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Thursday, October 22 2020
Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai INTRODUCTION Romans 12:1-8 establishes the foundation upon which 12:9-21 is built. In verses 1-8, we saw Paul painting with a “broad brush”, showing us generally what Christian discipleship requires; offering our bodies as a living sacrifice, etc. In today’s study we will see him stepping closer to the canvas, working with a finer brush to colour in detail regarding specific attitudes and actions that must grow out of the principles established in verses 1-8. PART 1 - VERSES 9-13: THIRTEEN ESSENTIAL ATTITUDES/BEHAVIOURS “9 Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honour. 11 never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; 12 constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], 13 contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.” AMP In these five verses, Paul lists thirteen behaviours that the Christian should adopt. The list begins with love. Love sets the tone, and the other dozen desired behaviours grow out of love. They are as a matter of fact, natural expressions of love. 1. Exhibit Sincere and Active Love (Vs 9a). The NLT says “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.” Paul refers to Agape - love without a selfish agenda—love that seeks what is good for the beloved. 2. Hate Evil (Vs 9b) Hate is a strong word meaning to dislike, to abhor, or to have a horror of. The proper Christian response to evil is not simply to avoid it, but to be repelled by it. We hate evil, because evil has the potential to destroy the beloved. We must hate the sin while loving the sinner; evil-hating is one of the ways that we demonstrate genuine-loving. 3. Hold Tightly (Cling) to Good (Vs 9c). What Paul is calling us to do here, is to have a very strong attachment, to glue ourselves, or connect ourselves to what is good. Just as tendons bind bone to muscle. 4. Be Devoted to Each Other (Vs 10a). Paul shifts from agape love to family love and brotherly love. Family love is special, because the family is special. Members of healthy families know each other’s weaknesses, but love each other anyway. When trouble looms, the family is a refuge and strength second only to God. The same should apply to the Body of Christ. 5. Prefer One Another (Vs 10b). Instead of wanting to outdo others in the sense that we win and they lose. So we can feel better about ourselves and have people admire us, Paul calls us to different kind of ambition-behaviour. He calls us to “be tenderly affectionate one to another in honor”—to focus on satisfying the other person’s need for approval. There are many ways to accomplish this: remembering birthdays, saying thanks, complimenting them, encouraging them to understand that they have important gifts, etc. 6. Make Diligence Your Watchword (Vs 11a). Never be lazy; instead be careful and persistent in your work. The AMP says: “never lagging behind in diligence” instead be in the forefront! 7. Be Zealous (Passionate) (Vs 11b). Paul admonishes us not to let our zeal subside. Whatever you are engaged in with the Lord, let it convey passion, enthusiasm and conviction. 8. Serve God Enthusiastically (Vs 11c). The Greek word used here speaks of slave-like service—service under bondage. As Christians, we serve under obligation. 9. Rejoice in Hope - constantly (v. 12a). Because of our confidence in Christ; not because of things (money, power, prestige) that, in the eyes of the world, should produce joy and hope because they don’t. They may provide “joy” that feeling of great pleasure and happiness but it fades quickly, leaving the individual feeling as restless and empty as ever. We find joy and hope in the assurance that our lives count, not just now, but also for eternity. (Titus 2:13) tells us what this hope is. 10. Be Steadfast and patient in distress” (v. 12b). Paul refers to Christians exhibiting tough endurance. To keep the faith, even though suffering. To bear our afflictions bravely. 11. Be devoted to prayer (v. 12c). The AMP adds: “continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength.” Prayer is one of the channels through which the Christian receives strength. First century Christians, suffering persecution, required constant prayer to gain the strength to keep the faith. So do we. 12. Contribute to the needs of God’s people (v. 13a). Don’t be an onlooker when it comes to meeting the needs of God’s people. Take a constant interest in their needs. (Acts 6:1; 2Cor. 8:13-14, Jas1:27) 13. Pursue [the practice of] hospitality (v. 13b). Paul is advocating that we actively look for opportunities to provide hospitality. To be pursue a thing implies we are invested in it. PART 2 - VERSES 14-19: NINE ACTIONS THAT DIFFERENTIATES “14 Bless those who persecute you [who cause you harm or hardship]; bless and do not curse [them]. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself. 17 Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” AMP 1. Bless Don’t Curse (Vs. 14) Paul calls us to meet violence, not with violence, but with blessing—a shocking idea, but not original with Paul: Jesus calls us to turn the other cheek, to go the second mile, to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:38-44). In the Lord’s prayer (Luke 6:37). At the cross. (Luke 23:34). Stephen (Acts 7:60), Paul in (1 Corinthians 4:12), and finally (1 Peter 3:9). 2. Identify with the Joys and Sorrows of Others (v. 15). We often observe people jealous of other people’s good fortune and judgmental about their bad fortune. We should be different! 3. Live in harmony with one another; (v. 16a) literally, “thinking the same thing toward one another.” While this does not require us to agree at every point, it does require us to be agreeable. 4. Be Humble (v. 16b). Be as mindful of another’s worth as you are your own. Remember you are what you are by God’s grace and not your effort. Rom 3:24 5. Do Not Overestimate Yourself (v. 16c). This is good advice for every human relationship. Humility draws people near, but conceit repels. 6. Never repay anyone evil for evil (v. 17a) is similar in meaning to “Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse” (v. 14). 7. Live Nobly in the Sight of All (v. 17b). We must be careful, not only about proper conduct, but also about appearances. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable. This is not eye service but preventing those who are weak in faith from stumbling. The more visible our position, the more careful we must be. 8. Live at Peace with Everyone (v. 18). Here, we see Paul inserting two qualifications for living at peace with everyone (a) “If possible” and (b) “as far as it depends on you”. There are, unfortunately, people who will not allow us to live in peace, and Paul says that we do our part to establish peaceful relationships. He doesn’t hold us responsible for the other person’s response to our efforts. We can’t control the other person; we can control only ourselves. 