Faithful on Fridays Blog

Part Three

Picture yourself sitting in church among these two groups of believers: Jew and Gentile. Paul began Chapter Five speaking to everyone with therefore, meaning, what he just said has a conclusion: both groups receive God’s grace through faith in Christ (he used the pronoun ‘we’ 15 times!). He died for both groups, the Gentiles who were shamefully aware of their sinful life and the Jews who previously felt they were doing pretty well by good works. Which group or combination of groups are you?

Paul is a master teacher and takes us all back to the beginning: Adam. He’s still laser-focused on unity, all are sinners, saved by grace, and yet he goes deeper. The lower story Adam (the first one) disobeyed God and that sin brought condemnation to everyone. It was before the Hebrew nation, before the Law, and he teaches us that death reigned as king over everyone. Apparently God wasn’t taken off-guard, He was ready with the upper story Adam, Jesus Christ, whose perfect obedience brought justification and therefore, eternal life now reigns as King over us. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross for everyone who believes.

It seems as if Paul turned a page in Chapter Six questioning whether either group truly believed that because, if they do, then why doesn’t their life reflect it? Gentiles living a previous sinful life or Jews living in their own righteousness by obeying laws: both living in shame. He used the powerful image of being immersed or baptized into relationship, joined or united with Christ as a new creation. The old is gone and new has come: live like it, let the fruit of of sanctification or holy living be evident in your life every day.

Chapter Seven refocuses again on his Jewish family; they’re the ones who know the Law, in fact, his repetition of the word ‘law’ was used 23 times in this chapter alone because he was one of them. He dove even deeper showing that their Messiah is their Husband and Master and no one else should hold that position (Is. 54:5; Jer. 31:31-32; Hos. 2:16-20) … then he gets personal. Changing from ‘you (Jews)’ to ‘I’ he shows his own conflict so everyone can identify. No one can win the war against sin, which begins in your mind, without the power of the Spirit: no one. 

I’m wondering if the Gentiles were thinking, “Wow, I’m sure glad I’m not under the law!” And the Jews may have been thinking, “Wow, I’m sure glad I wasn’t raised in sin like they were.” Paul shows us that we equally need Jesus who gives us all a new law called freedom or liberty. Not freedom to sin assuming you’ll receive forgiveness, that’s cheap grace, but freedom to turn from sin and live a life pleasing God. That’s true kingdom living in a nutshell, as the book of Romans shows us, and it nicely sets us up for Chapter Eight.  

The Father: Part Three

Christians typically know what Jesus did; He came to earth to pay the price set by the Father for our sins: Luther called it The Great Exchange. We also know the Holy Spirit was sent on Pentecost to fill and empower us to live the kingdom life, the higher life. But what is the Father doing now? The image of Father Time, the very old man with white hair and a long beard may come to mind. I don’t think so.

Jesus said He’s active today; read what He said in John 6,

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Vs. 37-40

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father. Vs. 44, 65 

The Father gives, sends, draws, and grants; that alone is plenty to do, but His promise is that whoever comes to Jesus will never, ever be cast out. After repentance there’s no sin that will separate you from the Father’s love and acceptance: You can depend on it.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me, for My Father has given them to Me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. John 10:28-29 

This whole idea of the Fatherhood of God was a New Testament breakthrough. In the Old Testament we find about 15 times when God is called Father (usually to Israel), but in the New we find 165 times and it’s personal! Out of those 165 references to God the Father, 100 are found in the book of John. That’s the place to learn about God’s Fatherhood.

It’s also important to remember the Father directs not only the Son, but also the Spirit.

… for He gives the Spirit without measure. John 3:34 ESV

For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:20 ESV

The Trinity works to give believers the ability to live their life to the fullest in Him. Always remember, it was the Father who desired you. If you’re a believer then you were drawn, chosen, and given to Jesus by your Father. 

Part Two

Paul knew there was disunity between the Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, he longed to go there and minister, but what was so crucial that he needed to explain?

Clearly, the lack of understanding of the Jewish religion by this Gentile or non-Jewish church caused division and that’s the nutshell. The word Gentile simply means ‘nations’ ethnos, where we get the word ‘ethnic’, which distinguishes all nations from the Jewish nation: they were God’s chosen, His special treasure. Originally He saw only two groups of people in this world, Jewish and not Jewish, until the gift of grace is extended by faith to all Gentiles who believe. Paul needed to address this issue of understanding before he could bring unity, consequently, he taught from the Old Testament, the roots of faith. We saw last week that both the Gentiles and the Jews had some issues, separate worldviews, and apparently a culture clash, but Paul realized the Scriptures (Old Testament) was the path to God’s worldview; it still is. 

