My Jesus Never Failed a Clear and Bright Test

One of the things that I've had to learn for my Surface Warfare qualification is all of the different tests that fuel oil has in order to ensure its consistency and performance abilities. One of these said tests is the clear and bright test. Clear means that it is free from sediment and debris. Bright means that it is free of water.

As I was thinking about it more, I realized that God would never fail this test.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

How awesome it is that we can rejoice knowing that God is perfect and unchanging! Jesus never sinned and filled His life with "debris." He never had false motives and never clouded His heart with harmful "water." He is the clearest of all and the brightest of all.

I praise God today for that.

Romans 4: The Boiler Steam Cycle...I mean Abraham: The Father of Our Faith

I'll be honest. I'm writing this entry as I contemplate how much studying for my surface warfare qual I have to do in the next three days. I have antennas and the steam cycle and anchor weights stuck in my head and I feel like I've only begun to scratch the surface of what I need to know. I guess I can remember back to when I felt like that with Scripture, and I definitely still feel that way at times. But regardless of how much I have to learn for ESWS, I'm determined to remain faithful to God and my goal of writing a commentary on each of the first 8 chapters of Romans during this underway period. I think I might be a little bit behind, but I don't want to give up! Prayers for both ESWS and my Romans study are appreciated.


Before we get into Chapter 4, it is critical to understand a bit about the faith and promise that Abraham received from God in the account in Genesis. In Genesis 15:4, God tells Abraham that his own son will be his heir. Two verses later, Scripture says that Abraham believed God. This one verse will be the basis of much of Paul's words in chapter 4 of Romans.


There are two things from the Genesis account that I find interesting about Abraham. Even though he believed God, he still tried to take matters into his own hands to "help God out." He slept with his wife's servant and she became pregnant. As the story continues, it is obvious to Abraham that God has other plans.


The second fascinating thing that I thought about a lot is from chapter 17. God comes to Abraham and says "walk before me and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you and may mulitply you greatly." I'm not sure what Abraham was thinking, but allow me to speculate based on his response. Abraham falls on his face. I can easily think of two other times in Scripture when men appeared before the Lord and fell on their faces (Isaiah 6 and John in Revelation).


When one is in the presence of the righteous God, the only response is muscle failure and a face plant. These men clearly saw the majesty of God and were overwhelmed by the contrast between God's awesomeness and their sinful, puny selves. I believe that Abraham's reaction was the same as these two men. Amazingly, God's response is the same each time. With Abraham, the next words out of God's mouth were the words that would establish God's covenant with Abraham (who was still Abram until this meeting)! God tells Abraham to be blameless, Abraham falls on his face, and God makes a promise and gives Abram the name Abraham or "father of a multitude."


Abraham got it. He realized the impossibility of God's command to walk blameless before Him. He realized his sinfulness and utter dependence on God. Once he came to that point, God was able to establish His covenant with Abram based on Abram's faith apart from any works that Abram did.


This is where we will venture into Romans to find Paul speaking of the father of our faith, Abraham. The main idea of chapter 4 is this:


Abraham was justified and made righteous by his faith. His faith led to the realization of the promise of God that he would be the father of many nations. As Paul will explain, the family of God hinges on Abraham believing God's promise.


Abraham Justified by Faith (v. 1-12)

After concluding in chapter 3 that we should uphold the law even though man is justified apart from it, Paul focuses his efforts on Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh. What was gained, Paul asks, by Abraham? How was he justified? Surely there must have been some works involved! Not according to Scripture. Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 in verse 3. "Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness."


The idea of believing God really intrigued me during my study. There are a few verses that I'd like to look at that expand on this idea of believing God. Later on in the chapter, Paul will expand specifically on the idea that Abraham believed God (v. 18-22).


Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'whoever believes will not be in haste.'
Isaiah 28:16


And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.
Whoever believes in Him is not condemed, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3:14, 15, 18


Notice that without belief in the proper One, believing really doesn't matter. To the one who believes God, justification results. Righteousness results. Eternal life results. The promise is guaranteed.


In verses 4 and 5, Paul restates the fact that works do not save. Verse 4 should bring a couple of previous thoughts to mind. First off, justification is a free gift (3:24). Secondly, by works of the law no man will be made righteous (3:20). If someone is working towards salvation, he will receive his wages, but they become his due not a gift. Paul will address this specifically in chapter 6 when he says "the wages of sin is death."


Thanks be to God that as Christians, we understand that we belong to a different category. We aren't putting our hope in the works of the law. We are putting our hope in Jesus Christ and believing God when He says that eternal life is knowing the one true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Verse 5 restates this idea. "And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." This is Abraham. This is all of us who put our faith in Jesus Christ. It is a belief that requires faith. It is a belief that requires understanding that we are ungodly and need a righteous man to take the penalty of our sin on Himself. Only God can do that and He has!


Thinking about this really made me think about what believing in Jesus Christ really looks like. When is our belief "enough" to truly belong to the Kingdom of God? How do we determine that we really believe? To me, I am starting to see how much each and every decision will reflect one way or another what I believe. Let me just cut right to the chase. If I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins, I will have joy. I will have peace. I will have contentment. I will long to know Him more. I will feast on His Word daily. I will fellowship with Him in prayer. I will rejoice in suffering knowing that it makes me more like Him. I will gladly give up anything of this world for a better glimpse of my King. I will gladly sacrifice my very life for the sake of the Gospel.


Am I at that point in my belief? Some days I am. Some days I can rest in Christ and see a consistency of devotion to Him. Some days I seem to fail with each step I take. Thankfully, the truth is that God is faithful and the work He is doing in my life will be accomplished.


