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. 

Romans 5:18-21 - The Obedience of the One

Romans 5:18-21

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Message: The Obedience of the One

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:

These are somewhat difficult passages. I studied this four verses in these 2 lessons: Constituting Us Righteous and The Reign of Grace. I was reminded recently of a verse from Mark in the story of the paralytic and how the focus often in the gospels is on the Jewish scribes and I think Paul is also speaking to them here, answering their potential questions as we all look at Jesus and who He is and what He truly offers - helping them see it is through righteousness (obedient acts of good works) that we are made right with God and it is God that makes us righteous (declared good). 

As mentioned in the previous lesson, Paul does a contrast of righteousness and condemnation in Romans 5:12-21. The previous lesson looked at man's condemnation or a human's inability to be worthy before God. Now let's look at the contrast or the solution to this. 

The condemnation of man is then contrasted with the righteousness of Jesus. With Adam, one sin resulted in all being sinners. We are guilty because of sinning one time. In contrast, Jesus fulfilled the entire Law and then took all sin upon Him. With Adam one sin was committed, with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin. Thus, verse 16 says the gift is not like through the one who sinned or stated again here - through the obedience of the One (Jesus) the many will be made righteous. The focus here is that One makes many righteous. 

One results in death. The (only) One results in life. And Romans 5:17 also makes another key distinction, in Adam's sin death comes to all. In Christ, one must receive grace and the gift. Grace and righteousness is a gift. I think this refers to Christ giving, man receiving.  

Other misinformation that I have heard is Jesus's death means man has the means to being obedient - but again the focus returns to man's obedience. No idea where that idea comes from, but man is still guilty even after Jesus dies and pays for sin. What happens is when Jesus calls someone so that they will receive grace and the gift. On his own man is not capable of making himself a child of God. He must be chosen. 

Jesus is the one who saves. Transfer your trust to Him and let Him take care of it. Let grace reign in our life. Let God's provision reign in our lives. The last phrase of verse 21 says it all:

even so grace 

would reign through righteousness 

to eternal life 

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

RC Sproul stated, "The question is not whether we are going to be saved through works; the question is whose works. We are saved through the works of the One who alone fulfilled the terms of the covenant of works." 

Promise: What gets us eternal life? Being righteous and this does not come about through our own deeds but rather by God's grace accomplished through Jesus Christ Our Lord. 

Prayer: O God, our life on this earth is continually judged by what we do and who we are. And it is so easy to then think that this is how judge us. In a way you do, but as a Holy God, you demand obedience - always. And only Jesus was always obedient. Thank you that when see me, you see His obedience. I am trusting in Jesus Lord. Every day I want to trust in Him. And yet Lord, every day I need your help. Every day is a reminder that I am lost without You and without You I can do nothing. So I seek You once again. I come to You and ask You to be my strength, to help guide my decisions. I want to be careful and to be careful to glorify You in all I do. Show me the way. Thank you being My Way. 

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. 

Romans 5:17 - Human Inability

Romans 5:17 

For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 

Message: Human Inability

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: 

Paul does a contrast of righteousness and condemnation in Romans 5:12-21. Today, let's just look at the condemnation. 

Verse 12 says that -- Through one man (Adam) sin came to all mankind -- and with sin came death to all mankind because all sinned. This is the matter of Adam being our federal head. He sinned once and it spread to all mankind and in the process all are doomed to death because all have sinned. Everyone does not have to sin the same way as Adam to be condemned, simply sinning one time in any way makes one condemned. 

This condemnation of man occurred before the Law was given and in the world. I looked at this previously in my lesson of Romans 5:13-14 whereby Paul is not saying in verse 13 that the Law must be present for there to be sin. The Law is written on our hearts. Abraham who was present 430 years before the Law was still accountable to obedience in all its forms. 

The big concluding point here is that man is not capable of justifying Himself. Adam's sin condemned all mankind. At this point death reigns in us and obedience to the Law will not happen because sin is present. So humans have an inability to attempt to keep the Law for justification. I think this is one of the chief lies of Satan - to be good enough. But, good enough is not the issue, the issue is never sinning. Only Jesus is capable because only Jesus does not sin. 

