Believers are citizens of heaven, but we must not minimize our responsibilities on earth. We must be exemplary citizens so that the Lord will be glorified.

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” 1 Pet. 2:13–17 (ESV)

God has established human government because people are sinners and must be controlled. Governmental authority comes from God, so you must respect the office even if you cannot respect the officer.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Romans 13:1–7 (ESV)

The fear of punishment is not the highest motivation for obedience, but it is better than having chaos.

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:8–10 (ESV)

Love for God and for your neighbor is the highest motive for obedience. Love does what is right and just and seeks the best for others. By nature, we do not have this kind of love; the Lord gives it to us.

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Romans 13:11–14 (ESV)

Christian citizens live in the light of the Lord’s return. Paul admonishes, “Wake up—dress up—clean up—look up!” Are you heeding it?

Followers have a call to Morph! Throughout Romans 12, we see a visual metamorphosis where the Spirit of God transforms our lives by renewing of our mind, desires, and aspirations; but also, our actions and spiritual path. However, God cannot do this without total surrender to His Lordship; God cannot do this unless we give Him our whole body and our whole self. When we give ourselves to God in spiritual worship, we become a living sacrifice to the glory of God.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)

Chip Ingram says, “Rather than being conformed to the patterns of this world, Christians are to be transformed by offering their bodies and minds to God. “Transform” is metamorpheo in Greek, from which we get “metamorphosis,” a change such as that of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.” The same word described Christ’s transfiguration.

Dr. Tony Evans says, “To present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God means complete and total surrender. It’s the difference between what a chicken and a pig bring to a bacon-and-egg breakfast. The chicken contributes; the pig gives everything. What we often try to do with God is give an egg here and an egg there, but God wants sacrifice—the ham and bacon. Only total surrender can be called true worship.”

He goes on, “Notice that we aren’t conforming or transforming our minds. Someone else is. When God has all of us, and when the world has none of us, God does the work of renewing our confused minds. He brings our thoughts in line with his own so that we think God’s thoughts after him. God has a goal in this. Renewal allows him to merge his thoughts with ours so that he can bring his plans into our lives. He calls it the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. God has a purpose and a plan for each of our lives—one that finds us when we are fully surrendered.”

So, the Spirit of God transforms our life by renewing our mind, but He cannot do this unless we give Him our body. When we give ourselves to God in spiritual worship, we become a living sacrifice to the glory of God.

Living in a world indifferent and sometimes hostile to God, daily “changing the way we think” with a renewed mind through Bible study and a consistent prayer life is the Christian’s only safeguard to living in a culture that holds to relativistic views, inconsistencies in sound judgment and doctrines, and self-centralism. The mind and actions of those living today is not just post-modern and post-Christian; but self-actualized, self-centered and narcissistic with much fluidity mentally and physically.

We hear and conclude from circles and posts, “God is who I say He is, will do as I say He will, and will accept what I desire for Him to accept, or I will refuse to believe He exists.” This isn’t surrender to God or transformation into His image. In this passage, Paul reminds us to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought, or less highly, is sin, so have a proper estimate of who we really are and what God has given us.

Paul also uses this time in his letter to remind Christians to realistically assess the gifts God has given us, then use those gifts as a part of Christ’s body, the church; and he reminds us how to behave righteously toward each other. Christian relationships should be open and honest in cooperation, characterized by love, humility, patience, and generosity. We are part of the body of Christ with a ministry to fulfill, so we must do our part lovingly and joyfully to reflect Jesus and help expand His Kingdom.

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:4-8 (ESV)

Paul also uses this time in his letter to remind us of the marks of a true Christ follower.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” Romans 12:9-16 (ESV)

If our lives reflect a godly life, we are bound to have enemies (Matt. 5:10–12; 2 Tim. 3:12); however, we must leave all judgment to the Lord. If we let the Lord have His way, He will use our enemies to build us and make us more like Christ.

