“Newness of Life” (Rom 6:1-14)

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (vs1-4)

I come to this message because of personal weakness and yet victory over sin. God's command PUTS power in us, so I will give the rational, the command, and the comfort of new life.

FIRST, THE RATIONAL

It is right to walk in newness of life, because we receive the whole gospel, which includes the resurrection (vs1-4). He says, “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”. If there be no resurrection, if Christ is in the tomb, then we are not forgiven of sins. God rewards the righteous with life, favor, and the beauty of His face. But, if Christ isn't risen, it means that God hasn't accepted Him. But, if He is risen, and we receive His death for us, then we must also receive the benefits of His resurrection, even determination to do His will. We can't have one (forgiveness) without the other (newness of life).

SECONDLY, THE COMMAND

“Reckoning” is the hard part, but we are to do it (vs10-12). He says, “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord”. We are to BELIEVE that we're alive from the dead through the Lord Jesus Christ to sin no more, to battle sin, and to turn all heaven's cannons against it, receiving power to do God's will, even if it kills us. Have no light attitude or lax attitude about sin. War with it constantly, reckoning yourself a new person to walk in newness of life, married to the King. “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” (Rom 7:4).

THIRDLY, THE PROMISE

We have the promise (Rom 6:14). God says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace”. We don't have to doubt, when it comes to obedience, that God will give us the grace. Having removed the sins that impeded our blessings, He has promised to reign down grace to do His will. We are not condemned, not subject to merit, and God insures us that grace will subdue the lusts within.

Sin will not reign because God breaks the power of sin, gives the conviction, and delivers us by the gospel. He gives power to the faint, and He humbles the proud to NEED mercy, so that He bestows it freely. Don't worry about if you can obey. Ask yourself. Is God the Redeemer able to GRACIOUSLY make you obey, supplying all the strength, even as He supplied the blood as payment?

Sin won't reign over God, so it won't reign over any for whom Christ died, who trust in Him as alive.

“A Holy Kiss” (Rom 16:5-27)

“Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you” (vs16).

The Lord Jesus produces fruit by the gospel that we can see. Paul lovingly commended brethren at Rome, having heard of and seen their faithfulness, so that WORSHIPING Christ produces life results: the doctrine is so believed that it’s practiced, and we live for His glory.

The brethren are commended for two things frequently here: (1) laboring (2) being loved - “Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us“, “Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord“, “Greet Urbane, our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved“ (vs6-9).  Therefore, we who labor are loved, as we manifest election - “Greet Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine” (vs13).

Junia and Andronicus, “my kinsmen and fellow prisoners”, Paul says, “who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me” (vs7).  There is a time element to salvation, so that we’re ELECTED at the same time before the foundation of the world, and yet we come to faith individually in time, so that one part of scripture - election - doesn’t deny another part of scripture - faith and repentance.

This man and woman were so faithful that they were imprisoned, like Paul, though their name is unknown generally.  Yet, even unknown saints, like those who help the church in many unknown and barely visible ways, are commended by God and His people.  We don’t love the pastors only, but we love all the saints, those well-known, those less-known, and those unknown by name believers - “Greet [or embrace with love] Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobgas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.  Greet Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.  Salute one another with a holy kiss.  The churches of Christ greet you” (vs14-16).

Greet them all in love, playing no favorites, and never waiting to be loved before you love first.

We don’t receive everyone as saved simply because they’re at the meeting. We’re to note those who cause divisions, who take eyes away from Christ, and who seek to make themselves KNOWN and great, rather than the Savior - “Now I call upon you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned”, the gospel Paul preached to Rome, “and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches (flattery) deceive the hearts of the simple” (vs17-18) They are avoided, because we don’t embrace everyone with a bible: we have SPECIAL love for those who manifestly honor God.

The grace that we need to obey is ours, even as it helped the Roman church - “For your obedience is come abroad unto all.  I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and harmless concerning evil.  And, the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (vs19-20). God will do for us all that we need, and then we’ll conquer Satan eventually.  The time SWIFTLY approaches, when we will sin no more, enter into our rest, and see our foe trampled under, as God GIVES us victory over sin completely and Satan is finally made to suffer.

Lastly, don’t think the gospel is word only, so that obedience isn’t important “Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, make known to all nations for the obedience of faith. To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen” (vs25-27).  Believe on the Son of God FOR the love you need to magnify Christ, and know it’s yours in the freeness of grace.  Grace will make you faithful, and FAITHFULNESS is evidence of God-taught salvation and wisdom from above.

Refreshed By You (Rom 15:25-16:4)

Three things are clearly taught here.

1. We are to give
2.  Assurance and prayer work together
3.  Commend others

First, we are to give.  The gospel is moved forward by the gifts of the people. Paul said, “Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way there by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company”, if you love me and the message (vs24).  “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem“, to help Christ‘s cause and those who believe (vs25-26).  “It has pleased them truly; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.  When there I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain” (vs27-28).  Paul writes elsewhere, “Let him that is taught in the word share in all good things with him that teaches” (Gal 6:6).

Secondly, we pray, even though we’re assured of things.

