THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY

Two summers ago, our family took a couple of weeks touring significant historical sites in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and Washington, DC. There we saw several symbols that express the spirit of liberty. Among those are the Liberty Bell a symbol of our nation’s birth; the Washington Monument, tribute to the father of our country; the Statue of Liberty which stands as a beacon of freedom to the world; Appomattox Court House, where our Civil War ended marking the emancipation of all slaves; the D-Day memorial commemorating the beginning of Europe’s liberation from the Nazis; the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reminding us of the price paid to secure these freedoms. Paul speaks in Romans 8:1-11 of the Spirit of Liberty.

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Here, he isn’t talking about a symbol, but a Person—the third Person of the Trinity—the Holy Spirit. He frees us from the tyranny of sin, births us into the family of God and empowers us to walk in victory. This week we will focus our attention on the Spirit of Liberty and what He can do for you!

WINNING THE WAR WITHIN: Carnal Christians?

Is there such a thing a carnal Christian? There are those who will argue strongly that there is not. They will say it is an oxymoron—you may as well speak of a heavenly devil. Then there are those that will point to Scripture texts that suggest there is such a creature as named in 1 Corinthians 2-3 and described in Romans 7 that we’ve been looking at this week.

Here’s what Paul says concerning his own experience in Romans Seven.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under
sin.
15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do,
that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it
is good.
17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells;
for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not
to do, that I practice.
20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but
sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills
to do good.
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of
death?
25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I
myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
(v.14-25 NKJV)

So, is there such a thing as a carnal Christian? I believe that there is. But, we must understand what that is and what it is not. Some think that so long as you make a profession of faith—that you say a sinner’s prayer—at some point in your life that makes you a Christian. There may be little demonstrable change in a person’s life and the excuse is made that they are just “carnal Christians.” Saved, but stunted in spiritual growth—that’s the thought. If that is what is meant, then that is not a carnal Christian. That is someone that is just carnal—period! It is what Paul called, “the natural man.” They behave according to the flesh because they are of the flesh. These are describe in one of Christ’s parables as “tares” sown by the enemy among the “wheat.” In Peter’s writing he mentions dogs that return to their vomit and pigs that go back to wallowing in the mire. Such a person is a pseudo-saint.

That is not how Paul reflects on his struggle, and that which every true child of God has known. He is no hypocrite; he desperately wants to serve God. His heart is pure. His love and devotion to God is sincere. He doesn’t excuse his sin. He is horrified by it. That is a true child of God.

Although R.C. Sproul in his commentary on Romans would reject the term “carnal Christian,” he does make a vital point: “there is no such thing as a Christian who is carnal-less” (p.222). Even a spiritual giant like the Apostle Paul had this battle within. We all go through this. So, do we just accept defeat? Can we never do better?

That is the problem with the carnal Christian. They are trying to please God in a carnal—a fleshly—way. Having been saved by faith, they purpose to do all within their power to please God. That is an impossibility. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Only by total reliance on Christ can we be saved and only by the same dependence on Christ can we be sanctified! Each of us are so tempted and give in to the seductive call to step out of grace-filled living and into the quagmire of religious ritual and rules and restrictions—sheer legalism!

The way to win the war within is not through trying to resist the world’s pressure, the flesh’s passion and the devil’s power by our own resolve and resources, but instead come to the end of ourselves and rely on the Lord. The way to victory is through surrender.

There is only one person who has ever lived the Christian life—Jesus Himself! Now, He indwells the believer. Let Jesus express His divine life through your humanity and you can win the war within. We are more than conquerors through Him!

WINNING THE WAR WITHIN: Frustration of Legalism

Defeat by the law describes the carnal man. He is defined by his struggle. Such a person knows the frustration of legalism. Paul had struggled with this and testifies to it in Romans Seven.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under
sin.
15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do,
that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it
is good.
17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells;
for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not
to do, that I practice.
20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but
sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills
to do good.
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of
death?
25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I
myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
(v.14-25 NKJV)

Now, Paul shifts to the present tense to describe the frustration that every Christian knows. While we want to do good, there is still a part of us programmed to do evil—we’re a Jekyll and Hyde. The problem is that like Jekyll we try to fix ourselves. We fall back into legalism. We dedicate and rededicate. We consecrate and re-consecrate. We promise to do better, and we try and try and try…but, only to do what we don’t want to do and fail to do what we ought to do.

If a spiritual giant like Paul could fall into this trap, we surely can. His honesty is refreshing. Now, Paul isn’t a hypocrite. He truly loves God in his inner man (v.22). Yet, he has this body of death to deal with (v.23-24) and is wretched!

He cries out for deliverance. The Apostle recognizes the futility of trying to please God in the flesh. Victory requires surrender. Paul couldn’t save himself and he couldn’t sanctify himself. He looks to Christ to rescue him!

Then he goes from a pity party to a praise proclamation. He verbalizes his faith that Christ can do what he can never do. The same grace that delivers us from the penalty of sin is sufficient to deliver us from the power of sin.

Here is a thought-provoking take on the discussion about the terms: Christian vs. Christ-follower

Are you a Christ follower or mainly just a label avoider?

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WINNING THE WAR WITHIN: Folly of Legalism

Doom from the law defines the natural man. He is dominated by his sin and continuing on that course means he will experience the folly of legalism. Paul, the Apostle, had once known that folly himself and describes it in Romans Seven:

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the
contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not
have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”
8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all
manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.
9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin
revived and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring
death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it
killed me.
12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and
good.
13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin,
that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so
that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
(v.7-13)

Paul uses the past tense here, reminding us of the time when he was a proud Pharisee, full of self-righteousness—a legalist trying to earn God’s favor. He did pretty well with the first nine commandments, dealing with outward acts, but the tenth was an issue. In his heart, he was covetous. No one else may have known, but he knew—and he felt condemned. But, that was the very purpose of the law for:

ITS REVELATION (v.7). The law is a mirror that reveals who we really are. It exposes sin, but sinners want to excuse sin. We call drunkenness, alcoholism; adultery an affair; sodomy is gay; lying as overactive imagination. But no one goes to the doctor until they realize they’re sick. This is the law’s painful work—to prod and probe until the problem is laid bare.
ITS REVITALIZATION (v.8-9). John Phillips says the law’s “straight edge reveals the crookedness of human nature and…forces into the open all the latent rebellion of the human heart.” He illustrates this by pointing to the sunshine of spring on a vacant lot brings up all the weeds that were dormant in the ground as well as the grass. As pointed out in previous study, because of our sinfulness, we want to do the very thing we’re forbidden to do. Put a sign on a storefront, “Do not throw rocks at glass” and the window will be broken repeatedly!
ITS RETRIBUTION (v.10-11). The law carried not only precepts but penalties. Ultimately, the wages of sin is death: physical death and finally eternal death.
ITS RECOGNITION (v.12-13). This is meant to drive us to our knees. That’s when we can be saved. That’s what happened to Paul. He was blinded by the light and broken by the Lord. He was brought to the end of himself, but that’s where he met Christ.

Friend, Christ can only save you when you acknowledge that only Christ can save you. You stop trying to earn God’s approval, but instead trust in God’s approval of His Son’s work on the cross for you--and that delivers us from the doom of the law.

