Can God Really Do That?

 

Can God Really Do That?

ROMANS 9:1-5 (Vs 14)

SUBJECT: ROMANS/ ISRAEL’S PAST

THEME: the foundation of God’s entire economy of redemption rest upon his nature and character; therefore, we can breathe easier without any probability of disappointment in his mercy, power, and faithfulness.

INTRODUCTION:

If God is fair in his dealings with Israel, then the rest of humanity can unreservedly entrust their eternal future with him.  However, if he was unfair in his dealings with the nation of Israel, then how can we as Gentile Christians even begin to rest in him for our own eternal destiny?

There are several questions I hope to answer from this passage and this chapter in Romans:

1) Is salvation based on our good works or is it based on the calling and compassion of God?     

2) What does it mean when the God of love says he loved Jacob but hated Esau?

3) How can we reconcile God’s sovereignty with human responsibility?    

4) Have the promises of God failed Israel? Will they fail us also?   

5) After looking at his record, can God still be trusted today?

RELEVANCE: Basically, God exercises the prerogatives of a sovereign God and man functions within the orbit of God’s will as a free moral agent. In both instances neither violates the opportunities and choices of the other. It is this understanding that sets the stage as we come into Romans chapter nine.

MESSAGE:

I.    A Sincere Desire to See the Nation of Israel Saved. Vs 1-4. Paul’ s burdened for the salvation of his kinsman, the nation of Israel.    

Rom 9:1, I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

II. Yet, The Nation of Israel Is Not Saved. Vs 4-5.

Paul recounts the privileges of Israel, but still they are not saved nationally.  

Rom 9:4-5, Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; [5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

    A.  THE DIVINE FAVOR, GOD’S GRACE, ON THE NATION OF ISRAEL

This section places great emphasis on divine sovereignty and human responsibility.  Romans 9 deals primarily with His Sovereignty and Chapter 10 will balance things out concerning Human responsibility. Notice that God extended his sovereignty to grant Israel’s opportunities rooted in his grace.

            1.   They Were Privileged with Divine Adoption     Vs 4, ...  to whom pertaineth the adoption.... Adoption has to do with the placing of a son and God had adopted the nation of Israel to be His son.  He was a father to Israel.

Exod 4:22-23, And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: [23] And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

Jer 31:9, They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.   (Hos. 11:1; Deut. 14:1)

APPLICATION: What a Privilege is Ours to be the very Sons of God, Adopted into His family and made Joint Heir with Jesus Christ! Romans 8:15-17, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Eph. 1:4, Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1 John 3:1-2, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

           2.  They Were Privileged with Divine Accompaniment   Vs 4, ...and the glory

The Glory Cloud or Shekinah Glory that visible luminous appearance of God's presence. It was a symbol of God presence, guidance, and protection of His earthly people Israel.  What a privilege to have God’s Leadership as a Nation!

                A)  It led them across the wilderness (Exod. 13:21-22; Num. 9:17-22).

                B)  It protected them at the Red Sea (Exod. 14:19-20,24).

                C)  It filled the tabernacle during Moses' dedication (Exod. 40:34-38).

                D)  It filled the temple during Solomon's dedication (1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chron.

5:13-14).

                E)  It was removed during Ezekiel's time (Ezek. 10).

APPLICATION: What Great Privilege is Ours to Have the Glory of God in Us; to be indwelt by the Holy Ghost.  We have Power for living in the Filling of the Spirit, Guidance in life, and the very Presence of God With us always. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

          3.  They Were Privileged with the Divine Agreements Vs 4, ...and the covenants

                A) The Abrahamic Covenant-Promising a Mighty Nation (Gen. 12:2-3,7;13:14-17; 15:5, 18; 17:8).

                B) The Palestinian Covenant-Promising the land from Egypt to the Euphrates   Gen. 15:18; Deut. 30:3

                C) The Davidic Covenant-Promising an Eternal Kingdom (2 Sam. 7:12-16; 23:5;2 Chron. 13:5).

                D) The New Covenant-Promising New Hearts (Jer. 31:31-34).

APPLICATION: As New Testament (New Covenant) Saints We Will share in all the Blessed Promises with the saved Nation of Israel at the time of their National Redemption. Hebrews 9:14-15, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? ¹⁵ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Christ offered His own blood as the sacrifice for our sins, He is the mediator of a new covenant (see Heb. 8:6). He focuses on God's promise of forgiveness of sins under the new covenant. Christ is not an abandonment of these Jewish roots. Instead, he is a fulfillment of that heritage. 

