Romans 11:1-10
The key words in this passage are reject, remnant, chosen and elect. Paul contrasts grace and works, showing them to be opposites: if salvation is by works at all then it is not by grace at all. Paul is arguing that God has not completely rejected Israel: he is evidence that there are some Israelites who believe. This matches God's pattern: he has always preserved a remnant of the nation to remain close to him. Paul argues for God's sovereign choice and grace in this: that God chose certain members of the nation, in grace, to remain in him while he chose to harden other members of the nation.
This shows me that God is sovereign and beyond my understanding. I can't entirely see how he can be just when he chooses some to have the ability to respond to him and chooses to harden others. I know that some people will say that God only chooses for grace and that it is not that he chooses others for destruction but just that he doesn't choose them for grace. First, I think that it splitting hairs and, secondly, that's not what Romans 11:7-8 say. This I am convinced of: the judge of all the earth will do right.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Knowledge Based Passion
Romans 10:1-13
Observe:
Key words: righteousness, law, faith, confess, believe
Contrasted ideas: righteousness from God through faith vs. righteousness through the law
Interpretation:
Paul is connecting back to the beginning of chapter 9 where he talks about his desire to see Israel saved. He mourns their status because they had been given so much revelation from God and because he is an Israelite as well. He also connects to the over all theme of his letter (the just shall live by faith) in that his main point is that righteousness is obtained from God through faith and not by following the law (or doing good works).
The key verse is v. 9 because it sums up Paul's argument: salvation comes from acknowledging the deity of Christ and believing with your heart (emotions, will and intellect) that Christ was raised from the dead by God.
Application:
This reminds me of the graciousness of God: he does not demand that I do incredible heroic acts in order to be saved but to simply call on his name. This is so gracious of him because he has every right to judge (and condemn) me based on my deeds but he has agreed to allow the righteousness of Christ to become my righteousness through faith.
I am reminded again that my status before God has nothing to do with me and I am humbled again. At times I am arrogant in my thinking because I fall into the trap of believing that there was something in my character or abilities or accomplishments that attracted God to me. The truth is that I am saved only through faith and by the grace of God.
Observe:
Key words: righteousness, law, faith, confess, believe
Contrasted ideas: righteousness from God through faith vs. righteousness through the law
Interpretation:
Paul is connecting back to the beginning of chapter 9 where he talks about his desire to see Israel saved. He mourns their status because they had been given so much revelation from God and because he is an Israelite as well. He also connects to the over all theme of his letter (the just shall live by faith) in that his main point is that righteousness is obtained from God through faith and not by following the law (or doing good works).
The key verse is v. 9 because it sums up Paul's argument: salvation comes from acknowledging the deity of Christ and believing with your heart (emotions, will and intellect) that Christ was raised from the dead by God.
Application:
This reminds me of the graciousness of God: he does not demand that I do incredible heroic acts in order to be saved but to simply call on his name. This is so gracious of him because he has every right to judge (and condemn) me based on my deeds but he has agreed to allow the righteousness of Christ to become my righteousness through faith.
I am reminded again that my status before God has nothing to do with me and I am humbled again. At times I am arrogant in my thinking because I fall into the trap of believing that there was something in my character or abilities or accomplishments that attracted God to me. The truth is that I am saved only through faith and by the grace of God.
Monday, August 20, 2007
burdened
Romans 9:1-18
Paul lists the "credits" of Israel and laments that they have not accept Jesus as the Messiah. The key theme of the passage is election and promise. Underlying it all is the glory of God. I know that I don't have the same burden that Paul has for the lost. Paul goes so far as to say that he would trade places with them: that he would be willing to be cut off from Christ if it would mean that his fellow Jews would submit to his right to rule. I am not willing to be uncomfortable for the sake of the gospel. God, please give me your heart for the lost of the city of Lethbridge. Help me to understand the seriousness of their situation. Don't let me ever tire of my efforts and prayers for them.
Paul goes on to say that God has ordained and elected certain people to respond to the gospel. This doesn't break the promise of God to Abraham but fulfills it. Paul declares that God's choosing is not unjust because God is being true to his character by having mercy on whom he wants to and hardening those whom he wants to harden. I believe, because I have been so indoctrinated by Piper through Sid, that God has in mind here his own glory and so he pours mercy on some for his glory and he hardens others for his glory. I agree with Paul (although it makes God seem completely self-absorbed which I think is only bad if you are human) that this does not make God unjust because God is being true to his character and God defines justice.
