For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6:5
paul urges believers to die to their old-selves, meaning that they would no longer be in sin, because Christ's death defeated sin and his resurrection defeats death. this is speaking directly to those who believe in a cheap grace (Romans 6:15)- if they have any idea what their sin leads to, it would only make sense to avoid it. if they were truly living in Christ, they would know the severity of their sin and repent, not only asking for forgiveness, but also turning away from their mistakes.
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14
as Christians, we have a hope that when we are perfected in Christ Jesus, all sin in ourselves will be triumphed over. and it is by the grace of God that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9)!
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
although we deserve death, because all have sinned, God has given His Son as a propitiation for our unrighteousness so that we may have everlasting life. i can't wait for eternity! however, in this life, i pray that God will use me to spread the gospel so that more people follow our Lord.
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4
we were slaves of sin, serving the devil, before we were bought by the blood of the Lamb- the only worthy sacrifice able to satisfy the wrath of God. and now that we are purchased, we are slaves of righteousness under the righteous Master.
For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Romans 7:11-12
the law brought death and wrath to all men, because all have broken it- in fact, the written law provoked rebellion, because sin corrupts the will of humans to live and encourages that which is the only end of itself. however, this does not mean God intended evil through making the law, which is perfect and holy. instead, the law was given to men to lead them to one conclusion: only Christ could be without sin and therefore, trusting in Him as Savior is the only way. this also means that Christians must follow Jesus in example and must uphold the law (Romans 3:31).
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Romans 7:18
there are two views to this section in Romans 7- paul is talking of himself as a believer, in which case all Christians struggle with sin continually although they are born-again and considered to be slaves of righteousness. or paul is referring to himself before he came to know Christ, in this case, he would be speaking of the moralists who try to do what is right, but are unable to, because they serve their flesh. personally, i do not think either view contradicts the other and both are equally valid points. in both cases, paul makes it very clear that sin is the root cause of any fruitless actions or anything that bears fruit for death (Romans 7:5).
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25
because of these verses, i am more inclined to hold the first interpretation- that paul was speaking of believers- because i do not believe in sinless perfection at the justification stage. i believe that past, present, and future sins are no longer counted at justification, but Christians must go through sanctification, here trusting in Jesus more and more, to be made Christ-like. therefore, i pray that my Lord Jesus would send the Holy Spirit into my soul, so that we may become one. cleanse me and guide me, God.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
romans 5
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5
i could lose my family, my dog, my friends, my house, my education, my job, my car, my clothes, all of my material possessions, and my health, but i would still say God is good! because in my suffering, God would make me stronger in that, i would trust in His grace, mercy, and love and i would understand, if only a glimpse, of what Christ has suffered for me.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 5:10
i've offended God, you've offended God, and the whole world has offended God. and yet, while we were ungodly, God showed His love for us on the cross (Romans 5:6). i know, whenever i look upon the cross, that i am so unworthy- and this is the reason why my soul sings for God when i worship, because His love is so deep that no matter how far down i may fall, He can reach me.
For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17
because adam sinned, all who are born from him inherit spiritual death. but for those who are born again in Christ, eternal glory is their inheritance. so, just because you are born in a Christian home, it doesn't mean you are saved. and just because you do not know God's law, it does not make you exempt from death (Romans 2:12, 5:13-14). therefore, all humans are without excuse and will perish if they do not trust in the Savior, our Lord Jesus.
i could lose my family, my dog, my friends, my house, my education, my job, my car, my clothes, all of my material possessions, and my health, but i would still say God is good! because in my suffering, God would make me stronger in that, i would trust in His grace, mercy, and love and i would understand, if only a glimpse, of what Christ has suffered for me.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 5:10
i've offended God, you've offended God, and the whole world has offended God. and yet, while we were ungodly, God showed His love for us on the cross (Romans 5:6). i know, whenever i look upon the cross, that i am so unworthy- and this is the reason why my soul sings for God when i worship, because His love is so deep that no matter how far down i may fall, He can reach me.
For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17
because adam sinned, all who are born from him inherit spiritual death. but for those who are born again in Christ, eternal glory is their inheritance. so, just because you are born in a Christian home, it doesn't mean you are saved. and just because you do not know God's law, it does not make you exempt from death (Romans 2:12, 5:13-14). therefore, all humans are without excuse and will perish if they do not trust in the Savior, our Lord Jesus.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
romans 4
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Romans 4:2-3
God intended for righteousness to come to us through faith, because faith is trust and trust is the basis of a relationship with Him. if it had been through works, not only would we be able to boast, but there would also be no love for God- we would be ungrateful and trust in ourselves.
For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. Romans 4:14
again, God made it so that salvation would not come through works, but through faith- a complete and total surrender of ourselves- trusting in the Lord wholeheartedly, giving Him all of the glory! and it is the truth that we must trust in the Savior, because of our failure uphold the law (Romans 4:15).
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21
despite the fact that he was old and his wife was barren (Romans 4:19), abraham believed that God would make him father of many nations. he believed that God, who created the universe could bring life to that which is dead (Romans 4:17). therefore, it is no surprise that our Lord Jesus was raised from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25)! glory be to Him forever!
God intended for righteousness to come to us through faith, because faith is trust and trust is the basis of a relationship with Him. if it had been through works, not only would we be able to boast, but there would also be no love for God- we would be ungrateful and trust in ourselves.
