Decent People

Text

"So when you, a mere human, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?" —Romans 2:3

Bible Reading

ROMANS 2:1-11

Devotional

In chapter 1 of Romans we read about people who sank to the depth of idolatry and immorality. But the world is not made up only of people who live like pigs. As long as we have some form of society, most people have to live fairly decent lives. Romans chapter 2 is addressed to decent people who condemn filthy sinners.

The gospel operates with a new understanding of sin. God is not interested in whether you are a bad sinner or only a moderate sinner. God condemns you because you are a sinner.

That does not mean that all the different kinds of sin are equally bad. Robbing a bank is still worse than dreaming about it. But both the robber and the dreamer are sinners.

It isn't robbery or adultery that makes us sinners. We commit robbery and adultery because we are sinners. All lechery, thievery, and lying are symptoms of an evil that is in all of us. And until the Bible points it out, we don't even recognize this evil within us.

Our sin is that we don't love God above all and don't love our neighbor as ourselves. Sin is missing the mark. It is not being what you are supposed to be by God's design and calling.

All people (nearly all) can recognize certain deeds, such as murder and theft and whatever else is considered immoral behavior, as sins. Christianity explains that we don't become sinners by such sinful deeds; we do such deeds because we are sinners.

In the light of the gospel, all our traditional distinctions between good people and bad people disappear. "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else" (v. 1).

God places all of us under the conviction of sin so that all of us may know that we need Jesus.

REFLECTIONS

How convinced are you that you are a sinner? Why is this so important to recognize?

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I am reminded everyday that I am a sinner. I could never cast the first stone (John 8:7). If I point out sin in others, its most likely because its an area of weakness for me and I don't want to see others fall into that pattern. Or its because its an area which grace has helped me to conquer by the continual process of sanctification. Nonetheless, I am far from perfect and fail everyday. There are days when I am reminded of my sin and I get very overwhelmed and feel the urge to actually cry over the things I've done.

Understanding and recognizing that you are an imperfect sinner is essential to your everyday walk with the Lord. Those who remain aware of their shortcomings and pray for God's help to overcome them, I believe, will in turn live a more humble life. It will also encourage you to not remain in that sin, to turn it over to Christ, to be continually sanctified and allowing the Lord to prune imperfect pieces from you. "Our sin is that we don't love God above all and don't love our neighbor as ourselves. Sin is missing the mark. It is not being what you are supposed to be by God's design and calling."

I am learning to love God more and things of this world less and less. I am learning to love my neighbor has myself. I am learning to aim for that mark which the LORD has placed. And I long to learn to be what I am supposed to be by God's design and calling. But I don't think I'd have that longing and desire to do these things, if I didn't truly remember my sin and what God has saved me from. Sin does not define my life, but denying that I do sin is foolish and naive. We ought to remember our sin and allow grace to flow through our lives and help us to grow from those shortcomings. Grace&Peace.

Filthy Sinners

Text

"God gave them up.... God gave them up.... God gave them up...." —Romans 1:24-28, NRSV

Bible Reading

ROMANS 1:18-28

Devotional

You and I are not to judge those who prefer to live like pigs. They themselves will be the first ones to tell us that their way of living is none of our business.

God is their judge—and ours. God is also the great voice who addresses them in starlight, in dewdrops, and in the depth of their (human!) being. Certainly, they have heard God. But they did not want to listen. Therefore they are "without excuse" (v. 20) when God judges them.

Damnation and salvation are not only future, they are also present— although neither one is fully present. Some people are already walking revelations of God's wrath (v. 18), just as others are already experiencing God's power for salvation (v. 16). The beginnings of both are here and now.

When people suppress the inner voice of which everyone is conscious, the road to hell begins. When they succeed in shutting off the voice of God, they begin to listen eagerly to the voice of their own lusts. Finally they attempt to rewrite God's laws for living: they set their own standards for their own lives. Then the words "God gave them up" are fulfilled before our eyes.

In the year 58, when Paul wrote these words, and in the year when you are reading this page, thousands of people are racing to hell. They began by suppressing the truth God has revealed to all. They follow through by disobeying God's laws that are written in creation itself. When they do what they "like," the Word is fulfilled and God "gives them up." God no longer withholds or restrains them but allows them to have what they wanted all along.

Only the gospel has the power to pull pigs from the mire. It's hard to believe how far God has gone to save filthy sinners. But when Christ hung on the cross, the Word was fulfilled: "God gave him up for us all" (Rom. 8:32).

REFLECTIONS

Do we have an obligation to bring the gospel to people who are "filthy sinners"? Why or why not?

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What do you all think? I need to read this a few more times. But in short, I believe it is our obligation to preach the Gospel. Christ did. And without Christ, we're filthy sinners with no hope of cleanliness. Grace&Peace.

Gospel Power

Text

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes...." —Romans 1:16

Bible Reading

ROMANS 1:8-17

Devotional

God gave us much of the New Testament through the apostle Paul. And the fullest statement of the gospel, as Paul preached it, is in his letter to the Romans. Romans is the gospel according to Paul.

