Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

The Book of Romans

(From the Daily Drop of Water Series)

by Rev. Jerry L Holcomb

(Rom 1:1) “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”  We who have been saved, have been adopted by God. He is now our Father. As such we seek to emulate the life of Jesus. While on earth He said,  (Luk_22:27)  “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.” Jesus in heaven has assumed His place as Son; so will we when we pass this life. Until then, as our Lord, as Paul, serve the Lord by ministering to others. 

(Rom 1:1) “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (2)  (Which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)”   Eternal salvation through victory over Satan was promised the very day Adam and Eve fell into sin. From that point more and more was revealed of this event. Praise God, He always keeps His promise as seen in this event, the Lord Jesus Christ paying for our sins on Calvary’s cross. Having risen from the dead, possessing eternal life, He now offers the same to those who repent and believe.

(Rom 1:1)  “Paul,….separated unto the gospel of God, … (3)  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,….”  The “good news”, the Gospel of God, is all about, in, and through His only begotten Son. To not plainly lift up the Lord Jesus – His life, His sacrifice for us in death, and His resurrection – is to fail. There is no new life, no victory over sin and Satan, no hope, without the possession of Him as Savior. So, think often and speak often of His glorious Person!

(Rom 1:3) “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”  Our Lord Jesus was born a Hebrew, a Jew. How can we possibly love Him and not love His people, His heritage? We would very much love them if we were people of the Word. As we read again and again the pages of Scripture, we embrace them wholeheartedly as the people of God. Abraham is our spiritual Father; David’s Son the King of our life!

(Rom 1:3) “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; (4)  And declared to be the Son of God with power,….”  Isn’t that what you would expect? God’s Son would possess God’s power, over all things: weather; molecules (water and food); His enemies (demons and Satan); every type of sickness. You would expect Him to be more intelligent than any other person. Yes, the Scripture is true. He was declared to be the Son of God with power

(Rom 1:4)  “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”  The resurrection proved He was and is Who He claimed to be – the Son of God!  He was holy, and yet took our place in suffering and death. That holiness was recognized publicly by His resurrection! 

(Rom 1:5) “By whom we have received grace….”  The grace (favor we receive but do not deserve) by which we receive salvation and day by day blessings, is all because of Jesus. It is because of His sinless life, His offering of Himself to die in your place, and because of His victory over the grave (v.4). I do not stand by any merit of my own. My merit is my Savior!  

(Rom 1:5) “By whom we have received grace and apostleship,….”  “Apostle”: sent one.  Well, we are not apostles, chosen personally and sent out by the Lord Jesus. But we are “sent out” to tell the glorious good news – the gospel – of sins paid and salvation through repentance. Your commission and mine in recorded at Matthew 28:18-20.  Add the gospel to your thankful expressions today!   

(Rom 1:5)  “By Whom (Jesus) we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations,…”  Consider that phrase, “obedience to the faith”. The Scriptures teach there is not true faith without obedience. Some claim Christianity without a shred of visible obedience. Such a claim is false. Salvation brings to us the love of the Holy Spirit for our Savior and God. It brings a desire to be obedient.

(Rom 1:5) “By Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His Name:”  “For His Name”: my life, my very next breath, is on loan from God Who can either take it or all I possess in the next moment. So I must ask myself, “Is it me, or He, who is the focus of ‘my’ life?” God help me to receive and “hold to” a right view of self. Lord give me an overwhelming devotion to “Your Name”.   

(Rom 1:6) “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:”  Who are the “called”? Those who hearing respond with faithful following. You see, He Who called, saved (Rom 8:30). And the saved are sealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13). The sealed are prompted to faithfully, all their spiritual life, to keep on keeping on.

(Rom 1:7) “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:…..”  Simple logic dictates it is the saved who are being addressed here, not “all that be in Rome”. Because we spend so much time among fellow fallen creatures, we like them, emotionally go up and down, each to varying degrees. So, after being saved a long time, we can at times doubt God’s love, being so influenced by inconsistent believers. Never doubt it! You are “beloved of God”! He changes not (at all).

(Rom 1:7) “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:…..”   In your KJV Bible you will find the words “to be” italicized. This tells us it was not in the original text. So, the text reads, “called saints”.  “Saint” comes from the root word “holy”: anything separated unto God. Through the born again experience, the blood payment applied, the new Child of God is now rightly a “Saint”.

(Rom 1:7) “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  The saved dwell in the grace of God bestowed through Jesus our Lord. “Peace” between each of us and God is the result, for He is now our Father.

Thursday, December 2, 2021  DAILY DROP OF WATER  (Rom 1:8) “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”  These had “lived the faith” to such a degree that the effect of its message, or at the least its followers, were the topic of discussion everywhere. Would to God people were moved to speak of our individual devotion to our precious Jesus our Savior!   For more come to http://www.thirstingsouls.com

(Rom 1:9) “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son,…”  Your soul is the real you, your consciousness. It has been housed in a physical body from the day of your birth. At the moment of salvation, you was given a spiritual body, a living abiding connection with God Who is Spirit (Jn 4:24). To serve God in the flesh is to do as we will, what we want. To serve God in the spirit is to submit to Him doing what He desires. How can I tell which it is I am doing? Answer: serving in the spirit is always the Lord first, others second, me last.  

(Rom 1:9) “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;” His request in prayer: to come teach them in the things of God. Who have you taught the things of God? If you are “living by every Word that proceedeth from the mouth of God”, then you should be qualified.  

(Rom 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:….”  Witnessing, one day I realized “I” was the one that was right. I had the answers to life’s purpose. No matter who stood against the Word I was seeking to share, they were wrong – I was right! Don’t be ashamed. Share the gospel.

(Rom 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  The Gospel, what Jesus achieved on the cross bearing our sins, His death and His resurrection from the dead, is the power of God to save. It is all Him. Not you or me in any way. To even “think” I could add to what Jesus accomplished by my efforts of sincerity or adherence to the Bible – is wickedness. It is to debase His sinless sacrifice! 

(Rom 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  Notice the words “to every one that believeth”. The next verse will speak of “faith”: “faith”, “belief”. Friend, there is no merit in faith. To believe, to have faith in what God says, is simply right and should come naturally to the created. Therefore salvation is said to be by “grace” – unmerited favor.

(Rom 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”   It must be pointed out that “belief” in Scripture is not simply the mental acknowledging of facts to be true. Bible belief is acting upon those facts since they are true. It is not enough to believe Jesus died for your sins and rose again from the dead. You must believe to the embracing of those truths, responding by turning in your heart from your life of sin, desiring the gift of everlasting life. It is then God imparts salvation.

(Rom 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”   The very word, “salvation” speaks of being rescued from some peril that could end in death. The death being saved from here is the consciousness being tormented in a eternal place called “hell”. “Death”, yes; for it is not life lived in the presence and glory of God. That place awaits all who do not turn from their sin and seek salvation through Jesus.

(Rom 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”    Salvation is not an escape clause from hell, allowing us to continue to live as we please, doing whatever we desire to do. It is an embracing of a holy life to please the One Who gave His life to save us. How can we love and cling to that which caused Jesus’ sufferings?

(Rom 1:17) “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”  This does not read, “from faith to righteousness”, but “from faith to faith”. Faith is not righteousness. God applies Christ’s righteousness to those who He sees have a heart’s desire to turn from their sin, having faith to believe God will forgive. Gigantic difference! 

(Rom 1:17) “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”  Notice the Christian life is “from faith to faith”.  It is not stagnant, but growing in trust in He Who not only saved us from hell, but also journeys us toward an eternity of life in His presence. Each day should end in our trusting Him even more.

(Rom 1:17) “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”   To be “just” is to have the blood of Christ wash away our sins. It is to have His payment of our sin applied to our life – all of it. It is a judicial term, meaning “innocent of the charges”. That application and standing comes only through “faith”. 

(Rom 1:18) “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”  In what way has God’s wrath been displayed for all to understand? I implore you to take this answer to heart: it was publicly poured out upon the innocent, sinless person of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus!  I encourage you to take the time to meditate upon this soul moving fact.

(Rom 1:18) “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”  Everyone needs to be sure they are saved, for wrath awaits every lost soul because of ungodliness and unrighteousness! “There is none righteous; no,  not one” (Romans 3:10). Yes, the cross reveals God’s love, but it also reveals God’s wrath.

(Rom 1:18) “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”   These “hold” (hold down) the truth and thus act (do) as they please. My grandfather used to say, “It’s not that men do not know what is right. It’s that they won’t do what is right.” If such are some of you, remember: payday will be here sooner than you think.

(Rom 1:19) “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.”  This Book reveals the Lord has “manifest” Himself, revealed Himself, to every unsaved person. He has written on their hearts His law (2:14-15). He has revealed Himself in the very world around them (1:20); and in this verse the workings of their own bodies proclaim God.

(Rom 1:19) “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.”  God speaking to man – “…for God hath shewed it to them”.  This unsaved world is not without witness as to the reality to God. This means they know God created them and thus they owe fidelity to Him (the next verse) – “…..so that they are without excuse:”  Sad but wicked: man wants the blessings without the fidelity.

(Rom 1:20) “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”  When I see a picture, I know someone painted it. When I see nature, I know a Hand made it. So, our invisible God is seen: His power, His knowledge, His creativity. His existence is seen by the fact you and I exist! Man has no excuse for saying, “I am not sure if there is a God”.  

(Rom 1:21) “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”  It breaks my heart to think that our Great and Holy, Loving and Merciful God is ignored by those He made. My Bible reveals He possesses emotions, balanced compared to our imbalanced and corrupt nature. So, this dismissal by man is something in which God does care about. Words fail me on this so vital and overlooked subject.

(Rom 1:21) “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”   “They glorified Him not as God”  “Glorify”: exalt, highly esteem, honor, magnify. We go about our days making minor and major decisions, living in a world where tragedy could strike at any moment, without a thought of God until we need Him. That…..is not exalting Him. He should be our first thought and our constant companion. He is what this life is all about!  

(Rom 1:21) “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”   “…neither were thankful….” One of the consistent things among ungodly people (saved and unsaved) is a lack of thankfulness towards God. Godly people know they do not deserve anything but the wrath of God. It through “grace” (unmerited favor), through Jesus alone, we are blessed. If one only received salvation and not another “good thing” in their life it would be more than they deserved!

(Rom 1:21) “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”  “Imaginations”: the thoughts of the heart. Instead of the focus of life being the greatest of the great – God our Savior, theirs turned and focused on this world which will perish (vain). Where is your focus today? Will the things of eternity occupy your heart and actions or the things of this world?

(Rom 1:21) “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”  “….their foolish heart was darkened.”  Consider that the heart of the saved is enlightened. They have come to the “true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (Jn 1:9).  And notice the light gives life:  (Joh 1:4)  “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”  Reject the truth as to Who God is and what He has done to save man and all that you will ever have will be darkness.  

(Rom 1:22) “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23)  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”  Here is proof that pride blinds us to truth. Oh, few worship those things today, but instead we have made ourselves god over our lives. We ignore His Word, make decisions, and do what we want. We tell ourselves He understands. Yes, He understands all too well. We have robbed Him of His rightful place as Lord over our lives.

(Rom 1:22) “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23)  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”   What a great sin, to make God corrupt like ourselves and the animal kingdom! He is perfection itself! If we think rightly, we will bow before Him, ask His forgiveness, and gladly give our own lives in service to Him.  We will seek to know as He Has revealed Himself in His Word.

(Rom 1:24) “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:”  “Gave them up”: literally “let loose of the reins”.  From the beginning of each of our lives the Holy Spirit restrains us from following the extremes of our heart. Merciful, merciful God! The more we struggle, the more He lets lost man go. As you can see, there are those He lets totally go of.

(Rom 1:24) “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:”  “Through the lusts of their own hearts” Even the best person among us has a corrupt heart. Our sin nature manifest itself in desires contrary to the standards of God. “Lust” is the desire for that which we do not or cannot have and “nothing”, in the end, satisfies it. It takes the miracle of the rebirth to change us within.

(Rom 1:24) “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:”  Sexual sin is as far from spirituality as night is to day. The Bible says it is to sin against one’s own body (1 Cor 6:18). Our creation in the image of God was made for the purpose of honoring Him! We by and through willful sin have dishonored Him.

(Rom 1:24) “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness…. (25)  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”  In what way does man serve the creature over the Creator? The average person has no thought of God. Their minds are focused upon self. The Creator should be uplifted and exalted in our hearts; sought unto and asked to direct our path; yielded to – His will over ours. He and He alone is blessed forever. So ask Him to lead you in exalting Him everyday of your own life.

(Rom 1:25) “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (26)  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27)  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”  “Vile” (v.26): disgraceful.  Sexual immorality at any level is disgraceful. What a shame that we have been so influenced by the world that we no longer see “all” sexual immorality as disgraceful. God help us to come to  a right view of sinful practice: (Psa_97:10) “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil:…”    

(Rom 1:27) “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”  Whether it is man with man or woman with woman, one plays the male and the other the female. That very act says it is unnatural (unseemly), an action against the norm of how God made us. There is a judgment that follows from God – always, no matter the type of sin. Yet, sin affects everyone around the sinner. The longer one is around sin, the more likely they are to accept it.

(Rom 1:28) “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;”  Notice that rejecting Who God is brings a judgment. God “gave them over” (v.24 “gave them up”): He let go of the reins of restrain having found them “reprobate” – rejected, worthless (as to His purpose). How sad. What a waste of life is one that is only lived for self.

(Rom 1:28) “… God gave them over to a reprobate mind,…(29)  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,” Consider how far away this is from God’s desire for the true Believer, the saved, (Eph 5:18)  “…be filled with the Spirit; (19)  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20)  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (21)  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”  Which is manifest in you?

(Rom 1:28) “… God gave them over to a reprobate mind,…(29)  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,(30)  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31)  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:” Since the saved person sees some of these things in self, does it mean they are reprobate? No. The saved, upon realization of this within, will pray the Lord’s deliverance to be pleasing in God’s sight. The lost have no such compulsion.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” So, one “filled with unrighteousness” is worthy of death. What is unrighteousness? Answer: those who think, ponder, and do what they think is right rather than what God says. To stand in agreement with or behind such people, the Lord said makes one worthy of death.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with… fornication,…”  We live in a world of which premarital sex is the norm – worthy of death. “Fornication”: sexual sin – worthy of death in the eyes of God. Do you wholeheartedly agree with God? Do these verses reveal to your soul how much you have been influenced by this world?   

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with… wickedness,…”  “Wickedness”: from the word, “depravity”. It is malice, the plotting of, therefore the plans to sin. When men or women plan to sin in whatever way (“This weekend we will get together. ‘Whoever’ will bring the beer”, thus the inhibitions will be lowered and sin will be the result; etc…), they are performing a wicked act in the sight of God.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with… covetousness,…”  “Covetousness”: unlike what one might think, that it is the desire for “things”; it is instead the way one would go about to get those things (to fraud, extort). These would seek what they want no matter what the Bible says: “I will work another job. I won’t be able to be faithful to the Lord’s house, but the Lord understands.”  

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with… maliciousness;…”  “Malicious”: from the word “depravity”. This person is harmful to others on purpose. Sometimes we see this in ourselves, when we lash out towards others verbally. We wish to hurt them with our words. Sad.  

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with… full of envy,…”  “Envy”: ill will towards another prompted by jealousy. Remember: believers are saved from hell and possess a new nature that desires to please God. Yet, our old nature can be dominate us if we do not yield to the Holy Spirit. “Envy” itself may be hidden from us, not realizing it is the reason we harbor hurtful feelings towards another. Love rejoices even in the praise given another.  

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with…murder,….”  America has been defiled by the shedding of innocent blood. In contrast, as the Believer seeks to live before God, we must remember that God hears our very thoughts. Seek to love, fulfilling the law of Christ Jesus: (Luk 6:27) “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,” 

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with…debate,…”  “Debate”: contentious, quarrelsome, argumentative.  The world affects the saved, for we live in it. We bring such an attitude of debate towards the things of God, as if we have the right to an opinion. No, dear ones. We only have the right and the duty of love for Him and to obey. 

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with…deceit,…”  “Deceit”: from the word “decoy”; wile, translated craft, deceit, guile, subtilty.  It is plain to see why this person would be worthy of death, for these are the traits of Satan himself. It is sad when a professed believer is other than truthful, instead practicing some level of deceit. God help us to be open and honest!

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with…malignity;….” Malignity: bad character, mischievousness; one with evil intentions. How opposite the desire of God for His child! He wants us to be pure of heart, seeking the good of others, seeking kindness towards others, seeking to benefit others through our verbiage and our actions.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with…whisperers,….”  One who whispers in this case desires to harm object of conversation. They are hiding malice. They, like all in this list of sins, are worthy of death in the sight of God. Such a one should be repulsed by our reply and attitude – shun evil.  

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(Rom 1:29) “Being filled with…(30) Backbiters….”  Once again, this is a list of sins God says are worthy of death in His eyes. A “backbiter” is someone who slanders another, yet never in their presence. They are hiding their hatred: (Pro_10:18) “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.”  If this is you, don’t call yourself a Christian, for such behavior says, “No you are not”: (1Jn 3:14) “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. (15)  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”   

Monday, January 17, 2022  DAILY DROP OF WATER  (Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(30)…haters of God,…” To acknowledge the true and living God is to say, “He has the right to tell me what to do and how to do it.”  The lost have no desire for such knowledge for it means restraint of one’s own desires. By their actions of defiance they say, “I hate You.” Shame. The same God Who will judge their sin yet loves and longs to save them.  For more come to www.thirstingsouls.com

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(30)…despiteful,…”  “Despiteful”: one who insults, treats another with malice. We have seen this in “no holds barred” politics. I’ve seen people openly insult their pastor. Again, I draw your attention to the fact that verse 32 says such a one is seen as “worthy of death” in God’s eyes.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(30)...proud,…”  Proud: appearing above others, haughty.  This key sin is found in the heart of every person, unsaved and saved alike. We think ourselves better than others. No matter how humble the individual, pride exists. This is why we must be told, “…esteem other better than themselves…” (Phil 2:3). In order to be more like humble Jesus (Matt 11:29) and draw closer to God, we must seek humility (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). 

