I, too, thought Romans 1:16 and 17 stood out. I have read v. 16 so many times – but today vs. 17 really hit me. Habakkuk 2:4 was referenced in the footnote which made it even more powerful for me. The righteousness of Christ vs. my hopelessness without Him! 4Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall [a]live by his faith and in his faithfulness.(A)
I too often care about things other than the things that God would be interested in – worried more about my own glory than His. How can I possibly be rigidly just and uncompromisingly righteous? Apart from Christ, it is hopeless – but because of Christ there is a way – but it still requires getting ME out of the way to live in His righteousness – and that's where the challenge is for me. Self-righteousness has been such a part of my fundamental upbringing – criticizing and judging other's spirituality, etc. that I still find myself often falling into this way of thinking without intending to. But there is hope in Christ…to live by faith a full and celebratory life – rejoicing in what He has done.
So David decided not to move the Ark into the City of David. He took it instead to the home of Obed-edom of Gath. The Ark of God remained there with the family of Obed-edom for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household. (I Chronicles 13:13-14).
This passage has always fascinated me. Only two sentences long but is says so much. The Ark had sat twenty years in the house of a man called Abinadab (1 Sam. 7:2), yet no one was blessed—it just sat there just like a regular great big old box with no God sitting on the mercy seat (between the wingspan of the two angels)—nothing happening. The Presence of God was in someone’s house yet the manifestation of God never happened. Obed-edom had the Ark in his house for three months and everyone on the house was blessed. What was going on?
I wonder how often we put God in a box and put him by the door of our lives and nothing, absolutely nothing is going on. Then someone takes God into their lives, their homes and everyone gets blessed who walks through the front door. What are we missing? Hmmm.
I also read the Bible every day, I am lost without this wonderful Book.
Thank you Ramona for all of your comments, I enjoy reading them everyday and they make so much sense to me. I also ridiculed people for reading the Bible because of what "church folks" did to me for many years. Thank the Lord I now can see through that and I actually feel sad for the people who do not really know our wonderful Jesus.
Thank you so much for Bible Blog it is great.
Romans 1: 13-15 Please don’t misinterpret my failure to visit you, friends. You have no idea how many times I’ve made plans for Rome. I’ve been determined to get some personal enjoyment out of God’s work among you, as I have in so many other non-Jewish towns and communities. But something has always come up and prevented it. Everyone I meet—it matters little whether they’re mannered or rude, smart or simple—deepens my sense of interdependence and obligation. And that’s why I can’t wait to get to you in Rome, preaching this wonderful good news of God. (The Message)
I think any Christian can identify the feeling that is displayed by Paul’s writing. Have you ever felt this great desire to “go tell it on the mountain”? If you grasp this pull to go out and share the good news you get what Paul is feeling here. The fire in your gut tells you this is the wonderful encouragement of the Holy Spirit. Yet, we run into snags, opposition, circumstances and its just a little beyond our grasp. Why? I wonder if Paul would of written this Epistle if it would have been easy for him to go to Rome. He puts his heart into his writing rather than the visiting there and look what he produces. It gives us a great example of how God uses our interests, hopes and desires to further His plans.
Yes today's 1st Chronicles were all about David and his sights in moving the Ark from one place to another. Was that the right thing to do? Even when we have good intentions and mean we'll, is it?! Hmmm
Yay a new book began: the Book of Roman's. Paul introduces himself and shows that God is not partial but that he is for all. The Jews and Greeks..that's a nice invitation
Psalm 9 the rest of the story..God's heart is for all..even the poor at heart..for they will see God.
Proverbs 9:4&5 brotherhood. Do we have friends even when we are poor. Do they only flock when we are rich? Hmm
Dee
====
Romans
Background
A friend of mine who is a member of a different church (from mine)told me, 'Well that is Paul, you have to take Paul with a grain of salt. You can't take to heart everything Paul writes.'
Really???? I told him,
'Paul was a Jew, he was taught by a great rabbi and leader of the Sanhedrin – Gamaliel (Acts 22:2-3), Paul was a Pharisee, he participated and led the persecution of the followers of "the Way", Paul had great zeal for the Lord.
