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Romans 5- Peace of God

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Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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. Romans 5:1-5

How can we have peace in this chaotic world today?Many people look for inner peace through many mediums, however nobody ever seems to find it, why? Because most people don’t realize they are at war with God. The main reason most people can’t find peace in their soul, is because they are an enemy of God. (James 4:4)

Jesus Christ, who is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) is the only way (John 14:6) and the only one who can give you true peace within your soul. Why? Lets consider what the Apostle Paul says here “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and our sin not only separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2) but our sin also makes us an enemy of God (James 4:4)

This is why Jesus Christ became flesh and died on the cross for our sins (John 1:14, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5) so we can be justified before God the Father. Christ took our place on the cross, Jesus paid our debt of our sins, so we can be reconciled back to the Father (2 Corinthians 5:18) Because we have been brought back into relationship with God, our soul now has peace beyond all human understanding (Philippians 4:7)

We have access to God by faith into this grace, the Apostle Paul talked alot about faith in the first several chapters of Romans, its by grace through faith you have been saved (Ephesians 2:8) It’s Christ who gives you this peace, because Christ is the mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5) Not only do we have peace, but through Christ we now also have hope. As the Apostle Paul says here “Rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God”

Now does this mean your life will be perfect, does this mean you won’t have any problems or issues as a Christian? No, but as Paul says here “We glory in tribulations or sufferings , knowing that our  tribulations or sufferings  produces patience, And patience or perseverance , character or experience, and character or experience produces hope” This is the sanctification process as a Born Again Christian. The Holy Spirit is working in us to grow and conform us more like Christ.

Lets end with the words of the Apostle Paul here “The love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us” The Holy Spirit has been poured upon you as a true disciple of Christ. God has transformed your heart and mind, has given you the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding, repent and put your faith in The Lord of Glory and Peace, Amen!

Romans 4- Seed of Abraham

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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. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Romans 4:13-15

So what is the promise and how do we obtain it? The Apostle Paul spends alot of time speaking about Abraham and how this relates to our salvation. The Promise was initially spoken to Abrham as scripture says “The promises were spoken to Abraham and His seed” (Galatians 3:16) and “I (God) will make You (Abraham) a great nation and I will bless you (Abraham) (Genesis 12:1-3) 

The promise made to Abraham that through His seed (Christ), God will make a great nation, multiply it as numerous as the stars and the grains of sand (Genesis 22:17-18) The Promise that all the nations (the entire world) would be blessed through Abraham seed (Genesis 12:3) And as the Apostle Paul says here “the heir of the world” not just Israel. 

The Apostle Paul also makes clear this Promise was not fulfilled through The Law, but through the righteousness of faith. As the Apostle Paul says “The Letter (Law) Kills, but The Spirit brings Life” (2 Corinthians 3:6) Salvation never came through The Law, it actually brings death. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8) The Promise given to Abraham and his seed was by faith and not by any works, otherwise it would void the righteousness of faith

Who is the seed of Abraham? The Apostle Paul interprets this prophecy for us , “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ” (Galatians 3:16) The seed is Christ , who came through Israel, God  incarnate through the virgin, to die for our sins and rise again on the 3rd day. Salvation comes through Christ alone, the promise seed of the entire world

This Promise is only obtained by faith in Christ. As Paul says “If those who are of The Law are heirs, faith has been made void, The Promise made no effect” If salvation was able to be obtained by works or “Keeping The Law”, then faith would be made void and the promise of salvation would be broken. It’s only by the works of Christ on the cross, that salvation made be possible, its only by faith in Christ that you can receive The Promise

Because The Law brings wrath, but as the Apostle Paul also says “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” (Galatians 3:13) Amen!