Sovereignty and prayer go hand in hand.  I can be assured of favor and yet pray that He bless me, too.  Paul wrote, “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.  Now, I call upon you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’ sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.  Now the God of peace”, the one Paul trusts to make obedience possible, “be with you all.  Amen”.

The gospel demands that we even pray that our love be received by the church, that brothers receive it in love and thanks to God.

Thirdly, we commend others - “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that you receive her in the Lord, as fits saints, and that you assist her in whatsoever business she has need of you“, her advancing the cause of Christ, “for she has been a helper of many, and of myself also.  Great Priscilla and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles”, so that it is RIGHT to commend those who honor God, and we are RIGHT to help them serve, using our gifts to assist their’s, even as Pricilla and Aquila loved Paul enough to risk their lives for him, and thereby, the nations could be saved (Rom 16:1-4).

Lastly, we need and help each other, even as Paul was refreshed by the church whom he refreshed with his preaching.  Every member is important.

“Obedient by Word and Deed” (Rom 15:8-24)

The gospel produces obedience in us.  It is makes us loving to each other, so that others can be saved - “I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not worked by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through many signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ” (Rom 15:17-19).

Jew and Gentile are redeemed to God and elected for salvation, so we are brothers, and we don’t let petty differences cause us disturbance, breaking unity - “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to you among the Gentiles, and sing unto your name. and again, He says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people.  And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and put praise on Him, all you people. And again, Isaiah says, There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust.  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit” (vs8-13). We put small things aside because we share the same faith and God.

Thus, knowing His salvation, we are comforted and empowered to go into the world with the gospel, using God-given gifts to serve the elect - “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.  Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit“ (vs14-16).

The glory of Christ has made us able to admonish one another, producing obedience and love in those that hear. We STRETCH out Christ to others by faith in the promise, using our gifts as individually commissioned in the cause of Christ, doing what we can. 

We are right to serve God by serving others, giving to the cause of Christ that they may be saved and comforted - “Yes, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man‘s foundation: but as it is written, To whom He was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.  For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now, having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way there by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company“ (vs20-24).  He has made us helpers together in the work.

“Glorify God” (Rom 14:19-15:7)

“Wherefore receive you one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (vs7).

The Lord laid down His life to save us from sin, loving us unto the end, and we’re to LOVE each other as the result, glorifying God - “Now the God of patience and comfort grant you to be likeminded, one toward another, according to Christ Jesus: that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ“(Rom 15:5-6).

God isn’t magnified and made great by selfishness and bitterness among saints, but we must do all that we can to encourage and walk in peace - “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another“ (Rom 14:19).  We must love each other in spite of petty differences, and we must compromise, giving up our rights, if it offends weaker brethren by what we eat or drink - “For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure: but it is evil for that man who eats with offense.  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak” (Rom 14:20-21).

We are free and loved, but SHOW this by temperance and love for each other - “You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right“ (vs22).  If others are offended, abstain in their presence. Enjoy it with God alone or around the like-minded.

We are to serve others, even if it means giving up some freedom to eat and drink because serving others is more important than serving ourselves - “When then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.  For even Christ pleased not Himself: but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached You fell on Me.  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we though patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope“ (Rom 15:1-4). We actually sin in our intemperance, even as believers sin whenever eating or doing something against their conscience - “And he that doubts is condemned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin“ (Rom 14:23).  Let us not offend God by sin in either case, either by selfishly not caring about brethren, or by eating things forbidden in the conscience, just because others do.

By love, demonstrate your maturity, and let us strive together, by love, to honor God.

Many say, “Glorify God, preacher”, but they don’t know they can glorify God by simply loving brethren who differ on frivolities: it isn’t doctrinal preaching but a doctrinal life and doctrinal preaching that He accepts - “Wherefore receive you one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Rom 15:7).

Let us demonstrate our love in thankfulness to God who saves us from sin.

“That He Might Be Lord” (Rom 14:1-12)

Don’t judge but receive each other as brothers in Christ.  You differ on things not clearly commanded in scripture, so don’t hate each other because of it. Don’t judge each other as wrong or yourself as better, but love each other freely, as Christ loves you - “Him that is weak in the faith, receive you, but not to quarrel over opinions” (vs1). 


You’re both believers, but one differs on a minor point and another on another: so what?  Receive each other in love, rather than using such MINOR issues as reasons to fuss and fight - “For one believes that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eats herbs” (vs2). You are brothers in arms against sin and Satan, but never each other. We DEMONSTRATE being loved of God by loving each other as brethren, living obediently and to His honor. This good life heals us inwardly and rejoices us MORE than bitterness of spirit.


Don’t force others to live your way, and don’t hate each other because you’re different. Love because you trust the same Christ - “Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and let not him which eats not judge him that eats: for God has received him” (vs3). You see small things differently, but on the gospel and glory of God, you’re united in obedience to Christ.  Put the small things away.


This is good for families, homes, and churches. It is good that brethren FIGHT to maintain FELLOWSHIP as much as possible, not giving cause for offence. And, it is right that we put small things aside for the glory of Christ and to love each other.  Differences in opinion are not worth destroying the love of the church.


Don’t judge your brothers who do things in clear conscience before God.  They may not like your ways, and they may do things unapproved of by you, but they love Christ, honor God, and OBEY Him in what they do, in thankfulness.  Don’t hate because you see it differently.