           4.  They Were Privileged with The Divine Articles Vs 4, ...   and the giving of the law

Israel alone were the recipients of the Holy Law of God (Deut. 5:1–22).

It was to Israel that the law was given. They and they alone were its recipients.^[1]

It was to them that the ceremonial and judicial law were given, and the moral law in writing pertained to them. It is a great privilege to have the law of God among us,^[2]

APPLICATION: We today have the entire preserved Word of God. We have the privilege of the great example of Believers from the past to inspire us to live for God.  We have the privilege of knowing what God thinks is important, and what God values.  We can know exactly what to do to please God from the Bible. Also, I always use a KJV Bible, and I hardily recommend that you secure one if you belong to the English-speaking world.  Every scrap of solid evidence, and genuine Christian History points to the KJV Bible as God’s preserved Word in English.

           5.  They Were Privileged with The Divine Administration Vs 4, ... and the service of God. They performed services for God (ministering in both tabernacle, temple, and the priesthood).

This had to do with the worship of the tabernacle and temple. They were to be a kingdom of priests. “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel” (Exod. 19:6). The nation failed God, but God did not give up His purpose that they should be priests. God took the tribe of Levi and gave them the responsibility of serving and caring for the tabernacle and, later, the temple. In the future, in the millennial kingdom, the nation of Israel will once again be God’s priests upon the earth.^[3]

APPLICATION: it is still a privilege to serve God in the local church, through the in-resident local assembly today. To worship God, teach, be a member of, send the gospel to the world, to assemble, disciple, to encourage each other, to hear the Word preached/explained, and to pray and call upon God in the church body is what we are to do. The great properties of belonging, fellowship, and purpose that people look for in other organizations can be found in a proper church body in most cases. What great privileges we take for granted as members of a church of our Lord Jesus Christ! What pleasures we take for granted by being a part of Christ’s functional body on earth. How honored we are to be a part of our Lord’s sweet precious bride, the church!

1 Cor 12:26-28, And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. [28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (See Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12, 14-20; Eph. 1:23; 4:12; 5:23; 5:30; Col. 1:18 & 24)

           6.  They Were Privileged with The Divine Affirmations Vs 4, ... and the promises….

In addition to the covenants mentioned above, God made innumerable promises to Israel of protection, peace, and prosperity.^[4]

APPLICATION: We who are saved have the promises of an eternal inheritance; eternal life, eternal home, and eternal glory. Heb 9:15, And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

“The promise of the eternal inheritance” takes us back to the inheritance that God promised to Abraham, where we become heirs through having the same faith as Abraham. It includes justification by faith, being part of a spiritual nation, a new immortal body, and eternal life. (See Gal. 3:15-18, 29; Rom. 8:15-17; 1 Cor. 15:50-58)

           7.  They Were Privileged with Their Human Ancestry    Vs 5, ...Whose are the fathers, ... (See Matt. 1:1-16). This is the Jewish heritage and family line.

The Jewish people rightfully claim the patriarchs as their own—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve sons of Jacob. These were the forefathers of the nation.^[5]

Later in New Testament times we as Christians can point to Matthew, Paul, Peter, John etc.

APPLICATION 1: If you have parents that brought you up in church and on the Bible, then you should make a point of frequently thanking them for their faithfulness to the Lord. They have given you one of the most valuable gifts, a spiritual family heritage in Christ. We should appreciate them for not quitting on us, not resorting to other philosophies, and not allowing themselves to get out of church and backslidden. You have a steadfast heritage because of their faith. This is a wonderful gift!

APPLICATION 2: Perhaps you don’t have the family history I just described. In fact, you experienced quite the opposite! Though you have the pain and scares from the past, it still all can begin with you. You can be the “Abraham” in your family lineage.  The one who believes God and separates from the old trends and ways of the family looking to the promises and provisions of God as you journey to the land of promise! You can be the “David” in your home who leads your family to victory after victory through the many battles of life. The one who leads your family to having a heart for God. By the grace of God, it can begin with you regardless of the challenges and unfavorable circumstances! Relinquish the grip of victimhood and embrace the hope of responsibility under God’s economy!

APPLICATION 3: We too have the privilege of a great spiritual ancestry in the servants of God of yesteryear.  In people like D. L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Charles Spurgeon, Charles Finney, George Whitfield, Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliotte, Corrie Ten Boom, C. T. Studd, John R. Rice, Amy Carmichael, W. W. Wiersbe, and many others.  These men and ladies trusted God, believed God to work in their lives and He did.  My how this should create a hunger and thirst in our souls to see revival come to our hearts, to our churches, and to our nations. It happened with these men and women, why can’t it happen with us!

