Romans – Day 49
4 Dec 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: the judgement followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. [Romans 5: 15-19]
Paul has been talking about the differences between Adam and Jesus; now he compares them by talking about their similarities.
‘Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all.’ (v. 18 ) – both committed a single act.
The key word in this passage is the word “one“. It’s used eleven times. One trespass compared to one act of righteousness. Trespass means crossing over the line, going beyond the boundaries. In Genesis 2:16-17 we find that Adam made a calculated decision to sin. God told Adam how far he could go and Adam decided to go beyond that limit. He broke the law.
The first human did it and the tendency is passed on down. It’s a calculated decision. Both Adam and Jesus committed a single act. One in trespass, the other in one act of righteousness.
‘For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.’ (v. 19). Both influenced the entire race. One sin brought universal condemnation. One act of Jesus brought universal salvation.
At this point we have to be careful, or we slip very easily into universalism – everybody is saved, the sacrifice of Jesus automatically saves everyone. It’s an attractive but false doctrine.
“How much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace reign in life.” (v.17) ‘Those who receive’ – that’s our responsibility. Yes, Jesus has made salvation possible, but it’s our responsibility to receive it. You and I have to appropriate this free and wonderful gift to our lives.
One task today – as you thank God for your salvation, write down the names of those children in your family or in the family of the church who have grown up in grace, having knowledge of this truth. Thank God for them and spend some time asking God that they would have the insight to appropriate – to receive - the gift. Why don’t you commit yourself to pray every day until Christmas for one of these.
- Karl
Romans – Day 48
3 Dec 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: the judgement followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! [Romans 5: 15-17]
‘Compare and contrast….’ Do you remember those essay questions in exams? Here Paul does the compare and contrast for us - today contrast, tomorrow compare.
Adam and Jesus contrasted.
The event (v.15) ”But the gift is not like the trespass.” What event? He’s comparing two things: Adam’s temptation and sin in the Garden of Eden and Jesus Christ’s gift on the cross.
The result (v. 16) “Again the gift of God is not like the result of one man’s sin.” The result of Adam’s sin was judgement and condemnation. The result of Christ’s gift was justification. In verse 16 it says ‘many transgressions’. Jesus dealt with them all. He paid for them all. He not only paid for the sins I committed yesterday and today, but also the ones I’m going to commit next week. Jesus not only took care of Adam’s big sin that gave us our human nature, but He also took care of all the other sins that every human being would commit over the next thousands of years.
The effect (v. 17) The effect of Adam’s sin - death reigned. “For if by one trespass of one man death reigned then how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life.” The effect: the difference is death and life. Adam brought death through his sin and we can reign in life because Jesus brought life. Death reigns today – 1 out of 1 people die. But we can reign in life.
Two key phrases: ‘reign’ and ‘much more’
- Reign. Five times in this passage he uses the word reign. It means to be controlled. Either sin and death are going to control your life or grace and life are going to control your life. You get to choose.
- Much more (v. 20). This phrase is used three times (v. 15, 17, 20). Every time it’s used it’s referring to God’s grace. In Jesus Christ we gain much, much more than we ever lost in Adam! Grace is much, much more powerful!
Today, why don’t you take out your journal and thank the Lord for grace. Write down all the benefits you have in Christ because of grace. Praise Him, and determine to live out of that grace - to reign.
- Karl
Romans – Day 47
2 Dec 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned —
To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. [Romans 5: 12-14]
Paul is going to spend some time contrasting two men for us – Adam and Jesus.
Adam was given authority over the original creation. He sinned - and he lost it. Because Adam sinned, all of humanity came under comdemnation and death. That death is physical, spiritual and eternal. WE ARE STUFFED!
But Christ came as king over a new creation, a new Kingdom [2 Cor 5:17]. By Jesus’ obedience to his Father and towards a cross, he sets us right with God and begins to restore all things [Col 1]. We become ‘sons of God’.
So Adam inaugerates an era of sin and judgement and death.
But Jesus Christ inaugerates an era of grace and mercy and righteousness.
That’s why Paul calls Adam a pattern of the one to come. Guys – because of Jesus, because of what Jesus has brought in – we have a constant choice to live out of one kingdom or the other, to live in grace or to live in sin and death.
Ask the Holy Spirit today to help you live out of grace and mercy and forgiveness and peace and joy and life, responding to all others in that way.
- Karl
Romans – Day 46
1 Dec 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. [Romans 5:9-11]
Are you getting excited about Christmas yet? There is so much to be expectant about! So get over yourselves all you christmas scroogy misery’s – presents – mincepies – carols – cards – turkey – people actually greeting one-another – mistletoe – decorations – open fires. What’s not to like?
These verses of Scripture remind us why we have every right to get excited and joyful at this time of year, in fact all the time! Not only have we been set right with God – not only have we been saved from his wrath – but we have been reconciled. We are restored to the relationship we were always supposed to have with our loving heavenly father. And consequently you and I find ourselves at peace with ourselves, able to relate in a godly way to others and in harmony with the created order. It’s an amazing thing! It’s the ultimate christmas gift! See, this is all available because God came, put on flesh, fleshed out his love and intentions, stepped down in to our world so that we can live in His.
Can I also encourage us all as we approach the Christmas Season to take our time, in what can be a ridiculously busy time of year, to stop and reflect and worship. CELEBRATE!
Perhaps when you see a nativity scene you might think to yourself ‘this really happened’ – ’God really came’. Maybe when you receive a Christmas card, it will encourage you to remember that Jesus came to be your friend and set you in good standing with God. It could be that every time you hear a Christmas song, your mind will drift to the first Christmas song, sung by angels, ’Glory to God in the highest, and peace of earth’. Who knows you might begin to think every time you use your credit card – ’my debt has been fully paid!’