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(30)…boasters,….”  “Boaster”: braggart; from the word vagrancy (mental wandering). The saved are to seek God’s praise only – not man’s: (Gal 6:3) “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (4)  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”  

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(30)…inventors of evil things,…” “Inventors of evil things”: not necessarily to “invent” such as in “gadgets”, but to contrive to do things that are bad, harmful, wicked. Since the saved still possess the old nature alongside the new, we are called upon to reprogram our minds (Romans 12:2), our thinking, to avoid such “inventions of the mind” that are worthy of death.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(30)…disobedient to parents,….” “Disobedient”: contumacious (stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient).  This person totally rejects the guidance of their parents. Question: who guides them before they can even understand the concept of God? You see, one is to transfer that obedience from a parent to that of God. To despise the one is to despise the Other – “Worthy of death.”

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(31)…Without understanding,….” “Without understanding”: unintelligent; by implication wicked.  Because of sin, by God’s standards everyone’s mind is twisted to varying degrees. Once saved, we through seeking His Word through reading and instruction, attempt to bring our thoughts to true sanity, the standard being God’s thoughts. These reject the instruction of God leading them away into more and more “insanity”.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(31)…covenantbreakers,….” “Covenant-breakers”: treacherous regarding treaties. This immediately made be think of marriage: (Mal 2:14) “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.”  A covenant is something made before God as witness. Most marriages qualify as such. What was the treachery? Divorce. Oh how little we care or take notice of our covenants made before Almighty God! Take notice of this: He notes the breaking of that covenant.  In this case, He stopped hearing their prayers.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(31)…without natural affection,…”  These are one Gk word meaning without love for kindred. I say to you that first of all, to not love one’s God is unnatural. To not respond in love to one who gave His life for you is unnatural. To not care for the souls of those who are family is unnatural. The Lord says, such are worthy of death.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(31)…implacable,….” The idea here is to not honor one’s word to anyone, even God. He could stand in God’s presence and take an oath with no intention of keeping it – worthy of death. I ask you, “Have you made oaths before God of which you have not kept?” 

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Look….(31)…unmerciful:…”  This person will not or cannot overlook offences. This is the very opposite of God and it is the farthest point away from Christianity.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”  It is said that “people do not like to sin alone”. It’s bad enough that they defile themselves before a holy God, but also “delight” that others do so. They love to rob the innocent of their naïveté. Watch any child’s show today and you will see crudeness. “Worthy of death”.

(Rom 1:32) “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”    “Who knowing”: to be fully acquainted with the knowledge. When you speak to someone of sin and judgment to come, though the person has never been to church, still their heart is acquainted with the knowledge. Plus, the Holy Spirit adds testimony to this truth (Jn 16:7-8). So, speak fully of the need of Christ Jesus to the lost.

(Rom 2:1) “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”  There is a difference between “judging” and “recognizing a sinful act”. To say, “You have sinned in this or that” is not necessarily judging. If the motivation is not condemnation, but a desire to bring another to reconciliation with a merciful God, then it is not judging.  

(Rom 2:1) “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”   Why is it we have a tendency to be critical of others? Answer: pride. We think ourselves better than others. Notice closely the wording of the following: (Gal_6:1) “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” How hard it is for us to…. (Php_2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” 

(Rom 2:2) “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.”  When judged, we state, “You have no right”; “You don’t  know my heart”. Thus we put off those who desire to help us. Oh, but we all stand fully exposed before He Who knows all things: (Ps 139:1) “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. (2)  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.” When He judges – and He will – we will have no excuse.

(Rom 2:2) “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.”   Truth: God only deals with truth. There is not the least bit of hint of a lie within any of His dealings with man, (Psa_33:4)  “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.”  When Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”, the answer was standing before Him. Jesus, the truth is sinless. I ask you, “Do you speak truth within your own heart, and then before man?” 

(Rom 2:3)  “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”  Pride says, “I am the exception to the rule.”  Friend, there are “no” exceptions to God’s rules. If it is wrong for the lost, it is wrong for the saved. If it is wrong for the average person, it is wrong for the blessed.  

(Rom 2:3)  “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”   I am saved through faith in the blood of Jesus. There is an inheritance “reserved (1 Pet 1:4) for me. But that doesn’t mean I will not be held accountable for what I did with the life He has given me. There is a judgment for the saved (1 Cor 3:11-15). Also, God corrects (judges) in this life the rebellious child (Heb 12:6-11).

(Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  “Despisest”: to think against; disesteem. The “goodness” referred to here is the Lord not bringing the mallet of justice down immediately upon one’s sin. By not judging immediately these take it to mean it is never coming. Sad, for it is meant to give one more than ample opportunity to repent, turning back for the forgiveness of God.

(Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  Consider the “goodness” of God. If He rightly judged our sin the moment it was committed, none would be alive. Yet, His goodness allows us a life here varying in years, health, breath, food, sunshine and rain, plus various levels of happiness.  God does in His goodness even for those who will die and go to hell. God is “good”! 

(Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  “Forbearance”: the word is from “self-restraint”. The Lord to this day restrains His wrath (yes, His wrath v.5,8) giving each of us a lifetime of opportunity to come to our senses. To ignore this opportunity is to “despise” it – the attitude being the same! Friend, turn from your sin, plead forgiveness, and to be saved through Jesus!

(Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”   “Longsuffering”: the “putting up with” that which in some way bothers. In this case, God puts off judgment of which His holy nature demands. Our pure, Holy, sinless God suffers-long with us who are so full of impurity. Why? The Bible says (2Pe_3:9)  “The Lord…. is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

(Rom 2:4) “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”   Thank God, there are those who respond rightly to the drawing of the Holy Spirit to God. Hearing the gospel, they are broken by the sacrifice of God’s Son on a cross bearing their sin. In doing so, they are recognizing the truth of the Words of this verse. “Repentance”: a desire to not sin before God any longer. They turn by faith to the Lord for forgiveness and everlasting life.

(Rom 2:5) “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;”  Men ignore the Christ of Calvary and instead seek the treasures of this world (This is evident in Gospel preaching churches every Sunday Morning). All the while the treasure they are building before Him is His wrath. It will be given to them freely on the Day of Judgment.

(Rom 2:5) “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;”   Look at self as we identify the meaning of the following. Does it reflect you in any way? Hardness: callousness; stubborn. Impenitent: unrepentant; not sorry to the degree of desiring never to do it again. Yes, this verse is referring to an unsaved person. Yet, a true believer does not wish to displease their Lord in any way.

(Rom 2:5) “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;”    God’s judgment is always “right”. Since all have sinned, all are condemned. All need to repent and embrace the righteousness that only comes in Jesus. This is what is called “faith”: (Rom 10:3) “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”  

(Rom 2:5) “ But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (6)  Who will render to every man according to his deeds:”  Speaking here of the judgment of lost men and women, they will be judged according to God’s perfect standard of righteousness. Discovery: each have sinned and the wages of sin is death (eternal punishment). Sad. If only instead of being “impenitent” they had been repentant, for Jesus has already paid for man’s every sin!

(Romans 2:5b) “….the righteous judgment of God; (6)  Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (7)  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:”  The proof of genuine salvation is the faithful continuance of obedience. Life in Christ compels in us a desire to please Him, to demonstrate our love for Him. All of the New Testament speaks to this principal.

(Romans 2:5b) “….the righteous judgment of God;….. (8)  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9)  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”  “Contentious”: in law it speaks of opposing parties. These oppose the right standards of God and thus will be judged for doing so. And don’t mistake it, all of God’s standards are right: (Psa_119:128)  “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” The things that follow are those judgments.

(Romans 2:5b) “….the righteous judgment of God;….. (8)  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9)  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”   Important: “….and do not obey the truth…”. Friend, without exception all of God’s Word is truth. Who are we to choose what we will believe? Who are we to choose what we will be faithful to and what we will not. We live in a day of pseudo religion, talk of love for Jesus without sacrificial devotion to Him. Lost people throw away tomorrow for the desires of today.

(Romans 2:5b) “….the righteous judgment of God;….. (8)  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9)  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”   Notice, “…but they obey unrighteousness…”. Because of the corruption of our old nature, the lost have only one true desire – whatever their heart wants. It is not to please God, but to please self. This desire for unrighteousness is insatiable: it never satisfies; it is never enough. Their natural (fallen) instinct is to avoid the only real place that would satisfy – at the place where their heart has been given to Jesus.

(Romans 2:5b) “….the righteous judgment of God;….. (8)  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9)  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”   “Indignation”: the word is very interesting. It is that the soul is so troubled over the offense to leave one breathing hard. Understand, this is God’s response to the rebellion of the lost! How utterly different it would be for them if they came through the Beloved Son in obedience.

(Romans 2:5b) “….the righteous judgment of God;….. (8)  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9)  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”   “Wrath”: it means an excitement of the mind that moves to passionate judgment. Put that together with anguish (offense that leaves one breathing hard) and you can see that no lost person is in a good place when it comes to “The Judgment”. I plead with you to embrace Jesus Who died to remove your sin and keep you from this terrible fate.

(Romans 2:5b) “….the righteous judgment of God;….. (8)  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9)  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”   “Tribulation”: pressure, affliction.  We speak of the pressures of this life. If it wasn’t for the Lord, the saint wonders how they would ever endure. There is a tribulation of soul that comes from being in rebellion against God. That is the lot of those who love sin and those who choose it over God.

(Romans 2:5b) “….the righteous judgment of God;….. (8)  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9)  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”    “Anguish”: narrowness of room, calamity.  “Calamity”: great misfortune; grievous affliction; misery  What a terrible thing it is in judgment to fall into the hands of the living God. Certainly it would be far better for a person to fall into the hands of a gracious, merciful God, the sufferer for your sin on the cross! Come to Him while you still can! Tomorrow may never come for you. Once you leave this life, it is too late.

(Romans 2:5b) “….the righteous judgment of God;….. (8)  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9)  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”    “Upon every soul of man that doeth evil”. In the next chapter we will be told, “There is none that doeth good; no, not one”  “Evil”, in our minds, is what everyone else does. No, “evil” is ignoring He Who gave you life. It is to live for self, doing what self desires instead of caring what your God thinks. Every man needs the Savior!

(Rom 2:10) “But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:”  Are these verses speaking of good works saving and evil condemning? No. What is a good work? Jesus was asked a similar question: (Joh 6:28) “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (29)  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”  Peace only comes when one receives the salvation, the born again experience, through the One Who paid for our sins.

(Rom 2:9) “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (10)  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: (11)  For there is no respect of persons with God.”  We are so different from one another. Our love for self deceives us into thinking we are better than others and thus more loved by God. Wrong! He responds to hearts that long to be obedient to Him, that long to love Him rightly! Period. Friend, you cannot be obedient and you cannot love Him without coming to Him in repentance of your sin through the precious sacrifice of His Son. You need a time and place of salvation – being birthed into His Family.

(Rom 2:12) “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;”  This Scripture establishes that a person is only judged by that which they know. Yet, Samuel Clemens hit it on the head: “It’s not what I don’t know about the Bible that bothers me. It is what I do know.”  You are accountable to God for what you know. Consider: what you know is enough to send you to hell: (James_2:10) “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

(Rom 2:12) “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;”   This is not teaching that those who have never heard about Jesus will be saved. Notice it says they will “perish without law”. Continue reading the text and you will find there is a law written on their hearts which they have broken – (James_2:10)  “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” 

(Rom 2:12) “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;”  When you put the following with this verse, (Jas 2:10) “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”, you must conclude your good works “never” outweigh your bad. This is why all need the only Savior, Jesus: (Act_4:12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

(Rom 2:13) “(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”  Many feel very good about themselves in the sight of God because they are faithful in attending church. But to attend and yet not embrace what you hear (Biblically) is to have done nothing. To attend is right to do; to obey is righteous to do.  

(Rom 2:12) “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law:…. (Verse 14)  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: (15)  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts,…..”  This reveals that “all” people have some level of understanding of right and wrong, put there by God. Sad that even at this basic level: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Rom 3:23). Do you think man might be corrupt in his nature, as God says?

(Rom 2:15) “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (16)  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men…”   Man is meant to have a tender conscience toward his Creator. Sin dulls the conscience, eventually silencing its voice. In the judgment its voice will once again speak loudly and clearly, condemning the sinner before God! Better to listen now as it condemns you for the sufferings of Jesus: (2Co_7:10) “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”  Sorrow now or then – your choice.

(Rom 2:15) “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (16)  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men…”   The “secrets of men”: nothing will be hidden in that day. Oh, man thinks, “Well, that’s tomorrow” and will spend tomorrow for today. What they are really doing is giving up eternity for a few years of willful pleasure. God help people to repent while there is still time!

(Rom 2:16)  “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” The fact that there is a “gospel” (good news) of a Savior Who died on a cross for my sins and rose again alive from the dead, now imparting His everlasting life to sinners like me, says there was a need. The need of such “good news” is because of the “bad news”. Those not embracing Christ will be held responsible for “all things” they have ever done! The end will be everlasting suffering.

(Rom 2:17)  “Behold, thou art called a Jew,…” (Rom 2:19b) “…. a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,” (Rom 2:21) “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” Man’s pride feeds upon the thought of being better than someone else. This blinds us to self of which an accurate view would humble us towards God and man. We think of meekness as weakness. Before God meekness becomes strength to overcome self’s sin and limitations.

(Rom 2:17)  “Behold, thou art called a Jew,  and restest in the law,…”  These felt they had merit before God because of two things: who they were and what they did. What they should have done was ask themselves, “Why did the Lord communicate and bless Abraham above all others?” Answer: simply because God chose to (grace) and because Abraham did as he was instructed – in other words, “Abraham believed God”. Do you believe and obey?

(Rom 2:17)  “Behold, thou art called a Jew,  and restest in the law,…”  Consider, how can one “rest” in the law when the Bible proclaims, (Rom_3:19) “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God”. The law was not to “rest” in, but to drive the heart to the need of atonement through the blood sacrifice – for us, Jesus’ blood shed on Calvary’s cross! What do you “rest” in? If you have no “rest” of soul, give your heart to Jesus today.

(Rom 2:17) “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,”  There seems to be lot of folks today who boast of knowing God yet are not observed to be faithful to His Word. In most, they seem to be very ignorant of His Word. How can this be? You do not know God if you are not personally acquainted with His Son, Jesus. You do not know God if you do not search the Bible, the only place in which He has revealed Himself.  There is a very big difference between knowing “of” God and knowing “Him personally”.

(Rom 2:17) “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, (18)  And knowest his will,…”  Up to the time of Christ only the Jew had the Word of God, thus His revealed “will” – desires. Now it is available for all. These had them but didn’t obey them. What about you? You have a Bible – do you know what it says? Do you obey what it says? It is sad, for we want much from Him and yet give so little of ourselves to Him.  

(Rom 2:17) “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, (18)  And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;”  “More excellent” – there are things that far better than others to be doing in the sight of God. His Word helps us to know Him as we should and therefore what would please Him best. Insight: spiritual things always come before physical. Example: last night most Bible believing churches had services. Where were you? What did you choose – the physical or the spiritual? 

(Rom 2:17) “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law,….. (19)  And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,….”    There are those who stumble at the law and its purpose. Yes, we are to seek to please God through His instruction (for us the New Testament epistles), yet the law’s ultimate purpose was to show us our own sinfulness, not being able to keep it. The Jew before the sacrifice of Jesus was to look to the blood sacrifice by faith for forgiveness. We are to look to Jesus’ blood. Don’t stumble. Look by faith to the Precious Lord Jesus.

(Rom 2:17) “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law,…..(20)  An instructor of the foolish,….”  We must be careful of our pride when dealing with the lost. We need to remember that they are us, had it not been for the drawing of the Holy Spirit to our Lord. Have patience with the lost, for it is not about you – it is about their eternal soul. Be firm on Scripture – yes. But also be compassionate as Jesus would be.  

(Rom 2:17) “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law,…..(20)  An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes,…”   “Babe”: infant too young to speak. Although this verse applies to the pride of the Jew in his consideration of others, yet recognize “…some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1 Cor 15:34). Truth be told, they are not even babes of Christ, for they have not been birthed into His family (The Gospel of John, Chapter 3). If you and I know so much, why do we keep that knowledge to ourselves? People are dying, going to hell all around us. Do we care?

(Rom 2:17) “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law,…..(20)  An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, a light of them which are in darkness,”  The only light in this world is that which the Holy Spirit gives of God’s Word. It is seen in the very hearts of the truly saved. Satan has blinded the minds (eyes) of those who do not embrace Jesus wholly for forgiveness and everlasting life (2 Cor 4:4). There is no other light than Jesus, the true Light (Jn 12:46). 

(Rom 2:17) “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law,…..(20)  An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.”  The law is only a small portion of God’s revealed Word, even back then. There are many today who profess to know and love the Lord, yet only adhere and follow the portions of Scripture they think best. This is wickedness. Such have set themselves up as their own Lord, saying, “I will do as I please and You will bless me anyway!” Never! He is the LORD and they have no power or control over their own life, much less His will.  

(Rom 2:21) “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? (22)  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?” These could not keep the very laws they taught. The same is true today of those who teach any level of obedience to precepts to save or aid in saving (the Bible calls these “works”).No individual can keep God’s laws perfectly. Period: (Rom 3:20) “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:…”  Only sincere faith in Jesus alone saves!

(Rom 2:23) “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?”  The act of “boasting” signals a blindness of heart and error of thinking. Contrast this with the following:  (Eph 2:8) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The heart of the truly saved know they have nothing to boast of. It was not their merit that purchased the gift of eternal life, but the blood of God’s Son. “Grace” means “favor bestowed but not deserved”. Boast instead of a Savior that saved even a sinner like you.

(Rom 2:24) “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”  The “lost” know a Christian should be different. They know Jesus was like non other and therefore a true follower of Him will reflect that difference. It is sad that the lives of so many testify that Christianity is a sham – nothing. In this, Satan has won a great victory. God’s Holy Name is blasphemed through out and out hypocrisy.

(Rom 2:28) “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: (29)  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”  No mere outward observance can make you God’s. You can only come to Him through Christ Jesus, and that through a heart God sees and responds to. It is then He bestows upon you the gift of everlasting life.