           8.  They Were Privileged with The Highest Aim      Vs 5, . . .and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

They are the nation that God chose to bring our Savior into the World, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Messiah Himself.  How would you like to be the people from which the Sovereign of the Universe was born, the eternally blessed God of Heaven.  It is through the Messiah that all of the promises and privileges afforded Israel will realize their ultimate fulfilment and consummation!

APPLICATION:  Divine Favor is not enough to make salvation complete.  God did all that He did with Israel because of a Sovereign Choice, but that alone didn’t save them.  In fact, great privilege means great responsibility. Thus, we learn that even when God acts Sovereignly in our lives, we are still accountable and held responsible for our actions. We are still liable for our failures.

Basically, God implements the choices of a sovereign God and humanity acts within the path of God’s will as a free moral agent. In neither case do the parties violate the opportunities and options of the other. It is this dynamic that Romans chapter nine seeks to highlight.

     B.  THE DOWNFALL OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL INSPITE OF GOD’S GRACE

Rom 9:31-33, But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

          1.  Their Works and Self Righteousness Was One Reason for Their Downfall

Rom 9:32, Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.

          2.  Their Willful Rejection of the Savior Was Another Reason for Their Downfall

Rom. 9:32, For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Rom 9:33, As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

APPLICATION 1: The primary focus of this entire chapter is the Sovereignty of God, but from the very start of the chapter we see strong testimony here to the responsibility of man in the matter of salvation.  It is difficult to reconcile these two doctrines, however, both are clearly taught here and will be in the next chapter.  God may give us today great privileges, blessings and benefits, but in the end it all boils down to whether or not we have trusted Him in a saving capacity or have we rejected His grace for our own works and self-righteousness.

APPLICATION 2: As Christians we can fail in our responsibilities to trust and serve God. God in His sovereignty has blessed us richly as Americans, but are we taking advantage of the privileges He has afforded us to trust Him to work in our lives and through our lives individually and institutionally?  With great privilege comes great responsibility and we as Christians have a wealthy heritage, the power of God, and the blessings of God. Are we executing his will with gratitude? God is not about to change because he is absolutely faithful; it seems the ball is in our court now.

CONCLUSION:

God’s past dealings with the nation of Israel are based on two things, His grace and government.  His grace refers to his character and nature. His dealings with them in grace involved the privileges of being Israelites, the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, promises, the service in the tabernacle, and the fathers. The most important blessing is Christ, the Messiah.  God’s governmental dealings with Israel involved His wisdom, will, and Word.  God was governed by fixed principles and not capricious whims.

The basis of God’s entire economy of redemption rest upon the foundation of his nature and character, therefore we can be assured without any possibility of disappointment in his mercy, power, and faithfulness.

Furthermore, the Scriptures say that we all are sinners. Unless God, pure and righteous, take our place and suffered the penalty for our sin, we would have to bear that penalty ourselves. The Apostle Paul explained this in Romans 3:10–18: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. [13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: [14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: [15] Their feet are swift to shed blood: [16] Destruction and misery are in their ways: [17] And the way of peace have they not known: [18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.   

Jesus’ death on the cross for us never needs to be repeated, and neither does anyone else ever have to suffer and die as He did. He is the sacrificial, substitutionary, all-sufficient atonement (Romans 5:20-21; 6:10-11). Yes, Christ died for us. Jesus came so that you and I might transfer our guilt to Him, and accept, by faith, that He is the guiltless One who has received our sin and taken it to Himself.

So, in this light, the only thing you need to do to receive salvation is to literally receive God’s forgiveness. And when you do, you truly have made a choice for life. We cannot simply believe anything about Jesus or be forgiven for any reason though. We must believe the Son of God, Jesus Christ, died for our sins, was buried, and God raised Him up again from among the remaining dead people the third day for our justification before The Father (see 1 Cor. 15:1-4 and Rom 3:21-31). I need you to understand that it is faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel that is the power of God that saves us…that grant us eternal life through Christ (Rom. 1:14-17). Again, receive God’s salvation even now. You can experience God’s spiritual new birth right now!

 

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1716.

^[2] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2216.

^[3] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 4 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), 711.

^[4] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1716.

^[5] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1716.

Is Sin Still A Thing?

