My Utmost for His Highest - March 21st - Interest or Identification?

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. -- Galatians 2:20

The imperative need spiritually is to sign the death warrant of the disposition of sin, to turn all emotional impressions and intellectual beliefs into a moral verdict against the disposition of sin, viz., my claim to my right to myself. Paul says -- "I have been crucified with Christ"; he does not say -- "I have determined to imitate Jesus Christ," or "I will endeavor to follow Him" -- but -- "I have been identified with Him in His death." When I come to such a moral decision and act upon it, then all that Christ wrought for me on the Cross is wrought in me. The free committal of myself to God gives the Holy Spirit the chance to impart to me the holiness of Jesus Christ. 

"... nevertheless I live ..." The individuality remains, but the mainspring, the ruling disposition, is radically altered. The same human body remains, but the old satanic right to myself is destroyed. 

"And the life which I now live in the flesh...," not the life which I long to live and pray to live but the life I now live in my mortal flesh, the life which men can see, "I live by the faith of the Son of God." This faith is not Paul's faith in Jesus Christ, but the faith that the Son of God has imparted to him--"the faith of the Son of God," It is no longer faith in faith, but faith which has overleapt all conscious bounds, the identical faith of the Son of God. 

Oswald Chambers - From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her Print Edition

• imperative - indicating authority or command, necessary, urgent
• death warrant - an official order for the execution of a condemned person
• disposition of sin - the authority to settle or control sin 
• viz (namely)

- 

My Utmost for His Highest - March 20th - Friendship with God

The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, - Genesis 18:17

Its Delights. This chapter brings out the delight of real friendship with God as compared with occasional feelings of His presence in prayer. To be so much in contact with God that you never need to ask Him to show you His will, is to be nearing the final stage of your discipline in the life of faith. When you are rightly related to God, it is a life of freedom and liberty and delight, you are God's will, and all your common-sense decisions are His will for you unless He checks. You decide things in perfect delightful friendship with God, knowing that if your decisions are wrong He will always check; when He checks, stop at one. 

Its Difficulties. Why did Abraham stop praying when he did? He was not intimate enough yet to go boldly on until God granted his desire, there was something yet to be desired in his relationship to God. Whenever we stop short in prayer and say---"Well, I don't know; perhaps it is God's will," there is still another stage to go. We are not so intimately acquainted with God as Jesus was, and as He wants us to be--"That they may be one even as we are one (John 17:22)." Think of the last thing you prayed about--were you devoted to your desire or to God? Determined to get some gift of the Spirit or to get at God? "Your Heavenly Father knows what things you have need of before you ask Him (Matthew 6:8)." The point of asking is that you may get to know God better. "Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart (Psalm 37:4)." Keep praying in order to get a perfect understanding of God Himself. 

Oswald Chambers - From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her Print Edition

My thought is "He checks" is God speaking to us by His Spirit and letting us know our way is not His way. 

My Utmost for His Highest - March 19 - Abraham's Life of Faith

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. - Hebrews 11:8

In the Old Testament, a person's relationship with God was seen by the degree of separation in that person's life. This separation is exhibited in the life of Abraham by his separation from his country and his family. When we think of separation today, we do not mean to be literally separated from those family members who do not have a personal relationship with God, but to be separated mentally and morally from their viewpoints. This is what Jesus Christ was referring to in Luke 14:26 (If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.)

Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason -- a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world. 

The final stage in the life of faith is the attainment of character, and we encounter many changes in the process. We feel the presence of God around us when we pray, yet we are only momentarily changed. We tend to keep going back to our everyday ways and the glory vanishes. A life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles' wings, but is a life of day-in and day-out consistency; a life of walking without fainting (Isaiah 40:31 - Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.) It is not even a question of the holiness of sanctification, but of something which comes much farther down the road. It is a faith that has been tried and proved and has withstood the test. Abraham is not a type or an example of the holiness of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith--a faith, tested and true, built on the true God. "Abraham believed God . . ." (Romans 4:3). 

Oswald Chambers -From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition

Ephesians 2:8-10 - Why Faith?

Ephesians 2:8-10

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

Message: Why Faith?

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

What the Lord is Saying: 

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

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

Romans 4 speaks of: 

Righteousness  -  Apart From Works

                            Apart From Circumcision

                            Apart from the Law

                            By Faith

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

___________

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

Faith is a Gift -- 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TABLETALK - June 2017 Articles

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

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

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

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

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

These blessings will reflect Jesus and how He lived.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

Righteousness is our #1 need. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Excerpts from

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

Ligonier Ministries

This material may be protected by copyright.

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

Romans 4:9-12

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

Message: Not by any of our works

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

What the Lord is Saying: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Romans 4:6-8 - Justification and Sin

Romans 4:6-8

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

Message: Justification and Sin

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

What the Lord is Saying:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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