Guilty No More
September 9, 2022 at 1:53 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 CommentsTags: commentary on Romans, feelings of guilt, forensic guilt, guilt, Jesus Christ, objective guilt, Romans 3, Salvation, salvation invitations, Sunday School lessons on Romans
One time my daughter sang a song in church which contained the line, “We are guilty no more.” We often speak to people about what it means to be “saved,” and, in doing so, we try to get them to admit the guilt caused by their sin. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” they say. “I don’t feel guilty at all about what I’ve done or what I’m doing.”
That may be true, but whether or not you “feel” guilty is not the issue. If you have sinned against God – and we all have – you ARE guilty, whether you feel it or not. Your guilt is a judicial or forensic guilt that exists in the court of God’s justice, and He will eventually punish you as a guilty sinner unless you repent and trust the Savior, Jesus Christ. If you will do that, believing the truth about His life, death, burial, and Resurrection, then your sins will be forgiven, and you will be “guilty no more.”
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:19-24
Does James Contradict Romans?
April 14, 2021 at 2:30 pm | Posted in James | 4 CommentsTags: commentary on James, commentary on Romans, James 2, Luke 7, Romans 3, Romans 4, saved by faith, Sunday School lessons on James, Sunday School lessons on Romans, works righteousness
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James 2:14
Does James contradict Romans?
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:28
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 4:5
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:24
Are true Christians saved by faith (Romans) or saved by works (James)? The short answer is that true Christians are saved by God, but the real question is what is the MEANS of our justification?
Some misunderstandings are caused be a failure to define terms. An Englishman and an American arguing over “football” would need to have an understanding that Americans call English football soccer. A player on my little league team once told me, “Coach, you’re the bomb,” and I wasn’t sure if he meant I was explosive, or if I had done a bad job like a comedian at whom nobody laughs, but it turns out he was saying that I was a good coach. If somebody says, “You rock,” it helps to know if he is referring to an old fashioned chair, an electric guitar, or if he is saying you are awesome. When it comes to “justification,” that term can have different meanings, too, but, theologically, justification is the act of God, Who, by grace, declares sinners who have believed on Jesus Christ, to be righteous. The “method” of this type of justification is by faith, but there is another kind of justification which is seen as being “before men.”
But wisdom is justified of all her children.
Luke 7:35
All “wisdom” is wise by nature, but not all wisdom is recognized as wise until men see the results – the outcome of wisdom’s children after they have followed its way.
The Book of Romans uses Abraham to show righteousness imputed by belief. James uses Abraham to show that belief becomes apparent in action – in obedience – in active obedience.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:21
Romans uses Genesis 15; James uses Genesis 22. Would Isaac have believed, or would Abraham’s servants have believed, God’s promise if Abraham had not obeyed God by intending to kill Isaac? Salvation – justification in the sight of God – happens by faith. However, justification in the sight of men becomes evident through works. If a professing Christian encounters a person who is hungry and cold, mere faith or belief will not feed or clothe that person. James goes past the outward profession and seeks to describe a complete (perfect) picture of what has really happened on the inside of a person who has trusted Christ unto salvation.
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:22
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:19
If the devil disguised himself, he might be allowed to join most Christian churches today. He believes Jesus is the Son of God. He has known Him for a long time (much longer than anybody in your church). He knew Him before the Incarnation. He believes in the Virgin Birth. He believes Jesus died on the Cross. He believes in the Resurrection. He understands what baptism means and would probably would even do it himself. He would promise to be a good churchman. He would go to budget meetings. He would stand right by the pastor in the congregation. He would join the choir and the band. He would get together with the servant leaders. However, he would not stop causing problems for people. He would not stop trying to hurt the work of God. He would not sincerely bow down and worship Christ as Savior and Lord. He might say he would or make an outward show, but he is a liar.
A dead body still looks a lot like a living body at first glance, but closer inspection reveals the problem. Faith that won’t work looks like dead faith.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:26
The Assurance of Trouble
November 3, 2017 at 8:44 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 12 CommentsTags: assurance of salvation, Biblical assurance, commentary on Romans, James 1, joy in tribulation, Romans 5, Romans 8, Sunday School lessons on Romans, tribulation
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:35
Paul, although writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, could speak from experience. He had experienced all these things: persecution, hunger, extreme poverty, life-threatening danger. Yet he remained convinced of the assurance of Christ’s love, not just IN SPITE of these things, but partly BECAUSE of these things.