Paul lists the "credits" of Israel and laments that they have not accept Jesus as the Messiah. The key theme of the passage is election and promise. Underlying it all is the glory of God. I know that I don't have the same burden that Paul has for the lost. Paul goes so far as to say that he would trade places with them: that he would be willing to be cut off from Christ if it would mean that his fellow Jews would submit to his right to rule. I am not willing to be uncomfortable for the sake of the gospel. God, please give me your heart for the lost of the city of Lethbridge. Help me to understand the seriousness of their situation. Don't let me ever tire of my efforts and prayers for them.
Paul goes on to say that God has ordained and elected certain people to respond to the gospel. This doesn't break the promise of God to Abraham but fulfills it. Paul declares that God's choosing is not unjust because God is being true to his character by having mercy on whom he wants to and hardening those whom he wants to harden. I believe, because I have been so indoctrinated by Piper through Sid, that God has in mind here his own glory and so he pours mercy on some for his glory and he hardens others for his glory. I agree with Paul (although it makes God seem completely self-absorbed which I think is only bad if you are human) that this does not make God unjust because God is being true to his character and God defines justice.
Friday, August 10, 2007
wretched
Romans 7:14-25
Observe:
Key words: law, sin, death.
Contrasts the spiritual aspect of the law with the unspiritual aspect of Paul (and therefore us).
Contrasts God's law with the law of sin.
Interpret:
Paul is saying that the law is spiritual and therefore good but that his depravity has taken the good intended by the law and twisted it to bring about evil and death. He has the desire to do what the law requires but cannot because he is such a slave to sin. In his regenerated state, his desire to do good is increased, because he has the law of God at work in him. However, even with that, there is still the law of sin at work, seeking to keep him enslaved to sin. In the end, the only way he can be rescued is through Jesus Christ.
Paul's whole point is that the law does not bring life, even though that is what it was intended to do. Life, therefore, must come through faith in Christ (just as the law does not bring righteousness but righteousness comes through faith in Christ).
Apply:
Some people think that this whole section describes Paul before he became a Christian. Thankfully Paul talks about this struggle in the present tense. This gives me a lot of hope that I am not alone in my struggle against sin: I still don't do the things that I want to do and do the things that I don't want to do. My tendency has been to make rules for myself and I think there is some merit in that (Christ commands us to cut off those things that cause us to sin) however, I have also seen that creating more rules creates more opportunity for failure and shame. I need to find out how I can rely on Christ rather than create rules for myself. How do I increase my faith so that I can truly live?
Observe:
Key words: law, sin, death.
Contrasts the spiritual aspect of the law with the unspiritual aspect of Paul (and therefore us).
Contrasts God's law with the law of sin.
Interpret:
Paul is saying that the law is spiritual and therefore good but that his depravity has taken the good intended by the law and twisted it to bring about evil and death. He has the desire to do what the law requires but cannot because he is such a slave to sin. In his regenerated state, his desire to do good is increased, because he has the law of God at work in him. However, even with that, there is still the law of sin at work, seeking to keep him enslaved to sin. In the end, the only way he can be rescued is through Jesus Christ.
Paul's whole point is that the law does not bring life, even though that is what it was intended to do. Life, therefore, must come through faith in Christ (just as the law does not bring righteousness but righteousness comes through faith in Christ).
Apply:
Some people think that this whole section describes Paul before he became a Christian. Thankfully Paul talks about this struggle in the present tense. This gives me a lot of hope that I am not alone in my struggle against sin: I still don't do the things that I want to do and do the things that I don't want to do. My tendency has been to make rules for myself and I think there is some merit in that (Christ commands us to cut off those things that cause us to sin) however, I have also seen that creating more rules creates more opportunity for failure and shame. I need to find out how I can rely on Christ rather than create rules for myself. How do I increase my faith so that I can truly live?
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
twisted preferences
Romans 7:7-13
I just have a couple of minutes today so let me get right to it. Paul's point is that not only does the law not justify us (chapter 3) but it does not bring us life. It was intended to but, because I am so broken and twisted that I prefer and am enticed by what is forbidden, in simply saying I was not to do something, the law produced the desire to do that very thing which results in death. This is not a fault of the law but with me. The theological term is depravity - I prefer my own glory and the glory of the created things to the glory of God. Not only do I prefer it but I actively seek to undermine the glory of God. The result of all of this? Death.
