1 March 2016

Scripture: Romans 3:1-8

Observations:

Paul follows from yesterday with a statement that there is still some benefit to having been a Jew or having been circumcised. (Remember, Paul was laying into the hypocrisy of those who had the law and were physically circumcised, but were living contrary to the law, stating how they were, in essence, uncircumcised).

The first benefit is that the Jews were entrusted with the word of God. So what if some of the Jews were unfaithful. Does their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness? (Similarly, does a Christian's non-Christlikeness negate the nature of Christ?) No. In fact, Paul goes so far as to say, "Let God be true though everyone were a liar."

"If our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say, that God is unrighteous for judging us?" Before I interject, wait for Paul's answer.

"By no means! For then, how could God judge the world?"

If God is perfectly righteous and perfectly just, there is no way he cannot punish unrighteousness. Once again, our false perception of innate human goodness skews our perception of God. We deserve nothing but death from God. The fact that God has made redemption possible is astounding enough as it is.

Following this, Paul raises a couple questions in a Devil's advocate manner:

• "But if through my lie, God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?"
• "And why not do evil that good may come?"

These are actually questions Christians at the time had been accused of asking.

Now, yes, Paul answers these questions later, but I would ask these questions: If we have repented and committed to following Christ, how could we willingly and intentionally commit sin? How could we tolerate or even enjoy sinning?

So, God works despite our failures and His nature is highlighted by our flaws, but that does not give us license to engage in sin. Let me refer you to yesterday's passage (which I was too tired to do justice). Read vv 17-24. In claiming allegiance to God and engaging in sin, you dishonour God and blaspheme His name amongst the unsaved, turning them away from the gospel

Application:

Seek God first.

Seek to honour God. If I fail, then I fail, but I will not engage willingly in sin. I will constantly seek God.

29 February 2016

Scripture: Romans 2:12-29

Observations:

This is a hefty segment, following after the last passage. I'll try to complete the passage tonight, but I may end up tapping out mid-way. We'll see what God has in store.

In vv 12-13, we see that God will judge man by what he knows. If he does not know the law, then he dies outside the law. If he knows the Law, then he will be judged by the Law. Paul is making an initial statement, saying that knowledge of the Law is not sufficient for salvation.

He makes this point in vv 14-16 wherein he states that a Gentile who follow the Law, though he does not know the Law and its requirements, bears evidence of the Law being written on their hearts.

Paul then flips the tables in vv 17-24 wherein he addresses the Jews, who relied on the Law and prided themselves on their adherence to the Law. He calls them out for practising the opposite of what they preach. As Paul writes in v 23, "You who boast in the Law dishonour God by breaking the law."

Lastly we see Paul's take on circumcision. In vv 25-29, Paul makes some key statements:

1. Physical circumcision only has value when paired with obedience
2. An uncircumcised man who follows the Law is considered circumcised

Paul makes it very clear here that God is not interested in the outward circumcision, the following of Laws for Laws' statement. God bases judgment on  the internal circumcision. In fact, the  externally circumcised individual who does not follow the Law is judged more sternly because he know what is right and did not do it.

"For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God."  Romans 2:28-29

Salvation is not dependent upon ourselves via the Law, but on God. Paul takes the opportunity of speaking out against the Judaizers and their pro-circumcision stance. He also speaks to the couch potatoes.

It's late. I know what Paul is meaning. I'm just having a difficult time putting the puzzle pieces our livesit together