In fact, the perseverance of his faith and the knowledge of Christ’s presence through trials, tribulations, hardship, and imminent death, utterly convinced him that nothing whatsoever in all of existence could ever separate him from the love of God in Christ.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Sadly, we are often backward in our thinking, looking at trials and temptations and difficulties as signs that God has forgotten or neglected us. What we should do, when God graciously gives us opportunities to strengthen our faith by turning to Him in times of trouble, is to rejoice that He loves us enough to give us such experiential assurances.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4
Tribulations come to us to strengthen our hope or assurance. They are not random occurrences that have somehow broken out of God’s corral, set loose to stampede and trample our lives. They are controlled tests and gifts of grace, teaching us to patiently consider our Savior and the justification He has won for us, not so that we could be left to our own devices, but so that we could be continually drawing closer to Him.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans 5:1-4
Spiritually Disabled
August 16, 2017 at 3:24 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 10 CommentsTags: Biblical regeneration, carnal nature, commentary on Romans, Jesus Christ, moral inability, radical depravity, regeneration, Romans 8, Sunday School lessons on Romans, total depravity
Traditionally it has come to be known as the doctrine of “total depravity.” Stated simply, it is the idea that, because of the sinful condition into which all human beings are born, our moral default mode is that we are depraved, and lack the ability to love, trust, and worship God of our own volition. However, some theologians, fearing that the words “total” and “depravity” will be interpreted to mean that every human being, unless he is supernaturally changed by God, always does the absolute worst thing he can do in every conceivable situation, would prefer to use different terminology. Because it can often be demonstrated that even the worst sinners could sin more frequently, and in worse ways, than they are presently sinning or have sinned in the past, the term “radical depravity” is offered as a substitute for “total depravity.”
However, this might also require some explaining. We tend to think of the word “radical” as an adjective which refers to something “extreme.” A kid who backflips off his speeding skateboard into the back of moving truck has done something “radical.”
A political group that wants the government to pay for birth control may be called “liberal,” but a group that wants the government to pay for genital mutilation surgery is “radically” liberal. This is not the sense that theologians want to convey when speaking of “radical depravity.” What they are getting at is the sense of the Latin word for “root:” radix. A person who is “radically” depraved is a person who is depraved down to the “root:” the most basic foundational level of his ontology. There is within him, preventing him from making God-honoring moral choices, a core of depravity which skews or perverts his thinking, his emotions, and his very will, toward evil rather than good.
One of the most marvelous things about God’s redeeming grace is that when He enables a person to trust Jesus Christ unto salvation, the Holy Spirit regenerates that person – completely changing his ontology, and giving him a new ability that he did not before possess: the ability to truly love and serve God.
The label “disabled,” when applied to someone who has a physical or mental infirmity, has become controversial and has the potential to offend, so I’m not trying to disparage anyone’s physical condition, but the fact is, apart from the miraculous work of God, our “natural” minds and natures are truly disabled by the consequences of sin.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Romans 8:7
We get frustrated at people who disobey the law of God, including (far more frequently than we like to admit) ourselves. But we have to remember, people operating in their “carnality” – in their “flesh” – do not obey God because they CAN NOT obey God. They are totally disabled. Some physical and mental disabilities can be treated and even cured. However, our spiritual disability can ONLY be overcome by the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2
Servant Movers (Commitment)
November 16, 2012 at 1:44 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 13 CommentsTags: Christian leadership, commentary on Romans, commitment, Jeremiah 9, leadership principles, leadership training, Romans 5, servant leaders, servant leadership, Sunday School lessons on Romans
When we talk about someone in a position of leadership in Christian ministry, I prefer the term “servant leader.” This is far from original, but I believe it is apt, because the New Testament paradigm for leading is to lead while, through, and by serving others. The Lord Jesus led by serving, and He was the greatest Servant Leader of all time.
Although we put an emphasis on serving, we must not deny the “leading,” either, and “leading” means “moving.”
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans 5:3-4
Biblical patience is more than just a willingness to wait. It contains the concept of “perseverance,” and perseverance is evidenced by commitment. When we persevere in our commitments, we gain the right kind of “experience” and we develop the right kind of character. Our character then governs our conduct.
“Leading” implies that people are following, and leading and following imply that we are going somewhere – or at least that we are moving. “Church” is not just a place to come sit. It should be a place to come serve. After salvation, regular attendance at church is very important, but it should not be the end of your journey. Instead, it should be the place where we meet to restock, to refresh, to prepare, and to train for our journey. A local assembly of believers (a “church“) must be moving. If people in our churches are not going or growing, we who claim to be servant leaders must bear a great deal of the responsibility for failing to lead.