Promise: Mankind is not born neutral, but rather born guilty and corrupted, then called ones are renewed by the Holy Spirit so those can then please Him. 

Prayer: O Lord, keep me humble for I had nothing to do in being saved by You. I am condemned because I sinned. Thank you Jesus for fulfilling that which I cannot. Thank you for allowing me to receive your grace. Now I need to live everyday for you. Thank you for continuing to reinforce this in my life. As your ambassador, vessel, bond-servant - be my words and voice to communicate this to others. 

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. 

Romans 2:13 - Righteousness According To The Law

Romans 2:13

...for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

Message: Righteousness According To The Law 

Time: Romans was probably written during Paul’s third missionary journey from Corinth to a Jewish/Gentile church in Rome (around 56-57 AD).

What the Lord is Saying:

Thus far I have identified that everyone is a sinner and because of this we are all guilty before God of violating what He has commanded. The Law reminds us we are sinners, but on our own we cannot cover this guilt. We often think we can cover this guilt and penalty of sin by living a good life. This is noble and good to do but it does not excuse our sin. 

The story of Adam and Eve begins with the idea that doing good will mean we can receive eternal life. They were created, put in the garden and could live their life doing good and receive eternal life. What changed? They sinned one time. 

That's tough. That assaults us because no where in life does one mistake nullify your entire worth. I think of my work in local city government. Employees are protected, even from mistakes. In my department, one has to really mess up to be fired. It is seen that one mistake would have to be done seven times with each time bringing it to light, before a person could be let go and if the person starts showing improvement they get to start over. Now in the private sector is generally, a mistake and then a second chance, but on the third offense that is it. So in essence you have one chance to get things right and even with this there is give and take. 

Romans 2:13 emphasizes that is the doers of the Law who will be justified. I think how this likes to be interpreted is any type of law doing justifies us and each person gets to decide the level at which they are obedient. And so what religions do is come up with checklists that must be done to be seen as pious and worthy before God. But these checklists vary. Religions will even say that what makes their checklist the best is they are the only true church and therefore what they say is only valid. 

Leviticus 18:5 says -- So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord. But even in this verse we would rather infer "most of the time" versus "all of the time or perfectly." 

In James 2, James makes the point that we cannot simply be partial in our obedience to the Law. Yes, it is good to love our neighbor, he says, but we cannot show partiality, meaning we must be completely loving to all neighbors at all times. And he says in verse 10 -- For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. He goes on to say that if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, then you are a transgressor. One failure makes us guilty of the entire law. 

That's a compelling text and a good reminder that sin is sin.

Promise: The Law teaches us what it is to be righteous, but our sin condition prevents us from doing it to be righteous, not because we are not obedient to it, but because we are not perfect in our obedience. Thus, the Law condemns us. 

Prayer: Lord, these are lessons that are the opposite of what I learn as I walk in the world. And I recognize that Satan has confused people further by erecting faith systems that confirm the partial keeping of the Law or keeping it according to their rules and ways. But you remind me of the whole truth in this book, not just the one's we like to sample. You are complete and I need to be a complete reader of the Bible and not simply a sampler. Keep me centered on this truth for the voices in the world of another way is deafening. I want you to stay number one in my life Jesus. 

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. 

Romans 3:19-20 - The Law and Accountability

Romans 3:19-20

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

Message: The Law and Accountability

Time: Paul probably wrote Romans between A.D. 57-58 while he was at Corinth in the home of his friend and convert Gaius. He planned to go first to Jerusalem to deliver a gift of money from the Gentile churches to the poor in Jerusalem. Then he hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain. His hopes were later realized, but not as he had expected. When he finally arrived in Rome in early A.D. 60, he was a prisoner under house arrest (Acts 28:11-31).

What the Lord is Saying:

I studied the passage previously. I went back and looked at that lesson that I did on Monday, August 4, 2014 and it is centered on the Gospel and the idea that the Law cannot save us. No one can say to God, look what I have done. Even going one mile over the speed limit is breaking the law. Now, we may not get caught but getting caught does not mean the law has not been broken. It needs to remind us that we are sinners, we are guilty and that fact alone reminds us that we are not righteous and we need Christ to be righteous in our place. 

