be Holy, but it is to be acceptable to God. Again, how often do we simply throw things at the foot of Jesus and they say, "there you go, I gave something." We spend so much of our day in other activities, and then just give things like to God and think, "Well, I did something."
What is acceptable to God? Do I really think about this? I'm not saying I must read more books, but maybe I should. I spend so much of my day still on the TV, entertaining myself. Again, do I define rest in my life or do I let God define rest?
Your Spiritual Service of Worship
This is the only use of this word in the New Testament, Spiritual, and it really takes upon the meaning of being reasonable or logical.
Here is the deal. After verse 36 of chapter 11, that from Him, through Him and to Him are all things, is there any other logical or reasonable way we should be living? It really doesn't make sense to live any other life. It only makes sense if we don't really believe God to be God and His sacrifice for me to be that significant.
Sometimes I am concerned that we play such a high priority on going to church several times a week and taking part in different acts of worship at church but then don't share Christ with others. This past week someone came to our house for work and we gave him work to do and paid him. I never left my chair to talk to this young man. He comes into my lap and I do nothing.
Promise: There is not one area of my life that does not fall under the Lordship of Christ.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Romans 11:33-36 - God, The Source of All
Romans 11:33-36 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Message: God, the depths of Him; He is unsearchable; no one really knows Him; To Him be glory forever.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
Chapter 9 and has been difficult subject matter. After putting forth the gospel in the first 8 chapter and showing the Jews that it is through God making us righteous through Christ, not through being a Jew, having circumcision, hanging onto the Law, Paul then mentions Israel's rejection of Christ, though remnants remain. Yet, by the Lord hardening Israel or allowing their rejection of Him, God has opened up the door for the Gentiles to receive truth. But, one day Israel will return. God is not finished with them.
Here is an outline of Chapter 11 by biblepilot.com.
Paul concludes this non-exhaustive discussion with Praise for God. Paul hasn't answered every question, but overall concluded that God is in control.
The Depth of God - verse 33
In light of this, Paul describes the depth of God. He is after all the creator of all, the giver of all, and He sustains all. Yes, we try to understand Him, but He is unsearchable and unfathomable. It feels like what Paul is doing is confessing to his audience, in one way, that these doctrines are a lot to handle, and yet, they should be, because God is in fact beyond our understanding. There is a depth to his understanding that we can't totally comprehend. This should be normal for us to see. Many faiths think that everything about God is to be known. No way. There is unfathomable and unsearchable.
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? - verse 34
Isaiah 40:13-14
The conclusion from these verses is rather simple. We don't tell God what to do nor do we educate Him. God is in charge. He does not consult with anyone. No one gave him understanding for he is understanding. He is truth. No one taught Him in the path of what is right and wrong. No one gave him knowledge. No one tells him how things work or gives him understanding.
I think one of the lies that Satan tells people is that God doesn't know everything and that man is able to figure out things on his own.
But God does reveal to man his ways. The Bible is a book of writings from men based upon the revelation by God. The challenge that comes in life often is who has God given understanding. Many people will stand up continually and say that they are the prophet that God has given understanding or they are the pastor that rightly understands a particular text or the way of truth. Everyone wants to be an authority on truth.
Psalm 40:5
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.
Something that stands out for me with the verse from Psalm 40 is that we spend so much time trying to understand God and David lets us know that God has thoughts toward us.
who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? - verse 35
Job 41:11
CS Lewis: To argue with God is to argue with the very power that makes it possible to argue at all.
From Him, through Him and to Him are all things - verse 36
The context here in Romans is Paul presenting the great plan of salvation to and for all people. He was not only speaking to the Jews and only speaking to Gentiles, but speaking to everyone. And it is fitting that this verse would conclude Paul's thoughts from chapter 9-11. All of life is about God. It is from Him. It is through Him. It is to Him. How deep should our love of God be in the light of all that we have learned in these texts.
Promise: God is the source of all
Message: God, the depths of Him; He is unsearchable; no one really knows Him; To Him be glory forever.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
Chapter 9 and has been difficult subject matter. After putting forth the gospel in the first 8 chapter and showing the Jews that it is through God making us righteous through Christ, not through being a Jew, having circumcision, hanging onto the Law, Paul then mentions Israel's rejection of Christ, though remnants remain. Yet, by the Lord hardening Israel or allowing their rejection of Him, God has opened up the door for the Gentiles to receive truth. But, one day Israel will return. God is not finished with them.