(Rom 3:1) “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? (2)  Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”  These had the privilege of having the Bible. What a privilege to grow up with the knowledge of the things of God! If that was your heritage, know this: “…unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:…” (Lk 12:48b). That is not a negative, but a positive. Do right. Give the Lord your heart and dedicate your life to live for His glory!

(Rom 3:3)  “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (4)  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;….”  There is no person whose actions of rebellion can hinder the faithfulness of God to His Word. Obviously then, man is not as important as his heart tells him. So often people say the following to excuse a sin: “Well, the Lord knows my heart.” Friend, that’s the problem. He does. There is no excuse for sin. Period. God is going to be true to His Word. His Word will stand. Either you bow to it or be judged by it.

(Rom 3:4)  “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, ‘That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged’.”   This quote was made by King David, confessing he had committed adultery. In other words, “You my God have every right to judge me. I have sinned.”  God is the God of truth. Question His Words, the meaning of them, or His right to enforce them just condemns you as the liar. He is truth itself. He is righteous, good, and full of mercy for the repentant. He can give mercy freely by the price of the blood of His Son dying for you!

(Rom 3:5)  “But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) (6)  God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?”  This is like a man saying to the judge, “You should go easy on me, for if it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have a job. You look good because I am so evil.” Foolish! God does not make any person sin. We do that all by ourselves. Judging our sin is not vengeance, but righteousness – holiness.

(Rom 3:7)  “For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? (8)  And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.”  Ultimately, all things shall glorify God, He using even the negative things of this world to His glory. That doesn’t mean sinful men are doing Him any favors by their sin. It is despite their sin, not because of it, He will be glorified. The Lord desires individuals to love Him for what He did on Calvary’s cross and in response seek to please Him by their every thought and action.  

(Rom 3:9) “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;”  All that the Jews possessed was the result of unmerited favor (grace) bestowed. That didn’t make them better than another – just blessed. If you have knowledge of salvation (been Born Again, birthed into God’s family) and blessings of life, it doesn’t make you better – just blessed. It is like the child of a rich person. They did nothing to enjoy the riches. Thus, they are no better than the poor boy – just blessed to be born into a rich family.

(Rom 3:10)  “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”  This verse should stand as a warning to all those who hope their good works will outweigh their bad in the sight of God. No chance. Perfection is the standard: (Jas 2:10) “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Your only hope is to fall upon your face and plead for mercy and salvation through the blood of Jesus.

(Rom 3:11) “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Man suffered spiritual death the moment he sinned again God in the Garden: “…in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”  He needs spiritual life to understand spiritual truths, therefore the words, “There is none that understandeth…..”  Each of us know the day we were born into this world. Do you know of a day when you were born spiritually? It is not a process of becoming; it is an event.

(Rom 3:11) “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” You might say, “People seek God all over the world. They serve gods of various names.” True. So, this is speaking of “seeking God in truth”, in the way in which He has revealed Himself in the Bible. That is what it means when it says, “There is none that understandeth….”  So they seek Him through the imagination of the heart rather than in obedience to His Word.  What is the way? Through the blood of His Son: giving up sin for it caused the sufferings and death of Christ; asking the Lord to forgive that sin and save our soul.

 (Rom 3:12) “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”  One might object that there are people who do good things, yet are not saved. Consider: it is you, not God, who is making such an assessment. Our judgment is flawed, for we are each warped to some degree in our thinking. Yes, this includes the saved. The all seeing, all knowing God has looked and determined what is before us. Our response must be – “You are right, Lord.”   

(Rom 3:13) “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (14)  Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:”  Our mind and what was to come out of it, was created for the glory of God. Look at how far mankind is from this. Death is in the mouth, hypocrisy by the tongue, toxic destruction upon the lips of everyone. God help the saved to reprogram, to desire to speak right, to think before we speak!  

(Rom 3:14) “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:”   The mouth utters that which is in the heart. If a person curses, then vileness of a mind yet to be sanctified by the Lord is revealed. Peter cursed to prove he was not a disciple of Christ. The action of one who curses does the same.

(Rom 3:14) “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:”   Notice the mouth of the lost curses instead of blesses. To bless even one’s enemy is the right action of the saved motivated by the Holy Spirit within (Matt 5:44). The mouth of the lost is also full of bitterness – literally poison. Again one who possesses the Holy Spirit is motivated by Him to forgive rather than to become bitter (Matt 18:21-22). The lost are held by their sin and the saved are freed to obey the Holy Spirit. What a difference!

(Rom 3:15) “Their feet are swift to shed blood:”  Having deemed the Old Testament as being non-relevant to the Believer, even the saved do not perceive the sacredness of blood before God. That being true, the lost deny the value of life (the unborn, the newborn, the mentally disabled, the elderly, the extremely injured). The taking of life on the level of today says, “The lives of others have no value to me” – “Their feet are swift to shed blood”.   

(Rom 3:15) “Their feet are swift to shed blood:”   Yesterday I wrote: “Even the saved do not perceive the sacredness of blood before God. This is because believers have for the most part rendered the Old Testament as being irrelevant. Not so. It is “All scripture [that] is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2Ti_3:16). The OT reveals much of God’s personality, thoughts, and perceptions. Blood is sacred to Him. Even that of the animal was to be covered with dirt, rather than lay exposed. It was too sacred to be consumed by man, and the shedding of blood – man’s blood – brought about the annihilation of whole nations. Why? They all represented the most precious of all – the blood of the Lord Jesus shed for our forgiveness.

 (Rom 3:16) “Destruction and misery are in their ways:” Take a good look at the things happening all around the world.  All you see is the end result of man’s free will – destruction and misery. Man sees the restraint of holiness as something that will cost him dearly. Instead, it is what frees him to a path of life and joyfulness.  

(Rom 3:17) “And the way of peace have they not known:”  Context: peace with fellowman; instead the shedding of blood. Remember, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” ( 1Jn_3:15). If you harbor hatred in your heart for someone; if you just cannot bring yourself to forgive; you need to check the genuineness of your salvation. You say, “I just cannot”. Friend, with the saved nothing is impossible if they wish to truly please the Lord.  

(Rom 3:17) “And the way of peace have they not known:”  Yesterday we laid this out in its context. Today consider the topic of “peace of soul”. One can only have true peace of soul when one has been forgiven all sins before God. This comes not as a simple confession, a “sweeping it under the rug” type of thing. It comes from a genuine sorrow of heart over those sins, for those sins not only rob us of peace before God, but they also killed the best person who ever walked the face of this earth – Jesus. Think: our Holy God is not only forgiving the transgressions, but also the price it cost – the sufferings and death of His Son.  

(Rom 3:18) “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  The flesh of sinful man blinds him to eternity. It lives only to fulfill its desires today. Thus, he fears not God, giving eternity no thought for the pleasures of today. The lost need two things: 1) a person to speak directly to them of sin, righteousness, and judgment accompanied by 2) the Holy Spirit’s opening of their understanding, testifying that these things are true.

(Rom 3:18) “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Believers seem to have abandoned the thought of fearing God. “He loves me.”  Saved and now adopted, God has become my Father. As a father, He does without fail correct His Own (Heb 12:6-8). Fact – fear motivates obedience. Why are so many unfaithful even in the smallest matter? They do not fear Him and….if truth be known, are not really thankful for salvation. 

(Rom 3:19) “ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”  The purpose of the law is to reveal to our hearts – we have sinned. We are guilty. Conclusion: I deserve punishment. What do I do now? I look to Jesus Who bore my punishment on Calvary’s cross. I, in regret and thankfulness ask God’s forgiveness. He then gives freely the gift of everlasting life.  

(Rom 3:20) “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”  “Justified”: have not sinned. We have each broken the law, so it has condemned us. This is why we each need a Savior. By the way, once saved, this principle remains true: “Our salvation was by Jesus alone. We cannot aid in keeping it for we still break this law condemning us. It is “all” the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice that saves! 

(Rom 3:21)  “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;”  The true focus of this chapter is, “How can a person be saved?” By the law? No. All have sinned and the law is the witness. This verse is the beginning statement of how to be saved. The “righteousness of God now manifested” is Jesus Christ.

(Rom 3:21)  “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;”  The law testifies against our conscience, but the prophets do the opposite; they testify of a coming “redeemer” and of a new covenant. The Lord never, ever speaks of a negative without giving us hope – a positive. The Lord does not desire our harm, but our good – if we will just come to Him His way.

(Rom 3:22) “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”   Faith. How is it that some can speak of having faith but lack the heart of genuine salvation: the change of heart that comes through the new birth. Reason: a misunderstanding of the word, “faith”. They see faith as believing the words spoken. No. Bible faith is not only believing but acting upon that which is believed.  

(Rom 3:22) “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”   Faith: not  the acknowledging in the mind as true, but acting, responding to that truth. In this case, the act is the response of heart that says, “I’m sorry for what my sin cost the Lord Jesus your Son. Please forgive me and save my soul.” You see, the truth needs to affect the heart: (Rom 10:10) “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;”  The heart will say, “I want Jesus more than the sin.”

(Rom 3:23) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Add to this, (12) “…there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”  You are I look at the outward and judge the actions of others by ourselves. Wrong standard: you, me, others, are judged by the standard of perfection – the Person of Jesus Christ. Yes, we fall “way” short of the glory of God. The standard is perfection from birth to death; not here and there, off and on. God’s holiness demanded perfection to enter His presence. We could never achieve that – so Jesus lived perfectly and died in our place. At the salvation experience God places the holiness of Jesus upon us so that we can enter His presence.

(Rom 3:24)  “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”  Your sin condemns you before God, but the action of faith can move you through grace (favor God will bestow even though you do not deserve it) to be saved. Will you turn your back upon your sinful life and be saved? 

(Rom 3:24)  “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”   Whenever you see the word “just” (justified), understand it is speaking of one’s standing before the Judge of the earth. It is a judicial term. To be “just” is to be found innocent of a crime. So, because of the blood of Jesus, the repentant sinner is forgiven, put in Jesus, and thus pronounced before God’s holy throne, “innocent of breaking the laws of holiness”!

(Rom 3:24)  “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”   To “redeem” is to buy back to oneself. The price paid, the act, is called “redemption”. The Bible says the price of the redemption from man’s sin was Jesus’ blood: (Col_1:14)  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”  I ask you, “Can you still cling to your sins knowing of the price paid to free you from them?”

(Rom 3:25)  “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood,…”  “Set forth”: the God of universe has sent Jesus, gave Him in payment for our sins, raised Him from the dead, and now “singles Him out” as the means and only means of forgiveness and everlasting life: (Act_4:12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  

(Rom 3:25)  “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood,…”   The word “propitiation” literally speaks of the sacrifice upon the altar.  Sin had to be paid by blood beginning with Adam’s, all the way through the ministry of the Lord Jesus to the cross itself. It is an appeasement of justice for “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). This is what Jesus did for you and me.  He bore our judgment so that we might live forever! 

(Rom 3:25)  “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”  The last part of this verse proves “propitiation” speaks of the sacrifice upon the altar. Before the crucifixion of Jesus, when God saw the blood, the sacrifice, it appeased Him and He restrained His judgment knowing that the true sacrifice was coming – His Son bearing our sins upon the cross. I say, “Lord, You are wonderful, merciful, and loving. You are my Savior!”

(Rom 3:24) “ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare His righteousness….(26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”  Why the stressing of the declaration, “His righteousness”? A judge is not righteous who does not hold those before him accountable. God is righteous to justify (forgive the sin) because the sin was paid by another.

(Rom 3:26) “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”  People who are taught they have to keep their salvation need to consider this passage. God is “just” declaring us “innocent of all charges” because He bore our sin Himself and is thus the ‘justifier”.  It is done. How can you possibly think you can add anything to that? 

(Rom 3:26)  “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (27)  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” Many a new believer has been burdened with and taught they needed to “keep” their salvation. It seems “right”, for it appeals to our sinful nature of pride. Yet, plainly we see (our text) it is all of Jesus without human effort, the keeping of the law. Our attempts soil the purity of that blessed sacrifice of Jesus! 

(Rom 3:28)  “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Our sinful nature seeks even to glory in one’s faith. Friend, that’s nothing to glory in. It is simply right to do, for all should have absolute faith in God – period; faith being “believing what He has said and then responding rightly to it”. No. The point here is that one is justified in the sight of God because of what God the Son did (v.24-27).  

(Rom 3:29) “Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: (30)  Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. (31)  Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” The act of Jesus dying for our sins did not say, “The law is of no value so do away with it.” No, it says, “Look, you cannot keep the law. You need a sacrifice – a Savior!” Therefore the act of salvation establishes the law as the perfect standard of God for all men. 

(Rom 4:1)  “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh hath found?”  Notice that Paul, a Jew, is including all the saved as the children of Abraham: “our father”. The promise made to Abraham was not only of those physically his offspring, but all those spiritually his offspring, (Rom 4:16) “ Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,”.  I pray you are a child of Abraham by faith; that is, acting upon that which the Word of God reveals.

(Rom 4:1) “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? (2) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”  “Just”: not guilty of any sin. Obviously his efforts to live worthy of God (works) fell short. Such will it always be in this life. We need to embrace the Savior for salvation and cling to Him, never again looking at self to obtain worthiness. 

(Rom 4:2)  “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (3)  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”  The text is not saying that faith “is” righteousness, but that faith was “counted as”: it wasn’t such but God decided to consider it such. Big difference. God is so good towards those who seek to please Him!  

(Rom 4:4) “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.”  No matter how you slice it, an effort to obtain or keep salvation is a “work” – period: (Gal 3:3) “ Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Yes, we are saved “unto good works” – to do them (Ephesians 2:10), but not because of good works. The glory is all God’s!

(Rom 4:4) “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”  “Worketh not” isn’t saying, “Does nothing for Christ.” It is speaking of any thought of earning or deserving to be saved. For example, there are those who think God is obligated by His loving nature to bestow salvation. Wrong. The great price of salvation came through His holiness demanding justice; justice being satisfied through the death of His Son on the cross.

(Rom 4:4) “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”  Is the Lord obligated to give everlasting life to the person who prays, “Save me”? The answer is “no”. He saves the person whose heart condemns their sin. The Bible word for this is repentance. Wrong thinking and thus teaching on this subject has and will send many a person to hell. 

(Rom 4:4) “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”   Wrong thinking: God would save a person through mercy and forgiveness to continue to live in the sin it cost His Son the agony of the cross to pay for. The Lord knows all things. He knows who it is that just wants an escape from hell; those whose heart just stirs them at the moment; those who want Him to answer some prayer and then will forget Him. In other words, the Lord knows those who will not turn away from their life of sin. Not all who call receive the gift of grace – period.

(Rom 4:5b) “…believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”   In the act of justification, pronouncing the ungodly as godly by placing them in Jesus, they are being “sanctified”. Sanctified means to be “set apart”, in this case set apart unto God. This is positional; that is, we are made Sons of God which will never change. We are in Christ.   

(Rom 4:5b) “…believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”   Some struggle with the difference between being already justified and thus positionally saved and holy (sanctified) in Him; and on the other hand: (1Th_4:4) “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;” Here’s the difference. Being placed “in Him” is God’s action of saving me. My seeking to live right before Him (be sanctified) is my action towards or before Him. The one does not affect the other. They are two different objectives: one accomplished and the other desired.

(Rom 4:6) “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,”  So, King David knew in his heart that the blessings upon his life came not from reward, but through grace – favor not merited. This favor comes from such acknowledgment of soul, and then seeking God’s forgiveness for one’s sinful life. That’s how it came to David, for after saying this the following is revealed: (Psa 32:3) “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (4)  For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. (5)  I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.”

(Rom 4:6) “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (7)  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.”   There is only one way to have peace with God in truth. One must embrace Jesus’ sacrifice for their sins as their only means of forgiveness and salvation. Then and only then will you be blessed and have peace.

(Rom 4:8) “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”  This applies to my position as a spirit born child of God possessing the Gift of Everlasting Life.  My sins have been covered by the blood and God has put me in Jesus Christ. This does not mean there is no accountability for sins I now commit. If you are a true child of God, He spanks us for willful sin – rebellion (Heb 12).

(Rom 4:9) “Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. (10)  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.” Bottom line: it is not an action that saves; it is faith in God Who saves. It is not prayer (action) that saves; it is God Who responds to the heart that saves.

(Rom 4:11) “ And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:”  Abraham had two types of children, those of the flesh and those of the spirit. The physical children took on the outward sign of circumcision; the spiritual children embraced the circumcision of the heart:  (Rom_2:29)  “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”  Are you a child of faith?

(Rom 4:12)  “And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.”  “…who also….”, that is, those who have made a choice to “….walk in the steps of….faith….”. This is a choice to love the Lord through obedience to whatever He has said. So many want and claim this to mean having faith He will do what I want and therefore be satisfied with me whatever I do. The one is obedience, the other is wishful thinking, treating God as a genie in one’s own personal bottle called “desire”. 

(Rom 4:13) “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”  In context – “through the [imputed] righteousness of faith”. It is not only right to have faith in God, it should be the most natural of things. He made you. He has given you repeated evidences of His existence. Why would you not have faith (trust) in Him? To do otherwise is unnatural. Mankind lives in an unnatural state, therefore righteousness must be imputed, for there is no righteousness in natural fallen man. 

(Rom 4:14) “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:”  Law and faith are opposites, bringing different outcomes. The outcome of law is condemnation, for none can keep it. The outcome of faith is God’s outpouring of the promise through grace and mercy. 

(Rom 4:15) “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.”  This is not saying there are places of where there is not law, a knowledge of right and wrong before God (2:12-16). It is saying that since all have sinned (3:23), wrath (yes, hell fire) falls upon all sinners upon death. Salvation comes only through faith (faith = action; embracing Jesus as payment for our sins).

(Rom 4:16) “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,”  “Faith” is believing, trusting in God’s Word – His Word as good as a promise. Law is not promise, but contract – you do this and I’ll do that. His promise demands nothing but faith, “Believe what I have said”. Grace, unmerited favor is then poured out in the form of “salvation” – everlasting life, making us children and thus fulfilling the “Promise”! 

(Rom 4:16) “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace;….. (17)…. before Him whom he believed, even God, Who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”   The two verses shift from Abraham (his faith) to God, for salvation is given by Him alone. It is no automatic impartation for one who understands and then believes the message. Salvation is an impartation from God Who sees and responds to the individual heart.  

