14 October 2015

Scriptures:

• Romans 7
• Ezekiel 36
• 1 Kings 8:22-66
• Psalm 74

Observations:

In Romans, we see Paul getting very heavy with the concepts of sin and the law before migrating slightly to the separation of sin and self in a Christian and the struggle in the war to follow the law. In a nutshell, the ideas contained therein are thus: The law is good. Sin is disobedience to God. Without the law, sin would not have a form, as the definition of sin would not be preset, though the sinful nature would still be so. Before we were in Christ, we were slaves to our sin, following our sinful desires into contravention of the law. Our very self, by nature was sinful. Now that we, the Christians, are in Christ, we have died to our sinful selves and are resurrected in Christ, such that our self is not beholden to sin. Thus, it is through Christ that we are enabled to truly follow the law, though we still war with sin until we are gone from this mortal existence. From Christ comes the desire to follow the law, which is why Paul states his reasoning for knowing the law is good. Similarly, we can know our desire and actions to break the law are not of Christ, but of sin and, as Christians, because our selves are no longer shackled to sin, but to Christ, Paul argues that is it no longer our selves who sin, but it is the sin that dwells within us, warring against us. Thus, we can see the work of sanctification. If justification is Christ breaking our shackles to sin and forging our shackles to him, then sanctification is the warring against sin, reinforcing our ties with Christ and denying our sin the opportunity to act, which we are enabled to do only because we are no longer tied to our sin.

Not very nutshell-ish.

In Ezekiel, we see God prophesying to the land (the mountains, ravines, etc.) of Israel in response to neighbouring nations eyeing and mocking her, that the people of Israel would return and the land would once more grow fruitful. After that, God makes a promise to Israel, not because of their actions, but for the sake of his name, not only to restore the nation of Israel and make it bountiful, but to renew their spirits, that they might walk according to God and look upon their past sin and weep. Again, note that it is only through the renewal from God that we can separate from our sin and draw close to God.

In the 1 Kings passage, we see Solomon's prayer to the Lord, consecrating the temple and beseeching him to act fairly and benevolently to Israel and those who call upon his name. We then see his address to the nation and the massive sacrifice that was given at this time.

The psalm today is another one of Asaph. This time, he asks why God has forsaken Israel and for how much longer the punishment is to last. He reminds God of how other nations mock him, because his people are scattered and defeated and reminds him of his strength and asks that God would regard Israel once more and fight back against the mockers' claims.

Application:

We have two ideas here that I am seeing. Spiritual renewal and godliness being delivered solely by God, as shown in Romans and Ezekiel, even slightly in the psalm, is the first. The nature of God's interaction with Israel, as requested in 1 Kings and shown in Psalms and Ezekiel, is the second.

On the nature of God's interaction, we see in 1 Kings that Solomon asks that when Israel sins, that God might be gracious when they turn in repentance and seek him. Solomon breaks down a number of possible instances, including being exiled due to their sinfulness, in his prayer. Solomon knew that no one is perfect or righteous - that all would sin at some time or another. We are reminded of the Levitical law and the degree of perfection required by God and we are reminded of the accounts of the judges and of the exile, in that God punishes sin where he demands faithful obedience. We are also reminded of the cyclical nature of our sin, how sin repeats itself within lifetimes and across generations.

That is why this passage in Romans is so important - it serves to highlight that the cyclical nature of sin has been broken for all who cast their lot with Christ, that while sin may be present still, we are not beholden to it, but, rather, are equipped to combat it, having the spirit of Christ in us, which enables us to obey.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for your spirit, which enables me to combat sin. Help me to grow in you. Help me to overcome my sins, that I would be more like you. Help me in my devotion, that I would be more tightly bound to you than to my sin. Deal justly with me, Lord, but I also ask for mercy, such as you have given to me many times before. Thank you for your forgiveness.

Amen