How we think about sin, righteousness, justification, and faith along with our views about Israel is something to be addressed even as we watch the news. Many today don’t know the Plan of Redemption as seen in the Old Testament and the promises of God. He declared His people to be a ‘set apart’ or holy people, God’s possession, chosen from out of every nation to be His special treasure (Dt. 7:6-11), and different from the world; that’s a truth all nations or ethnos needs to know today. We’re different. God’s plan from the beginning was for all nations to be blessed by the Jews because of their faith with Abraham as the prime example (Gen. 12:1-3, 15:5). The Abrahamic Covenant was eternal, and now the door is open to Gentiles: you and me. 

It’s no different today, we all need to understand that faith in Jesus Christ as our final sacrifice for sin is why we’re allowed into God’s presence (that’s righteousness) and faith is what declares you ‘not guilty’ (that’s justification). Here’s the kicker; it’s not anything you could possibly do to obtain those gifts, not even circumcision (for a Jew), or good works (for a Gentile): it’s simple faith. Even Abraham was a Gentile when he came to faith, what a great example, and Jewish people needed that reminder. 

When any Gentile understands where faith comes from, or a Jewish person understands it’s not about their heritage, then unity begins to develop. As you read the first four chapters of Romans, hopefully you will, allow this new lens to help you understand faith as Paul moves back and forth from addressing the Gentiles, to the Jews, and then both groups of people as one.

Paul was uniquely qualified to write this message since he was Jewish, and yet God called him to the Gentile world within the church to show that distinction or separation is now gone: they are one new man in Christ (Eph. 2:11-22).

The Father: Part Two

We saw last week that a heavenly Plan was developed for God the Father to have a people and His Son, a Bride. In our way of thinking that Plan of Redemption seems brutal, human sacrifice, but the Son accepted it because it was a good plan and the will of His Father.

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush Him and cause Him grief. Yet when His life is made an offering for sin, He will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in His hands. Isaiah 53:10 

The Father isn’t a silent partner but has been active from the beginning. He’s the Architect, the Building Commissioner, and the General Contractor as the Greek word arche implies:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen. 1:1

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2

One crucial aspect of the Father’s role is the fulfillment of prophecy. Why is that important to us today? Because if Jesus fulfilled the ancient words 2,000 years ago, then, we can be confident He will again: He is returning. 

Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of Me. I delight to do Your will, O my God.

Ps. 40:7-8a

Let’s look back on Jesus’ life and see the interaction of the Father and Son. First of all, the Father named Jesus. 

And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21

He chose the name Jesus or Yeshua, in Hebrew, because of it’s meaning: one who rescues or saves. That name became the name above all other names. 

Secondly, look at the first recorded words of Jesus:

“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49 

His parents searched for Him and finally found Him in the Temple, among the teachers, listening, asking and answering questions; this was the foundation of His ministry. The heavenly fellowship that He had with His Father carried over into His earthly ministry.

John 5 records Jesus’ words,

“My Father is working until now and I am working.” Vs. 17

“The Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing … for the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing.” Vs. 19a, 20a

“For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about Me that the Father has sent Me.” Vs. 36b

We call the works of God ministry: preaching, teaching, healing, delivering, rescuing, encouraging, building, and infusing power for Kingdom living; hmmmm, sounds like a good plan for ministering to people today, doesn’t it?

Part One

If you’ve ever read the book of Romans then I know what you’re thinking … ugh. A book of doctrine, boring, and hard to understand. I’d like to give you the ‘big picture’, maybe a new one, to help because if it changed the lives of Augustine, Luther, and Wesley, then, with the right perspective, it can change you too.

Let’s keep in mind that Paul was writing to a previously Messianic Jewish Church in Rome that was transformed into a Gentile Church (non-Jew) after Jews were banished from the eternal city. Emperor Nero let them back in which created some serious problems in this Roman church. Paul’s very long letter was more like a teaching than a personal letter which sheds light on the attitudes of the Jewish and also the Gentile believer.

I encourage you to read the chapters I’m highlighting each week and see if it’s a little easier to read with this new perspective: Jew and Gentile. Chapter One is filled with Paul’s love for both of these people groups and his desire to visit them … which he only does at his death. It seems he’s speaking to the Gentiles first (1:18-2:16), making sure they understand that we’re all equally under God’s wrath from birth. Using the word ‘all’, all the nations, all in Rome, all of you, in all the world, clearly let’s us know we were under God’s condemnation without excuse. No one is without sin, we all deserve the same death sentence, and we all must come to faith the same way: in humility and repentance. Formerly pagans or the ‘chosen people’, all receive His calling the same way: with undeserved grace and mercy.

