Day 334

O. Book of Romans (from Corinth) ~ cont.
3. The Christian life
a. Transformed living - Romans 12:1-21
b. Obedience to authorities - Romans 13:1-14
c. Judging - Romans 14:1-22
d. Unity - Romans 15:1-14
4. Paul plans to come to Rome - Romans 15:15-33
5. Personal matters - Romans 16:1-27


For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  (Romans 12:3)


The closer I draw to Christ, the more clearly I see how utterly depraved and sinful I was and am...though He has covered me, I still battle this mortal flesh to bring it into subjection.  The verse above echoes the cry of my heart.  I do not want to be puffed up and think more highly of myself.  He calls and equips each saint differently, yet in such a fashion as to edify and encourage the Bride, not to pander to our egos.  Lord help Your people to not exalt themselves, but to be humble and contrite before You.  Show us how you have gifted and prepared Your vessels.


The gifts:  Prophecy ~ ministry ~ teaching ~ exhortation ~ giving ~ ruling ~ mercy.


Attributes:  Not slothful in business ~ fervent in spirit ~ serving the Lord ~ rejoicing in hope ~ patient in tribulation ~ instant in prayer ~ distributing to the saints ~ hospitable ~ blessing ~ rejoicing with those who rejoice ~ weeping with those that weep.


For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.  (Romans 15:4)


I had this verse in mind recently.  Now that it is upon me and I've looked at the word definitions and commentaries I find it substantiates my initial perception.  The Word of God, whether it be OT or NT is written for our learning.  The early church would have had only the OT to give them guidance as the testimony and epistles of the apostles and disciples were being written and distributed.  What was written to instruct Israel was to carry over.  This does not mean what Jesus' fulfilled, but there is a LOT to learn, especially from Israel's rebellion.


The question that keeps repeating itself in my mind - what has the church taken on, that she should be able to look back at Israel and see how NOT to behave?



Gill's commentary: For whatsoever things were written aforetime,.... In the books of the Old Testament; the apostle says this, to vindicate the pertinency of the above citation, and to prevent any objection that might be made against it; since whatsoever was written in that psalm did not belong personally to David, but to Christ; and what is written concerning him, is designed for the use and instruction of his people; yea, whatever is written anywhere in the sacred Scriptures, 


were written for our learning; to instruct in the knowledge of Christ, of his person, offices, grace, righteousness, obedience, sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension; and of the great salvation and redemption he came to obtain, and has obtained; and to teach us the doctrines of grace, of pardon through the blood of Christ, atonement by his sacrifice, justification by his righteousness, acceptance in his person, and eternal life through him; as also to inform us of our duty, and how we ought to behave both towards God and men. 

Salute one another with an holy kiss.  (Romans 16:16a)


Holy kiss - okay, I have seen that phrase quite a bit.  What does that mean?  It is used 4x in Scripture.  Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; and 1 Thessalonians 5:26.


Salute or greet - G782 - From G1 (as a particle of union) and a presumed form of G4685; to enfold in the arms, that is, (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome.


holy - G40 - From ἅγος hagos (an awful thing) compare G53, [H2282]; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated).


kiss - G5370 - From G5368; a kiss.  G5368 - From G5384; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while G25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as G2309 and G1014, or as G2372 and G3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specifically to kiss (as a mark of tenderness).


Gill's commentary:  Salute one another with an holy kiss,.... Christian salutation is a wishing all temporal, spiritual, and eternal happiness, to one another; and which, as it should be mutual, should be also hearty and sincere, and this is meant by the "holy kiss"; the allusion is to a common custom in most nations, used by friends at meeting or parting, to kiss each other, in token of their hearty love, and sincere affection and friendship for each other; and is called "holy", to distinguish it from an unchaste and lascivious one; and from an hypocritical and deceitful one, such an one as Joab gave to Amasa, when, inquiring of his health, he took him by the beard to kiss him, and stabbed him under the fifth rib, 2Sa_20:9; and as Judas, who cried, hail master, to Christ, and kissed him, and betrayed him into the hands of his enemies, Mat_26:49. I say, it is an allusion to this custom, for it is only an allusion; the apostle did not mean that any outward action should be made use of, only that their Christian salutations should not be mere complaisance, or expressed by bare words, and outward gestures and actions, either of the hand or mouth; but that they should spring from real love and true friendship, and be without dissimulation, hearty and sincere.