WINNING THE WAR WITHIN: Freedom from Legalism

Death to the law defines the spiritual man. He is directed by the Spirit and free from legalism. Consider these words of the Apostle Paul:

1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law),
that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?
2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as
long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her
husband.
3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she
will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that
law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through
the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised
from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused
by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we
were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in
the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:1-6)

Paul uses marriage as an illustration of the important spiritual truth that he has presented in chapter six. He has taught that the Christian is in vital union with Christ so that in His crucifixion, we died to sin and in His resurrection, we are raised to new life. Adrian Rogers presents Paul’s analogy this way:

There is a young single woman who finds a perfect man, Mr. Law, and marries him. David said in Psalm 19, “The law of the Lord is perfect.” Mr. Law is very demanding, however. Each day he goes to work and leaves a list of expectations. She really tries, but fails repeatedly. Mr. Law is merciless and never satisfied. It would not be easy to live with a spouse like that.

There was a woman married to a man she couldn’t please, but she tried anyway. One morning she asked him what he wanted for breakfast. “Two eggs, one scrambled and one fried,” he snarled. “Okay, darling,” his wife smiled in return. She did, but he pouted, “You scrambled the wrong egg.”

It’s hard to live with someone so hard to please. Now, let’s go back to the difficult plight of Mrs. Law. She knows she can’t biblically get out of marriage. She has promised “till death do us part.” Mr. Law isn’t dying. Jesus said, “till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law” (Matt.5:19). But what if she dies? She would be free to marry another. You’d argue that a dead person couldn’t get married. But what if they were raised from the dead as a new person?

That’s what Paul says happened to the believer. We died to the law, and were raised to be one with Christ. Now, she’s no longer married to Mr. Law, but to Mr. Love! Do you recall the day, the Holy Spirit told you about Jesus? He asked, “Will you have this Man to be your Lord and Savior? Do you promise to love, honor, trust and serve Him from this day forward to all eternity?” Then everything changed.

The woman married to Mr. Love no longer wants to please him out of duty, but devotion—not from external pressure but internal passion. Christianity isn’t about rules but relationship. The spiritual person understands. What’s more, all the assets of the Bridegroom are available to the Bride. We aren’t saved by self-effort and we aren’t sanctified by it. We bear spiritual fruit through reliance on the Spirit of Christ who indwells us. Paul had not always understood this. Do you get the picture. Don’t miss this point: we cannot be saved by our own efforts and we cannot be sanctified by our own efforts. It is a work of grace from start to finish.

WINNING THE WAR WITHIN

In 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson published a book called, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” In the story, a good Dr. Henry Jekyll discovers and drinks a potion that turns him into the monstrous Edward Hyde. These dual personalities struggle within the same man for control. Ever feel that way? It is the war within that Paul is describing in Romans chapter seven. Listen to a man whose life has become a battlefield:


15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do,
that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it
is good.
17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells;
for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not
to do, that I practice.
20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but
sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills
to do good.
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of
death?
25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I
myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

That, my friends, is a no-holds barred portrayal of the war within!

Yet, the Apostle tells us that it is a battle we can win—but, not through our own struggle and strength. That will only lead to more setbacks. Success is found in surrender—not in surrender to sin by giving up, but surrender to the Savior by looking up.

Paul has three types of people in view as he presents this passionate autobiography: the natural man, the carnal Christian and the spiritual man. Look at how he describes these spiritual stages in 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3:

14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of
God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.
15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly
judged by no one.
16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as
to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were
not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and
divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

The natural man is the sinful man who does not know the ways of God. The carnal believer is the struggling man who knowing the ways of God finds himself failing to follow them, though there is a part of him that very much wants to do so. The spiritual man is the one who knows and walks in God’s ways. Paul experienced all three stages in his spiritual life. That’s what we’ll explore this week as we study God’s Word together.

THE SLAVE TO LOVE: Freedom We Will Enjoy

Jesus promised, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” (John 8:32). The truth is that the life of liberty is one in which we are freed from the slavery of sin and then willing surrendered to Christ, as a slave to love. This is the message of Paul in Romans 6:15-23:

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!
16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here’s the truth:

WE ARE FREE FROM SERVING THE OLD MASTER. Verses seventeen and twenty tell us we “were slaves to sin” (past tense). This is no longer the case.

Following the Civil War, there were many slaves that remained on the plantation desiring to serve their old master even though they were now free. They had become so accustomed to slavery that they couldn’t see themselves living any other way. The sad fact is that many of God’s children are settling for a life of continued failure, giving in to an old master from which they have been emancipated!

WE ARE FREE TO SERVE THE NEW MASTER. Verses eighteen, nineteen and twenty-two make it clear that we are now slaves to God. There is the liberating power of obedience. It isn’t freedom to do what we want, but freedom to do what we ought. The bond slave is a slave to love. Since we belong to Jesus, He also has the responsibility to care for us. We are His valuable property and as sich, we have the Master’s provision and protection. How this sets us free from anxiety!

Have you bowed your head and submitted your life to Christ the Lord? Turn from your sins. Christ will break every fetter. Sin shall no longer have dominion over you.

THE SLAVE TO LOVE: Force We Will Experience

The Christian life isn’t just difficult—it’s impossible! We cannot live it on our own, but thankfully, we don’t have to. When we submit to God, there is a force we can experience that can only be described as the supernatural power of the Almighty unleashed in and through human instrumentality.

Paul gives us the key to a life that is naturally supernatural and supernaturally natural when he says,

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey
it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of
unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the
dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall
not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
(Rom.6:12-14)

The connecting point where the power of this truth is released is found in the word“present.”

REFUSE TO OFFER YOUR BODY TO SENSUAL DESIRES. Fleshly impulses need no longer drive your life. You have the authority as a child of God to say, “No!” to the world, the flesh and the devil. Because you have offered your thoughts to evil, your heart to carnal desire, and your will to sin’s dominion in the past, you find it easy to slip into these old patterns and yield your body to do wrong. That has been the natural response, yet you now have a new nature and are in union with Christ. Still, it isn’t enough at that point to just try not to do wrong, but we must do the right thing.

RESPOND IN OFFERING YOUR BODY TO SPIRITUAL DIRECTION. Our minds can be renewed by the Word of God. Our hearts can be redirected by the Spirit of God. Our will can be realigned to the will of God and then we yield our body to do the right thing. In a sense, we get reprogrammed. Hellish habits are replaced by holy habits. Faith taps into the grace of God and breaks the chains of sin.

Will you now present yourself to God? Present yourself as one who has been set free from sin and given new life in Christ.

THE SLAVE TO LOVE: Faith We Must Exercise

A genuine Christian can be properly called a “believer” because he or she has come to salvation by faith in Christ alone. Yet, for some reason, many of these same believers in grace to save, then set off trying to be sanctified through their own efforts and the energy of the flesh. They miss the reality that from start to finish, the Christian life is all of grace and is a walk of faith! Perhaps this explains why so many believers either are at the point of giving up and giving in to defeat—often expressed as, “Well, I’m just a sinner saved by grace” or “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” While these statements aren’t incorrect, they are incomplete. We are sinners saved by grace, but we are not “just” that—we are more, having become “partakers of the Divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4) and as Paul tells us in Romans Six, that the old man has been crucified and new resurrection life and power has been given.

In this world with all its temptations and the ever-present, weak flesh we dwell in, there is no way we will be sinless, yet, we ought to sin less! The flip side of the coin, as opposed to those who have just accepted defeat, is the self-righteous hypocrite who pretends he or she is better than they are. They have tried so hard to live up to God’s standards and failed again and again, but are so concerned with keeping up appearances that they seek to cover up their sin and hide it under a veneer of piety. Neither of these positions is acceptable; neither is Biblical.