9. Don’t Seek Revenge (v. 19). Paul tells us not to seek vengeance (also see 14, 17). The reason is simple—we can trust God to do the right thing. If a person deserves punishment, God will take care of it, whether now or in the Day of Judgment. Seeking revenge is consuming! Leaving the matter in God’s hands solves a host of problems. For one thing, God is a perfect judge, and will not make a mistake. For another, God is in a position to insure that justice is served, whereas we might put ourselves in physical or legal jeopardy by seeking vengeance. Verses 20-21 CONCLUSION ““20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.” AMP When Paul tells us in verse 20 to feed and to give drink to our enemy, he was using food and drink as metaphors for any kind of needed help. If we were to see our enemy stuck in a ditch, this verse would call us to lend a helping hand, instead of saying “serves them right!” “You will heap burning coals on his head” implies you will make the recipient of your grace burn with shame at having treated you badly. Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Vs 21). Does the end really justify the means? This verse says that it doesn’t. If we use evil means to achieve a worthwhile end, our evil means will compromise both our character and our witness. If we are to accomplish what Christ has called us to do, we must accomplish it through the ultimate Christian virtue, love. That expresses itself in these attitudes and actions. Wednesday, October 14 2020
Contributor: Leye Olayiwola Introduction Apostle Paul is considered a man filled with the knowledge of God’s Word and His grace. His letters and books in the Bible testify of this truth. Despite this, he was a modest man and would go on to say in 1 Cor.13:9 that “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete].”. Also in 1 Cor.15:10, “But by the [remarkable] grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not without effect. In fact, I worked harder than all of the apostles, though it was not I, but the grace of God [His unmerited favor and blessing which was] with me”. In appreciation of his privileged position and calling, Paul in the concluding verses of Romans 11 will go on to express his awe at God’s depth of riches of knowledge and wisdom, and His Sovereignty (supreme power and authority). In today’s lesson, we will consider Paul’s injunction to the Spiritually transformed Christian and the Body of Christ in general. Romans 12: 1-2 [Present Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice] “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV “Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God” (v. 1a). The word, “therefore,” links this chapter to what went before—namely, Paul’s treatise regarding God’s grace and our faith. “to present your bodies (Greek: soma) (v. 1b). There are two Greek words for body: (1) Sarx, often translated “flesh” the external, physical body that was seen as worldly and opposed to God and (2) Soma one aspect of the person, who is united as body and spirit. So Paul said, “Don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lusts” (6:12). In his view, there is nothing incompatible in body and spirit. Both are important. Both are sacred. Both are essential to human life, and both are compatible with Christian discipleship and our relationship to God. “a living sacrifice” (v. 1b). Torah law required Jews to observe a complex system of animal sacrifices to atone for sin and to remind the people of the significance of their sins. Only animals without blemish were acceptable offerings (Leviticus 23:18). Christians are not allowed to substitute an animal’s life for their own but are instead required to sacrifice their own lives. The requirement, however, is no longer ritual slaughter, but is instead the presentation of the living person to God—a living sacrifice—a life dedicated to the service of God—a life committed to doing God’s will—a life lived in faith and lived out in faithfulness. They are to present their bodies for God’s purposes on Sunday in worship and on Monday in the workplace. This living self-sacrifice, Paul declares, is “holy, acceptable (Greek: euareston - well-pleasing) to God” (v. 1). Animal sacrifices were holy, because they required taking something precious (a life) and offering it to God. The slaughter of the animal reminded the person that, apart from the grace of God, it would be his/her animal life required on the altar. Now Paul tells Roman Christians that it is indeed their lives that are required, but not on the temple altar. Instead, they are to offer themselves as living sacrifices. Such sacrifices are holy and pleasing to God, offered in the right spirit, were holy and pleasing to God. Living sacrifices are holy in that they represent lives lived in accord with the will of God. “which is your spiritual (logiken—rational, genuine, true) service” (v. 1). The word logiken has a variety of meanings, and it would seem that Paul chose it for its breadth. To present our bodies to God as living sacrifices is, indeed, a spiritual act. To live lives dedicated to God’s service, whether as clergy or laity, is genuine worship—the logical outcome of a decision to follow Christ. “Don’t be conformed to this world (aioni—age), but be transformed (metamorphousthe) by the renewing of your mind” (v. 2). The word that is translated “conformed” has to do with conformation that is malleable—that can change from day to day or year to year. The person who is “conformed to this world/ age (aioni)” is free to embrace the next popular philosophy or fad at will. Being “conformed to this world” is rather like being a leaf blown by the wind, never knowing exactly where you are going next—or why [Engineering Illustration of Plastic Mould/ Frozen Water Bottle]. The word that is translated “transformed,” however, is quite different, and involves transformation at the core of one’s being. If being “conformed” would leave us adrift like a leaf, being “transformed” leaves us with feet on the ground—anchored—steady. Paul is calling us not to be caught up in every fad or wafted by every breeze, but instead to let the Spirit transform us at our core so that we can have a faith strong enough to maintain course in spite of the winds of popular opinion. What are the things of this age that mold and shape masses of people? They include popular culture, such as motion pictures, movies, music, and sports. They include popular philosophies e.g. New Age thinking. They include incentives to succeed, even at the expense of vulnerable people. They include racism, nationalism, sectarianism, and denominationalism—forces that teach that our tribe is good and other tribes are bad, etc. “but be transformed (metamorphousthe) by the renewing of your mind” (v. 2b). Metamorphousthe is the word from which we get our English word, metamorphosis. The example of metamorphosis that comes to mind is the caterpillar, which is transformed into a butterfly. For a time, it is one thing, but then it becomes, by the grace of God, a wholly different thing. The caterpillar is not beautiful, but the butterfly is. The caterpillar crawls, but the butterfly flies on gossamer wings. So it is by the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit that we who were one thing (conformed to this age) can be transformed (metamorphosized) into something wholly different—people who are Godly and holy. Paul calls us to permit the Holy Spirit to transform our minds, knowing that the person who learns to think Godly thoughts will soon experience a changed heart as well [see 2 