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21 (ESV)

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:12–15 (ESV)

Are you giving God whole body and our whole self. How is your spiritual act of worship? Is your mind being renewed day by day by His Word and time in prayer? Are you a living sacrifice to the glory of God? Are you seeking His mind and will or are you following after your own desires, paths, and pursuits?

Today, present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God in complete and total surrender. Fully surrender your mind, body, and spirit to God and chase after the things He has prepared for you in Christ Jesus. And always seek unity with the body and refute conformity with the world.

We cannot explain all the purposes and plans of God, but we can still worship and praise Him for who He is, the promises fulfilled, and the promises yet to be fulfilled.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor. 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33–36 (ESV)

The end result of all Bible study is worship, and the end result of all worship is service to the God we love.

According to Dr. Tony Evans, the word glory, in terms of giving God Glory, comes from a word meaning “weighty” or “heavy.” Those who grew up in the 1960s may remember that back then many dudes would say, “That dude is heavy.” The expression meant that a person was deep; there was a lot to him. God is the weightiest, heaviest, deepest being in the universe. His glory is unmatched: no one can even outline his actions; no one can get inside his head to know what he’s thinking; no one can offer something to God that puts him in their debt. All of life, history, and creation exist for the supreme purpose of recognizing the greatness of the glory of God.

“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and retribution for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.” Romans 11:1–10 (ESV)

Here, in Roman 11, like in chapter 9, Paul asked what many of his Jewish readers were asking: Has God rejected his own people? Certainly not, said Paul. He offered as proof himself along with many other Jews of his day who had accepted Christ.

Even in one of the worst times of Israel’s history, when Elijah thought all was hopeless, many Israelites had remained faithful. A few Jews had found salvation. Unfortunately, however, most remained blinded by legalism. Old Testament prophecy spoke often on the “remnant” of faithful Israelites.

The nation of Israel was always a mixed group, a combination of faithful and faithless people. And while those who remained faithful, like Elijah, often felt completely alone, God reminds the remnant that they are not. For Elijah, God preserved around seven thousand; for Paul, there is also … a remnant chosen by grace; and for us, too, God keeps a remnant of faithful believers to remind us that we are never alone.

Warren Wiersbe says, “God has always had a believing remnant in Israel, no matter how dark the day. When you become discouraged about the future of the church and feel that you may be the only faithful Christian left, read 1 Kings 19 and focus on God’s greatness.”

The theology of Romans 9–11 magnifies God’s grace and extols His sovereignty. Never lose the wonder of your salvation or of the greatness of God. No matter how deep the valley or difficult the battle, a vision of God’s greatness puts joy in your heart and strength in your soul. God knows what He is doing even if you do not understand it fully.

Are you trusting fully in the sovereignty of Jesus Christ? Do you believe He has your best interest at heart? Are you focusing on His greatness, or are you looking at your own strengths and abilities?
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Today, know that you can always trust in the promises of God and that Jesus Christ alone fulfilled over 300 prophecies in His 33 years on earth. He is continuing everyday and even more so in the days ahead as He holds all authority of this day and all future days. Give Him Glory!!!

The Good News of the Gospel is that in and through Jesus Christ, everyone can be saved! Everyone can possess eternal life! The “anyone” of Romans 10:13 echoes the “everyone” of John 3:16-17.

“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 (ESV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16–17 (ESV).

“if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. Romans 10:9–11 (ESV)

Why did Israel stumble over Christ and reject Him? Because they did not understand the kind of righteousness God wanted or how to get it.

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:1–4 (ESV)

Like the Pharisees (and many people today), they thought only of righteous works and could not comprehend a righteousness that comes by faith. If only I do this or that. If only I be kind. If only I serve at the soup kitchen. If only I go to church, get baptized, and give in the offering plate.

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Acts 2:21 (ESV)

The missionary heart of Paul comes out in his letter to the Romans and more specifically right here.

