Pondering Extras on Romans 5:1-11

Posted on by Shay Reyner

PonderingExtrasGod’s anger at our ungodliness is our main problem in life. If God is resolved to pour out his wrath on us we are in a terrifying position.

Imagine the power of God behind his wrath! When you look up into the sky on a clear night you can see what is called the Milky Way, the name of our galaxy. It has about 200 billion stars in it, they say. You can see maybe a 40-millionth of them on a good night. The disk of the Milky Way is about 100,000 light years across (about six hundred thousand trillion miles) and 2,000 light years thick. Our sun will take about 200,000 years to make a circuit. And besides our galaxy there are, some estimate, 50 million other galaxies.

Now, the God we are talking about here in Romans made this universe with a mere command. He simply spoke and all the galaxies came into being. And he holds them in being by the word of his power. This God is so great that any attempt to portray his greatness falls infinitely far short. But what we can see and feel is this: that if such a great God is angry at us, and has such indescribable power to back up his anger, then we are in the worst of all possible conditions. Nothing could be worse than to be opposed by the wrath of infinite power.

And that is our situation. God is revealing his wrath against our ungodliness now and will bring it to a climax in the last day of judgment (Romans 2:4). Our only hope is if God may provide a way of reconciliation. Verse 10 says that he has: “We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son.” This happened because Christ bore our sins and fulfilled our righteousness. Now by faith we are united to Christ, so his righteousness is imputed or credited to us. And the result is peace. God is no longer angry with us. We are reconciled. There is no condemnation.

John Piper

Pondering Romans 5:1-11

Posted on by Shay Reyner

Book-of-RomansClick HERE to read the passage

I love to be around people who are joy-filled people. I don’t run into a lot of them. But I can usually tell the difference between people who are joy filled and people who are driven by the pursuit of happiness. Joy filled people are usually happy. Those driven by the pursuit of happiness usually are not.

This passage has several things to say about joy and why believers have good reasons to rejoice.

Verses 1-2: Joy comes from our relationship with God and understanding what He has done for us. Having been justified through Jesus and having been granted access into God’s amazing grace is the foundation for our joy. It is something we should remind ourselves of everyday. Because of the gospel, believers live boldly and intentionally in the present but our lives are firmly rooted both in the past (in what God has done) and in the future (in what God is yet to do.) We, therefore, rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Because believers are a people of hope, we don’t get all bent out of shape by things that happen in the here and now.

Verses 3-5:  In fact, suffering can actually be a cause for rejoicing for believers. This is something that the world around us does not understand at all. But because we understand that suffering has a purpose and because to know that God is in complete control we can deal with suffering in a way that reflects our faith in the goodness and greatness of God. We don’t have to like going through suffering but it is not something that has to lead to despair or doubt or discouragement. Instead it can lead us to cling even more closely to God and find our joy in Him. We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us.

Verses 9-11: Reconciliation is an incredible word. It means that enemies who were once involved in a bitter war have made peace. Think about it. We were once enemies of God and He was determined to exact His justifiable wrath upon us. BUT… because of Jesus that is no longer necessary. Through the cross we have been reconciled to God. This is great cause for rejoicing. No longer do we have to fear God’s vengeance. No longer do we have to wonder what happens when we die. No longer do we have to live with the guilt of our sin. No longer is life meaningless. No longer do we have to keep trying to fuel our lives with the emptiness of this world. No longer is lasting joy just a pipe dream. We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Next Week’s Passage: Romans 5:12-21
Memory Verses: Romans 8: 1-10

Brick # 13: Matthew 4:17

Posted on by Shay Reyner

Untitled design“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say: Repent , for the kingdom of God is at hand,” Matthew 4:17

Note that the admonition here is to “Repent” not to rededicate. You do not find anywhere in the New Testament a command to rededicate your life to Christ. And yet at many of the invitations you will hear given by preachers, in addition to a plea to give your life to Christ you will often hear a plea to rededicate your life to Christ as well. It is NOT a biblical mandate. Rededication seems to be a more palatable plea  to those who have gone astray. It is as if you can tell yourself that I just need to get back on track with God. I need to commit myself again. I need to just do a little better this next time. NO! NO! NO! Rededication is a sure plan for failure – and you will just find yourself doing it again and again and again because you will NEVER do enough to be enough in God’s sight.

The biblical mandate is to “Repent.” To turn away from sin completely; to change your mindset concerning sin and recognize that sin will NEVER satisfy the longings of your heart. It is to have the same sentiment that David had regarding sin when he was confronted with the heinousness of his own transgressions:

“Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation… Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation.” Psalm 51:10-14

David was pleading with God to cleanse him and to make him right again. Repentance is about what God does in a heart that yearns to be right with God. Rededication is about what we do when we start to feel a little guilty – it is about feeling better about ourselves and not being made right with God.

Why this Brick is foundational: Jesus does not call us to feel good about ourselves. He calls us to be in right relationship with Him. Repentance is a gospel centered word. Rededication is a self centered word. Repentance is about what God does in us. Rededication is about what we do for ourselves.