Paul is laying the groundwork in these passages as he explains why human beings need the Gospel. What I have focused on so far in these lessons is quite simply the problem -- sin. And our sin makes us all guilty, the Jew and Gentile alike. The natural response of doing something poorly is to improve and not do it again. It is to learn from one's mistakes. It is to be a better person. This is normal and right. The problem is this does not excuse our sin. But mankind thinks that good outweighs bad. So when bad goes before the judge, man pulls out the resume and talks about how he has reformed himself and is different now and will never do it again and has learned from his way --- all good things, but the issue is the law has still been broken. Thus, this verse -- by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 

I read this and it assaults my own thinking because in my life this is how I am not trained. I am rather trained that good outweighs bad. 

The law teaches us many things that I have not named here but in the area of justification it simply reminds us we are sinners. We will break the law and through this God wants us to say, "Yes, I have broken the law and so I need someone to pay my debt." That's it. Our conscience was given by God and reminds us we have broken the Law. But even this becomes dull over time as we repeatedly break laws and do not acknowledge the sin. This is what was talked about previously as evil is now called good. The moral law defines what is good and bad, what is good behavior and bad behavior. The Law gives us this. The 10 commandments explain the moral law. This law condemns us first and foremost. 

Promise: As we look at the Law, it needs to move us to continue looking to Christ for salvation. Consider shortcomings but Jesus is our redeemer. 

Prayer: O God your message of the Law assaults my thinking at times because of the way I am trained so often in this world in which I live. But thank you for giving me understanding of your truths so that I live by Your Words. Keep me open to your truths. 

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 the Jews are just as guilty before God. 

Romans 3:9-18 - The Sins of the Jews

Romans 3:9-18

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written,

“There is none righteous, not even one;
There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.
Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,
The poison of asps is under their lips;
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;
Their feet are swift to shed blood,
Destruction and misery are in their paths,
And the path of peace they have not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Message: The Sins of the Jews

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element. The Gentile believers were experiencing peace, but Paul felt like they needed a strong dose of basic Bible doctrine. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

In the previous lesson, the sins of the Gentiles were examined as recorded in Chapter 1, verse 18-32. Now, here in Romans 3:9-18, the charge is that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin. 

Many 1st-century Jews acknowledged their sin, but because of their status as descendants of Abraham, they felt their special status excused somewhat their sin and their status in God's kingdom was still intact. Paul was a Jew. He states in Galatians 2:15, We are Jews by nature, and not sinners from among the Gentiles so even Paul saw a difference between the Jew and the Gentile. This was common knowledge among the Jews and so Paul is addressing it. 

His explanation of the sins of Gentiles is fairly short and to the point, but as he turns to Jews, the proclamation is long as he spends all of Chapter 2 explaining it further, culminating in the conclusion in Chapter 3:9-18. In chapter 2, he mentions

• The Jew cannot judge others and then not also be condemned. God's judgment falls on all (v.2:1-5). 
• Even the Jew's actions or works of evil will find tribulation and distress (v. 6-10)
• Yes, the Jew is unique but God does not judge with partiality, as only doers of the law will be justified (v. 11-16)
• In teaching the Law, the Jew must be obedient to the Law and outward signs like circumcision do not result the same as Law adherence but rather to be righteous the law must be kept (v. 17-29)  
• They were entrusted with the oracles of God, but are they adhering to all of its words or simply some of them; Only God is found to be true; every man is a liar (v.3:1-8)             

Again, the reason for Paul's writing here is to confront the Jew who thought by being a Jew that right off the top, the Jew then had a special advantage over the Gentile and so the Jew should be looked at differently. Paul is clear the Jew has advantages like having the responsibility for passing on the words of the Bible, but Paul still wants to assert that all people are sinners. And their actions, their uniqueness, the fact they are teachers and carriers of the Law and Word - these things do not excuse their sin. Sin is a universal condition. Yes, the Jew has special privileges but this does not mean the Jew is more righteous. 

Thus, Paul now with the Jews will use direct quotations from Scripture to support His argument. I studied this passage previously and here list the references for these verses. 

