Romans – Day 35

16 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”  [Romans 4:4-8]

Paul is talking again about being justified (set right with God) by faith, not by ritual or by works. He makes the point very clearly in this section. It is, however, Paul’s words about FORGIVENESS (verses 7-8) that I want us to focus on today. Forgiveness is such an incredible thing. So many people who are stuck in their walk with God are stuck because they don’t realise that they are forgiven, or they refuse to release forgiveness to others. They are stuck – maybe this is where you are, too?

If only we could all get these two verses from Psalm 32:1-2 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

You guessed it! They form the memory verse for this week – get them in your heart!!!!

Blessed are they whose transgressions –  (whose lawlessness, whose abuse of God’s moral code) are forgiven  – (released from obligation, you go free!), whose sins  – (harmatia, missing God’s mark, falling short) are covered  – (covered over,  handled, sorted, dealt with). Blessed is the man or woman whose sin the Lord will never count against him or her - (He will absolutely never, in no circumstances, do the calculation).

You are forgiven, based on nothing you ever did. You have been forgiven everything! So live free, love people, forgive others….

Get this verse in your heart!

- Karl

Romans – Day 34

13 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about – but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” [Romans 4:1-3]

Abraham is one of the great heroes of faith (recorded for us in Hebrews 11). Read that chapter of scripture today. Notice particularly the phrases ‘God was not ashamed to be their God’ and ‘the world was not worthy of them’. Thank God for heroes of the faith. Ask that God would not be ashamed of you, and that you would be so distinct from this world that the world would not be worthy of you.

Who are your heroes? Biblical or otherwise? If you have a hero who is still alive, why don’t you encourage them by sending a card or emailing them.

- Karl

Romans – Day 33

12 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about-but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” [Romans 4:1-3]

Abraham believed God. Faith is believing God. What does it mean for you and I to believe God, to trust Him?

  • Trusting in His character
  • Trusting in what He has said
  • Trusting in what He has done

For each of these areas spend time writing a list of the things we can trust about our heavenly Father, the aspects of character and promise that we can trust in. WOW!

- Karl

Romans – Day 32

11 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. [Romans 3:31]

We uphold the LAW? What is Paul saying? I think probably just what Jesus was saying in Matthew 5:17. The Law is not set aside by faith. God’s Law was not intended to be the cure for sin, but to lead us to cry out for one who can be. The Law helps us encounter Jesus, and by faith in Him we are enabled to fulfil the requirements of the Law. We are able to live a faithful life and therefore please God. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to fruit well and therein fulfil the Law.

Grace is no freedom to license. Faith in Jesus frees you to live in a way that honours God.

I have been so challenged by those men and women of faith who, full of grace, have been disciplined in fulfilling the GOAL of the Law, which is the worship and pleasure of our Heavenly Father.

Spend some time reflecting on some of the spiritual disciplines below and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those that He is calling you to engage with at this time.

  1. Abstinence. ‘Our problem is not that we love too little; it is that we love too much’ [St Augustine] Think about fasting from something – food, TV, sex
  2. Simplicity. This discipline helps you overcome vices such as envy, avarice, pride and vanity. It encourages us to share rather than hoard.
  3. Stillness. This involves letting go of busyness, getting ambitions clear, and slowing down to be with God.
  4. Meditation. To soak ourselves in the Word and the Spirit.
  5. Reticence. To be quiet and listen more.

Perhaps you could book some time in the prayer room this week and spend that time asking Father God to help you in your discipline, so as to know and please God.

- Karl

Romans – Day 31

10 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. [Romans 3:29-31]

How inclusive are we? Are we really open, as a church, to all people? Do I only hang around with those I like? Do I only love those who are like me?

Paul is dealing with another heckle thrown at him: ‘is the gospel for gentiles as well as Jews?’

God had chosen the Jewish nation and given them privileges that were not open to other nations and many of the Jews were very proud of this special status. However, the Jewish privilege was never meant to discriminate and exclude. In fact, the nation of Israel was supposed to be a light of revelation to the Gentiles.