“For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11–13 (ESV)

Salvation is by faith, and faith comes “by hearing . . . the word of God”.

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:14–17 (ESV)

Here, Paul proclaims that unbelieving sinners, including Israel, cannot hear unless we tell them. God needs people with beautiful feet to carry the gospel to the lost.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7 (ESV)

Despite Paul’s broken heart for Israel and their failure to hear and receive the Gospel, repent, and run to God’s outstretched arms, he continued to proclaim louder, echoing Christ crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended. However, Israel still did not believe; but the Gentiles did believe and God saved them!

Today, when you feel discouraged in your witness, remember Paul; keep praying, keep caring and keep sharing the good news of Jesus and His saving grace. Keep those feet beautiful!
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Who are three people in your circle of friends or influence that you are praying for today? Who are the two people for which you are spiritually investing by helping them walk closer to Jesus; by meeting and studying the life of Jesus together? Who is it that is holding you accountable and speaking into your life? How are you growing in the faith and for whom are you sharing the message of hope and salvation?

“Charles Spurgeon was asked how he reconciled divine sovereignty and human responsibility, and he replied, “I never try to reconcile friends.”

“Augustine said that we must pray as though it all depended on God and work as though it all depended on us. That biblical balance makes for blessing.” Warren Wiersbe

Romans 9 is a difficult passage of scripture to understand, explain, and often brings sparring words between church leaders, churches, seminaries, and theologians. Today, my desire it to let you know how I interpret this passage of scripture in my definition of predestination in the promise that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

God’s desire to extend salvation to the Gentiles should not be surprising, for not all of Abraham’s physical descendants are among his spiritual children. God chose some and rejected others because they lacked faith.

“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.“ Romans 9:6–8 (ESV)

In Romans 9, Paul addressed this issue: If God is so perfectly just and righteous in all his dealings with humans, what about his dealings with his own people Israel?

As was true wherever Paul preached, many Jews in Rome, both Christian and non-Christian, would wonder if the gospel meant that God had abandoned Israel. God has not abandoned anyone, for the Gospel is open to everyone to receive or refuse. Paul dealt with this issue at great length. He began by expressing his great anguish over Israel’s rejection of its Messiah, saying he was willing himself to be forever destined for hell, if that would save his people; as Paul had a great love for his people, but a great calling for the Gentiles.

Harold Wilmington writes in his Handbook to the Bible, “What does God do? Anything he wants to! If God thus chooses some and rejects others, is he being unfair? “Of course not!” says Paul, giving the example of Pharaoh, whom God raised up and then destroyed, all in order to bring glory to himself. But how can God condemn someone he has not predestined for salvation? Such a question hardly even deserves an answer, said Paul, for God has the right to choose one and reject another just as a potter has the right to shape his clay as he sees fit. He has the right to choose both Jews and Gentiles, just as Hosea predicted he would. Even the ultimate salvation of Israel will be only by his grace.”

This passage must be balanced by some of Paul’s other statements in Romans, such as
• God is absolutely impartial (2:11; 10:12).
• He will save all who ask him (10:13).

And balanced by Peter’s pen, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

Wilmington goes on, “Paul did not say that God made the clay as it was but that he worked with it as it was (compare Jer. 18:1–6; Isa. 45:9; 64:6–8). The “objects of his judgment” are “fit only for destruction.” This last statement has also been translated “prepared for destruction,” but it is important to note that in the original Greek, “prepared” is in the middle voice, meaning “to prepare oneself.” On the other hand, God himself prepared the “objects of his mercy” for “glory.” This difference in verb tense suggests that destruction is the deserved destination of sinners, while glory is the undeserved destination of the saved.”