(Rom 4:16) “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace;….. (17)…. before Him whom he believed, even God, Who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”   “Quickeneth the dead”: makes alive the dead. This is not referring to the resurrection, though it certainly applies. It speaks of making man’s spirit alive, for all are born soul and body only. Jesus said to go to heaven, your spirit would need to be born: (John 3:5b) “…. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Have you been made alive spiritually? Are you sure?

(Rom 4:16) “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace;….. (17)…. before Him whom he believed, even God, Who quickeneth the dead,…”  Which was first, the spiritual world or the physical? Since God is Spirit and He made this world, then the spiritual world was first. “…before Him Who he believed…” is referring to Abraham believing God would make life in the dead womb of Sarah – physical. Is it so hard to believe that God needs to and can make spiritual life in our physical bodes, thus…everlasting life?

(Rom 4:17) “ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”  The Lord speaks and then brings to pass what He has said. Saved soul, the Lord has said we sit (present tense) in the heavenlies with Him (Eph 2:6). Lost soul, hell awaits as sure as you are reading this. Souls of men – act accordingly. 

(Rom 4:18) “[Abraham] Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.”  What is at the heart of “faith”: (Heb 11:6) “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Those who do not have faith have not fully embraced the reality of God. Once you embrace the Person of God, then all things (Biblically revealed) become possible.

(Rom 4:19)  “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:”  If Abram had looked “logically”, humanly, at these things, he would have done nothing. When you read the Bible, never seek to explain away what you read, or find physical reasons for an event. Since God said it took place – it did. Who are we to doubt the ability or the truthfulness of God? 

(Rom 4:20) “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;”  Abraham was instructed to offer his son one day and rose up early the next day to do so. Hebrews tells us since the Lord had specifically said He would multiply his seed through Isaac, Abraham concluded God would raise him from the dead after the offering (Heb 11:19). Since our Lord can do anything, shouldn’t your faith say, “Lord, I trust You. There is nothing You cannot do.”

(Rom 4:20) “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (21)  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” The truly saved have peace of soul because they are fully persuaded that the blood of Jesus alone was worthy to wash away all their sins. They have thus acted by turning away from their old life and by heart dedicate their new life to the Lord.

(Rom 4:22)  “And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.”  Understand, Abraham’s faith wasn’t righteousness; it was counted as righteousness. You see, the righteous act was God keeping His Word. It was the Lord Who then made the child Isaac to be conceived in the dead womb of Sarah. You are I are to obey; but remember, it is God Who brings the good to past despite our sin tainting the process. 

(Rom 4:23) “Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (24)  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;”  The Lord is no respecter of persons. The imputation of righteousness for obedience is available for all. But take careful notice: it comes through obedience – action of heart and action of body. To say “I believe” and not act upon it is not obedience.  

(Rom 4:24) “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25)  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”  Notice that Jesus was not taken by the will and desire of evil men. Jesus was taken because of our offences. Jesus was taken according to God’s plan for saving you and me. I am responsible for the death of Jesus! 

(Rom 4:25) “Who [Jesus] was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”  Our “offences” brought death to Him Who had never sinned and therefore would have never died (the wages of sin is death [6:23]). By bringing Jesus back to life, God was saying that He found nothing in Jesus worthy of death. He had only died because of you and me.    

(Rom 4:25) “Who [Jesus] was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”   To me, the word “justification” is very special. It is a judicial term meaning innocent of any crime. Churches tell the lost, “Only believe in Jesus and you will be saved”, without bringing their heart face to face with He “Who was delivered for our offences” – the cross. Shame on those churches. One cannot have the Gift of Life (justification) without confronting the cost of their sin.  

(Rom 5:1) “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”  People do not like to talk about eternity, for they know in their heart they have sinned. In other words, they do not have peace with God. If you speak with a lost soul and they say, “I am Catholic or I am of Such and Such faith”, the question that should be asked is this: “Have you peace with God? I can show you how to have peace with God.”

(Rom 5:1) “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”   We speak to people of the love for God sending His Son without spelling out to the lost why He went to Calvary. We do not make it personal. It must be made personal, for they must repent of their sins that caused Jesus’ death. I am afraid many have been given a false sense of security for we have said, “Simply believe in Jesus and pray for Him to save you and you will have eternal life.” God help us and them! 

.(Rom 5:2)  “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  It is certainly a sin to take pride in our faith. Yet, it seems that so many do. But notice closely, that faith is the door (access) where we enter the room of “grace”. Grace means “favor bestowed but not merited”. That very word “grace” says that your faith had no merit in itself.

(Rom 5:2)  “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  I find it interesting that one saved by grace is said to “stand” and not bow, or prostrate. It is because God’s graciousness is beyond our moral character, for He has taken those who were at enmity, forgave them, and then exalted them to sons and daughters! Oh, the goodness and love of God!

(Rom 5:2)  “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”   What does it mean by “the glory of God”? It means the day when the Lord not only takes us away, but also when we receive our new glorified flesh/eternal bodies. Those bodies will be like His “glory” in the sense of being free from corruption of any kind. Glory! 

(Rom 5:2)  “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”   Consider how the word “hope” is used today compared to what it means in the Bible. Today one “hopes” they will win Publisher’s Clearinghouse Give-a-way. But Bible “hope” is “a looking or anticipating a sure coming event”. Thus it is said we both can and do rejoice in it, for that day could be today!

(Rom 5:2) “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3)  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing….”   No one likes or desires troubles to come into their life. Yet there is  something about them for which we can console our hearts. It is through these times we can mostly gain spiritually in wisdom and understanding. So, burdened brother/sister, there is good for your soul in the midst of your troubles!

(Rom 5:2) “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3)  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”  Notice the two references to “glory”. Each speaks of the change of our nature. The first speaks of the future, that which the saved will possess when the Lord Jesus raptures us away. The second speaks of the here and now. The “being changed”, the becoming “more like Jesus”, is to begin and does take place here and now in this life! Glory! 

(Rom 5:3) “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”  Struggling, crying, complaining, nor resisting can get one out of tribulation any sooner. Instead, trust the Savior: (Psa 27:13) “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (14)  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” 

(Rom 5:3)  “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience;….”   If one learns to patiently trust God in the midst of trials, this “experience” speaks to us the next time troubles come. We will draw comfort from the knowledge that our Lord has promised to walk with us to the other side of every problem of our life. He has kept that promise in the past assuring our hearts He will keep that promise again today.   

(Rom 5:3) “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”   When one looks back upon past trials and how graciously the Lord walked with us through them, we rightly conclude: “The Lord loves me!”

(Rom 5:3) “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”   This is saying to me that there is no lack of love on the Savior’s part while we are in trials, caused by Him or not. This is another example of not being able to rely on our feelings. I don’t like trials. Reaction: to feel badly, cast down. Those are my feelings, having nothing at all to do with God’s actions. Praise Him, He is still there with me, loving me, and helping me even if I do not recognize His presence!   

(Rom 5:6) “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”  “Ungodly”: not like unto our God. The lost are the opposite of Him. You and I judge others by ourselves. Yet, even the saved still live with an old nature alongside their new, thus the struggle within us to think right and therefore live right. We see good people (by our insight not God’s) and thus think, “That is a saved person.”  Without the new birth, “all”, everyone of them, are ungodly.    

(Rom 5:6) “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”  If you have never been moved to personally accept, (yes, and even grieve) over what your sins cost – the sufferings of Jesus Christ – then you are yet to be saved. Plainly I speak. Sin keeps one from heaven. It was love demonstrated through dying for our sin that moves us to turn from our sinful ways and seek forgiveness. It is that repentance of heart that moves us to give our lives and thus our obedience to God. Have you done this? If not you are yet to be saved.

(Rom 5:6)  “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:….”  We say that one is mentally ill who takes one’s own life. That is because it is unnatural for man. He is made with a heart’s desire to live. We do not give up that life. Instead, man clings to it. Yet, Jesus did that which is totally unnatural. His love put us before self. He gave that life……for you.  

(Rom 5:7) “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Note that each time when one was willing to die for another, it was because they had seen “something” worthy in the person worth giving their own life in that person’s place. But not so with God. He did not die for you because He saw some “good” in you. He died for you simply because He loved you despite no goodness being in you. Since this is true, shouldn’t you love Him back to the degree of living your life “for” Him? “Good” doesn’t begin to describe Him!

(Rom 5:9) “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”  Praise God we are doubly secure in the righteous Person of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son! His blood put me in a position of “justified”  – no sin in me for I am in Christ. His continued existence (life) keeps me that way!  Praise His Name! 

(Rom 5:9) “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.’ Simply put: His death saved us; His life keeps us saved! 

(Rom 5:10) “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”  Lost man sees his actions as indifferent, not directed towards God, and thus not really offensive to God. That is because man does not envision the Lord as part of his life. Yet, He lives before God possessing breath, food, and life in general by God. So, in reality, man’s thoughts of only he and his own makes him the enemy of God.    

(Rom 5:10) “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”   Picture the one Jesus spoke of who, kneeling in the temple, would not so much as lift his eyes towards heaven, so great his guilt. He beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Picture God speaking from heaven, “Son, come to me. My Son paid for your sin.” Reconciled, brought back to God, through the mediation of Jesus the Redeemer! 

(Rom 5:11)  “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”  Day of Atonement: the High Priest was said to bear upon himself the iniquity of the people. It was then, once a year, he came bearing the blood of sacrifice to put upon the mercy seat. That blood brought reconciliation between God and the people, appeasing the wrath of God over their sin. This, Jesus did for those who would turn from their sin and ask forgiveness of their sins, receiving the Gift of Everlasting Life. We….have received the atonement.

(Rom 5:11)  “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”  How can we help but rejoice in the Lord? He has shed His blood to save us from hell, justifying us to come into His very presence. We have free access in prayer to our Lord and our God through our risen Savior. In the midst of trials He assures us of His love. The heart of the saved has been reconciled through the heart of love of our God.

(Rom 5:12) “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”  The evidence that all have sinned, is that all die. The curse upon man is, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ez 18:4, 20). Ezekiel’s verse reveals spiritual death, or everlasting punishment, for it speaks of the soul, rather than the body, “…. for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gen 3:19c). It is evident that man’s efforts to please God fail, for all die. Only through the “gift” of salvation can man be saved.

(Rom 5:12) “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”   Here it could easily be overlooked the word usage – “man”. Here is divinely inspired word usage – “man”.  It is through man’s seed that his children inherit the sin nature, leaving a way in which God could send His Son through a virgin, not possessing a sin nature! Oh the wisdom, the planning, the loving plan to save man from hell fire! 

(Rom 5:12) “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”   The standard to reach heaven is perfection. Even if you could live perfectly from now on, you cannot go back and make up for the sin you have already committed. Jesus Christ was the perfect sinless sacrifice dying to pay for your sin. Everyone needs to turn in heart from their sinful life, ask forgiveness, and put their faith in Jesus’ sacrifice to save their soul.

(Rom 5:12) “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”    So, the evidence that all have sinned is that all die physically, even the saved. The difference is twofold: one, the saved soul departs and goes immediately to be with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8; Lk 23:43); and two, the bodies of the saved shall be resurrected and changed into eternal bodies (1 Cor 15:52-53; 1 Thess 4:16).

(Rom 5:13)  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (14)  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression,….”  Since men did die, it reveals they did have a law called conscience, and guidelines written into their heart, their soul, their nature: (Rom 2:14) “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:” So, the word “law” in our verse is referring to the Law given to Moses. To this day men are breaking the law they know by nature.

(Rom 5:13)  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (14)  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression,….”  Sin is rebellion against God – “I will do as I please.” So, different sin but same motive. What is it in your life of which you say, “I know what the Bible says, but…..” It is sin. By the way, if the action is questionable, isn’t it better to err on the side of caution than to sin against He Who died for you?

(Rom 5:14) “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.”  It is so neat that even Adam was a type, a picture, of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both are a special creation; both came into this world naked (I’m referring to Jesus as God setting aside His glory); both were faced with temptation; both bore the curse (Jesus as the sacrifice, the substitute for man).   

(Rom 5:15) “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”  Both Adam and the Lord Jesus were representative personages. Adam’s actions brought a fallen nature upon all; Jesus’ actions bring a new nature upon (notice the word at the end of the verse) “many”. Not all, for as Adam made a choice to sin, and the Lord Jesus made a choice not to sin, we must make a choice to choose eternal life over sin.

(Rom 5:15) “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”   Notice two things are said about the gift: one, it is free; and two, it is given by grace. Eternal life cost you and me nothing but our sin (turning our backs upon it: the meaning of repentance). And, it is given not because God sees something good in us. Grace means favor given but not deserved.

(Rom 5:15) “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift….”  The gift of eternal life is free of cost to you and me. Yet, it cost God more than you and I can possibly imagine. It cost God the suffering and death of His Son. It cost Jesus the pain caused by my sin. It is personal. Jesus bore your sin. Don’t in your heart throw your sin in the midst of the whole to negate your own guiltiness. Own it and repent, turning in love to embrace Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. 

(Rom 5:16) “And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.”  Adam committed one sin. Its result was a sin nature resulting in death for all. Jesus committed no sin, then offered Himself in our place to die. Result: we commit multiple sins, yet in repentance and faith receive justification – that is, being placed in a position before God as if we never sinned once!

(Rom 5:17) “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)”  Although positionally, the Born Again are now the Children of God, yet in experience we are still in this old flesh and therefore at times sin against God. For this we have and do receive an abundance of grace (favor we do not deserve). We do not keep our salvation – God keeps us: (1Pe_1:5) “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 

(Rom 5:17) “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)”   Compare “the gift of righteousness” to the previous verse, “free gift….unto justification”. Justification means to declare judiciously: “he has not broken the law”, thus “righteous”. Jesus’ righteousness through faith is imputed to (placed upon) me in salvation. What could you or I possibly add to that?

(Rom 5:18) “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation;….”  All of sin is  judged, and that – harshly. It is because sin is such a hideous thing to God. You and I see some types of sin as not being so bad. God’s holy nature sees all sin as horrendous. That is why everyone needs Jesus the Savior! 

(Rom 5:18) “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”  Since one source, Adam, could sin and pass a sin nature that all would die; one source, Jesus, could live a sinless life and pass a divine nature to all would will repent and believe.

(Rom 5:18) “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”  I know there are those who believe they must live a certain way to keep their salvation. Yes, we are to live holy lives. The truly saved will desire to do so by the new nature bestowed and by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. But, here we are told the gift is “unto justification of life” – all of it.   

(Rom 5:19) “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”  Those unrighteous in life deemed righteous, thus v.18b “…by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification (pronounced innocent – never transgressed the law) of life.”  God the Son died in our place (took our judgment) and then rose again (for He had not transgressed), now embracing the sinner as part of Himself to declare them righteous, justified! Read in the epistles how often it says “in Christ” or “in Him”.     

(Rom 5:20)  “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound….”  (Rom 3:19)  “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”  Notice, the subject here is “sin”. Today, in dealing with the lost, the subject normally is “the love of God”. Yet, the old saying is, “You’ve got to get them lost before you can get them saved.” The heart must be brought face to face with one’s sin before one can repent, embracing the love of God.

(Rom 5:20)  “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound….”   It wasn’t that there was no sin taking place before the law. It was that once the law was given, a person no longer had a cloak for their sin. It is revealed plainly that their actions are sin. Friend, have you familiarized yourself with the Word of God so that you might not sin against Him?

(Rom 5:20) “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”  Law: made sin to be plainly seen by us. Result: grace, favor we don’t deserve that is continuous through faith in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.    

(Rom 5:21) “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Sin has victory over every lost soul. That was once you. The death spoken of here is one that extends beyond the grave. It is a conscious death of torment, according to Jesus’ Words in Luke Chapter 16. People need to hear this as well as the love of the cross.

(Rom 5:21) “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Praise God, God’s grace reigns in the life of the Born Again Child of God. That is, grace continues to be given by God covering the life of the Saved with the righteous life of Jesus Christ! God be praised! 

(Rom 5:21) “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Notice that the Lord gives “eternal” life – period. Since that life is bestowed upon us at the moment of salvation, making alive our spirit, to lose it (for it to cease to be) would mean it was not “eternal”. That, brother/sister……cannot be. 

(Rom 6:1) “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2)  God forbid…..”  It cannot be denied that in one sence God is glorified through bestowing grace upon repentant sinners: (Eph 2:7) “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Yet, He Who hates sin to such a degree that He would let His Son die bearing our sin, did not cleanse us to participate freely in that which He hates.   

(Rom 6:1) “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2)  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”  One would think we would love the Lord so much for the gift of salvation, that we would long to please Him, that we would choose holiness over sin’s desire.

(Rom 6:2) “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”  If only our old nature did not blind us to the hideousness of sin! It loves sin which means a part of us does. If we saw sin as God sees it we would fully embrace these Words, “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”  Prayer: “God help me to see more clearly how terrible sin is to You.” 

(Rom 6:3) “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”  This is speaking of a spiritual event we portray by a physical observance. Baptize: immerse; the saved are immersed into Christ Jesus. Thus His death became our death; His burial, our burial; and His resurrection our resurrection. We live in and through Him. Hard to get the mind around? That makes it no less a spiritual truth. 

(Rom 6:4) “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”  As we progress in this chapter, we will see this is not simply pretty poetic speech. This is real plainly revealed spiritual reality. We have been freed from the once sovereign power of the sin nature. We are now freed to walk in newness of life!    

(Rom 6:4) “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”   The complete Godhead – Father, Son, and Spirit, are each said to have raised up Christ from the dead. Here He was raised “by the glory of the Father”. Jesus said He would raise Himself: (Joh 10:17) “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (18)  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”  And, the Holy Spirit raised the Lord Jesus: (Rom_8:11) “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

(Rom 6:5)  “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” The person born spiritually and put spiritually into Christ Jesus, in the mind of God, is made one with Christ. You may study this truth out by looking up the many verses in the Epistles which read, “in Him’ or “in Christ Jesus”.

(Rom 6:5)  “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” Being made one is not an unusual concept in Scripture. The Lord chooses to look at a man and woman as one (Matt 19:6; 1 Cor 6:16). By the way, a husband and wife’s spirit are also made one in the sight of God. Give a careful reading to Malachi 2:13-16.  

