Romans 6:1-13 Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? ² By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.  The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.  Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

These are the passages of sanctification.  They tell us that whatever was accomplished by Jesus was for  us to imitate.  Jesus raised from the dead and we will as well.  Jesus lived for righteousness, and so do we.  Jesus was crucified and we must crucify our flesh.  The evidence of our victory in Christ is our body and what we do with it.  The spirit must reign over the body so that we become slaves to righteousness and not to sin.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, for the benefit of my friends, let me explain how this victory can come to pass.  It is a matter of yielding.  Failure comes by yielding to the flesh, but victory comes to yielding to the Spirit so that we may live godly lives as we are called to do.  Amen.

Romans 5:12-21 Justification Compared To Condemnation

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.  The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You know that it only takes one spoiled egg to ruin the whole batter.  That is the way sin works in the human condition apart from Christ. However God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him
(justification) will not perish, but will have eternal life.  For all who are in Christ (trust in Him) will not be condemned, but will inherit the righteousness of Christ.  This is why we cannot save ourselves, because there is only One  righteousness, and that is found in Jesus.

Romans 5:1-11 Results Of Justification

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Because of Jesus and the Cross, we are no longer enemies of God.  We turned from strangers to sons and daughters of the Most High.  It is usual that the Father pours out His blessings on His children and no longer are we under his wrath, but instead under His care.

Daily Prayer:  Lord God, I am very thankful to be counted a child of God.  I see Your loving kindness every day and rejoice to be a part of Your Kingdom forever.  In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Romans 4:13-25 Justification Is Apart From The Law

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.  As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”  Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.  Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,  being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.  This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”  The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,  but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Yesterday we concluded we should "let go and let God."  Simply put, when we try to please God we fail, because we are by nature sinful.  The Law was given not to exalt, but to condemn.  God wants people to hold to His "Promise."  This is Jesus Christ, because "Nobody comes to the Father, except through Me."
It is the same in the Old Testament and in the New Covenant that salvation (justification) comes through belief in the Son and His finished work alone apart from works.  In the OT, it was belief in the Promise, and in the NT it is belief in Jesus and His work on the Cross.  This way all of our sins are forgiven and reconciliation with the Father is the result.

Daily Prayer:  Father, for whoever is lacking faith, please give it to them so that they may believe and be saved.  Amen and Amen.

Romans 4:1-8 Justification by Faith Evidenced in Old Testament

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?  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 credited to him as righteousness.”  Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.  But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,  just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered.
 “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”

Mankind is prone to want to earn favor.  Previously we learned that God's people will descend from Abraham.  This does not imply that whosoever is a biological descendant of Abraham is a part of God's people, because we learned those who follow the faith of Abraham are his children.  Since we are born of the flesh, we need to be born again of the Spirit of God so that we will be credited with the righteousness of Abraham and an heir granted by God to His people.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, help me to let go, and to let God have charge of my life.  Only then will I experience the blessings that He has in store for those who love Him.  In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Romans 3:21-30 Justification by Faith

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,  since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.

When Adam sinned, we became strangers and separated from God.  The prophets told of a day when God's Own Son, His holy anointed one would come in His place to satisfy the payment for our sins.  This was done by Jesus Christ on the Cross where He appeased God's wrath so that we could be reconciled to Him and pray to Him and have our prayers answered because of the righteous Son who laid down his life for you and me so that we would be spared the punishment of our sins and be received unto Him and sons and daughters of the Most High.  Hallelujah! 