You and I are not master’s of each other, and we can’t rule the conscience. We only serve the Lord, see who else serves the Lord, and we love them fervently. If they DO something that scripturally calls for breaking of fellowship, then we deny them the right hand. But, if they love the gospel but do things that I wouldn’t do, then I must receive them as saved - “Who are you that judges another man’s servant? To his own master he stands of falls. Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand” (vs4).  Some like one style of music and some another, but let Christ be all, even if we don’t worship in the same place, we’re brothers for His sake.


You’re not the judge; you’re the servant.  Why take a position that God hasn’t given you? He hasn’t called you to be the standard of holiness and opinion. He’s called us to serve Him by loving each other, so that if I refuse to love you in your difference, then I dishonor the Son whom I claim to serve by rejecting you.


God will make the brother stand, even if he participates in things that you enjoy not.  He isn’t outside the kingdom, and he’s safe as you in Christ.


Some think that Sunday is holy, and they won’t do anything but worship.  Some think that Sunday isn’t holy, and they meet on other days or meet and play on Sunday. But, the times and seasons aren’t important - “One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike.  Let every man be fully assured in his own mind.  He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it.  He that eats eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks.  For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord‘s.  for to this end Christ both died, and rose, and lives again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living” (vs5-9).  The Lord is WORSHIPPED, believes gather, and we give Him glory, regardless of what day we choose, or if we choose no day particularly at all.


You and I must know for ourselves, and we cannot follow others’ conscience on this.
1. We must, in our own mind, know what the Lord would have us do.  You cannot keep your family at church and have no TV on Sunday, if that’s not in your heart. If you do, then your conscience is wounded and you’re serving men, rather than God.
2. When you and I see things in scripture, we must obey them, and we must be given freedom from brethren to do so.


Some dress like this, some start at this time, some meet in this kind of building, etc. But, none of this matters. Let your conscience be clear, let your worship be loving, and care not to divide over lesser issues.  If we hold the gospel, then give people freedom to do things differently, as they honor God. It is NOT a reason to hate.


Some regard the day to the Lord.  Others don’t regard the day, going to the beach on Sunday after worship or visiting with friends, but they worship and praise God all the same. 


We don’t belong to men, and you err greatly to surrender your conscience to men.  Give God glory, love each other, and accept that we CAN’T agree on everything- “But why do judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (vs10-12)


Jesus is Lord, not man, groups, opinions, or personal bias’, but Christ alone is Lord and Boss. He alone is obeyed, and if He is honored, then all is well, even if you do things differently in your freedom.


It is EASY to reject, but it is sin; it is RIGHT to love, in spite of difference .  Have one Master and honor Him, and you do right in your life, no matter what people think.  You must be content that saints love Him, if they aren’t in agreement with you. 

Love Each Other (Rom 13) - The Christian Response to Government

Resisting God’s power brings judgment on you from God and government, both - “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves judgment“ (vs1-2).  Be not a disturber of the peace.  Preach Christ and leave the government to Him (1 Tim 2:2).  Pray for your leaders, but honor them obediently.

Fear your leaders because of reverence for God - “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same: for he is the servant of God to you for good” (vs3-4).

Without rulers, we’d have chaos, murder, and rape. 

The leaders are here for protection, as imperfect as they are - “For he is the minister of God to you for good.  But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the servant of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil” (vs3-4). God gives authority for government to punish the evil, so do good, and you’ll have no reason to fear.

Pay taxes, so that you’ll have a conscience PURE before God - “Wherefore, you must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.  For this cause pay you taxes also: for they are God’s servants, attending continually upon this very thing.  Render therefore to all their dues: taxes to whom taxes is due: custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.  Owe no man anything, but to love one another”, so that love, not disrespect, should rule us, “for he that loves another has fulfilled the law” (vs5-8).

We aren’t fighting the power; we are PREACHING the gospel of Christ, trying to save men from hell.  Christ’s kingdom is glorious.  The kingdoms of men are under-kingdoms that temporarily exist for protection of the church.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO PEOPLE

You love you, so love others - “For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (vs9).  William Hendrickson says, "it is a certain thing that a person will love himself, and it is also certain that he will do so in spite of the fact that the self he loves has many faults!"  Eph 5 teaches us that “no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church”, so that loving is treating people with the love you have for yourself - “Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law”, it is what the law commands, even though we’re under the new gospel of Christ (vs10).

WHAT TIME IS IT?

“And, that knowing the time”, what season it is in life, “that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (vs11).  It is time to live God’s life, now.

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.  Let us walk honorably, as in the day”, as people of God, “not partying wildly in drunkenness, not in sexual impurity and lawlessness in living, not in strife and envying.  But, put you on the Lord Jesus Christ”, honoring Him in character, “and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof” (vs12-14).  Keep the old man in check and live the new.  The New Living Translation says, “Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy” (vs13).

Paul reproves our character in love, so that we love, as evidence that we know Him who saved us. We live DIFFERENTLY, so that all may see.

Hymn - "The Call" (Rom 12:1)

CM 8.6.8.6

I call you by His wondrous love

To serve in power, blessed

I teach you how by His own love

To walk with Him in rest.