Qualifications of New Testament servant leaders include commitment, character, and conduct. We think of someone who is easily able to influence others or who tends to attract loyal followers as someone who has “charisma,” and this word is actually the Greek word translated as “gifts” in several New Testament Bible verses. I would argue that while the “gifts” of ministry given by God to leaders are certainly important, commitment is just as (and possibly even more) important than the gifts themselves. Gifts by their very definition are things “given.” In other words, they are not earned.
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jeremiah 9:23
Too much focusing on our “gifts” over and above our commitment can lead to boasting in our own “giftedness.” If we are not to boast on our gifts, then on what are we to boast?
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:24
What do we have that is any good at all that didn’t come from God? Gifts will attract followers to the gift-receiver, but Godliness will attract followers to the Gift-Giver. Therefore, being Godly is more important than being gifted. Godliness comes from being committed. Servant leaders are servants who are moving. People can’t follow someone who is going nowhere, doing nothing. That’s not leading.
Next time, I will say more about character and conduct.
Rowing through Romans
January 19, 2012 at 12:20 pm | Posted in Romans | 1 CommentTags: commentary on Romans, Jesus Christ, preaching techniques, Romans, series on Romans, Sunday School lessons on Romans, witnessing techniques
The Book of Romans ends up with one of the Apostle Paul’s favorite preaching techniques. I like to use the acrostic O.A.R.S. to identify it.
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets [O.pening], according [A.lleging] to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations [R.easoning] for the obedience of faith:
Romans 16:26 (bracketed terms added)
The Apostle Paul had “opened” the Scriptures of the Old Testament and “alleged” that the New Testament revelations of Jesus Christ are a fulfillment of those Scriptures. He had “reasoned” with his readers, as the Holy Ghost inspired him to answer questions concerning both the Jews and the gentiles about God’s fairness and righteousness.
And the purpose of this O.pening, A.lleging, and R.easoning, was the S.haring of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Romans 16:25 (emphasis added)
Here is a review of the previous lessons on Romans:
1. God’s Reason for His Delivery
2. Overcoming Shame
3. S.W.I.M. with the Fish (Romans 1:19-20)
4. From Thanksgiving To Thanksliving
5. Making the Argument of Grace through Faith
6. Six Thoughts which Remind Us that We Cannot Achieve Righteousness on Our Own
7. Dr. Law and Dr. Grace*
8. The Paycheck You Don’t Want To Receive
9. Guilty No More (Romans 3:19-24)
10. The True Jewish Justification
11. It’s Just Faith
12. Does James Contradict Romans? (Romans 3:28; 4:5)
13. Inherited Sin and Guilt? (Romans 5:5-18)
14. Catechism Question 5
15. Catechism Question 9
16. One Race, One Savior (Romans 5:12,19)
17. Rehearsing Repetitive Romans Reigns Really Recognizes Right Reckoning
18. Servant Movers (Commitment)
19. Free FROM Sin, Not Free TO Sin
20. The Reckoning
21. Failure to Yield
22. Marriage and War
23. God’s Will and Our Will
24. Destined for Victory
25. A Weasel Riding a Flying Woodpecker (Romans 7:17-18; 8:1-2)
26. Spiritually Disabled (Romans 8)
27. The Assurance of Trouble (Romans 8, 5)
28. Fitted by God
29. Ignoring the Obvious
30. Catechism Question 21
31. Bold Mouths, Beautiful Feet, and Blindfolded Eyes
32. The Work that Won’t Work
33. The Castaways
34. Catechism Question 3
35. Therefore and Wherefore
36. Sacrificially Submitting Surrendered Sanctified Service
37. Bible Study as a Means of Grace (Part 2) (Romans 12:2-3)
38. The Anatomically Correct Church
39. Saved, Sure and Serving? Or Suspicious, Sedentary, and Slothful?
40. Heaping Helpings of Holy Hatred? Or Refusing Revenge for the Right Reasons?
41. The Powers that Be (Romans 13:1)
42. Love Demonstrated by Obedience
43. Light Wakes You Up
44. Doubtful Disputations Deter Doxological Demonstrations Displaying Desired Decorum
45. I Can Tell the Future
46. Real Joy Vs. Fake Joy
47. Preferential Treatment
48. The Certain Hope
49. Going Belly-Up
* most-read post in series
Going Belly-Up
December 27, 2011 at 12:12 pm | Posted in Romans | 5 CommentsTags: 1 Thessalonians 5, behavior in church, bellies, commentary on Romans, Romans 16, strife in church, Sunday School lessons on Romans, Tertius, Titus 1
In his letter to the Romans the Holy Spirit had the Apostle Paul save his greetings for his friends and his notes of thanks for the end of the letter.