The letter was written a long time ago, in the year 58. At that time Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire. The emperor himself lived in Rome. But he and most other important Roman citizens were not aware of the small group of Christians in their city who one day received a letter that would outlast the empire. God had determined that this one little letter would have a greater influence on human history than all the Roman armies.

The church of God in Rome sat down to read the letter. "Paul is coming to Rome," they exclaimed. "And here he writes the gospel as he preaches it."

This small Christian church in Rome would soon be in big trouble. The emperor and the other important people in their city were about to take note of these Christians. They would not tolerate them serving Jesus as Lord instead of Caesar. They would throw the Christians to the lions. But the empire would not defeat the Christian faith. Christianity would win the empire—because the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation.

Whenever Christians have scored victories in the course of history, a rediscovery of the gospel in Romans was usually the secret of their strength. A careful reading of Romans will always bring the church fresh insight and give new power to those who represent Christ in this world.

We are "not ashamed" to recommend the reading of Romans. It is the Christian gospel, "the power of God that brings salvation" to everyone who reads and believes. By means of this letter, the saving power of God gets to work here and now, wherever there is faith.

REFLECTIONS

What concerns and anticipations do you bring to reading and studying the book of Romans?

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The book of Romans is my absolute favorite book. Its full of the truth about sin and our sin but then it goes into redemption and grace. Its full of everything I think every Christian should understand and be aware of. What do you think? Grace&Peace.

Fruit-Bearing

Text

" 'This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.' " —John 15:8

Bible Reading

JOHN 15:1-11

Devotional

Think of an orchard or vineyard. The owner arrives to look for fruit, because that's the main interest of the fruit farmer. Lots of fruit makes the owner happy; it says that he is a good farmer. When there is no fruit, the owner trims back the branches with a pruning knife. If there is still no fruit, he cuts branches off.

Being fruit is, of course, a figure of speech when applied to people. Just as a fruit farmer works on his trees, God, the Owner of the orchard, works on people. God's aim is to harvest as much fruit as possible. He uses the knife only to get a richer yield. Only if no fruit appears after all this work does God cut the branch away. To be cut off means that God no longer tolerates you as someone who belongs to the people of God.

We cannot bear fruit unless we belong to Jesus. "Apart from me you can do nothing." Only when God's grace is known to us and God's Spirit is in us can we do works that God approves. These works are the fruits that please the Father.

We bear fruit when we suffer without growing bitter, when we do good deeds without taking credit, when we obey even if it is costly, when we confess Jesus even if it makes us unpopular, when we follow Christ even when he leads us where we do not choose to go.

Bearing fruit is impossible for those who are outside of Christ. But it is nothing spectacular for those who have received new life from Jesus. When a Christian fails to bear fruit, something has gone wrong, and it's time for serious self-examination.

God does not work in vain. When God has sent this powerful grace that changes our lives, God will also reap the fruits he has caused to grow.

An old catechism says that it is impossible for those who are implanted into Christ by a true faith not to bring forth fruits of thankfulness.

REFLECTIONS

When God looks at you, what fruit does he see?

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When God looks at me, what fruit does He see... what a question. It was difficult for me to answer. Not because theres nothing to say, but because I don't look at the things I do as fruit, I just see them as doing what I'm supposed to do. I guess thats part of it. "Bearing fruit...it is nothing spectacular for those who have received new life from Jesus." After thinking about it and discussing it with my husband, he reminded me that the fruit of the Spirit is love, and I do know that I have a huge capacity to love. I'm also diligent in my studies and wanting to do things rightly in the sight of the Lord (church, fellowship, see my friends and loved ones saved and not living lives that may be compromised). I long for integrity among the body of Christ and I desire that integrity in myself as well. What do you think is the fruit that God see's in you? Grace&Peace.

Indwelling Grace

Text

"Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.' " —John 14:23

Bible Reading

JOHN 14:18-24

Devotional

To love Jesus means to obey him: "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching." Love for Christ, like love in marriage, is a very practical thing. It consists not of speeches but of deeds. Or, if speeches are called for, they are tolerable only if they are consistent with actions.

A person who is attached to Christ in this way of love-through-obedience experiences the grace of God ever more richly in her life. She feels a continual trust in God's grace. In fact, God lives in her!

We learn to think of God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We think of God in that way because that's how the Bible reveals the one eternal God. We think of God the Father as the One above us, as the creator and ruler. We think of God the Son as the One who is for us, the mediator. We think of the God the Holy Spirit as the One who is in us.

However, the three are one, because there is only one true God. And although the Bible teaches (usually) that it is the Holy Spirit who comes to live in us when we receive the grace of God, here Jesus says, "We—the Father and I—will make our home with them."

The everlasting God makes his dwelling place in us if we love Jesus Christ. The thought is so rich that it almost scares us.

The almighty God, who once lived in a golden temple so that his people could come to him, has now chosen to live in my fellow believers and in me. What grace! And what a noble obligation! Now we are the place where people must find God.