Pondering Extras on Romans 4:21-31

Posted on by Shay Reyner

PonderingExtrasPaul says, “If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified” Romans 4:14. In other words, the “promise” of God’s grace was meant to be received by “faith”, not earned by what he calls “Being of the law” – a phrase that probably implies relying on our religious culture or morality rather than on God’s grace. John Piper

It becomes more clear now why and how his faith brought  righteousness to Abraham: it was because he depended on the Word of God, and did not reject the grace that God promised. This relationship between faith and the Word is to be continually maintained and committed to memory. John Calvin

Abraham trusted God even though God gave him no proof, nor even a sign. Rather, there were only mere words promising things which by nature were impossible. John Chrysostam

Abraham worshiped and served a big god. he understood his Maker to be immensely more powerful than any human impossibility. And from him we learn two important lessons about faith.

  • Genuine faith is strengthened when we must wait on God’s promises to be fulfilled. When we must wait to receive something the lord has promises, we gradually turn our eyes away from circumstances to look instead on the greatness and faithfulness of God.
  • Genuine faith is directly proportional to our knowledge of God. As we fully comprehend His nature, our faith cannot help but grow.

Charles Swindoll

Pondering Romans 4:13-25

Posted on by Shay Reyner

Book-of-RomansTo read the passage you can click HERE.

Two of my favorite verses in the New Testament are in this passage so that will be my focus:

“Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promises 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.” (4:20-21)

Abraham had a specific promise from God for him but the Bible is full of promises that apply to all believers. Here are just a few that it is always good to be reminded of:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Mt 11:28-29

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come.” 2 Cor 5:17

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1Jn 1:9

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Prov 3:5-6

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Think on these. Let them sink into your inner being. Let them strengthen your faith and then give glory to God because He is indeed faithful and He will indeed do what He has promised.

Next Week’s Passage: Romans 5:1-11
Memory Verses: Romans 8:1-10

 

Brick #12: Philippians 1:6

Posted on by Shay Reyner

Untitled designAnd I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (ESV)

One of the things that we must get into our thick heads is that salvation is a God thing from beginning to end.

Justification is entirely a God thing. God is the One who took the initiative and did the work (at the cross) to make us righteous in His sight. We could do nothing because we were dead in our sins. God did it all. He is the One who made us alive again in Him. He is the One who brought us out of darkness and into the light. He is the One who redeemed us from slavery to sin. He is the One who rescued from the enemy camp and made us sons of the King. Justification is entirely a God thing.

Sanctification is entirely a God thing. God is the One who even now is at work in our lives conforming us more and more into the likeness of His Son. We can do nothing to make ourselves more holy. It is absolutely a work of the Holy Spirit. It is His Spirit who transforms us from sinners to saints. It is His Spirit who transforms us into God-fearing worshipers. It is His Spirit who teaches us to delight in obedience. It is His Spirit who fills us and fuels us for the work God wants us to do. It is His Spirit who produces in us the kind of character that glorifies our Father. Sanctification is entirely a God thing.

Glorification is entirely a God thing. It is only God that can change these earthly bodies into bodies that will be fit for eternity. It is only God that can create a new heaven and a new earth that will absolutely stagger the imagination. It is only God that can eradicate sin once and for all and liberate His faithful followers forever. It is only God that can manifest His glory to His people in a way that produces ultimate joy. Glorification is entirely a God thing.

Why this BRICK is foundational: Christianity is distinguished from every other “religion” because God is the one who invites us into and establishes the relationship. We cannot earn our way into heaven or into His good favor by anything that we do. Which is great news because nothing we could ever do would be good enough to please a holy and most glorious God. It is all His doing. Yes , we work out our salvation everyday but God is the One who worked in us so that we can work it out.

Pondering Extras on Romans 4:1-12

Posted on by Shay Reyner

One obvious lesson to draw from Abraham’s life is that we are to live a life of faith. Abraham could take his son, Isaac, up to Mount Moriah because he knew God was faithful to keep His promises. Abraham’s faith wasn’t a blind faith; his faith was a settled assurance and trust in the One who had proven Himself faithful and true. If we were to look back on our own lives, we would see the hand of God’s providence all over it. God doesn’t have to speak from burning bushes or part the sea waters to be active in our lives. God is superintending and orchestrating the events of our lives. Sometimes it may not seem that way, but Abraham’s life is evidence that it is true. Even Abraham’s failures demonstrate that God, while not protecting us from the consequences of our sin, graciously works His will in us and through us; nothing we do will thwart His plan.

Abraham’s life also shows us the blessing of simple obedience. When asked to leave his family, Abraham left. When asked to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham “rose up early the next morning” to do so. From what we can discern from the biblical narrative, there was no hesitation in Abraham’s obedience. Abraham, like most of us, may have agonized over these decisions, but when it was time to act, he acted. When we discern a true call from God, or we read His instructions in His Word, we must act. Obedience is not optional when God commands something.

