Pushing Past the Law to the Heart – Romans 10:5-10
Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth…
What or Who Should I Put My Trust In? – Romans 10:4
Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. –Parallel verses:John 1:1-5In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness,…
Gracious Zeal – Romans 10:1-3
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. –Parallel verses:Galatians 2:20-21I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives…
A Rock-Solid Life – Romans 9:30-33
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people…
Prioritize God and Cast Aside Shaming – Psalms 119:76-80
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame. Shaming…
Why Does God Put Up with Evil? – Romans 9:22-29
What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my…
Evidence 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
Some say that becoming a Christian, or even believing in God, requires “blind faith”. No doubt, faith is required in those decisions, but in his book Forensic Faith, J. Warner Wallace states.: “Christianity encourages rational exploration and reasonable examination. Believers are encouraged repeatedly to examine what they believe carefully so they can be fully convinced their beliefs are true. “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.” 1Thessalonians…
Light Obligations – Romans 8:12-13
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.The word obligation is something that motivates some to action and others see it more like a curse they try to avoid. It is a weighty word, in general, having requirements…
Merry Christmas! Our Life Training Instructor in Sacrifice, Suffering, and Victory – Isaiah 53:10-12
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will…