I Samuel 17:1-37 - The Threat of Goliath

I Samuel 17:1-37

Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philstine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" (verse 26)

Message: The Threat of Goliath

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Saul is still king over Israel with David residing in his court. Chapter 17 begins with the word that the Philistines have gathered for battle. [Found this great map here showing the place where the Philistines have gathered - Socoh which is in Judah, below Jerusalem (which resides in the tribe of Benjamin)]. Philistines camped on one side of the mountain and Israel on the other mountain side with a valley in between (v.1-3). 

Enter Goliath, about 9 feet 9 inches tall and had armor weighing 125 pounds. He had on shin guards and a javelin (v.4-7). 

Goliath stands and announces himself as the Philistine and asks Israel for a man to come to him. A fight is offered with the winner becoming servants of the other (v. 8-10). Israel was afraid (v.11). 

In the next 8 verses an overview of David and Jesse is given. Jesse had 8 sons and lives in Bethlehem (15 miles to Socoh, the place of battle so probably a days journey). "David went back and forth from Saul (in Socoh) to tend his father's flock at Bethlehem (verse 15)." David isn't even thought to be included in the battle but Jesse's other sons are present. Jesse instructs David to bring food to the camp for his brothers. 

The next 6 verses (v.20-25) David arrives and heads to the battle line to greet his brothers. Goliath speaks again the words he spoke before and David hears them. Men of Israel tell David that whoever defeats this man will be extremely honored and respected and receive the king's daughter. David responds in verse 26, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?" David is marveled that anyone would have that audacity to think they could defeat anyone represented by the Living God. 

From the moment David arrives throughout all of the conversations he has confidence in himself, his experience as a fighter, recalling when he fought a lion taken a lamb from his flock. He used his bare hands. It is in David's words (verse 32) that reflects his confidence, "Let no man's heart fail on account of him."  He tells Saul that he is able to fight the Philistine and Saul says to him in verse 37, "Go, and may the Lord be with you." 

Verse 26 are the first recorded words of David. And his words declare his confidence in God. Previously, it is God that has chosen David without any words or works shown by David. But when David does speak he proclaims his confidence in God. His first description is a man after God's own heart. He is the unlikely hero. 

As I have studied Saul, he seems like an everyday leader. On the surface there isn't much wrong with him, but Samuel does reflect him as being not too confident in God and having to be reminded to look to God for help and guidance. Contrast is David who is chosen by God and immediately reflects confidence in God. Saul was not anti-God by any means. He tried to please God, but perhaps his pleasing was more defined by himself. 

Summary: The Philistines have come to do battle and Goliath challenges anyone to fight him with the winner resulting in those people serving the other. David in coming to provide food for his brothers declares confidence that he can defeat Goliath because of God. 

Promise: God can deliver us from His enemies and we need to have complete confidence in Him alone. 

Prayer: God, you choose your workers and You have clearly chosen some for your purposes while others do not work for your glory completely and yet you sill can work through their lives for your good purpose. I think all people hope that they would be on your side. I pray that I am like a David, chosen by You, after your own heart, reflecting You. Be the strength in my life. 

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

Joshua 5:1-12 - Israel Obeys the Covenant

Joshua 5:1-12

verse 1, "their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them."

verse 5, "for all the people that came out were circumcised."

verse 9, "I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you."

verse 10, "they observed the Passover."

verse 12, "the manna ceased." 

Message: Israel Obeys the Covenant

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: I get sidetracked often in the morning, working on other things at times, rather than diving back into the Word. I spend time journaling and right now been talking to LDS missionaries and so reading up on that and thinking about what I might say to them. I get up later at times and don't focus myself on the Word. Today, I come back to my study of Joshua, having not really focused on it over the past 5 days. 

I was actually talking to a friend about this the other day and he commented and wondered why this book isn't a bigger deal. There is a lot of focus on Moses, but maybe not as much on Joshua. And yet he took Israel to the promised land (Canaan) after Moses passed away. Like Moses, a sea was divided or parted, this time the Jordan river. I think a common theme so far in these writings is the simple idea that God is with us, at least here God was providing his assurance to his people that he was there. I read that in the devotional and I think that got me off on the tangent of thinking about the lesson given in Sunday School two days ago by Dave Pitcher, a retired doctor in our class that is going to seminary but sounds like he has already gone. He is very astute and passionate about reading this Word and studying it. And maybe I realized for a moment that his message on Sunday, though a little hard to grasp, was basically another testament to that idea - God is with us. That this word of God that we read so casually each day is in fact very robust and clearly a divine book. It is deeper and wider than we could ever imagine. 

I get lost sometimes by our current teacher - Rob and what he gives us sometimes each Sunday - it is a lot of information and it amazes me also how he can glean so much from God's word. Maybe I get overwhelmed each week by all that is said. It is my nature to want to dive into all of it. I so appreciate the community of church and the people in the class and getting to know people and where they are at in their journey. 

Chapter 5 - verse 1 - the kings of the Amorites and kings of Canaanites heard about the Lord drying up the waters of the Jordan for the Israelites and their hearts melted and they had no spirit in them any longer. 

In the Joseph Benson (1748-1821) commentary, on this he says - "This (hearts melted and no spirit in them) did not happen without God’s special providence, that the Israelites might quietly participate of the two great sacraments of their church, circumcision and the Passover, and thereby be prepared for their high and hard work, and for the possession of the holy and promised land; which would have been defiled by an uncircumcised people."

This verse has meaning. People were impacted by this parting of the water. It went beyond simply impacting Israel. The work of God impacted others. They lost all courage. These people groups had terror and shock and amazement - to see what God could do and to see what he has done.  

The Israelites and Joshua have crossed the Jordan. From the last chapter in verse 19 they are camped at Gilgal, on the eastern edge of Jericho. This is confirmed in verse 10 of chapter 5. The Lord speaks to Joshua and tells him to circumcise the sons of Israel that have not yet been circumcised. The comment of "the second time (v.2) " does not mean men are circumcised a second time, but rather there is a second ceremony of circumcision taking place with those young men who were born in the wilderness and then came out of Egypt (v.4). Their fathers and other men had died coming through the wilderness. These are the children God has raised up in their place (v. 7). So they were circumcised and then remained their to be healed from that act. 

And in verse 9, the Lord said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." Interesting choice of words - "rolled away." That phrase makes me think of Jesus, buried in the tomb, and the stone was rolled away. It seems something similar here in that by commanding the act of circumcision, the Lord is stating his commitment to the sons of Israel, that He is with them. And they are special and distinct. God had restored his covenant or promise to them. There obviously was some doubt and the Egyptians had made the people think at various times there was question of God keeping his promises. 

In Exodus 32:11-14 is the idea from Moses to the Lord that the Lord was somehow mad at his people of Israel. The Egyptians were speaking with the idea that God had left his people, as people were killed in the wilderness though Joshua 5:6 says they "perished because they did not listen to the voice of the Lord." But still there was that feeling that God had left them and so the Lord pleads with God to change His mind. I think this is what it looks like to us at times that God is wallowing back and forth between blessing his people and not blessing them. 