• Romans 3:10-12 from Psalm 14:1-3 and Psalm 53:1-3
• Romans 3:13 from Psalm 5:9 and Psalm 140:3
• Romans 3:14 from Psalm 10:7
• Romans 3:15-17 from Isaiah 59:7-8 and see Isaiah 48:22
• Romans 3:18 from Psalm 36:1

I think what is especially interesting about these verses are the words - it is not simply that people are not righteous, but rather "no one is righteous". 'None' is repeated 4x and then also 'not even one' and 'no.' Again, the Jew was looking for some sort of exception clause, but Paul is wanting to be clear -- 'None' and 'Not even one.' What a sobering thought this must be for the Jew, for all of us. None of us are free from sin and so all of us need a redeemer, a Savior. All of us are guilty. None of us are perfect. 

Promise: There are good people in life and good citizens among all of us. People are nice and people have good virtues. But, all people are still under sin and no one is righteous. Everyone has sinned, so we all need Christ in order to be reconciled to God. 

Prayer: O Lord, I am a sinner. I know this. You show me my sin often and each day I see it. I am embarrassed by that sin. I hate to repeat my sin and yet I so often do that. So each day I see the same need that I have for you God, to be My Savior. I need thee every hour because I am a sinner every hour. Yes, I try hard to not make mistakes, but they still happen and even in my job, as I try to not make adding errors or poor decisions, in my life, I am still selfish, greedy, an adulterer at heart, a murderer at heart, disobedient to parents, not observant of the Sabbath, an idolater, and selfish. I am so selfish God. Thank you for showing me clearly my sin and my need of you. Keep showing me. Never let that be dull and keep revealing that to people. We need to all keep seeing it. 

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. 

Romans 1:18-32 - The Sins of the Gentiles

Romans 1:18-32

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Message: The Sins of the Gentiles

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

What the Lord is Saying:

Back in 2014 and 2015, I did a study in the book of Romans, following Tabletalk and these verses comprised 7 lessons. This section of scripture has always been one of my favorites after taking time to memorize this in the 90s. 

Now I move to a study on Justification - sola fide - and justification by faith alone and it begins with this passage. The first 8 chapters of Romans is about revelation or doctrine and then the remaining chapter is application 

Before diving into the message from the writers of this devotion, I first look at this text for review myself. I love it. Verse 19 says that God is evident within. God made it this way. He made man to know Him and yet man left to his own devices does not honor Him as God or give thanks (v 21). It is clear that this must be awakened in mankind. But I so love Paul's description of what happens to man if He is not awakened. It reminds me that we live in a world that does not honor Him. We should not be surprised, in a way, and yet we should be moved therefore to be part of this awakening of man. But, the gist of this passage is describing the Sins of the Gentiles. And after man does not honor God he/she looks within for the answer as they became futile in their speculations, but then something really sobering occurs as Paul says three times in verse 24, 26, and 28 how God gave them over which I believe is the same idea as God hardening. These verses speak of hardening of our bodies, our passions, and our mind. In other words, everything is changed.

I turn to the devotional now - the reason we need to be declared righteous is because without that declaration we are unrighteous. This is a fact. This is certain. Mankind is lost. 

Let's remember, we are accustomed to think the wrath of God is poured out right now against sin. But rather God's wrath is coming in a final Day of The Lord as mentioned in Isaiah 13:9-16. I read this and it horrific mentioning the day of the Lord is coming, cruel, with fury, and burning anger...He will exterminate its sinners...the sun will be dark...the moon will not shed its light...I will punish the world for its evil...will make man scarcer...make the heavens tremble and the earth will be shaken. 

So the wrath that is spoken of here is a revealing or showing of God's wrath, today, as God hands sinners over to their sin. As mankind is given over to their sin, God's wrath is seen. People want sin. They want to ignore God and do things their own way and so God is letting them and so they give the people what they want. In the process of all of this, sin is celebrated. 

O how we are seeing this today. We have celebrations and parades and tolerance is becoming mandated in our schools. Dependence on God is traded for dependence on our government and whatever they say we follow as true. All of this is storing up wrath (Romans 2:5) for people in the day of the Lord that is coming. In my words, we are manufacturing and dispensing God's wrath today for when God will pour it all out One Day.   

Promise: No matter what people's transgressions are, God still rescues people who He has handed over to their sin. 