I call you by His love to you

To love Him in return

To live upon His good to you

And praise His love with love.

I call you now with fearful breadth

I bid you rise and run

I see beneath your awful head

A noose that He has wrung

Oh flee to Him the Lamb of God

Rejoice He loved you so!

He took the noose around His neck

And swung from hell’s gallow

He paid the debt you’ve been set free

Your ransom day is past

You have by faith a happy end

And show it with your love.

“Mercy Upon All” (Rom 11:25-12:1)

Ignorance isn’t bliss, and mysteries are for unfolding. Otherwise, we’ll be hindered in pride - “For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in” (vs25).

Pride hindered many in Israel.  Many of the nation perished, and they perish still.  But when the Gentiles are saved, the elect Jews shall all be saved too.  They must be gathered for whom Christ died! 

Not everyone, but all that God intended shall be rescued from sin and shame - “And so all Israel shall be saved.  As it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (vs26-27).  His promises made to the elect Jew can’t be broken.  He will remove the filth and sin of sin.

Because of Christ‘s gospel, they are angry at you and God.  But He loves His elect as He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes (vs28).

Salvation’s free, promised, and the Savior will not go back on His word - “For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance“ (vs29).  He will not turn from doing us good: you know yourself.  You were evil, but He saved you - “For as you in times past have not obeyed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief“ (vs30).  Because Israel hates the Son, God saves you, a wicked and vile Gentile. Therefore, like you, wicked Jews are yet loved of God.  They have been rebellious and vile, so that God can save them by saving you - “Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy” (vs31).  They too will have grace and love unmerited.

God rules all of this.  He concluded us needy and in rebellion against His word, so that He would have unmerited favor upon elect Jew and Gentile alike - “For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all“ (vs32).

Feel it.  Ponder it’s magnitude.  How good is God, both in wisdom and judgment  - “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out“ (vs33)!  He is wise in decisions and beyond our understanding.   He is right in mercy and merciful in wrath.  He blinds and reveals, and He can’t be known in His fullness, only in part.  No one among us knows the depths of the Lord’s wisdom.  He is the saving God - “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor (vs34)?”  Who dares say, “I see, and I know all”?  From times of old, who told God right and wrong?  Or, who is wiser than He?  Who gave God permission or power - “Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be paid back unto Him again (vs35)?” Who dares say, “I’m owed”?  Who would dare mock God saying, “Worship me, instead”?

Mercy is because of God and because of Him only.  It’s His honor and prestige - “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen“(vs36).  Everything is grace and wise mercy.  To God only in Christ Jesus be glory, honor, and praise - until the world ends, and on to eternity.

By the mercies of God, brothers, I beg you, give yourselves to God in service.  Live devoted - “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom 12:1).  You are holy and pleasing to God.  Serving Christ is best.

“Save Some” (Rom 11:7-24) - What About National Israel?

“If by any means I may provoke to jealousy then which are my flesh [nation of Israel], and might save some of them” (vs14).

(1) God blinds sinners who won’t believe.  We’re born blind, but we can repent.  But, when we’ve been blinded, we’ll never repent, and our doom is sealed - “What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were hardened“ (Rom 11:7).There is no return from reprobation, so don’t trifle with and play with the gospel.

God gives the slumber, and you can’t see.   They have eyes, but they can’t see spiritual things, no matter how much they’re told - “According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day“ (vs8).  In a sense, all men are blind, but not all men have been given over to blindness and double-cursed by God.  What tragedy to have eyes and not see with them… ears that you cannot hear!  They deceive you into thinking you see and hear, but you don’t.  Blindness has happened unto Israel for 2000 years, and the result is VERY few believe still.  To this day, the decision of unbelief is a curse to them (Matt 27:25).

They stumble over what should have helped them love God - “And David says, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompense to them” (vs9).   It is God’s PAYBACK for unbelief, despising the Son!  How can you see, when your eyes are cursed of God?  How can you believe?  Punishment and misery are in the place of blessing.  It is serious to fight God in unbelief, to refuse the Son.  Bow while you can, lest you’re cursed to “cannot”.

(2) Israel has fallen, but that’s not the end.  Just as God has mercy on us by the wrath He gave Satan - using him and warning us by him - He forbids that wrath works no good end - “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall?  God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy” (vs11).  It is through the fall of one that grace is preached to others; it is through the Flood that grace is preached to us, warning us effectively of danger (1 Pet 4:6).  In all that He does, even in hell’s doctrine of damnation eternal, God brings good out of evil, and He saves by the fury that He unleashes (Hab 3:2).

The gift of God comes to people WARNED of God, people who HEAR from God because others wouldn’t… even dog Gentiles who were hated by the Jews.  It leads others to inquire of God, as they see the mercy He gives.  They’re bound and joyless, and they see FREE grace working HOLINESS.

Israel hated Moses and despised God, so He promised mercy to the world as JUST and merciful consequence (Numb 14:20-21). He shall also save the elect Jews BY the mercy shown the elect Gentiles, who reveal and live out the message - “Now if the fall of [Israel the nation] be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness” (vs12).  How much joy we have in mercy to them.