David writes of this in Psalm 106:45, "He remembered His covenant for their sake, and relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness." This is the way we see it. We say that God remembered, but I don't think God ever forgets but we see it this way about Him. I think what we don't understand is God's entire purpose and so we say words about God so that it makes sense to us. 

Numbers 14:13-16 is another passage that speaks of the Egyptians thinking that God rescued his people but then they were slaughtered in the wilderness and so God could not bring this people into the land he had promised them (v. 16). Thus, there is a reproach by Egypt as spoken in verse 9 of Joshua 5. This passage speaks of that idea that God is over them, going before them in a pillar cloud by day and a pillar fire by night and yet somehow won't be fulfilling His promises. This is what the Egyptians think. 

Deuteronomy 9:25-29 is Moses again falling before the Lord, now for 40 days and nights imploring God to not destroy His people. His destruction was God telling them they would be punished for their sin (Exodus 32:34). If not, the land (of Egypt) will say God could not do this work of blessing His people. 

 God promises a land to His people - and blessings to His descendants (Genesis 12:1-3). And God will always come back to this. Yes, His people will turn their back from him and because of this there will be consequences but He gave a promise to Abraham and that promise will be made. We can bank on this. The Egyptians and many others will think it is not so, but God will be with His people and He will bless them. 

In verse 10 of Joshua 5, after this circumcision came the Passover. This is the 3rd Passover. The first two were kept under Moses—(1) in Egypt, when the Lord delivered them; (2) the second at Sinai, when He had “brought them unto Himself.” (3) The third is on the other side Jordan under Joshua. Circumcision was necessary prior to the Passover. Just as today we say that a person must make a commitment to the Lord, have an inner change of their life prior to partaking of the sacrament, the Lord's Supper. 

Then in verse 12, "the manna ceased." From a search on the web it says, "manna is a food that God provided to the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the desert after leaving Egypt. It was described as a white, powdery substance that fell like hoar frost at night. Exodus 16:31 says that manna tasted like wafers made with honey and was similar in size to a coriander seed." Manna would no longer be needed. It was needed for a time, while Israel was in the wilderness. He provided it but now it is no longer needed. 

Summary: The people of the land of Canaan are amazed at God's provision. The sons of Israel are circumcised and Passover is held for the 3rd time and then the manna ceases to be provided by God. 

Promise: Outward acts of obedience like circumcision and baptism are important, but it doesn't prove genuine faith. Faith must be present and obedience naturally follows. 

Prayer: Lord, it has taken me some time to read through this text. I do other things at times, but after taking time to really study it, I am amazed at its teaching and how you provided for the people of Israel and you kept your promises. Lord, your Word confirms that You are sovereign. You are in charge. And you are leading your people to promised lands, blessing people in the process. Lord, it seems throughout scripture and these lessons You are doing things and speaking to people and providing yourself and we are questioning at times, choosing our own solutions to situations rather than submitting to You. And You continue to show that you are real, like with Israel and the parting of waters and we can celebrate this and respond with obedience while You continue us on the journey. On this earth, that journey is to the places you provide for us. Beyond this earth, it is living with you forever. Lord, help me to keep trusting in You and believing in You and following Your ways, looking for opportunities to come alongside others and help them understand what you show me through Your word. I am a witness and it is good to be a witness and talk to others along the way. Many don't believe this and many others have different ways to You. Keep me close to You and Your word and thank You Spirit for continuing to teach me, I believe in Your ways. 

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

John 7:14-24 - Judging with Right Judgment

John 7:14-24

14 But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. 15 The Jews therefore were marveling, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated? 16 Jesus therefore answered them, and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the one who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. 19 Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law? Why do you seek to kill Me?" 20 The multitude answered, "You have a demon! Who seeks to kill You? 21 Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one deed, and you all marvel. 22 On this account Moses has given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and on the Sabbath you, circumcise a man. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath that the Law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." 

Message: Judging with Right Judgment 

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus is in Jerusalem, having arrived there at the petition of his brothers as all Jews journeyed there for the Feast of Booths. Jesus had stated to his brothers that he would not go with them because he did not want to be at the center of attention as the Jews were seeking to have him killed and this was not yet His time. But here in verse 14 records Jesus going to the temple and people are alarmed at his knowledge and education. 

And as Jesus speaks he mentions once again that He speaks not on His own, but what the Father has sent Him to speak. And the teaching that then is most important is teaching from God. Otherwise a person speaks for His own glory. Jesus' teaching is one to give God all of the glory and there is therefore no unrighteousness in Him. The focus is on obedience to what God has delivered. And so therefore why would someone want to kill Him if He is about His father's business and wanting to give glory to God? 

The multitude respond with surprise, perhaps wondering why someone would kill Jesus over this. 

Jesus then speaks of circumcision and how the Jews did it on the 8th day of the child's life even if that day fell on the Sabbath. Jesus is trying to help them see the hypocrisy of what they state, bothered that He has healed on the sabbath and yet they perform the act of circumcision at times if the 8th day falls on the Sabbath. And so Jesus doing a work of healing on the Sabbath (healing the paralyzed man on the Sabbath) making the point that he should not be judged by which day it is on, but rather the motive of wanting to heal a person and make them well. His point is to not stare at the day of the week, but instead to look at why something is done. In essence, false judgment was Jesus' accusation toward them. 

Can we apply this in other ways? What about the Sabbath day and worshiping on Sunday or Monday or Friday night or some other time than the Sabbath day? Is the day important or is it the motives of the people that gather and worship? The same people want to practice the same thing - worshipping God, so why should it be so important that it is on a certain day. We need to look at the motives. We need to look at what is the intention or overall purpose in doing what we are doing rather than focusing on the letter of the law. There is a danger in this in that we get focused on following the letter of the Law and we start to think that this is all that is really important because we are the only one's that are practicing it correctly. 

I am thinking of a conversation I had with a woman in my office that attends the 7th Day Adventist church that believes that worship can only occur on the Sabbath day. They believe that is the only day. I am fine with them holding on to that day but I don't believe that it is proper then to say other days of worship are invalid. Because then I think we are coming against what Jesus is saying. The day of the week does not matter, but what is the intent of the heart.  

Summary: In Jerusalem, Jesus speaks in the temple, speaking from the will of God, and defends healing on the Sabbath reminding people that we need to remember motives and intention over rule-keeping. 

Promise: By seeking to apply God’s law justly and holding others to the same standard to which we hold ourselves, we can judge with right judgment.

Prayer: O Lord, conversing with people sometimes is difficult and the difference we have in applying and understanding scripture in a certain way is strong. We have so many different brands of churches and beliefs in our world today that I think all have the right focus - to love God and be obedient to Him and yet so many have different definitions of what that means. I pray we as a people can put aside the differences and see what we have in common. Help us to judge rightly and not say one thing and do another. Repair our church body throughout the World and these United States. Help us understand how to be more united. Strike our pride. Thank you for speaking truth here and pricking our heart to understand rightly what You are telling us from the Father. 