Prayer: Lord, I love seeing You show me the truth of our lives. It is sobering and sad. Thank you for placing the knowledge of You in everyone, but it is sad to see people not honor You or give You thanks for the life that you have given in creating them. People think they are so clever in their speculations. Thank you once again God for saving me. People need to be awakened to You God. And you call me to be involved in this awakening by declaring it to people. Thank you for the reminders you give continually for me to be involved in this. Help me to remain faithful to Your calling on my life. Your Word continues to illuminate me and speak to me but I want to be have more than head knowledge and act. Show people, like my son, the nasty result of seeking out his own way for happiness and joy. Not even the scent smells good. The warning signs are there. Awaken your truth to him, to all those in my care. I honor and thank you 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.

Revelation 1 - Jesus and His Servant John

Revelation 1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze when it has been heated to a glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Message: Jesus and His Servant John

Time: John mentions himself as writer of this book 4 times. He wrote it from the island of Patmos around AD 95. It is a book of eschatology (last things), first writing to 7 churches John had been involved with. It then deals with the specifics of the tribulation (4-18) and then Christ's dominance over the forces of evil and a re-creation of a place for the redeemed (19-22). 

What the Lord is Saying:

So after spending much time looking at Jesus, Christ alone and what it meant that Jesus came. I've spent the last remaining lessons looking at the encounters Jesus had with people. Nathanael, Samaritan Woman, Pontius Pilate, Two men on the road after his resurrection, Saul, and now John the Revelator (as Phil Keaggy would say). 

These words giving to John are events which must soon take place. John received visions or was in the Spirit of what would happen and he records what he sees in these writings. He speaks to the seven churches who released us from our sins by His blood. 

It is clear from this first chapter that Jesus spoke to John and he received a special experience from Jesus that has now been relayed to us. It reminds me that Jesus is involved in our lives. He is still speaking to us, through the Holy Spirit. We are really enamored and enthralled by this text. It has been a controversial text and many different people walk away from it with many different interpretations. To me, that seems fine. It is fun to understand the text but understanding it is not crucial I believe to my salvation. But, I do believe Jesus had this encounter with John and he is passing on that understanding through these words. 

Conclusions - I have spent a lot of time on this particular issue of Tabletalk. I started looking at in January, reading through the articles and providing a synopsis of them. I suppose I decided to be thorough in looking at the issue since I was taking so long to go through it and it wasn't until the end of March that I started my first post on the Divine Nature of Christ. The issue is about solus Christus - Christ alone. It has been very illuminating to me. It seems too small to simply say that Jesus has had a significant impact on my life and the life of us all. But, it also seems necessary to say that Jesus and His mission completes the story of our lives and faith. He is divine and this is significant though remains quite controversial. But, in addition to being divine he had a human nature, needing to eat, needing rest and being tempted, as I am daily. 

The lesson on Jesus as our Federal Head is an interesting one to me for Jesus makes us all alive as Adam ushered in sin to all men. It makes sense and yet it is truly a message that is difficult to understand for those that have not been given divine understanding of it by God. And it was followed up by saying that Jesus is the True Israel, the true Messenger from God and the one as our Messiah that will rescue and deliver His People. O how rich is this understanding of God and His word. 

These lessons were followed with understanding further Jesus obedience. For Him to be our Messiah, and Messenger and final substitute, he must have been completely obedient in every way - as he grew up and He also showed us the importance of baptism and how we are to respond to temptation and how Jesus fulfilled the Law. I am incapable of being obedient to the Law so the Law means something a little different to me, it first and foremost reminds me that I can't obey it but it was meant to be obeyed and Jesus did this. Therefore, I always return to Him for having saved me and done this. And in saving me He suffered. Sin has consequences and Jesus took on all of those consequences for me. 

Then there were lessons about Jesus' titles - Prophet, Priest and King. Again, what I see in Jesus is completeness and finality. He is the only Prophet that is needed. He spoke for God and He always accomplished God's purposes. He did it all so there is no reason for anyone else. He is our High Priest, clearing the way for us to approach the Father. And He intercedes for me. He is all I need. He is King. he is King of Kings. 

It is his atonement that makes me whole. He paid the penalty of sin for me, once for all, but also for all he has called. The reality is that not every person will be drawn to Him. And so while he can save all, he only saved those that He has called. And it is only by Him rising from the dead that I can rise from the dead. He conquered death and it is through my faith in Him that I share this resurrection. 