If I am looking for life, I will not find it in the law. I will not find life by making rules about being a Christian. I will not find life there at all. And yet that is what I do. The law does not bring life! I need to stop creating and relying on the law and start pursuing life!
I just have a couple of minutes today so let me get right to it. Paul's point is that not only does the law not justify us (chapter 3) but it does not bring us life. It was intended to but, because I am so broken and twisted that I prefer and am enticed by what is forbidden, in simply saying I was not to do something, the law produced the desire to do that very thing which results in death. This is not a fault of the law but with me. The theological term is depravity - I prefer my own glory and the glory of the created things to the glory of God. Not only do I prefer it but I actively seek to undermine the glory of God. The result of all of this? Death.
If I am looking for life, I will not find it in the law. I will not find life by making rules about being a Christian. I will not find life there at all. And yet that is what I do. The law does not bring life! I need to stop creating and relying on the law and start pursuing life!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
til death do us part...
Romans 6:1-6
Observe:
"Law" is used repeatedly, sometimes in contrast to "the Spirit." Death/dying is a concept that is repeated, sometimes in contrast to being alive. Paul uses a word picture of marriage to illustrate our relationship to the law.
Interpret:
Paul is continuing his argument that we are dead to sin but made alive, through faith, to God. We no longer need to obey sin. His illustration may seem a bit strange: in Paul's time, a wife was basically property and was bound to her husband "til death do us part." She had to be obedient to him. But once her husband was dead, she was free to find a new husband. Paul argues that because we have died, we are no longer subject to sin - we are not bound by it any longer.
Apply:
I have been released from my commitment to sin and the law because I have died to sin. I am now bound to Christ and to serve him, not in the old way of the law, but in the new way of the Spirit. As Korey, Mick and I talked this morning, this means that I have a choice: I don't need to automatically sin. It also means that I need to take more responsibility for my actions - I choose to subject myself to my old master (which means I am stupid because he treats me badly).
Observe:
"Law" is used repeatedly, sometimes in contrast to "the Spirit." Death/dying is a concept that is repeated, sometimes in contrast to being alive. Paul uses a word picture of marriage to illustrate our relationship to the law.
Interpret:
Paul is continuing his argument that we are dead to sin but made alive, through faith, to God. We no longer need to obey sin. His illustration may seem a bit strange: in Paul's time, a wife was basically property and was bound to her husband "til death do us part." She had to be obedient to him. But once her husband was dead, she was free to find a new husband. Paul argues that because we have died, we are no longer subject to sin - we are not bound by it any longer.
Apply:
I have been released from my commitment to sin and the law because I have died to sin. I am now bound to Christ and to serve him, not in the old way of the law, but in the new way of the Spirit. As Korey, Mick and I talked this morning, this means that I have a choice: I don't need to automatically sin. It also means that I need to take more responsibility for my actions - I choose to subject myself to my old master (which means I am stupid because he treats me badly).
Friday, August 3, 2007
servitude (I like the word as long as it doesn't affect me)
Romans 6:19-23
Observe:
Key words: slave(ry), righteousness, holiness, life, death, impurity/sin
Paul contrasts the results of being a slave to sin (shame and death) with the results of being a slave to God (holiness and life). Holiness and righteousness are connected to life and sin is connected to death.
Interpret:
Paul recognizes that his analogy is not perfect - it is causes some problems to talk about our obedience to God as slavery in the same way that our obedience to sin is slavery. However, the analogy is there in that we are either obeying sin or obeying God.
Paul carries on the idea of wages vs. gift in verse 23 which echoes his language in chapter 4 where he argues that Abraham's righteousness was credited to him as a gift not as an obligation based on his works. This also furthers Paul's argument that we live by faith and that life is a gift from God; not based on works - just as Abraham's righteousness was a gift from God not based on works. This is Paul's whole point: Our righteousness is a gift from God and so is our life. We achieve both by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or any social status.
Paul is specifically arguing in this passage that there are only two choices when it comes to life: either obeying sin (which leads to shame and death) or obeying God (which leads to holiness and life). The difference is that one is what we deserve (wages of sin) and one is not (gift of God).
Apply:
It follows that my justification will lead to holy living. If I rely on God to save me, why wouldn't I rely on God to help me live? I'm not talking about physical life (although that is a gift from God as well) but about really living, being alive. I have settled for living death when Christ offers living life! I think that we, as a Christian society, have stopped short of the life that God wants.
