Paul asserts that those who follow the law or do good will be as if they had a physical operation. In God's eyes it will be as if they were circumcised. God will bless them and save them.
I am greatly moved by Romans 3:5 "If some do not believe, that will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?"
The question is rhetorical, the answered is assumed "No!" But at heart some think the answer is yes. Why else all the concern for those who, by choice, decide not to be saved?
The whole reformed theology is based on developing a satisfactory answer to why some are not saved. Or to answer it from their perspective, why God does not save some people.
People have been tempted to doubt God's faithfulness because some choose not to believe. How can they choose not to believe in the God of the universe unless there is something wrong with God?
I have heard a lot of people express a distaste for God. "I will not accept God because he did such and such." or "He commanded people to do such and such." Paul is slowly developing the argument that no one is innocent and no one has an excuse. All know what is right, yet do not do right. All know God exists and can tell his nature from the whole he created. Yet they reject him.
Paul is speaking to the Jews here in 3:5. The Jews did not accept Jesus and thus were rejected, as a group, by God. Fortunately God has accepted the individuals who have chosen to accept his savior.
But is it God's fault that the Jews rejected him? Does it negate God's faithfulness to the Israelites over the centuries? No! God remains faithful today.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Psalm 71 - prayer of an old man for deliverance
That's what the title of this psalm is in my Bible. It would not be in the original. I wonder if this title is totally correct. It depends on one, maybe two verses in the psalm. In verse the psalmist says, "even when I am old" (18). He may be planning long term.
I am going to claim verse verse 24, "They are ashamed who seek my hurt." I do not want their death. But I do want their plans confounded and for them to turn back on them. I want their evil exposed for all to see.
There are people who will take advantage of old people. Lord be my strength and my guide as we go old. We older people do not like admitting that we are slower, weaker, and having less stamina. Yet we are. To not admit it may make us more susceptible to those who would take advantage of us.
This psalm is mainly about glorifying God. He deserves it. I do well and find myself closer to wisdom and truth when I continually praise my God. I have been praying more in tongues lately after a sermon encouraging it. Obviously I do not know what I am saying but I suspect I am glorifying God.
"You God are my hope, you are my confidence from my youth." (5)
The psalmist seems to be in definite trouble (1-2). But he continues to praise God even when feeling worried. He has seem past deliverance. (7) He praises God for those deliverances.
I am going to claim verse verse 24, "They are ashamed who seek my hurt." I do not want their death. But I do want their plans confounded and for them to turn back on them. I want their evil exposed for all to see.
There are people who will take advantage of old people. Lord be my strength and my guide as we go old. We older people do not like admitting that we are slower, weaker, and having less stamina. Yet we are. To not admit it may make us more susceptible to those who would take advantage of us.
This psalm is mainly about glorifying God. He deserves it. I do well and find myself closer to wisdom and truth when I continually praise my God. I have been praying more in tongues lately after a sermon encouraging it. Obviously I do not know what I am saying but I suspect I am glorifying God.
"You God are my hope, you are my confidence from my youth." (5)
The psalmist seems to be in definite trouble (1-2). But he continues to praise God even when feeling worried. He has seem past deliverance. (7) He praises God for those deliverances.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Romans 2
I just thought of Romans 2 in a different way. Paul is determined to explain that no one has an excuse. Every man is without excuse. "For if you pass judgment on others, do you not condemn yourselves for you practice the same things."
So in other words, if in judging you show that you do know right from wrong. You have no excuse if afterwards you do wrong. Paul is assuming that yes, you have in the past and will in the future do the same things.
Paul is here speaking to Christians, presumably saved by the blood of Jesus. I think my first reaction is to say, "uh uuuhh!" I would not be hypocritical and judge someone for something that I am doing myself. Yet on second thought we do. We are much easier on ourselves than we are on others.
Paul mentions stealing and adultery. If we include mentally fantasizing, yes we all have committed adultery in our hearts. And in this culture we steal without even thinking about it. We take pens and don't bother to return them. We "graze" in the grocery store. It is stealing. We just excuse ourselves without even thinking about it. Yet if we condemn others we also condemn ourselves. We have no excuse.
Paul ends this chapter by speaking of the seriousness of this. These things may seem little to us but they cause non-believers to judge us as hypocrites. We cause God's name to be ridiculed. I don't want that. Living rightly even in the little things is important.
Paul says, "God will render to every man for his deeds." (2:6) We can persevere in doing good or we can allow ourselves to fall into doing whatever selfish acts come our way, taking the past of least resistance. We take advantage of God's long suffering patience.
Paul says, "Don't you know God's kindness and forbearance are meant to lead us torepentance!" (2:4)
Paul says there will be judgment. (2:5) Remember he is speaking to Christians. He is addressing the mostly Jewish church now living in Rome. Brothers and sisters, we are saved by grace. But there will be a judgment on our selfish sinful acts here on earth. Let is persevere in doing right. And let us be careful not to judge others.