This lesson ended with Jesus and his encounters with people, reminding me that He is encounters us and meets us and what a joy this is to me, to all of us. 

Promise: Everything changes in our lives or should change in our lives when we encounter Jesus. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for these lessons. They've taken me a lot of time to get through but getting through them has been an absolute joy. It has reminded me Jesus how you have done it all for me. And that life is always about You. O forgive me for shying away sometimes from speaking of You. Help me to be a light for you and to encourage people as I can about You. Thank you for speaking so clearly to me through these words. Thank you for giving me new life and that life is all about You. Continue to give me discernment and knowledge of You and Your word. Bring to mind these truths in my life, as I live life, as I engage with people. I want to be like you Jesus and think and do the way you think and do. I praise your name and thank you for changing my life for not just now, but for all eternity. 

Acts 9:1-22 - Jesus Calls Saul To Service

 Acts 9:1-22

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them in shackles to Jerusalem. Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.” The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Message: Jesus Calls Saul to Service

Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God.

What the Lord is Saying: 

I'm starting to see this conversion story in a new light. God chose this man for His service. He confronted him and the choices he had been making up to the point that Jesus got his attention. The Lord uses a man, Ananias, as a conduit to heal Paul of the loss of vision that Jesus had given him. Again, Jesus did not need to do any of this, but he chose to use these circumstances and these people to get Saul's attention. Ananias was alarmed by this because of the reputation that Saul had, being a person that had inflicted so much harm to his fellow disciples. Yet Jesus had a purpose in this. He would call a man who zealousy lived in opposition to God and how he would live zealousy for God.

It is interesting to hear messages like this, of a conversion that someone may have had from the darkness to the light. Hearing about these types of conversions was common when I was growing up in the Baptist church I attended during high school: conversions of people involved in a seedy lifestyle. Much of the presentation they gave was about their life before Christ, showing us the darkness of it but then how Jesus had changed them and they were a new creation living in service for Him. They were brought on the stage simply so we could hear and witness this incredible conversion. Most recently was the story of Brian Welch that I read, a lead guitar player for the hard rock group Korn and his life of drugs and then how Jesus suddenly shined a light on his life and he turned to Him. His conversion wasn't as quick as Paul though as it took him time to get off the stronghold that drugs had on his life. 

But the point of these conversions needs to be Jesus choosing these men to be His. It is also interesting that in Jesus confronting Saul he said to him, why are you persecuting Me? and yet Saul was not confronting Jesus directly but rather coming after His followers and upset that they were not obedient to the Pharisee law of the day. Yet, Jesus spoke to Saul that Saud was persecuting Him. Jesus views the persecution of His followers as the persecution of Him. 

This needs to remind that no person is out of the grasp of God. It encourages me to the hope that Jesus can change anyone. I must still believe this and focus on this. There are people in my life and they seem far from God or far from living in a way that honors Him and yet Jesus can get a hold of them and I need to be ready if Jesus uses me to help that person know Him. 

Promise: No sinner is beyond the grace of God. Our God is mighty to save. 

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for saving me. I was lost and not living for you and over the years I have even tried to live in ways that is not honoring to you and you pull me back. God you are so great and mighty and you save people everywhere at all times. Keep showing us these stories and encouraging us that you are a great God that can save everyone. 

 

Luke 24:13-35 - Two Men See Jesus

Luke 24:13-35

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Message: Two Men See Jesus

Time:  Luke, a non-Jew, written in Theophilus, by a physician, is a careful chronological rendering of the events of Christ's life. Luke takes his writing from primary sources - those people who had witnessed the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Luke wrote this probably from 58-60 AD as he accompanied Paul. His second volume was Acts. He writes of salvation to all men. 

What the Lord is Saying:

In this passages the past several days, I have been reading now about the Jesus that encounters us, His people. He revealed himself to Philip who told Nathanael so that Nathanael could see Jesus. And then a Samaritan woman, unexpectedly, just going to get water, meets Jesus and discovers He is the Living Water and He is all she really needs. As Jesus gets closer to the cross, He wants to do the Father's will at whatever cost. He submits to the authority and yet He is still our King, the King of Kings with all authority given to Him by God and He will be our ransom, fully man. 