Romans 3:9-20 The Whole World Is Guilty Before God

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written,

“There is none righteous, not even one;
 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
“Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“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 paths,
 And the path of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

How does this make you feel?  Do you confess your own personal unrighteousness before a holy God, or do you justify your own self?  Do you contend that there is nobody that does good, no not even one?  Until you are convinced and convicted or your own sinful being, you are not able to have Christ forgive your sins based on His atoning work.  So take courage, he who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, it is true that we are a stiff necked people, full of pride and self-worth.  Have us admit and repent of our sins so that Your atonement will come to all who believe.  In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Romans 2:17-29 The Sign Of A True Son Of God Is Obedience

But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God,  and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,  and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,  a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,  you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?  You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?  For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written. For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?  And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?  For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

The Bible presents two different kinds of "seed" for men.  First is the physical seed of Abraham, the righteous son of God who was declared so because he believed God.  The Jews in this day declared righteousness because of a  flesh relationship to Abraham.  But Israel lived under the Law of the Covenant and failed to keep their side.  Therefore they dishonored God, because even though they were given the Law, it wasn't fruitful in their lives.  The  second "seed" is the seed of faith.  Here, gentiles and any God Fearer is included among the righteous, because like Abraham, the come to God by faith.

Romans 2:1-17 Gentile Pagan Moralizers, No Better Than Others

Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.  But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?  Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,  who will render to each person according to his deeds:  to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek,  but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish ^]without the Law, and all who have sinned ^]under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.  For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having ^]the Law, are a law to themselves,  in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,  on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

It is no wonder that Jesus said "Judge not, for the measure of judgment you use will be measured unto you."
There is only one judge and His judgment is true.  Those who are "in-Christ" need not worry, because their sins are forgiven and remembered no more.

Romans 1:24-32 The Nature Of Man Is A Depraved Mind

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.  For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,  without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Mankind doesn't like to hear the truth of their own selves by the truthful words of this scripture.  Because when we examine ourselves and see who we really are we will do one of two things.  One is to repent of our sinfulness and turn it over to Christ so that our filling will come from Him instead of the world.  Second, many  
put themselves in front of their Creator and call truth relative.  Those who continue in their sin will die in it.
Therefore the steps of salvation are admitting our sinful snare and asking Jesus to carry my sin so that my filling will come from Him instead of the world.  These who choose thus, will inherit eternal life. Amen.

Romans 1:18-23 Unbelief and Its Consequences

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools,  and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.  Yet men and women do not fear God.  Why is that?   It is because God, unlike men, often times delays in His judgement.  Also, God gives grace to those who are His elect, men and women who do fear and honor His name.  Just as Abraham alone was able to spare the life of Lot until God brought judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, God withholds His judgement at the present time for the sake of Israel and the church. There is nobody, no matter what they profess, who does't know God, because a sense of knowing God is built into our nature.  But people are so self-centered that they have made themselves the center of attention instead of honoring God for who He is and what He has done.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, apart from You we are condemned in our sin.  But glory be to God for loving us in a loyal way to send You to redeem us so that we can be reconciled to God and not have eternal death in our sins and be forever separated from God.  And glory be to You as well for executing the plan of redemption for my sake and the sake of the world.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.

Romans 1: 1-17 The Gospel of God, "The Just Shall Live By Faith"

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle,set apart for the gospel of God,  which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,  who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,  through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints:Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.  For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,  always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.  For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.  I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.  I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 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.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

Paul authored this letter when he was on his third visit to Corinth and anticipation of visiting the Christians who lived in Rome.  He states that God's gospel is for all people, both Jew and Greek for the purposes of being reconciled to God. Paul had yearned to visit Rome, but was hindered by Satan and eventually would reach his destination to preach the gospel for which he is not ashamed because though it may seem slight in the world, to those who believe it is the power of God.  So how does one obtain the favor of God and be found just in His sight?  One cannot say this or do that.  Rightly quoting the prophet Habakkuk, the just shall live by faith in God and not according to their own interpretation or situation. This is because God in True, and every man is a liar.  We can only obtain righteousness under his covering.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, let today be a day of steadfast faith in You and the Father.  Comfort me throughout the day and let me seek Your face regularly throughout the day.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.

Acts 28:25-30 Paul Turns to the Gentiles

 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying,

‘Go to this people and say,
“You will keep on hearing, but will not understand;
And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
 For the heart of this people has become dull,
And with their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.”’

 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”  [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

Daily Prayer:  Father, the lesson learned here is that nobody can believe apart from faith.  Give us the faith to walk in in and not by sight.  Amen.