This passage is not easy as is evidenced by a number of differing interpretations, especially with regard to 'all Israel' being saved (v.26). After checking out the views of different scholars, Harrison (1976, pp.123-126) from 'The Expositor's Bible Commentary' (Vol. 10) seems to be able to pull together a number of different views and make sense of it. Here 'all Israel' would mean the nation Israel as a whole though the language does not necessarily include every living Israelite. Davidson & Martin (1970, p.1039)from 'The New Bible Commentary 3rd Edition' state that the Rabbis in Paul's day used the term 'all Israel' without necessarily implying every individual as a whole.
Some have contended that 'all Israel' relates to all believers whether they be Jew or Gentile, i.e. a 'spiritual Israel'. However, Harrison states that 'Israel' had not been used of Gentiles in these chapters, therefore it is unlikely that Israel would be used of the Gentiles in this particular passage. He gives further helpful insight here as he states that 'There may be grounds for speaking of the church as the New Israel, but so far as terminology is concerned, Israel means the nation or the godly portion of it (cf.9:6).'
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Romans 8:1-17
More grace yet again?? Not only are we free from condemnation, but we have also been set free from the law of sin and death. Here the commentators tell me that being set free is in the Gr. aorist tense which suggests a once for all act of freedom at salvation!! How good is that!!
The reference here to Jesus being sent in the 'likeness of sinful man' (8:3) does not suggest that He was not truly human, this needs to be understood in the sense that Jesus was not sent in sinful flesh, rather He was sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, for He was in Himself without sin.
This passage ought to pose the question to us in that do we allow the Holy Spirit to reign in our lives? Do we (do I) truly live in accordance with the Spirit so that our minds are on that which the Spirit desires? Who doesn't want the life and peace through a Spirit controlled mind?
I love the interchange in 8:9-10 between Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ, and Christ in you which just reaffirms the wonder, mystery, and truth of the doctrine of the Trinity.
The reference here to Jesus being sent in the 'likeness of sinful man' (8:3) does not suggest that He was not truly human, this needs to be understood in the sense that Jesus was not sent in sinful flesh, rather He was sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, for He was in Himself without sin.
This passage ought to pose the question to us in that do we allow the Holy Spirit to reign in our lives? Do we (do I) truly live in accordance with the Spirit so that our minds are on that which the Spirit desires? Who doesn't want the life and peace through a Spirit controlled mind?
I love the interchange in 8:9-10 between Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ, and Christ in you which just reaffirms the wonder, mystery, and truth of the doctrine of the Trinity.
Romans 7:1-25
As chapter 6 has presented, believers are to reckon themselves as dead to sin, and yet without a doubt there remains an internal conflict whereby we struggle with sin.
It must have been a most difficult situation for the Jew under the Law to have had the sinful passions aroused from within as the commandments came to bear upon his or her life. Praise be to God that those who were once under the Law (as good as it was), may now serve God in the newness of life in the Spirit (v.6). Praise be to God that we Gentiles have been included into Christ that we also can serve Him in this same way!
Because of the fact that Paul consistently used the present tense in 7:14-25, it seems to me that he was relating this to his own current personal experience. Even though humanity cannot avoid personal responsibility before God in regard to how they live their lives, as with Paul the power of sin living inside us (v.20) is strong such that at times we can identify with him in that we find ourselves doing what we really do not want to do (v. 15). Without a doubt I can identify both with Paul's cry of anguish...'wretched man that I am', and also his cry of relief in that our rescue from the body of death comes through Jesus. This should be understood as referring to both now (as we live by the power of the Spirit), and also to the future as we join with Christ in our future resurrected bodies!! Praise be unto our great GOD!!!!
It must have been a most difficult situation for the Jew under the Law to have had the sinful passions aroused from within as the commandments came to bear upon his or her life. Praise be to God that those who were once under the Law (as good as it was), may now serve God in the newness of life in the Spirit (v.6). Praise be to God that we Gentiles have been included into Christ that we also can serve Him in this same way!
Because of the fact that Paul consistently used the present tense in 7:14-25, it seems to me that he was relating this to his own current personal experience. Even though humanity cannot avoid personal responsibility before God in regard to how they live their lives, as with Paul the power of sin living inside us (v.20) is strong such that at times we can identify with him in that we find ourselves doing what we really do not want to do (v. 15). Without a doubt I can identify both with Paul's cry of anguish...'wretched man that I am', and also his cry of relief in that our rescue from the body of death comes through Jesus. This should be understood as referring to both now (as we live by the power of the Spirit), and also to the future as we join with Christ in our future resurrected bodies!! Praise be unto our great GOD!!!!