Which puts me in mind of the verse recently read in Romans 12:9:  


Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Day 333

O. Book of Romans (from Corinth) ~ cont.
2. Relationship of the Jews to the gospel - Romans 9:1-33; 10:1-21; 11:1-36


(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth;)  (Romans 9:11)


Election - predestination - foreknowledge - called.  These are all words readily found in Scripture.  Yet there are many who do not know or understand God's electing grace.  I know that only Father can open a person's understanding regarding His sovereignty.  There are many who fight against it.  We, as humans, want to think that we are in control.  We completely miss the fact that we belong to someone...we are either a servant to satan or to God.  Satan, by default, gets everyone that God has not chosen.  Many claim that God electing some is unfair to those who are left on the broad path of destruction.  Not one person whom God has ever called to be His child deserved that distinction.  Not one.  We all deserved to be left wallowing in the muck and mire of sin, headed for an eternity separated from the Father of Lights.


To claim that God is unfair sets one up as a judge of the Creator of everything.  Dare we lift ourselves above HIS throne?  Who are we to tell the Supreme Being who breathed the world into existence that HIS plans and purposes are not fair?  We, who can not even number our days, much less the hairs on our heads?  How proud and haughty are we, when we presume to tell God how to run HIS creation and deal with HIS vessels.


So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (Romans 10:17)


I was browsing commentaries and thought I'd check and see if Spurgeon had sermons on the verse.  It is here if you'd like to read it for yourself.


For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.  And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches.  But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.  (Romans 11:16-18)


I've been pondering that word: roots.  The need for the Bride to return to her 1st century roots.  I recently made that comment to someone and they asked me what that would look like.  I've been researching that topic, working my way through.  Exploring the history of the church.  What did the 1st century church do for worship?  How did they conduct themselves?  Where did they meet?  Why do the various churches have such a difference in their worship services?  How was it decided what must be done, when and how?  How closely aligned with their Jewish roots were they?  They obviously met on the Sabbath (7th day) as it is mentioned frequently.  They met in synagogues.  It appears that Paul taught on the 1st day, at least once.  They went from house to house breaking bread.  They sold things and had them in common.  They attended to the needs of the widows.  They expounded the word (would have originally been the Old Testament).  They would have shared the epistles as they were written and distributed.  They were exhorted that when they came together everyone had a psalm, doctrine, tongue, revelation, interpretation.  That the men were in a position of authority to give forth the Word (and were obviously expected to be studied).  Women were not to teach men, but to remain silent.  That the Gentile converts were not under the obligation to be circumcised.  The elders at Jerusalem knew that Moses was being preached in the synagogues each Sabbath and thought that the Gentile converts would be made familiar with the writings of the Old Testament.  Paul appeared to continue to keep some of the feasts.  Lots to think about on this issue.  Lots to pray about.


...until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.  (Romans 11:25)


The fullness of the Gentiles - Israel is blind in part until then.  I know ultimately God has already decided, curious as to what indicators (if any) would determine the fullness.  Definitely more questions than answers...I'm glad we will have eternity...it will take me all of that to get through my list of why, who, how, when, etc.  :-)


As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.  (Romans 11:28)


That is a weighty thought, Israel is treated as an enemy of the gospel for my sake and the other Gentiles.  That we might have opportunity to hear and heed the gospel message.  It appears that there will be a time when Israel will once again be given an opportunity to 'hear' the gospel.  What a glorious thought that they will see and recognize the Messiah that they rejected, crucified and denied.


O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are HIS judgments, and HIS ways past finding out!  (Romans 11:33)


As one who likes to study and dig, what an awesome invitation and thought.  A never ending delight into the mystery of the Creator.  Join in, pick a book, dig into it.  Delve into the depths of HIS word, delight yourself with the wonders He has given us to explore.  Read the Word.

Day 332

O. Book of Romans (from Corinth) ~ cont.

1. Universal sin and its answer; justification by faith, none are righteous ~ cont.

d. Results of justification - Romans 5:1-21
e. Sanctification - Romans 6:1-23; 7:1-6
(1) False sanctification - Romans 7:7-25
(2) True sanctification - Romans 8:1-39


And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience ; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  (Romans 5:3-5)


Glory in tribulation?  Do we?  What does Paul mean by glory?  Tribulation = patience = experience = hope = not ashamed.


glory - G2744 - From some (obsolete) base akin to that of αὐχέω aucheō (to boast) and G2172; to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense).


tribulations - G2347 - From G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively).


worketh - G2716 - From G2596 and G2038; to work fully, that is, accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion.


patience - G5281 - From G5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy.  G5278 - From G5259 and G3306; to stay under (behind), that is, remain; figuratively to undergo, that is, bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere.


experience - G1382 - From the same as G1384; test (abstractly or concretely); by implication trustiness.


hope - G1680 - Fromἔλπω elpō which is a primary word (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence.


ashamed - G2617 - From G2596 and G153; to shame down, that is, disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush. 