(re: Gamaliel http://www.keyway.ca/htm2000/20001213.htm )
And on the way to Damascus to capture more followers of Jesus – he had a change of heart???? Paul became a leading evangelist of the early Church. Paul founded several early churches. He suffered beatings, a stoning, imprisonment, and rebuke from his former collegues. What makes a man "switch teams like that – do it in the prime of his life when he has great power, authority within Israel, and zeal for God?
Paul claims he had an encounter with Christ, accepted Jesus as his Savior, and was called to be an apostle.
Now either that is true, and you need to "take to heart" everything Paul wrote. or –
It is false, and Paul is a liar, and you can just toss the Bible (as it can not be trusted) and search elsewhere for life's answers.
Your choice.'
NOTE: reason I use ' instead of " – is my indication of paraphrasing. Also the tone of comment was friendly, and he took it as "food for thought".
======================================================
Letter to Romans seems to be written between 57 and 60 A.D. Paul wrote it before going to Rome. The Romans were beginning to understand Christianity was not just a subset of Judaism. Persecution on a large scale is just around the corner.
So if, Paul had not been to Rome – how come there are believers there already?
We know Aquila and Priscilla are there and a number of people Paul had met, converted, and/or exhorted in his travels. (Rom 16:3). Rome was the "big city", people gravitated to it like they do NYC, LA, London, Paris, etc. today. The territories were full of former Roman soldiers, freed slaves, and Roman businessmen – if some became Christians – it is not surprising that some percentage would return to Rome and share the gospel. Apparently they did this with success.
Paul did not want to step on anyone's toes.
Rom 15:20
"It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation." NIV
Wait a minute! Christ was known, what is Paul talking about???? Most commentators (notable exception would be Catholics) believe (and I agree) that:
word had spread, and people had converted, but no "church" had been established. No apostle had been to Rome to found a church at the time of these writings. There had been no public declaration of the gospel, just the word of mouth. Paul was planning on coming to change that, and provide a public and cohesive force to the Christians in Rome. To preach the Gospel and minister to new Christians. To Build and Edify as he had done in other churches. To exhort and encourage Christians in their walk with God.
Gal 2:8-9
"For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews." NIV
John
====
Romans 1:1-4
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." NIV
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Paul's Position
Paul chose to be a Gk. "doulos" – bondservant of Jesus Christ. Recap of bondservant.
Exodus 21:2,5-6
If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything….But if the servant declares, 'I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,' then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life." NIV
It is interesting (and I missed this in readings of Exodus), but after the Ten Commandments and instructions on altars and idols, this "Law of the Bondservant" is the first of a list of additional ordinances. WHY?????
["Deuteronomy 20:18 “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.”
They were terrified of God and of coming near to Him. They were willing to serve Him because they feared Him, but God desired for them to serve because they loved Him and appreciated what He had done for them. I believe this issue is why the first mishpat, or judgment the LORD teaches them of is the law of the bondservant."]
http://www.hissheep.org/hebrew/the_law_of_the_bondservant.html
Paul chose to be a bondservant of Christ out of love.
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Paul's Authority
Paul was called [to be] an apostle.
"called" is Gk. "kletos" and can mean "invited" or "divinely selected and appointed". So did Paul choose or was he appointed an apostle?
I think these verses clear that up:
2Tim1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God..NIV
1Cor1:1
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…NIV
2Cor1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,… NIV
Paul was divinely selected and appointed to be an apostle.
======================================================
Paul's Message
Paul was set apart for (or unto) the gospel of God.
Paul was set apart by God for a purpose – not to KEEP him from something – but for the gospel of God.
The Gospel of God is God's message – not mankinds. It did not depend on Paul. He was just the messenger. It does not depend on today's ministers either.
The good news Paul speaks of in Romans 1:1 is the good news that God has burst through the box and desired to communicate with man. In a world filled with bad news, it is remarkable to know that God Himself has given us good news. That is especially true when you realize man is utterly unworthy of any good news. Yet in spite of that the apostle Paul reiterates again and again the good news that comes from God – John MacArthur
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The good news (gospel) that was promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus. Human nature as a descendant of David….