Now, in this passage, Jesus has died on the cross and He meets two men, though he is not recognizable immediately by them (this is on purpose by Jesus). Initially, my impressions from this passage is these men are walking in sorrow, stuck in the moment. Even after the women had seen that no one was in the tomb, they continued to not really believe that Jesus was coming back. Yet Jesus had said to his followers previously, several times, that he would suffer, be rejected, be killed, but then rise again (see Jesus Reveals His Purpose in Coming). It is almost like the words of Jesus are echoing, "O ye of little faith." Like the disciples with him in the storm and he calms the sea, Jesus is still present. He is still with us. What He said, He will do. 

This is a message we need even today - as we stare at our world and all of its uncertainties, I wonder if we begin to question or have less faith in our God because the problems seem large. But Jesus is still Lord and He still does the impossible and we are still doing and to do greater things. God can work through any situation.   

Eventually, Jesus reveals Himself to these two men so that they can see that He is in fact alive. But then he vanishes. 

The other message here is that Jesus is true only to people when He reveals Himself to them. Despite the overwhelming evidence and even His words up to this point, some people simply will not believe. I admit that this can be discouraging. It is hard in life to present the truth and yet people remain darkened. Jesus said in John 3:5 -- “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." To see the Kingdom of God, one must be born again. When Jesus is seen, like He was seen by these two men, the light bulb gets turned on and what do they immediately do? And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. In other words, they told others. 

Promise: We need to pray that the Spirit will move in people's lives and they will know the truth. It is only by God working in a person's life that they come to know Him. Yet, our mission remains. Pray and share and sharing is automatic for great news must be shared. 

Prayer: Lord, I heard that song yesterday, O Lord You're Beautiful, and it reminded me of that Joy that I have of you and the joy of my salvation sometimes is fleeting. Sometimes it is not as alive as it was when I first discovered that You had saved me and called me to be yours. Wake Me Up Lord. I want to stay excited and thrilled and sharing You with others. I am too often dealing with my life and all that it presents and getting sidetracked. Give me rest Lord. I don't want to lose sight of You and want to stay Fired Up. Thank you Jesus for saving me, for choosing me. Be glorified. 

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

- His Encounters - Jesus called Philip and then he told Nathanael to come and see so he could see that Jesus reveals himself to Nathanael. Then when Jesus meets a Samaritan woman, we see that Jesus knows everything about us and loves us still and wants us to drink of the living water that He offers that will give us eternal life. And Jesus is our King, but also the Man, who like Adam will atone for our sin as Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate. 

John 18:28-19:16a - Jesus Stands Before Pontius Pilate

John 18:28 - 19:16a

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!” So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.”

Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”

Therefore when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” So they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”

So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified.

Message: Jesus Stands Before Pontius Pilate

Time: John is not recorded as the author, but unanimous testimony of early Christians, like Iraneus in the 2nd century declare him the author. Plus, the eyewitness account give rise that he was one of the close knit disciples and Peter already penned through Mark (the Gospel of Mark), and James died soon after the resurrection, which leaves John. It is thought this book was written between 85 and 95 AD. The Deity of Christ is a striking quality of John's gospel.

What the Lord is Saying:

Once again, I felt like I should reference the entire text in the Post. Sometimes I just do excerpts from the text. This is a familiar story, whereby Jesus is delivered over to Pontius Pilate. Pilate is only going to sentence Jesus because the Jews want this to happen. When given the option of releasing a man, the Jews choose another man, a robber. What they have against Jesus is he proclaims himself as a king and as one with authority. Jesus has always made it clear that he has authority and this has always bothered the Pharisees and Jews. Pilate did not care about Jesus. Even though he had no reason to believe he was guilty, he also had no reason to let him go and to that end, he feared his own safety and his own name if he would have gone that route in letting him go. 