God’s supernatural grace that flows to us through faith is the key. There is a faith that we must exercise. Paul puts it this way, “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:11).

The crucial word is: “reckon.” This is an accounting term. Let me illustrate this truth. Each week, my salary is directly deposited into my bank account. I never see the check. I never hold the cash. It is processed electronically. Based on the numbers I see on the computer screen, I reckon the fact that I have x amount of dollars and then can pay bills over the internet without ever writing a check or handing someone cash. I am acting in faith based on the facts. I reckon it—I account it to be done. In the same way, I am to account that I am dead to sin and alive to God. Whatever my senses may dictate, or however I may feel, the facts are unalterable.

You may say, but I don’t feel dead to sin, or I can’t see how I’m living in Christ’s power! Your salvation was by faith—not dependent on your experience or feelings—and so is your sanctification. If you trust that by believing in Christ you were saved, can you not trust that through Him you now can walk in victory? You may argue, “Well, I’ll believe it when I see it.” God says, “You’ll see it when you believe it!”

This isn’t possibility thinking. It isn’t occultism, conjuring up some reality we wish were true. It is taking by faith that which we know to be true, and as we do that, the wondrous grace of God is released in us to live as one dead indeed unto sin, but gloriously alive in Christ!

BLOOD MONEY: The Grisly Money-making Enterprise

Here is a trailer for a powerful movie that needs to be seen. Paste the link into your browser and see the sad story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYaTywSDmls

THE SLAVE TO LOVE: Facts We Must Embrace

For many Christians, the pages of their Bibles are still stuck together at Romans Six and Seven. They love Romans Five and Eight—indeed, they should. Those contain the great truths of justification and glorification: the commencement and consummation of the Christian life. Yet, they scarcely seem to consider the matter of sanctification which Romans Six and Seven deal with. It seems as though Satan has blinded our minds, or at least diverted our attention from some vital truths that we need to know. He recognizes that for us to get a grip on these truths (or better still for these truths to get a grip on us) would turn the Christian into a spiritual powerhouse that would jeopardize the devil’s death grip on this fallen world!

Look at Paul’s message and consider carefully the incredible implications:

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.
10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. (Romans 6:1-10 NKJV)

The key word is “knowing.” Here are some facts that we need to embrace.

God’s Word declares:

WE ARE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. Our union with Jesus is so complete that what He experienced is credited to us. We know that Christ took our sins upon Him at Calvary and paid the price for those sins with His precious blood. What we have failed to grasp is that act as vital as it was would not have been enough. Our problem isn’t just the sins we commit, but the sinners we are. Yet, Hallelujah, Christ dealt with that too! Our old nature was nailed to the cross with Him. In that we died to sin! What power does sin have over a dead man? You could parade a nearly naked woman around a corpse on a slab at the funeral home and the fellow wouldn’t flinch—he’s dead! You could offer him a bottle of liquor and he wouldn’t even lick his lips—he’s dead.

WE ARE RAISED WITH CHRIST. His resurrection life is ours. The power that brought Him back to life and gave Him victory over death, hell and the grave is available to us. All that Jesus is, now resides in me. John said, “As He is so are we in this world,” (1 John 4:17). The Christian life is simply Jesus being Jesus in me! Paul said it like this in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” It isn’t so much a changed life as it is an exchanged life! My weakness, sinfulness and ignorance, given to Christ and His power, holiness and wisdom given to me—and that is victory!

THE SLAVE TO LOVE

Bob Dylan has been a major figure in pop music for the last five decades and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In the 70’s he claimed to have become a born-again Christian, produced two Gospel albums, including the Grammy Award winning, “Gotta Serve Somebody.”

GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY
Bob Dylan

YOU MAY BE AN AMBASSADOR TO ENGLAND OR FRANCE,
YOU MAY LIKE TO GAMBLE,YOU MIGHT LIKE TO DANCE,
YOU MAY BE THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD,
YOU MAY BE A SOCIALITE WITH A LONG STRING OF PEARLS
BUT YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO SERVE SOMEBODY,
YES INDEED YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO SERVE SOMEBODY,
WELL, IT MAY BE THE DEVIL OR IT MAY BE THE LORD
BUT YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO SERVE SOMEBODY.

That is the Gospel truth. It isn’t a question if you are going to serve someone or something, but only a matter of whom or what you serve. In Dylan’s words, “Everybody’s gonna have to serve somebody.”

Paul speaks in the sixth chapter of Romans about this choice—being a slave to sin or being a slave to Christ. One of the Apostle’s favorite words to describe himself was a “bondslave of Jesus Christ.” In the Old Testament, slaves had to be periodically set free, but if there was a slave that had been treated well by his master and loved his master, he could become a bondslave. His ear would be pierced with an awl, forever marking him as belonging to his master. Paul saw himself this way—as a slave of love for Christ.

Seeing ourselves in the right way is vital. This week, we will present a Biblical perspective on our union with Christ—that we learn to see ourselves as God sees us. It can make an exponential difference in your spiritual life!

FREE AT LAST! Truth That Sets Us Free

All this week we have pondered on what it means to be free, according to Paul’s teaching in the book of Romans. Jesus said that we would know the truth and the truth would set us free (John 8:32, 36). These great truths are presented concerning the past, present and promised work of Truth Incarnate—Jesus Christ—throughout the epistle.

The first section of Romans is doctrinal: chapters one through eleven. The second section is practical: chapters twelve through sixteen. Belief and behavior are intertwined—one grows out of the other.

In the early portion of the doctrinal section, chapters one through five, the focus is on justification. We are free from the penalty of sin. This is based on the past work of Christ on the cross. We are forgiven because He paid the penalty we deserved. I can thus say, “I have been saved.” When Jesus said, “It is finished,” it was a done deal.

In the middle of this section, chapters six and seven the focus shifts to sanctification (and we might say the thread of teaching extends into chapter eight). We are free from the power of sin. This is rooted in the present work of Christ in His saints. While a child of God will not be sinless this side of heaven, they can sin less. I can say, “I am being saved.” Day by day, I can reckon myself dead to sin and alive to God by the dynamic power of the Spirit.

In the final chapters of the first section, chapters eight through eleven the focus moves to glorification (as noted there is overlap in chapter eight with the previous thrust of truth). We will be free from the presence of sin. This is grounded in the promised work of Christ accomplished in His saints when He returns. I can say, “I will be saved.” The best thing about heaven will be the unbroken fellowship with God for eternity. Akin to that, will be the end of that which keeps us apart—sin. As the old hymn says, “Till all the ransomed church of God, Be saved to sin no more.” What a day that will be!

Come, Lord Jesus!

FREE AT LAST! Our Provision Through Belief

Scripture is clear that we are justified by faith in Christ alone. But, have we missed the point that we are sanctified in the same way? This is what Paul wrote in Romans 6:8-11,

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.
10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Two key words jump out at us: “we believe” (v.8) That’s all God is asking of you today—to simply trust Him. If you have never received Christ as Lord and Savior, there is no better time than today. In fact, there may not be another time, as this could be your last day. Who knows? Delay can be deadly.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins? Do you believe that He rose from the dead? Do you believe that God would not lie to you and that He has the power to do that which He has promised? Here’s the promise:

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom.10:9-13)

Is that all? That’s all!