I also don't think we see the two options very clearly. We tend to think that our choices stand alone and don't see the effect they may be having on history and eternity. We need to recognize that in this battle between sin and holiness, death and life, that we must be very intentional in the things we do and say. I need to evaluate every choice: how can I best promote the cause of holiness and life and act against sin and death?
Observe:
Key words: slave(ry), righteousness, holiness, life, death, impurity/sin
Paul contrasts the results of being a slave to sin (shame and death) with the results of being a slave to God (holiness and life). Holiness and righteousness are connected to life and sin is connected to death.
Interpret:
Paul recognizes that his analogy is not perfect - it is causes some problems to talk about our obedience to God as slavery in the same way that our obedience to sin is slavery. However, the analogy is there in that we are either obeying sin or obeying God.
Paul carries on the idea of wages vs. gift in verse 23 which echoes his language in chapter 4 where he argues that Abraham's righteousness was credited to him as a gift not as an obligation based on his works. This also furthers Paul's argument that we live by faith and that life is a gift from God; not based on works - just as Abraham's righteousness was a gift from God not based on works. This is Paul's whole point: Our righteousness is a gift from God and so is our life. We achieve both by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or any social status.
Paul is specifically arguing in this passage that there are only two choices when it comes to life: either obeying sin (which leads to shame and death) or obeying God (which leads to holiness and life). The difference is that one is what we deserve (wages of sin) and one is not (gift of God).
Apply:
It follows that my justification will lead to holy living. If I rely on God to save me, why wouldn't I rely on God to help me live? I'm not talking about physical life (although that is a gift from God as well) but about really living, being alive. I have settled for living death when Christ offers living life! I think that we, as a Christian society, have stopped short of the life that God wants.
I also don't think we see the two options very clearly. We tend to think that our choices stand alone and don't see the effect they may be having on history and eternity. We need to recognize that in this battle between sin and holiness, death and life, that we must be very intentional in the things we do and say. I need to evaluate every choice: how can I best promote the cause of holiness and life and act against sin and death?
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
You're not the boss of me!
Romans 6:15-18
Observe:
Repeated words: slaves, sin, righteousness.
Paul uses the rhetorical question again in this paragraph. He also makes a contrast between being a slave to sin (which leads to death) and a slave to God (which leads to righteousness).
Interpret:
Paul is making the point that our freedom from the law does not equal freedom to sin but freedom to obey God (something we were incapable of apart from God's intervention - Romans 3). He anticipates that people would abuse the fact that they are not under law but under grace (from the previous paragraph) as a license to sin. He argues that by submitting to sin a person makes himself a slave again to sin. He also indicates that humans are always slaves to something - in Paul's world it is either we are slaves to sin or slaves to God.
Apply:
Sin is no longer my master. I have been freed through Jesus Christ to obey God. Compared to the power of God, the Holy Spirit, in me, sin has no power. I need to remember this when temptation comes. I also need to remember that there is a snare hidden in the temptation: that sin never has my good in mind but is trying to entice me to become its slave again. I admit that in the middle of the temptation it seems very attractive and very powerful. I truly need to become more sensitive to the Spirit in me as he seeks to remind me of the truth: God is more powerful that the temptation and the temptation leads to enslavement.
Observe:
Repeated words: slaves, sin, righteousness.
Paul uses the rhetorical question again in this paragraph. He also makes a contrast between being a slave to sin (which leads to death) and a slave to God (which leads to righteousness).
Interpret:
Paul is making the point that our freedom from the law does not equal freedom to sin but freedom to obey God (something we were incapable of apart from God's intervention - Romans 3). He anticipates that people would abuse the fact that they are not under law but under grace (from the previous paragraph) as a license to sin. He argues that by submitting to sin a person makes himself a slave again to sin. He also indicates that humans are always slaves to something - in Paul's world it is either we are slaves to sin or slaves to God.
Apply:
Sin is no longer my master. I have been freed through Jesus Christ to obey God. Compared to the power of God, the Holy Spirit, in me, sin has no power. I need to remember this when temptation comes. I also need to remember that there is a snare hidden in the temptation: that sin never has my good in mind but is trying to entice me to become its slave again. I admit that in the middle of the temptation it seems very attractive and very powerful. I truly need to become more sensitive to the Spirit in me as he seeks to remind me of the truth: God is more powerful that the temptation and the temptation leads to enslavement.
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