Having been allowed some intense tribulations, I can firmly attest to Father's continual care in and through them.  That doesn't mean I don't wilt when I get a new one, or cry to be REMOVED.  However, I am fully assured though that HE can and will bring me through to the other side.  I will be missing dross, but I will be purified and more conformed to HIS image. :-) Take heart if you are in the midst of trials, He will never leave you or forsake you.  Never.


For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  (Romans 5:10)


enemies - G2190 - From a primary word ἔχθω echthō (to hate); hateful (passively odious, or actively hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan).


reconciled - G2644 - From G2596 and G236; to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference.


saved - G4982 - From a primary word σῶς sōs̄ (contraction for the obsolete σάος saos, “safe”); to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively).


All I can think:  Thank you Lord.  In and of myself, I would have kept on hating God, desiring to pull down and destroy anything about Him.  Whether I would have recognized that as my goal is not the point...it is the fact.  One is either spiritually alive or dead.  There is no in between.  Jesus said that those who are not for Him, are against Him.  Thank you Lord for Your reconciling work, past, present and future.  :-)


Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  (Romans 6:18)


free - G1659 - From G1658; to liberate, that is, (figuratively) to exempt (from moral, ceremonial or mortal liability).  G1658 - Probably from the alternate of G2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), that is, (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (generally) exempt (from obligation or liability).


sin - G266 - From G264; sin (properly abstract).  G264 - Perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and the base of G3313; properly to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), that is, (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin.


servants -G1402 - From G1401; to enslave (literally or figuratively).  G1401 - From G1210; a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency).


righteousness - G1343 - From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification. G1342 - From G1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively).


How many of us actually think of ourselves in terms of being a servant?  Redeemed to serve the master?  Do we even have a desire to desire to please Him?  Just typing that makes me realize how I fail to think in those terms.  I go about my day and rarely think about what I am doing as to whether HE would find it pleasing.  Do we seek to glorify Him in even the littlest of daily details?

Day 331

O. Book of Romans (from Corinth)
1. Universal sin and its answer; justification by faith, none are righteous
a. Universal need - Romans 1:1-32; 2:1-29; 3:1-20
b. Justification by faith - Romans 3:21-31
c. Illustration from history - Romans 4:1-25


For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned n their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.  (Romans 1:26-27)


This passage reminds me of a sermon I read by John MacArthur, When God Abandons a Nation.  Our nation is in dire need of prayer and seeking Father's divine intervention in causing repentance.  Otherwise we stand in great need of HIS judgment for our wickedness.


Filled with?  Unrighteousness ~ fornication ~ wickedness ~ covetousness ~ maliciousness ~ full of envy ~ murder ~ debate ~ deceit ~ malignity ~ whisperers ~ backbiters ~ haters of God ~ despiteful ~ proud ~ boasters ~ inventors of evil ~ disobedient to parents ~ w/out understanding ~ covenant breakers ~ w/out natural affection ~ implacable ~ unmerciful.


Hmmm, most of these words are readily understood, but a few caught my eye.


debate - G2054 - Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, that is, (by implication) wrangling.


implacable - G786 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G4689; literally without libation (which usually accompanied a treaty), that is, (by implication) truceless.


My heart continues to cry out, not only for the Bride, but for this nation to which I have providentially been placed.  Lord, we deserve none of Your loving kindness, mercy or forgiveness.  Only by Your sovereign hand can the eyes and ears of those who are blind and deaf be opened to see and hear the width and breadth and depth of our depravity.  Lord, not for the sake of the people of this nation, but solely to glorify Your name, bring repentance upon these shores.


For the name of God is blasphemed (to speak impiously) among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.  (Romans 2:24)


Quoting Matthew Henry:  "It is a lamentation that those who were made to be to God for a name and for a praise should be to him a shame and dishonour."


I can see a lot within the Bride of Christ that would bring shame and dishonor to God's name.  As I ponder upon that thought, the inward trembling question comes to mind:  What in my life causes Him shame and dishonor?  Lord, search us, Your people, cleanse us and make us fit for thy service.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear how we ought to conduct ourselves as we walk through this dry and weary land.  Help us to not be ensnared with the trivial and trinkets this world tries to lure us with, but to be focused upon giving a proper estimate of You.