Cor.3:12-18, Philippians 4:8]. Godly thoughts transform every aspect of our being. As an example, the person who adopts Godly thinking often enjoys improved health, because he/she learns to regard his/her body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and is therefore more likely to treat his/her body with new respect. That is not to say that Christians do not engage in unhealthy practices, but the more Godly our thinking, the less likely we are to become victims of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, tobacco, promiscuous sex, workaholism, worry, and other unhealthy practices. “so that you may prove (dokimazein—prove, test) what is the good, well-pleasing (euareston—well-pleasing), and perfect will of God” (v. 2c). The renewing of our minds enables us to “discern the will of God” (v. 2). The world is full of people who assume that God’s will mirrors their own. If we are to discern God’s will, it will not be by trying to remake God in our own image—by having God conform to our prejudices—but by allowing the Spirit to renew our thinking, by becoming putty in God’s hands, so to speak, by allowing God to shape our thinking and our lives. Romans 12: 3 [Not to Think of Himself More Highly] “3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” NKJV Paul had come from a background where Jews thought of themselves as God’s chosen people (true)–chosen for privilege rather than service (false). He wants to make sure that Christians don’t take on that superior attitude. Unfortunately, Christians often fall heir to that failing nevertheless, even to the point that we tend to disparage other Christian brothers and sisters whose views differ from ours. Romans 12: 4-5 [So We Are One Body in Christ] ““4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Paul further appeals to the Roman Christians to think of themselves realistically, humbly, by comparing the church to a human body. He uses this same metaphor in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, where he speaks of the interdependence of the various parts of the body. Each member of the human body has a specialized purpose, whether a hand, foot, eye, ear, or nose. The various members do not compete for prominence but cooperate for mutual benefit. Each member contributes to the body’s welfare in accord with its ability, and each member enjoys the benefits of contributions made by other members. If the various members were to be of a different frame of mind, competing rather than cooperating, seeking to gain advantage instead of contributing unselfishly, the body would cease to function effectively, and all the members would suffer as a result. So it is with the church, which has many members, each with differing gifts and able to contribute in particular ways “according to the grace (charin) that was given to us” (v. 5). Instead of competing or quarreling, which would render the church body less effective to the detriment of all its members, the church works best when all its members work in harmony—just as members of the human body work in harmony. Conclusion: Romans 12: 6-8 [Having Gifts Differing According to Grace] “6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” “Having gifts (charismata) differing according to the grace (charin) that was given to us” (v. 6a). Paul mentions seven specific gifts in these verses—prophecy, ministry (or service), teaching, exhortation (or encouragement), giving, leadership, and compassion (or showing mercy). Some have thought of these seven gifts as corresponding to official church offices, but many of these gifts have been distributed generally to believers without respect to church offices. The fact that Paul addresses himself “to every man who is among you” (v. 3) makes it unlikely that he intends these gifts to apply only to holders of official church offices. God grants grace (charis) and gifts (charismata) to every Christian, and the church is best served by honoring and celebrating each person’s grace and each person’s gift. Difficulties arise not only when Christians begin “to think of himself more highly than he ought to think” (v. 3)—in the sense that they value their personal gifts more highly than they value the gifts of others. Difficulties also arise when, like James and John, Christians seek seats of honor for selfish purposes (Mark 10:35). Our motives in seeking or accepting church offices are crucial. If we serve out of love for Christ, we can expect that Christ will bless our service (but not that he will make it easy for us). If we serve for selfish reasons, we cannot expect that our service will be a blessing to anyone. This study is culled from https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary/romans Wednesday, October 07 2020
Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai INTRODUCTION The first 11 chapters of the book of Romans cover amazing truths about the foundation of our faith. In these chapters Paul shows God’s faithfulness to His Word and that He has a saving purpose that will not fail! He has a gracious purpose in election, and choosing a remnant of Jews. He also has a sovereign plan for the inclusion of Gentiles in His saving purpose! In last week’s study we saw how God in His sovereignty allowed the rejection of Jesus by the Jews become an avenue for the rest of the world to be saved. Interestingly, we saw that He is ready to allow the hearts of the Jews continue to be hardened until all the Gentiles He’s determined to be saved are; and then He will release the grace for salivation to the Jew so that all the Jews will be saved! The point of all the deep doctrinal truths of Romans Chapters 1-11; and the knowledge of God’s sovereignty; how He designed and carried out His plan for salvation history is one that should instinctively bring a person to the place of awe and worship. It is the proper response to God and His sovereign purposes. And so Paul begins verse 33 with the exclamation, “Oh!” Verse 33: God Is Beyond Comprehension – A Trigger of Delight and Worship “33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” “Oh the depth of the riches . . .” Here, Paul runs out of words to express the greatness of God. “Both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” God’s knowledge is His active involvement in the affairs of men. Not merely knowledge about, but making it happen. God’s wisdom is the execution of that knowledge in the world. God’s judgments are unsearchable and His ways are incomprehensible! Here Paul gives praise to God, not just for what he knows of God, but also because of what he doesn’t know! For the apostle Paul, not being able to understand what God is doing was not a reason to abandon the faith. Instead it was a reason for praise. This is what God declares of Himself in Isaiah 55:8-9, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God is far greater than we can ever comprehend. His riches, wisdom, knowledge, judgments and ways are beyond comprehension! Matter of fact, we can never know Him completely on this side of eternity! This awareness triggered in Paul a level of delight in worship that he expressed by starting off with “Oh!” It should have the same impact on us too! Verses 34-35 God Is Above All – A Trigger of Silent Amazement in Worship “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counsellor?” 