I challenge you to consider how you are living and compare it to what you say you believe. Are you defeated? Do you have low self esteem? These things should not exist in a child of God! Don't allow satan to bring you down. Believe Jesus when He says that He came to give us life in abundance! Believe that.


Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning His Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
1 John 5:10, 11


Do you have the testimony in you? If you said yes, if you haven't already, start acting like it.


Verses 6-9 reference the words of David in Psalm 32:1, 2. The first verse of the Gospel of Matthew lists Jesus as the son of Abraham and the son of David. Paul is building the credibility of his argument by quoting another divinely-inspired author of the Old Testament. Abraham and David, two Old Testament giants, were both shown to believe that God justifies the ungodly.


David writes "blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." Those are the words of a man who understands the reality of human nature and the awesomeness of God's grace!


The remaining verses (v. 9-12) of this section deal with the Jew vs. the Gentile, the circumcised vs. the uncircumcised. Paul asks "is this blessing only for the Jew?" Was this faith counted to Abraham before or after he was circumcised? It was before he was circumcised.


Paul breaks down circumcision like this:
-It is the seal of the righteousness that was counted to Abraham through his faith.
-Abraham became the father of the uncircumcised by faith.
-Abraham became the father of the circumcised who also walk by faith.


One man became the father of faith for all who believe both Jew and Gentile. Paul proves this through the Old Testament Scriptures. How important it is to understand how the New and Old Testaments fit together and provide one cohesive message of hope for mankind.


There is only one thing left for Paul to do before he moves his focus to glorious reality of new life in Jesus Christ. He must show that not only was Abraham justified by faith but the promise of God was also accomplished through his faith.


The Promise Realized Through Faith (v. 13-25)

Paul transitions from talking about being justified by faith to speaking in regards to the promise of God to Abraham. Paul begins by saying that the promise was made through the righteousness counted to Abraham by his faith. Just as salvation doesn't have anything to do with the law neither does the promise.

In verse 14, Paul again reminds us that no one is righteous through the law, and if the law was the origin of the promise, faith would not mean anything and the promise certainly wouldn't matter. It has to be like this: saved by grace through faith (justified/made righteous) then receive the promise. That is how it worked with Abraham and how it works with us too.

Verse 15 brings us back to the fact that the law brings the wrath of God against everyone. I'm not sure the second half of the verse specifically means this, but it brought a thought to mind. I can see how this verse could be another contrast of the law versus grace. "Apart from the law, there is no transgression." If faith justifies us and makes us righteous, God has said that he will separate our sin from us as far as the east is from the west. That's grace!

Verses 16 and 17 are heavy.

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, 'I have made you the father of many nations'--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Praise God! Because the promise of God does not depend one iota on our flesh, it can be guaranteed to all who walk by faith in Jesus Christ! There is only one adherent to the law, Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for our sins. We can rest assured that God will fulfill His promise to us because Jesus Christ was the once for all sacrifice that paid the debt of sin. Our father, Abraham, gave life to the Jew and the Gentile because of his unwaivering faith. That is the power of God, plain and simple.

That is the power of God that "gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist." I'm reminded of 1 Corinthians when Paul takes it a step further to say that God brought to nothing things that exist in the world by things that do not exist in the world. Isn't the power of God amazing?

As I considered this idea more, a question came to my mind. Was faith one of those things that didn't exist that God called into existence? It definitely wasn't required in Eden when God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve. Abraham was the father of faith. And faith is a free gift of God. I don't really have an answer, but it definitely is something I am now curious about!

It also strikes me that the promise was made in the presence of God. This isn't some promise to take out the trash that you make with your mom. This promise didn't lack eye witness validation. This promise was made in the presence of God who knows all and sees all. We can have complete confidence in this promise.

Verses 18 through 22 are Paul's expansion of the text "Abraham believed God." This was not a wavering belief. It wasn't half-hearted. It was 100% belief in God's decree.

In verse 18, Paul gives the specific promise "so shall your offspring be." In hope against hope, Abraham believed. He was 100 years old and Sarah was barren and too old. And yet Abraham believed God. Verse 19 restates it. Abraham believed God even when he considered how weak and frail he was. Verses 20 and 21 are the grace of God in action:

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.

No distrust. Abraham believed God. He didn't waiver. Abraham believed God. He grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God. Abraham believed God. He was convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. Abraham believed God.

I find it interesting how Abraham grew strong in his faith. It was by giving glory to God. Praising God, rejoicing in the Lord, and being awestruck by God's awesome power are how we grow in faith. We don't question God and grow strong. We believe God and then see Him use us for His work! I'm reminded of Matthew 19:26 when Jesus tells His disciples that it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a right man to enter Heaven. He says that it is impossible for man, but that all things are possible with God. That's believing God and that is what Abraham did.

Why was faith counted to Abraham as righteousness? Because he believed God! Believing God should take on a deeper meaning for all of us after examining Paul's expansion on the phrase.

Paul concludes the chapter by saying that the words "it was counted to him" were not only for Abraham's sake but for our's as well. Just as Abraham's faith was counted to him as righteousness so will our faith in Christ be counted to us as righteousness! Believe God. Believe that He raised Jesus from the dead and believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and took on the sin of the world so that we might become the righteousness of God.

Believe God. The results are divine.

God Speaks in the Middle of the Ocean

I want to praise God today and share a great revelation from my quiet time this morning. I want you all to know that God hears the cries of His children and answers them in His perfect way and time.