So, you have done that. You are a Christian, but you don’t find yourself acting much like one at times. Not that you haven’t tried. Not that you don’t feel guilty about failure. But, it seems that’s what you must settle for.

If that is your approach, you will continue to be frustrated. Paul expressed it to the Galatians this way, “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal.3:4). The only way to live the Christian life is by faith in the Christ who lives in you! Moment by moment we rely on Him. Our prayer is, “Jesus, be Jesus in me!” That is the life of faith and the life that pleases God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb.11:6).

FREE AT LAST! Our Power over Bondage

Someone once described the typical Christian’s life as being like an old, iron bedstead: firm on both ends, and sagging in the middle. We’re firm on the past—we’ve been saved. We’re firm in our prospects—we’re going to heaven. But now—well, there’s the problem. If we could only see that the same grace that will bring us to the sweet bye and bye will bring us through the nasty now and now!

Consider Paul’s words in Romans 6:5-7, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”

That powerful grace which justifies us and will glorify us, can also sanctify us! We are set free from the penalty of sin and one day from the very presence of sin, but further—right now—we are set free from the power of sin. That’s what Romans chapter six is all about.

Paul understood well the charge that some legalists would make, that if you preach grace, then some would use it as an excuse for sin. He also anticipated that some libertines on the opposite end of the spectrum would promote that very error. The thought would be, “I’ll pray to receive Christ, but then I’ll continue to live like I always have.” It would be like someone using God for a mere fire insurance policy. The problem is, this isn’t liberty, but license. Grace isn’t the privilege to do what you want, but the power to do what you ought! Freedom isn’t being enslaved to carnal desires, but being empowered to do God’s will.

You come to God on His terms. They aren’t open for negotiation. He’s the King and you are not. The essence of sin is self—you want to be your own god and run your own life. The essence of salvation is surrender to Christ—He becomes Lord. Your life comes under new management.

Now, some might hesitate to yield to Christ, for fear that they are too weak to keep their commitment. Don’t forget this point we are making: the good news is that God doesn’t just free us from sin’s penalty but from its power. If we are sincere in surrender to Him, He will be faithful to deliver us. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it” (Phil.1:6). That is the work of God! He is able to save—from the gutter-most to the uttermost!

FREE AT LAST! Our Pattern in Baptism

Through Christ, believers are free: free from sin’s penalty, its power and one day, its very presence. This freedom was purchased by the death and resurrection of Christ. The pattern is displayed in baptism. Pay special attention to Romans 6:4: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Of course, Paul is speaking of the spiritual baptism of one who has come to faith in Christ, yet, that truth is illustrated in the act of immersion in water.

At the close of last Sunday’s service, we observed the ordinance of baptism. The candidates surrendered themselves in faith to our hands and we buried them beneath the water and raised them from the water. Through this symbol, they professed publicly that their lives had been surrendered to God’s hands and that they had placed their faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ to save them. It is an outward picture of what each one claims as an inward reality. When we bury a person in the water, they are declaring they have joined Christ in His death—that they have died to sin. Then when we raise them from the water, they are testifying that they have been raised to walk in new life in Christ. I tell those to be baptized that they will preach a sermon in symbolism. The Gospel message is summed up by Paul in 1 Corinthians15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” That is the pattern in baptism.

Perhaps as you’ve read these words, you understand the meaning of the term Gospel—or, maybe not. It is a word that simply means, “good news.” Do you know what makes the good news good? It is that there is so much bad news: the bad news is that all of us are sinners. You’ve never met a perfect person have you? There are none. Worse than that, because we are sinners, we are separated from God—and worst of all—to die in that condition is to be separated from God eternally. Yet, what we celebrated last weekend is the good news that Christ died for our sins—He suffered the death we deserved and then rose from the dead, so that we can be forgiven and have eternal life as a free gift! That’s pretty good news, I’d say!

How can you receive that free gift? Well, you can’t earn it. You can’t do enough good to undo the bad. Being religious won’t cut it. Rules and rituals are external, while our problem is internal. As important as baptism is—that won’t save you. Water has no power to wash our sins away. We do not baptize people in order to save them, but as an announcement to the world that they already are! You come to Christ admitting that you are a sinner and that you cannot save yourself. You place your faith in Christ and Him alone and He promises to save you!

But remember all that Jesus called He called publicly. If you want to follow Christ, you cannot be ashamed of Him. There is no such thing as a “closet Christian.” How could you be—in view of all He’s done for you? He died in a public spectacle on a cross and now calls us to take up our cross and follow Him. So, if you have decided to follow Christ in the past or will do so today—why not be baptized as soon as the opportunity presents itself? It is a way of confirming that you have turned from sin and turned to Christ.

FREE AT LAST!

It is possible that at the time Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans that there were as many as ten million slaves throughout the empire. It is likely that half a million slaves lived in the city of Rome itself. Imagine what it must have been like to be only a piece of property—to live in bondage everyday; to be subservient to your master’s every whim.

We can imagine, for the fact is, that we are born into this spiritual condition. All of us are slaves to sin. That is the imagery the Apostle uses throughout the sixth chapter of Romans. For example in verses six and seven, he writes, “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”

Jesus’ mission to earth was to set us free from sin. For a time it seemed that mission was in jeopardy. The Lord of life had been nailed to a cross. His corpse was sealed in a tomb under guard by Roman soldiers. Worse, death wrapped its dark chains around Him until the third day.

But then…

“Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus my Savior; He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord!” Peter, who saw Him, alive from the dead preached this, “[Christ] God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it” (Acts 2:24). Hebrews 2:14-15 puts it this way, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

He was free!

Because Jesus has broken the shackles of sin and death, we are free—free from guilt, shame, fear, condemnation—free at last!

HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH: The Supply of Abounding Grace

In Romans 5:20-21, Paul the Apostle presents to us the sufficiency, supremacy and supply of abounding grace.

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [emphasis added]

That last phrase, “through Jesus Christ our Lord” is critical to our grasp of grace. Wrapped up in those five words is the inexhaustible source of all grace. It all flows from the wounds of Christ on the cross—He, an infinite being with an infinite supply of grace! That is what we celebrate today as we come to the day on the Christian calendar known as Good Friday. Disciples of Christ, all around the world blend voices from every language to testify, “His grace is enough!” Our backgrounds may be different; our features and personalities are diverse; yet there is this common experience that through our relationship with Christ, we have shared an uncommon grace.

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains…” (William Cowper)

No matter the sin you may be guilty of—no matter how many times you have rejected His offer of salvation—today, I want you to know His grace is enough! Would you come to Him? Would you receive the free gift of His grace?

HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH: The Supremacy of Abounding Grace

In Romans 5:20-21, Paul the Apostle presents to us the sufficiency of abounding grace and the supremacy of abounding grace.

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

From the days of Adam’s disobedience, death reigned upon the earth. Following his sin described in Genesis chapter three, we come to Genesis chapter five and we hear, “and he died…and he died…and he died,” eight times in that chapter. Death reigned supreme, and when Christ was nailed to the cross, it wrapped its chains about him and danced with delight declaring, “I have extinguished the light of the world!” and the skies turned dark and the ground trembled—and it was true, for one day—for two days—but, on the third day—I say, on the third day—“Up from the ground He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a victor from the dark domain and He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!” Grace has conquered; grace reigns! We no longer need have any fear of death. That is the supremacy of abounding grace!

HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH: The Sufficiency of Abounding Grace for Sin’s Consequences

When we come to Christ by faith, we are justified—placed in right standing with God—and no longer fear sin’s condemnation. God’s grace is enough—indeed, more than enough! Yet, that does not mean we can evade dealing with all the temporal consequences of sin.

Even after salvation, we must for the time being live in a world under the curse of sin. Because of this, our bodies get sick, we age, and we die physically. Though, the believer has God’s Spirit indwelling him or her, He indwells a temple of flesh, beset by human frailty. There is an ongoing struggle with selfishness and that self-centeredness degrades our relationships.

From without, we see a world that is rushing toward Armageddon and all around us are the consequences of the curse. How do we face the assault of the world, the flesh and the devil? How do we deal with our weakness?

Paul wrote elsewhere of his thorn in the flesh. He prayed three times for God to heal him. Do you know what God did? He didn’t heal him, but He did something infinitely better: He gave the Apostle grace! God told His loyal servant, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor.12:9). So, Paul said in effect, “Glory to God! His grace is enough!”

I don’t know what struggles you are facing today. I don’t know how immeasurable the pressure, how incredible the pain, how immense the problem, but I know this, dear child of God: His grace is enough!

HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH: The Sufficiency of Abounding Grace for Sin’s Condemnation

For the fifth and final time in verse twenty of Romans chapter five, Paul uses this expression, “much more.” He says, "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” [emphasis added].

Yes, sin abounds—it’s everywhere and in everyone. But, where sin abounds, grace abounds “much more.” That is the sufficiency of abounding grace!

It is more than sufficient FOR SIN’S CONDEMNATION. Paul speaks of how God’s holy law condemns us—nothing wrong with the law—it is as perfect as the God who gave it. The problem is with us—that it merely exposes us as the lawbreakers we are.

In fact, far from being able to make us righteous, it inspires our wicked hearts to do evil—the offense abounds as Paul says. I recall my first trip to Disneyworld. We came to a part of the Magic Kingdom where you walked across a wooden bridge, suspended by cables, across a small lagoon. This gave a bit of a bounce in your step, but there was a warning clearly posted, “Do not jump on the bridge.” Why, the thought would have never entered my mind! But, as soon as I read it, guess what I felt compelled to do? Of course, the problem wasn’t with the sign, nor with the one who posted it, but with my bent to rebellion. So it is with God’s holy law. The issue isn’t with the law, neither the One who gave it, but with the nature of Adam which we all share.

Therefore, in large ways and small, we are all sinners and sin condemns us to death. That’s terrible news! But God’s grace is greater than all our sin! That is terrific news! He forgives us and cleanses us, so that "there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus"! (Romans 8:1)

HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH

There was a man who, as a teenager, did what many have been known to do—he ran away from home. He became a crewman on a slave ship. He himself wound up as a slave to an African woman, who severely mistreated him and he nearly starved to death. But, the man escaped and managed to become a sea captain of a slave ship. His life was as wicked and vile as could be.

Yet, one night his vessel almost sank during a violent storm. When all hope seemed gone, he cried out to God. They made it through the storm. It was a turning point for the captain. Afterward he began reading his Bible and was converted to Christ.

You may not know the story. Perhaps you wouldn’t even recognize his name. But, multitudes around the world would recognize his renowned hymn, “Amazing Grace.”

On his tombstone is inscribed:

“John Newton, Clerk,
Once an infidel and libertine,
A servant of slaves in Africa,
Was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ,
Preserved, restored, pardoned,
And appointed to preach the faith
He had long labored to destroy.”

John Newton discovered, that even for a sinner like him, God’s grace is enough. That is the very subject before us in Romans 5, and as we come to the close of the chapter we find these powerful words:

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST: His Reigning Position

For the fifth and final time, Paul uses the expression “much more” in Romans, chapter five. In verses 20-21, he writes, “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The key word is EXALTED—that is, we are reigning with Him. We hear the word, “reign” used here, and the Apostle has used the term previously in this chapter. For the believer to experience the abundant life, means that he or she, understands Christ’s exalted position and our position in Him.

Today, Satan is a usurper—he has taken that which is not his. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden and gave them dominion over it. They were to be stewards of God’s creation. But, when they disobeyed God, they stepped aside from that and Satan took over. Now, he works frantically, because his time is short. He knows that he is beaten and so he seeks to tear down all he can and drag down as many to hell as he can. We see the devastating effects of his “scorched earth” policy everywhere.

But, here’s the good news! Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. God’s grace will ultimately triumph. The dominion Adam forfeited due to disobedience, will be reclaimed in Christ through His obedience on the cross. One day, He will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Just remember that there is nothing over our head that is under His feet—and that’s everything!

ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST: His Resurrecting Power

For a fourth time, the Apostle Paul uses the expression, “much more” to signify the abundant life in Christ which is the birthright of every child of God, as he pens the fifth chapter of the epistle to the Romans.

17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. (v.17-19 NKJV)

The key word is GLORIFIED—that is, we are risen through Him. Again, though the word glorified isn’t found in these verses, the implication is clearly there as Paul speaks of life—eternal life. To be glorified is to be raised from the dead and all that comes with that transformation. Spiritually, that happened when we were justified, and as far as God is concerned it is a settled matter that we will be literally raised and transformed some day. The Apostle tells us that death held dominion because of Adam’s sin, but because of Christ’s resurrection death has been defeated! Jesus promise is, “Because I live, you shall live also!”

We can sing triumphantly, the concluding words of 1 Corinthians 15:

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (v.54-58 NKJV)

BAD NEWS, GOOD NEWS

Here is a devotional sent out from SermonSearch that every preacher needs to read!

Friday, March 26, 2010


Bad News, Good News
Ron Walters

Good Morning,

Jeremiah would have made a great radio broadcaster. His program would certainly generate a lot of negative mail, but it would be worth it. More than any other Old Testament prophet, his unpopular messages served as Judah's emergency broadcast system. But, even though his warnings were designed for national security, many in that day wished he would just shut-up!

Jerusalem's church crowd resented his sermons but they wouldn't have missed one. They tuned in daily to hear what the colorful, yet fiery, prophet would say next. His stuff was the talk of the town. More times than not his prophecies were loaded with bad news. But not always.

For forty years he had faithfully predicted God's judgment on apostate Judah. And, year after year, hostility mounted to his doom-filled messages. His Temple privileges were revoked. His prophetic writings were seized and destroyed. Arrest warrants were issued. His zealous rivals sabotaged his work. He was abducted, publicly humiliated, tossed down a pit and imprisoned.

More than once he wanted to resign the office of Prophet, but God wouldn't let him. So, he just kept doing the one thing he was born to do.

The inflammatory text that fueled his critics was always the same: "Time is running out. Repent, for judgment is coming." Jeremiah's repetitive warnings became the constant, rhythmic sound of God's clock winding down. Tick...tick...tick...tick... And every ticking moment haunted the Jews.

Few biblical orators have ever used imagery as effectively as the weeping prophet. Judah gasped when Jeremiah said, "The Lord has covered Himself with a cloud so that your prayers will not pass through." They cringed when he announced, "You've eaten delicacies, but now you'll embrace only ash heaps." They wept when they heard, "The tongue of your infant will cling to the roof of its mouth for thirst. Judgment is near."

Tick...tick...tick...tick...