35 “Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?” Not only was Paul filled with awe at the greatness of God’s plan, he was also speechless at God’s greatness! Who wouldn’t be? In these verses, Paul asks three rhetorical questions; all three have the assumed answer of “No one!” These questions have the effect of silencing all who hear them. Habakkuk 2:20 says “The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” These questions serve to shut the mouths of all those who might seek to boast in God’s presence. In verse 34, the apostle uses the language of Isaiah 40:12-17 (which in its context is dealing with the return of the nation of Israel from the Babylonian captivity). The implication is that no one could have foreseen God’s deliverance of the nation of Israel from their Babylonian captivity. No human could have devised this plan. In a similar way, Paul uses this verse in Romans 11 to highlight that no human could have devised the plan for God to turn again to the nation of Israel in the last days and remove their blindness that they might experience salvation, but this is exactly what God has done. Also, in Job 38:2, God begins by asking Job: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” He proceeds to hammer Job with question after rhetorical question, such as (38:4-5), “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it?” In the verses just before Job 41:11 (cited in Rom. 11:35), God continues pounding Job by asking whether he can draw out Leviathan with a fishhook. God taunts him (41:8), “If you so much as lay a hand on him, you won’t live to tell the story.” If neither Job nor anyone else cares to tangle with the Leviathan, God concludes (Job 41:10b), “Who then is he that can stand before Me?” In verse 35, the same question God asked Job in Job 41:11 is repeated - “Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.” The question is who gave first to God, tell us and He’ll pay you back! Silence! There in the context of chapters 40-42, God questions Job and Job is reduced to silence! See Job 40-42. Silence is usually the response of those who have encountered the greatness of God. They are silenced at His majesty! It should have the same impact on us too! Verse 36a God Is All in All – A Trigger of Exalted Praise and Glory “36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” Finally, in verse 36, Paul was struck by the centrality of God in all things! This is the basis of doxology, God Himself! God is shown here to be the source of all things, the means of all things, and the goal of all things!
Verse 36b CONCLUSION To whom be the glory forever. Amen. Only God deserves the glory. Psalm 115: 1 says “We don’t deserve praise! The Lord alone deserves all of the praise, because of his love and faithfulness.” Also see Revelation 4:9-11 The primary desire for anything and everything we do and seek to have should be so that God is glorified. Whether it is in the rearing of godly children, or succeeding in our careers or to any other goal. Our main aim should be that Christ would be exalted through us, whether by life or by death (Phil. 1:20). It should all end up in Him and for His glory! In concluding this I will like to read these four verses in the MSG version “Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favour that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.” Wednesday, September 30 2020
Contributor: Alex Kokobili INTRODUCTION We had previously studied how the Gentiles became saved and became ingrafted into the body of Christ (Romans 11:11-24). The lesson reminded us of how Israel’s rejection of salvation paved way for the gospel to spread to the Gentiles who received the word of God with the fullness of salvation. Paul also considered his ministry to the Gentiles as an opportunity to spread the gospel to other nations but more so to his Jewish people. Although the Gentiles were not originally of Abraham but have now been engrafted as partakers of the blessings of Abraham through the salvation in Christ Jesus. Our focus on today’s study is on Romans 11:25-32 with emphasis on “All Israel Shall Be Saved”. The rejection of Christ by the Jews was a mystery itself (John 11:11 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not”) but this didn’t change God’s promise to Israel as His chosen (Isaiah 41:8 But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend). Therefore, as we progress in this study, we will understand that God’s prerogative is for all Israel to be saved is certain and unchanged despite their initial rejection of Christ.
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (NKJV) Paul admonishes the believers about how God revealed His salvation to the Gentiles by temporarily hardening the hearts of the Jews should not be taken for granted at all. The Jews’ current blindness to the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ is but temporary because they are not even aware of their ignorance. The salvation of Gentiles came at this time so that they could also preach to the Jews’. The hardness of the heart of the Jews is not permanent but that the same message of Christ rejected by the Jews will now be preached back to the Jews by the Gentiles. This means that since Israel who is the chosen elect rejected God’s salvation, then God’s grace was also made available to the Gentile nations to receive the vastness of His salvation, and at the fullness of time, the Jews will eventually realize the magnitude of God’s salvation.
“26 And so all Israel will be [b]saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” (NKJV) At this point, it seems as if it is only the Gentiles that are getting saved but the salvation of Israel is God part of God’s covenant to Israel and so Israel shall be saved as it was written. See also Isaiah 59:20 - ”The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, says the Lord”.Ezekiel 34:30 “Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God”. But at this point, all Israel is a combination of both the true Jews and those by adoption provided they all believe in Jesus Christ. Note, after a while, God will release the grace for faith to the Jews receive Christ Jesus (in verses 23) because God has a covenant to take away their sins and if they repent from their unbelief, they will be engrafted in like the Gentiles as one people of God. For now, the gospel will continue to spread far and wide to all nations of the world until Christ’s coming when He will banish ungodliness from the house of Israel. See also Mathew 23:39 “I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”.
“28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (NKJV) At this point, Israel is described as a people who rejected the gospel of Christ and became an enemy against God’s salvation but we must still realize that according to God’s covenant with Abraham they are still His beloved. Now it may seem as if the Jews are God’s enemies but their rejection of the Christ resulted in the persecution of the early church which propelled the gospel of Christ to other parts of the world. This became an opportunity for us Gentiles to receive the gospel but regardless of this, the Jews are still a people loved by God, and His promise of salvation to Israel cannot be revoked.
