Tag Archives: Advent

Romans 3- Jesus our Propitiation

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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; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26

So earlier the Apostle Paul taught us, what and why Christ is the good news for us all. Today the Apostle Paul teaches us how Christ is the good news. Jesus took your place on that cross, as Paul said “God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His (Christ) blood” It’s interesting when you look at the other English translations NIV states “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of His blood” The Amplified Version says this “whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith” As you look at the different translations, you get the understanding Christ died for your sins on the cross, and by our faith in Christ and his sacrifice we are declared righteous with God

The word propitiation is very interesting, Gotquestions.org says the word means  this “The word propitiation carries the basic idea of appeasement or satisfaction, specifically toward God. Propitiation is a two-part act that involves appeasing the wrath of an offended person and being reconciled to him.” The only way we can be reconciled or redeemed to God is by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, this is why Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) This is what Christ has done for you, because He loved you and chosen you before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4)

Consider these scriptures about propitiation “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) The Apostle John states Christ is the propitiation or atoning sacrifice for us and the entire world! Remember what John the Baptist stated about Jesus “Behold The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) 

The author of Hebrews, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, stated the same thing “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17) Jesus Christ, our Lord, our King, our High Priest, made the propitiation, the atoning sacrifice for our sins, the sins of the people, the world. This is a difficult concept for us to grasp, that the Son of God loves us enough to die for our sins, to redeem and forgive us

What did Christ do for guilty sinners like me and you? As the Apostle Paul says here “That He (Christ) might be Just and the Justifier of him (Us) who believes/has faith in Jesus” We are redeemed and justified by our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the propitiation for our sins, who has reconciled us back to our Father, and given us the Holy Spirit, to be Children of God, Amen!

Romans 3- The Good News

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But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Romans 3:21-24

What is the gospel message? We are told to preach and share the gospel to everyone, but do you know what the gospel even is? The word “gospel” simply means good news, so what is the good news? Well you might say “Jesus died for your sins” and this is good news, but does the world understand this good news?

Well the Apostle Paul , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, makes it clear “For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” All means all, correct? Every single person has fallen short of God, meaning we are all sinners, except The Lord Jesus Christ. Any other belief is against the Word of God. Everyone needs a Savior, everyone needs forgiveness and atonement for their sins. Everyone in the world is already condemned for their sins, headed to eternal Hell, with no hope and fully justified by our own actions. As the Apostle John said “He who doesn’t believe is condemned already” (John 3:18)

So when you start to understand all this, when you start to understand your level of depravity based from Gods moral law (The Ten Commandments) You understand that you desperately need a Savior. So how can we be forgiven? How can we be reconciled back to God? The only way is through our Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) This is why Christ is the only way to salvation, there is no other way except by faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord (Ephesians 2:8-9)

As the Apostle Paul says here “The righteousness of God , which is by faith of Jesus Christ,  upon all of them that believe” This is why Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became flesh and died for your sins on the cross. And on the 3rd day, He rose again and ascended at the right hand of God the Father. The only way you can be saved from eternal damnation is by faith in Jesus Christ. You can’t save yourself, there is nobody righteous, and your works will never save you, its only by faith in the works of our Lord Jesus Christ

So when you understand this, you understand why the gospel of Jesus Christ, is the greatest news ever! I’ll end with the words of the Apostle Paul “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” You are saved and justified , not by your own works, but by the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, the best news ever! Amen!

Romans 2- Law Written On Our Hearts

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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; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 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: 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;) Romans 2:12-15

Jesus said “Unless you repent, you will all perish” (Luke 13:3) This is a message that is highly offensive to everyone, however God is calling everyone to repentance and to turn to Christ. However the unsaved person will say “I don’t believe in God”, and  “I don’t believe in Repentance” Is this person exempt from the gospel? Can an atheist inherit eternal life simply because they refuse to believe?

