I have Secondary Progressive MS and have lived with the disease for twenty seven years. I have been under the care of a physician and neurologist for the past thirteen years. To this day, the only treatment that I have received is medication to relieve pain. Every two weeks, $300 is spent at the Pharmacist. I take high levels of…
Romans 8:26-29Romans 8:26-29
English: World English Bible - WEB
26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
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One of the most common Bible verses that gets quoted is, “all things work together for good for those who love God” (Romans 8:28Romans 8:28
English: World English Bible - WEB
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
WP-Bible plugin). At least that’s the one people give me. Unfortunately the theology of this verse has been lost in the whole mentality of self; a poor theology.
Let’s start with this question: Who, or what is the subject of these verses? There are two choices, me or God. It has long been interpreted a “me” being the subject. After all, isn’t the Bible all about me? (cynicism intended) .
God is the subject, He’s the main person. In the previous verses (Romans 8:26-27Romans 8:26-27
English: World English Bible - WEB
26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
WP-Bible plugin) it is talking about how the Spirit, the one that has breathed a new life into us, giving us a new nature, and placed that life into the family of God, he is the one that has taken up residence in my life and yours. In fact, he’s so close that in times when we come to God with a heart ache or need and land up not even knowing what to say, the Spirit steps in and tells God what it is that I really need. He speaks words on our behalf (Romans 8:27Romans 8:27
English: World English Bible - WEB
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
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Don’t lose track of who the main person is here? Paul has just said that the Spirit was the main person in verse 27 by telling us how in tune and closely tied the Spirit is connected to our new self.
What’s happening here? I mean what is the one big point? It is simply this: God’s desire for us, more than anything else is for us to have a close relationship with Him. And the Spirit is there helping us make that happen. In fact what He’s telling the Father (verse 27) is what you and I absolutely need to improve that relationship.
And then Romans 8:28Romans 8:28
English: World English Bible - WEB
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
WP-Bible plugin, the Spirit, Father, Son and you, the greatest synergy team ever, take every thing in our life and constantly mould it into what is the ultimate good. The good, in the Father’s opinion, is our relationship with him. And it’s true, the Triune God can take our hurts and use it in combination with everything in our life and make a contribution to God’s plan for our life.
Here’s my point: If it’s true that God always has our best interest in mind, then it also makes sense to walk as closely with the Spirit as possible and take time each day to get to know Christ and speak with your Father. Don’t go a day without spending time with the family.
Romans 7:14-20Romans 7:14-20
English: World English Bible - WEB
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.
15 For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.
16 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.
17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.
19 For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice.
20 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
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This past week I was back to studying Romans 7. Paul writes a self-portrait about his personal struggle with sin. In the end he concludes that he’s a wretched man. Literally, he’s been wrung out by sin. There’s this intense battle waging inside of him; the old self with the new self. It seems as though he wants his life to reflect his desire to walk for God but he keeps hitting these brick walls.
This struggle that the Apostle Paul experienced seems mysteriously absent in our generation of believers. At least many live that way. If find two plausible explanations here. First, our generation of believers has, in mass, mastered that old self, broke down that brick wall until it has become a pile of rubble that you just step over. Second, we’ve become deceived into what the new self should actually look like. We have become quite satisfied with the brick walls in our life. It’s as though we’ve prettied them up with pictures and wall paper.
My Point: Many Christians today live no differently than those without Christ. Same entertainment, thirst for material things, morals, values and regard for personal righteousness. The only difference is that ticket to heaven in your pocket. We’re confused about the “do-s” that we’re not to be doing. We’re simply doing what we want to do – all the time.
How about your life? Has the appeal of this world overtaken your thirst for God and righteousness? If that’s true, is it not a valid question to ask whether or not the spirit of Christ lives in you?
Here’s a fact! Christ is at enmity with this world. Those in Christ have been born again into a new self, an opposite to the old self. What does that look like in your life? Your first step in spiritual growth is coming face to face with your brick walls. What’s keeping you from growing spiritually?