I have been burdened lately and haven't known what to do. As someone who has spent a great deal of time in the Word in the last 18 months, I've seen God do a great work in my life. In this same period, I have seen others struggle and done my best to encourage them. It seems so easy to me that the answers to all of life's problems can be found in the Word of God and through Jesus Christ. It has been my aim to point people to the Word and encourage them to seek the same solutions that I have found by studying and meditating on the truths of Scripture.

But, I can't do the work for anyone. I can't change anyone's thinking, and I can't make them read the Word or believe it. That is between them and God. So at times, I question whether God has really called me to full-time ministry when I can't even seem to help others get on track with their faith lives. I end up feeling like Timothy who must have been mocked because of his youth for Paul to write him and say "let no one despise you for your youth." I've asked God why it is that my words seem to fall on deaf ears at times when I know that I'm right because it isn't my advice, but God's advice. I'm just the vessel.

Ultimately, I conclude that God will use me for His glory how He sees fit. I trust in that enough to continue to encourage when no visible fruit is seen. This morning, God answered my plea for help in a big way.

I turned to Psalm 1 which is one of my favorites. Basically it says that the one who delights in the Lord and meditates on His law is blessed. It then relates that person to a tree planted by a stream that bears fruit in its season, has leaves that never wither, and is successful in everything he seeks to accomplish.

God really spoke to me about one's season in life. What if I have been expecting fruit out of season? What if I have erroneously believed that I was in a different season of life than I really am? Could that produce an unnecessary burden? As only God can do, the very next passage I opened to (which to me was random) was 2 Timothy 4. The first thing I read was "preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season"

It seems interesting that one who prepares for the harvest should be ready for a harvest in the middle of winter. But isn't that exactly what God is telling us from this passage? Preach the Word. Be ready in and out of season. Do we know when the harvest will happen? Do we know when the Word will fall on good soil? That's up to God isn't it? But, regardles, be ready! God told me to be ready this morning. Maybe it isn't my season to harvest or to see the fruit that I desire to see, but be ready and preach the Word. That much is clear.

As I continued meditating on this idea, I turned to Ecclessiastes chapter 3. There is a time for everything. The words in verse 11 hit me hard. "He has made everything beautiful in its time." In its time. Not one moment earlier or later. Jesus spoke this way a lot. The hour will come for the Son of Man to be lifted up. The hour is now here. The writers of the Bible made many comments to this effect as well. The Day is coming and is now here... God's timing is perfect, and He will make everything beautiful in its time, including the fruit that we seek to bear as Christians.

So what season am I in? I believe God has told me to wait. As we sang yesterday at chapel, strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord!

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everylasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases his strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

What season are you in? Is it one of harvest? Is it one of waiting? Is it one of action?

May God bless us with an understanding of the season we are in and give us the strength to joyfully walk in it. Amen!

Romans 3

Well, if you haven't been able to tell from the first two chapters of Romans, I've been looking forward to spending some quality time in chapter 3. It has been a real blessing over the past week to see Paul conclude a major part of his thoughts on the first half of the Gospel: humans are sinful to the core and stand condemned before a righteous God. In addition, chapter 3 gives man the only means of justification which comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

As I try to consider the magnitude of this letter that God wrote through Paul, I can't help but wonder what Paul may have felt as he was drafting this letter. I imagine that I myself would be shaking with excitement and conviction and yet probably burdened as well knowing full well that most would not accept what is being written. Well, without further ado, let's dig in!

Paul has just finished speaking of true obedience coming from the heart. He now turns to answer questions that skeptics had (and still have!) regarding Paul's argument. The first eight verses are a sort of Q & A session in which Paul silences the critics.

God's Righteousness Upheld (v.1-8)
1. What advantage has the Jew (if circumcision is not merely outward)?
Clearly Jews have been given a great privilege of possessing the Word of God and being God's chosen people. I find it interesting that Paul says "to begin with" but yet never elaborates further. I'm sure he figured that being entrusted with the oracles of God would be sufficient enough to answer the doubters.

2. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?
By God's very nature, He is faithful! As one commentary I read put it, if every single man who ever lived cried out against God, God would still be faithful. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. His faithfulness endures apart from creation's grumblings. To elaborate further, Paul quotes Psalm 51 "that you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged." God will always prevail because He alone is sovereign.

3. But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us?
Paul clarifies that he is using a human argument just in case anyone is questioning his reasoning for presenting these questions. These questions to me seem to be getting more far-fetched. Imagine being asked, "So if when I do bad things, it makes you look better, doesn't that mean I can keep doing bad things?" "Why are you mad that I stole your car? It makes you look good because you don't steal!" How foolish. And how much more foolish it is to think that God is wrong to judge those who have sinned against His holy name.

Paul retorts, if God were unjust then how could He judge the world? 2 Timothy 4:8 tells us that the Lord is our righteous judge. Only the righteous can judge the world.

4. But if through my lie God's truth abounds to His glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come?
The first question here sounds like whining, doesn't it? It's not fair! Why am I getting in trouble when I prove God to be God?! The second is one that Paul has had to confront because of liars slandering the gospel that Paul is speaking. He makes it known that they are slanderers, and he proceeds to clarify his entire position in the remainder of the chapter. While Paul doesn't answer this last question immediately, he devotes an entire chapter to the idea later (chapter 6). He simply ends by saying "their condemnation is just."

No One is Righteous (v. 9-20)
This section is hard-hitting. Paul cements his argument with Old Testament Scripture and makes it impossible for anyone to debate man's sinfulness further.