 

Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God….

This is a much needed study; an article laying out the various teachings about sin is long overdue. A simple survey of our friends and associates would quickly confirm the fact that people have lost their sense of right and wrong. These days matters like good and bad are difficult to distinguish and definitions of morality seem to be up to the individual. Furthermore, many post-modernist see no need for a moral framework. It is tragic…but the subject of sin is hardly dealt with from a theological perspective anymore. Certainly our society does not cherish any idea of clarity regarding sin, but it seems God’s people have little appreciation for the subject also. Perhaps this is why we do not value the cross of our Lord as we should. In this study my goal is to define and express these timeless Bible teachings with forthright clarity.

Though it is often difficult in this post-modern age to tackle the subject of sin, still we really need to understand this topic. So, “What is sin? Where did it come from? Do we inherit a sinful nature from Adam? Do we inherit guilt from Adam?” Grudem gives the following definition for sin, “Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.”  Clearly sin includes acts of adultery, stealing, and lying. It also includes sinful attitudes like anger (Matt. 5:22) and lust (Matt. 5:28). Then sin involves the very nature of humanity—we are sinners according to God’s Word (Rom. 5:8; Eph. 2:3). Some have erroneously concluded that sin is merely selfishness, but this is misleading because not all self-interests are wrong. It is better to define sin in terms of God’s Law and moral character (1Jn. 3:4; Rom. 2:15, 17-29).

To the question where did sin come from? It is vitally important to first affirm that God is in no way responsible for sin—He cannot be blamed for sin. He always does what is just and right (Deut. 32:4; Gen. 18:25; Job. 34:10). It is also correct to say that God permitted the entrance of sin through the voluntary choices of moral creatures. Was the origin of sin something “ordained” by God? Again I have great difficulty embracing this idea of God ordaining sin to come about. Again a better way of understanding this is that a sovereign God permitted sin (Gen. 50:20). As a holy God he cannot produce or promote sin (Hab. 1:13). He is absolutely perfect (Deut. 32:4; 2Sam. 22:31; Ps. 18:30). But it is true that God can produce greater good by allowing sin in the universe (Rom. 5:3-5; James 1:2-4). This fact alone demonstrates that sin is not His equal and refutes any idea of dualism. This is perhaps why He continues to tolerate sin in the universe.   

Before Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin had already invaded the angelic realm with the result of the fall of Satan and a third of the angelic host (Gen. 3:1-19). Satan introduced sin to the human race through the temptation in the Garden. In the fall of man sin struck at the basis for knowledge by questioning God’s Word (Gen. 3:4). Then sin struck at the very foundation of moral standards (Gen. 2:17). In addition, sin also loosed human identity from its God-provided moorings (Gen. 3:5). Lastly, sin proved to be completely irrational; it never makes sense to rebel against our Creator-God (Prov. 10:23; 12:15; 14:7).

We should also explore two realities regarding the doctrine of inherited sin. In these two observations we discover how Adam’s sin affected the rest of humanity. First is inherited guilt: we are counted guilty because of Adam’s sin. This truth is relayed to us in Romans 5:12-21. Even though there was no Law from Adam’s time to Moses’, people were still guilty of sin because they died. Physical, spiritual and eternal death are direct consequences of sin. By Adam’s disobedience we all were made sinners.

Some reject this idea believing it to be unfair. There are three things; however, that should always be remembered in this connection. First everyone has voluntarily committed many actual sins themselves and are indeed guilty (Rom. 2:6; Col. 3:25). Secondly, if we were in Adam’s place, we would have sinned also and our subsequent behavior demonstrates this. Then thirdly, if we think it is unfair to be represented by Adam in the Fall, then it is equally unfair to be represented by Christ in justification and righteousness (Rom. 5:19).

The second reality related to the doctrine of inherited sin is inherited corruption: we have a sinful nature because of Adam’s sin. The concept is freely expressed in numerous passages of the Bible (Ps. 51:1-5; Eph. 2:3).  A result of Adam’s sin is a disposition and a propensity to sin in him and all his descendants. Two particulars in this connection should be kept in mind. First, in our natures we totally lack good before God. Every part of our being is affected by sin—our intellect, emotions, desires, heart, goals, motives, and physical bodies (Titus 1:15; Rom. 7:18; Jer. 17:9).  Secondly, in our actions we are totally unable to do spiritual good before God. We lack the ability to do anything that will in itself be pleasing to God (Rom. 8:8). Without Jesus Christ we can do absolutely nothing to be fruitful (Jn. 15:5; Heb. 11:6). It is not that we cannot do things that are good and pleasing in the eyes of people. Certainly we all can, but people are not God.