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

I Corinthians 7:17-24 - Called from Every Vocation

I Corinthians 7:17-24

17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

Message: Called from Every Vocation

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church. 

What the Lord is Saying: It is interesting to me to understand the context of this passage. In Paul's day, the City of Corinth was the most important city in Greece, as it was a hub of worldwide commerce, but it also was a culture that was degraded and included idolatrous religion. Paul, in this book is firm as he deals with (1) divisions in the church, (2) disorder in the church, and (3) difficulties in the church. The New Testament church is young. Christ was crucified in AD 33 and so this is 22 years later, at a time when this church does not possess the Bible that I have in front of me today in its entirety. At this time, there would have only been penned Matthew, Galatians and James and yet we simply don't know how much of these letters or words were a part of the church. And so this letter Paul is writing to the Church becomes their doctrinal statement and my guess is much of how their church begins is through word of mouth. 

Chapter 7 gives the listener at the beginning principle for married life and at the end principles for the unmarried as well as remarriage. In the middle, my Open Bible has today's reading with a heading of "Principles of Abiding in God's Call." Again, I find this interesting that Paul seems to be addressing how one is to live. 

He writes to an audience that is probably Jewish and yet also Gentile. And he brings up first circumcision - an important practice of the Jew and yet he states what should be important in the life of a follower is not this practice (verse 18), but rather what is important is keeping the commandments of God (v. 19). Verse 19 seems to be the pivotal verse of this section and namely the last part -- what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. What matters is our obedience not who we are (freeman or slave, circumcised or not). Verse 23 says, you were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. We are to be a people of God. We need to be concerned about what God deems important. God has bought us, called us, made us all free (verse 22 - the Lord's freedman). 

Look at the similar thinking in Galatians 5:6, a writing by Paul that occurred at the same time. he says, For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Circumcision is a rite or ritual, but liked I learned in the October 2017 issue of Tabletalk when I studied sacraments, this practices can be important and perhaps we can even say they are needed but I still can't say they are required. If Paul is telling us that circumcision does not mean anything in regards to freeing a man or being purchased, then it seems the purpose of the rituals or sacraments is therefore to point us towards God. And so they can be important, but we always need to be mindful that they do not in and by themselves lead to salvation nor are they on a salvation timeline or checklist that leads one to being saved or in Christ. But rather they can help us and point us toward that right relationship with God. 

I Corinthians 1:17 - For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel... This does not mean that baptism is not important. In that verse he seems to be saying to not let the issue of whether you have been baptized or not divide you. Rather be united by the gospel and who we are in Christ. 

In time I have really come to enjoy the British minister Alexander Maclaren and his writings from the 19th century. He breaks this chapter and verse down in a way that really resonates with me. Again, don't get too caught up in the ritual that you miss the relationship with Jesus. Galatians 5:6 says what is important is faith working through love. In today's passage it is keeping of the commandments of God. It is doing the will of the Father. Jesus said in Luke 22:42, Not my will, but thine be done. 

Galatians 6:15 says, For neither circumcision anything, not uncircumcision, but a new creation. What is most important is my newness in Christ. What matters is getting to that new state of John 3:16 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

And so I am back to what is key. What is the key? Faith is the key. By trusting in Christ I become a follower of Christ and become one that keeps the commandments of God. I am a new creature created in Christ Jesus for good works. And so I want to live for Him. I want to learn from Him. I want to be like Him. And yet I live in the world and am called to be in the world and yet not to be conformed to it. Every step, every day I am Christ. I am His. And as His I am to be about the will of the Father. It is automatic if I let it. If I let my mindset change, it will change. Don't make it about duty or checklists or rituals. Make it about Him and letting Him renew me. Let my mind be renewed. 

And so today, this lesson, "Called from Every Vocation", the lesson is simple. Be it freeman or slave, it does not matter. I am called to do the will of the Father. I do the will of the Father whether circumcised or uncircumcised, whether having been baptized or not baptized, taking the Lord's supper or not, married or not married, having children or not having children, rich or poor, Gentile or Jew, black or white, Baptist or not, Lutheran or not, Presbyterian or not. What matters is not me or my affiliation, but the will of the Father. It is not form or ritual, it is being in Christ so that then all things will flow forth. Wherever God has placed me, that is where I serve Him. 

Summary: Be it freeman or slave, it does not matter. I am called to do the will of the Father. 

Promise: The important thing to remember is that wherever we labor, we can labor for the glory of God and the good of our neighbors. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for waking me up this morning. I woke up bothered by last night and the work I was doing. Whatever it was that woke me up it brought me to Your Word and brought me to a lesson that has been on my mind so often and a lesson that I so badly wanted to know and see. The lesson is that You have saved me. And in saving me, you have made me knew. O God, how I want to get out of the way and instead let you Spirit live in me the will of the Father. It only happens because of Christ being in me. Awakened by the Spirit, brought to faith by Christ, so that I may do the will of the Father. Renew me daily. As I live in this world, I do not want to be conformed to it. Keep me non-conformed. Keep me trained for Godliness. Keep me close to you. Thank you for calling me at this moment in the work you have and from it I can serve you as good as anyone else. What matters is being in Christ. Thank you God. Thank you for gripping me today with these truths. If I can, help me to pass it on. 

Colossians 2:11-12 - Baptism and Circumcision

Colossians 2:11-12 - And in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  

Message: Baptism and Circumcision

Time: Paul penned this letter to the Colossian church in AD 60-61 during his first imprisonment in Rome after the church was under attack and denigrating the deity of Christ. He penned it before visiting the church. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible God, containing within Himself the fullness of Deity. 

What the Lord is Saying: I continue to study baptism and it has been a joy. I appreciate these lessons and how each of them communicate something and I continue to build an understanding. Initially as I read this text in Colossians, the first thing that stands out to me is the words "without hands." Thus the circumcision wasn't an actual circumcision but a sign that occurred. My flesh, my old life, my old nature was cut away and removed by Christ. How was this done? By what I studied in the last lesson - I was "buried with Him in baptism." And then also I was "raised up with Him through faith." What? I was hoping it was going to say my raising up occurred with the baptism but instead it says it occurred through faith. And faith is "the working of God, who raised Him (Jesus) from the dead." Once again, a loaded text. 

God raised Jesus from the dead. I joined Jesus in baptism. Faith is the working of God. Circumcision is not a physical but something done without hands. Okay - this is my observation of this text. 

According to Tabletalk writers, this verse in Colossians communicates that in the Old Covenant there was circumcision and now in the new covenant there is baptism. And so they are to work the same way - done to infants. In both, people are set aside to be God's children. Circumcision did not save and nor does baptism, but they both point to the need for regeneration. People must be circumcised to inherit the kingdom of God and so baptism now works the same way. 