"declared with power to be the Son of God…"
The key to understanding this verse is the word "declared. " It comes from the Greek word horiz[ma]o which means "boundary. " We get our English word horizon from it. It refers to the clear demarcation line between the earth and sky. Paul is saying some may have questioned in the minds of some about whether Jesus was the Son of God, but because of the resurrection, the line was drawn in absolute clarity: Jesus Christ is God in human flesh. As clearly as the horizon divides the earth from the sky, so the resurrection divides Jesus from the rest of humanity. When God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, He was irrefutably distinguished from all other human beings. – John MacArthur
"With power" Gk. "dunamis"
1) strength power, ability
a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
b) power for performing miracles
c) moral power and excellence of soul
d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
e) power and resources arising from numbers
f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
Jesus Christ = ALL OF THE ABOVE. Doesn't get much stronger than that.
"..by his resurrection from the dead.."
The definitive linchpin of Christianity. The declaration with power was accomplished because Christ was raised from the dead. Without it Christianity would just be anoter religion.
John
====
Romans 1:16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." NIV
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Why was Paul not ashamed?
"He is bold to preach because of what the gospel is, because of what the gospel does….The reason why Paul is not overcome by the temptation to be ashamed of the gospel, but quite the contrary, the reason that he proclaims it so joyously, so anxiously is because it is powerful, it changes lives. And he knows that and he has seen that and he believes that. Sure it's a stumbling block, (1 Corinthians 1:18), and of course it's foolishness but it's also the power of God unto salvation to them that believe, and he knows that." – John MacArthur
1Cor1:18
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." NIV
[Men would like to change, do you know that? I believe that. Really, all advertising that goes on in the world is based on one presupposition, and that is people want things different than they are. They want to look better, feel better, think better, have better experiences. They want to change their life. Basically, people want to change their life. There's an appeal to that because that's a basic human drive. And deep down inside, people, they really want things to be different but they are utterly impotent to change things.
In Jeremiah 13:23 Jeremiah says: "Can a leopard change his spots? Can the Ethiopian change his skin?" You have just about as much chance to change your heart. Men are impotent. They can't do a thing about what they are. They can't change anything. Oh, they may make a few reformations here and there and operate a little differently but real changes never happen.
http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/45-8.htm
But because of the POWER of God (see list above) we can have salvation (eternal life) if only we believe the gospel.
======================================================
There is some controversy over the phrase in verse 17:
"..a righteousness from God is revealed.."
NIV translates it "from God", but "of God" is acceptable and used by KJV, NAS and others. Which is it? Because it makes a huge difference.
If it is "from God" we should understand it as per the Gospel as God's gift to us. We can not be righteous on our own, it is only by God's grace and gift of righteousness (justification) that we can be saved. It is imputed to us. – or –
If it is "of God" then it is simply saying that the Gospels reveal that God is righteous.
Of course God is righteous, and I believe the correct phrase is "from God". Why???
Because the Gospel is about God's good news of salvation. About how we can appear before God when we pass on. About attaining the righteousness needed to stand before God. How many times in John did it say you have to "believe" to gain eternal life? You had to have faith (same word as belief).
I believe that it is the "righteousness from God" imputed to man (who believes) and is given person to person (faith to faith) the same for everyone throughout time. (Or by faith from the first to last – i.e. from the beginning to the end of person's life – it does not change). Just as it is revealed in Old Testament???
Hab 2:4
See, he is puffed up;
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous will live by his faith
Just as it was in the Old Testament, it's nothing new. Habakkuk 2:4: "The just shall live by faith." Nothing new. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. – John MacArthur
is this
about a1) the righteous person's faith in God or a2) faithfulness to God, or
about b) God's ("His" rather than "his") faithfulness toward the righteous
person?
a1) is the answer if Paul is to be consistent with readings in "Acts" and the Abraham example.