And, sure enough-time did run out. Judgment arrived and Judah was carted off into captivity.

Unpopular messages have always been a staple with the prophets of God. And, not surprisingly, they're rarely the favorites among God's people. Repentance has never been what people want. But repentance has always been what people need.

Even the Lord lost audiences with unpopular messages. The John 6 crowd, miraculously fed, oh-h-h-h'ed and ah-h-h-h'ed over His ability to cater a fish banquet from a kid's sack lunch. But the after-dinner conversation of "Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood," was a real turn-off. Spiritual indigestion broke out everywhere.

Jesus' critics wrestled with two questions: "Why did He have to spoil a good meal with preaching like that?" And, "How can I get another plate of fish...it's delicious!"

Tick...tick...tick...tick...

Even the Lord's disciples struggled with His unpopular approach. He asked them, "Does this offend you?" Their clumsy silence shouted, "Yes, as a matter of fact, it does!"

Tick...tick...tick...tick...

But unpopular messages don't have to be hopeless messages. Bad news is not always fatal news. Jeremiah, for instance, gave good news after Judah's thundering collapse. "I have hope. The Lord's loving-kindness never ceases. His compassions never fail, for they are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness. Therefore I have hope in Him." Even the most unpopular messages can have happy endings.

Strong medicine was never designed to taste good. It was designed to cure the patient. And as long as there's a pulse, we still have time for a recovery.

Tick...tick...tick...tick...




Blessings,

Ron Walters
Vice President of Church Relations

The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST: His Restoring Grace

In the fifth chapter of Romans, Paul mentions a third “much more” of the abundant life in verses twelve through sixteen.

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. (NKJV)

The key word is SANCTIFIED—that is, we are righteous in Him. Though the term “sanctified” isn’t used here, the truth of sanctification is taught. It means that we have been set apart by God for God. We have been made holy in Him and for Him.

Paul alludes to the fact that in Adam—through one man—all of us are sinners under the penalty of death. In Christ—through one man—all of us are saints with the possession of life.

But, much more—for not only is the debt of sin cancelled, but righteousness is deposited to our credit! This is abounding, overflowing grace. What we lost in Adam is restored by Christ. Adam was driven from paradise by the righteous government of God’s law and we are welcomed back to paradise by the restoring grace of God’s love!

I used to have a line of credit on my home that I could draw on—an equity line. I really enjoyed that until I spent it all. Well, it was fun while it lasted. But so much more, Christ’s grace is a limitless line of credit. You cannot bankrupt Him! He has an inexhaustible supply—and it is available for you today. The much more part is that the more you have drawn upon it, you find the more His righteousness working in you and through you. That’s Christ’s restoring grace!

ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST: His Reconciling Death

The second time Paul uses the expression, “much more” in Romans Five, he is speaking of the “much more” of Christ’s reconciling death. He states, “For if, being enemies, we have been reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much rather, having been reconciled, we shall be saved in the power of his life. And not only that, but we are making our boast in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom now we have received the reconciliation.” (v.10-11).

The key word is RECONCILED—that is, we are reconciled to Him. Before salvation, we were God’s enemies. But, the death of Jesus made it possible to bring us back to God—through His death reconciliation is possible.

God loved us while we were yet sinners. We were enemies toward God, but, thankfully He wasn’t an enemy toward us. Paul’s argument here is that if He loved us that much while we were His foes, how much more does He love us now that we are His family! “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (v.8). If He loved us enough to send His Son to die for us while we were yet sinners, how much more does He loves is now that we are sons!

But, it isn’t just His death that has reconciled us, but—here’s a new twist on the topic—His life. This unusual expression found in verse ten is that reconciled by His death, we are “saved by His life.” We are given salvation by His death, but we are guaranteed salvation by His life. His redeeming love has saved us, but His resurrection life has secured us! The Bible says, “He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb.7:25). John tells us that even if we sin after salvation, “we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous” (1 John 2:1). He pleads our case. Best of all, Christ has never lost in God’s courtroom. Not one of the accused has ever been found guilty! All He does is display the evidence of the nail prints in His hands and the gavel of God’s justice falls and the Judge of all declares, “Not guilty! Case dismissed!”

"THE 'BLINK' GENERATION"

Here is a thought-provoking word from David Wilkerson on decision-making, particularly as it pertains to church decisions. Copy and paste this link in your browswer:

http://www.worldchallenge.org/view/devotions

ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST: His Redeeming Blood

Five times, the Apostle Paul underscores the abundant life in Christ by using the phrase, “much more” in the fifth chapter of Romans. In the first case, he refers to the “much more” of Christ’s redeeming blood. He writes, “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (v.9)

The key word is JUSTIFIED—that is, we are redeemed by Him. Justification is the judicial act of God whereby He decrees that we are free from the penalty of sin—that though we are condemned sinners, we have been pardoned and made to be just in the sight of a Holy God. This was all because of Christ’s blood shed for us. Sin demanded a payment, and Christ paid the debt in full. God’s justice is satisfied.

We aren’t merely paroled, but we are pardoned. When you’re on parole, you’re out of jail on good behavior and can remain out so long as you keep your nose clean. One violation and you’re back in prison. This is the false idea some have about salvation—they live in constant fear that they may mess up and miss heaven. Friend, if you have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, you are completely pardoned. You are absolved of all guilt! Paul says we shall be saved from wrath. What blessed assurance! But, there is much more! Much more…tomorrow in Romans Five…stay tuned!

ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST

I heard Adrian Rogers tell of an old fellow who had never seen the ocean. His family kept insisting that before he died, he needed to see the ocean one time. So, they finally persuaded him and they packed up and headed for the beach. The area where they were staying was among a lot of huge ocean front high-rise apartments—heavily developed—so, as they drove into their condo complex where they would spend the week, there was a narrow opening between the buildings where you could see the ocean waves rolling in. They stopped and said, “Look Daddy, there’s the ocean!” The old-timer looked through the corridor and said, “Is that all there is to it?”

He did not realize from his narrow perspective that there was so much more—the vastness of what stretched beyond even the horizon, three-fourths of the planet blanketed by water. So, from our point of view, we may fail to recognize that no matter what we know of God’s boundless grace—the vast sea of His salvation—that there is so much more! Indeed, Paul uses this expression, "much more" five times in Romans 5:9-21.

9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.
17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (emphasis added)

Each day this week, we plan to examine one of these “much more” statements. Christ has come to give us abundant life! (John 10:10).

YOU CAN HAVE PEACE WITH GOD: Christ is our Peace

Adrian Rogers told the story of a young lady years ago working for the Salvation Army in a poor neighborhood. She witnessed to one family repeatedly. But she made no headway, as the father was an atheist. The son grew ill—critically ill. He was dying at home and the girl went back one more time to try to share the Gospel with them and thus, comfort them. As she came to the door she heard the boy ask his father, “Dad, am I going to die?” The father answered, “Yes, you’re going to die, but don’t worry, after you die it will all be over—that will be the end. I love you, son—just hold on.” The boy said, “But I’m afraid and I don’t want to die!” To this his father replied, “Son, it will be over in a moment. Just hold on—hold on.” Then she heard the boy pathetically say, “Father, you’re telling me to hold on, but there’s nothing to hold on to.”

If you have not reached up a hand of faith to the hand of grace reaching down, then you are but a step away from the eternal abyss without anything to hold on to. You are in danger of dropping into that Stygian darkness where there is only despair. There will not be a moment’s peace—not for a million years, not for a trillion—not ever.