Verse 9 starts with Paul reiterating that all men are on equal footing. We are all under sin whether Jew or Greek, black or white, tall or short. It doesn't matter. We are sinners. Galatians 3:22 offers another angle by saying "But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin..."

Verses 10-18 are the quoted Scriptures that Paul uses to prove his point. Verses 10-12 show that no one is righteous. Verses 13-17 show the bitterness of man's words and the evil of his actions. Verse 18 explains why the previous 7 verses are true.

As it is written...
None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good, not even one.

I can imagine that crickets would be the only sound after being reminded of these verses. God must have known that man would argue this so He put almost the same verses in Psalm 14 and Psalm 53. The two Psalms also go on to say that man becomes convinced that there is no God. I know a few people who live under that ridiculous notion. We need to be sure not to exalt ourselves though since we were definitely included in the "no one" category before the call of Jesus Christ. Let this reality soak in. It is critical to growing in Christ. As we mature as believers, we should see an increasing need for salvation rather than a decreasing need. For apart from God, we can do nothing.

Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.
The venom of asps is under their lips.
Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.
Psalm 5:9, Psalm 140:3, Psalm 10:7

The truth hurts. It hurts so bad that most people will never except it because of their prideful hearts. Most could never imagine being labeled with such harsh accusations. But if God calls the Christian's righteous deeds filthy rags, what hope does the one seeking righteousness through the law have of fairing better?

Their feet are quick to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.
Proverbs 1:16, 3:15-17; Isaiah 59:7,8

In addition to what Paul quotes, Proverbs goes on to say that the greed of man takes away his life. Isaiah professes that the thoughts of man are thoughts of iniquity. This message is not new. This message existed in the Old Testament. Even Cain was warned by God that sin was crouching at the door. Sadly, Cain didn't listen just as all of us at one time didn't listen.

There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Psalm 36:1

Here is the root of the problem. In the folly of man, he has declared himself to be wise. God's Word, however, says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is insight (Proverbs 9:10). Man has foolishly denied this truth and catastrophic evil has been the only result.

The above verses bring about an array of emotions. I am saddened when I consider the hearts of men, especially those who are close to me. I am humbled by the reality that I did nothing of my own to change the reality of condemnation. And I am on the edge of my seat awaiting the glorious pronouncement of justification that Paul has masterfully worked towards and is now so close to being shared.

But first, imagine being presented with this reality for the first time. Imagine that up until Paul came along, you felt pretty good about yourself. Imagine what it would be like to realize that you are in fact not a good person at all. Really, quite the opposite is true. What would that hopelessness feel like? I guess this isn't so hard for a Christian to imagine since we all arrived at this hopelessness in order to accept what God offers us. Can you remember that day? That hour? That moment? Praise God for the realization that we are sinful! The hope of Christ overwhelms the hopeless feeling and remains until His return!

Verses 19 and 20 close out this section of chapter 3. The first half of Psalm 36:1 that Paul didn't quote provides the perfect segue into verses 19 and 20. It says "Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart." Man knows that he is not good. We know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose wrong.

Verse 19 says that the law speaks to those who are under it. Let's not forget verse 15 in chapter 2 that says that the Gentiles show the law of God is written on their hearts. So all are under this law whether it be the Jew who has the Bible or the Gentile who has the law on his heart. For this reason, each and every person will stand before the Righteous Judge and have nothing to say in response to God's judgment. There will be silence. Since we are all under sin, God is just to hold the entire world accountable, and He will.

In verse 20, Paul summarizes his argument and uses it to springboard into the solution delivered by God in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ.

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

There is little else that needs to be said. This is the reality that Paul has so expertly presented in chapters 1-3. This verse represents half of the Gospel. It shows the depravity of man and the hopelessness of redemption through the law of good works. Finally, Paul presents the solution to our sin condition.

The Righteousness of God Through Faith (v. 21-31)

Paul begins this section by saying that the righteousness of God is available apart from the law. In order to preserve the integrity of Scripture, Paul makes it clear that even though righteousness is not found through them, both the Prophets and the Law testified to this righteousness.

There are three New Testament passages from the Gospels that I'll add to confirm this.

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John--Matthew 11:13

Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke of Him. John 12:41

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. John 5:45, 46

I'm also reminded of Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Fifteen verses that speak of the righteous Christ taking on our sins and removing them from us. Clearly the Old Testament law and prophets are crucial in the understanding of God's righteousness.

Verse 22 gives us the answer. It is the righteousness of God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. I love this verse because it speaks of the inclusive nature of salvation. All who believe will be saved. What a refreshing thought, isn't it? What does God ask of us after all of His effort in redeeming us? Just believe in my Son and let me take care of everything. Of course, believing in Christ requires us to continually grow in fellowship and obedience, but God gives us everything we need when we believe in Christ.

Verse 23 is a quick return to the reality that all fall short of the glory of God. Paul is very deliberate in continuing to bring this to the readers' attention. Verses 22 and 23 really offer a summary of the Gospel. Man is sinful and needs redemption; God provides the solution.

In the verses that follow, Paul will expand on the glorious offer to mankind. There are a couple of "big" words that need to be understood in verses 24 and 25. Let's break them down a bit.

In verse 24, Paul speaks of being justified. The word justification occurs a lot in Romans and is important to understand for both Scriptural understanding and sharing the Gospel. Justification is the first of three parts of salvation (the other two being sanctification and glorification). Justification is a moment in time. In fact, it is the most significant moment in time of all believers' lives. It is the moment that one receives Christ. Instantly, he/she is made a new creation and becomes one of God's children. The moment of justification is the moment a person is made righteous.