Romans 6:1-14
Here the theme of our being united with Christ comes through with great emphasis . Through the symbolic use of baptism, we see that our old unregenerate selves were buried with Jesus so that we may live a new life. This new life is literally 'so also in newness of life we should walk about', indicating that our lives ought to be characterised by a new and fresh quality day by day, and even moment by moment. Thus as we count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ, we see the outworking of this principle as believers share in His resurrection power.
What a joy it is that we no longer live as slaves to sin, Jesus has set us free to live this 'newness of life' through the power of the Holy Spirit. In view of God's grace in Christ, is there really any option other than to offer ourselves to Him in His service?
What a joy it is that we no longer live as slaves to sin, Jesus has set us free to live this 'newness of life' through the power of the Holy Spirit. In view of God's grace in Christ, is there really any option other than to offer ourselves to Him in His service?
Romans 5:12-21
Here we go again, 'grace' is mentioned 5 times in this short passage! Praise the Lord that though we were condemned in Adam, God's grace overflowed to humanity through our wonderful Saviour in Jesus!!
I must admit that I have struggled in the past with the concept of one man's sin bringing both condemnation for all of humanity, and also making everyone a sinner (vv. 18-20). However, the concept of all of humanity being seminally in Adam (just as Levi was in the body of Abraham when he presented a tenth of the plunder to Melchizedek (cf. Heb. 7:9-10)) makes sense. Herein we can see the definite link between Adam's sin and our own in that we were in him when he sinned, thus its not hard to see why we would inherit this sin nature. In any case, whatever our conclusion on this matter, if God determines that the judgment for sin should include the offspring of the sinner to be ensnared by its grasp, then who are we to argue??
Lets not get too side tracked here, for the thrust of this passage is God's grace through 'one act of righteousness' bringing justification for all of humanity, praise the Lord!!
I must admit that I have struggled in the past with the concept of one man's sin bringing both condemnation for all of humanity, and also making everyone a sinner (vv. 18-20). However, the concept of all of humanity being seminally in Adam (just as Levi was in the body of Abraham when he presented a tenth of the plunder to Melchizedek (cf. Heb. 7:9-10)) makes sense. Herein we can see the definite link between Adam's sin and our own in that we were in him when he sinned, thus its not hard to see why we would inherit this sin nature. In any case, whatever our conclusion on this matter, if God determines that the judgment for sin should include the offspring of the sinner to be ensnared by its grasp, then who are we to argue??
Lets not get too side tracked here, for the thrust of this passage is God's grace through 'one act of righteousness' bringing justification for all of humanity, praise the Lord!!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Romans 3:21-31
Once again the theme of God's grace permeates this passage, for though 'all have sinned' and fallen short of God's GLORY, He has provided for us a righteousness through faith in our awsome Saviour! Interestingly this justification has a forensic element to it in that it means to aquit or to declare righteous (the opposite of being condemned), to the praise of His glory!!
The commentators tell me that the Greek for 'sacrifice of atonement' speaks of a sacrifice that satisfies the righteous wrath of God ; praise the Lord for His awesome mercy even to me!! Apparently the Greek for 'Sacrifice of atonement' can be rendered 'propitiation' which is a noun used elsewhere in the NT only in Hebrews 9:5 for the mercy seat of the tabernacle's ark of the covenant. Here a goats blood was sprinkled on the Dat of Atonement to cover Israel's sins in order to satisfy God for another year. I think it's amazing how the OT sacrifices were continually pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus !!
The commentators tell me that the Greek for 'sacrifice of atonement' speaks of a sacrifice that satisfies the righteous wrath of God ; praise the Lord for His awesome mercy even to me!! Apparently the Greek for 'Sacrifice of atonement' can be rendered 'propitiation' which is a noun used elsewhere in the NT only in Hebrews 9:5 for the mercy seat of the tabernacle's ark of the covenant. Here a goats blood was sprinkled on the Dat of Atonement to cover Israel's sins in order to satisfy God for another year. I think it's amazing how the OT sacrifices were continually pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus !!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Romans 2:1-16
In this passage which is so full of references to God's judgment, it is all too easy to overlook v.4 which clearly reveals a God who is kind, tolerant, and patient. For here, those who were passing judgment on others in regard to their sin, and yet were committing the very same sin themselves, had as yet not been struck by God's righteous judgment. The reason for this was that He was patiently giving them an opportuity to repent of their rebellion towards Him. What a marvelous God He is in that He would also be so patient with US prior to our own salvation. Surely we deserved His condemnation, and yet His patience continued to endure with fallen humanity until WE came to repentance some 2000 years later.
God's righteous judgment will indeed be brought to bear upon all of unrepentant humanity whether Jew or Gentile as this passage demonstrates so clearly, however, spare a thought for God's EXTRAVAGANT kindness, patience, and tolerance as He waits for those who will respond in faith and repentance.