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
Romans 16:7-9
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
Romans 16:13
Note how the Apostle Paul not only knew his fellow-laborers by name, but he also knew their various accomplishments and things about them personally. It probably makes you feel important when your fellow-ministers at church remember your name, but it’s even better to be remembered for how you’re serving.
I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
Romans 16:22
Imagine the excitement of Tertius! There he was, taking dictation from the Apostle Paul who was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and all of a sudden he gets the chance to put his own little salutation in there! These words became part of the Living Word – to last and be known for all eternity! You and I will never be inspired to add to the Bible, but let me encourage you to listen closely in church. The Lord was speaking to the Apostle Paul, and Tertius was listening and diligently taking it all down, and suddenly the Holy Ghost was speaking directly to him.
These servants of God listed at the end of Chapter 16 have their names preserved for all time in God’s Word, along with the honor of having their character and integrity mentioned. By the same token there are others who were not worthy to have their names preserved in the Scriptures. Although they were also known for their character, they were known for having a bad character.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Romans 16:17-18 (emphasis added)
Some Bible versions say “watch out” instead of “mark,” but the idea of “watching out” is too general because we are talking about people who have shown their character. Once they have established what they are about, we are to place a mental label, or “mark,” on them. They cause divisions and offenses contrary to the Apostolic doctrine, but the verse does not say to confront them every chance you get. It does not say to go around telling everyone every bad thing you can about them. It does not say to formulate a plot and plan to get rid of them. No, it says to avoid them. They are such that serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own “belly.” “Belly” is sometimes translated as “appetite,” but the fact is, we can’t always see someone’s “appetite.” Everyone can see a big ol’ belly sticking out. “Appetite” is too neutral. You could have an appetite for good things. But those who “serve their own belly” are guilty of more than just mistaken desire. They have a greedy desire to cause trouble: divisions and offenses. The bigger their bellies get, the greater their hunger is. They see a local church assembly as an all-you-can-eat buffet. They will fill up their bellies with strife, contention, and trouble until someone stops putting more food in front of them.
That’s one reason why it is so important to get acquainted intimately with the people you are ministering alongside at church.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
I Thessalonians 5:12
One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
Titus 1:12 (emphasis added)
We have to be on the lookout for those who want to push a false doctrine through division and strife. The Bible says they will use good words and fair speeches to deceive the hearts of those who don’t know better, but by their bellies you will know them.
Saved, Sure, and Serving? Or Suspicious, Sedentary, and Slothful?
December 5, 2011 at 10:52 am | Posted in A Little Alliteration, Romans, Uncategorized | 28 CommentsTags: Brazilian tree sloth, Christian service, commentary on Romans, glory to God, lessons in Romans, marriage jokes, Romans 12, sloth, slothfulness, Sunday School lessons on Romans
Wife: What are you doing today?
Husband: Nothing.
Wife: That’s what you did yesterday.
Husband: I didn’t finish.
Regardless of whether this type of exchange makes you chuckle, or hits a little too close to home to be funny, one thing is sure: As Christians, we need to stay busy.
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Romans 12:11
“Slothful” is a word that describes exceedingly slow movement due to laziness. There is even an animal named the sloth, which is known for its slowness of movement.
A sloth may spend a whole day hanging from a tree branch in the Brazilian rain forest, and only move a few millimeters.
If you are a Christian, one of the main reasons that God did not bring you to Heaven the moment you were saved is because He had some good works, some great opportunities, and some specific tasks which He wanted you to accomplish both for the good of others and yourself, and for His glory. Christians, in other words, must be about our Lord’s “business,” and we must not be slothful in doing it. Our attitude ought to be one of fervency in spirit: an impassioned enthusiasm that gives us joy in serving the Lord.
The Deep End 
One Race, One Savior
January 19, 2024 at 12:50 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 CommentTags: 1 John 4, Acts 17, commentary on Romans, Human race, Jesus Christ, one race, Revelation 7, Romans 5, Sunday School lessons on Romans
Revelation 7:9
There are people in this world who live in different places, speak different languages, and look differently. However, there is only one “race:” people; human beings; the human race. We are all related to Adam.
Acts 17:26
As human beings we have many differences, but we are all sinners. Adam was a sinner, and all of us are a part of his family, so we all have sin inside of us.
Romans 5:12
Jesus’s obedience made a way for us to change families.
Romans 5:19
Only Jesus can change our status from children of Adam to children of God, and He will do it for people no matter how they look, what language they speak, or where they live.
I John 4:14