Paul says that we are justified by His grace as a gift. That moment of being made righteous is a gift from God. It is without cost. It is the greatest gift anyone could ever know. It is by the grace of God that we are offered this gift, and it is by God's grace that we receive this gift. Amazing, isn't it?

We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption of Jesus Christ. As I come to understand the Gospel more and more, I see more clearly why it is only through Jesus Christ that any person stands a chance. If Jesus Christ walked this earth, (which He most certainly did!) then it would be outrageous to think that being hung on a Cross and bearing the weight of the world's sins would allow for other religions' beliefs to make one righteous. The reality of it is this: either we are saved by grace as the Gospel says or we have to work our way to Heaven. I've been alive long enough to know that often times I am not a very good person. I can convince a lot of people by behaving well, but internally there is hate, lust, greed, envy...you name it. These things exist in the heart of all men. That is why works just don't get it done. Even good works are motivated by evil, selfish desires. It's only through Jesus Christ.

As I thought more about this verse, the question "To what are we being redeemed?" rang in my mind. The answer is fellowship with God. Jesus has torn down the curtain that prevented man from experiencing and knowing God. Isn't that glorious?! Take a look at the following verses:

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:3-5

Wow. Why would anyone want anything but the truth? It is beyond my imagination to think about what awaits! Man is God's prized creation and He wants to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us. That's why Jesus joyfully endured the Cross. That's why He is the way, the truth, and the life. That's why He alone saves.

In verse 25, it says that Jesus is who God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. Propitiation is a big word that simply means "a cover" or "reconciliation." It is important that Paul clarifies "by His blood" since the Old Testament law was clear that the shedding of blood was the only way to cover sins. The great parallel is that Jesus Christ becomes the final sacrifice. Former animal sacrifices only provided temporary help and ultimately were used to foreshadow Christ's death and its permanent covering of sins.

Verse 25 is the second time of three that "faith" is used in verses 21-26. Each time, faith is associated with Christ. In a similar fashion, righteousness is used 4 times and each time it refers to God's righteousness.

Paul goes on to say in v. 25 that God has graciously passed over former sins. This is alluding to the sins of those who died before Christ, which probably served to keep the question regarding their salvation from being asked. When I think of forbearance, I think of my student loans. The loan company has been nice enough in the past to postpone payment of my loans while I am in school or when I went off to boot camp. In much the same way, God, knowing the future work of Christ on the Cross, postponed the payment of the debt that the Old Testament saints owed. In chapter 4, Paul will get into how exactly they were saved as well.

Verse 26 again refers to God's righteousness. I like the thought "that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Not only is God alone the one who justifies man, but God is just in His judgments. I've heard people say a lot that it isn't fair. How come God doesn't save everybody? Sadly, I feel this is a poor understanding. I agree that it isn't fair, but from the opposite perspective. It's not fair that I have found favor with God. It's not fair that I'm going to Heaven because I don't deserve it! Fair would be me spending eternity apart from God in Hell. I rejoice in the truth that God is not fair because if He was, I'd have no hope!

We're almost done! I promise. :)

In v. 27, Paul makes it clear that we have no room to boast in anything. It has been thrown out because of the law of faith. It has nothing to do with our works. The more I understand this, the more significant Christ becomes to me.

Verse 28 is a big verse that is really a reiteration of chapter 1:16, 17. Paul writes this: For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. It's by faith. It's by faith. It's by faith.

Verses 29 and 30 split the Jew and the Gentile and then rejoin them. The Jew is saved by faith and so is the Gentile. I rejoice in God's impartiality!

Paul concludes in v. 31 by keeping his audience in check. If salvation is through faith, why keep the law? Let's go out and get crazy! Paul reminds his readers (and will continue to remind them) that the law is good and needs to be upheld because of faith.

Fascinating stuff! I pray that for those who have read this whole thing that it has been a blessing to you. I have been blessed a great deal in the time I've spent in chapter 3. Next time we'll look at the father of our faith, Abraham.

The New Jerusalem

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Hebrews 13:14

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:3, 4

If it wasn't enough that God has forgiven the sins of His people through faith in Jesus Christ, He promises us something in addition that none of us can even fathom. He promises us a new city. He promises to dwell with us, His people, who are set apart as God's treasured possession (Deuteronomy 7:6).

Is there anyone who, when thinking about the sinfulness of our flesh, would even consider that a righteous God would love him or her at all? I'm brought to my knees when I think of the reality that God loves me...Crazy, isn't it?

I'm just so amazed that God has only begun to show His love for us! Can you imagine the evidence of His love when Christ comes back for His church? How about when you see the streets of gold, pearly gates, and the glory of God that acts as street lights?! How about when you think about the spotless lamb wiping away your tears and ending your heartache?

I like this life, but the more I think about the life that awaits, the more I find myself daydreaming about being with Jesus. What men like John saw couldn't even be described accurately because it was so much more fantastic than anything ever known or seen!

Be encouraged that this world doesn't compare to what awaits, saints! Our citizenship is in Heaven. Wait on Jesus with courage and joy. No one or nothing will ever be more worth it than Christ.

Romans 2

Ok, here it is! Things have been great on the ship. We've had some very good conversation going on and people are fired up to know the truth. I rejoice in that. The band is also trucking through our surface warfare qualification and I think we all have a good chance of finishing this cruise. I'm excited about the opportunity to be a motivator for this to happen.

So, Romans Chapter 2...to recap for a bit, Romans 1 defined the Gospel and spoke of its power to save all those who believe. Paul then turned and discussed the decay of human thinking that results from exchanging the truth of God for a lie.