Here is an outline of Chapter 11 by biblepilot.com.
- 11:1-10 God has not rejected Israel
- 11:1-6 Elect remnant chosen by grace
- 11:7-10 Hardening of the rest (11:7)
- 11:11-24 Consequences of belief and unbelief illustrated
- 11:11-12 Gentiles saved to make Israel jealous
- 11:13-16 Paul’s hope for saving some
- 11:17-21 Gentiles grafted as olive branch
- 11:22-24 Kindness and severity of God
- 11:25-32 Mystery of Israel’s salvation
- 11:25-27 Partial hardening
- 11:28-32 God is merciful
- 11:33-36 Praise for our unsearchable God
The Depth of God - verse 33
In light of this, Paul describes the depth of God. He is after all the creator of all, the giver of all, and He sustains all. Yes, we try to understand Him, but He is unsearchable and unfathomable. It feels like what Paul is doing is confessing to his audience, in one way, that these doctrines are a lot to handle, and yet, they should be, because God is in fact beyond our understanding. There is a depth to his understanding that we can't totally comprehend. This should be normal for us to see. Many faiths think that everything about God is to be known. No way. There is unfathomable and unsearchable.
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? - verse 34
Isaiah 40:13-14
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,
Or as His counselor has informed Him?
14 With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding?
And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge
And informed Him of the way of understanding?
Or as His counselor has informed Him?
14 With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding?
And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge
And informed Him of the way of understanding?
The conclusion from these verses is rather simple. We don't tell God what to do nor do we educate Him. God is in charge. He does not consult with anyone. No one gave him understanding for he is understanding. He is truth. No one taught Him in the path of what is right and wrong. No one gave him knowledge. No one tells him how things work or gives him understanding.
I think one of the lies that Satan tells people is that God doesn't know everything and that man is able to figure out things on his own.
But God does reveal to man his ways. The Bible is a book of writings from men based upon the revelation by God. The challenge that comes in life often is who has God given understanding. Many people will stand up continually and say that they are the prophet that God has given understanding or they are the pastor that rightly understands a particular text or the way of truth. Everyone wants to be an authority on truth.
Psalm 40:5
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.
Something that stands out for me with the verse from Psalm 40 is that we spend so much time trying to understand God and David lets us know that God has thoughts toward us.
who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? - verse 35
Job 41:11
“Who has given to Me that I should repay him?
Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.
Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.
God is never obligated to us. Everything we are comes from him. We can not give something to God that He does not have.
CS Lewis: To argue with God is to argue with the very power that makes it possible to argue at all.
From Him, through Him and to Him are all things - verse 36
The context here in Romans is Paul presenting the great plan of salvation to and for all people. He was not only speaking to the Jews and only speaking to Gentiles, but speaking to everyone. And it is fitting that this verse would conclude Paul's thoughts from chapter 9-11. All of life is about God. It is from Him. It is through Him. It is to Him. How deep should our love of God be in the light of all that we have learned in these texts.
Promise: God is the source of all
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Romans 11:30-32 - Mercy on All
Romans 11:30-32 - 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
Message: Disobedience and Mercy
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
The Common Thread of Disobedience - verse 30
I need to understand today that I was in a state of disobedience and so I should never look at someone in that state and think highly of myself. What it should do is move me to want to share with them, not make myself out to be better than them.But here, the language is specific to the Jewish people. If anyone deserves the most compassion in their state of disobedience, it is the Jewish people.
Mercy Came Running - verse 31
I have received mercy. The Gentile has received mercy. Mercy will come again to the Jew. I remember that song from Philips, Craig and Dean, "Mercy Came Running."
Once there was a holy place
Evidence of God's embrace
And I can almost see mercy's face
Pressed against the veil
Looking down with longing eyes
Mercy must have realized
That once His blood was sacrificed
Freedom would prevail
And as the sky grew dark
And the earth began to shake
With justice no longer in the way
Mercy came running
Like a prisoner set free
Past all my failures
To the point of my need
When the sin that I carried
Was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy
Mercy came running to me
Disobedience and Mercy at the hands of God - verse 32
The ideas of disobedience and mercy come together in verse 32 and Paul really makes a conclusion that God shuts all up in disobedience and shows mercy for all. God is the one in charge.