[Support for Paul, though, comes from a surprising place (at least I was
surprised to see this). In Geza Vermes translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, if
my memory serves me well, he translates this part of the Habbakuk
pesher/commentary as "the righteous shall live by faith"–i.e., his faith in
the Teacher of Righteousness. Apparently the Qumran scribes/community believed the meaning of Habbakuk 2:4 was "faith" in the Teacher of Righteousness rather than "faithfulness" to the Teacher of Righteousness.]
http://www.ibiblio.org/bgreek/archives/greek-3/msg01216.html
John
I Chronicles 16:37-18:17
Part of message Nathan is told to give to David has totally enraptured me,
10 …" `And now I declare that the LORD will build a house for you–a dynasty of kings! 11For when you die, I will raise up one of your sons, and I will make his kingdom strong. 12He is the one who will build a house–a temple–for me. And I will establish his throne forever. 13I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not take my unfailing love from him as I took it from Saul, who ruled before you. 14I will establish him over my dynasty and my kingdom for all time, and his throne will be secure forever.' "
This is a message with a duel or multilayered meaning; it speaks to David’s near future and the distant future, eternity. I wonder if David understood this was not only talking about the generations from his body yet born who would die off, but the words spoke of someone who would be born into his line, Messiah.
I’m not sure if what I’m stating is correct but I think it could be possible when we search the scriptures for answers to our current personal problems, the words we find to address the issues, God’s Words, speak and point to a time to come, eternity.
Romans 2:1-24
Knowing the “law” and doing what is required are not synonymous. This is what I here Paul saying in this passage. How many times have I said these words, “O, I know that,” and then acted like the knowing of exempted me from executing what I knew.
Psalm 10:16-18
18 You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed,
so people can no longer terrify them
What is it about “orphans and the oppressed” that societies and cultures look to exploit, and what is it about societies and cultures that give rise to oppression? It must be either pride, lust or greed from within banded together to attack and plunder a vulnerable people but they are venerable to God. So going against them is fighting against God.
Proverbs 19:8-9
If the act of acquiring wisdom, actively seeking it out, is the physical evidence that one loves themselves, then those who shun wisdom and are desirous to frolic in folly, then they are self-hating folk.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;he who cherishes understanding prospers.
What a reminder that seeking God's way for our lives is good for us! It is a blessing in and of itself. His laws are for our good–whether regarding gossip, sexuality, honoring parents, or anything else. When we pursue his way, it is better for us.
Micah Girl
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I do not believe that God used Jesus to "displace"
his wrath…
As a Father, yes, he had/has the right to be angry..when things were/are not done according to his specifications and satisfaction. But let's not get "fixated" with God's wrath. That's why his wrath did not end with Jesus' crucifixion and death. Instead He showed us His glorious resurrection, the triumph over sin and death! And that to me is God's boundless measure of his LOVE for us.
This brings me back to an earlier issue, a few months ago, when I posed basically the same rhetorical question on Christianity focusing on Christ's death rather than on his resurrection…
When all is said and done, the bottom line is….GOD LOVES US ALL NO MATTER WHAT! IT IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THAT LOVE THAT MAKES US TRUE BELIEVERS AND TRUE LOVERS— that makes it possible for us to LOVE and TRANSCEND.
Roslyn
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>> I do not believe that God used Jesus to "displace"
his wrath…>>
Roslyn et al. I don’t think it matters what “we” believe it matters what “thus saith the Word/The Lord/God/Jesus. If we all continually pursue our relationship with God, His Presence, by spending time in His Word (here it is the OYB) in his presence through prayer and being opened to the Holy Spirit, the “Truth” will be revealed to us whether we believe in that “Truth” or not. Been there and done that. A lot of what I believed has been blown out of the water by the Holy Spirit revealing to me what my understanding and mind could not logically reason out or thought it understood. And this is the first verse He did it on.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
(Psalms 37:4 KJV)
In the Hebrew “delight thyself” is ‛ânag aw-nag' A primitive root; to be soft or pliable, that is, (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious.
It ain’t about the “delight” we think about the delight of pleasure and enjoyment it is all about making ourselves pliable and malleable to the Word of God and as stated in the first chapter and first two verses in the Gospel of John, God and His Word are One. We jump into danger when we try to fit the Word of God to suite ourselves instead of suiting ourselves to the Word of God especially when what is stated doesn’t make us feel good or seems racist, sexist and cruel. We may miss the real meaning and understanding because we become offended like the Pharisees (far-to-sees) and the Sadducees (sad-to-sees). Many people use the above verse to justify there greed and gluttony and praying somebody else’s “stuff” and husbands into there life. Geeze.
Ramona
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I would like to post this comment about what Roslyn said:
"I do not believe that God used Jesus to 'displace'
his wrath…"
"That's why his wrath did not end with Jesus' crucifixion and death."