God's righteous judgment will indeed be brought to bear upon all of unrepentant humanity whether Jew or Gentile as this passage demonstrates so clearly, however, spare a thought for God's EXTRAVAGANT kindness, patience, and tolerance as He waits for those who will respond in faith and repentance.
Rom. 16:1-27
One can only have deep admiration for Paul's friends in Priscilla and Aquila. Here we are told (v.4) that these fellow workers had risked their lives for Paul. I can only wonder at my own response here. Am I firm enough in my faith in Jesus to risk my life for another in service of the Gospel? Do I love enough even by the power of the Holy Spirit that I would be prepared to lay down my life for a brother or sister in Christ?
There's surely no time like the present to be habitually living life through faith in Christ! As we habitually live life in obedience to God this will prepare us for such trials, such that when they come we will be equipped to withstand them (cf. Matt. 7:24-27).
Interestingly the tender role of a mother is of great value to God, for here Rufus' mother (v.13) was as a mother the this great apostle in Paul. This should be of great encouragement to the Christian mothers of today who may have opportunity to nurture those outside her own family who are in the Lord's service, for in doing so they assist in the spread of the Gospel.
There's surely no time like the present to be habitually living life through faith in Christ! As we habitually live life in obedience to God this will prepare us for such trials, such that when they come we will be equipped to withstand them (cf. Matt. 7:24-27).
Interestingly the tender role of a mother is of great value to God, for here Rufus' mother (v.13) was as a mother the this great apostle in Paul. This should be of great encouragement to the Christian mothers of today who may have opportunity to nurture those outside her own family who are in the Lord's service, for in doing so they assist in the spread of the Gospel.
Rom 14:1 - 15:13
Herein we are reminded of the God of acceptance. Whilst we humans may find ourselves judging and condemning one another with regard to disputable matters (a was the case here in vv.1-4 where some may have been eating meat offered to idols (cf. 1 Cor. ch. 8)), God accepts both parties.
In a similar vein, we must also be careful of not condemning those who have a differing view to us on whether we should accept one day as more sacred thah another (cf. Rom 14:5-6). I was reminded of this in a discussion with a keen Christian just recently. He held to the view that Sunday was to be the Lord's day. For him this was possible as he works at a job within normal waking hours. However, for me I had worked shift work for over 20 years in order to support my family and this included weekend work. Praise the Lord that though some may hold strongly to the view that one day is more sacred than another, God had accepted me who was caught in the unenviable position of having to work on weekends. Further to this, I thank God for His instruction here, for I also must accept my brother in Christ who has a differing opinion to myself on what can only be seen as a disputable, rather than an essential matter.
In a similar vein, we must also be careful of not condemning those who have a differing view to us on whether we should accept one day as more sacred thah another (cf. Rom 14:5-6). I was reminded of this in a discussion with a keen Christian just recently. He held to the view that Sunday was to be the Lord's day. For him this was possible as he works at a job within normal waking hours. However, for me I had worked shift work for over 20 years in order to support my family and this included weekend work. Praise the Lord that though some may hold strongly to the view that one day is more sacred than another, God had accepted me who was caught in the unenviable position of having to work on weekends. Further to this, I thank God for His instruction here, for I also must accept my brother in Christ who has a differing opinion to myself on what can only be seen as a disputable, rather than an essential matter.
Rom 1:1-17
What an amazing God we have in that this Gospel regarding His magnificent Son had already been promised centuries earlier through the prophets (cf. Isaiah ch. 53), this shows just how ordered and in control our God is!! Isn't He marvelous, who can compare to you Almighty and everlasting God!! It never ceases to amaze me that this Creator God would humble Himself to such an extent that He would take on the form of man (v. 3), in order to rescue fallen humanity ; even me!!
Christ's resurrection through the Spirit of holiness vindicated His claim that He was more than human, indeed He is declared with POWER to be the Son of God!! Jesus Christ our LORD ; I wonder, have we truly made Him LORD of our lives? Do the distractions of this world serve as tools to persuade us to take our eyes off HIM the glorious One? I speak to myself as much as anyone, let's walk before our God in full reliance upon Him as we walk in that resurrection power, so that He may be glorified. Please pray for me that I might do this.
In v.17 we observe the righteousness of God being provided for us on the basis of FAITH. Once again, wonder upon wonders, no need to work for our salvation (as opposed to some other religions), God has done it all for us through faith in Christ, and even this faith is a gift from God to us (cf. Eph. 2:8 ; Rom. 12:3). Thankyou Father God, thankyou Jesus Christ!!