Promise: From Table Talk August 28, 2014, "The Lord shows mercy to all kinds of people, so we must never think that someone is beyond the reach of God's grace."
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Romans 11:28-29 - God's Irrevocable Gifts and Calling
Romans 11:28-29 - 28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Message: Though some are opposed to the Gospel, God still loves Israel and His calling of them is irrevocable
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
Opposed of the Gospel - Verse 28
As a corporate body, Israel is presently opposed to the Lord. This is Paul's meaning here. This does not mean that every Jew is against the Gospel. But, as a whole there is opposition. There is animosity between the Gentile and the Jew. It is natural. Romans 11:11 - But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Jealousy results often in hurt feelings.
God still loves Israel - verse 28
However, we must not forget, from the standpoint of God, Israel is still beloved because of the covenant promise God made to their forefathers -- first in Abraham, re-affirmed to Isaac, and then to Jacob (Israel). This does not mean that every Jew will be saved, but as a whole God will never cast them off.
God's calling is irrevocable - verse 29
God's calling on a people does not change. God chooses and He does not go back on His word.
Malachi 3:6 - “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."
Numbers 23:19 -
“God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Promise: God will not go back on His word
Monday, January 5, 2015
Romans 11:25-27 - Israel's Temporary Hardening
Romans 11:25-27 -25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
What the Lord is Saying:
A mystery revealed - verse 25
Paul here continues to speak of the hardening of Israel that has occurred, but it is a partial hardening. Paul shows it to be a mystery, but it is not a mystery as something that is mysterious, but something that was previously a mystery and now has been revealed. Prophecy can be a mystery and Paul is showing here the fulfillment of that prophecy or the salvation of Israel, that will come.
Wise in your eyes - verse 25
Paul is concerned that people will then determine, in their own eyes, truth that is only determined by God. People espouse truth all the time and Paul wants people to always submit to the truth of the Word.
We need to realize that we do not know everything, this is what is meant by "will not be wise in your own estimation." Stated another way, "so you will not be proud and start bragging."
I think one problem, possibly, with this understanding is we don't realize what it means for Gentiles to be saved. I think it for granted. This is a huge thing. That in itself is a mystery, revealed. And I think this is hard for me to understand because it is something I have known and often, I am caught up in the idea that Christianity is a western religion because it has shaped the landscape of this country. But God is not finished with Israel, salvation has come to a remnant of people and salvation will come to many more.
“The Deliverer will come from Zion," - verse 26Psalm 14:7
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores His captive people,
Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.
Paul ties together the prophecy or truths of the Old Testament with what he is saying here, that salvation or Yeshua will come out of Zion and be for Zion.
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” - verse 26
Isaiah 59:20 -
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
27 “This is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
27 “This is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”
Message: Partial Hardening followed by Salvation to Israel
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
A mystery revealed - verse 25
Paul here continues to speak of the hardening of Israel that has occurred, but it is a partial hardening. Paul shows it to be a mystery, but it is not a mystery as something that is mysterious, but something that was previously a mystery and now has been revealed. Prophecy can be a mystery and Paul is showing here the fulfillment of that prophecy or the salvation of Israel, that will come.
Wise in your eyes - verse 25
Paul is concerned that people will then determine, in their own eyes, truth that is only determined by God. People espouse truth all the time and Paul wants people to always submit to the truth of the Word.
We need to realize that we do not know everything, this is what is meant by "will not be wise in your own estimation." Stated another way, "so you will not be proud and start bragging."
I think one problem, possibly, with this understanding is we don't realize what it means for Gentiles to be saved. I think it for granted. This is a huge thing. That in itself is a mystery, revealed. And I think this is hard for me to understand because it is something I have known and often, I am caught up in the idea that Christianity is a western religion because it has shaped the landscape of this country. But God is not finished with Israel, salvation has come to a remnant of people and salvation will come to many more.
“The Deliverer will come from Zion," - verse 26Psalm 14:7
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores His captive people,
Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.
Paul ties together the prophecy or truths of the Old Testament with what he is saying here, that salvation or Yeshua will come out of Zion and be for Zion.
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” - verse 26
Isaiah 59:20 -
“A Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the Lord.
This redeemer will remove ungodliness from Jacob. There will be a repentance or turning away from sin for the people of Jacob because of the Redeemer. All of these verses point to the salvation of Israel. Too quickly, I want to apply all of these verses directly to me and the other Gentiles, but they have their root application toward Israel.
