[For all] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.]

Romans 3:24(b)

[For all] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.] Romans 3:24

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved to the next section of chapter four The Glory of Christ's Salvation, where the focus on 3:24 and a discussion of redemption. My commentary defines redemption in its similarity to "freeing of slaves through a payment."  It goes on to describe how in the Old Testament, the blood of the Passover Lamb provides redemption for the first born sons who were spared the plague of death in Egypt. Jesus' death on the cross is described as the "New Exodus."  Four basic components of this New Exodus:

1. Need of redemption
   
2. Price of redemption
   
3. Glory of Redeemer
4. Familial nature of redemption

In terms of need, in the OT Israel suffered political, economic, social, and spiritual slavery and in the NT the need for redemption is magnified as "we are dead in sin and in need of new life...under God's wrath...slaves to sin...in the kingdom of darkness...[and] in need of transference into the kingdom of light." In terms of the familial nature of redemption, throughout scripture we experience God's endearing language towards His people, and in the NT, we are adopted into His family as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know You paid a price for my salvation and You continue to bless me immeasurably - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  But my sins continue, including worry, etc.  Please forgive me for my sins and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.]

Romans 3:21-31

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.] Romans 3:22-24

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved to chapter four The Glory of Christ's Salvation, which covers Romans 3:21-31. My focus this morning is Romans 3:21-24(a). As a starting point - without referencing my commentary - I focus on Paul's description of righteousness "manifested apart from the law".  The Jews saw the law as the basis for righteousness but Paul is writing that since we all sin even with the law, then no matter how well-versed we are with the law, including in deeds in obedience to the law, we are not righteous. As a matter of fact, Paul has just stated as such in 3:9-18 - not a single person is righteous.  Paul goes on to state that ultimately there is righteousness only through and with Jesus. Also in v21 is Paul's phrase that "the Law and the Prophets" bear witness to it - referencing v22 where there is a clear implication that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the many prophecies from the Old Testament prophets who wrote about the promised Messiah. V23 is a oft-quoted verse about our fallen nature and v24 builds our hope as we have justification and redemption through Christ.

As an introduction to the this chapter, my commentary refers to Romans 3:21-26, by way of quoting several other commentaries, as perhaps the most important in the entire book of Romans, as each of the "mega themes of the saving righteousness of God" are present, including justification, redemption, propitiation, grace, faith, and more!

This morning in particular, the focus starts specifically with "intervention" as described in 3:21. This verse starts with "But now" as Paul pivots from our fallen state to the hope in Jesus Christ. My commentary then moves to "justification" and how we "become right with God" - righteous by faith in Christ and not of our own effort (see also Philippians 3:9). The commentary describes this justified status as having a "new identity, a new family, and a new hope of enjoying a new creation."  My commentary also encourages us to not forget from v24 that we are justified by grace as a gift (see also Ephesians 2:8-9).

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who intervened, justified and redeemed me from my sin and gave me righteousness in Your sight - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  It is only by grace - thank You!  But again I am not deserving as my sin continues daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Surely there is not a good person on earth who always does good and never sins.

Romans 3:9-20

Surely there is not a good person on earth who always does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20 (Romans 3:10, 12)

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved to the second section of Why We Need the Gospel: No One is Righteous: Romans 3:1-20; this section is entitled In the Courtroom with Paul and covers Romans 3:9-20. As a starting point, my reading of these verses indicates Paul's indictment of all humanity - Jews and Gentiles - as guilty of sin and Paul, knowledgeable of scripture, quotes Psalms (5, 14, 53, etc.) as he makes his case. In particular, he focuses on Jews who, although they live under and by the law, do not live a life consistent with the law and even if they do, this does not justify anyone.  

My commentary indicates that there are "fourteen total charges to provide that unrepentant humanity is guilty before God [and that] Tim Keller points out seven effects of sin in the list, saying that sin has affected:

1. our legal standing
2. our minds
3. our motives
4. our wills
5. our tongues
6. our relationships
7. our relationship with God"

My commentary further breaks down these effects into three categories (1) the character of the accused (v10-12), (2) the conversation of the accused (v13-14), and the (3) conduct of the accused.  

The character of the accused is marked by ignorance, godlessness, waywardness, etc. The conversation of the accused is marked by course talk and the destructive nature of our words, including deceit. Our speech is described of course as a matter of the heart. The conduct of the accused is marked by violence, wretchedness, and perhaps most importantly "no fear of God before their eyes (v18)."

