29. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our text for today is as follows:

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned– 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul closes out this chapter by assuring us that just as one man (Adam) caused sin to enter into the world; it was through one man (Jesus) that grace would enter and be granted to us as a gift from God.  

Again, Paul reminds us that the law has no power for salvation but without the law, sin is not taken into account for if we did not have a standard of measurement for right and wrong then how would we even know we are sinning. 

While Adam’s one act brought death to all men the one act of righteousness of Christ brought life for all men.   

What we can be sure of from our teachings over this week concerning the law, faith, righteousness and justification is that the pressure to pay for our sins is not on us but has already been paid through the completed work of Christ.   As believers, we accept this grace freely given to us by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. 

Again, I want to stress that this grace does not give us a license to sin.  As a matter of fact, the scriptures warn us against taking advantage of the grace of God.  Each day we should be maturing and getting stronger and stronger and our urges to sin should get less and less. 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.  Safe travels to my friend Bev in London. 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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28. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our text for today is as follows:

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Even though today’s lesson is the beginning of a new chapter, Paul is now beginning a summary on our justification through faith.  Remember that when the letters were originally penned, they were just that; “letters.”  The chapters and verses were added much later in an attempt to better organize for studying purposes. 

Paul teaches us in this text that because we have been justified through faith then we should have peace with God.   Paul makes a statement in this passage that very few Christians acknowledge as a part of our journey.  He states that we should joy in our suffering because of the benefits that are produced from going pain.   Those benefits include perseverance which produces character and character produces hope and hope does not disappoint us.

None of us like to suffer but the reality is that it is a part of life.  No one is exempt from it whether you are a believer or not.  As believers our suffering produces a hope that according to the scriptures DOES NOT DISSAPOINT.  Sometimes I think we have invested way too much in this worldly system and forget about the promise of an eternal life with God.  I think we often forget about laying up treasures in heaven and if we’re not careful, it is easy to get caught in getting and wanting more of this world system which can create enormous bondage.

We are no longer alienated from God and powerless from sin but have been reconciled through the blood of Jesus and we have the power to SAY NO to any and everything that is not in the will of GOD.    WE have no excuse.  We can take charge of our lives right now.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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27. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our text for today is as follows:

Romans 4:18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead–since he was about a hundred years old–and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness–for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (NIV)

I just got chills when I read the part of the passage above that says: “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.”

Abraham was strengthened in his faith….  He did not let unbelief cause him to stumble but was able to go after the promise because of his faith. 

Abraham’s initial promise that Paul was referring to was given to him by God in the following text: 

Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.

Abraham was already 75 years when he got a promise from God.   So many of us that are older now are nervous if the plans for our lives will ever come to pass.   Abraham is an encouraging example of how it’s never too late to get a calling or promise from God.  He was 75 when he got the word from God and then it would be 25 years later when the promise would be fulfilled.  I think about my life and how God spoke things to me almost 25 years ago and how recently I am starting to see some of them come to pass.  What do we do while we wait on the promise?  We strengthened ourselves in our faith and be encouraged by the fact that there is a word on our lives and that God is not a man that He should lie neither the son of man that He should repent.  If He said it, He will bring it to pass, if HE spoke it , He will make it good. 

In this next text below from Genesis, it shows how Abraham was concerned that he had no son yet and was wondering how the promise from God would be fulfilled and this is the conversation between him and God where God assures him that HE will perform his word over his life and the text says when the conversation is over, Abraham believed God and it was credited to him “as righteousness.” 

Genesis 15:1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars–if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. (NIV)

The last part of Paul’s text deals with the actual act of Abraham doing the work of entering into Sarah’s tent whose body was now dead believing that he would be able to impregnate her not because of his ability but through the power of God.

Here is the text:

Genesis 21:1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. 4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” 7 And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Wow, what an encouraging story.   The text ends with

“but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness–for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (NIV)

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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26. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Welcome back from the weekend.   As you can see, I took a three day weekend; Saturday, Sunday and Monday off.   I really needed the break.  I am so excited about my future and your future.  I feel breakthrough in the atmosphere.  I feel the shift, the adjustment, the season where God makes it easy to accomplish your dreams, to get delivered from your obstacles, and to live holy before him.  I love living for God.

We are returning to our study on Romans:

Our text for today is as follows:

Romans 4:10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring–not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed–the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

We left off our prior lesson with discussing the law verses faith in terms of its ability to declare one righteous.  Paul has thus established through two examples,(Abraham and David) that a person can only be declared righteous through faith and not of strict adherence to the law which is impossible for one to keep in its entirety without sinning. 

We began on our last lesson looking at the example of Abraham and we showed you the text where the promise was given and he was declared righteous before the law was ever given and this declaration was done only through faith. 