In the final analysis, we see that Abraham was an exemplary individual, not so much in his piety or perfect life (he had his shortcomings, as we saw), but because his life illustrates so many truths of the Christian life. God called Abraham out of the millions of people on the earth to be the object of his blessings. God used Abraham to play a pivotal role in the outworking of the story of redemption, culminating in the birth of Jesus. Abraham is a living example of faith and hope in the promises of God (Hebrews 11:10). Our lives should be so lived that when we reach the end of our days, our faith, like Abraham’s, will remain as an enduring legacy to others.

Excerpted from GotQuestions.org – Click HERE to read more

Pondering Romans 4:1-12

Posted on by Shay Reyner

Book-of-RomansTo read the passage you can click HERE.

Paul has put his lawyer hat on and is making his case as to why God’s righteousness is available to both Jews and Gentiles. He calls two expert witnesses to the stand – two witnesses that the Jews trust. Witness #1 is Father Abraham and witness #2 is King David. He goes on to make his point that this righteousness is available not through the keeping of the law but by faith. Those who walk in the footsteps of Abraham’s faith (verse 12) will likewise be justified. Hebrews 11 gives a good picture of what that faith looks like in real life. Here are a few things that this chapter says about Abraham’s faith:

Abraham obeyed God’s voice even when he had no idea where this “blind obedience” would lead him (11:8)

Abraham’s obedience was fueled by hope in the promises that he had received from God. (11:9-10) He was willing to leave the life he had built for himself behind in order to pursue a new life orchestrated by the Life Giver.

Abraham was even willing to make a sacrifice he considered greater than death – the killing of his own son –  because his trust in God was so complete (11:17-19).

So to sum up, authentic faith, the kind that pleases God and that He rewards is 1) always marked by obedience, 2) is never mired in the things of this world but is fortified by a great hope anchored in the promises of God, and 3) is willing to risk everything dear to us in order to demonstrate our allegiance and our fidelity.

There is a lot in that sentence. Think on these things.

Next Week’s Passage: Romans 4:13-25
Memory Verses: Romans 8:1-9

Brick #11 – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Posted on by Shay Reyner

Untitled design“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

This is a great promise but it also has a great context. For instance, the previous verse says – “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he is standing firm take heed lest he fall.” The idea here is that sin will sneak up on us and entangle us and take us down if we are not on our guard. But if we are on our guard there is NO temptation that can overtake us because of God’s faithfulness to us. It is our faithlessness, not God’s faithfulness that gets us in a heap of trouble.

The context of this passage also suggests several things in particular that we need to be aware of:

1) Idolatry and cultural adaptation (verse 7) – It was true 2000 years ago and it is true today. We allow the culture to change us rather than us being cultural change agents. When we let our guard down we too often find ourselves mired in the things of this world. If we are not very careful then cultural things like TV, music, books, internet, etc will not only effect us but infect us.

2) Sexual immorality (verse 8) – We tend to think that our society is a very sexualized society but the truth is that EVERY society has been that way. It goes all the way back to Genesis 1:31 when God created the two sexes and said “This is very good.” The enemy has been on the attack ever since, taking something that was very good and trying to make a mess of it. And he has had a lot of success because we have not been on guard like we should be.

Verse 9 talks about testing the Lord. We often put ourselves in places and with people that create temptation. This is like playing with fire. And the promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13 does not apply when we do this. Instead of  trying to see how much we can get away with before God reacts, we should be investing our time and energy in the things that we know are pleasing to God. This does not mean becoming a hermit – but it does mean changing our mindset when it comes to the things of this world.

Why is this BRICK foundational? We live in a fallen world. We WILL be tempted. But if we are proactive about keeping our guard up and being intentionally dependent upon the faithfulness of God then there will always be a way of escape and we can  be a courageous testimony to the glory of God.

Pondering Extras on Romans 3:21-31

Posted on by Shay Reyner

PonderingExtrasConsider this modern day illustration.  On June 23, 2000, a deaf couple stood before Judge Donald McDonough in a Fairfax, Virginia court and offered no rebuttal to their landlord’s complaint that they were behind on the rent.  Their recent marriage unfortunately resulted in the loss of disability benefits, most of which kept a leased roof over their heads.  Now they were $250 behind and had no hope of making up the deficit.

Judge McDonough couldn’t disagree.  The landlord was due his rent, the couple was indeed guilty of nonpayment, and justice could not be set aside.  Nevertheless, the judge’s compassion would not allow him to drop the gavel.  Not just yet.  Once the attorney for the plaintiff had closed his case, the judge suddenly left the courtroom.  A few moments later, he returned from his chambers with $250 in cash, handed it to the landlords, and said, “Consider it paid.”  With a transfer of funds from the just to the unjust, the debt was paid and the case dismissed.  The law had been satisfied.  The defendants were then “just” or “righteous” in the eyes of the court.

In a similar way, we have a transfer of righteousness from the account of another to cover our moral deficit so that we might stand justified before the court of heaven. How did this happen? “By His grace.” A free gift given, not because we are good, but because He is good.

(From Insights on Romans by Charles Swindoll)