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, addresses this issue. Paul said “For as many sinned without the law, shall also perish without the law” There are many people who have never heard the Law of God (Ten Commandments) yet they will be judged by the Law of God and will perish. The Atheist will say “That’s not fair, I thought I had an exemption from Gods judgment”  As Paul said “As many have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law”

So this brings up the question, what is the law? The Law is not just commandments, but its Gods nature, as Paul said “The Law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ” (Galatians 3:24) The Law of God reveals our sinful nature, it reveals how far away we are from the nature of God. Consider when Jesus spoke to the Rich Young Ruler, (Mark 10, Matthew 19, Luke 18) the man asked Jesus “What shall I do to inherit eternal life”? What was Jesus’ response? He walked the man through the Ten Commandments, the moral law of God. Why? Because that reveals our sinful nature and our need for a Savior, Jesus Christ

As the Apostle Paul continues on “The Gentiles , who don’t have the Law, by nature do things required by the Law, because the Law is written on their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness” We are all made in the image of God, so because of our nature, we have been born with a conscience, which tells us when we are doing things that are wrong. Even though we may have not been taught the full Law of God, we instinctively know parts of the Law of God.

Let me give you an example, most of us would agree murder is wrong, rape is wrong, stealing is wrong, because the Law is written on your heart, even though many deny their Creator. If you look at most cultures or civilizations, most have the same moral rules, because we were born with a conscience of God

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (v16)

Therefore since we are all made in the image of God, we bear the responsibility of our sins because we have been born with a conscience. There will be no exemption clauses at the judgement seat of Christ, this is why everyone needs to hear the gospel, everyone needs to come to repentance and be Born Again in Christ for salvation, Amen

Romans 2- Wrath of God

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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; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Romans 2:5-8

The world will ask “Why do I need Jesus”? What most of the world doesn’t understand is everyday they are storing up wrath against themselves as they continue to rebel and live in sin against God. As the Apostle Paul says here “according to your hardness , stubborn, and impenitent or unrepentant heart” People who refuse to repent of their sins, have a hard heart to God, “you are treasuring or storing up wrath” Everyday you are adding more and more wrath to your final judgement

The world will say “Nobody can judge me” the reality is there will be day of judgement for everyone. As the Apostle Paul says “the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God” People need to understand God will not be mocked, what they reap they will sow” (Galatians 6:7) People believe the lie told by Satan in the garden “You will certainly not die” (Genesis 3:4) The world believes the deception from the Father of Lies, and continues to rebel against God to satisfy the lusts of their flesh, storing up wrath daily

As the Apostle Paul states “Who (God) will render (judge, repay) everyone according to their deeds” This should put the fear of God into everyone, your actions and words will come to light and be judged. So much for the person crying “Don’t judge me”, that person is already condemned by their own sins. As it says in the gospel of John ““He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18) Without Christ you are already condemned because of your sins

However there is good news (gospel) that Christ became flesh and died on the cross to pay for the penalty of your sins (2 Corinthians 5:21) This is why it is the Good News, most people don’t understand why its the best news because they don’t understand they are condemned in their sins already. As the Apostle Paul says here “To them by patience continuance (persistence, perseverance) in well doing seek for glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life” 

Christ will give you eternal life, are you seeking him (Matthew 7:7) Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord, become Born Again (John 3:3) filled with the Holy Spirit , to make you a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7) a new heart for God to love Him with all your mind , heart, soul, and strength (Mark 12:30)   Amen

Romans 2- Don’t Judge?

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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. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 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? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:1-4

A popular thing we hear from the world today or even within Christianity is “Don’t judge me” , if you make any mention of sin or repentance, the person automatically assumes you are judging them, why? Because they are being convicted by the Holy Spirit for their sin, as Jesus said “He (The Holy Spirit) will convict the world of its sin” (John 16:8) This is why anytime you preach the true gospel or the Word of God, people are going to be offended, because they are being convicted of their sin by the Holy Spirit

So are Christians not to judge anyone, well yes and no. The reality is judgment is a part of life. As soon as you walk into a room, you are being judged. As soon as you started reading this blog, you judged, judgement is a part of life, its part of the way we analyze and make decisions as humans. And ultimately everyone will be judged by The Lord one day (Romans 14:10-12) If you think your going to escape judgment , I have bad news for you, everyone will be judged in the end. 