It then that the good news of the gospel gets even better.
Prayer: “Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive ways in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24Psalm 139:23-24
English: World English Bible - WEB
23 Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
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A response to an emerging church question.
I have been spending the last 6 weeks in the beginning chapters in the Book of Romans. It’s my time alone with God. Paul is in Corinth and on the last leg of his missionary journey. He stops to write what the Holy Spirit must be burning into his soul. He has visited hundreds and thousands of people both within and outside the Jewish nation. It has been a pretty thorough study on the nature of man and the power of God.
The letter to the Romans has long been considered one of the finest pieces of literature in literary history both because of the perfection in style and the clarity of his argument. Paul is prompted by the Holy Spirit to put into words what is God’s definitive answer to that question, “does salvation include people outside of Christianity?
In our local paper a recent ad grabbed my attention, just as they hoped it would. An emerging Church has that very question as the theme they want to explore with people. Luckily for this “Church”, the answer was the very one that Paul provided in most every letter he wrote.
Furthermore, of the answer that Paul provided, he writes in Galatians 1:6-8Galatians 1:6-8
English: World English Bible - WEB
6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel;
7 and there isn’t another gospel. Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ.
8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
WP-Bible plugin, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel — not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell!” I’d say that this is a powerful reason to make certain that you are preaching the gospel as Paul presented it through the Holy Spirit.
This gospel that Paul speaks of is that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23-24Rom. 3:23-24
English: World English Bible - WEB
23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
WP-Bible plugin). Prior this statement Paul has described how every man short of God’s glory is subject to God’s wrath and that if it were not for the grace of God that provided justice through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we would still be in that state, whether a law abiding Jew or one living outside the Jewish nation. This grace becomes ours personally when we embrace Christ’s salvation through faith in the resurrected Christ.
Should the Church of Jesus Christ ask the question? Of course it should. But don’t lower the dignity, power and truth of God by slumming with others that seek to elevate themselves by speaking of how humble they are. Isn’t that one worth chewing on for a while.
The only way you can answer a “yes” to this question is to make less of the Scriptures, God, Jesus Christ and the whole purpose of why Christ died on the cross. Their answer will elevate the loving nature of God without the cross. A different gospel.
To answer “yes” to their question, you will have rewrite Romans 3:23Romans 3:23
English: World English Bible - WEB
23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
WP-Bible plugin so it says, “for all men are okay and God has fallen short of the glory of man.” Nowhere in Scripture has God ever suggested that this type of thinking is even close to his salvation equation.
Today’s Church is indeed in need of a reformation, not away from Christianity but nearer to the truths of the Scriptures and further away from the wise thoughts of men.
I can bet you the seminar will not be delving too deep into Romans. Whether a simple reading or digging a bit deeper will only show how they are seeking to emerge from the gospel of Christ.
For a closer look into Romans, follow my daily journal at: faithjourney.ca
(reprinted by permission)
Christians that live a life of servanthood get the best out of life.
Years ago our family decided to become a foster home. God soon sent a teenager, Joanne, to us. This was her first foster home from a background of tragedy and pain. We stepped into Joanne’s gap of a healthy home and sought to do our best to provide safety, love, and care.
It was a new situation for all of us and soon ended in what I thought was failure. A new home for her was provided within a few months. Fifteen years passed. Then I received a Facebook message from Joanne. Her words blew me away! We had not failed and our investment had paid great dividends:
“I just wanted to send you a little note to let you know that I appreciate every day you spent with me….
[read more on the Insight For Living Canada Website] Comments on their website are appreciated.
Romans 1:16-17Romans 1:16-17
English: World English Bible - WEB
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
17 For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”
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The book of Romans is a compelling book that Paul wrote to carefully and thoroughly describe the depravity of man and the power of the gospel.
As I read Romans 18-32, I see the downward that mankind has taken. On the last step are those that practice immoral and same-sex relationships. The hard truth thought is that we’re all on that step. We may not be having an immoral relationship, but look at the long list that follows:
As I think through the list I cannot help but begin to understand how desperately we need a solution from the God that we have wilfully sinned against.