“This is My covenant with them, - verse 27
The 'them' in this verse is specifically the people of Israel. This is who Paul is speaking to in these verses. A covenant is an agreement between two parties.
Isaiah 55:3
"Incline your ear and come to Me.
According to the faithful mercies shown to David.
Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you."
Promise: From Table Talk of August 26, 2014 - We Gentiles must not pridefully think the Lord loves us more than the Jews, but we must work for harmony between all peoples in the church.
This redeemer will remove ungodliness from Jacob. There will be a repentance or turning away from sin for the people of Jacob because of the Redeemer. All of these verses point to the salvation of Israel. Too quickly, I want to apply all of these verses directly to me and the other Gentiles, but they have their root application toward Israel.
“This is My covenant with them, - verse 27
The 'them' in this verse is specifically the people of Israel. This is who Paul is speaking to in these verses. A covenant is an agreement between two parties.
Isaiah 55:3
"Incline your ear and come to Me.
According to the faithful mercies shown to David.
Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you."
Promise: From Table Talk of August 26, 2014 - We Gentiles must not pridefully think the Lord loves us more than the Jews, but we must work for harmony between all peoples in the church.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Romans 11:23-24 - The Miracle of Restoration
Romans 11:23-24 - 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For
if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were
grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more
will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
Message: Being Grafted in, Again, Restored
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
The Set Up
Paul continues to be on this theme or explanation of the grafting in of Gentiles. But it really seems to be talking about how God grafts in Gentiles and Jews. He does it based upon his gracious choice (11:5).
From yesterday, verse 22 was kind of a challenging verse, that I'm not sure if I understood the complete meaning of it: Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
The phrase "if you continue in His kindness" mesmerized me. According to the Table Talk guide they felt like this wasn't referring to someone losing their salvation, but instead was speaking to the entire Gentile nation, in the same way previously where verses had spoken of the entire Jewish nation. I guess in the context of this particular chapter and these verses, that would seem to make sense as the texts have been talking about corporate Jewish and Gentile nation in the verses.
Graft in Again - 23
And so now in verse 23, Paul makes the proclamation that if the Gentiles or really anyone does not continue in their unbelief they will be grafted in again. Again, the language here, I see could be somewhat confusing, but to me it is coming from different perspectives.
God grafts in. It is God's kindness. It is God's foreknowledge. But, it is man's belief. It is man not having pride in his belief or position. It is man not falling from the truth. SO, in some ways these verse give the non-Christian hope. God is not unshakeable. God knows the saved and chooses people, but God's choosing is not random.
Maybe what Paul is wanting to get across to people is that God is not random because there is obviously potential to think this about God based upon his choosing. But, I definitely do see that he does not choose empty vessels. He doesn't go out and choose people that have no faith or state no belief or make no proclamation of God in their life. God is not random.
God restores people from all walks of life - 24
In verse 24 mentions olive trees. It mentions a wild tree, a cultivated tree, and then an "own" tree. The final tree being one that people are now a part of, for it is the own tree. Could it be that Paul is simply describing trees of all different sorts or different backgrounds where God restores people to himself? There are wild trees and cultivated trees, so there are people from different backgrounds, but in the end people become part of the grafted in ones, whether they are Jews or Gentiles or whatever.
Promise: The Lord is able to bring people back to himself, from all walks of life.
Message: Being Grafted in, Again, Restored
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
The Set Up
Paul continues to be on this theme or explanation of the grafting in of Gentiles. But it really seems to be talking about how God grafts in Gentiles and Jews. He does it based upon his gracious choice (11:5).
From yesterday, verse 22 was kind of a challenging verse, that I'm not sure if I understood the complete meaning of it: Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
The phrase "if you continue in His kindness" mesmerized me. According to the Table Talk guide they felt like this wasn't referring to someone losing their salvation, but instead was speaking to the entire Gentile nation, in the same way previously where verses had spoken of the entire Jewish nation. I guess in the context of this particular chapter and these verses, that would seem to make sense as the texts have been talking about corporate Jewish and Gentile nation in the verses.
Graft in Again - 23
And so now in verse 23, Paul makes the proclamation that if the Gentiles or really anyone does not continue in their unbelief they will be grafted in again. Again, the language here, I see could be somewhat confusing, but to me it is coming from different perspectives.