“30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has [c]committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” (NKJV) It is important to realize that we Gentiles who have received the salvation of Christ were not different from the Jews who reject Christ while we are still in ignorance. Both the Jews and Gentiles were both disobedient to God and now God’s mercy is available to us to repent from our sins and to receive Jesus as our Lord and saviour. This also calls for reflection to the Gentiles who are believers to appreciate the salvation of God upon their lives and that is why Apostle Paul often rebuked the Gentile churches who started compromising their salvation in sinful conducts such as in Galatians 3: 1, 1 Corinthians 5:1, 11:18, etc. At this point, God has decided to be merciful to all people either Jews or Gentiles so that we all can have the opportunity of eternal salvation. CONCLUSION The second coming of Christ is real and God desires that we who have already received Christ live a rapturable life so that we can go with the rapture. This is because the reign of the antichrist will begin after the rapture (This is also known as the Great Tribulation ) and it would be more difficult for people to receive the salvation of Jesus Christ but God’s mercy unto salvation would still be opened to the Jews. See also Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel. This is because God’s covenant to save Israel as His chosen people cannot be revoked (Romans 11:28). More so, all the promises of God in Him are Yea, and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). Friday, September 25 2020
Contributor: Peter Folikwe INTRODUCTION Review of last week’s study: The remnant of Israel.
In today’s study Paul takes us through how the Gentiles became saved by grace and were ingrafted into the body of Christ. This brings untold blessings to Gentiles that will make the Jews envious and come to accept Christ as Messiah. Ultimately, God’s originally purpose to save the whole world – Jews and Gentiles will become fulfilled. VERSE 11 “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.” NIV Here Apostle Paul refers to the notion within the body of Christ whereby some believe that God no longer regard the Jews as His chosen people, that the Christian church is now the Israel of God. Paul here says that is not the case. In V11b Paul says that salvation came to the rest of the world (the Gentiles) because the Jews rejected the Messiah. That is true till date. Majority in Israelites hold the strong belief that the Messiah is yet to come. It was part of God’s plan for the Jews to reject salvation, so that God bring even more people to the saving faith in Jesus. VERSE 12 “Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it” NLT Paul here is asking if the failure of the Jews to acknowledge Jesus as Messiah brought riches, blessing & salvation in particular to us - Gentiles, it is therefore unimaginable the blessings and riches the Gentiles will receive when the Jews eventually acknowledge Jesus as Messiah. VERSES 13-14 “13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, 14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them.” NLT Paul considers his ministry to the Gentiles as a way of indirectly reaching out to his own people - the Jews. In pursuant of his ministry as an Apostle to the Gentiles, his belief is that the more the Gentiles believers, the better the chances of saving the unbelieving Jews. Remember, Paul was not part of the original 12 Apostles selected by Jesus, until Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus. Paul’s objective is to make Israelites jealous of the blessings of the Gentiles which should have been for the Jews, if not for their sheer disobedience and rejection of the Messiah. By this action Paul believes that the Jews will be won back to Christ which is God’s original plan for saving the world. Rom 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” VERSES 15-17 “15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,” NIV Paul here drives the point home that if their rejection of Jesus Christ brought salvation and blessings to Gentiles, it connotes that their acceptance of Christ as the Messiah would bring untold blessings to the word, when they eventually do. That so many more people will be gained into the faith if the Jews believe the gospel. Since Jesus (offered as firstfruit) the root/source of Salvation is holy, therefore all who accept Him as Lord and Saviour will be counted as holy – Jew and Gentile. Paul also metaphorically used the root of a tree (Abraham in this case) is holy, it means the branches (the children) of Abraham should also be holy (saints/sanctified). 1Pet 1:16 reminds us: “…. Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Paul declared that some of the branches (Abraham’s offsprings) have been broken off from their source. In V17 the Bible says “And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in”. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.” The Israelites were the natural branches, but we were grafted branches (e.g. Implantation of a donor tissue into another body). We were supernaturally grafted as branches to the root by God. Paul uses the olive tree here to represent God’s kingdom and those of us connected to it are like branches connected to a tree. The root represents the good news (Gospel of Jesus) that feeds the branches (believers). Therefore, the branches do not support the root to survive but the other way round. The branches cannot survive without the root. VERSE 18 “18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.” Paul admonishes us - Gentiles not to be swollen headed because we replaced the original branches and enjoy the benefits accruing; just because they rejected Christ and we accepted Him. Paul warmed us to jealousy guard our salvation with humility, because verse 21 says “For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.” We need to constantly remember as grafted branches that the Israelites (the original) branches were cut off because of unbelief. It calls for us to guide our faith (salvation) with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12b “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” VERSES 19-21 “19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.” Paul warns the Gentiles that it is possible to lose your faith when as a believer your cut yourself off from the gospel. Worship, prayer & fasting, the Word of God and the Holy communion are unique avenues through which believers’ faith are fed regularly, therefore you cannot afford to cut yourself from these sources of spiritual nourishment. The branches can be broken from the root could also mean; believers cutting themselves off from the gospel all the time. It is the gospel that nourishes & sustains believers’ faith in Jesus. Just like a river do not cut itself form its source; otherwise it dries off. VERSES 22-24 “22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!” NIV Paul reminds us that God has shown kindness to us by reason of our faith - accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord & Saviour. He urges us to continue in the forgiveness message in Christ lest we harden our heart against God’s words and lose our faith. That God will not hesitate to cut us off as branches if we misbehave “And if the Jews do not persist in unbelief, they will ultimately be grafted in, for God is able to graft them back again to the original root. Paul here reiterates that nobody is beyond salvation. Paul himself was saved. If Israel turns around to accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah, they have another opportunity to be grafted back to the original root. CONCLUSION Finally, Paul says if God could graft us - Gentiles (wild olives) to the original olive tree, God can graft the original branches back to the original olive tree with ease. God bless you. Thursday, September 10 2020