Hear, Oh Gentiles!  I am sent by God to you - “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles”, Paul says, “I magnify my office” (vs13).  I proclaim the truth as one appointed by God who rejoices in salvation come your way   My ambition is saving sinners; it isn’t using things to STOP my preaching but to encourage me in the way - “If by any means I may provoke to jealousy them which are my flesh [Israel], and might save some of them” (vs14). I want you stirred to salvation.  I want you wanting Christ.  

You who are Jews, I want you saved.  Reprobation has come, but MERCY, more mercy, has come too!   Come back, Oh Jews!  God will rejoice, and we rejoice in salvation for you - “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what will the receiving of them be, but life from the dead” (vs15)?

(3) The Son is holy, so those joined to Christ shall be fruitful, no matter WHO they are.  Acceptance with God is the FRUIT of union with Christ, being one with Him by faith - “For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches” (vs16).  If we are with Christ, we have favor with God.

You were broken, Oh Jews, for unbelief. You were grafted in, Oh Gentiles, by faith - “And if some of the branches be broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches.  But if you boast, you bear not the root, but the root you” (vs17-18).  You partake of promises made to Israel, being saved with many Jews who believed.  You are joint-heir in Christ, and you enjoy Christ’s grace together! Don’t be proud, like “I’m someone great”, despising others.  The Jews, in and out of Christ, are for winning, and God saves to make saviors.  If you think you’re something, take heed.  You are not the Christ.  He upholds you from destruction; He SAVES you from sin!

We say, the Jews are forsaken nationally.  They were cursed with blindness, and I am in the fold now - “You will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in” (vs19).  I enjoy the gospel privileges.

Think again.  Unbelief is why the Jews were deceived with blindness: they were rejected for rejecting Christ - “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Be not high minded, but fear” (vs20).  You’re no different: without faith, you won’t please God.  Don’t proudly boast.  Reverence God, abiding in Christ- “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not you” (vs21).  Beware!  He is a God who judges in the earth.  He will do justly with us all.

Look. The goodness of God saves you by faith, and the harshness and just anger of God destroys the unbelieving - “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness.  If you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off” (vs22).  He is a holy God appeased in Christ only.  People who rebel are punished, and He hates them perfectly, forever (Deut 7:10).  But, He’ll do different with believers: goodness upon goodness upon goodness from God to you on the condition of faith.  Stay in Christ and not self!  He is GOOD to you, or else even you will pay forever.

If the Jews repent, returning by faith… if they quit rejecting Christ… they shall be received - “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again” (vs23).  God will save the foreknown (vs2).  He will make them Christ’s. 

You were outside once.  You were from lost nations, believing lies and demon gods, believing everything but the truth (1 Cor 10:20). But, you were brought by grace, and you came to Jesus by faith.  Likewise, the Jews are not cast off  - “For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree” (vs24).   They have the inheritance.  They have promises in their blood, and the foreknown among them shall return.  Christ is their ancestor!

It’s of Grace and Not Works (Rom 10:14-11:7)

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (vs6).

We must BELIEVE before we call on God.  We haven’t believed before, so He comes to us by gospel preaching - “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed, and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” We must hear the gospel of truth, for lies won’t save. It must be grace, predestination: the gospel of the scriptures.  We can’t MAKE UP a salvation; it must be the one God gives.

Preaching, and thus the church, is REQUIRED - “And how shall they preach, except they be sent (vs15)?” There is no preaching without someone being sent, and so the church sends preachers, the church supports them financially, and the church labors to get the gospel out.  He uses us; it is our mission - “As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring good news of good things” (vs15). 

Like John the Baptist, we are sent by God, as promised, to bear witness of Christ and the grace in Him (John 1:6-8).  We are beautiful because our feet bring good news of God’s grace to sinners by God punishing Christ for us.  We carry God’s word to them.  Actual people bear good news of salvation, love, and help from Almighty God.  We say, The God of glory - who saves and damns -has mercy for all that trust His love, that obey His Son, that receive Him as Lord and Savior.  God is at peace by the blood.  We bring you the message of good things from God, poor sinner, the good Christ died to give. 

What about unbelief - “But they have not all obeyed the gospel, For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our report?” (vs16).  They refused mercy, but God saves by grace.  It doesn’t matter that men are NOT saved; it proves that salvation is His gift to sinners foreknown (Rom 11:2).  How wrong it is for the mighty God to speak by men, and men to hate God’s Son!  How tragic to live for yourself, when God is giving ETERNAL life and a little suffering before eternity (Rom 8:18).  Why is it wrong to believe?

What we need is faith, which comes by the gospel preached, because it isn’t in us naturally, as unbelief proves - “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God“ (vs17).  We must hear the word expounded and opened, so we believe.  Paul responds that hearing without faith is tragic.  Solomon’s wisdom was world known, but the Jews didn’t believe - “But, I say, have they not heard? Yes, truly, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world (vs18).”  Moses warned them  - “But I say, Did not Israel know?  First Moses said, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you” (vs19).  “God will make you jealous.  He will take people that were not His as His own. These ignorant Gentiles will get privileges that were preached but despised among you.  You’ll be displeased by mercy going to others“.