So I think I am understanding this belief now that the reformers have in infant baptism. Maybe it is not mandatory at a young age only, but it can occur at a young age just as it can occur later. 

For me, I think there is a parallel picture given here between circumcision of the Old Covenant and baptism of the new covenant. For circumcision -- "in the removal of the body of the flesh." Circumcision showed the sign of the removal of the flesh or God setting aside his people to be his. He consecrates His People for His Purpose. He removes their flesh. And with baptism in the New Testament is the same setting aside. But in water, it is "having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith." And so in baptism we have been buried with Christ, as we looked in the previous lesson (Romans 6:4) and raised up with Him through faith. Both are pictures of the new life we have. 

Summary: Both circumcision and baptism are signs of the new life we have with God in Christ -- having been set apart from all the world to Him. 

Promise: Both with circumcision and baptism, people must repent and believe in order to be of God's people and of eternal salvation. 

Prayer: Lord, you continue to take me on a journey about baptism and I hope I am coming to a better conclusion about it. You are using this sacrament to confirm your people as your people. As you used circumcision in the past, baptism is used today. But people must repent and believe. Thank you for these truths and Lord I do trust you for you have a plan that I can trust. I do trust in You. 

Romans 4:11a - Signs and Seals of the Covenant of Grace

Romans 4:11a - and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised.

Message: Signs and Seals of the Covenant of Grace

Time: Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.

What the Lord is Saying: Today's lesson title describes one definition of the term sacrament and now I move to a new set of lessons on sacraments. This is a word that is not familiar to me and is not something that I have learned growing up in a Baptist church. In my last lesson on Worship, I had a lesson on Sacraments in Worship and in that lesson I looked at the history of this word "Sacraments" and how it came to be defined both by the Reformers (Protestants) and the Catholics which seem to be the two main body of religious people during the 16th century. 

Sacraments was clearly a controversial subject not only between Protestants and Catholics but even between the Protestants today. And this seems to be one of the reasons we have different denominations because of how we have defined this interpretations and churches. Even a church known as the Church of Christ who state they are non-denominational are a church that hold to specific sacraments. 

Thus, this new series of lesson will focus on the Reformers view of sacraments and what they are and what they look like or should look like in our lives and churches today. As Tabletalk records:

In contrast to some traditions that view the sacraments as mere memorials and testimonies, traditional Reformed theology affirms that the sacraments convey the promises and grace of God to the elect, but in contrast to Roman Catholicism, traditional Reformed theology understands the efficacy of the sacraments as rooted in the work of the Spirit and faith, not the actual performance of the sacramental rites. 

Interesting words here and lots to unpack. 

First with the definition. The English word sacrament comes from Latin. And the root of the word is the same as the meaning of "holy" or "consecrate." As such, sacraments are holy mysteries. But this mystery is not an unknown as it is a means to reveal truth. They are specific rites or acts to reveal truth and set God's people apart from the world. Baptism, the Lord's Supper and even preaching are sacraments. 

In today's verse, Romans 4:11a, Paul remembers the old covenant sacrament of circumcision. And he states that what this sacrament of circumcision did was describe a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised. So circumcision was a physical representation of an inward decision or faith. It was an outward sign of that which occurred on the inside. It revealed to people what had occurred on the inside. It is a visible mark that God owns us. 

Thus, these sacraments and the practice of them become a representation to the outside world that we belong to God. Obviously, not everyone who practices the sacraments is a true representative or part of the remnant (Jeremiah 23:3), but it is meant to be a mark of the visible church. 

I think of tattoo's and the prominent place they now have in our world. I have a co-worker that has several tattoo's on her body to chronicle in this permanent way a remembrance of her brother who died and also her kids. When seeing these tattoo's therefore there is no doubt or should be no doubt of what has occurred with her on the inside. My son-in-law has a tattoo on his arm of a nail cross that relays his commitment to Christ and my daughter has also added these tattoo's, though small of a cross and also a New Mexico symbol. They are not ashamed therefore in these ways to press something on their bodies permanently to express who they are or the truth that they want to convey to others. Signs point beyond themselves to something else. 

In my life, what do I show others - my life, my words but also a baptism and the Lord's Supper observance but also other avenues of my life. 

Summary: Sacraments are signs that point beyond themselves to something else and convey the promises of grace and God. 

Promise: For those who believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation, justification, and sanctification, the sacraments provide further confirmation that God cleanses us and nourishes us in Christ. 

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for this lesson and these truths about sacraments and revealing to me an understanding of this. I definitely know this has been a subject that has divided many people that are part of Your fold, Your remnant. Lord, give me understanding and help me to understand this subject and what it means to my life as a follower of Yours. Thank you for the truth of Your Word and I pray Holy Spirit that You would continue to reveal truth to me through these times that I have in Your Word and that I would listen and that I would obey. 

Ephesians 2:8-10 - Why Faith?

Ephesians 2:8-10

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

Message: Why Faith?

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

What the Lord is Saying: 

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

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

Romans 4 speaks of: 

Righteousness  -  Apart From Works

                            Apart From Circumcision

                            Apart from the Law

                            By Faith

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

___________

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

Faith is a Gift -- 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ephesians 1:3-4a - The Grace of Predestination

Ephesians 1:3-4a
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world

Message: The Grace of Predestination

Time: At the end of his second missionary journey and 2 years into his third, Paul ministered at Ephesus. Many came to Christ during His time though Paul was not popular among the pagans. Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon, as he sent all three letters by the hand of Tychicus, accompanied by Onesimus. It was during this time that Paul sat in Rome undergoing his first Roman imprisonment, making Ephesians one of the four epistles commonly known as the Prison Epistles. The others are Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

What the Lord is Saying:

RC Sproul stated that the doctrine of predestination is difficult. It is complex and difficult to study and requires a lot of care in studying. But, it is still important to study. In my life, it has been difficult for me to understand. I go back to the study of it very often and at times, I never feel like I have it figured out. But rather, I approach it from the ground up over and over. I'm not sure I'm correct in thinking this, but the study of predestination to me is closely related to the understanding of human free will.

I take a moment here to look at the definition of predestination:

the divine foreordaining of all that will happen, especially with regard to the salvation of some and not others

I suppose the reason I see this link with predestination and human free will is there is at times a conflict within me as to whether the two can work together.

This particular lesson has the focus on salvation. As I have discussed in previous recent entries, there is at times the idea in history that each person is responsible for his salvation. In the Edenic covenant God bestowed his blessing completely on Adam and Eve. They were in the garden, with the tree of life and therefore in constant fellowship with God. They were given tasks to do and they did those task completely for there was no sin. In Genesis 1 and 2, in the garden of Eden, God provided man and woman everything needed to live. He commands them to be fruitful, to multiply. to fill the earth, to subdue it, to rule over the animals. They had a mission and God had a plan for them. There was no right and wrong, no good and evil. There was only a mission and they would be successful in this mission. Life was fluid.