God grafts in. It is God's kindness. It is God's foreknowledge. But, it is man's belief. It is man not having pride in his belief or position. It is man not falling from the truth. SO, in some ways these verse give the non-Christian hope. God is not unshakeable. God knows the saved and chooses people, but God's choosing is not random.
Maybe what Paul is wanting to get across to people is that God is not random because there is obviously potential to think this about God based upon his choosing. But, I definitely do see that he does not choose empty vessels. He doesn't go out and choose people that have no faith or state no belief or make no proclamation of God in their life. God is not random.
God restores people from all walks of life - 24
In verse 24 mentions olive trees. It mentions a wild tree, a cultivated tree, and then an "own" tree. The final tree being one that people are now a part of, for it is the own tree. Could it be that Paul is simply describing trees of all different sorts or different backgrounds where God restores people to himself? There are wild trees and cultivated trees, so there are people from different backgrounds, but in the end people become part of the grafted in ones, whether they are Jews or Gentiles or whatever.
Promise: The Lord is able to bring people back to himself, from all walks of life.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Romans 11:19-22 - Broken Branches
Romans 11:19-22 - 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
Message: God's kindness leads us to repentance. Those that fall away receive the severity of God.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
Up to this point
I have been walking through text that is talking about the grafting in of the Gentiles because the Jewish people turned to their own way of righteousness rather than accepting the righteousness which is by faith. Paul communicates very directly how God's grace means that people are chosen by God based upon His choosing. Because of this, we never are to be arrogant or prideful about our faith in Christ. We haven't done anything special to deserve it. Yet, through all of this I am to be a witness and proclaim the message of the gospel continually in my life.
Broken branches - 19,20
Remember, branches (the Jewish nation) have been broken so that I might be grafted in. It is prophetic that the Gentile people have been grafted in, brought in to the family of God. However, we are not be conceited. Conceited is somewhat similar to pride, talked about in Romans 11:18. To be conceited is to have an excessively conceited view point of one's abilities or appearance. The focus is not to be on me. But, I am to live in Godly fear. Fear is to have reverential awe of God. Either way, my focus is not to be on my abilities, but instead to be on God and what He has done.
Set aside for having pride - 21
This is an interesting verse because Paul shows that the Jews were set aside or not grafted in because of their unbelief and then he says that the Gentiles could find themselves in the same predicament because of their pride or self-conceited attitude.
Kindness and Severity Contrasted - 22
We know earlier that God's kindness leads us to repentance (2:4). The problem with people is they fall away, and God is severe with them. God's kindness however lea2ds to repentance. God chooses people through His kindness. People reject God. Interesting contrast. It's not that God chooses some to hell, but rather they fall from Him and He gives them hell, yet in the reverse He chooses some with His kindness. It is always an interesting contrast.
Promise: God prunes branches.
Message: God's kindness leads us to repentance. Those that fall away receive the severity of God.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
Up to this point
I have been walking through text that is talking about the grafting in of the Gentiles because the Jewish people turned to their own way of righteousness rather than accepting the righteousness which is by faith. Paul communicates very directly how God's grace means that people are chosen by God based upon His choosing. Because of this, we never are to be arrogant or prideful about our faith in Christ. We haven't done anything special to deserve it. Yet, through all of this I am to be a witness and proclaim the message of the gospel continually in my life.
Broken branches - 19,20
Remember, branches (the Jewish nation) have been broken so that I might be grafted in. It is prophetic that the Gentile people have been grafted in, brought in to the family of God. However, we are not be conceited. Conceited is somewhat similar to pride, talked about in Romans 11:18. To be conceited is to have an excessively conceited view point of one's abilities or appearance. The focus is not to be on me. But, I am to live in Godly fear. Fear is to have reverential awe of God. Either way, my focus is not to be on my abilities, but instead to be on God and what He has done.
Set aside for having pride - 21
This is an interesting verse because Paul shows that the Jews were set aside or not grafted in because of their unbelief and then he says that the Gentiles could find themselves in the same predicament because of their pride or self-conceited attitude.
Kindness and Severity Contrasted - 22
We know earlier that God's kindness leads us to repentance (2:4). The problem with people is they fall away, and God is severe with them. God's kindness however lea2ds to repentance. God chooses people through His kindness. People reject God. Interesting contrast. It's not that God chooses some to hell, but rather they fall from Him and He gives them hell, yet in the reverse He chooses some with His kindness. It is always an interesting contrast.