Romans 4- Saved By Faith

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But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Romans 4:5-8

While faith without works is dead faith, we can’t do anything to save ourselves. The fact that any of us are saved at all is because of God’s grace and mercy. As the Apostle Paul said “He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we have done, but according to His mercy , through the washing of the new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) Any works that we do produce is because of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. As Paul says here “But believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” Faith in Christ is what saves you, not by any of our own works, its all because of the grace of God

The Apostle Paul used Abraham alot as a great example as being saved by faith, and that obedience being accredited as righteousness. Now he quotes King David as an example also of being saved by faith. David says “Blessed are those whose iniquities/transgressions/lawless deeds are forgiven, who sins are covered” (v7, Psalm 32:1-2) What an amazing thought, that God is willing to forgive our sins, that Jesus Christ became flesh and took our place on the cross. The sacrifice of Christ covered our sins, that we are justified before the Father because of Christ, that Christ has given us the Holy Spirit to live inside of us

King David also says “Blessed is the man who The Lord shall not impute sin or count sin against us or has cleared us of sin” (v8, Psalm 32:2) What have you done to have your sins forgiven, to have your sins erased? Nothing, you have no power to save yourself, its by the grace of God, through faith in Christ, that you are saved (Ephesians 2:8) As the Apostle Paul said “For He made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Christ) (2 Corinthians 5:21)

This reminds me of the parable Jesus told about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, The Pharisee prayed “Thank God I’m not a sinner like other people, including this tax collector” I do all these works to justify I’m righteous. The tax collector said “God have mercy on me , a sinner”  Who do you think was justified before God? Jesus said it was the tax collector because they were humbled with repentance. (Luke 18:9-14)

King David had committed great sins in his life, however God declared him righteous because of his faith and repentance. Salvation can never be earned, its only by faith in the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, trust in Him and not yourself, don’t be deceived like the Pharisee, have faith like Abraham, like David, like the Tax Collector, Amen!

Romans 4- Abraham justified by faith

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What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Romans 4:1-4

The Apostle Paul uses Abraham as an example of being saved by grace through faith, and not of our own works. However Abraham is a great reminder, that God didn’t save us with “cheap grace” meaning if we truly have faith in God, then we should also be obedient and listen to God.As The Lord Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15)  Paul begins by saying “If Abraham was justified by works, He has something to boast about, but not before God” If Abrahams was saved by his own works, then He can give himself credit for His salvation and not Christ

However as the Apostle Paul says “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, “ (Ephesians 2:8) You are saved by grace through faith and not by your own works. Abraham was obedient to God, but it wasn’t His obedience that produced salvation, it was the works of Christ on the cross that has given mankind salvation. (Romans 8:32)

You might ask, when did Abraham know Jesus Christ? Remember before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham was face to face with The Lord Jesus Christ “Then Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.” (Genesis 18:1) (LSB) God in the flesh appeared to Abraham and prophesied He would receive a son named Isaac (Genesis 18:14) Most Christians probably don’t realize, Abraham probably knew more about Christ than you do, as He met Him face to face

So Abrahams salvation is the same as our salvation, by grace through faith in Christ. As scripture tells us “Then he believed in Yahweh; and He counted it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) (LSB) The Apostle Paul tells us the same thing “just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Galatians 3:6) Don’t forget the prophecy of Christ was foretold since the fall at the garden of Eden “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15) 

As the Apostle James said “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17) Abraham truly had faith, therefor it produced the works of obedience, if we truly have faith, then we should produce righteous fruits (Matthew 7, Galatians 5) As The Lord Jesus said “You will be known by your fruits” (Matthew 7:16) While Abraham responded in faith, all glory goes to God. Without Christ there is no salvation and there is no possibility of producing fruits. Abraham believed God and its was accounted to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3) Amen

Romans 3- We are All Sinners

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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; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Romans 3:12-18

So who needs to be saved? We all need to be saved, as the Apostle Paul reveals here “Jew and Gentile, that they are all under sin” As Paul tells us “there is nobody righteous” This should be a humbling revelation for us all, we are all guilty of sin, breaking Gods Law and are worthy of eternal damnation. However most of the world doesn’t see it this way, most believe they are a “good person”, most people believe they deserve to be in Heaven, however as Jesus said “Nobody is good, except God alone” (Mark 10:18)

This is the whole point of the Law of God (The Ten Commandments) As the Apostle Paul states later “through the Law comes the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20) If you don’t believe you are a sinner, just walk through the Ten Commandments, Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen? Have you ever used Gods names in vain? Have you ever looked upon someone with lust? (Matthew 5:28) Have you ever hated someone? (Matthew 5:22) The reality is you are a sinner, God is holy and you have broken his holy laws, and as the Apostle Paul will reveal later “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)

As the Apostle Paul continues “there is nobody who seeks God, they have all gone their own way, there is none that does good, with their tongues they have practiced deceit, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, their feet are swift to shed blood, and there is no fear of God before their eyes” Now that you have been beaten up by The Law, hopefully you are coming to the understanding that you need Jesus Christ