(Rom 6:5)  “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:”  I believe the Bible teaches that your soul is the real you. The physical body houses the soul. The spirit is the spiritual body of the soul. When we die we are still clothed, live, in this spiritual body in the presence of God Who is Spirit. But the day will come when the Lord will resurrect and transform our physical bodies into immortal bodies. 

(Rom 6:6) “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”  The person of whom I am ashamed of – my old self, his desires and actions, God put in Christ on the cross. He is dead. In March of 1973 the old Jerry died and I was born!    

(Rom 6:6) “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7)  For he that is dead is freed from sin.”  Notice to practice sin is to serve sin. It is to be a slave to sin. Interesting that when we willfully choose to sin we think we are simply fulfilling that which we desire to do. But truth is, it is servitude – every bit as much as any addiction.

(Rom 6:8) “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:”  This is reality. God can do anything. He has chosen to literally see those who turn from their sins and ask for mercy to be saved, as dying in His Son. Since this is truth, we without doubt live (as in never to die again) in Him.

(Rom 6:8) “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:”   ‘Live with Him” Praise God, I live with Him now (right now) and will live in a visual presence (on my part) with Him for eternity! What a precious God to save a sinner, cleanse him, and put him constantly in His presence!  

 (Rom 6:8) “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:”  I thought we are alive “now” in Him. We are spiritually. This is referring to the resurrection of our physical bodies. They will be changed into eternal uncorrupted bodies, better than that which Adam and Eve possessed, made in the likeness of Jesus’ resurrection body!  

(Rom 6:9) “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”  This statement goes contrary to the practice of the mass. Mass means “a rite for the dead”. Their thought is a need to keep Christ dead. No. The need was for Christ to live! If death has no more dominion over Him then it has none over the saved!

(Rom 6:10) “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.”  Be careful of extra-Biblical teaching; that is, reject anything that is not the Word of God. Jesus died once – period. He was only in the grave three days. He rose again, physically, bodily. Yes, the body is now transformed, but no less physical: (Luk_24:39)  “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

(Rom 6:10) “For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.”  As Jesus lived the life we should have lived and thus became our sacrifice for sin, dying in our place so that we could live in His, so He lived unto God the Father and thus should we live. Do you live with pleasing Him in mind? 

(Rom 6:10) “For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.”   We are to “live unto God” also. It is sad that most professing Believers seem to live for self instead of God. As Pastor I have often wondered about those who only come to Morning Worship. How can one possess the Holy Spirit and not be prompted to grow through the teaching of God’s Word?

(Rom 6:11) “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  In other words, live as best you can to holiness, putting the Lord, His work, and His Word first in thought and deed. Self and its lust should be constantly put aside.   

(Rom 6:12) “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”   Notice: the body is mortal. Yet, your soul – the real you – is immortal. A immortal soul within a mortal body is slave to the body. But, when the Lord made your spirit alive (the new birth) He also freed your soul from the power of sin, both now and in death!

(Rom 6:13) “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”  “Yield yourselves unto God” indicates the Lord’s desire to direct your (yes, your) life. The reason we fail so often is because we are not seeking to be led by the Lord now – this minute.

(Rom 6:13) “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”   When I look back upon my life before salvation, I am ashamed. I am so glad the person I once was is dead. “Lord help me to long to live before You in such a way as to please You.”    

(Rom 6:14) “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Law states a penalty for sin. Since Jesus paid that penalty I am no longer under its power of destruction. God gave forth to my soul “grace”: favor not deserved.

(Rom 6:15)  “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”  Our soul’s destiny being secured does not mean we have been freed to sin. We have been freed to live above sin, to live as we should before our Holy God.

(Rom 6:16) “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”  Made free through salvation, our heart now has a choice – obey God or obey our old nature. God as Master rewards with good things. Sin as the Master rewards with the worse – death. What choose ye?   

(Rom 6:17) “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” Doctrine: nowhere is it ever taught in Scripture that we have the freedom to sin or to put self before God. The Bible teaches the sacrifice of self for the plan of God through His Church.

(Rom 6:17) “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”  Salvation and actively living for the Lord is a matter of the heart. Jesus said as much. In the parable of the sower, the one who brought forth fruit had a “good heart”. Have you a good heart? 

(Rom 6:17) “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”  “Obeyed…doctrine…” Doctrine is important and should be obeyed. Should doctrine divide us? Yes. It is to be obeyed. Thought: it is better to err on the side of caution than to disobey God’s Word.

(Rom 6:18) “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”  Three things took place when I got saved: 1. My spirit was given life (Jn 3:5-6); 2. I was given a new nature (2 Pet 1:4); and 3. I was given the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14). These prompt me and give me the ability to be a servant of righteousness.

(Rom 6:19) “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness”. At the center of why a person would yield to uncleanness is a love for self. Equally, at the center of yielding to righteousness is a love for Christ over self.

(Rom 6:20) “For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.”  It is only through Jesus’ Person and work that we are saved. Sin cancels out any righteous act. Now saved, made free, we can now offer works – not to be saved, but to glorify Him!   

(Rom 6:21) “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.” A true believer looks back at life before salvation and is ashamed of his/her deeds. Our goal of life now should be a life worth living to the praise and honor of He Who gave His life to pay for our shameful past.  

(Rom 6:21) “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.” A true believer should have discernment by the Spirit of God to see the result of actions. This is called “wisdom”. To put self first and sin before God only yields negative results. There may be temporary pleasure, but it shall be judged in the end.

(Rom 6:22) “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”  Those who are saved are able to bring forth fruit through the way in which they live. Notice it is through “right living” – holiness. How is it that many times those who claim salvation are guilty of unclean jest? How is it that the lost feel so comfortable around us, so as to not seek to clean up their ways before us? Remember: darkness hates light.

(Rom 6:22) “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”   Interesting. If one would ask the average professing Christian if they were a servant of God, they would think – a preacher. Therefore they would reply, “No”. Yet, if you are saved you are God’s child. And, you are also His servant. Does that thought change your actions?   

(Rom 6:22) “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”   Everything about the Lord Himself is holiness. Many wish to “straddle the fence” of life seeking to please the Lord while also pleasing self. Is that what the Lord, our Master, desires? (Deu_6:5)  “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

(Rom 6:23) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Notice the word “wages” contrasted with the word “gift”. One is deserved “wages” and the other,“gift”, is not. Praise Him, for this gift is the most expensive ever paid!

(Rom 6:23) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Here “death” is not simply referring to the death of the body without the promise of a resurrected glorified body. It is referring to a living death of pain and eternal suffering. Please turn away from your sinful life, ask forgiveness and the gift of everlasting life from the Lord.   

(Rom 7:1) “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” God’s laws are mandatory, not suggestions. Furthermore it condemns, for no one can keep it to perfection: “and that all the world may become guilty before God.” (Rom 3:19c). It’s purpose – to turn our hearts to the only Savior Jesus Christ!

(Rom 7:2) “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.” Yes, this verse is true even today. If we would put our mate first, forgive, and seek to love them no matter what, divorce would never scar our soul.

(Rom 7:2) “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.” Sad, that this issue and many others find professing Christians saying, “I know what the Bible says, but….” or simply not caring what the Bible says. I remind you that God’s opinion and outlook is the only one that matters.

(Rom 7:2) “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.” Those married before a minister say “Wedding Vows”. Vows. Vows made before and to each other and God – “Till death do us part.” The Lord holds us to our vows: (Ecc 5:4) “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. (5)  Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. (6)  Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin;…”

(Rom 7:3) “So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” We no longer use such terms as “adulteress”. Why not? Ministers have refrained from using God’s words in order to meet the world’s standard of love: not saying something the lost do not want to hear; words that condemn harshly.

(Rom 7:3) “So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” Should we marvel that people seem to have no conscience when those who have known God’s Word have refrained from publicly calling sin – sin? Those harsh words identifying sin (adulteress) are to enlighten the mind as to how God sees and condemns it. 

(Rom 7:4) “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”  Just as one married is bound to fidelity to their mate, one is equally bound to God’s law – whether written on the heart or page. Death (the Lord Jesus in our place and then the saved put in His death) separated us from the law, being put in salvation in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection!

(Rom 7:4) “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Notice it is now, after we have been saved that we are able to produce fruit. All the prior good works in the world, even in the Name of God, are in vain. They mean nothing. One must first be saved.

(Rom 7:4) “Wherefore… ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ;…. that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (5)  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.” Death, results of action without eternal results are the only thing which can come out of a dead spirit.  

(Rom 7:5) “For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.”  “We…were…”, but we are not now in the flesh, but in the spirit. Either you have been born again or not. That requires a time and place and the experience of it changes you. When you made your profession of faith, did it change you then, or have you since turned over a new leaf. Those are not the same.

(Rom 7:6) “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” There is a beautiful verse that speaks to this very thing: “….serve[ing] in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter”. The verse is, (1Jn 5:3) “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” This is the result of a “saved” heart!

(Rom 7:7) “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”  It is through the law we receive a clear view of self. We are not only sinners, but try as we may, we cannot keep the law. This says, “I am corrupt.” Thank God He presents a means of forgiveness and mercy – the Lord Jesus!   

(Rom 7:8) “But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.” Concupiscence: a desire for that which is forbidden. This reveals sinful man’s heart is rebellious against God. Proof: when we use reverse psychology, telling a child to do the opposite of what we want.

(Rom 7:8b) “…… For without the law sin was dead.” This is not saying sin had no effect, ending in death. It is saying that the mind was not conscious of the level of sin one commits until that knowledge arrived through the law.

(Rom 7:9)  “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” In other words, in my ignorance I thought I was all right. Then, brought face to face with God’s Holy standard I realized the extent of my wickedness. I now knew I stood condemned before Him. I needed a Savior.  

(Rom 7:10) “And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.”  This should serve as a warning to those who in any way, at any level, trust their desire of heaven to their own efforts. A close look at self against God’s laws will find condemnation instead of salvation.

(Rom 7:10) “And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.”   How can it be “ordained to life” if no one can keep it? One did – Jesus, and that – perfectly. The standard reflects God the Father and Jesus God’s image in what we (man) once were. It is life because we can have it through the perfect Man Who became the perfect sacrifice for our sin.

(Rom 7:11) “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.”  Notice the law did not deceive; no, sin within man deceives into thinking, “It is my right….”; “God is trying to withhold something good from me.”; “The ‘thing’ is worth it!”.  The Bible says, (Heb 11:25c) “…. enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” – “…and by it slew me.”

(Rom 7:12) “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”  “Holy”: separate from all others as God is holy and none compares to Him. The law came from God, not man, and therefore is perfect like God – holy.

(Rom 7:12)  “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”  “Just”: equable to all men. Some people sin and say, “God knows my heart.” That’s the point. He knows. He knows you believe you are the exception to His rule. No one is.

(Rom 7:12)  “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”  Have you noticed that the characteristics of the law are the same as God’s. God is good. The law is good. When Israel first heard the law, Hebrews reveals, (Heb 12:20) “(For they could not endure that which was commanded,…” This is the heart of every unsaved thus unchanged in spirit person. Our hearts reflect the opposite of God’s characteristic – bad, sinful.

(Rom 7:13) “Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” Death, the wages of sin, was always there. But through the law we can now plainly see the danger before us. It is now time, right now, to turn our hearts away from our sin and ask God for forgiveness and the gift of everlasting life.

(Rom 7:14) “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”  This flesh is carnal – fleshly – corrupted by the old nature (fallen nature), that part of us that loves self and puts its pleasures before God. The law is the opposite, as are all the things of God. They are spiritual. This is why man does not naturally seek God.

(Rom 7:14) “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15)  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”  Have you ever thought something, only to realize later it was somehow sin against God, whether it be pride of heart, judgment of others, or even to somehow doubt the goodness of God? It is the carnal mind not fully reprogrammed (Romans 12:1-2).

(Rom 7:15) “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16)  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.” The very fact that I now, as a believer would like to obey the law while my own flesh battles me, proves the law is good; my desires evil. Friend, that which is from God has to be good.

(Rom 7:16) “If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17)  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” This is by no means a dismissal of individual responsibility. Instead, it speaks of two things: first, the purity of God’s law; and second, that we indeed do sin and therefore need Jesus the only Savoir of man.

(Rom 7:18) “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Instead of being sure they are truly born again, many seek to please God by going to church and doing various things. Works are not excepted by God until they come through His Spirit working through ours made alive by birth: (Zec_4:6)  “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” 

(Rom 7:19) “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”  The struggle of the saved is to battle this flesh rather than give in to it. 1 John teaches us that the true believer will not live in sin (practice it). They will at times yield, but then repent and seek to walk the holy road once again.

(Rom 7:21) “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”  This may very well be the first level of honesty and humility before God. To be saved, one must understand that their sin was the reason for Jesus’ sufferings and death. We then repent and by faith desire the gift of everlasting life.

(Rom 7:22) “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” My new nature given at the time of my spiritual birth longs to please God. My spirit links me into fellowship with God Who is Spirit (Jn 4:24). Yet, my flesh is linked to my corrupt nature of the fallen soul. Thus, the battle to do and live right.

(Rom 7:23) “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” The mind is the true battlefield for the Child of God. Living in this flesh among a majority of unsaved corrupted thinking individuals, we are constantly in contact with their thoughts and actions. Our only defense is whatever time we spend in and the pondering of the things of God.

(Rom 7:23) “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”  Seeing as it is pointed out plainly here that there is a battle taking place in our minds, shouldn’t it emphasize the great need of reprogramming it with the Word of God (Rom 12:1-2) and living by “every” Word that has come from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4)? Do you desire and spend time in the Word of God daily?

(Rom 7:24) “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”  Voiced by a person enlightened to see oneself as they really are – condemned by their own sin nature without any hope in self or their fellowman. John the Baptist put it so well speaking of the Christ: (Lk 3:16) “… the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose:…” It is He alone Who is the deliverer, Who bore your sin on the cross and then rose again to save your eternal soul!

(Rom 7:25) “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”  “I thank God….” is the response to the question, “…who shall deliver me from this body of death?” (v.24) This verse gives us the source of that deliverance: “…through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Please remember and respond rightly. This requires a time and place: [Jesus’ Words] (John 3:5b) “…Except a man be born of water [physical birth] and of the Spirit [spiritual birth], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

(Rom 8:1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Key to Understanding this Chapter: “after the flesh” means unsaved; “after the Spirit” means saved: (v.9) “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.”

(Rom 8:1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  I am no longer condemned to the sentence of death, for I have been placed “in” Christ Jesus! “But what if….? No condemnation. “What if” – no condemnation. This does not free my heart to sin! If anything, knowing what sin cost my Savior, it moves me to a deeper desire to please Him.

(Rom 8:1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  As posted previously, in this chapter, those who walk in the Spirit is a reference to the saved. Thus, by implication, there is and remains condemnation upon the lost, for they are still walking in the flesh. If you cannot look upon a time when you know you was birthed spiritually evidenced by a change of desire for the spiritual – then you are still under condemnation awaiting judgment. Please turn from your sin and ask God for mercy, putting your faith in the blood of Jesus dying in your place.

(Rom 8:1) “There is therfore now no condemnation…..(2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”  The law of sin and death has been fulfilled by the sinless life of the Lord Jesus. Also, it’s penalty we deserved was carried to the cross by Jesus our Savior. Praise God I am free. I now live “in” Jesus’ life He led here on earth and “in” the life He now lives as the resurrected Savior! May I always be found seeking to please Him by my thoughts and actions.     

(Rom 8:2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”  I draw your attention to the description of the Law of Moses, “the law of sin and death”. Why those words? Answer: (Gal 3:21b) “…. if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin (sinful man could not keep it), that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

(Rom 8:3) “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”  How did the Lord Jesus condemn sin in the flesh? Answer: He loved His God and Father so much that He put God’s will before His Own in every way, every second of His earthly stay. Even the best of men do not do that and in comparison are thus condemned. In other words, Jesus lived as we should have lived.

(Rom 8:4) “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Having faith that we are now no longer under condemnation (v.1); faith that our sins against God’s laws have been paid by God’s Son (v.3); faith that the spirit-life we now walk in allows us to now please God (v.2); we now fulfill the law in our hearts by faith in Jesus’ life.

(Rom 8:4) “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Since the context of the chapter is: unsaved – the flesh; saved – the Spirit; to walk means you are alive in and thus influenced by the Spirit of God, Who is directing your soul (mind, inner being) through your now alive spirit. That means you will manifest things the unsaved soul does not, since the Holy Spirit is influencing you.  

(Rom 8:5) “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”  Those “after the Spirit” are led by Him to look at life entirely differently from the lost. The heart seeks to please Him. For example: Sunday becomes His; the life is separated more and more from things that displease Him; a thirst is found for the things of God including the Bible and prayer; a tithe is seen as His; and the souls of the lost become a burden to our soul.  

(Rom 8:5) “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”  If one who professes salvation only demonstrates a love for the things of the flesh, should we not conclude that they are “of the flesh” rather than “of the Spirit? God’s children love their Father and wish to please Him. Should not our question be, “Why is it that you do not love the Lord enough to desire to please Him?”

(Rom 8:6) “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”  If the second is true (and it is – it is the Word of God – truth) then why is it that so many believers have worries – concerns? Our flesh draws our hearts to the environment around us. Key? We need to refocus: (Isa_26:3)  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”   

(Rom 8:7) “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”  Believers often wrongly blame the lost because of their thinking. Their thinking is wrong but cannot be otherwise. Best to look at ourselves and continue to seek God’s Word to more and more correct our own thinking (Rom 12:1-2).

(Rom 8:7) “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”   The result is a heart of rebellion towards God. Many a time I have heard: “I know what the Bible says, but…” Rebellion. Either one is submitted to His Word or they are not. A submitted soul is careful of their walk for they love their God and wish not to offend Him.

(Rom 8:8) “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”  These Words of Jesus will suffice: (Mat 7:22) “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  

(Rom 8:9) “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”  This verse is the key verse to understanding the chapter. The saved are “in the spirit”; the lost are “in the flesh”. One cannot please God till they repent (turn from their sinful life), ask forgiveness and the gift of Everlasting Life through the blood and the resurrection of God’s Son. Then one’s spirit is given life and the Holy Spirit seals the soul.