So how do we reconcile these scriptures by the Apostle Paul, well he’s basically reinforcing what Jesus already taught us. As people love to take the words of Christ out of context “Judge not or you will be judged” (Matthew 7:1) Now most people stop there when quoting this, but Jesus has an entire teaching on this. “For the same way you judge other, you will be judged” (Matthew 7:2) Ah so now its starting to make more sense with some more context, its not that you are never going to be judged or  never judge, you must judge righteously. As Jesus continues “why do you look at the speck in your brothers eye, and pay no attention to the log in your own eye” (Matthew 7:3) Ok more context, don’t be condemning people if your living in sin also. Get right with God before you tell others how to live for God

Now look what the Apostle Paul says “for whatever you judge someone else, you condemn yourself, for you who judge practice the same things” We can’t be hypocrites , as the old saying goes “practice what you preach”, if you are judging people for their sins, and you are living in those sins also, you are condemning yourself. Pull the log out of your own eye, repent and get Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) 

The Apostle Paul asks the question then “Do you think you will escape the judgement of God”? (v3) By pretending to be righteous and condemning others, do you not think your going to stand before The Lord also? Remember the grace and mercy God has shown you, remember to demonstrate this to others also, allow the Holy Spirit to do the convicting, and put your faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, Amen

Romans 1- Blood of Sinners

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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. Romans 1:32

The state of todays Christianity is no repentance, no regeneration of the Holy Spirit, no obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ. The motto of todays Church, is come as you are and stay as you are because God loves you this way. But this contradicts the entire Gospel message of repentance and faith in Christ (Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3) If God loves you just the way you are, then why did Jesus Christ have to die for your sins on the cross?

As we look at the words of the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this should be a dire warning to the “friendly-seeker” Church, “knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death” Let’s just stop here, the unregenerated sinner, the people who are left in their sins are worthy of death according to God. Now is it a loving thing to do to not warn these people of the condemnation that is to come? No, the loving thing to do is preach the gospel, and pray these people get Born Again (John 3:3) in Christ

The next line describes the Apostate Church today “not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (sin)” The Apostate Church not only tolerates sin and abominations but it also celebrates it. Many denominations , including the UMC, have Pride Sundays, celebrating the homesexual lifestyle, which the Apostle Paul just got done warning, is worthy of death

Consider the words of the prophet Ezekiel “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezekiel 3:18) The blood of the wicked, the unsaved, will be on your hands , if you don’t warn them about their sin! This is a dire warning to the Church, many refuse to preach the gospel, and because of that the sins of the wicked will be on your hands. If you truly loved these people, you would warn them about the wrath to come!

The prophet Ezekiel again warns about this “When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezekiel 33:8) Again God warns the blood of the wicked will be on your hands if you don’t warn them. But what if they don’t listen? Here is what the prophet says next “Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” (Ezekiel 33:9) Only God can save people, but it is our job to warn people about the consequences to come

Lets see what the words of our Lord Jesus Christ said “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) and again “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5) Christ made it clear unless we all repent of our sins we will all perish for our sins, the real loving Church preaches the gospel or the blood of the sinners will be on your hands, Amen

Romans 1- Sexual Immorality

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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: 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. Romans 1:26-27

Many people like to argue today that God never condemned or prohibited homosexuality or other acts of sexual immorality. These scriptures today, given by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, totally destroys their false arguments, and reveals the depravity of society. 

The argument these false Christians like to make is the word Homosexual is not in the Bible. There are several issues with this argument, first the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek not English, Secondly the word Homosexual is a newly created English word, therefore we wouldn’t expect to see this word in the original text. This is a straw-man argument, people who make this claim make it clear they are ignorant of the Bible or they are just being deceitful

As you read through the entire Bible, starting in Genesis, sexual immorality has always been an issue with mankind. As God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah as an example to the world, for their total depravity including their desire to rape the angels and sodomize them. (Genesis 19) In the Mosaic Law, God had to condemn the practice, as it is an abomination to God, and punishable by death (Leviticus 18:22) Scripture made it very clear, a man is not to have sex with another man as he would with a woman. There is no word play here or lost in translation, very clear, as the Bible states “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

So how do we know when a society is under the judgement of God? Look at the level of depravity in the culture, as the Apostle Paul says here “God gave them up to their vile , shameful, dishonorable passions and affections” Why is sexual immorality so rampant today? Because God gave them over to their sins, remember previously they worshipped the creature rather than the Creator. They love their sin and depravity more than they love God

The woman gave up her natural use what is against nature, the NIV states “woman exchanged their natural sexual relations with unnatural ones” You don’t have to be a Greek Bible scholar to know Paul is talking about lesbians. Men abandoned their natural relations with women , burning in lust for one another. Again very clear Paul is referring to homosexuality. There is nothing lost in translation or debate about wording here.