So in other words, if in judging you show that you do know right from wrong. You have no excuse if afterwards you do wrong. Paul is assuming that yes, you have in the past and will in the future do the same things.
Paul is here speaking to Christians, presumably saved by the blood of Jesus. I think my first reaction is to say, "uh uuuhh!" I would not be hypocritical and judge someone for something that I am doing myself. Yet on second thought we do. We are much easier on ourselves than we are on others.
Paul mentions stealing and adultery. If we include mentally fantasizing, yes we all have committed adultery in our hearts. And in this culture we steal without even thinking about it. We take pens and don't bother to return them. We "graze" in the grocery store. It is stealing. We just excuse ourselves without even thinking about it. Yet if we condemn others we also condemn ourselves. We have no excuse.
Paul ends this chapter by speaking of the seriousness of this. These things may seem little to us but they cause non-believers to judge us as hypocrites. We cause God's name to be ridiculed. I don't want that. Living rightly even in the little things is important.
Paul says, "God will render to every man for his deeds." (2:6) We can persevere in doing good or we can allow ourselves to fall into doing whatever selfish acts come our way, taking the past of least resistance. We take advantage of God's long suffering patience.
Paul says, "Don't you know God's kindness and forbearance are meant to lead us to
Paul says there will be judgment. (2:5) Remember he is speaking to Christians. He is addressing the mostly Jewish church now living in Rome. Brothers and sisters, we are saved by grace. But there will be a judgment on our selfish sinful acts here on earth. Let is persevere in doing right. And let us be careful not to judge others.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday services
I was struck in the early service by the music and especially the statement, "Jesus, be the center". Now is that a command or a wish? It certainly is not a reality for me or for most. Otherwise it would be "Jesus IS the center".
But that is my hope, our hope. That Jesus will be the center of my life, the greatest thing in my life, the top thing.
I find that I simply allocate God time and often am more excited about my time doing other things, not my time with God. Jesus has done so much for me, I owe him so much. I should be making Jesus the center and allocating time for other things as needed.
I want Jesus to be first in my heart and in my life. It will be someday I think. Then all else will fall away. How much of a shock will it be then?
In the evening SJD is starting a program to encourage discipleship called "Monvee". There are packets for each participant. The thing that seems different is that each person takes one of those character tests and afterwards the results tell you which disciple you are like. That seems unique. But DW says we did that one time for a marriage seminar that we were attending. She says the results said I was like Paul. I wonder what that means. Sadly I cannot even remember it now.
But that is my hope, our hope. That Jesus will be the center of my life, the greatest thing in my life, the top thing.
I find that I simply allocate God time and often am more excited about my time doing other things, not my time with God. Jesus has done so much for me, I owe him so much. I should be making Jesus the center and allocating time for other things as needed.
I want Jesus to be first in my heart and in my life. It will be someday I think. Then all else will fall away. How much of a shock will it be then?
In the evening SJD is starting a program to encourage discipleship called "Monvee". There are packets for each participant. The thing that seems different is that each person takes one of those character tests and afterwards the results tell you which disciple you are like. That seems unique. But DW says we did that one time for a marriage seminar that we were attending. She says the results said I was like Paul. I wonder what that means. Sadly I cannot even remember it now.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Exodus 20
But first of all I love this quote from Origen: "Everyone who lives according to Jesus' teaching rises to a friendship with God and communion with him" (Origen, AD 185-254). A lot of people wonder at some of the things he believed and his technique for interpreting scripture but one can admire his faith. He was truly a man of God.
Exodus 20 is where we see the long version of the ten commandments. Some have called them the ten words. Yet here God gives great pain to explain the ones that refer to our relationship to Him. This is so good.
The last five are self explanatory: kill, adultery, steal, lie, covet.
God says in 20:5 that he punishes the descendants of sinners to the fourth generation. But (20:6) in contrast be blesses those who love him (and therefore stay righteous) to the thousandth generation. Forever seems to be implied here. Who can imagine 1,000 generations? One wonders how this is possible. If one generation is disobedient then the next generation is obedient, how can this work?
Better is the prophet's wonderful parable. Was is Ezekiel who write: "If I eat something sour do the lips of my son pucker?" No of course not. So God will requite each person according to his deeds.
Can both things be sort of true. The children of righteous, obedient parents certain have a better chance of doing well, going straight themselves. On the other hand the children of those who act immorally, stealing, drinking, acting irresponsibly have a much worse start in life. Unfortunately they are much more likely to act like their parents. From my experience working with prisoners I cringe at the descriptions of their home lives growing up. This is not to excuse them. Many who had similar experiences did not get into crime. It is still a choice. Yet these men, because of the sins of their family, had a much harder life and their chances were much less than those who came from people who obeyed the ten commandments.
Exodus 20 is where we see the long version of the ten commandments. Some have called them the ten words. Yet here God gives great pain to explain the ones that refer to our relationship to Him. This is so good.
The last five are self explanatory: kill, adultery, steal, lie, covet.