This teaching states once and for all the deepest reason why grace must flow through us to others, once we have believed in Jesus.

REFLECTIONS

"The everlasting God makes his dwelling place in us if we love Jesus Christ." Think on that stunning truth and its implications for your life.

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Our daily lives are to be honoring to God and bring glory to His name. The King of kings saved us, brought us into His family and we are to honor Him by following in His footsteps, living lives according to His will, teaching those around us of His love and of the great things He has and does and will do. Our lives are no longer our own, once we have the Spirit of God in our hearts, living in us and guiding us to do God's work while we still remain on this earth. The Bible is our compass and the Spirit of God is our guide and our comforter. The work may not always be easy, but God's promised to help us, that He cares for us and that He has given us the most important thing ever. Salvation. To know that God has made his dwelling place in us if we love Jesus Christ is a huge thing to grasp. We have some big work ahead of us if He is in our heart. Some days I feel silly and unneeded but thankfully, God reminds me daily that even the smallest work I do for Him are not small in His eyes. He enjoys me, He loves me, He has given me His spirit to go with me wherever I tread. What an amazing God we serve! Amen!

Supplied and Supplying

Text

" 'Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.' " —John 7:38

Bible Reading

JOHN 7:37-39

Devotional

This is the promise of Jesus and the experience of thousands: thirst is satisfied when you believe in Jesus.

All of us are born thirsty. And all of us go through life trying to satisfy our thirst. Some try to satisfy their thirst by vulgar means, while others try more refined and cultural means. People try money and what it can buy, power and what it will yield, and sexual satisfaction in many forms.

But there is no thing and no person in this world that can fill the vacuum and quench the thirst. The longed-for possession does not supply what it was expected to give. A man cannot give it to a woman, and a wife cannot satisfy her husband's deepest desire. We were created for God. Only in God can we find what we seek—what all of us seek.

Jesus has come into our world to bring us the water of life. Pagans dreamed of such a man. The thirst is universal; everybody dreams of fulfillment, which is always beyond our horizon. The Jewish people were hoping for such a liberator who would fulfill the longing of the ages. Jesus has come to bring us the water of life.

Drinking what Jesus offers means believing what he claims to be. That's the humble act by which we bow down and drink the water.

Then we find that he not only satisfies our thirst but also gives us life within ourselves. Where there was first a vacuum we receive a power. The Bible calls it "living water from within." It means that those who came to Jesus to have their own thirst quenched are now able to offer the living water to others. The objects of God's grace become his vehicles of grace.

The grace, or the life, or the Spirit of God, quenches our deepest thirst. Only it—only God—can enter deeply within us and turn our thirst into a fountain. Then God works through us and extends the cup to thou sands who are dying.

REFLECTIONS

What is your "deepest thirst"? How can God satisfy it? Has he satisfied it?

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I am using this as a place holder. I will fill in my thoughts on this blog tomorrow. In the mean time, if you want to talk about it, feel free to start up some conversation - those of you who read this. Grace&Peace.

The Spreading Flame

Text

"He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" —Acts 28:31

Bible Reading

ACTS 28:17-24

Devotional

From Jerusalem to Rome—that's the story of the book of Acts. It begins in Jerusalem, where the flame was lit. At the end of the book, the fire is spreading through the capital of the empire.

The last few lines of the book give us the information that Paul lived for two whole years in the city of Rome at his own expense. But these closing lines have a message that goes beyond this information.

First, the content of the message is restated here. The message concerns the "kingdom of God." This was originally a Jewish hope. The oppressed looked forward to the coming of the Lord to overthrow the foreign rulers and establish the righteousness of his kingdom on earth. The hope for that kingdom was kept alive by the prophets in the darkest hours of Israel's history. Now Paul preaches that kingdom as having come in Jesus.

That's why the phrase proclaiming the kingdom is joined with teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. The kingdom is no longer a vague and future hope. The kingdom is opened and can be entered by believing in Jesus, who is the Messiah and the Lord. By believing in him we enter it.

Preaching the kingdom and teaching about Jesus are not two unrelated topics on the church's agenda—as if you have to go to a prophecy conference to hear about the kingdom and to a revival meeting to learn of Jesus. The kingdom is proclaimed when Jesus is presented. And when Christ is presented, the kingdom is opened.

Second, the last lines of Acts tell us about the triumph of the Word of God. Paul preached and taught "with all boldness and without hindrance." What a closing note of victory! The Word goes on. It conquers the world for the kingdom.

The greatest thing happening today is the coming of God's kingdom and the teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTIONS

Use the Heidelberg Catechism's explanation of what we mean when we pray your kingdom come (Answer 123) as your prayer today: "Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you. Keep your church strong, and add to it. Destroy the devil's work; destroy every force which revolts against you and every conspiracy against your Word. Do this until your kingdom is so complete and perfect, that in it you are all in all."

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What do you think of this? I need to read it a few more times I think. Grace&Peace.