Promise: God prunes branches.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Romans 11:16-18 - Wild Olive Branches
Romans 11:16-18 - 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
Message: Beware of feeling prideful
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
From the Amplified: Now if the first handful of dough offered as the first fruits [Abraham and the patriarchs] is consecrated (holy), so is the whole mass (or lump) [the nation of Israel]; and if the root [Abraham] is consecrated (holy), so are the branches [the natural ethnic Jews]. But if some of the branches [the ethnic Jews] were broken off, while you, a wild olive shoot [believing ethnic Jews and Gentiles] were grafted in among them to share the richness [of the root and sap] of the olive tree, Do not boast over the branches [All Jews] and pride yourself at their expense. If you do boast and feel superior, remember it is not you that support the root, but the root [that supports] you.
Once a person belongs to something special and even a group that has an elite distinction, often what occurs is pride or a feeling that one earned their way into this situation. Pride may be one of the chief sins in life. Os Guinness in his book Steering through Chaos looks at the 7 deadly sins and the first sin is pride.
Pride, to me, means that we think that we are in the position we are because of something we have done and also, by being in the position we are, our position is greater than others. Pride rears its head in many different situations in life. At sporting events, the victor in the match might have pride. At a job, receiving a promotion or being a manager might result in pride. Any time a person receives recognition or a pat on the back or hears, "Job well done" pride can be at the fore front.
It is somewhat difficult to not have pride. I was reading, earlier this week, an article about being ordinary and this is something we are not encouraged to be in life, but instead we are often encouraged to be extreme or high or to stand out from the crowd. In raising children, I see this everywhere. It is hard because in raising children, I want my child to have confidence as this helps them to achieve goals and be productive. But, in that confidence should not be an elitist attitude.
I find this interesting and fascinating that Paul, after interjecting that the Gentiles, upon the sin of the Jew, received the gospel and the gracious gift of salvation, quickly comes to this illustration to present the message that these converts are not to boast over those that haven't been chosen. He wants them to remember that their position is not because of their own good works, but because of being placed with the distinguished one (Abraham, later Jesus Christ).
Wow, this is hard. It is so hard to not have the elitist thinking in life. I have done it so many times, but I must go back to Romans 1:21 which says "For even though they knew God, they did not give thanks." Our first response and here, the first that goes astray in the life of the God follower, is not giving thanks. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Thank God in everything." My first response is not to puff out my chest or clap that I am on the top podium or pat myself on the back or throw a bumper sticker on my car that declares my position or sneer at my adversary or opponent because I was the victor, but my first response is to "give thanks."
It is to say, "Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul, thank you, Lord, for making me whole; thank you, Lord, for giving to me thy great salvation so rich and free."
It is interesting when sports figures often do this or ever stars or performers. It is interesting when the first they do upon winning a game or accepting an award is to thank God. This is accurate and fitting. This is correct. Our first response should always be that God is to be thanked.
Promise: As fallen human beings, we are constantly tempted to believe that the reason we are Christians is that we are somehow better than others. Even within the church, we are tempted to believe that we have a monopoly on God's grace and that others who are not part of our denomination are second-class citizens in the kingdom of heaven. If we ever find this feeling in ourselves, let us repent.
.
Message: Beware of feeling prideful
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
From the Amplified: Now if the first handful of dough offered as the first fruits [Abraham and the patriarchs] is consecrated (holy), so is the whole mass (or lump) [the nation of Israel]; and if the root [Abraham] is consecrated (holy), so are the branches [the natural ethnic Jews]. But if some of the branches [the ethnic Jews] were broken off, while you, a wild olive shoot [believing ethnic Jews and Gentiles] were grafted in among them to share the richness [of the root and sap] of the olive tree, Do not boast over the branches [All Jews] and pride yourself at their expense. If you do boast and feel superior, remember it is not you that support the root, but the root [that supports] you.
Once a person belongs to something special and even a group that has an elite distinction, often what occurs is pride or a feeling that one earned their way into this situation. Pride may be one of the chief sins in life. Os Guinness in his book Steering through Chaos looks at the 7 deadly sins and the first sin is pride.