Now we find Paul turning his attention to the Jew. I can imagine that the Jews might have been nodding in agreement with Paul in his thoughts on the Gentiles, but now he confronts them in their pride and boasting and probably makes a few enemies for himself. Thank God that Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and placed the truth higher than his personal well-being! Let's take a look.

There are a couple of main portions to chapter 2. The beginning of the chapter has Paul arguing that the Jew is also storing up wrath for himself because God shows now partiality. Paul then goes on to explain that the Law has been written on the hearts of men, and our own conscience bears witness against us. Paul then asks a series of questions that answer the rebuttals that would likely arrise from his position. The end of the chapter speaks of the true circumcision which is a heart issue and comes from the Holy Spirit.

God's Righteous Judgment (v1-11)
As I began reading Chapter 2, the first verse really stuck out. You who judge have no excuse! You condemn yourself because you do the very things that you condemn others for. Is there anyone that cannot relate to this? Sadly, I know that I judge people all the time and I'm sure I do it even when I don't notice that I do. I'm convicted by Paul's words here.

I think of Christ's words in Matthew 7 that say "judge not, that you be not judged." Jesus goes on to question how we can offer to take the speck from our brother's eye without removing the plank that is in our own. Even if it is something small like the way someone ties their shoes, how often do we deal with the temptation to judge someone else while neglecting to be mindful of how we ourselves appear before God? I think often.

Verse two is a biggie. Paul is setting up his argument that is actually fully stated in chapter 3:23 (which we'll discuss next time). He says that "the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things." Do you judge others? You stand condemned. By doing this, Paul condemns his former life and shows his miraculous repentance from the persecution he inflicted on Christians. I find Paul's humility encouraging. There is nothing in his flesh that gives him authority to speak these words. It is authority from God alone.

V. 3-4: So, Paul has made it clear that those who judge others stand condemned. To cut off the contention that "I'm better than the Gentiles," Paul asks this question: Do you suppose, you who judge others and practice the same things, that you will escape the judgment of God? In other words, do you think that being better than someone else makes you right before God? Does God compare everyone on earth and let the top 50% nicest people into Heaven? He then asks another question: Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you think God is too nice to send you to Hell? The reality is that God's mercy is meant to bring about repentance, not arrogance.

Verse 5 concludes Paul's thoughts. He answers both questions in one by saying this:

But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

Notice that Paul doesn't say "because of the sins you have committed." It is not by external actions and words that God will judge men. I think we can characterize anyone who boasts in anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ as one who has a hard heart. Before one can believe in Christ, one has to realize that he/she is sinful to the core. A relationship with Christ is not possible if one thinks he/she is a good person capable of doing something that acheives God's blessing. Paul will conclude the chapter with this idea, so we'll come back to this idea.

I do find it interesting that Paul uses the word "heart" three times in this chapter and he uses it in chapter 6 as well to describe obedience that God requires.

By this point in Paul's argument, verse 6 should terrify anyone listening or reading. "He will render to each one according to his works." Since Paul has shown that man is by nature sinful, I would imagine he would get the response of "you're saying that no one is worth and now you're telling me that God will judge each one according to his works...I guess we're all doomed!"

This indeed is a true statment. Thankfully, while both Christians and non-Christians will be judged by our works, we are not saved by them since all will stand condemned. We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Of course, good deeds result from salvation and the new heart that God gives to all who believe.

I like how MacArthur explains it by saying "It must be made clear, of course, that although Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, teaches that judgment is by works, it nowhere teaches that salvation is by works."

Verses 7 and 8 contrast the righteous with the unrighteous. Those who seek glory and honor and immortality will be given eternal life. Those who are self-seeking will receive God's wrath. Apart from Christ, there is no hope of righteousness. Paul isn't specifically saying that in these verses, but he will confirm this later in Romans.

Verses 9 and 10 discuss the reality of the tribulation of God's wrath that all unrighteous men will face and conversly speak of the peace and honor that await those who are found righteous.

Verse 11 concludes the first large section by saying "For God shows no partiality." This reminds me of James 2 when James discusses the sin of partiality. When we show favortism and esteem one person higher than another, we sin. Paul's words here show the opposite and affirm the righteousness of God. Just as with judging others, I know that I am partial all of the time. I'm thankful that God has been revealing this to me and giving me wisdom to resist this sin.

God's Judgment and the Law (12-29)
Verse 12 is really a continuation of verse 11. God is impartial. Those who die apart from the law will perish without the law and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. There is a twist to this as we'll see in a couple more verses though.

Verse 13 would probably come across very harsh sounding to God's chosen people, Israel. It isn't the hearers or those who the Word has been given to that are justified, but rather it is those who do the Word that are justified. This idea is so important. James 1:22 tells us to be doers of the Word and not just hearers deceiving ourselves. Does the doing of the Word acheive salvation? No. Galatians 6:15 says "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation." However, those who live out the Word prove to be Christ's disciples and children of God. We have to be careful to observe and follow the difference here.

Verses 14 -16 speak of the Gentiles. Paul again speaks of man's heart when he says that the law of God has been written on the heart of man. Even the Gentiles who don't know the law prove that they have an understanding of morality and right and wrong. Again, Paul hammers on judgment. He says that God will judge the secrets of men. The secrets of the heart are what God will judge. Our motives and true self will be revealed.

I find it interesting that there are two witnesses that testify to and for each man: the heart and the mind. Man shows that the law is written on his heart and his own conscience either makes accusations against himself or excuses for himself. No one is exempt from this because it is precisely how God made all of us!