Dr. Tony Evans explains it like this, “Hardening is not predestination to damnation; it’s an expression of God’s prerogative to choose whom he will use to serve his purposes and how he will use them. God punishes the wicked by using their wickedness to accomplish his purposes. God uses obedience and disobedience to accomplish his kingdom agenda while holding people responsible for their own decisions. The Creator has rights over his creation, plain and simple. Whether God is acting in wrath or in mercy, he is accomplishing his plan. The big difference is in how we experience that plan—as willing sons and daughters, or as unwilling slaves.”

“What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 9:30–33 (ESV)

From one perspective, it was God’s sovereign will to extend grace to the Gentiles. From another perspective, though, the Gentiles have obtained righteousness because they pursued it the right way, by faith. Israel, by contrast, failed to achieve the law of righteousness because they did not pursue it by faith. As long as anyone pursues salvation by works, as Israel did, the grace of Jesus will act like a stumbling stone. Jesus is either the stone we trip over in our self-righteousness, or he’s the rock we build our lives upon.
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So, what is the conclusion to this ever argumentative chapter and battle over predestination? Today, pray for, care for, and share with everyone, everywhere, any way possible as the Holy Spirit leads, as God is not willing that any should perish.

“The Holy Spirit longs to reveal to you the deeper things of God. He longs to love through you. He longs to work through you. Through the blessed Holy Spirit you may have: strength for every duty, wisdom for every problem, comfort in every sorrow, joy in His overflowing service.” T. J. Bach
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Romans 8 defines a life of victory by the work and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of a follower of Jesus. In this chapter, Paul pens the answer to the question posed in Romans 7:24 and shares the blessings God brings through Jesus Christ that make us “more than conquerors!”

“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
Expanding on 7:25, Paul explained that Jesus Christ has done for us what the law of Moses could never do: He has delivered us from the law of sin and death. “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." Romans 7:25 (ESV)

We can experience freedom from sin as we walk in the power of His Spirit. Paul did not say that there is no fault or sin or imperfection, but that because of Jesus Christ there is no condemnation. Think of that. In Christ, there is no condemnation.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:1-11 (ESV)

When God saved us, He gave us a new life, not a new law; as we yield to that life, we obey His law. Therefore, we must keep our mind centered on the things of the Lord and seek to please Him in all things. We must let the Spirit live His life in and through us. It is in this Spirit-led life we find joy and victory in this life, despite the difficulties.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1–4 (ESV)

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:12-17 (ESV)

The Spirit leads us and assures us of our salvation. If we walk according to the Spirit as God desires, we prove ourselves to be God’s sons and daughters. Not only are we sons and daughters, but we are adopted children.

If a person was adopted in Paul’s time, that individual immediately received all of the rights of an adult heir. The chief right that Paul mentions here is intimacy with God. We therefore can pray, Abba, Father. If in this life we are his children, even when that involves suffering, we can be assured that someday we will share in His Glory. Abba is a term of intimacy meaning “Papa” or “Daddy.” We can say it with complete assurance that God is listening.

According to Paul, there is no comparison between today’s grief and tomorrow’s glory! Paul looked at the thorns, storms, floods, famine, sin, sickness, and death that characterize the fallen world, and declared that they aren’t even worth comparing to the glorious future awaiting God’s people. Meanwhile, however, the whole creation “groans” together with us as we await our day of liberation by Christ’s return. Our final victory over sin and death will be a victory for all creation as well. Unlike the rest of humankind and creation, however, believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit as an assurance of our future glory.

As a follower of Jesus, we need not be frustrated by the suffering we experience or see in this world because we have hope. When Jesus returns, we will enter into glorious liberty! The Spirit is the beginning of the harvest and assures us that the best is yet to come.

“Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:26-30 (ESV)

Warren Wiersbe says, “God’s purpose is to make His children like His Son, and He will succeed. The Spirit intercedes for us and guides us as we pray, and the circumstances of life work for our good, no matter how painful they may be.”

The Greek word for intercedes that Paul uses means “to appeal.”