At this juncture it is vital that we turn our attention to actual sins in our lives. There are about six areas where this is important to explore. First all people are sinful before God (Ps. 14:3; 143:2; 1Kings 8:46).  Secondly, we are responsible before God for each of our sins. Not according to our ability, but the absolute perfection of God’s moral law and His own holy character (Matt. 5:48). Thirdly, infants are guilty before they commit an act of sin because sin is welded to their nature. However, God in mercy and grace keeps them safe from wrath until they can exercise faith in Him (Ps. 51:5; 58:3; 1Sam 12:23). Fourthly, is the issue of degrees of sin. With regard to legal guilt before God, one single sin is worthy of eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire (Gen. 2:17; Gal. 3:10; James 2:10-11). With regards to the results in life and our relationship with God there are varying degrees of sin.  The consequences of some actions are weightier than others. The Bible even speaks of greater sins (John 19:11; Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15; Matt. 5:19; 23:23; Lev. 4:2, 13, 22; 5:17; James 3:1; Luke 12:48).

Now entertain the question “What happens when a Christian sins?” the answer is that our legal standing before God remains unchanged (Rom. 6:23; 8:1; 1Cor. 15:3; 1Jn. 1:8; 3:2).  It is true that our fellowship with God is disrupted and our Christian life is damaged (Eph. 4:30; Heb. 12:6, 9, 10; Prov. 3:11-12; Rev. 3:19). When we bring God displeasure because of our non-compliance with His will He will correct and chasten us because He loves us and desires that we share in His holiness.

Finally, it must be observed that God will deal with and punish sin. Those who refuse God and die in their sin can expect to be dealt with in severe wrath. This is not merely a deterrent to sinning, but the realization of the primary reason God punishes sin. His righteous nature demands punishment! God is righteous and just (Jer. 9:24), and Christ is the propitiation for all sin (Rom. 3:25). This means that the Lord Jesus was the Sacrifice that bore the wrath of God against sin and thereby turned God’s wrath away that He might deal with humanity in grace (Rom. 3:25, 26). However, if an individual refused that grace, God will confront them in the full force of His righteous wrath and eternal condemnation.

I realize that many people feel they are 'good people,' but the problem with that is we cannot do only good. We do not even live up to our own expectations on a daily basis. Can we manipulate ourselves into believing we have lived up to the PERFECT requirements of a holy God? We have a sin nature that is anti-God. It is not so much the individual sins that we commit, (though these are awful!) but the fact that we have a sinful orientation that drives us to indulge in the wrongs that so violently offend a holy God! 

In short we cannot embrace an eternal relationship with a righteous and perfect God in our natural fallen and sinful condition because our sin mars everything about us. Unless God undertakes to change us, we are condemned forever to the Lake of Fire without any other recourse or hope for all eternity. This is why the new birth through faith in Jesus Christ is so vital to our spiritual welfare. Again, the Lord Jesus insisted that we must be born again.

How may we experience the spiritual birth? The answer is by consciously opting to place our faith/trust in Jesus Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection as the full payment for our sins. We acknowledge that God indicated His acceptance of Christ’s redemptive work by raising Him from the dead. Therefore, we accept what God accepts as the fair and complete payment for our sins.

We must believe on Christ Jesus with a heart of repentance! This is exactly what Paul outlines in Romans 10:9-10, writing, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We cannot simply believe anything about Jesus, we must believe that the Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, and God raise Him up again the third day for our justification before the Father. It is crucial that we understand that it is faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel that is the power of God that saves us (Rom. 1:14-17).

Christ’s suffering at Calvary was God providing payment for our sins. This is what Calvary was about—justice was served and sin was paid for in full. Now sinners can be saved—born again to enter a relationship with God. It is the Spirit who regenerates us and gives us new life when we trust Christ. We cannot save ourselves no matter how good, sincere, or diligent we are. Being born again means we become a part of a new family, God is our Father who shares with us His very own divine nature. All of this is realized the moment we humble ourselves before God acknowledging our sins while trusting Christ and His payment for them. We must accept this payment personally. Beloved, we must exercise faith in the Person and Work of Christ to experience the spiritual birth. What about you? Have you been born again?