To me, Verses 17-23 can be summarized by verse 23. Paul writes "You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law." This paragraph is an argument against the law-abiding Jew. Paul begins by getting the attention of those who follow the law and are sure that they are guides to the blind and teachers of the law. You who are so sure of yourselves and the law, do you practice what you preach? Do you abide by all of the things that you teach others to follow? Clearly the answer Paul gives in verse 23 is "no." In face, in verse 24, Paul goes on to say that God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of these hypocritcal people.

Verses 25-29 are the concluding verses of the chapter. They happen to be my favorite, especially verse 29. The circumcision that Paul is refering to in this section is the physical act, not the spiritual circumcision spoken of in other passages. Paul says that circumcision only matters if one keeps the law. If one breaks the law, circumcision becomes uncircumcision. The reverse holds true as well. If an uncircumcised man keeps the law, his uncircumcision is seen as circumcision. That men then has the right to condemn you who are circumcised and break the law. Here is the cold hard truth: For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.

Outward appearances do not necessarily reflect the true character of a person! One can do millions of nice things with the wrong motives. What good is a man buying a woman flowers if it is only because he wants to sleep with her? What good is feeding the poor if a man wants to end up with his picture in the paper as a great humanitarian. There is only one pure motive that a human can possess: to bring glory to Jesus Christ who has given us life.

Verse 29 is my favorite of the chapter. "But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God." The power of God for salvation for all who believe, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How sweet it is. It is God's work. He gives us a new heart.

How's your heart?

Next time, we'll be looking at chapter 3. Paul defeats the argument that God is unrighteous to inflict wrath. He also comes to the pinnacle of his argument that no one is worthy or righteous by works. He also finally comes full circle back to the joy of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and our salvation through Christ.

Romans 1 Commentary

This blog is a bit overdue because of how busy I've been on the ship. I will say that I am thankful that regardless of what I am involved in at any given moment, God is there and wants to meet with me. I'm learning that this underway period! I thank and praise God for that.

Wow, how to start on Romans 1. There is so much in this chapter. There are a few big picture ideas that Paul goes into depth writing about in his letter. They are:

1. The explanation of the Gospel (verses 1-6)
2. Paul's calling to preach to the Gentiles (verses 1 and throughout 8-15)
3. The Gospel's power and effects (v. 16,17)
4. The wrath of God and the decline of man

Greeting (v. 1-7)

In the Greeting, Paul begins by stating three interrelated truths about his position in the Gospel. First, he calls himself a servant or slave of Christ Jesus. The word for bondservant is doulos and signifies a willing servitude for the rest of one's life. In defining himself as a bondservant, Paul says that he has given up his own well being and authority and submitted himself fully to Jesus Christ and His divine authority. Second, Paul says that he is called to be an apostle. It was not Paul's choice to be an apostle, but a very specific calling by God. The story of Paul on the road to Damascus is biblical evidence of this calling. It also gives added understanding to why Paul was so committed to the Gospel since God specifically called him to preach to the Gentiles. Paul wanted nothing more than to honor God in this calling. Third, Paul says that he is set apart for the Gospel of God. Throughout his letters, Paul says things like "I have been crucified with Christ" and "For to me to live is Christ." Set apart, or holiness, signifies the reality that God has imparted His righteousness onto Paul and has given him authority to preach the Gospel.

Verse 2 begins Paul's explanation of the components of the Good News. He first says that this Gospel of Christ is the same one that the prophets spoke of beforehand. This is the real deal and Paul is bringing the truth in this letter to the Romans. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the promise of God made in the Old Testament Scriptures. One commentary I am reading (Schaeffer) points out that Paul was showing the relationship and unity between the Old Testament and the New Testament message of Christ. In verse 3, Paul shows that Jesus was a descendant of David and was 100% human. In v. 4, he shows Christ's divinity and origin in the Godhead, which proved true when He rose from the dead and the reality that He is reigning today at the right hand of God.

The message of Jesus Christ was given in grace to the apostles to bring about the obedience of faith from all of God's people from all the nations. This is so that Christ's name be glorified. The obedience of faith is an interesting concept. The two words are linked closely together. As James says, faith without works is dead. If we are not obedient, we prove to lack real life-giving, vibrant faith. In the same way, if our obedience is for any other reason other than faith in Christ, it does nothing for us because no man is justified by his works (as Paul will explain later in Romans). Obedience is faith in action.

It's fascintating how much Paul includes in the introduction. He is very clear in the first 17 verses of Romans that his letter will be about the Gospel. He explains who Christ is and what He accomplished. He explains his own responsibility as an apostle and our responsibility as called sons and daughters of God. He concludes the greeting by sharing the truth that God's grace and peace are given freely to the Romans and all who believe.

Longing to Go to Rome (v. 8-15)

This section deals primarily with exactly what the heading says. Paul is telling the Romans how he longs to come to them to impart a spiritual blessing and reap a harvest among them. His first sentence is one of thanks to God for the faith of the church in Rome. How incredible that the church's faith is known throughout the whole world! I wonder what America is known for...or what each of us are known for in our work spaces or in our families or with our friends. Is it our faith? I also find it interesting that Paul thanks God through Christ. I'm reminded of

1 Timothy 2:5 which says that we have one mediator between us and God, Jesus Christ. It is such a significant truth that is often distorted in churches today. People pray to Mary. People find other means of salvation or additions to Jesus. Yet the truth remains that we have one source of life, faith, and existence: Jesus Christ.