Make this Christmas really special as you take time to be with the Christ and worship Him.
- Karl
Romans – Day 45
30 Nov 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [Romans 5:6-8]
I know that you have only recently had a verse to commit to heart but here is another memory verse that really ought to be in our minds and hearts. So how about it?
As you hold this verse , remember that Father God loves you. Whilst you were in open rebellion towards him, he sent his son to die. His love is incredible!
His primary orientation towards you is love. One of my earthly father’s favorite verses of scripture is found in Zephaniah 3: 17 ‘The Lord your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.’
I don’t know if you ever do this — but today why not set aside 20 minutes. Put on some gentle worship music, lie down in the presence of your heavenly father and allow him to sing over you. Just enjoy his love for you.
- Karl
Romans – Day 44
27 Nov 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [Romans 5:6]
Christ died for sinners – he died for ungodly people. I wonder, do you know any sinners?
Jesus died for sinners. The Father’s love is for messed up people – the Spirit longs to touch ungodly people.
Spend today praying for ‘ungodly’ people – that they will come to know our incredible God.
Pray for family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and enemies.
Perhaps the Lord is leading you to pray daily for three people, asking your Father that in his timing you might even be the answer to your own prayer, and they would come to know Him.
- Karl
Romans – Day 43
26 Nov 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [Romans 5:6]
When playing any kind of sport you are well aware of the fact that timing is everything. How the ball comes off the bat or racket, how it is released from the hand, whether the free-kick swerves the right amount or has the correct power – is all down to timing! Whether a comedian is good or great is all down to timing.
You don’t have to walk with your heavenly Father for long to recognise that he has perfect timing. He is never too early and certainly he is not too late. This passage encourages us to understand that Christ came and died at just the right time.
The pivotal point of all history - the incarnation, the life, the death, the resurrection of Jesus Christ – that short period – happened at just the right time. Father God had his hand on all of history. Jesus came as the answer and the fulfillment of the Creation story and the Exodus story and the Priestly story and the Exile story — he came to die AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME.
If we can trust that his timing was right then – can we trust that his timing is right now and will be in the future?
He holds your life and he holds your future. His timing for your life may not appear right now to be perfect, but it is! He will fulfill his promises and his plans are good!
All you have to do is position yourself for God’s timing. Wait on him!
- Karl
Romans – Day 42
25 Nov 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. [Romans 5:3-5]
I’m not sure that many or any of us actually enjoy suffering? Any-one? Yet here is a passage that seems to suggest that just as we rejoice in the glory we experience – we can also experience joy in suffering – we can ‘glory’ in our sufferings!
How can this be? I mean it can actually sound offensive to someone experiencing suffering.
I think that here Paul is suggesting it is not just true that as we suffer we identify with the suffering of our Lord (although this is in part true).
It is not just that in our suffering – we as ‘little Christs’ are broken for the healing of the world – we become ‘eucharist’ (although this is undoubtedly our calling).
No, here Paul wants to go further – He implies that in and through suffering, God’s incredible objective for our lives is also being worked out. He wants to conform us to the person of Jesus Christ – he wants us to look and act more like his son. It is the suffering that produces perseverance, character and HOPE.
And this Hope is wonderful: we get to live out of the Father’s love – with the Spirit’s power as little Jesus’s in this broken world.
Today, perhaps identify someone who is suffering – and ask for God’s strength and peace and healing for them. It may be that you are even able to look back at a time when you suffered and reflecting on that experience, thank Father God for it.
- Karl
Romans – Day 41
24 Nov 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. [Romans 5:1-2]
This is the memory verse of the week – get this in your heads and your hearts. We (you and I) have been aligned correctly with God (we are right with our heavenly father). Through believing and trusting in Jesus – who is Lord (the ultimate one – master) – and Christ (the expected – anointed one of God – promised from way back). We have peace with God (we can know him and relate to him and live out of his love). We have gained access (not just to the throne room of heaven) to this incredible commodity and culture of GRACE, we have experienced the grace of God and now live in it. It is the air we breath – it is the place and status in which we now stand. So we have real Joy and rejoice in the hope we have (of the restoration of all things – of heaven assured) of the glory of God, that we can somehow bring glory to God.
- Karl
Romans – Day 40
23 Nov 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead — since he was about a hundred years old — and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness –for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. [Romans 4:18-25]
Paul is trying to show us that it is our faith in the power and faithfulness of God that enables us to be made righteous. We can trust in his power: he gave Abraham and Sarah a child when they were about 100! (verse 19), he raised Jesus from the dead (verse 24). We can also trust in his promises: God had promised Abraham that he would be the Father of many nations and had promised him a child. God delivers on his promise, he always does! Why don’t you spend some time today just writing down the promises of God for you in the Scriptures. Perhaps, beyond the written word, you know that God has also promised other things to you. Thank him that he always does what he says he will do.
Notice that you and I are not to be passive in the process of walking in the promises and power of God. Abraham had to believe although it was ‘against all hope’ (verse 18). Father God is the saving God, he is the faithful one, he has all power and can be relied upon to come through on his promises, BUT you and I are called to FAITH, to trust (sometimes against all hope).
How is this possible? Only when you look at the Father and not at the issue. If Abraham had focused on the physical facts we would probably not be reading about him in Romans. How is this possible? Only when we ask Father God to strengthen our faith. He is the one who calls us – he is the one who sent Jesus – he is the one who ‘credits us with righteousness’. Will he not enable us to have faith that defies human doubts and holds onto divine promises.
Spend some time just asking Father God for the gift of faith and the tenacity to hold on and stand tall in the promises of God.
- Karl