Sin, however, broke that original Edenic covenant as man's mission and God's promise of salvation was broken or veered off from the plan when sin was not known. Thus, Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden, from the perfect fellowship with God. [Note: Covenants are established but often man does not fulfill his part of the covenant, resulting in another covenant and eventually a new or final covenant that would never be broken because man had no responsibility in it.] Outside of the garden, Adam and Eve would receive the curse of painful living. They would now toil and experience pain and loss. And the tree of life, which was in the garden, was now not with man and woman.

Both in the pre-sin world and the post-sin world man had tasks to do. But, in the post-sin world man was working outside of the garden, away from the tree of life, and thus curses resulted, like working by the sweat of a brow and toiling. And maybe it is because man broke this fellowship with God, this union, by sinning, that man thinks then he or she must then be the one to bridge fellowship with God. Yet God makes it clear that man is incapable of bridging that fellowship because the sin makes him incapable, makes him imperfect. Thus, Grace follows for God is our provider for peace with Him.

Again, the point here is fellowship with God. The point here is to be in union with God. Union was broken because of sin. Without sin, union was present as man was in the garden, with the tree of life. Man goes from being perfect to now being imperfect, but perfection is what is needed to be in fellowship with God. There is no idea of being "good enough" or "all that we can do."

Paul says in I Corinthians 15:22 -In Christ all shall me made alive. This is the pinnacle statement, I believe, of the identification of eternal life for all who are in Christ. In Christ all... In Jesus man now has complete fellowship with God.

So even as we try to believe that God's grace brings us to salvation - which is a point of theology, Many people today still think that certain works bridge the gap. For many Jewish people, it was circumcision or being a holder of the Law and today for many it is being in the right church, following the correct directions or rules, or being of the right religious system. The deception is these things yield our salvation. But, as a sinner man is incapable of being perfect, being righteous, And therefore incapable of choosing for himself salvation.

As I have discussed previously, man naturally thinks that he is involved in this process of being made alive and if this was so, wouldn't Paul saying the words God chose us in Him hint of controversy? Or can God choose someone and yet when that person come to faith be decided by that person. On the contrary, He is not involved and here in Ephesians 1:3-4 is Paul making it clear that God chooses us in Christ before creation (the foundation of the world). That is a loaded thought and immediately it makes us wonder about prayer, about sharing our faith and other things that the Bible prescribes us to do. We are to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). Paul tells me in I Thessalonians to pray about everything. Jesus continually told us to ask of Him. Yet, saying God chooses us does not nullify other commandments of God.

Throughout scripture God's promises are given first, followed by obedience (e.g. Covenants, Giving of the law, Ephesians 2:8-10). Works are never intertwined with salvation in our New Testament. But, I think this is normal for us as humans to think this. We gravitate towards what we can do and moving past what we have done. We learn from our mistakes. We are constantly changing and improving. We become more wise. Most of us are trying to make today better than yesterday. This is normal and this is good, but the danger lies in us equating this mission with the conclusion that we then earn our salvation.

In addition, some have that God foresaw our natural obedience and therefore knew our choice would one day be for Him. This again focuses only on foreknowledge. And it focuses on our ability to make a good choice towards righteousness. But, this verse in Ephesians says God chose us in Him not God knew our choice would be in Him.

Good works can be present at any time, but obedience to God follows faith. In the eyes of God, our entire lives are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Eternal life comes about by faith or believing (John 3:16). Then once we are in Christ, good works follow (Ephesians 2:10).

God chooses those to be in Christ. It is His work. Yet, the idea of God choosing and man making choices in life are still compatible. Thus these ideas seem opposed to one another, on the surface, and so I turn to a video by RC Sproul on Free Will.

RC Sproul discusses Free Will:

1. Humanist View - The ability to make choices is spontaneous. There is no prejudice, prior disposition, or prior inclination toward making a choice. A choice comes comes about on its own. But, if there is no prior disposition toward making a choice, then we can conclude that there is no reason or motivation for the choice - and thus no moral significance.

The Bible, however, focuses not just on choices, but a predetermined reason for choices. In the Bible, it refers to our intention for the choice and the motivation from our heart. As an example, in the Bible, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Later, when there is restoration and Joseph speaks to his brothers he says to them that "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." Thus, what motivates often can be evil, but God's intent is for good. Here is this thought again I am seeing that man can only choose God is God is in Him.

The humanist view is that the will is neutral, thus there is an effect, but there is no cause to that effect. On the contrary, the Bible states that man's natural tendency is toward evil or away from the things of God - toward pleasing his/her own needs or desires.

2. Jonathon Edwards states that will is the mind choosing. Thus, the mind approves of our choices. The mind and the will work in conjunction; the mind is not independent of the will. Edwards states "Free moral agents always act according to the strongest inclination they have at the moment of choice." When we sin, our desire at that moment is greater than our desire to obey Christ.

Coercion is doing things that we really don't want to do. These are external forces that come into our lives and force us to do things that we don't want to do. Human desires fluctuate. In moments of coercion we can at times be presented with two options, but it is still our desires that help us to choose. Yet when Paul tells us that "I do what I don't want to do" this seems to conclude that Paul believes a person can choose against their desires. As a Christian I have a desire to please Christ, but that desire does not always play itself out when I am given choices in life.

3. RC Sproul says, "Every choice we make is free and every choice we make is determined." Determinism, on the contrary, says that we make choices based upon external forces.  Atheists hold to determinism and believe our choices are automatic based upon our traditions, upbringing, environments. But RC Sproul states that what determines our choices is me, thus this is self-determination. Thus, we always choose according to our desires.

Jonathan Edwards also speaks of moral ability and natural ability. I have the natural ability to think, speak, walk upright. I cannot fly or live underwater for lengths of time. Moral ability is the ability to be righteous as well as to be sinful. In his fallen state, man no longer has the ability in his moral state to be perfect because he is born in sin. He can still think and make choices. Augustine said that man has free will but man lost moral liberty in the fall. “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good,There is not even one.”
Overall, I think the difficulty of this text and this idea is this is contrary to the way in which we have been trained. It is rather self-defeating to realize that I have gained the greatest gift imaginable without doing anything to earn it. Ever since the curse from Adam and Eve's sin work has been a toil and that work that we do does merit results. Thus, in life, we are naturally conditioned to think that rewards follow good habits of work. But, God is saying in relation to salvation that rewards are not based upon the person receiving them, but rather the person giving them. This is hard because there is so little in our life that is based upon a gift rather than a work. Thus, this is why so many have a problem with substitution atonement.

Promise: God loves us. God knows us. God wants us to be in fellowship with Him. He provides the way and because of sin each of us is incapable of choosing God because there is none righteous.

Prayer: O Father, thank you for loving me with a love that is incomprehensible to me. Despite my failure -- past, present, and/or future -- you still love me and want me to be yours. It has everything to do with You and nothing to do with me. You take my fallen condition and make me acceptable Continue to help me to understand these doctrines. You are explaining more and more what it means.