God says in 20:5 that he punishes the descendants of sinners to the fourth generation. But (20:6) in contrast be blesses those who love him (and therefore stay righteous) to the thousandth generation. Forever seems to be implied here. Who can imagine 1,000 generations? One wonders how this is possible. If one generation is disobedient then the next generation is obedient, how can this work?
Better is the prophet's wonderful parable. Was is Ezekiel who write: "If I eat something sour do the lips of my son pucker?" No of course not. So God will requite each person according to his deeds.
Can both things be sort of true. The children of righteous, obedient parents certain have a better chance of doing well, going straight themselves. On the other hand the children of those who act immorally, stealing, drinking, acting irresponsibly have a much worse start in life. Unfortunately they are much more likely to act like their parents. From my experience working with prisoners I cringe at the descriptions of their home lives growing up. This is not to excuse them. Many who had similar experiences did not get into crime. It is still a choice. Yet these men, because of the sins of their family, had a much harder life and their chances were much less than those who came from people who obeyed the ten commandments.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Fear - David Wilkerson old pulpit series theme
As I skimmed through this written sermon I thought, "Yeah fear causes us to do a lot of things that are sin." I know that fear can affect me negatively in the business of making deals. I can trust that God will protect me, even from dishonest people.
I have to be aware and keep my eyes open. I do not have to let it get personal as I do so often. Lord I am trying to do better.
We can look a the newspaper and get fearful. I think to myself, "I will not be here to see some of the awful stuff that is going to happen." I read a funny caption, "Obama thinks we are going to tax ourselves into prosperity." Yeah it's funny but it also hits too close to home. Are some crazy economic ideas going to ruin this country? I get fearful.
DW speaks of testing. I hope that when I am tested that I can still say, "God is faithful and he loves me." In younger days I would get mad at God when I was feeling tried and when I did not know how I was going to solve a big problem. Now I still get fearful but I do know God loves me and I will get through it somehow. My emotion may still be panic. So I still have a lot of learn.
It seems to me that without a bit of fear I would get nothing done. If I had no sense of worry I'm afraid I would simply be a lazy slouch. I need an external force to drive me. There must be something missing.
DW mentioned that great preacher C. H. Spurgeon had great bouts of depression, melancholy is was called in his day. He fought against it by reading the psalms and taking to heart the promises found there. "Faith come from hearing, and hearing from the world of God." I think that is what I am saying when I speak of remembering God's faithfulness and love. The psalms but I think of Paul's letters. Jesus too often spoke of God's faithfulness, "Remember, little flock, God knows the number of hairs on your head. Does he not care about what you will eat and what you will drink?" Yes he does care.
I have to be aware and keep my eyes open. I do not have to let it get personal as I do so often. Lord I am trying to do better.
We can look a the newspaper and get fearful. I think to myself, "I will not be here to see some of the awful stuff that is going to happen." I read a funny caption, "Obama thinks we are going to tax ourselves into prosperity." Yeah it's funny but it also hits too close to home. Are some crazy economic ideas going to ruin this country? I get fearful.
DW speaks of testing. I hope that when I am tested that I can still say, "God is faithful and he loves me." In younger days I would get mad at God when I was feeling tried and when I did not know how I was going to solve a big problem. Now I still get fearful but I do know God loves me and I will get through it somehow. My emotion may still be panic. So I still have a lot of learn.
It seems to me that without a bit of fear I would get nothing done. If I had no sense of worry I'm afraid I would simply be a lazy slouch. I need an external force to drive me. There must be something missing.
DW mentioned that great preacher C. H. Spurgeon had great bouts of depression, melancholy is was called in his day. He fought against it by reading the psalms and taking to heart the promises found there. "Faith come from hearing, and hearing from the world of God." I think that is what I am saying when I speak of remembering God's faithfulness and love. The psalms but I think of Paul's letters. Jesus too often spoke of God's faithfulness, "Remember, little flock, God knows the number of hairs on your head. Does he not care about what you will eat and what you will drink?" Yes he does care.
hello, back from trip
It's been a few days since getting back from cruise to the Bahamas. We got back Monday and traveled all day to get home.
So I am not clear what day this is. I have to keep reminding myself it is Thursday. It seems like it could be Wednesday or Friday.
DW and I had a nice 9 days with our oldest daughter and her husband. He is very nice. Everything was very polite. I hope they had a good time. I think they did. I certainly enjoyed the ports and the wonderful staff on the ship. They went out of their way to be friendly and helpful. The staff was such a contrast to the last cruise ship staff.
So I am not clear what day this is. I have to keep reminding myself it is Thursday. It seems like it could be Wednesday or Friday.
DW and I had a nice 9 days with our oldest daughter and her husband. He is very nice. Everything was very polite. I hope they had a good time. I think they did. I certainly enjoyed the ports and the wonderful staff on the ship. They went out of their way to be friendly and helpful. The staff was such a contrast to the last cruise ship staff.
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