Contributor: Clem Roberts INTRODUCTION We have been able to ascertain that the law cannot redeem us, and that our righteousness is like filthy rags before God and only Christ can save us. We have also seen Paul’s eagerness for everyone to be saved. Bringing to light God’s ultimate desire for us all. VERSES 14 – 15 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things! The sequence here is: Sent => Preach => hear => believe “Preach,” means “to be a herald, to announce,” and this is not limited to declaration from a pulpit! Paul quotes from Isa 52:7. Where the messenger announced to Judah that God had hath brought to end their Exile in Babylon What Paul was doing here was applying Isaiah 52:7 using words and scriptures that the Jews of his day to whom the gospel was being given would understand. This tell us how accurate and knowledgeable Paul is with reference to the scriptures. VERSE 16 “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? If we focus on the word “Obeyed”: it means:
Again, Paul is quoting the introductory part of Isaiah 53. He is also giving them a reminder of the prophecies. Paul was enthusiastic in letting them know that they really do not have any excuse regarding their rejection of the Gospel. He pointed consistently that in all of the scriptures The Jews, you and I have been told that about the Messiah. VERSE 17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our God speaks and still does to his people and the world. We only need incline our ear to Him and He will speak. When speaks, He expects obedience VERSES 18 – 21 “18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19 But I say, did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, all day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. Understanding the message of Christ is the next step after hearing it. So Paul's logical question concerning Israel was; did they not understand this message? Israel was given the law and had the prophets and patriarchs as their guide. Israel had understanding of these things and lived daily by them. However, they were so indoctrinated by the letter of the law they missed the fact that this was a type or shadow of Jesus (Hebrews 10:1) Isaiah foretold this. He saw that Gentiles would come to Jesus and accept the gospel message and Israel would reject it. This has implications for us today. We can start out through faith in Jesus only to be yoked once again to the rules (or "law"). It is important to understand the truth of Jesus and what he did for you as a basis of how to live. We have died to the law through faith in Christ so we are free to live by the Spirit. Paul said in Galatians, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:20-21). If we go back to religion, to the rules and doctrines of men, after we accept this marvellous grace then Christ died for nothing. We can nullify the word of God in our hearts by living according to man's rules and regulations. What a harsh reality. CONCLUSION In summary, Paul’s argument or conclusion is that Israel had plenty, sufficient, adequate and abundant opportunity, by all-purpose and distinctive revelation, to embrace God. For you and I, everything we see or hear has already been orchestrated for our benefit. God is giving us His Son and the one and only instrument of salvation. Thursday, September 03 2020
Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai INTRODUCTION Two weeks ago we looked at Paul's Anguish over Israel in verses 1-15 of Chapter 9. It was not enough for Paul to feel sorry for Israel. He wished he could demonstrate his love in an even more active way. Being ready to, like Christ, sacrifice himself for the salvation of his fellow Jews. In today’s study we will be considering how the Jews jeopardized their enviable position and what God, in His mercy offered His chosen people. PART 1: THE RIGHT AND WRONG WAYS TO GOD (CHAPTER 9, VERSES 30-33) “30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (NIV) There is a right and wrong way to come to God. If we pursue the righteousness that we need to stand before God by our works, we will fail. If we come to God by faith in Christ, we attain righteousness, even if we were not previously pursuing it. The Jews were trying to approach God through their works built on faith in their abilities to obey the commands; this wrong approach caused them to stumble over the stumbling stone, which is Christ. Romans 9:32b-33. The reason the true Gospel offends is that it confronts our sinful pride (1 Cor. 1:29).
So God deliberately put Christ and Him crucified at the centre of salvation to humble our pride, which is the root of all of our sins. To come in faith to Christ, God must humble our pride. That leads us to the right way to come to Him: because salvation by human righteousness always falls short. We need God’s righteousness, imputed to us; this refers to justification, where God declares the believing sinner blameless and imputes (assigns) the very righteousness of Christ to that sinner’s account. We cannot bring our best efforts and combine them with the righteousness of Christ. That muddies the pure water of His righteousness and it robs Him of glory. To follow Jesus, we must deny ourselves, especially deny our self-righteousness and good deeds as the basis for right standing with God. Salvation is not a joint project, where we try hard and let God do the rest. It is all of God. PART 2: WHY RELIGIOUS PEOPLE MISS SALVATION (CHAPTER 10, VERSES 1-4) “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Once again, Paul starts off by expressing his desire and prayers for the salvation of the Israelites. He testifies of their zeal for God and then proceeds to answer the questions that would have been bothering the Romans. “If the Jews are God’s chosen people, why are most of them rejecting Christ?” In his answer, he revealed that the Jews and all religious people often miss salvation
Israel failed to attain righteousness because they did not pursue the law by faith, but as if it could be attained by works. In so doing, they were only seeking to establish their own righteousness (10:3), which always falls short. All roads do not lead to the top; being sincere or zealous is not enough. Good intentions are not good enough if they are mistaken about the truth of the Gospel. Religious zeal must always be tested against the core truth of the unchanging Gospel. The Jews did not understand God’s saving righteousness, namely, that He imputes righteousness to the one who believes in His appointed substitute.
Verse 4 says: “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” This is a wonderful verse, but unfortunately it is one of the most disputed verses in all of Paul’s letters. The problem is that the word “end” (Greek, telos) has different nuances of meaning. It can mean “termination,” it can mean “goal,” (Gal. 3:23-25), and it can mean “fulfilment” or “culmination,” (Matt. 5:17). To understand what Paul was referring to here, we must combine verse 3 & 4. Verses 3 & 4 are saying that either you are seeking to be right with God by establishing your own righteousness through good deeds and morality (10:3), in which case you will miss God’s salvation, because all such attempts fall short. Or, you will recognize that you need perfect righteousness to stand before God. Thus you will abandon your own attempts to establish your righteousness and trust in Christ alone to be your righteousness (10:4). His perfect righteousness is credited to your account, so that God declares you to be righteous or justified. In other words, “Christ came to fulfil the law so as to make righteousness available for everyone who believes.” PART 3: HOW TO BE SAVED (CHAPTER 10, VERSES 5-10) “5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” In these verses, Paul contrasts the righteousness based on the law (verse 5) with the righteousness that comes through faith (verses 6-10). To be saved by keeping the law, you must keep it perfectly. But to be saved by faith, you trust in what God has done in sending His Son to die for your sins and raising Him from the dead. Salvation is not by keeping the law, but by faith in Christ.