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 with the April devotional being about salvation by grace alone and how the Lord never fails to save the one whom He has purposed to save.

Genesis 3:15 - Covenantal Intervention

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.

Message: Covenantal Intervention

Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.

What the Lord is Saying:

I have always tried to look at the gospel in a very simple way. The basic idea that I see is God created order, man broke that order, and God fixed it. Rather than God fixing it alone most of religion and life think that man is the one who fixes things. The problem I see with this is there is never any peace for man on earth because man is always trying to figure out which formula will result in things getting fixed. It also assumes that man can fix it on his own and eventually goodness will outweigh all of the bad's committed. On the contrary, when God is the one who fixes it, he does it completely and without any error.

Thus the idea of God's grace or rather God delivering man is quite foreign to man's thinking. As a reminder, the first covenant of the Bible between God and man marked the idea that man's works would inherit eternal life. But, this was a covenant that came about before man ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Thus, the covenant of works was possible when there was no knowledge of good and evil. But when Adam and Eve broke the covenant of works, pain and futility entered the picture and men and women face great sorrow and hardship.

Man became bent toward disobedience. Before Adam and Eve ate from the tree they had a desire to do those things pleasing to God, but sin twisted this and on our own we can't ever truly seek truth. So we need God to intervene. God's intervention is now known as God's grace. God redeems His creation. God does the work. God intercedes for man. This verse in Genesis 3:15 marks what is known as the first gospel or the protoevangelion. It is the first revelation of the covenant of grace. Under works, blessings come from doing good works. The problem is God's acceptance is based upon perfect obedience, not simply doing more good than bad. Grace is focused instead on faith not obedience. When people understand this grace and the gift of God, they naturally want to live good lives, but all the time they are forgiven by God whenever they sin.

Paul speaks of this in Romans 4 where he talks about Abraham becoming righteous apart from the work of circumcision. He was credited with righteousness while uncircumcised. We are made righteous apart from works.

In Genesis 3:15, God is in the middle of addressing the serpent (v. 14) and he remarks a conflict between the serpent and the woman. The serpent has a conflict with mankind, but it is most clearly seen toward the woman. I think this is evident as we see the power men often have over women and the damage of things like pornography which has convinced the woman the value she has is not who she is but what she looks like. And the difficult she has to work with the man instead of being independent of the man is a chore. We in society, we as men have not done a good job in this either.

But the point of this message is that the seed of the serpent or wicked man will be bruised by the seed of the woman. Thus, the seed of the woman is to be the Christ child. God will bruise the head of Satan through Jesus. God will provide grace to man through the work of His Son on the Cross. He pronounces to Satan the work that He will do.

Promise: The Lord graciously intervened to give His people the will to resist Satan and God pledged to send the Savior to do all the work needed to save us.

Prayer: Thank you God for the salvation that you have given to me this day. I pray that You would strengthen me against the world, the flesh, and the devil.

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 with April being about salvation by grace alone and how the Lord never fails to save the one whom He has purposed to save.

Romans 10:5-8 - The Message Concerning Faith

Romans 10:5-8 - 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

Message: The Message Concerning Faith

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

What the Lord is Saying:

Leading Up to Today's Text
At first glance, in reading Romans 10, Paul seems to be clarifying further the meaning of the Law. I wonder if people really see the tough love that Paul is communicating. It is really tough love. And yet it is not like he is favoring the Gentile over the Jew at any time. He states "For all have sinned (3:23)." I think Paul knows that he needs to be clear with his listener regarding the righteousness of God because he knows how they think.

Back in Chapter 2 Paul spoke to the Jew to let them know that if they choose to live their life based upon what they are thinking, practicing their righteousness through good works then they will be judged by the standard of the Law. With God, there is no partiality. The Jew was very good also with seeing the splinter in other people's eyes. But, sometimes they didn't point the finger back at themselves. But, Paul reminds them that the focus of their life is not from the praise of men, but from God (2:29).

The Jews are a special people. There is no doubt about it and Paul upholds this in his words. They kept and preserved the text of the Scripture, the oracles of God (3:2). But, just by holding on to it doesn't make them right before God. The problem with man is not that his goodness can overshadow the bad, but the problem with man is he has been bad. Yes, he is to live a life that honors God, but not because that will earn God's favor. We are sinners incapable of being righteous on our own.

In the Old Testament sin was a big problem. Animals must be killed in payment for people's sin. This would happen in the temple. God required this substitionary death. Yes, we need to say we are sorry for sinning and yes, we need to confess our sins and yes, God will forgive us. But, sin must be paid for by another once and for all. The Old Testament did this temporarily by way of a perfect lamb or animal, but it always looked forward to a Messiah that would completely take away the sin, once and for all. This occurred in Christ and now because of it man can be free.

In Chapter 4 Paul communicates that this is not anything new, but Abraham was also made right before God though His faith (4:2-3). It is our willingness to trust God and Him alone that makes us right with God. And he shows that circumcision is not null and void. Circumcision is "the sign...the seal of the righteousness of the faith." Paul never wanted to remove anything from the Jew's life, just clarify the meaning of what God intended. It was the same message that Moses spoke and Abraham spoke. Abraham's promises were not because of his lineage, but because of his faith. He believed God (4:11).

Two lives in contrast
People live in only two manners on this earth. They live by a set of rules, adhering to those rules (verse 5). Or they live by faith (verse 6-8). Man either works to be righteous. Or righteous is imputed to man by faith.

In giving the Law, there is a theoretical idea within the Law that if you keep it, you will be justified. This idea is throughout the Bible.

Leveticus 18:5 states, "So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord." The key in this word, is "if he does them." Yes, a person may live if he does them. It is amazing how a verse like this has created so many religions. And each religion then comes up with what they believe our the things that must be adhered to, in the realm of the Law, in order to be saved.

Paul states in Galatians 5:3 that, "And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law." Paul states the separation between Christianity and every other faith. Can the entire Law be kept? No. So, those other religions must believe that God will have a secret formula at judgment to determine if a person is accepted. 

Paul offers the remedy in Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

This is the dividing line. Deuteronomy 27:26 states, ‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Paul quotes this verse in Galatians 3:10, "For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 

Has he quoted this correctly? Paul specifies that everyone is cursed if they do not abide by all things written in the book of the Law. The question could arise whether he is quoting the same as the meaning of Deuteronomy 27:26. My bet is people look at Deuteronomy 27:26 and try to make it sound like that God only wants people to confirm that the Law is relevant. But, then the question will always arise as to whether adherence has to be in full. If the meaning of Deuteronomy 27:26 is only that we are to confirm that the Law is relevant in our life, then the question will always come up as to how relevant should it be? Can we get by on partial abiding by the Law? None of us are perfect. We may believe that we can be perfect at some point in our life (though I don't while we are on earth), but even if that is believed, what about all the years in which a person was not perfect? 