Men with men committing what is shameful and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which is due. So is the loving thing to encourage these people to remain dead in their sins and headed for an eternal damnation? Love warns (Proverbs 3:12) Churches that encourage and affirm this behavior are the most vile, because they are leading people to the broad road of Hell. (Matthew 7:13)

Jesus set the example and model of the family and human sexuality “He who made them in the beginning, made them male and female, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become One flesh. They are no longer two but One flesh, there what God has joined let no man separate (Matthew 19:4-6)

Romans 1- Total Depravity

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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. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 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. Romans 1:23-25

Idolatry has always been a major issue with humanity. Even if you go through the history of Israel, they kept creating and worshipping idols. God would command them to repent and remove their idols, they would and then go back to worshipping their idols. Its no different today in the Church. There have been many idols created within the Church, many people have created a false Jesus into their own image. 

As the Apostle Paul says under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man” Are you worshipping the real Jesus Christ of the Bible? Or are you worshipping a false Jesus you have created in your own mind? That was created over tradition and false doctrine? If we are wrong about Jesus, doesn’t matter what we are right about!

The world loves to worship the creature rather than the Creator. We see this through everything, money, entertainment, sports, you name it, people have made an idol out of it. Eventually God has had enough, “God also gave them up to uncleanness or sinful desires, through the lusts of their own hearts” People love their sin more than they love God, eventually God will allow them to worship their sin. This is why you see the total depravity in humanity. 

People ask what is wrong with this world? What happened to society? This is what happened, God gave them over to their sins, the people act like human animals looking to please the flesh at any cost. Carnally minded and headed to eternal destruction, they have no care in the world, except to please the flesh. As Paul says “to dishonour their own bodies between themselves” sexual immorality, transgenderism, homosexuality, all fruits of the flesh

They have changed the truth of God into a lie, this is what we see from a Romans 1 society also. Total depravity has become normalized, there is no spiritual discernment because they rejected the true God for their own idols they have created. They served the creature more than the Creator. There only hope is to be Born Again in Christ and be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, to create a new heart and mind, the gospel must be preached! Amen!

Romans 1- No Excuse

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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: 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. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:20-22

The Word of God says “A fool says in their heart, there is no God” (Psalms 14:1) Many people today believe there is an easy escape from the wrath of God, to just pretend God doesn’t exist at all. They believe if they create crafty arguments to refute the existence of God, this will make them exempt of their sins. But don’t be deceived, God will not be mocked, what you reap is what you will sow (Galatians 6:7)

The Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the evidence of God’s existence is clearly seen in Creation, therefore we are without excuse on judgement day. The human idea that we can trick or persuade God in believing we didn’t know He existed is blasphemy. God knows the intelligent design of His creation reveals the Creator. All the Bible says “The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1)

One thing I would like to point out is that in the KJV translation, we see the reference to the “Godhead” this is a reference to the Triune God,  I find it interesting that “newer” English translations take out the reference to the Trinity. Among other scripture, because The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all part of Creation as they stated “Let Us Make Man in Our Image” (Genesis 1:27) So the Atheist who is made in the image of God, rejects and blasphemes his Father and Creator, we will be held without excuse on judgement day, as every knee will bow to The Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 2)

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, this sums up the state of humanity. Ever since the garden of Eden, when man tried to be like God, to the tower of Babel, where man tried to reign like God, to today where man tries to eliminate God, we have become fools. Many in their depravity, deny the basics of common sense, that nothing can’t create anything. Yet the minds of the world, push this agenda to the masses, the scientific impossibility that nothing could become or create anything, this defies all science and common sense. This is why God considers these people fools, they are not being honest, because they love their sin more than they love God

Their foolish hearts have become darkened, and this describes the state of the world. The only way they can be enlightened is through Christ, they must become Born Again otherwise they will perish in their state of depravity, Amen