The early church had much to deal with as far as working through the barriers that Christ had smashed down. Perhaps it is true that we also have work to do? Are we really as inclusive of all, irrespective of gender, economic status, past sins, sexuality, smell etc. God loves all people, so our call is to ALL PEOPLE.

How about asking God to reveal to you the people that He would have you love. Perhaps He will lay on your heart someone who you would not automatically befriend. How about sending an e-mail, writing a card, or arranging to meet up?

- Karl

Romans – Day 30

9 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. [Romans 3:27-28]

Do you ever find yourself boasting? Do you find yourself pushing your achievements forward or being overly proud of yourself or your kids? Do you ever find yourself doing this about achievements in your walk with God? Or in the church?

Paul is saying that it is by grace that we are saved – nothing we have done, nothing we have deserved. We can never boast in ourselves, or in our walk with Him, or in any spiritual achievement. Jesus paid it all, Jesus has done it all, Jesus IS it all – it is all for His glory. Everything that is good about us in God’s sight we have received from Him as a gift.

If we boast, we boast in Him. In fact, let us boast in what HE HAS DONE. What HE IS DOING. We should be itching to tell our stories, and our story. His story – that glory might go to HIM.

Today ask God for an opportunity to boast of His Son.

- Karl

Romans – Day 29

6 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished – he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. [Romans 3:25-26]

At the heart of all we believe is an incredibly profound and powerful yet very simple action. Jesus makes substitutionary atonement for us. Two words brought together to make it possible for us to experience the saving knowledge of God:

ATONEMENT – paying a price for doing wrong

This  idea of paying a price for wrongdoing is called “atonement” in the Bible.  Atonement is satisfying the demands for justice when a crime has been committed. If you speed and you get caught – you pay! If you dodge your taxes and you get caught - you pay!

SUBSTITUTION

Those of us who follow sport (particularly football) know this principle. A substitute is someone who takes the place of another. Often to do what the first cannot do.

Putting these two words together enables us to understand the concept of someone else taking our place to pay our fine.

This principle has played out throughout biblical history. It’s  God’s plan for the salvation of the world and the restoration of all things.

Check out the Substitutionary Atonement Timeline:

  • Genesis 3:21. After eating the fruit from the tree in the garden, Adam and Eve hide from God. It’s as if the whole of creation is waiting to see what God will do.  He has said that they would die – will he suspend his judgement? God takes an animal skin (he kills an animal) and covers Adam and Eve’s shame.
  • Exodus. People are sinning against God  – God judges with an Angel of death -God provides a Substitute Lamb who gets killed
  • Sacrificial System. Several times a year, the priest would say, “We all know we’ve all sinned, and it’s atonement time. So either you can bear the price of your own sin and receive the judgment of God yourself, or you can go out into your herd and get a lamb. Then come and put the lamb on the altar;  God will allow the lamb to take the hit instead of you having to satisfy the demands of justice.” So people did.
  • The prophet Isaiah, 700 years before Christ,  describes what the Messiah – Substitute Atoner will do. In his prophecy, he says these words: “There’s coming a day where He will be wounded for our transgressions. He will be bruised for our iniquity, and God will lay upon Him the iniquity of us all.” There’s coming a day when God is going to provide the ultimate substitutionary atoner. There’s coming a day!
  • The Lamb of God. One day Jesus (when he was about 30 years old) came to hear John the Baptist give a message. John:  ’ “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” He will be the ultimate substitutionary atoner for the sins of the whole world.’ He’s the one!  Jesus:  ”I’m the lamb of God.”

Then on a Friday, Jesus had a cross strapped on his back, and he carried it up to a hill. Nails were pounded through his hands and feet. As he died, Jesus said “It is Finished’”, by which he meant ‘The full atonement has now been made. All of the sins of everybody in the world have now been atoned for.’