My commentary closes a discussion of 3:9:20 with a description of v19-20 - The Verdict.  Again, everyone is guilty of sin, including those who feel knowledge of the law saves and of course it does not - instead knowledge of the law reveals the depth of our sin!

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who came to save me - thank You Jesus!  I know You love me despite my sin - thank You Jesus!  I am thankful as well that You sanctify me day by day.  I am undeserving of such blessings as I continue to sin - worry, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

Romans 3:1-8

Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” Romans 3:4

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved on to the next chapter Why We Need the Gospel: No One is Righteous: Romans 3:1-20.  I start section one - In the Classroom with Paul: Romans 3:1-8.  Without my commentary, as I transition from Romans 2, in light of Jewish hypocrisy, I see how Paul questions what advantage the Jews may have.  They may have been the chosen people, and to be given God's lay, but they weren't very obedient and trusting - nor did they walk the walk.  He sees God's grace, righteousness, and glory in God's judgement of the Jews. 

My commentary starts with the description of Paul as an attorney delivering an opening statement with all of humanity on trial - we are all sinful.  He describes the Jews as perhaps having an advantage but they squandered it because they did not see Jesus as the promised Messiah from scriptures (see John 5:39-40).  The commentary goes on to show how Paul then is describing how although the Jews were unfaithful, God was not (v4) - God's faithfulness does not depend on Israel's faithfulness.  My commentary points to how Paul referred to Psalm 51:4 to agree with King David after his affair with Bathsheba that God is "justified in his words" when judging us. God is both faithful and just.  Paul then answers the question of whether we are doing God a favor by sinning (v5-8) and of course the answer is no.  My commentary points to how it is strictly a "human argument" to see how "unrighteous conduct could ever serve a good purpose of enhancing God's righteous character." God is also not magnified when we lie - He is not pleased. The commentary shows how v1-8 echo Romans 6 where Paul answers no to the question whether we should continue in sin so that grace is multiplied. We are warned not to "play games" with God and the Bible.  We are to "[s]ee the plain teaching of Scripture and respond in humble repentance and faith."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You are both faithful and just and I am grateful that You are both.  I can depend on You and Your promises are satisfying!  Unlike anything else - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You are faithful and just.  My sin continues...including impatience, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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 2:1-29

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

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved on to the next section Judgement and the Jew: Romans 2:1-29. As indicated yesterday, here Paul focuses on hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders who in Paul's words by "passing judgement on another...condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things" (v1).  Paul also focuses on not (much like James does in James 1) just "hearing" the law but "doing" the law.  Paul warns hypocrites and the unrighteous of what awaits (wrath, fury, tribulation, distress v8-9) and encourages the righteous that glory and honor await them (v10, 12). 

My commentary reminds me that of course hypocrisy is not just a problem for the Jews in Paul's day but for everyone, including believers today. We must all acknowledge our sin, repent and seek holy living and obedience to Christ.  The commentary goes on to discuss eleven truths based on Paul's teaching in Romans 2:

1. God's judgement reflects the reality of the situation - there is only God's standard (v2)
2. God's judgement allows for no exceptions (v3)
3. God's judgement means you should not presume on his kindness but turn to him in repentance (v4)
   
4. God's judgement will result in God's just wrath on the unrepentant (v5); see also Matthew 7:23
   
5. God's judgement is based on what we have really been, sought, and done (v6); seeking God's glory vs self glory is contrasted
   
6. God's judgement has eternal consequences (v7-8)
   
7. God's judgement is pronounced individually (v6-10)
   
8. God's judgement is without partiality (v11)
   
9. God's judgement is for everyone regardless of how they have received the law, either on tablets or on the heart (v12-15)
   
10. God's judgement reaches to the secrets of our hearts (v16)
    
11. God's judgement is in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ (v16)
    

My commentary goes on to describe the "shameful effects of hypocrisy", including dishonor of God. Circumcision of the heart vs physically is emphasized - our heart condition is what matters. V27 is highlighted to demonstrate that "obedient Gentiles will in judgement over the disobedient Jews."  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You provide Your Son, the Holy Spirit, and Your Word so that I can be saved and sanctified - thank You Jesus!  I know there is more and I am grateful for that as well!  Yet I am undeserving of ALL the blessings You pour out for me. I sin and my sin continues, including worry, etc.  Please help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Romans 1:18-32

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:24-25

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved on with a review of Romans 1:18-32.  Here, Paul pivots from righteousness to the fate that awaits the unrighteous, and he describes how the unrighteous got there, including how they knew God but did not honor or thank Him (v19-21), and how the exchanged the glory of God for idol worship (v22-23).  We also see how God hardened hearts (v24-28) as he did with Pharaoh (Exodus 8-9).  Finally, we see descriptions of unrighteousness (v29-32). 