~~~
I want to share the following verses about that, and let them speak for themselves (with short comment from me at the end).
I John 4 (NKJV)
10
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the PROPITIATION for our sins.
PROPITIATION is a big word. What does that mean? Another version clarifies this for us.
I John 4 (NIV)
10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[AS THE ONE WHO WOULD TURN ASIDE HIS WRATH, TAKING AWAY] our sins.
I think of this verse in Isaiah 53 (NKJV):
6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
~~~
What is the result of all of this? How does God see those outside of Christ– for those whom His Son died?
2 Corinthians 5 (NKJV)
18
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19
that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES TO THEM, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
What does "NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES TO THEM" mean?
What does it mean to "impute"?
To answer this, I particularly like the way the Amplified Bible translates this same verse in 2 Corinthians 5:
19
It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, NOT COUNTING UP AND HOLDING AGAINST [MEN] THEIR TRESPASSES [BUT CANCELLING THEM]
~~~
It is AMAZING how much God loves us — ALL of us — including the person who raises his or her fist to heaven in open defiance to the Lord and His authority
I am AMAZED at the GRACE of God that He is presently — in this time "…reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, NOT COUNTING UP AND HOLDING AGAINST [MEN] THEIR TRESPASSES [BUT CANCELLING THEM]"
~~~
Yet, if people do not receive the grace of God in the Lord Jesus during their life on earth, then they are storing judgment for themselves.
For if we reject grace, what else is there but NO GRACE, i.e., judgment?
John 1 (NKJV)
11
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
12
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name
John 3 (NKJV)
17
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Is it true that God's wrath did not end with Jesus' crucifixion and death?
Well…
IN ONE WAY, yes – and completely.
Jesus took ALL of God's wrath IN OUR PLACE as OUR SUBSTITUTE — so we would not have to bear it.
YET…
if we do not receive the gift of eternal life in Christ, then God is still holy.
God hates sin. Either we received Jesus' death to pay the punishment for our sins on our behalf… or we attempt to pay the punishment for our sins by ourselves.
We cannot pay that price.
But Jesus completely and fully did.
Vance
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Roslyn,
"…GOD LOVES US ALL NO MATTER WHAT! IT IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THAT LOVE THAT MAKES US TRUE BELIEVERS…"
What is this based on? I did a Gospel search on "Love" and "Believe(th)" and could not find anything like the above statement. To me: A "True Believer" is one who has turned to God, repented of his sins and believed in Jesus – then we have secured the promise of eternal life. Eternal life starts at the moment of our belief and acceptance of Christ. Found plenty of Scriptures for that concept.
Acceptance of God's Love? I don't know???? Can you clarify?
Jhn 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name
John
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What really touched my heart today was the reading from 1 Chronicles 16-18. David wanted to build a temple of cedar in which to house the Ark. God, through Nathan, told David that he would NOT be the one to build the temple but instead after his death his son would be the one to construct the temple. Basically, David told God what he wanted to do and God said “No!” How did David react to this? Instead of being prideful, disappointed or angry, David praised God! How many times do we tell God what we want to do or want done instead of asking God what He wants? How many of us praise God when our plans don’t work out? I often say that I’m glad God listens to me but doesn’t follow my instructions. I, like so many others, have a tendency to tell God what to do, how to do it, and when to get it done. Thank goodness and praise the Lord that His wisdom is greater than mine and He replaces my wants with what I should have instead!
We cannot buy God’s love or a place in His Kingdom – or swap for them, or earn them, or do anything to receive them. A LOVING GOD gives them to us freely. All we have to do is accept Christ as our Savior and put our trust and faith in Him and Him alone and His gifts are ours to claim. It is so simple and easy that we complex humans living in this complex world seem to have trouble accepting it. We want to view it from different aspects, read things into it, and make it difficult. The Word of God has only one aspect, only one side, when it comes to His love and the Kingdom. It is just the simple Truth as written and should be accepted simply as it is.
Pat
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My takeaway today:
Romans 2:3-4
Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and not judge you when you do them, too? 4Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?