So Paul’s point is that human effort is not necessary to procure God’s righteousness. God has done it all: He sent Christ. Christ died for our sins. God raised Him from the dead. All that we must do is to believe in this word that Paul was preaching. The fact that this word “is near you” (10:8) means that you don’t have to go through some difficult or impossible process like (ascending into heaven or descending into the abyss) to find Christ and be saved. Rather, you can believe in Him at this moment and be saved.
PART 4: GOOD NEWS FOR ALL (CHAPTER 10, VERSES 11-13) “As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Verse 11 means that the Gospel is good news for all. Good news is only good news for you when you hear it and act on it. So we must preach it to one and all!
CONCLUSION We have learnt why the Jews for the most part were rejecting Christ: they were trying to be saved by their own good works so that they stumbled over Christ. They missed God’s way of righteousness through faith in Christ. So the emphasis is on human responsibility and sin. We will see in future studies that although Israel rejected Christ because they were disobedient and obstinate (10:21); God’s sovereignty is still present. It is God’s sovereign plan to use the salvation of the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy, so that eventually they will turn to Christ (10:19; 11:11, 14). Parts of this study was culled from https://bible.org (lessons 62-65) Wednesday, August 26 2020
Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai INTRODUCTION: In the conclusion of last week’s study, we touched on the mercy of God. Where the Apostle Paul quoted Exodus 33:19 “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” In today’s study we shall be looking further into God’s mercy. God’s mercy is a gift; seen when He shows compassion or forgiveness towards someone who deserved to be punished. Verse 16: Mercy is God’s Sovereign Gift 16 So then God’s choice is not dependent on human will, nor on human effort [the totality of human striving], but on God who shows mercy [to whomever He chooses—it is His sovereign gift]. AMP God’s mercy is not given to us because of what we wish to do (human will), or because of what we actually do (human effort), but simply out of His desire to show mercy. A gift is usually undeserved; it is at the other end of the spectrum of a prize; which is earned. Verses 17-18: Mercy is at God’s Disposal; He Chooses When and How to Dispense It 17 For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.”18 So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen.” (NLT) These two verses spell out a concept that has confused many. So let’s dig a little deeper. Firstly, people interpret verse 17 to mean that God created Pharaoh for the purpose of destroying him; so that He could glorify Himself; but that was not the case. Paul was quoting Exodus 9:16. But to understand that verse we must read both verses 15&16 (AMP) “15 For by now I could have put out My hand and struck you and your people with a pestilence, and you would then have been cut off (obliterated) from the earth. 16 But indeed for this very reason I have allowed you to live, in order to show you My power and in order that My name may be proclaimed throughout all the earth.” See how different a passage becomes when it is read in context? Does this passage not therefore show God’s mercy on Pharaoh howbeit momentarily? Secondly. It is not that God forced an “unwilling”, “kind-hearted” Pharaoh to be hard towards Him and Israel. What God simply did was allow Pharaoh’s heart to pursue its natural inclination. Initially, God did not harden Pharaoh’s heart; he was given the opportunity to choose freely to obey God time and time again. Instead, he and the Egyptians freely rejected God’s command to let Israel go. If God had created Pharaoh initially as a vessel for destruction, there would have been no need to harden him later. Hardening only makes sense, if the clay was first soft in the first place. Here is what 1 Samuel 6:6a says: “Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did?” Under God’s longsuffering and patience, He allowed Pharaoh additional opportunity to repent and to let Israel go; but Pharaoh decided (himself) not to. This can be seen in Exodus 7:13 (Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened) 7:22 (so Pharaoh’s heart was hardened), 8:15 (he hardened his heart), 8:19 (But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened), 8:32 (But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also), 9:7 (But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened), and 9:34 (he sinned again and hardened his heart). However, it was after much longsuffering; after 7 plagues before God finally hardened Pharaoh’s heart; freezing it in its rebellious state. In other words, God made sure Pharaoh could no longer change his mind even if he wanted to. Because, due to the suffering of the next two plagues, he could have let Israel go but it would not have been because he wanted to obey God willingly. Exodus 10:1 (And the Lord said unto Moses, go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart), 10:20 (But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart), 10:27 (But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart), 11:10 (yet the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart) Verses 19-21: God’s Decisions Are Unquestionable “19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still blame me [for sinning]? For who [including myself] has [ever] resisted His will and purpose?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers [arrogantly] back to God and dares to defy Him? Will the thing which is formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does the potter not have the right over the clay, to make from the same lump [of clay] one object for honourable use [something beautiful or distinctive] and another for common use [something ordinary or menial]?” (AMP) Paul imagines someone asking, “If it is all a matter of God’s choice, then how can God find fault with me? How can anyone go against God’s choice?” Paul replies by showing how arrogant and disrespectful such a question is. Just as the clay cannot (not even should not) question the potter so we cannot question God! Does God not have the same right that any Creator has over his creation? Verses 22-24: God’s Mercy is a Declaration of His Glory “22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. 23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. 24 And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.” (NLT) In verse 22, Paul draws our attention to the riches of God’s mercy! He is still very patient with those who deserve His wrath. That is what we saw with Pharaoh (Exodus 9:15&16) Verse 23 reveals an interesting concept: “He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.” When you see what could have happened to you and compare it with what God’s mercy did instead, it simply makes the riches of His glory shine brighter! And if God wants to show mercy to the Gentiles as well as the Jews, who can oppose Him? The Jews were inclined to think that God could not make them anything other than vessels of honour. Paul rejects this view and points out that God does what He wills; making us part of those He selected. Verses 25-26: Conclusion “25 Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, “Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.” 26 And, “Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.” (NLT) Verse 25 is a magnificent message of hope and joy concerning you and I! Those who were not original God’s people, He now calls us His people! He also now loves us! But this promise also covers Israel. The prophecy of Hosea in Hosea 1:10 says: “Yet the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore—too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said, ‘You are children of the living God.” Thursday, August 20 2020
Contributor: Leye Olayiwola INTRODUCTION In our last in-depth study of the concluding verses of Romans Chapter 8 we considered the depth and intensity of God’s love for us. We were reminded that as long as God is for us, no one can be against us; If He justifies us, then no one can condemn us. How fulfilling and refreshing to be reminded that no matter what we go through, nothing can alienate us from Christ’s love. In Romans chapters one through eight, Paul thoroughly convinced us about man’s need and God’s glorious provision in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Now, in Romans 9 through 11, Paul deals with the problem associated with the condition of Israel. What does it mean that Israel has missed its Messiah? What does this say about God? Or about Israel? What does it say about our present position in God? Some of these questions will be addressed in today’s lesson. Romans 9: 1-3 “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,”
Romans 9: 4-5 “Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.” The pain Paul feels for his lost brethren is all the more severe when he considers how God has blessed them with all the privileges of being His own special people.