(Rom 8:9) “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”   Notice that if one does not have the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit) then one is not saved. It is He, the Spirit of God, that gives spiritual life. Since He is God, He therefore is Holy. You can see how the saved would question the salvation of one who still demonstrates the desire for the flesh (unholiness) over the desire for God (holy living).

(Rom 8:10)  “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.’  The body is still dead because of its corruption, but now spirit-life (everlasting life) has been imparted by the Holy Spirit of God Who now resides within us. The righteousness referred to here is not “our” efforts at holiness, but Jesus’ which purchased our salvation.    

(Rom 8:11) “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”  The body we dwell in will die (v.10). For the believer, it is the “shadow of death” (Ps 23:4), rather than death like the unsaved, for our soul and spirit come into God’s presence (2 Cor 5:8). Yet, this body will be “made alive” (quickened), raised into an incorruptible glorified state! This is a part of the Spirit’s work in us!

(Rom 8:12) “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.”  We owe this flesh nothing but distain, for it would lead us away from the blessings of God. “Debtor”: to owe for a service rendered. We owe the Lord Jesus everything, for the saved are in possession of eternal life and all that entails – now – sitting in the heavenlies (Eph 2)! Have you lived your life as if you owed Him?    

(Rom 8:12) “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13)  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”  Here the answer is given as to why some who have prayed the Sinner’s Prayer did not continue and live for God. Answer: they were never saved in the first place. The Spirit of God never led them for He was not in them. 

(Rom 8:12) “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13)  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”   The Spirit of God prompts us to be obedient to God’s Word. God has chosen to do His work through the local saved body of believers – the church (Matt 16:18). The books of the NT were either written to churches or to those ministering to churches. If a person isn’t prompted towards the local church then they have not the Spirit.

(Rom 8:15) “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” When it comes to the things of God, it is eternally imperative that you be honest with self. One must examine their heart with honesty. Do I have a longing for the things of God? Do I think of Him as my Father? Do I have a thirst for His Word? Do I long to be in the house of God?To fake it or assume it or dismiss it is to condemn one’s eternal soul.

(Rom 8:15) “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” The relationship between God the Father (Abba – Daddy) and the true child of God is a sweet thing. One finds themselves longing to please Him as any young child their parent. We now look to Him to meet our needs, to comfort our hearts, and to guide our way.

(Rom 8:16) “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”  Oh the precious assurance of salvation! It is the Holy Spirit Who whispers to our heart, “You are Mine”. Think of it: not just (only) saved, but taken from the position of enemy of God (enmity) to that of child of God! Oh what grace and mercy! Is He not to be praised continually in our hearts?   

(Rom 8:16) “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” There is a simplicity in truth that the lost do not see. Notice the witness is Spirit (of God) to man’s spirit. Jesus said our spirit had to be “made alive” (born Jn 3).  Jesus told us God is a Spirit (Jn 4). Heaven is a spiritual place for spiritual people. If you are to go there, you must make sure you are alive spiritually.  

(Rom 8:17) “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”  Notice the inheritance rightly belongs to Christ: “…All that the Father hath is Mine” (Jn 16:15). Therefore, being put “in Christ” we now share that which is rightly His! Praise His Name for His loving kindness and sacrifice for such a sinner as me!   

(Rom 8:17) “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”   We often speak of the glories of heaven as revealed in the Book of Revelation. That’s really all we know of it except for a few points. But seldom do we ponder the glories of “eye hath not seen, not ear heard, neither hath entered the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Cor 2:9) from the standpoint that they are ours through inheritance. In other words, they belong to us.

(Rom 8:17) “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (18)  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us When a person gets saved they are thankful enough to endure hardship for the glory of God. Sad, that so many will not do so in the smallest of things in comparison to what this passage is speaking of. 

(Rom 8:18) “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  In other words, “Denying self for the glory of God is worth it.” Many will not truly give the Lord their heart because they love the world. In reality they do not receive the gift of salvation though they deceive themselves into believing they did. The life testifies of the reality by living out, “He is worth it.” 

(Rom 8:19) “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”  Verse 22 reveals this is speaking of animal life. Adam’s sin brought forth not only the sin nature of the soul and the corruption of the body – death. It also brought a curse upon the whole earth including the animal kingdom and the elements. They also await deliverance of our curse. “Even so, Lord Jesus come.” (Rev. 22:20)

(Rom 8:19)  “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (20)  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly,……”  This brings forth a concept that everyone should embrace: “Our sin affects those around us. The innocent suffer with the guilty.” This truth can be seen all through Scripture. We tell ourselves, “I am only hurting myself.” Wrong. Others will be affected by our sin every time.

(Rom 8:20) “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (21)  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22)  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”  A time will come when the curse upon all will be removed. This time is the time of the New Earth. We get a glimpse of this during the thousand year reign of Christ, the Lamb lying down with the lion.

(Rom 8:21)  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22)  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”   When the Lord restores, makes new, it is better than it was in the beginning. Man in the Garden of Eden was innocent; restored will be with a resurrected eternal incorruptible body, soul, and spirit. We will be no longer innocent, yet filled with the knowledge and wisdom of God. The animals upon the new earth will be freed from the effects of our sin, as well as the elements of the new earth.  

(Rom 8:23) “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.’  As a saved person who obeys the process of renewing our minds (our thinking) through faithful eating and drinking at the table of the Lord (His Word the Bible), we are drawn in heart upward. The wrestling with our flesh increases, thus filling us with a longing for our resurrected bodies!

(Rom 8:24) “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”  This is not speaking of  “hope” as desire for something that might or might not come to pass. It is speaking of “hope” as that which accompanies “faith”. “Faith”: believing what God says and acting upon it. “Hope”: a looking for a sure coming event. When we see it, we will possess it!

(Rom 8:25) “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”  Because we live in time and space, it is hard for us to wait upon the Lord. He is not locked in time and space. He has a plan of which we only have pieces revealed through His Word. We know this: He cannot lie nor can He fail. So, believe His Word and seek to grow more and more faithful: “…for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Rom 13:11c)  

(Rom 8:26) “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”  We are to a great degree blinded to self. Then how can we know our true needs? We pray, “Lord I need….” and the Spirit of God says, “No, LORD, this is really what they really need.” Praise Him for His constant help and care while we are in this weak, blinded position!

(Rom 8:27) “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”  I have often struggled with prayer, whether this or that is right to pray. Is it according to God’s will or could I be praying against God’s will? As the years have gone by I have become more and more careful regarding this. Praise God, the Holy Spirit within me gets it right every time, even if I don’t!

(Rom 8:27) “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”  Because of our sinful nature, we many times reason the will of God to the wrong conclusion. Thank God for the Holy Spirit’s intercession. Consider how we have things backwards: in our minds it is me, me, me; meeting my needs; answering my prayers; blessing me. Yet, it is to be the opposite: “What is Your desire, Lord”; “How can I glorify you?”; “Glory to you and help others.” It begins and ends with Him, not us.

(Rom 8:27) “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”   The fact that one is interceding implies that there is a reason He is needed. The text says it is because of the “infirmity” of our flesh.  Our flesh holds back our understanding to both our own needs and God’s will.  “Lord, thank you for your Intercession. Please help me to grow in the understanding of your will, and, a greater understanding of my need before Thee.”

(Rom 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  It seems any time a bad thing happens, believers quote this verse as applying to themselves. It doesn’t “unless” they love Him. I mean,  truly love Him. Love for Him means He, His work, His desires for us comes first: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul;…” (Matt 22:37a). In what ways have you demonstrated “love” for God? 

(Rom 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”   All things would include even the judgment – natural or divine – of my sins if, and only if, they are repented of – forsaken. Note that to be reprimanded of the Lord is a good thing if the result is that it makes me grow in grace and draws me closer to Him. 

(Rom 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”    God has a purpose – a plan. That plan includes our lives to be lived for Him. Have you lived your life for Him?   

(Rom 8:29) “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”   Note the predestination is based upon foreknowledge. Foreknowledge of what? Not, who you are, for He knows all people. The answer has to be foreknowledge that one would be moved by the cross and repent seeking forgiveness.  The Lord beforehand seeing this, said, “That person I will conform to the image of my Son.”

(Rom 8:29) “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”   That image is not only a glorified body, but also a conforming of our character from worldliness to godliness. Since the saved are predestined to this end, there can be no loss of salvation along the way.  

(Rom 8:29) “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”   Notice the Lord Jesus is the firstborn, meaning that we who follow the cross and resurrection are the brethren. This “did not” occur before Pentecost. Those in the Old Testament were not “saved” as we know  it, born again being sealed with the Holy Spirit.

(Rom 8:30) “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”  In His foreknowledge, knowing which person would be saved when presented with the gospel, He spoke the gospel to their heart (He called). This is not predetermining salvation, but acting upon foreknowledge: (Luk_8:15)  “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”    

(Rom 8:30) “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”   “Justify”: judicial term meaning found not guilty. Imagine, sinful you being pronounced not guilty. Why? Jesus took your guilt and paid the penalty! Notice it is not automatic. One has to respond to the “call” to repent and be saved.  

(Rom 8:30) “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”  Notice that although you and I are still here upon this earth, still fighting our old nature, still enduring sickness and ailments, yet it is said we are “glorified”. In the mind of God, the end result – our resurrection – has occurred: (Eph 2:5) “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

(Rom 8:31)  “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”  That is, who can keep us from our inheritance? There are those who would say, “We can keep ourselves from it – lose it.” If spirit-life died, it could not rightly have been called “everlasting life”. It could not be called “salvation”, for it did not save from hell. We did not earn it. Then how could we possibly keep it? (Rom 11:29) “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” He never takes it back.  

(Rom 8:32) “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”  God our Father went to the extreme in saving our souls, giving His Own Son to take our place of punishment. Therefore the opposite extreme is also ours – blessing beyond our imagination!

(Rom 8:33) “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.”  “Justified”: pronounced innocent of the crime. God, the Eternal Judge of all men has passed sentence upon every saved Child of God – justified. Who, then, can say they are guilty. None. No one has the authority, the right, to say otherwise.   

(Rom 8:34) “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”  Satan’s accusations mean nothing, for the Lord Jesus has paid for my sin, the Judge of the Universe has pronounced me innocent (justified). Plus, my Justifier (Rom 3:26) sits at God’s own right hand making intercession for me. Glory!  

(Rom 8:34) “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”  This reminds me of Job’s friends, blaming his trials on sinful actions. Job expressed longing: (Job_9:33) “Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” For the saved, that Daysman is the Lord Jesus.  Men may accuse us; Satan may accuse us (Rev. 12:10), but Jesus’ hands testify of the justification of the saved. 

(Rom 8:35)  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?… (38)  For I am persuaded, that [nothing – inserted by  me].. .(39)…..shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Since…God loved us so much He gave His Son when we were sinners before salvation, would He really would take it away after salvation? No! He will chasten the sinner and may even take his life, but not his eternal life: (1Co_3:15)  “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 

(Rom 8:35) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36)  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”  The various trials of verse thirty-five have to do with our stand for the cause of Christ. Man cannot take from us what God has given: (Luk_12:4) “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.”Message: stand fast for His glory’s sake.  

(Rom 8:35)  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?…. (36)  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37)  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” How is it that verse thirty-six agrees with verse thirty-seven? Answer: this life should not be the Christian’s desire, resting place, or focus. Christ’s love in salvation takes us to where life will never end.

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death,… (39)  …..shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Jesus is the resurrection and the life. In death the soul and spirit of the saved does not sleep, but goes to be with God: (2Co 5:8) “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life… (39)  …..shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” There is nothing in this life that can separate the saved, those put “in Christ” and therefore “justified”, from the love of God. Since we did not do something to be loved, we can do nothing to maintain His affection. It is all of God!

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels… (39)  …..shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  There are fallen angels led by Lucifer who would take the gift of salvation away from you, if it were possible. It is not. Their desire would be to stop God from loving you – but they cannot: (Eph_1:6) “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”   

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death,… nor principalities . (39)  …..shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Principalities: authority. No king or priest has the authority to take away what God has given freely. The salvation bestowed was given by God alone. He has promised the saved eternal life and no one can keep us from it: (Dan_4:35) “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand [keep Him from it?], or say unto him, What doest thou?” Glory to God!

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death,… nor powers…. (39)  …..shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  The word powers speaks of miraculous powers – other than God’s. I remind you that Jesus said,  (Joh_10:29)  “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death,… nor things present…. (39)  …..shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  If you read this verse in its totality, it is saying that nothing, nothing, no nothing among things that are in this life can separate the born again child of God from their Father!

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death,… nor things to come, Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth,…. (39)  …..shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   As we approach the tribulation period, this world will be full of evil and destruction like we cannot imagine. But know this: anyone who is truly saved cannot be robbed of that salvation, for it is God Who promised and it is God Who sustains.

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death,… (39)…neither height nor depth… shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   There are times our hearts say, “The Lord seems so far away.” That is a feeling, not reality. He is everywhere as God; but particularly He is inside every child of God. He has promised, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5).

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that neither death,… (39)…nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   Since our Lord exist alone as God Almighty, every creature under His domain is a created being. Angels fell, but He did not redeem them by the sacrifice of Himself. Only the saved of mankind, of which I am one, have been redeemed. So, no creature has the power to separate me from His love.

(Rom 8:38) “For I am persuaded, that [nothing]…(39) …shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Take special note that the love of God is “in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Until you are put “into” the Son and His finished work of redemption; in other words, until you have been born again, made spiritually alive as one old enough to repent and ask for mercy; the love of God will not be upon your life. Our salvation is “in” Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Rom 9:1) “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not,….(Rom 9:3)  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”   Lies, deception, are of the devil. Jesus said he is a lair and the father of it (in other words, he was the first to lie). Every time you or I lie, we are as far away from reflecting our Savior as they come. 

(Rom 9:1) “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,….(Rom 9:3)  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”   When it comes to lost souls, what does your conscience say? When you are with the lost, do you ask the Lord to give you opportunities to witness?

(Rom 9:1) “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not,…(2) That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. ( 3)..my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”  We are commanded of God not to worry about the things of this world, about ourselves. But we are to be concerned, troubled, about the fate of others. We are to live for the good and the salvation of others. 

(Rom 9:1) “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not,… ( 3) For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren,  my kinsmen according to the flesh:”  There is only one other man I know of in Scripture that reached this level of Christ-like love for others – Moses. Yet, the answer from God was: (Exo 32:33)  “And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book”. Jesus is the One Who stood in our stead on the cross. Each person must choose Him rather than their sinful ways.   

(Rom 9:3) “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”  Notice the clarification: “…my kinsmen according to the flesh:”  I have a brother and a sister according to the flesh. I have a multitude of brothers and sisters according to the spirit. How blessed it is indeed when those brothers or sisters of the flesh are also of the spirit! Please Lord speak to those lost of the flesh.

(Rom 9:3) “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:  (4)  Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;”   There is a principal of Scripture that applies here: “To whom much is given; much is required” (Lk 12:48). Observe the abundance of blessings that were the Israel’s, if only they had embraced Christ. Yet, I wonder how much we, the saved, have neglected?

(Rom 9:4) “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; (5)  Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came,..” It is written:  “He came unto His Own, and His Own received Him not.”  He came unto the Jews. Yet today He comes unto the Gentiles, to people like you and me, speaking to our hearts: “I died for you.” Yet, how many of us each day choose the things of the world over Him?

(Rom 9:5)  “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all,…”  Whether it be Jew or Gentile, Arab or Asian, there is only true Lord Who is over all. No, all men do not worship Him but with other names. This is a lie of Satan which men grab hold of lest they have to stand for the truth: (Deu_32:17) “They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.”

(Rom 9:5) “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”  Although the nation of Israel is set aside for the moment, their restoration is coming: (Rom_11:29) “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” The same holds true for you and me regarding our soul’s destiny. The Lord always keeps His Word.

(Rom 9:6) “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:”  It is easy to lose sight of the fact that it is recorded in Acts that thousands of Jews embraced the Lord as Savior. Certainly there are thousands of Jews who are saved today. Remember: if only one person embraced Christ as Savior, Jesus would have died for that person!

(Rom 9:6) “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: (7)  Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”  We have before us a key instructional tool of God: a physical truth to explain a spiritual. From the very beginning He made these physical separations, knowing that when the spiritual is revealed, they would be used in instruction. 

(Rom 9:6) “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: (7)  Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8)  That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” It is revealed to those under the New Testament that God was promising Abraham two types of children – physical and spiritual. The spiritual are those who embrace what God says by faith. Simply put, they believe God and act upon that belief. Those of faith are birthed into God’s spiritual family. 

(Rom 9:7) “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8)  That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (9)  For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.”  Notice closely the wording of verse 8, “…children of the flesh….not the children of God…”  God is a Spirit, and therefore His children are spirit, made so through a rebirth – a second birth. This is a miraculous moment when the Holy Spirit gives life to the dead spirit within us. This birth comes through humble repentance and desire: (Psa 51:17)”The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”    

(Rom 9:10) “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (11)  (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (12)  It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.”  The point is, the Lord has every right to give the gospel at the point in time which He did; to give it to whomever He should desire; and to require whatever He should require (faith revealed in repentance and desire).

(Rom 9:10) “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (11)  (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (12)  It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.”   Some have suggested those who have never heard will still be saved. No, the wages of sin is still death and there is still no other Name to which men are saved. Point of this text: God is sovereign. He has the right to save only those whom He calls.

(Rom 9:11) “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (12)  It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13)  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”  If you know the Old Testament, both those things regarding the sons had to do with their “people-groups”, not to Jacob and Esau as individuals. This is important, for “election” is not “predetermination”, but based upon “foreknowledge”: (1Pe_1:2) “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,…”  The chapter context is not individuals, but the nation of Israel and the rest of the world – Gentiles.

(Rom 9:14) “ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15)  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Consider the foolish pride of man, that he would think he has the right to stand in judgment of God. God has the right to do what He will with us. In fact, if He strictly followed His hatred of sin, none of us could ever be saved.

(Rom 9:14) “ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15)  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Until one embraces the truth that God has every right to do as He pleases in all things, they will stumble at the Word of God. Either that or they will give false interpretations of His Word. God owes us nothing. We owe Him everything. 