Do you have peace with God? That peace is found in a Person. “For [Christ] is our peace…” (Ephesians 2:14).

HERE'S A PROPHETIC WARNING FROM SPURGEON


http://refocusingoureyes.com/classic-sermons/c-h-spurgeon/a-solemn-warning-for-all-churches-by-c-h-spurgeon-1834-1892

We Can’t Help But Tell the Truth

Here's a recent article from the Kairos Journal that cries to be read:

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20 (NIV)

The world has asked the Church to sit down and be quiet, and the Church has largely complied. In fact, the Church itself has asked the Church to sit down and be quiet, and the Church has largely obeyed. The Church knows so many biblical things, but there are so many people who hate to hear them. So some pastors and teachers are tempted to water down the truth to maintain warm relationships within and without the Church.

Knowing that the truth of Jesus would undermine their authority, “the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees” (4:1) moved in to stop this preaching. They arrested Peter and John, jailed them overnight, and then brought them before the high priestly family. When asked, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” gave all the credit to Christ, the Savior (4:8-12).

Not knowing what to say, the Sanhedrin sent Peter and John back to their cell. Fearing public and subsequent Roman reaction, they decided to let the two apostles off with a stern command (parangelia) to stop their teaching, but the prisoners would have none of this. They explained that they were working under a higher authority than the Sanhedrin (and the Romans) and that they had a proclamation mandate from God.1 They also directed the judges to judge their own judging, to ask whether they might be setting themselves at odds with God.

This same Greek word for command (parangelia) appears repeatedly in the Gospels, but it is Jesus, and not the Sanhedrin, who issues the directives. In Matthew 10:5-6, Jesus commands the twelve to go to “the lost sheep of Israel.” In Luke 8:29, He commands an unclean spirit to come out of a man. In Mark 8:6, Jesus commands the crowd to be seated for a miraculous feeding. Thus accustomed to the divine commands of Jesus, the apostles were unimpressed with human commands contrary to Jesus’ Great Commission.

The Romans had delegated authority to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious court, but this authority was tenuous. If the actions of the chief priests and elders fomented insurrection or chaos, then their power would be stripped from them. Rome would step in with more direct, secular supervision.

Jesus’ directives are distasteful and inconvenient. For example, pastors know that a strong stand on the sanctity of marriage, one drawn from Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, elicits astonishment and contempt from the culture and retaliation from the “wounded” and their biblically indifferent constituency in the Church. Similar backlash can fall upon pastors who discredit cults and embarrass the backslidden. Pressure also arises outside the Church. In the face of many counter-biblical forces, pastors have to decide whether or not they will stand in the tradition of Peter and John or fall down in the interest of personal safety or “peace in our time.”



Footnotes:

1 See Kairos Journal article, "A Question of Government."

YOU CAN HAVE PEACE WITH GOD: Through the Promise of the Cross

The promise of the cross is that of reconciliation to God. Think of the vertical beam of the cross reaching up to heaven and the horizontal beam reaching out to humanity—and at the intersection of the two, there hangs the “one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim.2:5). Paul has penned these words in Romans 5:7-11:

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Bible teacher, Warren Wiersbe, has written: “In Romans 1:18–32, Paul explained how men declared war on God and, because of this, deserved to be condemned eternally. But God did not declare war on man. Instead, He sent His Son as the Peacemaker (Eph. 2:11–18) that men might be reconciled to God.” God is reconciled to you, and now appeals for you to be reconciled to Him.

Ulysses S. Grant, former President of the United States and famed Civil War general, surrounded Fort Donelson and when it was apparent the Confederate troops could not “hold the fort” the request was made to Grant, “What are your terms of surrender?” His response was, “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.” Thereafter, U.S. Grant became known as, “Unconditional Surrender” Grant.

We have an “Unconditional Surrender” God! If you want peace, you must lay down your arms—stop your war against the will of God—and accept his demand for unconditional surrender. There can be no terms—no negotiation—no compromise—and there can be no peace until you do.

YOU CAN HAVE PEACE WITH GOD: Through the Power of the Cross

If you were to be on the ocean during a hurricane, you would see waves mount up and crash down—a seething cauldron of water—winds howling and rain driven sideways in stinging sheets. But, if you were to go deep enough, you would find in the ocean depths, peace—a region unaffected by the tempest on the surface. So, it is for the child of God. The turbulent trials of life may rage like a storm around us, but deep inside we have God’s peace.

This is what Paul is describing in Romans 5:3-6:

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

This firm foundation of faith in Christ enables us to have peace even in great difficulty. How in this world can we talk about peace in the midst of a storm? It is truly a peace that surpasses human understanding. We may not be able to explain it, but we can experience it! I can’t explain electricity, but I’m not going to sit in the dark until I do.

Being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from trouble, but it does enable us in trouble—we are weak, but He is strong. The trials of life are transformed by the grace of God from something harmful to something helpful. Tribulation comes to develop patience in us, and as we patiently wait on God, character is formed—God uses pressure from our circumstances to mold us as a potter does the clay.

There is our hope—not in what we are or what we can do—for we are helpless to help ourselves. But it was for such a worm as I that Christ died. The Almighty, who by the power of His Word called the universe into existence, died in utter human weakness on the cross—but through that flows the power of God unto salvation! God gives us His own life and love in the Holy Spirit who regenerates us. Peace is found in the power of the cross.

YOU CAN HAVE PEACE WITH GOD: Through the Provision of the Cross

We want—we need—peace with God. In the fifth chapter of Romans, the Apostle Paul tells us that it comes through the provision of the cross, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2).

Underscore the word “through” which is repeated twice in two verses as the writer reminds us of what God has provided through the cross of Christ. He asserts that “we have peace with God” and “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” That we have peace with God is a wondrous, astonishing thing!

Did you note the word, “Therefore” and did you follow the rule of Bible interpretation, that when you see the word “therefore” you always ask, “What is it there for?” Paul has been writing of the amazing grace of God that puts us in a right relationship with the Holy One. He begins by painting a dark picture of a broken relationship with God—a gulf so great that no mere mortal can span it. As a prosecuting attorney, Paul has presented the undeniable evidence of our crimes against God. We are guilty. Our natural inclination is toward sin and self. We are born in this condition, separated from God by our sin. As we practice sinful acts, we get quite proficient at it.

Religion tries to find a way to placate God’s wrath, achieve release from the penalty of sin, and bring us back to whatever particular deity that religion worships. Islam says submit to the five pillars and you can earn Allah’s favor. Hinduism says go through reincarnations until you get it right. Roman Catholicism says keep the sacraments, spend a little time in purgatory and God will accept you. Mormonism has its moral code to follow and Jehovah’s Witnesses send you door to door with Watchtower tracts, trying to obtain a standing as one of the 144,000 who make it in. All this, and every other religious system is an exercise in futility. Paul declares that no one can be just before God this way.

Yet what religion and morality cannot do, God has done in sending His Son to be our Savior. Paul tells us that by simply placing our faith in the finished work of Christ, we are justified before God. The war is over; peace is provided.

Recall how Adam and Eve were in harmony with God in the garden. There was no death, no violence. Nature was at peace—lions lying down with lambs. Then sin disrupted that harmony—Adam hid from God; a curse descended and blood was soon shed. Peace was gone. A sword barred the entrance into the place where Adam once walked with God.