Paul is in Corinth at the time he writes this. The city lies in the shadow of Mount Acrocorinth with a plateau at 1900 feet above the streets of Corinth and upon which the temple of Aphrodite overlooks the city.
Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty and sexual pleasure. The temple was known for its prostitutes that would entice visitors. These “ladies of the night” were highly valued priestesses and were honoured guests at public festivals in Corinth and surrounding areas. Furthermore, a high-born male was expected to have a young boy for sexual pleasure. In both the Grecian and Roman culture, pedophilia was not only condoned, it was considered part of their education.
As Paul writes this great epistle, he is sitting in the shadow of the mountain top temple. While he is overwhelmed with the deep depravity of man, the Holy Spirit speaks directly to Paul about the pleasures at Corinth. We are reading those words in the book of Romans which include what God thinks of our sin and his impending wrath on the unrighteous.
Here’s the point: It’s a tough one. We stand alongside the pedophiles in need of God’s solution. We have all wilfully made choices against God and deserve the full extent of God’s wrath. You need to see this because understanding the depth of our sin and our separation from God. This is our first step in receiving salvation.
Romans 1:14Romans 1:14
English: World English Bible - WEB
14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
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Paul starts this letter with a disclaimer that he’s in debt to all the citizens of Rome. That’s no small confession. In that day there was possibly a million people living in the city of Rome. You would think that Paul would at least try to subdue his claim of guilt.
Let me describe two different kinds of debt.
First, there is the debt such as the one that involves your bank. You borrow a sum of money from the bank. In return you are obligated to fulfill the requirements of that contract.
Paul’s debt is the one in which someone gives you a sum of money to give to someone else. You are obligated to both the giver and the intended recipient.
The top headline-grabbing financial scandal in 2009 was Bernard Madoff’s breathtaking $65 billion Ponzi scheme. He was entrusted with money to invest for others. Rather, he enjoyed the financial blessings for himself alone.
Paul was the recipient of the gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s grace that transformed his life. For that alone, Paul says that he is forever indebted to Christ. But it did not end there. This message of the gospel was not for Paul’s enjoyment alone. When God extended grace to Paul the intention was to invest it in others; deliver this message of the gospel to all in Rome.
Paul was compelled by an obligation to both God and those in Rome. That obligation was the driving force in his life.
Too many Christians today have a spiritual Madoff syndrome. Enjoy the blessings of God as if it were ours to enjoy and nothing more. No obligations attached.
Here’s my point: The gospel is not for our to enjoy, lift our hands in praise on the weekend and nothing more. We have a heavenly debt to tell the ones we know about the gospel. We are stewards of the gospel and all its blessings.
Here’s the challenge: Try saying these words today: “I have a debt from heaven to tell ____________ (insert a friend’s name) about the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Praising God for what we have received from him; that is only half of the bargain.
Here’s what I’m all about. I want to turn you on to reading and studying the Bible, applying it to your life and falling in love with God in the process. I pray that a God revolution will start around you while you love for God and engage in the plans that he has for you.
For years I have wanted to take the time to read, study and journal my way through the book of Romans.
I have preached through this book, studied it in College but this is different. Previously, I have studied Romans with the objective of delivery; whether for a professor or a congregation. This time I am going through Romans and seeking what God has to say to me. It’s personal.
I visualize Paul as a man that is showing the marks of an apostle. You can see the marks of one having survived being stoned and beaten. He has walked months and years in the hot sun. He may show the effects of arthritis and other infirmities.
Yet today he is full of strength, pacing the floor, overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit, the words that become the great book of Romans flow from him. Paul’s penman writing with the greatest of care these powerful words.
Did Paul have any idea the power this letter would have for the centuries to follow? Martin Luther’s heart was revolutionized as he became acquainted with the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone and then reintroduced it to the world. It ignited the mind of Jonathan Edwards, strangely warmed the heart of John Wesley and then fuelled the revival fire with George Whitfield.