For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. Romans 4:14
again, God made it so that salvation would not come through works, but through faith- a complete and total surrender of ourselves- trusting in the Lord wholeheartedly, giving Him all of the glory! and it is the truth that we must trust in the Savior, because of our failure uphold the law (Romans 4:15).
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21
despite the fact that he was old and his wife was barren (Romans 4:19), abraham believed that God would make him father of many nations. he believed that God, who created the universe could bring life to that which is dead (Romans 4:17). therefore, it is no surprise that our Lord Jesus was raised from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25)! glory be to Him forever!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
romans 3
But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) Romans 3:5
both jews and gentiles are held accountable (Romans 3:19) and must be judged by God for their wrongdoings. if God was to be considered unrighteous for punishing the lost, then no evil in the world would be punished. and God in His holiness and perfection cannot accept anything impure or sinful.
For by the works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20
every human being has sin and the law acts like a death note, as in it makes us aware of our sin, because every human breaks the law and is guilty. this is paul's conclusion: no one can have a right standing with God by his own works, but rather one who is justified trusts in what the Lord has done on the cross- the righteous shall live by faith (Romans 1:17; 3:25, 28).
both jews and gentiles are held accountable (Romans 3:19) and must be judged by God for their wrongdoings. if God was to be considered unrighteous for punishing the lost, then no evil in the world would be punished. and God in His holiness and perfection cannot accept anything impure or sinful.
For by the works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20
every human being has sin and the law acts like a death note, as in it makes us aware of our sin, because every human breaks the law and is guilty. this is paul's conclusion: no one can have a right standing with God by his own works, but rather one who is justified trusts in what the Lord has done on the cross- the righteous shall live by faith (Romans 1:17; 3:25, 28).
Thursday, December 15, 2011
romans 1-2
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
as Christians, we should never feel ashamed of the gospel, because it is the good news of salvation for all sinners who believe in the Savior. God gives us power to speak boldly about our faith so why should we ever be afraid? pray daily for the Holy Spirit to sanctify your heart and work in you.
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
within every person there is a conscious and an innate wondering of the existence of God. creation is proof of the Creator. and yet, mankind has the nerve to deny and reject His glory shown throughout all the universe, because of pride and arrogance. and rejecting God will only lead to unrighteousness (Romans 1:24-32). i thank You with all of my soul that the truth of my wickedness and my own inequities has been revealed to me so that i may depend solely on Christ's sacrifice for my salvation!
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgement will be revealed. Romans 2:5
those who think that they are right with God without trusting in the Savior are fools. moralists bent on self-centered justification believe that they are superior and therefore judge others for the same sins that they commit themselves (Romans 2:3). i need to repent for all of the judgement i have passed onto others out of my pride. Lord Jesus, You have not condemned me. and so, i must not condemn anyone, but i must abound in love for all just as You have done on the cross.
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Romans 2:13
we know that none are righteous before God, except through the Son. therefore, only Christ can fulfill the law perfectly. God will judge all who have the law and those without (Romans 2:15-16), because He has set a perfect standard that none of us can hold up to. and He made it this way not to condemn all mankind to eternal suffering, but to provide a Savior, Jesus! and i am overjoyed that my Lord receives all the glory and all the honor and all the praise for His wonderful and triumphant love for us!
But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:29
the heart will be judged and therefore, a genuine transformation of the soul does not come from something physical, but instead from the Spirit. in the same way, we are baptized by the Spirit and the water serves as a representation. i need to get baptized soon...
as Christians, we should never feel ashamed of the gospel, because it is the good news of salvation for all sinners who believe in the Savior. God gives us power to speak boldly about our faith so why should we ever be afraid? pray daily for the Holy Spirit to sanctify your heart and work in you.
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
within every person there is a conscious and an innate wondering of the existence of God. creation is proof of the Creator. and yet, mankind has the nerve to deny and reject His glory shown throughout all the universe, because of pride and arrogance. and rejecting God will only lead to unrighteousness (Romans 1:24-32). i thank You with all of my soul that the truth of my wickedness and my own inequities has been revealed to me so that i may depend solely on Christ's sacrifice for my salvation!
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgement will be revealed. Romans 2:5
those who think that they are right with God without trusting in the Savior are fools. moralists bent on self-centered justification believe that they are superior and therefore judge others for the same sins that they commit themselves (Romans 2:3). i need to repent for all of the judgement i have passed onto others out of my pride. Lord Jesus, You have not condemned me. and so, i must not condemn anyone, but i must abound in love for all just as You have done on the cross.
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Romans 2:13
we know that none are righteous before God, except through the Son. therefore, only Christ can fulfill the law perfectly. God will judge all who have the law and those without (Romans 2:15-16), because He has set a perfect standard that none of us can hold up to. and He made it this way not to condemn all mankind to eternal suffering, but to provide a Savior, Jesus! and i am overjoyed that my Lord receives all the glory and all the honor and all the praise for His wonderful and triumphant love for us!
But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:29
the heart will be judged and therefore, a genuine transformation of the soul does not come from something physical, but instead from the Spirit. in the same way, we are baptized by the Spirit and the water serves as a representation. i need to get baptized soon...
Saturday, December 10, 2011
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