Dr. Tony Evans says, “In our weakness, we may simply be groaning, but the Spirit translates that into an appeal that is according to the will of God. If we pray from the heart—even if our prayers are only groans—they are exactly as they should be by the time they reach God.”

He goes on by stating that, “the promise of 8:28 is a conditional one. If you and I as believers are not loving God and progressively being conformed to the image of Christ, we will not see things working together for good. Dr. Evans also says God always finishes what he starts and all who are called reach glorification, which guarantees the eternal security of all believers.”

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39 (ESV)

Paul closes this powerful chapter to the Romans by clarifying that the Spirit of God makes the love of God real to us. The Father is for us, the Son is for us, and the Spirit is for us and nothing can separate us from His love.

Are you living above the condemnation that this life often offers? Do you understand that in Christ, you have been adopted? Do you know and trust that for those who love God all things work together for your good? Do you believe that you are called according to his purpose? What is He calling you to? Is there any reason why you should not be “more than a conqueror?”

Today, as a follower of Christ, know that you are victorious, for you are “more than conquerors?”

If a marriage must be based on laws instead of love, it is going to make for an unhappy home.

We learn from The Apostle Paul and the pages he penned as Romans 7 that Christians or followers of Christ are not under the law, however, this does not give them a license to become outlaws.

From chapter 6, know that Christ followers have new life in Jesus, and a new Master in Him, and we also have a new love. We are married to Christ.

“Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. 4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.”Romans 7:1–6 (ESV)

If the law cannot change us or control us, what good is it? Its purpose is to reveal sin, and it does its job well (v. 7).

“What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” Romans 7:7 (ESV)

Paul learned that the law even aroused evil desires in him. If something as holy as God’s law can arouse sinful desires, what wicked sinners we must really be!

The law in itself is not evil but “holy and right and good” according to verse 12:
• It is holy because it came from God.
• It is right because it justly condemns the sinner.
• It is good because it leads the sinner to Christ.

The law is ineffective in defeating sin only because of the weakness of fallen humanity
What we know is the law brings out the worst in us, but love brings out the best in us. The Holy Spirit within us helps us to do what God wants us to do and to be what God wants us to be. The Holy Spirit helps to bear much fruit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22–26 (ESV)

We learn from the last half of Romans 7 that “evil is with me; it doesn’t define me.

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” Romans 7:22–25 (ESV)

Paul is not excusing our sin. He is reminding us that our true identity is no longer found in our actions, even if we keep sinning.”

“For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” Romans 7:22–25 (ESV)

“When sin wants me to define myself by what I’ve done wrong, I remember that God defines me by who I am in Christ.” (Dr. Tony Evans)

Today, be reminded that your love relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is alive and exciting, and you will have righteousness instead of wretchedness when you continue to seek His Word/His law, seek His ways, and lean on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

Surrendering to Jesus Christ and following after Him—being a Christian—is a matter of life or death, freedom or bondage, rewards or wages.
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Are you a follower of Jesus, a Christian? What would others say about you? Would they say you have been freed from sin, death, and the grave by which the dead are buried?

The most vivid illustration of Romans 6 is Lazarus in John 11. Being dead to the point of stinking, Jesus raised him from the dead and then said, “Loose him, and let him go.”

“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:38–44 (ESV)

Lazarus left the grave, got rid of the graveclothes, and began a new life.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1–17 (ESV)

God’s people are; therefore, both “dead” and “alive” and by faith must live accordingly.

In Romans 3:23, we learn that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”—everyone born has sinned; missed the mark, and choose their own way over God’s perfect way.

However, in Romans 6:23, in relation to Romans 3:23, we see that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.”

Paul is writing to Christians here. The point is that believers can still choose sin, but when they do, they collect their rightful wages: weakness, sickness, meaninglessness, and the loss of spiritual fellowship with God.