Here’s my point: I want to invite you to journey with me. Read the selected passages of Romans and study with me. Each day I plan to pen the story, truth and application as I read through Romans.
Colossians 3:10Colossians 3:10
English: World English Bible - WEB
10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,
WP-Bible plugin says that we should “put on the new self”.
Ever try to put on a piece of clothing that you had to fight to get on? You may actually succeed to get it on, but then it rides up, twists and if you don’t watch it carefully, it pops open. You can buckle it up but you have to submit to the technique of lying on the bed and then you do the suck-in-your-gut and buckle routine.
And then there’s the time that you put on a piece of clothing and it feels just right. You can breathe. “it’s made just for me!”
You got the picture. And now the application.
When Paul talks about “putting on the new self” he literally means to “sink into a new life”. It’s designed especially for you and it feels right! To sink into something like this you must have a spirit of submission.
How can it feel right? People say, “I try living the Christian life and it’s nothing but unpopular, hard and near impossible. The harder I try to live it the harder I fall.” And there’s a lot of truth in what you’ve said as well.
The difference is Christ, alive in you. That “aliveness” is found in spending time each day with the designer and creator of this “new self”. Not running and hollering, “God I need you to be alive in me today!” There’s a time factor involved. You learn from him about all that makes up the new self, even the thread that holds it all together. And then you sink yourself into the new design – with Christ.
Submission. Don’t fight it.
Here’s My Point: Living the believer’s life without spending time daily in God’s Word is an impossible task. You can’t do it. Learn from Christ about the new self he has designed just for you. When the very fabric of your life is torn, he’ll mend it and show you how to heal, be restored, and live a life of true inner joy and fulfillment.
Is it going to be easy? No. You need to come to the designer of your life each day. Daily submission.
If you are interested in having a daily Bible study through the book of Colossians, consider using my Bible Journal as a daily resource. It’s a great resource if all you want is to do is read through Colossians.
Excerpt: Colossians 4:2-6Colossians 4:2-6
English: World English Bible - WEB
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
3 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;
4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
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The Story: Paul is famous for his style of writing. He first teaches doctrine, that often takes the first half of the book, and then he tells you how to apply the doctrine. In this passage it’s good to be reminded why we should do what he’s telling us. “If you want Christ to be Lord of your life, then you need to do the following.” That’s the subliminal thought here.
Colossians 3:1Colossians 3:1
English: World English Bible - WEB
3
1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
WP-Bible plugin says, “Set your heart on things above.” Right. Those happen to be the people we look at with just a little bit of disdain. “Too heavenly minded for earthly gain.” Isn’t that somewhere in the Bible? At least we use it as though it was.
“Things above” even sounds futuristic. Next thing I know they’ll want us to put on some sci-fi costume and join a Star Wars fan club. Things above seems so far out there and certainly does not relate to my life down here. I already know that I’m going to heaven. Perhaps just knowing that fact is what Paul’s getting at.
And that would be the understanding of a few “christians” that I’ve met (small “c” is not a spelling mistake).
There is a problem with a cheap and easy gospel that says all you need to do to get to heaven is pray the sinners prayer. Everything beyond that is little more than an option for the “heaven-goer”. It’s like accessorising a fashion. Live like the world, have the same ambitions, embrace today’s culture as if it belonged to the Christian in the first place.
There’s something drastic with that picture.
Colossians 3 articulates quite well the true believers in Christ. When surrender to Christ happens and we intentionally make him Lord of our life, we will actually have a slightly-natural desire toward a completely new life. It’s called our new nature. You will actually have a disdain for the old-self. Why? because they are complete opposites.
What’s my Point: Christ is returning with wrath because of those that embrace the old-nature (Colossians 3:6Colossians 3:6
English: World English Bible - WEB
6 for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
WP-Bible plugin). Those are the ones that have not embrace Christ as their Lord.
Okay, try and give me a reason why we should be living like the world. What’s attractive about it?
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