Romans 9: 6-9 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.”
Romans 9: 10-13 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), 12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
CONCLUSION: Romans 9:14-15 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”
This study is culled from https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-9/ Thursday, August 13 2020
Contributor: Alex Alajiki INTRODUCTION: In our last lesson, we considered the present suffering and the future glory for all believers from Rom. 8:18-30. What is considered as suffering is simply our battles against the flesh and the kingdom of darkness. We are encouraged to stand our ground by focusing on the glory ahead which surpasses any challenge of the present time. Jesus is still our best example according to Heb. 12:2 “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Romans chapter 8 actually holds the central theme of the 16 chapters of the entire book. The chapter begins with the message ‘no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (vs. 1) which only makes sense to those who have grasped that without Christ we are and must be condemned. The chapter ends with ‘nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus’ (vs 39). Within this chapter, Paul highlighted the works of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. We shall be focusing on the last nine verses to see how apostle Paul concluded this interesting chapter.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? We must never doubt if God is on our side according to Jer.29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. If then God is pleased with us and so is willing to work on our behalf, Paul asks what does it matter who opposes us or is displeased with us? Of course, many people may in fact oppose us. Satan will surely oppose us. But if the omnipotent, all-wise, loving God of the universe is pleased with us, no one else really matters! Compare Psalms 118:6; Matth. 10:28. Far too often we are much too concerned about how others view us. We let them hinder our service to God, because we want people on our side. We must love God above all others (Matth. 6:33; 10:34-37). Though parents, spouse, children, friends, and enemies all oppose us, we should still serve God, since His attitude toward us is all that matters in the end. See also Gala. 1:10; Matt. 6:1-18; 23:5; 2 Corin. 10:12,18; 1 Thess. 2:4: John 12:42,43; 5:44. Vs 32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Paul here offers the supreme proof of God’s love and of His desire to give us all that we need in His service. He did not spare even His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all. This was God’s supreme sacrifice (John 3:16; Rom. 5:5-8; 1 John 4:9-11). If God is willing to make such a sacrifice, how can we doubt His love and His ability to meet all our needs? We should rest assured that God will always give us everything we need to serve Him: all the blessings mentioned here and even things we may not realize that we need (Eph. 1:3; James 1:17). Why would we ever doubt His wisdom, love, or provisions for us? Why would we question Him for allowing problems to come? This is surely Paul’s point in context
33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Paul here asks who can cause us to stand condemned if God has justified us? If God is pleased to forgive our sins, who has the power to defeat His purpose and election? Who can bring such a charge against us as to cause us to stand condemned? The obvious implied answer is that no one can do so (compare verses 31,32). We are assured of our blessings under the gospel by the fact that Christ died for us and arose, so that He is now at God’s right hand to make intercession for us according to Heb. 7:25. He is also our advocate with the Father according to 1 John 2:1. 3) What problems in life can separate us from Christ’s love? Rom. 8:35-36 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Paul here listed specific suffering that Christian can likely go through because of our faith in Christ; Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril and sword. Then he asks whether or not any of these particulars can hinder our relationship with God. The answer in each case must be “No!”. Separation from the “love of Christ” can refer either to our love for Christ or His love for us’. God can never cease loving us because of our suffering or persecution, but we must decide that none of these problems can force us to stop loving Him like Job did according to Job 2:9. If within ourselves we lose our commitment to God’s service, we surely will die spiritually and be separated from God. We must keep ourselves in the love of God – Jude 21 Can anybody relate how their love for God was tested under pressure or persecution. Vs 36, As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Here, Paul quoted Ps.44:22. He suffered intense persecution in the process of bringing the gospel to others. God’s people do suffer in this life. Doctrines that teach otherwise simply cause despair when hardship and persecution continue even for those who are faithful according to 2 Tim.3:12. 4) We are more than conquerors; Rom. 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In all these trials, God will always be there to help us endure the hardship and overcome. But in what sense are we “more than conquerors” through these trials? If we allow suffering to lead us to sin, then we are separated from God. This is what Satan hopes suffering will produce, as he hoped in the case of Job. But if we use God’s provisions so that we remain faithful, then we defeat the trials; they do not defeat us. Jesus already gave us the victory even before any trial according to John 16:33, Phil.4:13. We are conquerors, if the trials do not defeat us. But we are more than conquerors, because we actually benefited by that which Satan sent to defeat us. We are actually drawn closer to God. Our weaknesses and impurities are removed. We learn patience and faith, and ultimately receive eternal rewards if we endure to end according to Rev.2:10, Matt.24:13. In vs 39, “no created thing,” neither those listed nor any other can keep us away from the benefits of Christ’s love. If we take the way of escape (1 Corin. 10:13), we can always defeat Satan and his power by the armour God provides (Eph. 6:10-18). Conclusion. The Holy Spirit is our greatest help or helper in any trial according to Eph.3:16 “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man”. He also helps us to pray and show us the way to overcome. Rom. 8:26 |
