Tag: Law

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Romans: Week 3- Day 1- Romans 2:17

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

(17)  Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

Romans 2:17

Explanation:

Last week we studied the beginning of Paul’s case for the sinfulness of mankind in Romans 1.  He continues to make that case in chapter 2.  He makes the case at the beginning of Chapter 2 that mankind is inexcusable in their deeds.  All men stand guilty before God, who “will render to every man according to their deeds”.

This truth could have been unsettling to a jewish audience if they believed it.  Why?  Because they lived in a jewish culture who had placed their security for being right with God in several different realities.

The first reality that the jews placed their security in was their nationality.  Paul mentions this in verse 17, today’s highlighted verse.  “Behold, thou art called a jew…and makest thy boast of God”.  The jewish people are God’s chosen people, but this did not mean that every person who is nationally/ethnically jewish stands justified before a Holy God.  Paul made this clear previously in Romans 2:9-11, where he said,

(9)  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;  (10)  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:  (11)  For there is no respect of persons with God.

Romans 2:9-11

Paul is not making the case in verses 9-11 that those who do more good than bad will go to heaven.  We know this because he goes on to make the case that everyone is guilty and in need of a Savior.  What he is saying is that blessing or punishment from God isn’t exclusively based on being a jew or a gentile.  It’s not as if jews are guiltless and gentiles are guilty.  When it comes to whether or not we stand guilty or justified in the eyes of God, nationality has nothing to do with it.  Why?  “For there is no respect of persons with God.(Romans 2:11)”

Application:

When you ask people if they are going to heaven, my experience is that most people would say that they are or that they hope that they are.  When you go the next step and ask them why they think they would you’ll get a multitude of reasons.  One you might get is this nationality or heritage idea.  “Great-grandaddy was a preacher.”  “I grew up going to that church.”  “My momma was a great Christian and she taught us right.”  All of those things may be good, but they don’t really answer the question adequately.  The old saying is that God has no grandchildren.  Just because you are a certain nationality, or you have a certain heritage is no automatic guarantee of security before a Holy God. 

Are their advantages to having a “christian” heritage?  There may well be, but it alone will not cleanse you of your sins and justify you in the eyes of a Holy God. 

Response:

  • Are you trusting in something other than Jesus Christ to make you right with God?
  • Is there someone around you that thinks this way? 
  • What should you do in response to the fact that you or others may believe that they are right with God based on their heritage?
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Week 9: Day 4- Deuteronomy 4:7-8

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

(7) For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
(8) And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

Deuteronomy 4:7-8

Explanation:

Moses continues his argument for the obedience of the nation by asking two rhetorical questions. He has stated in the previous verses that their keeping the law would garner a reputation and platform for the children of Israel to glorify God among the surrounding nations. These two questions provide a logical argument for why that reputation would be gained.

The first question regards the privileged status of the nation of Israel in regards to God’s interaction with them specifically. He asks if there are any other nations that have God working so closely with them, and ready to answer their prayers. What is the answer? There is no other nation with that unique privilege.

The second question regards the privileged status of the nation of Israel in regards to the purity and wisdom of the law that God had given to them. The revelation of God in terms of this law was a huge benefit to this nation, bringing them an immense advantage. Who else had a law like this? Again, the answer is no one.

Why would their keeping the law garner a good reputation among the nations?

  1. God Himself has so closely aligned Himself with this nation by choosing them and revealing Himself to them.
  2. God Himself, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, has given His law for them to follow in written form.

Application:

Of course we know that God revealed Himself to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, and through their law because He had a plan of redeeming not only them but the whole world.

(11) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
(12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
(13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
(14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
(15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
(16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
(17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Ephesians 2:11-17

It was always God’s plan to use the nation of Israel to bring about redemption for the whole world, Jew and Gentile, to redeem both to Himself in Christ.

And so we in Christ have not replaced Israel. Their are still promises made to them uniquely as a nation. Yet, these two privileges have been given to us.

  1. We can go to God, because He has revealed Himself to us, saved us, sent His Spirit to indwell us, and uses His Word and His Spirit to grow us.
  2. We have His Word, in written form, available to us in our language. We get to think God’s thoughts after Him. We hold a miracle in our hands.

And for these and many other reasons, we should keep God’s Word and allow our obedience to be a platform for Gospel ministry!

Response:

  1. Are you thankful for the relationship and communion you can have with God because of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus? When is the last time you expressed that to God? Take some time to be thankful.
  2. Is your obedience to Christ a platform for you to speak about him? Are you using it? Who is someone that needs to know about Christ?

Galatians Day 11- The problem with rules….

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment
medium_205467442Have you ever noticed how impossible it is to keep all the rules?  I sure have.  If the only rules that existed had to do with just how we use our words then I would be in TROUBLE!  If we only had one rule we would break it.  Just ask Adam and Eve.  
With that being said, so many people are trying to get right with God by keeping rules.  They think if I keep enough rules and don’t break too many others then maybe God will accept me.
Paul had something to say about this way of thinking in our reading in Galatians 3:10-14-

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

  • If you don’t keep every law all the time then you have broken God’s law and are under the curse.

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

  • Paul quotes the Old Testament to prove that God has always taught that those who are made right with Him are made right because of their faith, and that if you try to be right with God by the law then you’ll be judged by the law.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Say it in a sentence: Jesus kept the law on our behalf and took the curse of breaking the law for us so that we can live under God’s grace through faith.  
Action Points:
  • Which plan are you on- faith or works?  Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way any of us will be accepted by God.  Have you asked Him to save you in faith?  If not, do it now!
  •  Do you ever think that God will accept you or reject you because of your performance?  Stop this thinking!  God accepts us because of Jesus alone.  Do right because you are accepted by faith, not to be accepted!
  • Take some time to thank God today for His