God Created the Human Race

 

Genesis 1:26-28

Have you thought much about the singular human race lately? With all the talk about race these days you would think there are multiple races. While there are many ethnic groups, there is really only one race—the human race. God only created one! In Genesis 1 and 2, the focus is on how the universe and human beings came into existence and why God created humanity in the first place. In addition Moses also explores how people can conduct themselves and please God with their lives. In this light, let us entertain three questions, why did God create us? How did God make us like himself? How can we please him in everyday living?

Consider what Moses wrote in Genesis 1:26-28,

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.^[1]

In order to answer these questions, we may begin by exploring the use of the word “Man” to refer to the human race. Certainly it refers to the male individual, but it is also used as a broader all-encompassing idea—humanity (Gen. 1:26). It is appropriate to refer to the human race in this manner because the Scriptures do so. With this precedence the term man will represent humanity both male and female. There is no intent to offend the female reader, but simply a desire to be consistent with the biblical usage of the term (Genesis 5:1-2; 1:27). It should also be noted that God did directly create man—he did NOT evolve as some have theorized.

Then let us explore the reason mankind was created. The first thing to understand is that God did not need to create man. God was fulfilled relationally within the fellowship of the Trinity. This was true of God from all eternity (John 17:5, 24). God was and always has been free of any need or unmet desire. Still it is equally true that God created mankind for His glory. This truth is mention several times over in Scripture and communicated in several ways (Isa. 43:7; Eph. 1:11-12; 1Cor. 10:31).  This reality guarantees and gives significance to every human life regardless of ethnicity. All human beings share this all essential purpose and meaning for life. It directly indicates that we are important to God himself; this is the most significant purpose for human life. Again glorifying God is the purpose of human life and by extension the varied ethnic diversity that we have. This truth is rehearsed in a number of the Psalms where the pleasure of man is found in the fellowship and presence of the Lord (Ps. 16:11; 27:4; 73:25, 26; 84:1, 2, 10). When believers realize and explore the purpose of God for their very existence, they will experience an intensity of joy. Giving glory to God is the most right thing any human being can engage in doing. He is worthy of all glory (Rev. 4:11). When people seize glory for themselves it must clearly be considered wrong because people are not worthy of this honor. However, it is entirely right for God to seek his own glory. He is the only one that is worthy.  Each person should invest their entire strength to render glory to him (Mark 12:30).

Not only should we understand how the term “man” is used in Scripture and why man was created, but we can also understand what it means to bear the image of God. The image of God (Gen. 1:26) can be defined as the fact that “man is like God and represents God” (Grudem, 1994, p. 442). Walvoord and Zuck of Dallas Theological Seminary, observed in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 

Human life was created in (lit., “as,” meaning “in essence as”) the image of God (v. 27). This image was imparted only to humans (2:7). “Image” (ṣelem) is used figuratively here, for God does not have a human form. Being in God’s image means that humans share, though imperfectly and finitely, in God’s nature, that is, in His communicable attributes (life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice), and so have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him.

God’s purpose in creating human life in His image was functional: man is to rule or have dominion (Gen. 1:26, 28). God’s dominion was presented by a “representative.” Egyptian kings later, in idolatry, did a similar kind of thing: they represented their rule or dominion by making representative statues of themselves. However, because of sin all things are not under man’s dominion (Heb. 2:8). But Jesus Christ will establish dominion over all the earth (Heb. 2:5-8) at His second coming.

So the image of God involves humanity’s, intellect, emotions, volition, and morality. In the fall of man, the image of God was marred and distorted, but not lost. Even though man is sinful, governed by selfishness, and does not constantly glorify God, he still bears something of God’s image. Salvation is redemption in Jesus Christ is actually an effort to progressively recover God’s image in each believer. This is taught in Colossians 3:10, which says, we are “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Then 2Corintians 3:18, says, “with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord.” And Romans 8:29, spells out clearly what the goal of redemption is, “to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren.” In fact at Christ’s return, the image of God in the believer will be completely restored “we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (1Cor. 15:49). In the Lord Jesus we see human likeness to God as it was originally was intended to be (Col. 1:15; Rom. 8:29; 1Jn. 3:2).

Furthermore, our great dignity as bearers of God’s image gives us a profound sense of dignity and significance that transcends that of the sun, moon, and stars. We are more like our Creator God than anything in the entire universe including angels. Every human life then should be treated with the dignity and respect no matter how lowly there station in this world. This must be observed especially with the elderly, unborn, mentally retarded, and seriously ill. All of these deserve the full protection of the law and the honor of all human beings. Humans are not animals, but far higher creatures as bearers of the image of an infinite God.