We always have to remember not to judge others for many times they know not what they are doing…
Johnnie
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IChr 17:18 "What more can I say about the way you have honored me? You know what I am really like." When I read verse 18, I cried because I thought about how God continually blesses me even though He knows what I am really like. Who among us can not praise God for his wonderful blessings to us? If we have nothing to praise God for, then we must be dead. Edna
Edna
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This is a good reflection because we have to remember that there are many christians out there who are disappointed with God and looking for some help. And that help sometimes should come from us, the church. I'm hoping that my cartoon devotionals does help to comfort some brothers and sisters, and your blog is certainly very endearing.
Mei
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I agree, regarding the Romans readings, Wow!…very convicting! We need Christ's provision and imparted righteous bcos we are all condemned aside from His atoning sacrifice! I'm guilty! we all are! There is so much to ponder in Romans. We will start Romans at church in two weeks. I cant wait!! I will love to have further teaching on this awesome book!
Jenny
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Romans 2:1-24
There are four groups of the unrighteous:
– those that deny God
– those that say deniers are bad, but that's not me.
– those that never heard the Gospel or the Law
– those that are church-goers
=================================================================================
SECOND GROUP OF NON-BELIEVERS (UNRIGHTEOUS)
These are the people who say: 'Yup – those deniers in the last chapter are bad people they deserve God's anger, but I am not like them. I am a pretty good person.'
Paul maintains two things:
-You are playing God by judging those people, and that is sin.
-You do the very same things. Maybe not all, but all it takes is one, and you are subject to God's wrath now and in the day of judgment.
Or do you think lightly of God's patience when in reality it gives you the time to have the ability to repent.
You must because your heart is still unrepentant and you will be judged.
7"To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life."
"God does indeed give eternal life to those who persevere in obedience not because this obedience is perfect or because it is the basis or the merit of eternal life, but because saving faith always changes our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit so that true believers persevere in doing good. In other words, a changed life of obedience to God's truth (verse 8) is not the basis of eternal life, but the evidence of authentic faith which unites us to Christ who is the basis of eternal life." [John Piper]
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1998/1060_The_Final_Divide_Eternal_Life_or_Eternal_Wrath_Part_2/
8"But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."
This would be: SECOND GROUP OF NON-BELIEVERS (UNRIGHTEOUS)
John
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1 Chronicles 18:13b
The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.
In our daily battles against our sins and temptations, do we more often win or lose? As for David, God gave him victory wherever he went. We should look at David's faith in God, his heart for God, his quest to inquire God before he went into battles and his obedience to God. It is worth our time and effort to find out the reason why God gave David victories.
Frederick
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David got victories but he was weak spiritually and an awful father. Capable of awful sins when given the opportunity. What more proof do we need to know that when God forgives that he forgive completely?
David
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Two things stand out to me. One, Nathan (blithely?) says that God is with David, then God has to correct him. How often do we speak out of turn about God's will, rather than listen for His voice before speaking in His Name? Second, that last little sentene abut David's sons also being ministers in his court hit me; was this comfort with the halls of power what later gave some of them the audacity to rebel?
Bajo
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Romans 2:12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
FYI: This conscience element that we see here is part of the Divine Law that God has written on our hearts. Its our personal compass and we can choose to follow it, or not. Righteousnes doesn't come easy when we are tempted to go off course. I am always called to navigate my decisions by what my heart tells me. We might do well to put what Ramona says before any of our actions, "I think it could be possible when we search the scriptures for answers to our current personal problems, the words we find to address the issues, God’s Words, speak and point to a time to come, eternity."
Bob
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I love the heart that David had for God that "there is no one like you Lord." I love he asked, seemed and knocked. He wanted to build a temple for the Lord. It was important to him. God saw the war and bloodshed and knew even though of this..he was going to be kind to David's lineage and bring a peace king from his midst. Solomon will build the temple. Wow
Romans..I love the questioning of the heart and conviction in Roman's 2. We say other's sin but have we checked our heart. We say adultery is wrong but what about our own adultery in our heart. God is no respector of persons. Jew first and then Gentiles. He loves them both.
Psalms I pray I have a tender heart always for less fortunate and widows/orphans. It is but the grace of God that I wasn't one of them. I know when we help the least of those in turn we help the Lord.
Proverbs wisdom and understanding is a great thing. It's best to treasure and seek Him always
Dee