The ultimate substitute paid the atoning price for the sins of the world.

HOW COOL IS THAT!

Thank your Heavenly Father for his audacious plan.

- Karl

Romans – Day 28

5 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [Romans 3:21-24]

It’s a big ask,  but committing these verses to memory this week will commit the heart of the gospel to your heart.

- Karl

Romans – Day 27

4 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [Romans 3:21-24]

Continuing on from yesterday…. this incredible news, God’s hope for this world, salvation.

  1. Salvation is universal -  ”To all who believe” [v.22]  Here is the greatest news in the universe: anybody [= everybody = you], whatever your background or past or gender or race or economic potential,  can know God, can be forgiven, can live for ever in an intimate relationship with the God who made you.  All you need to do is believe, to trust your life,  your potential and your future to Him.
  2. Salvation is essential - “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” [v.23] This Good News is necessary, because we have all fallen short.  You’ve got to get this… even if you grew up in church, and always did what mum and dad told you and made the right grades, and…. and …. and….  YOU HAVE FALLEN SHORT!  You may be better than your neighbour, or a terrorist, or a Manchester United fan, but you fall short of God’s standards, of His perfection.  You who were created in the image of God to represent Him and to bring Him glory – you fall short of your own standards when you slag off, and when you look too long, and when you start to worship other things.

BUT NOW – “we are justified freely by His grace.”  He loves you because He loves you because He loves you – just because!  The Bible calls it grace.

See that word Justified – in word processing terms it means ‘aligning text’ correctly.  Being  justified with God means that we are aligned correctly with God.

That word Redemption means to ‘buy out’ and was used in Paul’s day for the purchase of a slave’s freedom. Paul is saying that we are put right with God by the ‘buy out’ of Jesus – and that we are FREE. Whilst it cost us nothing, it cost Him.

Spend some time today listing those who need to be justified and redeemed, those who need to know the freedom that only Jesus can bring. Now commit them to Jesus in prayer.

- Karl

Romans – Day 26

3 Nov 2009 | | Posted in RomansNo Comments

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [Romans 3:21-24]

Paul has been saying that we are stuffed! That God is mad, and He has every right to be so….

“But NOW, a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known.” [v.21] 

If the Bible has a sound track (I like to think it must have!), it must be Indiana Jones/James Bond/Luke Skywalker – tastic at this point!  ’Cos this is God’s rescue plan – and He’s gonna do something about the hopeless state we find ourselves in! We can’t!  That has been established; but He can – and He has!!

But now … but Now … but NOW….

  1. Salvation is from God and it is unearned. This plan to get us out of the mess we find ourselves in wasn’t devised by any man, it came from God – “a righteousness from God apart from the law.”  It didn’t come from humans, and you don’t get to heaven by works, by trying to earn it, by keeping the Ten Commandments or the Sermon on the Mount. You are not saved by earning it, by working for it. It’s apart from the Law. In the Old Testament, there are three kinds of law: moral law, civil law, ceremonial law. These three kinds of laws are talked about in the first five books of the Bible. Paul says none of these are going to get you to heaven – it is apart from the law.
  2. Salvation is unhidden and obvious – “the law and the prophets testify.” This is radical radical stuff, but it’s not a secret! The Old Testament everywhere talks about the coming of Jesus.  I know this is staggering stuff, but Paul is saying  (you know, the whole Bible teaches the same stuff…) that we are a messed-up people and that God loves us;  He wants good for us and He’s sending someone to do what we couldn’t do ourselves.  Check it out!
  3. Salvation is by faith. When you look at this passage and look at how many times the word “faith” is used, you realise that the whole Christian life can be summed up in the word “faith”. All of the other religions of the world want you to DO; Paul says that for the Christian it’s DONE.

BUT NOW – “we are justified freely by His grace” [other translations  freely = without a cause] [v.24]  He loves you!  The Bible calls it grace.

Spend some time thanking Father God for the Gospel and for your salvation.

- Karl

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