Isaiah is more bold - “But Isaiah is very bold, and says, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me“ (vs20).  God will be found, but our seeking isn’t the cause.  We come because He sought us, because others would not come.  He went into the byways and compelled us in (Luke 14:23).  He reveals Himself to men, not preaching merely, but saving whom He wills, opening blind eyes.  It matters not that we wanted nothing to do with Him.

He speaks of national Israel:  I have called, and you have refused, over and over - “But to Israel he says, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and obstinate people” (vs21).  “You have mocked and despised, corrupted and condemned my word.  You’ve done evil to my good.” Yet, has it made God break promise?  No way - “I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid“ (Rom 11:1).  He PROMISED life to His elect IN the nation of Israel, but it wasn’t promised savingly to all the nation.  It was a gift He gave to His elect, and it is something He would have given to any who called.  Paul speaks from experience: I am a Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, and I know God’s love, so He hasn’t forsaken us.  He simply saves whom He foreknew and leaves the rest - “For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  God has not cast away his people which he foreknew“ (vs1-2).  He loved us savingly, and He can’t return from it.  He has pardoned. Who condemns?  

We need knowledge  - “Know you not what the Scripture says of Elijah? How he makes intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed your prophets, and digged down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life” (vs2-3).   I feel alone and abandoned, but the Lord has always had an elect, even when Israel disobeyed in wholesale… even when religion persecuted Elijah, there was a people, even as now - “But what says the answer of God unto him?  I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal” (vs4).  God speaks to us and says, The Lord has a people of His choosing.  He will not be confounded by unbelief - “Even so then, at this present time also, there is a remnant according to the election of grace“ (vs5).  There are a perfect number, according to plan, to maximize grace and fury.  They worship God obediently.  They worship no false idol.

I spoke to some Muslims on the atonement, and they have no answer for sin.  Yet, being born into their religion, and having it become an issue of cultural unity, they did not receive it.  Yet, among the Muslims, just like the Jews, there is a remnant, who no matter how DRASTIC things appear and how evil man is, they shall believe, for they were loved of God irrevocably.  He’s chosen they manifest His saving mercy, rather than His wrath - “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace” (vs6).

There is a portion of humanity chosen, and if grace saves, then works don’t.  If God OVERRULES man’s rebellion to save sinners, then salvation is of God’s grace, rather than human effort.  So, amidst unbelief, God reveals it’s mercy that any are saved, rather than revealing failure because not many are saved.  He uses the Jews’ rebellion to give the gospel to the Gentiles, saving His elect among Jew and Gentile, while punishing the unbeliever with wrath - “What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded” (vs7).

Grace DECIDED who’d be saved, and grace saves those God chose.  Works had nothing to do with it- “But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (vs6).  It wasn’t one man smarter, better, or more religiously inclined than another; it was GRACE that made some believe, for unbelief PROVES grace.  It’s not works at all

"Whosoever" (Rom 10:1-13)

If we’re saved, we want others to be saved too; it is the mark of the believer, that we believe God is a Savior, and we believe that men desperately need Christ - “Brethren, my heart‘s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved“ (Rom 10:1).  If we have no knowledge, our godly zeal is false fire; it won’t help the soul; it deludes us into thinking we’re safe, when we’re lost - “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God‘s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God“(vs2-3).

The righteousness of God is how He saves the sinner by what Christ has done, rather than by what the sinner has done for God. “Be merciful to me the sinner” is the cry of the justified (Luke 18:13-14). God declares those who BELIEVE on Him - who BELIEVE Christ for mercy - to be righteous. If we believe, then Christ JUSTIFIES us, and the law isn’t needed- “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes“ (vs4).   Faith and law are opposites.  Faith receives the Lord, while the law demands I contribute.  The law isn’t “BELIEVE” you should, or BELIEVE that someone has done it for you. The law is DO IT, and you’re saved. Don’t do it, and you die (Gal 3:10-12).  Romans 10:5 says,   - “For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them“ (vs5).  This isn’t justification; it is death deceiving all under the curse.

No one needs make Christ WILLING. He met our need already, rising again too.  He paid the debt, put sins away, and He saves the sinner willingly and from the heart. There isn’t pretense in Him!  He did all that was needful, and God said, “Well done”, by raising Him victorious, proving that we are saved graciously and rightfully by the blood - “But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)”  There is no extra work, no last bit of effort needed. “Believe only” because the work is done.  Be saved by the work He finished, rather than helping God!

The word is near you.  It is in your mouth and heart; it is the word preached unto you right now. All you need to do is believe it, like 2+2 is 4 and live that way from now on.  Live upon the truth of your salvation, and it will work out - “But what says it?  The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (vs8-9).  

“The Lord Jesus” means that He’s King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Master and the Boss, and we DO what He says, which is BELIEVE on Him and love as He gave us command (1 John 3:23).  We believe, by grace, and we love by grace, too. (vs9)

The heart - not the mouth, not the actions, not the show - but the HEART is where faith must reside. It can’t be pretense and fraud. We MUST trust the Lord to secure us from sin. We must BOW to His salvation and Him as Savior. God raised the Lord Jesus because He honored God the Father. We believe that His REWARD is evidence we’re SAFE by faith only - “For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be put to shame” (vs11).  He says “Do this”, and you’ll be saved, so DO it. Don’t falter, wait, or miss out. Be saved GOD’S way by faith only.  If the heart is RIGHT with God, the mouth is tied to it also - “For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation“ (vs10). Confess Christ willingly at all costs.