Paul's argument is we try to justify ourselves by adhering to the law, but the moment you do not obey all of it or the first time you mess up you forfeit righteousness. 

Was the law meant to be kept? Yes. But, not as a means to justify oneself. This is the dividing line between Christians and all other faiths. 

Verse 6 meaning
In Romans 10:5-6 Paul quotes from Deuteronomy. He does not quote entire verses or passages, but instead quotes phrases. It was not necessary for him to quote entire verses. The word of God was central to Jew and he knew it. 

Paul states first a phrase from Deuteronomy 9:4 "do not say in your heart." Deuteronomy mentions how God would give over to Israel the Canaanites. But, this giving over had nothing to do with Israel's righteousness. 

This is really an amazing passage:

Deuteronomy 9:1-5 “Hear, O Israel! You are crossing over the Jordan today to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, great cities fortified to heaven, a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?’ Know therefore today that it is the Lord your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the Lord has spoken to you. “Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God has driven them out before you, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,’ but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you. It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

The Lord handing over the Canaanites had nothing to do with Israel's righteousness. Why? The passages states that the Israelites are stubborn. He delivered Canaan over to Israel because of Canaan's sin and unrighteousness. 

O the danger we have in thinking that God's providence is because of our righteousness.  God saves Israel even while they are stubborn and unrighteous. 

Remainder of verse 6 meaning and verse 7 and verse 8
And Paul also mentions Deuteronomy 30:11-14, “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it." See Paul is letting people know here in Rome that God has already done the work. The word is in their mouth and heart. 

Deuteronomy 30: 6 states, “Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live." The Lord circumcises our hearts so that we will love God. We submit and surrender to Him. And He provides.

Promise: God does the work to establish His saving relationship with us. -- Tabletalk, August 7, 2014 

Romans 4:16a - Resting on Grace

Romans 4:16a - For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants

Message: The Promise of God comes about by faith

Time: The date of the book is probably 60 A.D. written from Corinth on Paul's third missionary journey. The church in Rome seems to be established and Romans does not speak of any one error in the church that he is addressing. The church had a large Jewish element, but also filled with Gentile converts from paganism, both free as well as slaves.

What the Lord is Saying:

Background
It is always good to look back from where we have come. And the focus of chapter 4 has chiefly been to communicate that the righteousness of God is received apart from the Law and apart from Circumcision. By practicing or doing what the Law says, we affirm it and ourselves. By breaking the Law or not doing what it says, we show ourselves we are guilty and disobedient. The Law is a mirror. Circumcision is an act of obedience and a picture of the removal of sin in the life of the believer. It is a picture of the inward change that has occurred. Abraham and David, from the Old Testament, testify of this. Abraham received the faith of righteousness before the Law and David received is apart from the Law. David was shown that the righteousness puts to death sin. The Wrath is what the Law exposes.

It is not by the Law. It is not by Circumcision.

Verse 16a tells me what it is by therefore that a person is saved or made right with God. It is by faith. It is so simple. Why do people make it so hard? And Paul here also shows us that it is Faith in accordance with grace. Paul has hammered through to us the point that it is by faith.

I was sharing God's truth with an atheist friend and his remark on some of these points was, "Well, of course that is the doctrine. Of course the doctrine would be all about God." And of course it is, is the answer. The problem is people don't want to accept the simple.

So, why faith? Because of God's grace. It is only through the Power of God.

Interesting illustration of this from Steven Cole -- In 1947 a rumor spread that the Ford Motor Company would give a Ford (car) in exchange for every copper penny dated 1943. The rumor spread so fast that Ford car dealerships throughout the country were jammed with thousands of requests for information. The U.S. mint also received a large volume of inquiries. It all turned out to be a hoax. The statistics of the mint show that in 1943 there were over one billion pennies minted from steel-zinc, but due to a copper shortage, the number of copper pennies was exactly zero. There has been a rumor abroad in the human race for centuries that entrance into heaven can be obtained by good works. But it’s not true. The fact is, there are no works made on earth that are acceptable in heaven. All of our works are tainted by sin. The only righteousness that gains entrance to heaven is the righteousness of Jesus Christ graciously imputed to sinners who believe in Him.

"For this reason" - what did we just learn? The Law cannot save. Because of this, it is by faith. But Law and Grace are not opposed to one another. We need the Law to show us our need for grace. We do not need the Law to bring us to grace through our obedience. That is the error today. Many have been led to believe that it is through obedience that we are given the opportunity of grace. 

Promise: Justification by faith alone preserves the principle of grace alone (Tabletalk, March 18, 2014).

Romans 4:11-12 - The Sign and Seal of Righteousness

Romans 4:11-12 - 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

Message: Circumcision is a visible sign to others of a change that already took place.

Time: The date of the book is probably 60 A.D. written from Corinth on Paul's third missionary journey. The church in Rome seems to be established and Romans does not speak of any one error in the church that he is addressing. The church had a large Jewish element, but also filled with Gentile converts from paganism, both free as well as slaves.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Background
Paul continues here to respond to a question that he feels like the Jew would have still. If there is one thing that Paul continues to address over and over it is that all people, whether Jew or Gentile, have the same standard and are saved the same way. There is one God, one Savior, one Lord, and one way of salvation.

In the beginning of chapter 4, Paul went back to two patriarchs, Abraham and David, to show that each believed God and was credited with righteousness. Faith in God doesn't make us righteous, but it is the vehicle in which God uses to transfer or credit righteousness to man.

Verses 11 and 12 shift back to Abraham. Verses 9 and 10 began the presentation on circumcision by stating that having Faith in Christ and believing that Jesus took the punishment for our sins, that we needed a ransom, believing God, this occurred before circumcision. And this blessing is granted or availed both to the circumcised and the uncircumcised. There is no distinction. All have sinned. All equally need God's grace.

Overview
Paul has declared the simple message that a person is credited righteousness before being circumcised, so what then happens when a person is circumcised. Here in these verses he speaks that there is value in circumcision. There is a reason we get baptized, go to church, pray, ask for forgiveness, admit our sin. It is true that those things don't make us right before God, but it doesn't mean that we have no need to ever do those things.

Verse 11 reiterates that circumcision was a sign of the change that took place in Abraham's life before he was circumcised. For the Gentile, baptism is clearly the ordinance that is closely related to circumcision and can at times take on the same level of confusion to the Gentile that circumcision has received for the Jew. What circumcision shows is that Abraham was declared righteous, not being circumcised, but when he was uncircumcised.

When a person graduates from high school they receive a diploma. The graduation ceremony and the receiving of the diploma doesn't make the person a graduate. The person became a graduate through the passing of their courses. And the diploma is simply the sign that they passed. This is what circumcision is, as well as baptism.

Verse 12 then reminds the Jew that circumcision is not imperative. To me, this is the thing that people have the most trouble with in understanding grace. Works follow grace, but works don't define grace. Works don't provide an opportunity to receive grace. We exhibit works because of grace. And we will exhibit works, but that doesn't mean that works have anything to do with acquiring grace. Galatians 3:29 states that we are spiritual heirs of Christ because of the promise.