(Rom 9:14) “ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15)  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” I once heard a preacher say every person had a right to at least one hearing of the gospel. No, no one has the right. It is in grace, favor given but not deserved, that anyone gets a hearing of the gospel.

(Rom 9:15)  “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (16)  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” By saying and acting as if salvation can be had at any time, we lower its importance. It is not a fruit that can be plucked if we so desire, but an offer to a drowning man just before he perishes.

(Rom 9:17) “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. (18)  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.”  Men can either yield themselves to God or resist; but no matter, His will, will be done. The Lord wasn’t condemning a man (Pharaoh) to hell. He was using a man already condemned to carry out His Own will. He is God.

(Rom 9:19) “Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? (20)  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”  That is, “Who has had the power to resist His will?”  Yet, the truth is, each of us to some degree resist His will every day. He has given us a free will. He makes no one love Him. He makes no one get saved. To use a person who is has already condemned self to carry out His will can hardly be said to be wrong.

(Rom 9:20) “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? (21)  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”  The Lord desired to have a people who would respond out of a good heart to the cross, as a result loving Him. Those who do not still honor Him as the contrast holds forth the other: (Eph 2:7) “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Praise His Name!    

(Rom 9:22)  “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (23)  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”  Here we can plainly see that the Lord has a purpose in all things He does and allows. The Lord will be glorified not only in His mercy towards us, but also in His grace in longsuffering to the lost. He will also be glorified when all stand before Him to be judged.

(Rom 9:23) “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, (24)  Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”  The riches of His glory: mercy and forgiveness; the sacrifice of His beloved Son for unworthy sinners; placing them in His Own family through adoption plus giving them an inheritance. Yes indeed, this speaks to the riches of His glory! I am one of the  vessels of His mercy. 

(Rom 9:25) “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. (26)  And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”  At least five hundred years before Christ, the Jewish nation was told in Hosea, there will be others beside you that are called “Mine”. I cannot but wonder if our minds can truly comprehend, “We are now God’s children.”

(Rom 9:27) “Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:”  Remember, this chapter is dealing with people groups rather than individuals: the nation of Israel; Gentiles as a group – people. The nation is not at this time “God’s people”, that is future. Today a remnant is saved just as a remnant of Gentiles is saved compare to the whole.

(Rom 9:28)  “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. (29)  And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.”  The word “short” here is speaks of acting quickly. The word “work” is referring to the things He has said in prophecy. The Lord faithfully fulfills ever Word He has said. Praise Him, for that work has been upon the saved, vessels of mercy.

(Rom 9:30) “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.” Important to remember –  faith is not righteousness. Christ’s righteousness is given to the person who responds rightly to the gospel, repenting, asking for the forgiveness and everlasting life (Rom 3).

(Rom 9:31) “But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. (32)  Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (33)  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Specifically the stumblingstone is that righteousness comes by faith in Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection instead of one’s own efforts. The standard for heaven is perfect righteousness which only the Lord Jesus possesses.

(Rom 9:31) “But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. (32)  Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (33)  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” When it speaks here of not being ashamed, it is not referring to an individual not being ashamed of being a follower of the Lord Jesus. It is saying, “Everything you have embraced by trusting the Word of God shall be fulfilled”: (2Ti_1:12)  “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

(Rom 10:1) “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (2)  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”  To this very day people, saved and unsaved alike, confuse zeal for God as evidence of salvation. A person can be sincerely wrong. Salvation is an experience that takes a time and a place. One truly sees what Jesus did for them, turns in heart from their sinful life asking God for mercy, and He responds giving the gift of everlasting life.

(Rom 10:2)  “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (3)  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”  The righteousness of God is perfect. That is the standard to earn everlasting life. The law was given to reveal this. One’s heart was to recognize the failure to keep it. This is why He also gave them the law of sacrifice. Just as those with conscience towards God looked by faith to the sacrifice, the saved look by faith to the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. This is where the nation of the Jews failed.

(Rom 10:4) “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”  Praise God, to embrace Jesus as Savior is to be clothed in “His righteousness”: (Php_3:9)  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” Someday Israel as a whole will turn back and embrace Jesus: (Jer_33:16) “In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.”

(Rom 10:4) “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”  Let is not forget this is referring to that righteousness needed to save one’s soul. The saved “are” to seek personal righteousness to keep fellowship with our Holy God and Father.

(Rom 10:4) “ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (5)  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” Faith rest in what Jesus has done. Law looks only to self which ends in failure: (Jas_2:10) “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” There is no mixture of the two to save. It is either all of one or all of the other.

(Rom 10:6)  “But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) (7)  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) (8)  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;” What do these things mean? Faith does not need the physical presence of Jesus (what can be seen) in order to believe and act. Faith hears, trusts, and acts: (Rom 10:17) “ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 

(Rom 10:8) “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Faith believes what God has said and acts upon it. Nothing more is required but to believe and do what the Lord has asked. The essence of the thought here is: embrace by faith the Lord Jesus and what He has done to save your soul.

(Rom 10:9) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  The full meaning of these verses is based upon all that has been said so far. The righteousness as the result of faith is Jesus’ imputed upon us. Its bestowal is based upon the acceptance of Jesus’ sinless sacrifice bringing about God’s raising Him from the dead.  

(Romans 10:10) “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  The heart is very much a part of the salvation experience. This is why you cannot “assembly line” salvation as in a Day of Confirmation. The heart responds to the realization that Jesus suffered and died because of “me”. A decision of heart is made to turn away from self’s desire to sin, that embracing Jesus is worth it (that is called repentance). The Lord sees the heart and responds by giving forgiveness and the gift of everlasting life.

(Rom 10:10) “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”  How is it possible that one could be ashamed of He Who died for their sin so that they might go to heaven and not hell? Such a person claiming to be saved must have a head belief rather than a heart faith.

(Romans 10:11) “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”  I have witnessed to those who would have been ashamed of Jesus but were not ashamed of their sinful life. Even some of God’s people boast of their past sinful life. The rebirth makes us different people than we were before. In love we stand and say, “I am not ashamed of Jesus my Savior!”   

(Rom 10:12) “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”   The Bible teaches that the Lord is no respecter of persons. It is not His desire that any die and go to hell. Salvation is given as a gift to all who truly desire to turn from their sin and be saved. 

(Rom 10:12) “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”   All men and women are the same before God: sinners headed for the punishment of hell in need of the saving blood of Jesus applied to our soul. The Lord is rich in salvation. That wealth is the value of His sacrifice and redemption through death and…..His resurrection.

(Rom 10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  This verse, of course, must be comprehended with the whole of Scripture. If you are calling with the sincere heart of repentance, then the Lord will save you.

(Rom 10:14)  “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?….”  They can’t (or won’t). That’s the shame of it. The saved gain more, even in this life, than they ever give up. The lost think they will lose out in some way. What they do not realize is that the Lord changes our heart so that we no longer even desire the things they are afraid of losing.

(Rom 10:14)  “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?….” Have you ever thought of how wicked it is not to believe God? If you have ever been falsely accused, you can just begin to understand. Why wouldn’t a person believe God Who is pure, honest, loving, all powerful, all knowing, and everlasting? To not believe Him is the same as to accuse Him of lying!

(Rom 10:14)  “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?…..”  Whenever a Believer sees these words, they think of people far away. Yet, there are people who enter “churches” who never get to hear the complete gospel. Heart breaking. Don’t take for granted others have heard the gospel.

(Rom 10:14) “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”  Here a preacher is one who proclaims, or gives forth, the gospel. A person has to have someone, somehow, give them the gospel. I found years ago that if you tell them you are sharing because you care about them, most will let you share the gospel.

(Rom 10:15) “ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”  One of two things will happen when you give the gospel: they will either hate you or love you: “…How beautiful are the feet….”. The person newly saved cannot but love the person that brought them to Christ. It is a rewarding experience like none other to be loved in this way!

(Rom 10:15) “ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”   The gospel of peace is first and foremost, peace between the soul and God. Peace is possible because of the mercy and forgiveness one can receive through embracing Christ as Savior. Otherwise, wrath abides rather than peace.

(Rom 10:15) “ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”    God’s people are to live as best they can in peace with all who are around them: (1Pe 3:8) “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (9)  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing:….”  

(Rom 10:15) “ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”   I love the phrase, “glad tidings of good things”. God is good and all that He gives the saved is good. The trials of this life, if endured with a heart of love to Him, works out for our good (Rom 8:28). Thank God for good things!

(Rom 10:16) “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”  Notice two words here, one found in each sentence: “obeyed”; “believed”. When the Bible speaks of believing, it is speaking of the obedience that follows the acknowledgment of it as truth. That…..is true faith. 

(Rom 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Could it be that in seeking to spread the gospel we fail right here; we fail to give them God’s Word. It isn’t to be our word, a paraphrased rendering of the Bible, but a quotation of what God has said.

(Rom 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The Lord honors His Word by whispering to the heart that those things are true. If we wish the Lord to speak to others, then we must give them God’s Word.

(Rom 10:18)  “But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (19)  But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.”  Did Israel get a chance to hear? Yes, the gospel was given “to the Jew first”. Plus, even Moses spoke of using the Gentiles to make them jealous. Sad.

(Rom 10:20)  “But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.”  “No man seeketh after God”, thus this statement is absolutely true in every sense of its words. It is a great privilege to be drawn by the Holy Spirit!

(Rom 10:21) “But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.”  The Lord has been doing the same to the Gentile world for almost 2,000 years. A tribulation of judgment is coming soon. Pray that loved ones will respond rightly while they are still able.

(Rom 11:1)  “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.”  The Lord made a covenant with Abraham. He always keeps His Word. Therefore throughout every generation from the time of Christ, there has been a remnant of Jews saved. Thank God He can always be trusted.

(Rom 11:1) “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid… (2)  God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew…..(4) …I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. (5)  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”  What is meant by the term, “election of grace”? “Election” means selection and “grace” means favor bestowed but not deserved. So, it means the Lord chooses to save those Jewish sinners through the blood of His Son, keeping His promise to Abraham.

(Rom 11:6) “ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”  It, salvation, is given as a gift of love to those who do not merit it. If salvation were by works (man’s efforts), it would mean it could be earned. 

(Rom 11:6) “ And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”   So many confuse the actions of faith with actions to merit. The first is wholly dependent upon believe that God will act in accordance to His Word. The second is an expectation of reward for efforts.

(Rom 11:6) “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”   Our hearts deceive us into thinking we are obeying by faith, but revealed to be otherwise when one is upset with God over troubles of life or seemingly no response to prayer. Such a reaction says “I deserve”, revealing one was working, expecting a reward.

(Rom 11:7)  “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; ….” Why not: (Rom_9:32)  “Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;”? Warning: pride within even the saved will lead us into areas of works to merit rather than trusting by faith.

(Rom 11:7) “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (8 ) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.”  The nation of Israel has been blinded in judgment because of willful sin. The elect are those who still respond by faith. Beware, the longsuffering of God has limitations to willful rebellion.

(Rom 11:9)  {And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: (10)  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.”  The nation of Israel has been set aside till the Lord Jesus returns as their King. The Lord used their rebellion to open His arms towards all who will repent and come to Him through Jesus. Are you one of those?

(Rom 11:11) “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.”  The Lord is not willing that any should perish. His desire is for them to see the true relationship of one who knows God in truth, prompting them to desire the same. This is why it is so vital that the saved walk with God. People need to see true Christianity.

(Rom 11:12) “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” And,  (Rom 11:15) “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”  Since this level of blessings came through their judgment, untold blessings must await when they are returned to a place of blessings! Even so, Lord Jesus, come! 

(Rom 11:15) “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”  Notice the emphasis – “life from the dead”. Most professing believers seem to have only hope of an eternity in heaven. That is not the focus of the Bible in salvation. It is a resurrection of this body, changed, and a life upon a new earth where God dwells with us.

(Rom 11:16) “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.”  The first-fruit is the resurrected Lord Jesus, holy unto God. The root is Abraham who received the promises. The branches are those of the nation of Israel who walk in Abraham’s faith.   

(Rom 11:17) “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;”  We non-Jews, who had no claim to God’s promises, by God’s grace have been placed in the position of blessings! Praise be to God for His mercy through the blood of His Son! 

Thurs, Mar 9, 2023   DAILY DROP OF WATER  (Rom 11:18) “Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. (19)  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. (20)  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:”  I remind you this is not speaking of individuals but people-groups. Point: we should be humbled that the Lord God through grace and mercy would save any of us through the blood of His Son – at so great a price to Himself! 

(Rom 11:20) “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (21)  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” We stand by faith. Bible faith is not acknowledging something as being true. That is the world’s definition. Bible faith is the embracing, the acting upon that which God said. Many a person one day starts going to church because they believe. But, few repent and seek everlasting life through Jesus. One cannot help but wonder how long it will be before the wild branches are rejected.

(Rom 11:23) “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. (24)  For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?”  A turning by faith through Jesus Christ during the Tribulation Period will take place, beginning with 144,000 Jewish men preaching Christ. This will lead to the majority of the Nation being grafted back in. God’s church is looking forward to this taking place. It will first be removed by Rapture.

(Rom 11:25) “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”  Even as a saved person, our old man still desires to be better than someone else! How far short we fall from (Php_2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

 (Rom 11:26) “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”  In other words, a time will come when the nation of Israel as a whole will once again cling to the Lord and be the focus point of salvation – of God’s plan. The Lord will fulfill His promises made to Abraham and to David. Praise Him, for He never fails in anything He promises, including those made to you and me!

(Rom 11:26) “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (27)  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”  This is not to be supposed that a blanket salvation from hell will be bestowed whether they embrace Him or not as Savior. These are those who will believe unto salvation: (Mat 8:11) “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. (12)  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(Rom 11:28) “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. (29)  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”  The Lord always keeps His Word: to Abraham and David; to you and me. (Num_23:19) “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”  

(Rom 11:31) “Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.” We received mercy instead of judgment and are to extend that mercy in love to others, no matter the race, the position, or the extend of their sin. Jesus has taken upon Himself the sin of all. Forgiveness awaits all who desire to turn from it. Mercy awaits all.

(Rom 11:32) “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.”  Unbelief therefore is sin; enough of a sin to send anyone to hell for eternity: (Joh_8:24)  “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” and; (Jas_2:10) “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Therefore the Lord Jesus bore the sins of all that He might have mercy upon each of us who repent and ask for mercy.

(Rom 11:32) “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.”  If one son of Adam born with a sin nature could have lived a perfect life of faith, then others could. It would signify that anyone could if they determined to do so. But sin, and with it unbelief, passed to each of us. We are born into it, born sinners.

(Rom 11:32) “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. (33)  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Only One of such wisdom and knowledge could find a way to justify those who are not just – without transgression. Praise His Name for His desire in love to saved sinners like you and me!

(Rom 11:32) “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. (33)  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”  If only one with a sin nature had succeeded in living a sinless life, then no one would have been shown mercy. If one could overcome then all could overcome. Hopeless, God came, took upon Him flesh, lived as we should have lived, and then gave that life to pay for our sins. Praise Him!

(Rom 12:1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” It should humble us to think the God of the Universe would feel a need, after revealing His great mercy (ch11), after saving our sinful souls, to “beseech” (beg) us.

(Rom 12:1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Jesus took our place in sacrifice to God so mercy could be given to us. Therefore it is only right that we give our life in sacrifice to Him.

(Rom 12:1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  The Lord is not, as He had to do, asking us to die in sacrifice; but to live in sacrifice of life, dying to self and living through Him.

(Rom 12:1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  Holiness is needed for the offering of oneself to be accepted of our pure God. Holiness means separation from that which is unclean in His sight. Are you willing to do that?

(Rom 12:1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”   It seems today preachers focus on God’s gifts and love towards us rather than on our lives towards Him. This is a great mistake. The Lord said to the saved: (1Pe 1:15) “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”  

(Rom 12:1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”   Is it unreasonable to ask a life for a life, if one has died for us; to ask that we live for Him? No, it is only reasonable. My own heart condemns me for the evil found there that holds back a full sacrifice of self. May God be glorified in me!

(Rom 12:2) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Giving one’s self in sacrifice to the Lord means becoming conformed to His image rather than that of the world: (Rom_8:29) “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,…”  

(Rom 12:2) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”   We are to renew our mind (our way of thinking). This world has almost every moment an opportunity to influence the way we see things. It is only when we read, hear, and embrace the Words of Scripture that we can fight against it. 

(Rom 12:2) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”   We are transformed from thinking and thus acting like the lost by putting God’s Word in us. The saved have by rebirth a living spirit that comprehends God’s Word, being taught by the Spirit of God in us.

(Rom 12:3) “ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”  Reality: our sinful pride fights in this area of our walk of faith. Mentally we know all we have and all we accomplish is by the grace of God working through us, yet pride lifts us up in that very same mind. We certainly do not practice: (Phil 2:3b) “…. in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”  

(Rom 12:3) “ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;…”  Pride makes us have short memories. We forget we are what we are by the grace of God plus nothing. We think ourselves better than what we are in God’s sight. God help us all!

(Rom 12:3) “ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”   The saved stand in their faith – nothing else. No matter how long you have been saved, you  add nothing to it. It has been and continues to be given to you based on Jesus’ merit – not yours.

(Rom 12:4) “ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:”  The bottom line of this section will be: “ A body has many parts doing many jobs. You cannot judge another, for we have not the same gifts and therefore not the same purpose.

(Rom 12:4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5)  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”  These are not just clever illustrations to give insight. No, they are spiritual reality for you and me to embrace. We have been joined spiritually to others, in order to carry on the work of the Lord upon this earth.

(Rom 12:4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5)  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”   The physical body has functions of which we may know nothing about, yet is vital to our functioning at full peak. So is the functioning of the church. We, as a spiritual part of the body may think our not being there harms nothing. We are wrong. Our absence is harming other believers.  

(Rom 12:6) “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”  Key words: “gifts differing; “grace…given”. Takes us back (v3b) “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;”. Not only are we not the same, but what we do have was given unto us.

(Rom 12:6) “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”  What is the purpose of these gifts? Certainly not to lift us up in pride as if these are natural parts of our abilities. They are given for the purpose of serving others in the local body of believers – your church.