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5–10 (ESV)

Unbelievers, on the other hand, live in a perpetual state of spiritual death—separation from God.
There were obviously people in Rome who did not understand the grace of God and they would argue with Paul, the writer of this Romans letter, “If God is gracious, then we should sin more so we receive more grace.” However, Paul says, those who trust Christ are identified with Him by the Spirit in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, as pictured in baptism, and I believe Lazarus. The old life is buried! We can reckon it dead and walk in newness of resurrection life.

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:5–11 (ESV)

Warren Wiersbe writes that “Being a Christian is a matter of bondage or freedom. Who is your master, Jesus Christ or the old life? You are not under the authority of Moses, but that does not mean you have freedom to break God’s moral law. Yield yourself to the Lord; He is the most wonderful Master, and the “salary” He pays lasts forever.”

But, as we see in Romans 6:23, being a Christian is a matter of rewards or wages. We quote this verse as we witness to the lost in what we often call the Romans Road, and rightly so; but Paul wrote it originally to believers.

Although God forgives the sins of His children, He may not stop the painful consequences of sin. The pleasures of sin are never compensated for by the wages of sin.

We have all sinned, and sometimes, with the seed of sin still living in us and with the temptation of Satan and the pleasures of this life, we choose to sin. However, know that in Christ you and I have the power to overcome sin and to resist the devil and the fall to such sinful desires and actions.

We sometimes fall short and we have to die to that sin all over and remind ourselves that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. That old self is dead and buried; we have been raised to a new life. We need to listen to the Spirit that indwells and be reminded that sinning is not worth it! With this knowledge and power from the Spirit, we need to bury the sin, resist the urge to look back or to dig it back up. We need to leave the old self in the grave.

What sin seems to continue to allure you and draw you back to the bondage and the grave from which you were raised? What sin do you continue to fall prey? Do you continue to look back?
As a believer, repent and lean into the Spirit to help you walk away from it; never to look back— for death has no hold on you, for you are Alive in Christ Jesus! Let the Spirit restore you from your confession and help you run from the allurement.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:12–14 (ESV)

Today, “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

“The Devil made me do it!” “No, you chose to do it because of the seed of Adam that lives in you!”

In Romans 4, Paul referred to Abraham and David to explain how God declares believing sinners righteous; in Romans 5, he goes all the way back to Adam. Adam’s sin passed sin and death on to the whole human race—to you and me—but Christ’s obedience gives righteousness and life to all who trust Him.

In our first birth, we became condemned children of Adam; but in our second birth, we are the forgiven children of God. We are justified in the powerful work and shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Through Jesus, we are drawn close and made right, even friends. Although the grace that saves and grows us can’t be earned, it can be accessed by faith alone.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1–5 (ESV)

As a believer, you are not only justified before the Father; you are rich in peace, joy, hope, love, and you have access into God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit—what riches we have in Christ! The trials we experience, work for us, not against us, and they strengthen our faith and develop Christian character. Do you understand the richness you possess in Jesus Christ?

“For while we were still weak, [sinners] at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:6–11 (ESV)

We are not only rich and at peace with God; we have been reconciled with the Father and need not be afraid of our face-to-face meeting in the future. If He did so much for us when we were enemies, think what He will do for us now that we are His children!

Though the death of Christ addressed the penalty of sin, it is the resurrected life of Christ that saves or delivers his people in history from the power of sin and its consequences through his intercessory work on our behalf.

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)

Did you notice verse 6-9? Do you need to be reminded that we, as Christ followers, have the gift of salvation and peace with God because, when we were totally helpless sinners, God in his love sent Christ to die for us?

“For while we were still weak, [sinners] at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:6–9 (ESV)
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We are Rich, we have been reconciled—made right before God—and we can take heart because He Reigns! When we belonged to the old creation under Adam, death and sin reigned; now that we are in Christ in the new creation, grace is reigning, and we are reigning in life. You can live like a king by the grace of God!