In our text today, Paul opens up with asking a question as to under what circumstances was Abraham’s righteousness accredited to.  Was it before or after his circumcision?  Paul states that it was before his circumcision and that the act of circumcision was simply a seal of what had already taken place.  It had no power to do anything but act as a symbol of obedience of what God have already done in giving him the promise and declaring him righteous.

Abraham is declared as the father of both the circumcised and uncircumcised and Paul goes on to further state that if we live by the law then faith is void and the promise is worthless.

The promise through faith comes with grace whereby the law comes with death.   When we sin according to the law, it leads to ultimate death, but faith in God leads to eternal life.   The law is needed to show us what is right and wrong and only the sacrifice of Jesus and the completed work of the cross can make us totally righteous and blameless before God and this is the gift that we receive at salvation. 

Some of you may be thinking then; where does works come in? We know that faith without works is dead.  Once we receive this gift of righteousness in God then we strive to get better day by day by day.   A heart that just thinks this is a free ride is a heart that has not truly being saved by our Lord Jesus Christ.   There are many that proclaim to know Christ and went through the motions of accepting him as their Lord and Savior yet have not made any changes in their life.  A heart that genuinely accepts Christ is a heart of repentance.  Repentance is not a onetime experience but yet a daily journey. 

Abraham is declared as the father of us all and Paul reminds us that God promised him that he would be a “father of many nations.”  Not just the Jewish nation but also the Gentiles or the ones that were not born into the Jewish faith.  We are heirs of this promise given to Abraham by faith. 

Wow… encouraged knowing that the work of the cross took the pressure off and I’m strengthened by that work to be able to live a life that’s pleasing to our God.   We can do better.   Make a conscious decision today to try.  I know as I am tying this, I just did.  

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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22. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Crucifixion

Luke 23:26 As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then ” ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ‘ 31 For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals–one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. “ 43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus’ Death

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus’ Burial

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Have a wonderful Resurrection weekend.   Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family in theaters today.   Go get your laugh on this holiday weekend.  It is so funny and inspirational.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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21. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

We will continue our reading on what Jesus did and what happened to him on the last week before his crucifixion.

The Guards Mock Jesus

Luke 22:63 The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 And they said many other insulting things to him.

Jesus Before Pilate and Herod

Luke 22:66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 “If you are the Christ, ” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” 70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”

Luke 23:1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” 6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.

7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends–before this they had been enemies. 13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him. ” 18 With one voice they cried out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”

19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” 23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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20. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

We will continue our reading on what Jesus did and what happened to him on the last week before his crucifixion.

Luke 22: 39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Jesus Arrested

47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour–when darkness reigns.”

Peter Disowns Jesus

54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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19. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  

It is Passion week and I love reading the stories about the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Those of you that follow me know that I will break our studies to follow the seasons of the church.  So for the next few days during this Passion Week, we will be reading what Jesus did the last few days before his death.  

Our text for today is as follows:

Luke 22:7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” 13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.

15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.

18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.”

23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. 24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials.

29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. 36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” 38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” he replied.  

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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18. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome back from the weekend.  In today’s lesson, Paul’s gives the testimony of Abraham.  We have been discussing faith versus works specifically in the case of being declared righteous before God.  One of the questions that Paul raises is “Was Abraham declared righteous before or after his act of circumcision?”  The answer of course is that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness before he was physically circumcised.  As a matter of fact, the circumcision came as a sign of what God had already done. 

Here is Abraham’s testimony through Paul.

Romans 4: 9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring–not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed–the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead–since he was about a hundred years old–and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.

20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,

24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness–for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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15. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, we were talking about how it is through faith that we accept the righteousness of God and not from works.  Today Paul uses Abraham to show that before the law was even given that Abraham was justified by “faith alone.” 

Let’s look at the text:

Romans 4: 1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about–but not before God. 3 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” 9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.

Paul opens up with the story about how Abraham believed that God would give him an heir in his old age and his belief was accounted to him for righteousness before works, simply belief.  Here is that story that Paul is quoting: 

Genesis 15:1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

2 But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars–if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Paul gives us a second example of this righteousness received from God without works.   This is the Psalm of David that Paul quotes above.  It is about being forgiven of your sins though you can’t do enough works for God to forgive, it is simply through his grace and mercy that we are forgiven and accounted to God as righteous again through forgiveness.   The text teaches that our sins are never held against us which means we can have a clean slate through forgiveness.  Here is the Psalm that Paul is quoting from in its entirety.

Psalms 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. “Selah” 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”– and you forgave the guilt of my sin. “Selah” 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

Today, I just wanted to give you the context of the scripture that Paul quotes from the Old Testament.   We will continue our discussion on works on Monday.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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