Pride, to me, means that we think that we are in the position we are because of something we have done and also, by being in the position we are, our position is greater than others. Pride rears its head in many different situations in life. At sporting events, the victor in the match might have pride. At a job, receiving a promotion or being a manager might result in pride. Any time a person receives recognition or a pat on the back or hears, "Job well done" pride can be at the fore front.
It is somewhat difficult to not have pride. I was reading, earlier this week, an article about being ordinary and this is something we are not encouraged to be in life, but instead we are often encouraged to be extreme or high or to stand out from the crowd. In raising children, I see this everywhere. It is hard because in raising children, I want my child to have confidence as this helps them to achieve goals and be productive. But, in that confidence should not be an elitist attitude.
I find this interesting and fascinating that Paul, after interjecting that the Gentiles, upon the sin of the Jew, received the gospel and the gracious gift of salvation, quickly comes to this illustration to present the message that these converts are not to boast over those that haven't been chosen. He wants them to remember that their position is not because of their own good works, but because of being placed with the distinguished one (Abraham, later Jesus Christ).
Wow, this is hard. It is so hard to not have the elitist thinking in life. I have done it so many times, but I must go back to Romans 1:21 which says "For even though they knew God, they did not give thanks." Our first response and here, the first that goes astray in the life of the God follower, is not giving thanks. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Thank God in everything." My first response is not to puff out my chest or clap that I am on the top podium or pat myself on the back or throw a bumper sticker on my car that declares my position or sneer at my adversary or opponent because I was the victor, but my first response is to "give thanks."
It is to say, "Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul, thank you, Lord, for making me whole; thank you, Lord, for giving to me thy great salvation so rich and free."
It is interesting when sports figures often do this or ever stars or performers. It is interesting when the first they do upon winning a game or accepting an award is to thank God. This is accurate and fitting. This is correct. Our first response should always be that God is to be thanked.
Promise: As fallen human beings, we are constantly tempted to believe that the reason we are Christians is that we are somehow better than others. Even within the church, we are tempted to believe that we have a monopoly on God's grace and that others who are not part of our denomination are second-class citizens in the kingdom of heaven. If we ever find this feeling in ourselves, let us repent.
.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Romans 11:13-15 - The Jews and the Resurrection
Romans 11:13-15 - 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Message: Jealousy and the Jewish people; Paul sought to reach the Jews by reaching the Gentiles.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
In the same chapter, Paul states he is an Israelite, but also an apostle of Gentiles. This is a somewhat simple passage, it would seem. Jealousy continues to be a theme though. Paul mentions it here. Romans 10:19. Paul introduced the idea based upon Deuteronomy and the Israelites provoking God to jealousy by serving other gods. And then Paul talking about how God went out to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.
Paul sought to reach the Jews by reaching the Gentiles.
In verse 15, Paul mentions the reconciliation of the world, meaning all Gentiles everywhere. Paul had confidence that the number saved would be large.
The Table Talk reading for today was quite poignant. It defended the argument that the Reformed theology, though it speaks of the sovereignty of God and that the Creator has only chosen some for salvation, reminds us of the zeal Paul had in his ministry to reach the lost. It is clear then that the Lord works through means of all sorts, including our or my preaching of the gospel. He uses us to bring about the ends He has ordained.
Ezekiel 37:12-14
“Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.
Promise: Many will be saved.
Message: Jealousy and the Jewish people; Paul sought to reach the Jews by reaching the Gentiles.
Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.
What the Lord is Saying:
In the same chapter, Paul states he is an Israelite, but also an apostle of Gentiles. This is a somewhat simple passage, it would seem. Jealousy continues to be a theme though. Paul mentions it here. Romans 10:19. Paul introduced the idea based upon Deuteronomy and the Israelites provoking God to jealousy by serving other gods. And then Paul talking about how God went out to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.
Paul sought to reach the Jews by reaching the Gentiles.
In verse 15, Paul mentions the reconciliation of the world, meaning all Gentiles everywhere. Paul had confidence that the number saved would be large.
The Table Talk reading for today was quite poignant. It defended the argument that the Reformed theology, though it speaks of the sovereignty of God and that the Creator has only chosen some for salvation, reminds us of the zeal Paul had in his ministry to reach the lost. It is clear then that the Lord works through means of all sorts, including our or my preaching of the gospel. He uses us to bring about the ends He has ordained.
Ezekiel 37:12-14
“Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.
“Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people.
“I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord.’ ”
Promise: Many will be saved.
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