“Whosoever” includes you and everyone in the world who calls on the Lord. None is EXCLUDED for past or present sin. Salvation is yours absolutely and surely, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him (vs12).  We won’t trust Him and starve, but He WILL fulfill the promise - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (vs13).  

BELIEVE FIRST

To call is to say “Lord, save me”, “Lord, if you will, you can”, and “Have mercy on me, O Lord” (Matt 14:30; Matt 8:2; Matt 15:22). We ask Him to help us on His terms as subjects dependent on mercy. We have no merit, no claims of control.  We have only His goodness promised to us in the word. We ASK Him to do for us what we need and can’t deserve, but what He’s promised that He’ll do.  Deliverance is the result of calling.  Bless God.  I’m a sinner with many failures, and yet I’m SAVED from falling, saved from unbelief, and SAVED from my lusts and faults.  The Lord SAVES by paying the price, putting down the rebellion by giving us the Spirit, and by removing the rebellion eternally in the new heavens and new earth. We will dwell in righteousness to sin no more.

No Shame For Whosoever Believes! (Rom 9:14-33)

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense: And he that believes on him shall not be put to shame” (vs33).

If we put trust in Christ, we won’t be let down.  We won’t believe Him for righteousness, trusting His cross and grace, and not have the righteousness and help that we need.  All who BELIEVE shall be saved.

Don’t say, “God is sovereign” and not believe.  Believe His grace.  Don’t say, “I’m evil”, and not believe His GIFT of eternal life - “For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:17).  Don’t stumble at the simplicity, freeness, or graciousness of eternal life; believe on the Son and be saved.

God preaches Christ FREELY, and people are saved because He is gracious, doing what He has said, exactly, “For He said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Rom 9:15).

People DO NOT believe, and yet, God gives us faith, for He determined to have a people - “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, You are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God” (Rom 9:26).  We are unworthy, but grace is for sinners only.  We are not better or worse because of the nation we come from, etc. We are all objects of mercy by the electing and willing love of God, that gave us the Son.

It doesn’t matter who you are; it only matters who Jesus is to you.  Is He God’s Son, the open-armed Savior?  Then believe.  Is He saving all who come?  Then come - “All the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and him that comes to Me, I will for no reason cast out” (John 6:37).

Don’t stumble and say, “This is easy; it can’t work”, but BELIEVE on Him to give you His grace.

Don’t say, “This is hard; I can’t get in”, when salvation is for those who believe, “For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed“ (Rom 10:11).  Why can’t you and I believe on God to save us, when He says, “whosoever”?  Why must we doubt grace?

God will save you.  Believe.

"No Difference" (Rom 10:12)

All men are the same, and there’s no difference between us. We EQUALLY need Christ, and He is EQUALLY given to all that call on Him.  Your mother, bloodline, and past do not matter. You could be Hitler or Mother Theresa, and He’d receive you both.  And, you may come confidently, KNOWING there is NO WAY that He’ll cast you out.  This strengthens me! - “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him“ (vs12).

“I Will Come” (Rom 9:9)

“For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son” (vs9).

When God does what God has promised, salvation comes.  Faith RECEIVES the promise, but salvation is God’s power DEMONSTRATED to the human soul.  He saves us without our contribution. It is done for us.  Not only was Abraham justified by faith, but he received promises of fruitfulness too, for “Sarah shall have a son“.


Many have a god of the flesh, and they can’t do miraculous things. They don’t BELIEVE the goodness of God, so they minimize the gospel to say less than He says. They can’t see how God can be holy and yet we be holy, too.  They can’t see how cleansing comes, so rather than believe, they don’t experience the miracle - “Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people!(Rom 9:6)


The believer, though weak as dust, still believes the promise of the unfailing God, and believing, the promise is fulfilled in us - “This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children” (Rom 9:8).


[Abraham had many sons, but “in Isaac shall your seed be called” (vs7).  Isaac had Jacob and Esau, but “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Rom 9:13).  So, you get no leg up because you’re of Abraham’s seed by the flesh, only by the Spirit, both Jew and Gentile.


The children of promise LOVE.  Love is the fulfilling of the law and the fruit of Christ - “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh“ (Rom 9:3).  We are assured of His love, so we love others as the automatic and commanded response - “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord“ (Rom 8:38-39).  A human gospel gives man the glory; it denies God’s glory in holiness.  A God-given miraculous gospel is ALL of grace, and it produces life where there was death, love in the place of hate, and obedience where rebellion reigned - " (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),  it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger (Rom 9:11)."


God must save you.  Has He?  If you believe, then you have the salvation that He gives. If you deny the gospel, then you’re of the flesh, not of promise, and rejection is on you, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Rom 9:13).


Israel rejected the gospel because they had no need.  Do you?  Israel had the promises, but they didn’t have the promise of salvation that was contingent upon God meeting all requirements for you (Rom 9:4, 9).


If you believe, you’re a child of promise.  He promised you eternal life, not based on any contribution you can make. He will keep His promise to the end, for “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Rom 8:37).

“Firstborn Among Many Brothers” (Rom 8:17-30)

“For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers” (vs29).