Yet God came seeking His creation and He always does. Once more we have access to Him. The veil of the temple was torn with the tearing of Christ’s flesh and the way was opened into the Holy of Holies. As the Apostle puts it, “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand” (Rom.5:2).

It comes by faith in Christ. You may ask, “How much faith do I need?” It isn’t a question of how much faith, but is the faith in Christ? He alone can save us, but He will save us! Cast yourself on His grace! Then rejoice in this hope that is sure. Biblical hope is steadfastly promised. It isn’t wishful thinking—not hope so, maybe so. That’s not what the word means. Rather, it is an anchor for our soul—so that in the storms of life, we can have peace.

YOU CAN HAVE PEACE WITH GOD!

This past week, I had stuffed into my mailbox, on the same day, a solicitation from both Moore Funeral Home and Groce Funeral Home! They want my business! Each of them is willing to arrange all the details of my demise. Do they know something, I don’t? Here’s what I do know—for me, for you—if the Lord delays His return, “it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb.9:27).

What if it were today that I had an appointment with death? If it is my appointed time, I am not afraid. I am at peace. That is a great comfort!

Do you have peace with God? Well, you can—and the Bible shows us how. Every one of us can have peace with God. The Apostle Paul speaks about the way to have peace with God in Romans 5:1-11:

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

This week we intend to study this important teaching from the Word of God. You never know when you’ll get a solicitation from a funeral home—or a visit from the undertaker.

THE ONLY WAY TO PLEASE GOD: Faith and Forgiveness

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has a constant refrain: “By faith…by faith…by faith…” in order to make it clear that, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb.11:6). Among those listed in God’s roll call of faith is Abraham. Of the patriarch, Paul writes in Romans four, that he was justified by faith—the same way, the only way anyone can be forgiven of sin.

In the high court of heaven, you can plead not guilty and go to trial—and the overwhelming evidence against you will result in your condemnation, or you can plead guilty and throw yourself on the mercy of the court. Then we find pardon from the God of all grace. Even more, when God forgives, He expunges every record of accusation against us.

Consider these words from John Phillips’ commentary on Romans:

Dr. Moon dramatically underlines this in the film Time and Eternity. After showing the various relationships of time, Dr. Moon concludes, “All of us have looked up, on a clear night, and seen the sparkling, twinkling stars. But how many of us have realized that we cannot see the stars as they now are? Every time we look, we are looking into the past, seeing them as they were…. But this works both ways. If you were on one of the stars you would, assuming an adequate telescope, see the earth as it was sometime in the past. From the star, Sirius, you could see what you were doing nine years ago, because in a profoundly true scientific sense you are still doing it. Yes, everything you have ever done, you are still doing, and will continue to do forever, apart from God’s forgiveness. Only the omnipotent, eternal God, who controls all the factors of time, space and matter, could ever remove sin. God says: ‘I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins’ (Isa.43:25).” When God cancels sin, He wills it out of existence; it is not only forgiven and forgotten, it is annihilated.

When we constantly wallow in guilt, after having confessed our sins, dredging up past failure already forgiven, will we not listen to God say, “What sin are you talking about?”

Announcing!

The Search Committee is recommending Steve Schultz to serve as Associate Pastor of Music. Steve is currently serving as Associate Pastor of Worship at Central Baptist Church in Phenix City, Alabama. He and his wife Wanda will be with us next Wednesday night, March 17, when he will lead the choir rehearsal. We are planning a reception for Steve and Wanda, on Saturday night, March 20, at 6 PM so you can meet them and ask any question you may have. This will be a covered dish meal in the Fellowship Hall. The Deacons will meet with them at 5. Then, on Sunday morning, March 21, Steve will lead our worship service and we will be voting on extending the call to him to serve here.

Steve is approaching his 49th birthday. He has been married to Wanda for over 23 years. They have twin boys, Justin and Jason, age 20.

Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Jacksonville University and a Master of Arts in Christian Education (with Music) from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before his call to Central Baptist nearly 7 years ago, he served several churches while in seminary on a part-time capacity. As a member of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida, he served as President of the Chancel Orchestra and was a member of the Gloryland Band. It was during that time, that God called him into ministry.

Steve’s philosophy of music is to bring the church to the throne of God in worship and equip God’s people to have their own worship experience through the week. He sees the gift of music as a means to reach the lost and unchurched through music and drama. Steve says, “I believe that music is to be fresh and new, while also drawing from the history of the church in the using of ‘psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.’” Understanding that people have different tastes in music, he wants to use a wide variety of music to reach the broadest range of people possible while always keeping the message of the Gospel central. He stresses that it isn’t about a performance—that this is not entertainment—but about an encounter with God in worship.

THE ONLY WAY TO PLEASE GOD: The Seed of the God-pleasing Life

God made a promise to Abraham. He promised a “seed”—a son of his own that would bring the fulfillment of all the other promises of the covenant. Abraham believed God and through that act of faith, God’s righteousness was imputed to him. The promised seed would be Jesus Christ. If we will place our faith in Him, then we too can have a God-pleasing life.

Faith rests in the promise of God. We aren’t saved by our faithfulness, but by God’s. This is what Paul stresses in the fourth chapter of Romans.

THE EXPLANATION OF THE PRINCIPLE

For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. (Romans 4:13-15)

The law wasn’t given to Moses for five more centuries, so how could Abraham have known it? Even had he known it, he couldn’t have kept it. When we study the life of Abraham in the Old Testament, it becomes apparent that although he was a man who did many good things, he also had several significant failures in his life. Not a perfect man—Abraham must be numbered among sinners, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom.3:23). All the law can do is show us that we are lost, “because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression” (Rom.4:15). That is a vital part of salvation in that Christ came to save sinners. That’s the only kind of people He does save. Unless I am willing to acknowledge that I am a sinner, I will never call out for a Savior.

THE EXTENSION OF THE PROMISE

Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” (Romans 4:16-18)

God didn’t intend for Abraham to be a reservoir of blessing, but a river of blessing. He would be the father of all those who place their faith in Christ. That is to be true of us as well. If the righteousness of Christ becomes ours by faith, then that faith in Christ is to be shared with others—for that too is their only hope of eternal life. How many spiritual descendants do you have? I think of an old song I used to hear:

“Must I go, and empty-handed?
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul, with which to greet Him;
Must I empty-handed go?”

That certainly is not God’s intention for us. Share your life in Christ with someone today. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will open their heart, as He once did for you.

THE EXAMPLE OF THE POWER

And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:19-22)

Faith in God’s promise produced a miracle birth. Can’t you see an old man pushing his walker out of the maternity ward saying, “It’s a boy!” Abraham was one hundred years old! That took a miracle—a miracle that came by faith. Similarly, there is another miracle birth that occurs each time someone places their faith in Christ—a second birth, a spiritual birth into the family of God! Like Abraham, we simply take God at His Word, not trusting in our works. We believe in His promise and God gives His righteousness.

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PROVISION

Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. (Romans 4:23-25)

Abraham personally experienced God’s salvation, by looking forward to what Christ would do on the cross. Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (John 8:56). He placed His faith in the promise of what God would do, while we look back at the promise of what God will do for us based on what Christ has already done! The Apostle wants to leave no doubt that the story of Abraham isn’t just a bit of archaic trivia—it is an illustration for how contemporary man can experience the provision of eternal life.

Trust in Christ today. Jesus died for you. He will save you. He will save you now.