I think more clearly what Paul is saying that the physical act of circumcision is not even what makes a person circumcised. That when Christ saves us and righteousness is credited to our account a circumcision of our heart takes place. We see circumcision as a visible change. But Christ already knows circumcision has taken place because faith credited righteousness to our account.

TableTalk note: 
As I read and study through Tabletalk, I notice their belief that baptism can occur as an infant. There point is that baptism, as the sign of a circumcised heart, can occur before a person is credited with righteousness. The issue isn't that baptism saves. Church membership often follows baptism which follows conversion, but that doesn't mean that is the only way. Church membership and baptism can precede conversion. This is the point the reformers are making, I believe.

Promise: God makes a person righteous, not circumcision.

Romans 4:9-10 - A Double Transfer

Romans 4:9-10 - 9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;

Message: How was righteousness credited?

Time: The date of the book is probably 60 A.D. written from Corinth on Paul's third missionary journey. The church in Rome seems to be established and Romans does not speak of any one error in the church that he is addressing. The church had a large Jewish element, but also filled with Gentile converts from paganism, both free as well as slaves. 

What the Lord is Saying: Paul continues in these verses to explain how justification by faith is not a new concept invented by him or by anyone else in New Testament times, but has been around and was around in the Old Testament. He takes his audience back to Abraham and David, his two witnesses to this truth and has shown thus far that a person who has faith in Jesus Christ, who believes that he took our punishment, was our ransom for us, that God credits that man with righteousness and all of that persons sins are now forgiven.

For the Jew in chapter 2, Paul addressed two core beliefs for the Jew in that they believed (1) because they were called a Jew and were a Jew that they had special privileges and had been collectively grafted into salvation for the Law had been given to them and (2) through the act of circumcision, a commandment given only to the Jew that by practicing this circumcision they had the components necessary to be seen as accepted by God. Paul addresses each of these in the latter half of chapter 2 bringing attention to the Jew that (1) though they have the Law they have not practiced it and have transgressed and (2) clarifies that circumcision is a commandment that is given by God, but circumcision in and of itself doesn't save a person, but is something that exhibits our faith.

On the heals of the message of David and the quotation of Psalm 32:1-2 which stated, "How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit!", Paul once again states to the Jew that circumcision does not make a person righteous but righteousness comes about when a person is really uncircumcised.

Verse 9 states, "Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also?" Blessing is being reckoned or credited with righteousness apart from works. So, is the blessing of being credited righteousness apart from works there once the requirement of circumcision has been performed. In essence, does this blessing come with it an expectation of an act being performed? But also what is being asked is whether or not the blessing is limited to Abraham's descendants. Abraham and David's examples have been given, so is their now a connecting between the descendant or Jew and circumcision and thereby the blessing? Must a person be a circumcised Jew to inherit the blessing of righteousness being reckoned apart from works?

Paul here anticipated what his Jewish readers would be thinking.

This is an example of how it is important to understand the beliefs of the person we are speaking with about the Gospel. It is important to understand what they believe because a component of sharing truth is exposing false truth.

Verse 10 states, "How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised." This is really simple and logical. How was Abraham credited with righteousness? Was it while he was a Jew or while he was a Gentile (not circumcised)?

This text is really important because many people are told that God accepts them and they consider themselves to be religious because they have been baptized (sprinkled) or go to church or grew up going to church. Or even because they simple confess their sins once or twice a week to a priest. What makes us a Christian is not what we do, but what Christ has done for us. This is a foreign concept to many and expresses why it is so important for true followers of Christ to preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

Promise: Faith is the Lord's chosen means of transferring the grounds for His declaration to our account. Abraham was declared righteous before He was circumcised.

Romans 3:29-31 - Upholding the Law by Faith

Romans 3:29-31 -  29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. 31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

Message: Upholding the Law by Faith

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:

Background
The essence of chapter 3 is no one is Good. Chapter 2 was basically that no one gets a free pass. And the latter half of chapter 1 is man left to his own ways will turn from God.

In chapter 3, Paul does point to the Jew and confirm that they are chosen by God, but again, this doesn't mean they are exempt from God's wrath. The Jewish person then asks a series of questions with an attempt to catch the believer in a contradiction so as to show his way is best. For example, is God being God contingent on His chosen people choosing the right way? 

And so what Paul does clearly is describe clearly that everyone is held to the same standard. And everyone is guilty. Everyone is a sinner. The important message here is not that people can be good because they can, but the message here is that people are not good and because of this they deserve a punishment but Jesus can take that punishment in man's place. 

God is perfect and holy and cannot look at wrong. He cannot tolerate sin in His presence. Evil cannot be overlooked and remain unpunished. God loves people. He wants to forgive them so they can enjoy Him forever. Jesus lived a perfect life, and through his death Jesus was killed in place of people. At the cross, Jesus received the Lord's wrath in our place. His blood covers those who trust Him. In this way, God's justice has been satisfied and our sins forgiven. We receive this by faith. Faith is agreeing that we are sinners and Jesus is the only one that can save us. Faith is believing in Christ. And believing is trusting and trusting is more than just agreeing it is a complete life change.

Man has no grounds to boast for he hasn't done anything to earn his justification. Justification is by faith apart from any work. 

Today's Text
Paul does it again. He repeats a message in verse 29 he has said before but uses different phrases. "Is God the God of Jews only?" Where else have we heard this so far?
2:11 - There is no partiality with God. 
3:9-18 - Jews and Greeks are all under sin. No one is righteous.
3:26 - Who is justified? The one who has faith (whether Jew or Gentile). 1:16 - Salvation is to the Jew and the Greek.

Again, is God only for the Jews? No way. Most definitely He is the God of gentiles also. How do I know this? Verse 30 tells me. Whether circumcised or not, God justifies by faith. The condition of man is not important.

So, in verse 31, we have an interesting question. Verse 1 of chapter 3 started with a question to the Jew about wondering what advantage there is in being a Jew since circumcision was shown in chapter 2, at the end, to be of no value in and of itself, and God choosing the Jew, didn't give them a free pass. So, now, after the discourse on the fact that no one can be righteous and no can boast because doing things is not how a person is saved, the question then comes up, "is the Law even of any value?" Faith is the means of salvation, not the Law, so don't we nullify the Law then.

And Paul's response is once again an emphatic declaration of May it Never Be. This phrase was also spoken in verse 4 and 6 in response to some questions that were put forth. So, most assuredly not.

Paul states rather, "We establish the Law." Establish is to stand up. Histemi is to cause to stand. The law is clearer because we are saved by faith. However, what is clear is the law and the doing of it comes after salvation. God accepted His people completely and then gave them a law. He loves them and then gave them a law. I love my children and give them rules. I don't give my children in love in order for them to see if they are worth of my love.

Promise: Without the cross in Romans 3:21-26 and Jesus' work, then the Law can't be fulfilled.