My commentary is much more pointed in its view of these verses pointing out to the depth of human depravity, with the implication that no one is righteous (Romans 3:10, 23, 1 John 1:8) and we all need a savior. It describes with 1:18:32, Paul has "mainly the Gentiles in mind" and how with 2:1-3:8, Paul "has the Jews primarily in mind." We are shown how Paul ultimately wants to get to the "good news" starting in Romans 3:21, but we must first get through the bad news in 1:18-3:20. The section for today in my commentary (1:18-32) is entitled Judgement and the Gentile.

In looking at the bad news we are encouraged to appreciate how "God's wrath is not a wild, emotional outburst.  God is 'slow to anger,' but he does not wink at sin."  His anger is both righteous and holy - we are to tremble at God's wrath and be thankful for our Savior. God's deliverance is described as having its roots in the Old Testament and how it cuts two ways, on some occasions Israel was delivered from the hands of its enemies, on other occasions it was the opposite, and how yet other times there is an awakening such as the prodigal son. We are also reminded that, sadly, "some never turn to God in repentance".  My reading from John Piper's book Providence makes it clear (as does the Bible) that faith is a gift from God. 

In looking at the causes of sin, my commentary indicates that "the whole array of sins that characterizes humanity has its roots in the soil of idolatry... [and] [s]in problems are worship problems."  It also states that "everyone has suppressed the truth (v18)", that the "whole world has natural revelation of God (v19)", and that "apart from divine grace, they do not respond rightly to it."  While creation reveals a "sense" of God but that believers are to preach the good news to provide a "specific revelation" or explanation of the gospel.

My commentary looks closely at idolatry and writes that Paul describes a "movement, madness, and misery of idolatry."  Believers enjoy the joy and satisfaction that only God provides.    

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who rescued me from my sin - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving because of my and because my sin continues - please forgive me Jesus for my worry and other sins.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved on with a review of Romans 1:16-17. Here, Paul clearly states his view that the gospel is God and is the power of God.  It saves, provides the basis of faith for believers, and it reveals God's character and nature.  It also transforms lives and is the basis for sanctification so widely discussed in the book I just completed - John Piper's Reading the Bible Supernaturally: Seeing and Savoring God's Glory in Scripture.  My commentary refers to these two verses as the "nerve center" of Romans - as Paul goes on to declare regarding righteousness: 

• no one is righteous (1:18-3:20)
• by faith in Christ one is declared righteous (3:21-5:21)
• Christians are slaves to righteousness (6:1-8:39)
  
• and defend God's righteousness (9:1-11:36) 
  
• and provide practical advice on righteous living (12:1-15:13)  

Just as Paul writes that he is "not ashamed of the gospel", my commentary also urges us to be proud of our firm belief in the gospel and its core truths. We may be mocked and shamed, perhaps not physically as Paul and other early believers were (or perhaps not depending on where you are), regardless, we can stand firm.  We must not be ashamed and Jesus warned the disciples and us not be ashamed (see Mark 8:38).  We must see, as my commentary refers to Bird, that the gospel not only describes God's power but it IS God's power. Salvation is referred to as having "already" and "not yet" dimensions - we continue to be sanctified through the gospel through glorification when we are complete and see Jesus perfectly. We are saved "from" spiritual and physical death and "for" rebirth in Christ and eternity in Heaven.  

My commentary notes how Paul references Habakkuk 2:4 in v17, and how "Paul quotes from the Old Testament in Romans more than in all his other letters combined.  There are at least sixty-one direct quotations from fourteen different books...faith is the way in which one stands right before God.  The whole Bible teaches us this."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and how saves me from physical and spiritual death and for new and full life here on earth and for eternity in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  All incredible gifts and of course I am undeserving.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.