And this is the good news (gospel) that God made a solution for guilty sinners like us all. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became flesh and died for the penalty of our sins on the cross. Then Christ rose again defeating sin and death, to give us eternal life. (1 Corinthians 15) When the Apostle Peter was preaching at Pentecost, the crowd was pricked at the heart, and they asked Peter what shall we do? Peter said ““Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37-38)

Everyone need Jesus, including you, including myself. This is why Jesus commanded us to share the gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19) Tell someone the good news today, that there is hope for guilty sinners like us, Amen!

Romans 2- Circumcision of the Heart

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For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 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. Romans 2:25-29

The grace of God through Jesus Christ is a beautiful and mysterious thing, many have a hard time understanding it by Gods grace we are saved and not by our own works. Consider what the Apostle Paul said  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9) We are saved by Gods grace through our faith in Jesus Christ, its not by our works, its by Christ works that he completed on the cross

So many people have a hard time accepting and understanding this concept of Gods grace, so the topic of circumcision would routinely come up to challenge Gods grace. Now you can substitute circumcision and insert and work that you believe will save you, and while this was a popular debate back in the 1rst century, this same topic is still being debated today. 

The confusion begins as God required circumcision , which is a sign of the Abrahamic covenant, to be part of the Mosaic Covenant. (Leviticus 12:2-3) As the Apostle Paul is saying here “if you are a breaker of the Law (sinner) your circumcision has become uncircumcision” The Jews were under the impression the act of circumcision saves you and makes you righteous being a child of Abraham. However Paul is revealing we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and nobody can keep the law (Galatians 3:11) therefor when it comes to salvation, the act of circumcision will not save you, only faith in Christ can save you

Many people today still have this same attitude, if I do this and that, I will be saved. But the reality is, all our good works are filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6) we are only saved by the works of Jesus Christ. Then the Apostle Paul teaches us about the circumcision of the heart (Colossians 2:11) As Jesus said “ You must be Born Again or you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) We must be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we need a new heart and mind of Christ.

 As Paul says here “He who is a Jew (Child of God) who is one inwardly , and circumcision is of the heart,  in the Spirit, not the letter (Law) The only way to salvation is Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) and not ourselves. The Law is written on our hearts, and we live for Christ because we love and obey him. Some people try to use this scripture to say the Jews have been replaced, that’s not the point of this teaching. Point is we are all Children of God (Jew and Gentile) through faith in Christ and not of ourselves, Amen

Romans 2- Nobody is Righteous

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Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Romans 2:17-20

Why is the gospel message so offensive to the world? The word gospel means “good news” so why doesn’t the world see it as good news? The reason is most of the world doesn’t see itself as a sinner, in fact most people think they are good people deserving all the blessings from God. However as Gods Law (The Ten Commandments) has revealed, we are all sinners in need of a Savior

The Jewish people believed this lie also, they believed because they were children of Abraham, they were already righteous. Jesus said to them “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32) What was their response “We are Abrahams descendants, and never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say we will be made free?” (John 8:33) Jesus revealed everyone who sins is a slave to sin, including the Jewish people. However even though they were the experts at the Law of God, they didn’t consider themselves to be sinners

This is what the Apostle Paul is saying “Indeed you are a Jew and rest in the law, and make your boast in God” The Jews were given the Law through Moses yet they didn’t even believe the Law applied to them because they were Abraham’s descendants. This is the same with us Gentiles, even though we have knowledge of the Law, as Paul addressed previously, we still sin and disregard the Law. 

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. Romans 2:21-24

The Apostle Paul, who was a Pharisee himself, points out their hypocrisy. The Jews teach the Law, yet they themselves continually break the Law, which is dishonouring to God. The reality is nobody can keep the Law (Galatians 3:11) The Law reveals that we are all sinners, in need of a Savior, Jew and Gentile. (Romans 3:20) As Jesus said “Nobody is good (morally excellent) except God alone” (Mark 10:18)

Your righteousness comes through faith in  Christ not yourself (Romans 3:22) This is why the gospel is so offensive to the world, this is why the entire world needs to repent and put their faith in The Lord Jesus Christ for salvation (Mark 1:15) 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