Finally, regarding race and ethnicity, such distinctions should not be over emphasized or underscored. The idea of multiple races is actually rooted in human pride as one ethnic group seeks glory for its members. All the chatter these days about racial distinctions ignore the fundamental fact that God created only one singular race, the human race, with great ethnic diversity. We all descended from Adam and even more specifically, from Noah. Beloved, God created for His glory and not ours nor for any ethnic group. It would be great if we all stop spouting off ill-informed statements like “Black Pride,” and “White Supremacy.” What would be even better is to stop weaponizing race during election cycles to manipulate people to vote a certain way. The unfortunate reality is politicians gain power or remain in power by such abuses; if racial problems cease to be an issue then the race baiters and profiteers will lose their income source and purpose. So, they continue to promote hate, pride, resentment, jealousy, division, and conflict to ensure their relevance for years to come. These people clearly are not interested in real solutions! They view people as victims who need them to rescue them from society at large. These intellectual elites do not care about your needs nor your pain; you are an object to be exploited to their personal advantage. This may be hard for some to read without being frustrated. I have no desire to frustrate you; and yes, sometimes the truth is very uncomfortable. I personally have chosen to live for God’s glory as a member of the human race; my first devotion is to Him and not the ethnic group I belong to. Though that may seem a little strange to some folks, a Christian seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is where my deepest loyalties lie...with an eternal people, an eternal kingdom, and a forever King. I invite you to join me in this righteous purpose which has eternal significance.   

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^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ge 1:26–28). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

 

From Foreigners to Family

Ephesians 2:11-22

From foreigners to family members, like us the Ephesian church members found unity and equality in Christ. Gentile believers, who were once alienated from Israel and from God, are now joined to both by the blood of Christ, who has removed the wall of separation represented by the law and has joined Jewish and Gentile believers together into “one body” — the Ephesian Church— and “one new man” —Christian Identity as opposed to ethnic identity— with direct access to God (Eph. 2:11-18). Gentiles, once strangers, can now be “fellow citizens” and members of the “household of God;” that is fellow citizens of Heaven with all true believers, and living stones in His holy Temple. To top it all off Christ is the Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:19-22; see 1 Peter 2:4-5).

Jesus “abolished” ended or made void the law by his death (Eph. 2:15) by fulfilling it (see Matt 5:17). He fulfilled it when he died on the cross for our sins, thus bringing the law to an end (see Rom 10:4).   — Portions from Wilmington’s Bible Handbook by Harold Wilmington

As a result of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we are reconciled and set into the Temple of God (Eph. 2:11-22). In the first half of this chapter, Paul has been telling us what God has done for sinners in general; now he discusses Jews and Gentiles in particular. God had made no messianic covenants with the Gentiles, but God had promised the Jews a kingdom. What is the status of Jews and Gentiles in God’s program today?

A. What the Gentiles Were (Eph. 2:11-12).

Historically, God made a distinction between Jews and Gentiles racially (1 Cor. 10:32), but not individually (Rom 10:11-13). This helped to preserve the nation of Israel. This is the former corporate condition of Gentiles apart from Christ. Christ brought fallen humanity out of alienation into a state of peace and unity with God.

      — The Gentiles were without Christ; that is, they had no promise of a Messiah.

      — They were not a part of the nation of Israel; in fact, the OT laws put a great gulf between Jews and Gentiles.

      — Instead of being "the people of God," the Gentiles were “aliens.”

      — They were strangers, without hope and without the true God in the world. Contrast this sad plight with the privileged position of Israel described in Rom 9:4-5.

      — Verse 13 sums up the Gentiles' condition in two words: "far off." While the problem of sinners in general (vv. 1-10) was spiritual death, the problem of the Gentiles in particular was spiritual distance from God and His blessings. Note in the Gospels that whenever Christ helped a Gentile, He did it at a distance (Matt 8:5-13; 15:22-28). Obviously, there is nothing we can do in and of ourselves to change this condition and state of affairs. God must act as our only means of hope.

B. What God Did (Eph. 2:13-17).

"But now" in v. 13 parallels "But God" in v. 4. When Christ died on the cross, He broke down every barrier that stood between Jews and Gentiles. In the Jewish temple, there was a wall that separated the "Court of the Gentiles" from the rest of the structure; and on this wall was a sign giving warning that any Gentile who passed beyond it would be killed. Jesus Christ tore down that wall!