This whole section is filled with Paul's words of longing, yearning, and unrelenting desire to meet the Romans and personally shepherd them. It amazes me how much love Paul has for people he has never met. What a joy to know that you are loved and prayed for by other Christians around the world! I'm sure the encouragement the Romans received from this letter was great. Yet, Paul doesn't stop there. He shares how much of an encouragement it is to hear of their faith and desires to see it for himself to reap even more encouragement for himself. Encouragement goes both ways and I've see this at work in my Christian family. I am always encouraged by godly men who preach the Word and live by it, and I know that they are encouraged to see the work that God is doing in my life. I know it motivates me to keep charging knowing that I can be encouraging to them. What a blessing!

We should all seek to possess the same eagerness that Paul had to share the Gospel with other believers and with the world to reap a harvest!

The Righteous Shall Live By Faith (v. 16,17)

These two verses are the reason Paul is writing this letter. The reality presented in these two verses gave Paul and the apostles more than enough reason to give their lives for Christ. Paul uses 5 key terms in these verses:

1. The Gospel: The Good News of Jesus Christ
2. Power of God: Divine, Sovereign authority and control
3. Salvation: Saving humanity from sin's debt through the shed blood of Jesus Christ
4. Righteousness: God's holiness imparted to all who believe in Christ Jesus as Lord
5. Faith: Man's only hope of righteousness. Living in light of the truth even though it is unseen.

The righteous shall live [eternally] by faith. Praise God for that!

God's Wrath on Unrighteousness (v. 18-32)

This last section of chapter 1 shows the necessity of the Gospel. Paul outlines the fact that man has suppressed the truth about God, exchanged it for a lie, and is living in willful disobedience directly opposed to God's righteousness. To make light of this reality is to make like of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul begins by stating that the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against man because of man's unrighteousness and ungodliness. Why? Because through our unrighteousness, we have suppressed the truth. Verses 19 and 20 answer the question "how can you make that claim?" Paul says that what can be known about God is plain to them. Each person is born with a conscience that testifies to the truth of our Creator. In addition, God's invisible attributes have been made known to us. All of creation displays God's eternal power and divine nature. Whether it is the vastness of the skies or the microscopic components of an atom, all things point to the majesty of our God. We have no excuse. We stand condemned because God has made Himself known to us and we have chosen to reject Him and honor created things instead. As we deny the truth, our thinking becomes foolish and our hearts are darkened. This is the natural result of any attitude isn't it? If we believe something long enough, we begin to live it entirely. If we believe that we are the important ones, we will do anything to succeed, even at the expense of others. If we believe we are worthless, we will live defeated lives failing to acknowledge the truth that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Verses 22 and 23 show man's pride. We claim to be wise and knowledgeable. The truth is that we are fools who have exchanged the glory of God and our Lord Jesus Christ for idols. We worship money, possessions, other people, and even ourselves instead of the One who created us all! How sad. Yet, it explains exactly why our society in America is declinging, doesn't it? We're prideful to our own demise. How sad considering that God has made Himself known to us!

What happens in the following verses shows the continued degradadation of man's thinking and lifestyle once the truth of God is suppressed and denied.

God lovingly gave man up in the lusts of his heart to immorality. I say lovingly because what other response could love allow? Love doesn't force obedience or gratitude. It allows for one to make his/her own decisions even though it may hurt deeply to watch.

Verse 24 contains a critical truth. "The lusts of their hearts" is important to understand. Man is sinful to the core. Sin is not an external issue to be dealt with like religions attempt to do. It is an internal nature that can only be conquered by a heart transplant from a divine source. Jesus Christ is that source and why it is not arrogant to say that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.

What happens when God gives us room to live how we choose? We dishonor our bodies and exchange worshipping our Creator for worshipping ourselves and other idols. We are destined to make this choice because we were born into it. At the fall, Adam and Eve ensured our inheritance of sin. Paul is taking time to explain the wrath of God and man's unrighteousness to set up his arguement that all fall short of God's glory and all need the justification of Jesus Christ.

Verses 26 and 27 show another outcome of man's ungodliness. We begin to see sexual sin growing more and more perverted. Women cease to be the beautiful, pure creations that God designed and begin to profit from their bodies and seek sexual fulfillment outside of marriage. Men give up natural, God-given relationships with women and lust after each other. Is homosexual practice wrong? Yes. Clearly these two verses say so. "Men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error." Man becomes so depraved that he has no shame even though he is wrong and has sinned against God. That is the only road man is on apart from Jesus Christ.

As I think about dishonorable passions, I also have considered what are honorable passions. Passions that lead us to pursue a godly companion in covenant marriage. Passions that lead us to seek Jesus Christ whole-heartedly as our number one desire. Passions that lead us to love our wives like Christ loved the church and passions that lead us to respect our husbands and submit to their authority. Passion is a great thing when it is lived out within the standards and guidelines of Scripture.

The final five verses discuss how ignoring the clear truth of God and worshipping created things lead to all kinds of awful things. If one is able to suppress the ultimate truth of God then it becomes easy to suppress the truth in areas of loving others or doing the right thing. If a person idolizes himself, what's left but to seek the things that gives him the most pleasure and makes him feel best about himself? If that includes murder, stealing, arrogance, or treachery, who's to say he is wrong? That's the route of the debased mind. Man continues to "improve" upon this way of thinking at an alarming rate and apart from divine aid, man will continue to do so. Who could expect anything different from a creature that tries to logically and rationally deny the existence of a Creator?

The good news after all of this is that there is a Creator and He is good. As I continue with Romans, I know this will become Paul's primary focus. But first, in Chapter 2, Paul will destroy the argument that the Law saves.

Cheers from Sydney.