One of the words that Pilate spoke of Jesus was "Behold, the Man!" When speaking of the man, Pilate is referring to Jesus as a man. Sin entered the world through a man, Adam, and now Jesus as our Savior, and as a man will atone for the sins of other human beings. It is an important distinction as it took a second Adam to reconcile us to God. Romans 5:19 declares, For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

Jesus does remark that He is King. “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” He is truth. And so he submitted to the authorities in order to stand in Truth. Jesus knew this time was coming. He knew His message was one of controversy. Many times it is recorded in the Gospel of how he would tell people that he has healed or encountered to not make a commotion about Him because He wanted to get the message of His gospel out to many and He knew that what He was putting forth would be received by some but for others they would feel threatened. Jesus is still this way. Mentioning God is fine, but once we start mentioning that Jesus is more than a man, more than a prophet, people are taken aback. But this is who Jesus is and this is who I need to proclaim Him to be, beyond what is heard on sunday morning at church. Jesus is God incarnate and He is Savior and King and Lord. 

Promise: Let us always love the truth and proclaim it even when it is not convenient for us. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus and for Him being fully man and fully God and dying on the cross for my sins and then rising again, conquering death and taking me now with Him to eternal life with Him. I will conquer death in the same way. You God are Lord and King. Lord, you remind me though Lord of how I need to continue to proclaim you in the streets, in the office, throughout my life that You are Lord of my life. I admit too often my words of you are safe and I mention God but not sure amongst unsaved that I mention Jesus, you having changed my life. Lord, I want to be an ambassador for You and be a witness and proclaim You as You proclaimed me and chose me. I want to stand up for Jesus no matter what crowd or people group I am in. Show me now how to have the strength of sharing you Jesus with others. 

John 4:1-45 - Jesus Meets A Samaritan Woman

John 4:1-45

Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. And He had to pass through Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.”  The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why do You speak with her?” So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?” They went out of the city, and were coming to Him.

Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”

From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”

After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.

Message: Jesus Meets a Samaritan Woman

Time: John is not recorded as the author, but unanimous testimony of early Christians, like Iraneus in the 2nd century declare him the author. Plus, the eyewitness account give rise that he was one of the close knit disciples and Peter already penned through Mark (the Gospel of Mark), and James died soon after the resurrection, which leaves John. It is thought this book was written between 85 and 95 AD. The Deity of Christ is a striking quality of John's gospel.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Well, I made this entry long by referencing the entire text from this lesson and yet, it is good to see the complete story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman. When Jesus greeted her she knew that it was unusual, him being a Jew, her a Samaritan. It seems like Jesus' first response to her about 'a drink' is that the differences between Samaritans and Jews does not matter when Jesus is offering living water or eternal life. Too much of life right now is us/them and taking sides. It is election time so those sides are more prevalent. Yet, at the same time is a message of 'together' as we walk through this pandemic. So that is one point that I see in this lesson - no divisions when talking about receiving Jesus. 

I also see Jesus saying that drinking of the water from the well will always mean that we remain thirsty and need to drink again. But, when we drink the Living Water, provided by Jesus, we are complete and have everything we need. It reminds me of the prevalence of vices like alcohol, smoking pot, or popping a pill or even eating, drinking, or taking prescription drugs -- all are a reminder of things we never stop needing or feeling like we need, some give us temporary highs and some are needed to sustain life, but no matter what they are fleeting, but Jesus and His love is full and complete. 

I have been studying through Genesis a little with BSF and noticed that God always drew out people's recognition of their sin in their life by asking questions. Jesus does this here when speaking about the many husbands that this woman has had after she has stated she has no husband. It is a reminder that Jesus knows our sins and the Holy Spirit draws that sin out in our lives with our conscience speaking to us. 

I also see Jesus talking about doing the Will of the Father and how it provides to us nourishment like nothing else. 

And once we encounter Jesus, like this woman does, we cannot help but tell others about Him. 

Promise: Jesus changes everything. In this lesson is many lessons, but notable to me is we are all the same in our need for God as Jesus provides us eternal life, water that is complete. And Jesus knows our sin and yet Loves us still. 

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for seeing me and knowing me, forgiving me and loving me. There is abundant life in You. Life is complete with you and I praise You for this. Thank you for changing the way we think and helping us see that You Lord penetrate our lives like nothing else. Thank you for the peace that you bring and for saving me. Thank you for this day in which I have the honor of baptizing my oldest son Tyson. Thank you for loving him and choosing him as Yours and the joy that he is in our lives and the lives of others.