(Rom 12:9) “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”  “Love”: God’s love through us. When the Holy Spirit is allowed to love through us it will be true love, without “dissimulation” – hypocrisy. Love is not a “feeling”. This kind of love is an action, sacrificial if needed.

(Rom 12:9) “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”   It is hard sometimes for a believer to understand the difference between when to love and what to hate. We are to hate sin and its practice by others. Yet, we are love the sinner. In loving the sinner we are not to dismiss or treat the sin as nothing. It is to be abhorred by us.

(Rom 12:9) “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”  “Cleave” means “glue yourself to”. Grab hold of it and don’t let go. Commit yourself to that which is right in the sight of God and don’t let go for anyone!

(Rom 12:10) “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”  Notice the words “brotherly love”. Put with “kindly affectioned”, it speaks of esteeming brothers and sisters in Christ as you would your mother or father. It speaks of that kind of love. The people we worship with are not to be just casual acquaintances, but true relatives in Christ.

(Rom 12:10) “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”  Yes, this speaks of putting the brethren before others, for the word “preferring” speaks of showing there is a difference – that is, between saved brothers/sisters and the lost. It is a testimony to the lost that there is a special bond (Christ Jesus/ relationship/ love) between us.

(Rom 12:11)  “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”  Ever our example, even by the age of twelve the Lord said to His earthly guardians: “….I must be about My Father’s business.” You are I have only a short time upon this earth. We must be fervently about our Father’s business.  

(Rom 12:12) “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”  The question would be, “hope” of what? “Hope”: an expectation of a sure coming event. That’s Bible “hope”. Therefore the answer: hope of the promises of God taking place and thus – joy!

(Rom 12:12) “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”   The only way one can stay “patient” (determine to stay under, persevere) is to wholly trust the Lord and His Word: (Rom_8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” 

(Rom 12:12) “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”   Remember, it is the Holy Spirit Who is giving instruction here. “Continuing instant”: to be earnest toward; to persevere. We would not be told to do something in vain. The Lord hears and will answer according to His Own will and timetable. So pray, for the answer will come.

(Rom 12:13) “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”  One will not struggle against this if, (Rom 12:9)  “Let love be without dissimulation.”  Remember that word for “love” means: “a sacrificial caring for another”. If the Lord has our heart, then He has our wallet.

(Rom 12:14)  “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” This goes counter to the natural inclination of the heart, even as a saved person. Don’t curse – ok; but……bless? I do not think it means ask the Lord to make them prosper. The greatest blessing we can bestow is for the Lord to reveal His saving grace to their soul.

(Rom 12:15) “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”  Remember the context is “love without dissimulation”; that is, your brothers and sisters in the Lord. If you do so, you “will” readily find yourself sincerely sharing their joys as well as their sorrows.

(Rom 12:16) “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”  Pride desires to know something others do not know. This is so that others will think highly of us. Fact: we have nothing, whether knowledge or physical things , that was not given to us by God’s grace.

(Rom 12:17) “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” We are taught in this world to stand up for self. There is a time for doing so. But never are we to seek vengeance or to do wrong. We are to be “light” always, not just when things are going well.

(Rom 12:17) “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”  True honesty is becoming rarer all the time. Even if you ask someone how they are doing, the response is an automatic – fine, even if they are feeling terrible at the moment. The more this world shifts towards darkness, if we will stand in truth, our light will shine in contrast for a witness of Christ. 

(Rom 12:18)  “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” This can only be done by putting others before self. Most disputes would never occur if we thought of others rather than self.

(Rom 12:18)  “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” If you are in conflict with someone, you certainly cannot at that moment influence their soul regarding the Lord Jesus. Their souls are more important that your “rights”.  

(Rom 12:19) “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”  It is so easy to fool ourselves into thinking we have obeyed this. Yet, if we share the offense with other people, are we not seeking them to side with us? Therefore we are being revengeful.

(Rom 12:19) “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”   Believer, you can rest in the fact that all wrongs will be deal with; the righteous judge will address it for you.

(Rom 12:20) “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”  As the Lord Jesus did while upon this earth, so are we to do: (1Pe_2:23)  “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” 

(Rom 12:20) “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”   We often forget we were once the enemies of God, just as others are to us. It was while we were enemies gave us sunshine and good things to enjoy, and yes, eventually died for us. He is telling us: “Be like Me.” 

(Rom 12:21)  “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”  To whatever degree we seek to strike back at an offender, we have been overcome with evil; that is, we have sought revenge instead of doing good to them. Remember, it is our heart God sees rather than the outward action.  It is possible for the inner to cancel the outer.

(Rom 12:21)  “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”  To give love to those who hate us, in God’s eyes makes us over-comers. Fact is, our pride whispers when we read this verse, “But those who do evil to us should not benefit from doing so.” Ah, remember what God has said, “I will repay” (v.19).

(Rom 12:21)  “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”   This doesn’t mean all men will respond rightly to your actions of good. It means your soul will have overcome the old nature and the ways of this world.

(Rom 13:1)  “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”  Government – one of three areas of authority: government, home, church. These could not exist if it were not for God. We are to obey those placed upon us (except where they go against the plain Word of God).

(Rom 13:1)  “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”  Why allow the evil “powers”? Man is given a free will. This is the result. Sad: we cannot appreciate the good without experiencing the evil. Praise God for the good. May He come soon to reign upon the earth!

(Rom 13:2) “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”  “Damnation”: judgment; the same word used in (1Co 11:29) “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Since that is speaking to believers who cannot be damned, then the verse before us means judgment.  

(Rom 13:2) “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”  Authorities are to be submitted unto as ordained of God whether that be governmental, the home, or, in the case of the believer – the church. Exception: where they go against the plain teaching of the Word of God.

(Rom 13:3)  “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:”  The purpose of government is the protection of its citizens. Evil, the breaking of the law, is to be punished. Good is to be acknowledged and commended.

(Rom 13:4) “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”  As one naturally compares this to our own government, we see how badly ours fails. Not to worry, the Lord will judge all wrongs. Look forward, for the Lord will have a righteous government on this earth a thousand years!

(Rom 13:5) “Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”  In all matters, whether home, church, or government, we are to seek to have a pure conscience. The goal is not the ability to ignore our conscience, or to explain away our sin – but to seek to live in subjection to the laws of God.

(Rom 13:5) “Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”  We must never forget that our “happiness” is not what matters before God. What matters is our witness before the lost of one that seeks to do that which is right and good. The souls of the lost are to come before our happiness.

(Rom 13:6)  “For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.”  Even the Lord Jesus paid taxes: (Mat 17:27)  “…. go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” 

(Rom 13:7) “ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”  Our society has taught us to not respect anyone – just ourselves. No, we are to subject ourselves to authority – period. We are only to rebel against authority when it goes against the teachings of God’s Word.

(Rom 13:8)  “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”  Oftentimes all we see is the negative of a verse. That is a part of our fallen nature. But look at the positive: we owe everyone “love”. Not love that overlooks or condones sin; not love that keeps one from reaping what they have sowed; but love that cares for their soul.

(Rom 13:8b) “…he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”  The saved are free from the penalty of law – Christ paid it on the cross. Yet, law reflects the standard of life that pleases our Father. Therefore we seek to love in order to please Him. That very act and desire says we love Him.

(Rom 13:9) “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”   If one loved, then they would not hurt a man by lying with his wife. He would not kill him, nor steal from him. You get the picture.

(Rom 13:10) “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”  True love for a person leads us to say what a person needs to hear, yet refrain when hearing would do them no good. Love ask the Lord for the discernment as to which to do and the power to do it.

(Rom 13:8)  “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” then…. (11)  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Our Lord’s coming is soon. If we don’t fulfill the obligation of love and honestly tell them of the need to repent and be born again, they will suffer eternal consequences.   

(Rom 13:11) “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” The average believer lives as if in a slumber world, a dream world in which one has no duties to perform – those are for the “called of God”. Yet, the Bible teaches us we have a service to render: (1Co 6:20) “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

(Rom 13:11) “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Time for serving the Lord is running out for each of us. Why are we not bothered with the thought of having done so little in service to Him?

(Rom 13:11) “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”  So, the believer can be in a spiritual slumber, the old nature causing a spiritual walking sleep. God help us to realize – our days to serve are limited, maybe even to just today!  

(Rom 13:12) “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” We live in a world of spiritual darkness – night. We are rapidly approaching the end, to the time of seven years judgment. It is at hand. Act accordingly.

(Rom 13:12) “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”  I cannot help but wonder how much light each one of us has to see clearly in this world of spiritual darkness. To what degree have we allowed the Lord to open our eyes. The light is there, but have we yielded to it?

(Rom 13:12c) “,,,and let us put on the armour of light. (13)  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”  When we see a professing believer take part in these social actions of the world, it draws doubt to their authenticity. “Light” can only shine if it is not being quenched by the actions of darkness.

(Rom 13:12) “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”  and then  (verse 14) “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”  To put on the armor of light is to embrace this truth: you are in Christ and should live like it.

(Rom 14:1) “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”  The words “doubtful disputations” each have the idea of discussions, debate. It is one thing to spend time with one whom you can encourage in the things of God. But if this weak person is adamant in their doubts of God, walk away: (1Cor 15:33)  “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” In other words, they will have a negative effect upon you.

(Rom 14:2)  “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. (3)  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.”  Our pride compels us to be critical of others. Best we look to self before the Lord. He is their Master, not us.

(Rom 14:4) “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”  The Lord holds onto His children, helping them to stand in the faith. We are fellow-servants. They, like we, answer to our master, not each other.

(Rom 14:5) “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (6)  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”  Notice it is to the Lord we are to acknowledge our convictions as well as our actions. The days we live are His, given to us to live for His glory.

(Rom 14:7) “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. (8)  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”  To a true Child of God, they do not live their life and one day decide to make God a part of it. For them, from the moment of salvation, all of life is about the Lord.

(Rom 14:7) “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. (8)  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”   Don’t just include the Lord here and there today in your activities. Talk with Him, walk with Him moment by moment. Loose the restraints of self unto the Spirit of God Who lives inside you.

(Rom 14:9) “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”  The context tells us “dead” is not referring to spiritually dead, though it is true that He is their rightful Lord. It is saying whether the saved are here or have passed to the next life, they are His. We should not wait for the next life to live daily unto Him.  Our eternal life has already begun.

(Rom 14:10) “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”  “Nought”: to think less of. It seems we need to constantly look as hard at self as we are hard on others. Pride. So dangerously subtle.  

(Rom 14:10) “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”   The life of the saved shall be judged by the Lord. This is not to determine salvation, for Jesus was already judged in our place. You are I are not to judge our brothers/sisters, for it is not our right, lest we be judged for this sin of judging.

(Rom 14:11) “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (12)  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”   “Shall confess to God” with “give account of himself” seem to indicate the individual uttering every activity and motive of our life, made plain to God as well as finally to ourselves. Interesting verses.

(Rom 14:13) “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” Notice the focus goes from being critical and condemning to actually caring for the welfare of the other.

(Rom 14:14) “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”  Notice the thing is not wrong, although the heart says it is. The thing is therefore not wrong for others but it is for this person. We need to understand this. Unless the Bible reveals something to be wrong, we should not judge others who are not convicted of the same thing we are.

(Rom 14:14) “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.”  Knowing you are a Christian and seeing you do what one is convinced is sin, hinders this lost soul from coming to Christ. We are to care for souls more than for our personal pleasure.

(Rom 14:14) “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.” This is not something in which one is told to throw out the baby with the bathwater. No one has to be told what you do in your private life. But we are not to “in your face” act in such a way as to make another to stumble to what could be their eternal death.

(Rom 14:16) “Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (17)  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” This does not mean, “Set that person straight”, but instead in love teach if teachable, but be willing to neglect your desires for the good of the other if necessary.   

(Rom 14:17) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”  The focus of this life, of which we have been saved into, is not pleasure for self, but holiness for God. Which are you focused upon?

(Rom 14:17) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”   How precious life is when our focus is righteousness, doing that which is right in the sight of God. Notice what follows – “peace”. A heart seeking to be righteous results in peace: “Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Thee…” (Isa 26:2).

(Rom 14:17) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”   “Peace” of soul knowing we are in the very hands of God Himself: (Joh 10:27) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28)  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (29)  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

(Rom 14:17) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”   I am afraid so many of us never enter into this area of blessing – “joy in the Holy Ghost”. Our lives should be filled with joy, not from the things of this world, but from the Holy Ghost prompting us to rejoice in our Savior and the life He has given us.

(Rom 14:18) “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”  Does what things? Puts others before self for the sake of their souls and the testimony of the Lord. In putting others first, we are in reality acknowledging our God as our Lord.

(Rom 14:18) “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”  Does what things? Puts others before self for the sake of their souls and the testimony of the Lord. In putting others first, we are in reality acknowledging our God as our Lord.  

(Rom 14:18) “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”  Men may choose to stand against the doctrines of the Lord, but find themselves hard pressed to speak against the person who puts them before himself. That same person should point them to Jesus: “Jesus put you first dying for your sins on Calvary’s cross.” 

(Rom 14:19) “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Some have mistaken this to mean it was all right to overlook doctrine. No, doctrine is God’s instruction of the saved. Context: self’s desires. Put away self’s desires for the sake of peace, and for the soul that needs Christ Jesus.

(Rom 14:19) “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”  “Follow after the…things wherewith one may edify another.” If we have offended another person’s conscience through something we allow into our life, they will resent us and therefore not listen to godly instruction from us. If we are to edify, build them up spiritually, we will have to first cast aside the thing that offends them. Is their soul’s good worth it?  

(Rom 14:20) “For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.” Destroy in what way? The soul put off by our action; the harmony among the church. The thing which is not in itself a sin becomes a sin for us, for our freedom is to do as we ought rather than as we please.

(Rom 14:21) “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” Others before self, true sacrificial love, loving our neighbors as ourselves: this verse puts all that into practice.

(Rom 14:22) “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” Keep the context in mind. It is not sin for that which you eat or enjoy by faith with clear conscience. It becomes sin when you put that thing before the conscience of another, putting self before others.

(Rom 14:23) “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”  This world needs an example of self sacrifice in the face of weakness of conscience. Such love may open the heart of the lost to hear the truth regarding all things.

(Rom 14:23) “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”   Beware that the thing we allow is not against God’s Word. If it is brought to our attention and the Scriptures confirm it, then we are to disallow it, for the conscience is not our guide – the Word of God is.

(Rom 15:1) “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”  Notice the rule of thumb: not to please ourselves. The New Testament speaks often of “love”. It is most always using the word for sacrificial love. Others before self, the Lord God before everyone and everything; this is the foundation of Christianity.

(Rom 15:2) “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”  Keeping the spiritual good of others ever before us, we seek to bless those around us. The goal is not, “I hope they see Christ in me”, but to speak to them of Christ in us.

(Rom 15:3)  “For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”  Even to this very day, Child of God, you and I unknowingly through wrong thinking offend our Lord. Yet, He bears with us, seeking our good, desiring to draw us in heart and mind to grow (be edified) in Him. We are to be as patient with others.

(Rom 15:4) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”   In context, this verse is referring to the previous and its meaning: “The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”  Our hope, our comfort comes from the obedience of self sacrifice, in patience waiting for our reward for bearing the infirmities of the weak.

(Rom 15:4) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”  Many a person, when it comes to education, cease to learn at a certain point. Bible education should never cease, for it is not the gaining of knowledge, but the reprogramming of the mind.

(Rom 15:4) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”   I believe “patience” is one of the hardest things to practice as a believer. To trust the Lord to take care of problems when they are in my face, enduring them moment by moment is hard. Don’t let cares rob you of the victory that always comes with faith.

(Rom 15:5) “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:” This teaching of putting others before self is not just for some, but for every true Child of God. Imagine how genuine our testimony before the unsaved would be if our churches practiced this.

(Rom 15:5) “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:” God our Father is patient, meaning “cheerful endurance”. Oh, for such a heart that in the midst of trials and….the aggravations of life, we could remain cheerful as we wait upon God.

(Rom 15:5)  “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: (6)  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Most of our conflicts come from mind upon self – not others. Mark it down, in conflict at least one person will have their own desires before God’s Word.

(Rom 15:7) “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”  The saved are once again called upon to live as Jesus lived. He was not surrounded by perfect people, or even by those who put Him first. Yet He bestowed His love and guidance upon them. That is to be you and me towards other brothers and sisters in Christ.

(Rom 15:7) “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”  Christ Jesus received you and me who were far less than the saved brother/sister that troubles us. God be praised, for He is merciful. Shouldn’t each of us show such tolerance for others?

(Rom 15:8) “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:” The promise made to Abraham was a twofold promise: land and a father of many nations; through his Seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Circumcision was to be a sign of that promise. Jesus was that Seed, the fulfillment of the promise is through Him.

(Rom 15:8) “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister….that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.”   I stress to you that mercy is only needed by the guilty. We each need mercy, for we have each sinned. To fulfill what is right, mercy can only be given after right punishment has been met – otherwise the error has been overlooked. Holiness cannot simply overlook sin. So the Lord Jesus satisfied holiness by paying our sin debt.

(Rom 15:8) “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister…(10)  And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.” Just think, we who (Heb_2:15)  “…through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” , are not only saved from hell but have a glorious hope of both resurrection bodies and an eternity living with God!

(Rom 15:11) “And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.”  Praise is to be something we constantly do, aiding in the filling of the Spirit, needed to have both victory and fellowship with Him: Eph 5:18b :…be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”  

(Rom 15:11) “And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.”  Praise God for the honest hearts that seek not just His blessings, but love Him. Loving Him means one will obey His Word, not simply pleasing self by saying, “This I believe; this portion I do not believe.”

(Rom 15:12) “And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.”   The more I study the Word of God the more I trust Him. For God to say anything to anyone is to promise, for He cannot lie nor does He repent (Num 23:19).  He will keep my soul from hell, for He has said He would.

(Rom 15:13) “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Hope: an expectant looking for a sure coming event. May we allow the Holy Spirit to direct our eyes towards heaven, looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord.

(Rom 15:13) “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Notice that joy, peace, hope comes through the Holy Spirit living within the believer. During the trying circumstances of life, if we do not look to Him, then we will not have joy – peace – hope. He does not force Himself in any way upon us.