      — He tore down the physical wall, for in Christ all are made one (v. 15, and see Gal 3:28-29).

      — He tore down the spiritual wall and brought the "far off" Gentiles near (v. 13).

      — He tore down the legal wall, for He fulfilled the Law in Himself and ended the reign of the Mosaic Law that separated Jews and Gentiles vv. 14-15).

Christ not only made peace between sinners and God (Rom 5:1), but He also made peace between Jews and Gentiles. He took sinful Jews and sinful Gentiles and through His cross made a "new man"-the church at Ephesus. Reconciliation is not a gradual process by which people become more acceptable to God over time. No, it is a decisive act, much like a legal verdict, in which believers are delivered from estrangement to harmony and fellowship with the Lord.

      — Keep in mind that the mystery of the church was revealed through Paul (as we shall see in chapter 3), and that it took some time for the Jewish Christians to understand God’s new program. For centuries, God had kept Jews and Gentiles separated, and the Jews had taught that the only way a Gentile could be brought near to God was by becoming a Jew. Now the truth was revealed that the cross of Christ condemns both Jews and Gentiles as sinners, but also reconciles to God in one body those that believe on Jesus.

C. What the Gentiles and Jews are Now (Eph. 2:18-22).

      — Both have access to the Father in the Spirit. Under the Jewish economy, only the high priest could go into the presence of God, and that only once a year. But in the new creation, every believer has the privilege of coming into the holy of holies (Heb. 10:19-25).

      — Both Jews and Gentiles now belong to “the household of God,” and the Jew can no longer claim greater privileges. It is through faith in His blood that Jews and Gentiles are justified.

      — Paul closes by picturing the church at Ephesus as a temple. This would be a fitting image not only for the Jews, who revered their holy temple at Jerusalem, but also for the Ephesians, who had the great temple of Diana in their city (Acts 19:21-41). Each believer is a living stone set into the temple (1 Peter 2:4-8). The apostles and prophets (NT prophets, 4:11)–symbols of the Word— are part of the foundation; they laid the foundation since they were the first to proclaim the message of Christ Who is the foundation of the local church (1 Cor. 3:11) and the “Chief Cornerstone” of the whole building.

      — The local churches today are living, growing temples; when this age is completed, Christ will return and take the temples to glory.

      — God dwelt in the Jewish tabernacle (Ex. 40:34), in Solomon’s temple (2 Chron. 7:1), in the temple of Christ’s body (John 1:14 and 2:18-22), and today in the individual believer (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and the local church (Eph. 2:21-22). What a privilege to be the very habitation of God through the Spirit! — (Excerpts from The Bible Exposition Commentary)

Perhaps more could be learned from these important activities of God and other like passages of Scripture to bring about unity and harmony among believers in modern NT churches. Ethnic division is a real issue in our world and in our country. Even in the churches ethnic division is very real. I know of churches with almost identical doctrinal statements, but they cannot get along or see eye to eye because they differ politically. One group may be relatively conservative politically and the other may have a few progressive leanings on just a few matters, and yet they find more to disagree on than they share in common. Again both groups say they believe the same truths, use the same denominational identity, use the same Bible, sing many of the same songs in their worship services, and subscribe to the same theological and philosophical positions. 

It appears their respective political positions are more important to each group than what they share in Jesus Christ. It appears they value the temporal far more than the eternal. It appears they cherish homogeneous congregations and fellowships far more than God’s family members who may be a little different than others. It appears they wish to hang on to anything that maintains the distinctions and divisions even though we believe the same fundamental truths. If I were guessing I would say much of this mutual inflexibility is rooted in fear and ignorance. People simply don’t talk constructively about these matters. They simply bark out their positions unwilling to hear the other person’s perspective. Everyone seems to be convinced their position is right. Each group can identify numerous passages in the Bible to support their position. There is little willingness to grow in perspective…too see things through the other person’s point of view. I know this to be true, because I have observed it for years. This is a painful reflection for me…. 

While I am not ecumenical, no not by any stretch of the imagination, it would be great to see churches of like faith and practice more ethnically diverse where the opportunities present themselves. Many more churches could become far more cosmopolitan if they really trusted God to build His churches. God has brought the world to live in the very shadow of our steeples, why not reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Why not strengthen our churches for cross culture evangelism? Why not demonstrate from Scripture how multicultural early NT churches were? Christ died to reconcile fallen humanity to God and God’s people into one family, God’s temple, and one citizenship. Who are we to stand in the way of that?