Jesus’ glory as the first born, or highest ranking among many brothers, is God‘s purpose in all things.  Just like Jacob, He has the birthright, blessing, and inheritance - “Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you: be lord over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you: cursed be every one that curses you, and blessed be he that blesses you” (Gen 27:29). His GRACE bestows this title of “brothers” upon God’s elect, so that we are joint-heirs with Him.  We have done nothing, and yet He‘s given us what He‘s died to give - “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom 8:17).

Thus, the sufferings of today aren’t greater than what we have in store - “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us“ (Rom 8:18).  We shall see the Son in holy happiness, giving thanks to Him eternally for what He did, saving us from hell by His grace and blood.  We suffer here because this world and our flesh is cursed with sin, but we shall praise God forever and enjoy the benefits of His love.  We shall be glorified in new bodies that love God faultlessly in the new heaven and earth wherein dwells no pain or sorrow (2 Pet 3:13). But, here, by faith in Christ and the power of the Spirit, we overcome the miseries of today by the expectation of heaven’s joy to come - “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?  But, if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (Rom 8:24-25).

He’s given us the Spirit, not only to subdue the flesh by faith, but to subdue the flesh by His secret prayers for us- “Likewise, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (vs26).  Thus, we always get what is best for us, and all things work together for our good.  God didn’t send His Son to leave salvation to you.  He plotted your salvation, gave you the Perfect Savior, and He gave you the Spirit to make sure that you make it in style, receiving the inheritance fully.  

The glory of Christ is God’s plan, and He included you in this, saying the Savior isn’t complete, unless you’re presented safe and sound. His church is the “fullness of Him that fills all in all” (Eph 1:23).  He is the Head, the Captain, and the King to whom we bow. He is the One responsible for deliverance. But, the King calls us brothers, and He opens the windows of heaven to pour out His love, grace, and to honor His name.

Receive this hope as you wait on Him, and you’ll endure until the end - “And not only [the personified creation], but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even as we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of the body” (Rom 8:23).

“Whom he did predestinate, them he also called” (Rom 8:30)

The word "called" (as HODGE and others truly observe) is never in the Epistles of the New Testament applied to those who have only the outward invitation of the Gospel (as in #Mt 20:16 22:14). It always means "internally, effectually, savingly called." It denotes the first great step in personal salvation and answers to "conversion." Only the word conversion expresses the change of character which then takes place, whereas this "calling" expresses the divine authorship of the change, and the sovereign power by which we are summoned, Matthew-like, Zaccheus-like, out of our old, wretched, perishing condition, into a new, safe, blessed life.  

(JFB Commentary)

“Mortify the Deeds of the Body” (Rom 8:5-14)

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live“ (vs13).

Only the Spirit subdues the flesh, but He does it savingly and powerfully, never failing.

We are TOO weak and wicked to stop ourselves from sin, but because Christ died and we’re righteous, the Spirit subdues the flesh that’s in us - “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because [you are right with God]” (Rom 8:10).

The flesh is what we are, until we’re saved, but even then, it is enmity against God. The carnal nature that hated God before you were saved, that slick and hypocritical flesh that poses as holy and goes between legalism (pride of “I can do it”) and licentiousness (pride of “I don’t have to do it”), hates God now and dwells in you still, “so then they that are in the flesh cannot please God“ (vs8).

When I heard the gospel, I had almost a year and a half of growth, power, and peace.  Then, after that time, God enabled me to see that I hadn’t changed in my flesh, and I’d go to hell, if He didn’t stop me.  I would turn my back to the Son of God and live in sin, because the temptation was strong.

He revealed, in this text, as He has done since then also, that the Spirit is mine for Christ’s sake, and as I believed “no condemnation” and the gospel blessings, the power of God the Spirit subdued the flesh and returned my joy - “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.“ (Rom 8:2).

This is my hope over sin.  The story is told of the man who saw his friend in the garbage, fooling around as if looking for something.  The man said, “What are you doing? That’s trash. There’s nothing in there”.  He said, “I know”, but kept looking.

Then, after several repeated warnings, only to be ignored and shrugged off, the man saw his friend sitting beside the garbage, no longer looking.  CA Coates uses this to illustrate the flesh and the uselessness thereof.  The man said to his friend, “Why aren’t you in the trash?” The friend said, “There is nothing in there”.  He learned by experience what he knew in his head, that there is NO good thing in the flesh, and to overcome sin by human will power and gritting your teeth is foolish.

If you look within for power, it isn’t there.  If you look to Christ, power is yours.

Now, I fight sin, not by saying, “I’ll handle this God”, but by knowing that God is faithful to handle it for me - “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you“ (Rom 8:11).

Yet, I don’t play with sin: I fight it, killing it in the crib, repenting quickly, and getting grace to do His will. I fight SIN by living holy, serving God.

Many singles squander their lives wishing for marriage, but when we learn to live for Christ as singles, using our time wisely, He gives the peace promised, and we’re enabled to honor God, help people, and thereby, we bring joy to our person - “But, I would have you without anxiety.  He that is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord“ (1 Cor 7:32).

Don’t look at sin lightly. Fight against it by the Holy Spirit, who enables you to love God.