Christ's resurrection through the Spirit of holiness vindicated His claim that He was more than human, indeed He is declared with POWER to be the Son of God!! Jesus Christ our LORD ; I wonder, have we truly made Him LORD of our lives? Do the distractions of this world serve as tools to persuade us to take our eyes off HIM the glorious One? I speak to myself as much as anyone, let's walk before our God in full reliance upon Him as we walk in that resurrection power, so that He may be glorified. Please pray for me that I might do this.
In v.17 we observe the righteousness of God being provided for us on the basis of FAITH. Once again, wonder upon wonders, no need to work for our salvation (as opposed to some other religions), God has done it all for us through faith in Christ, and even this faith is a gift from God to us (cf. Eph. 2:8 ; Rom. 12:3). Thankyou Father God, thankyou Jesus Christ!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Romans 12:1-2
What other response is there other than to offer the totality of our being in service to God as 'living sacrifices' in view of His mercy through Christ!! This is true worship to our God, holy and pleasing to Him. What other response can there be towards the One who had every right to crush us because of our sin, and yet chose to have such compassion upon his fallen world.
In offering ourselves in the totality of our beings to God, Witmer (1983, pp. 487-488) offers some helpful insights into this passage. He writes that Christians must not conform to the pattern of this 'present evil age' (Gal 1:4, cf. Eph 1:21), rather we must be transformed (keep on being transformed) through the renewing of our minds. Here the mind is seen as the control centre of one's attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions. As one's mind is made new by the spiritual input of God's word, prayer, and Christian fellowship, his or her lifestyle keeps on being transformed. All this can only be enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit as God works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose!
As believers are transformed through the renewing of their minds, they will then be enabled to ascertain what the will of God is as they travel through this life. And as experience tells us, His will is always good, pleasing, and perfect!
In offering ourselves in the totality of our beings to God, Witmer (1983, pp. 487-488) offers some helpful insights into this passage. He writes that Christians must not conform to the pattern of this 'present evil age' (Gal 1:4, cf. Eph 1:21), rather we must be transformed (keep on being transformed) through the renewing of our minds. Here the mind is seen as the control centre of one's attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions. As one's mind is made new by the spiritual input of God's word, prayer, and Christian fellowship, his or her lifestyle keeps on being transformed. All this can only be enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit as God works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose!
As believers are transformed through the renewing of their minds, they will then be enabled to ascertain what the will of God is as they travel through this life. And as experience tells us, His will is always good, pleasing, and perfect!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Rom 1:18-32
Indeed, humanity is without excuse for God has revealed Himself through His creation (Rom. 1:19-20). When we couple this with God sovereignly positioning the nations so that they would perhaps reach out and find Him (Acts 17:26-27), we observe humanity's resposibility before God. We must always be mindful however, that even though one may reach out to God even in an unsaved condition (as I did at age 27 through a difficult life situation), we simply cannot enter into a relationship with Him but by His gracious calling (John 6:44).
Back to humanity's resposibility, it has been good to have had impressed upon me, the fact that sin is not so much individual acts, but rather it is a failure to acknowledge God for who he is(Rom. 1:21, 25, 28). Thus the horror of being 'given up' (1:24, 26, 28) to all kinds of evil and the resultant effects, not the least of which is a depraved mind!
Praise be to God that he has restored us through Jesus to a relationship with Himself, such that we may live the life He intends for us by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1-17), a life characterised by a mind of 'life and peace'
Back to humanity's resposibility, it has been good to have had impressed upon me, the fact that sin is not so much individual acts, but rather it is a failure to acknowledge God for who he is(Rom. 1:21, 25, 28). Thus the horror of being 'given up' (1:24, 26, 28) to all kinds of evil and the resultant effects, not the least of which is a depraved mind!
Praise be to God that he has restored us through Jesus to a relationship with Himself, such that we may live the life He intends for us by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1-17), a life characterised by a mind of 'life and peace'
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
I guess I'm a bit of a devotional thinker at times. As I reflect upon Romans 12:1-3which is the start of his practical application (subsequent to his doctrinal one, per John Witmer), the theme of God's mercy and grace comes through here. Do we, (DO I) truly offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices in view of His mercy? The gift of faith is especially precious to me, as I recall a time back in 1989 when I was on Callala Beach, slumped over and thinking my life was over. God in his grace gave me a vision of letters that looked like gold, almost dripping gold which spelt FAITH and He spoke into my heart and said 'faith is a gift.' He subsequently empowered me to get up, take hold of my 7 year old daughter's hand and walk home. ..Who am I O GOD that you should consider me a fallen and weak creature, surely you are a merciful God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, and full of compassion!!! Surely we cannot think of ourselves more highly than we ought to, for indeed it is by grace through the GIFT of faith that we belong to Him, to the praise of His glory!!
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