Just as Adam’s disobedience brought sin and death to the world, Christ’s obedience brought righteousness and life. In a long parenthetical statement, Harold Wilmington reminds us in his Bible Handbook that Paul highlights the contrast between Adam and Christ in this remaining verses. “Because of the sin of one man, Adam, every human has experienced both physical and spiritual death (Gen. 3:19; Eph. 2:1). Because of the righteousness of one man, Jesus Christ, every human can experience eternal life (1 Cor. 15:22).” (Wilmington’s Handbook to the Bible)

Paul explained once again how the law brings awareness of sin, but not righteousness. The more we are aware of our sin, the more we can cast ourselves on God’s grace and know that He is a forgiving, restoring God who loves us and sent His only Son to be born and live in this sinful world, to die a cruel death on an old rugged cross, to be buried in a borrowed tomb, to be raised from the dead, to be a witness of His power and to give hope to all who believe, and to ascend for all to see, and to prepare a place for all those who believe by faith.

Today, be reminded that God loves you, and that you are rich beyond measure in Him. Be reminded that by Jesus’ love and perfect sacrifice, you have been reconciled when you didn’t even deserve it. And take comfort that no matter how bad things get in this life, He Still Reigns!

Not by works, but by faith! Abraham believed God and was therefore looked upon as righteous, even before he was circumcised. Circumcision was the seal of his salvation, but faith was its source. He was declared righteous because of his faith.

“What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.” Romans 4:1-4 (ESV)

Salvation is not like wages that you earn or works that you can boast about. Abraham was not saved by keeping the law because the law had not been given, nor was he saved by obeying a religious ritual. It was all by God’s grace!

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “Salvation is a gift, plain and simple. If you just reach out your hand and take it, then it’s yours. But if you work for it, you dismiss the gift and treat it as a wage that is earned. Many people will stand before God and list their credentials: I went to church every Sunday; I helped the needy; I read my Bible. But God will not grant salvation as something owed.”

David wrote Psalm 32 after his great sin with Bathsheba in 2 Sam. 11. Can God forgive a man who commits adultery, deceit, and murder? Yes! When David repented and turned to God, he was forgiven, even though the Lord allowed David to feel the bitter consequences of his sins. God justifies the ungodly, not the righteous.

“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matt. 9:9–13 (ESV)

Matthew was also known as Levi. He was a Jewish tax collector and was thus considered a traitor since it was his job to collect taxes from his own people on behalf of the Roman Empire. Moreover, tax collectors would stick their own surcharge onto the tax so that they could make a nice profit off their fellow Jews.

Matthew had found grace and refused to keep it to himself because he knew others needed the same. That’s why he threw a party at his house and invited other tax collectors and sinners to it.
The Pharisees couldn’t conceive of upstanding, religious Jews socializing and eating with tax collectors and sinners. Tragically, many modern believers turn all their focus inward to their Christian club and forget the reason Jesus came to earth: to invite new members into the family. When was the last time you connected a sinner to the Savior?

“By quoting Hosea 6:6, Jesus essentially told the Pharisees to go back and study their Bibles: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. The Pharisees offered plenty of religious sacrifices, but their hearts weren’t merciful. Similarly, if your praise and worship isn’t making you more compassionate toward the lost, you’ve missed the point of church.” (Dr. Tony Evans, TESB)

“Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. Romans 4:9–12 (ESV)

How can you be saved? Simply by believing God’s promise as Abraham did. Faith and promise go together just as law and works go together. Abraham is the father of the Jewish nation physically, but He is the “Father” of all believers spiritually.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” Matthew 3:7-9 (ESV)
At Calvary, our sins were put on Christ’s account; paid in full! When you trust Christ, God puts Christ’s righteousness on your account.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? Are you trusting solely in His work on the Cross or are you leaning on your own works of righteousness to make a way for your eternal life with the Father? What can be more blessed than to know that your sins are forgiven? Will you Give Him praise for your forgiveness and salvation today?