Remember, when the Jews returned to Rome from their shunning or exile it was in disgrace, consequently, must’ve been difficult to see their church turn Gentile. They not only lost their homes, but their church as well and they were God’s chosen! They were now the underdog again, and yet Paul also deals with their attitude. 

We have our ‘shunned’ people groups in America as well: the homeless, immigrants, addicts, ex-cons, or the mentally ill, who come to Christ the same way we do. Paul let’s everyone reading this letter, even today, know that there’s never arrogance or boasting in our life circumstances, there’s no reason for judging others either because there’s no partiality with God (2:11). 

In 2:17 he turns the page and now deals with the Jew. Listing all their reasons for boasting, including Father Abraham (Ch. 4), everyone receives God’s righteousness, which is simply ‘right standing’ before Him, only through faith in Jesus Christ. Without that we stand condemned upon our death. Our faith makes us righteous and our faith justifies: it’s all a gift to those He calls (1:6-7). 

Let’s read Romans together with fresh eyes, acknowledging we have no standing for judging others or thinking we’re better, and allow the ‘law of faith’ to move us into action.

The Father: Part One

Am I the only one who wonders what God was doing before Gen. 1:1? It’s a fascinating study that requires searching scripture so let’s dive in.

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And He said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent Me to you.’” Exodus 3:14 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:8 

God is outside of time, but where is fatherhood in this picture?

We say that God is all about relationships; He wants strong, healthy relationships with us and He wants the same thing with people in our lives. Why? Where did that idea even come from?

The Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equally God, however, we know from various passages that they have different roles. As the role of the father is head of the house we see where God came up with that plan: He’s the Father who guides and protects. It’s reflected in husband-wife relationships and father-children relationships. 

Before time existed the Father and the Son had relationship and fellowship in heaven. 

Jesus said:

“And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed … You loved me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:5, 24b 

The Father loved the Son before time existed: it was an eternal relationship.

Paul began his prayer acknowledging fatherhood in Eph. 3:14-15:

I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and earth is named.

The heavenly discussion of the Plan of Redemption between the Father and the Son would’ve been something to overhear! The Father explained the plan, the Son accepted it, and was therefore sent. There was unity in heaven as there is to be unity in families on earth. What did they get out of it? The Father received a personally chosen people for Himself and the Son received a Bride with offspring. Great plan.

Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world … Eph. 1:4

Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matt. 25:34

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 1 Cor. 2:7

… His works were finished from the foundation of the world. Heb. 4:3b

What was happening in heaven before the Gen. 1:1?

*Our eternal God was fellowshipping together, loving, and enjoying each other.

*The Father, true to His role, was formulating a plan for a people and a bride.

*The Son was in agreement and accepted the plan with the indwelling Spirit promised.

*There’s a kingdom waiting for us when Jesus returns.

All for our benefit.

Throughout this series we’ve studied various aspects of suffering grounded in two foundational truths: God’s sovereignty and His goodness. Even before our existence in the womb (Jer. 1:5; Gal. 1:15) God had a destiny for us (Ps. 139:13-18), therefore, we live fulfilling that destiny. Paul assures us,

… even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, Ephesians 1:4-5, 11 

And that, my friends, includes times of suffering. God’s will? Yes, sometimes He allows us to grieve or suffer in life so that our faith and trust in Him will grow. If you’re like me, when life is good I’m not clinging to Him as when I’m in a tough spot. God permitting suffering doesn’t say, “God doesn’t love or care about me,” it says, “Trust Me, I’ll get you through it.” That’s good theology.

Since troubles and temptation are inevitable, our Lord gave us words of wisdom to help us through to the other side. Consider the parable of The Sower (Matt. 13:18-23; Luke 8:11-15) which teaches us to hear God’s Word, let it grow deep in our heart, then when times of testing arrive your faith is strong and ready to endure.

If you are suffering today, or if you want to be ready, keep on mind these jewels of wisdom I found in Scripture for us to ponder.

• He promises to comfort you in the midst of it (Ps. 23:4; John 16:33; 2 Cor. 1:3-7).
• Our faith is strengthened to endure (Ps. 84:5-7; Rom. 5:3-5; James 5:10-11).
• Deliverance is assured (Ps. 34:19, 119:49-50; Is. 43:2; Phil. 1:19; 2 Peter 2:9).
• There’s always a higher purpose (Ps. 119:71, 125:1; Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17-18; Phil. 1:12-14).
• Along with those promises are warnings to guard against temptations that inevitably bring suffering in your life (1 Cor. 10:12-13; 1 Tim. 6:9-10; James 1:12-15; 1 Peter 4:12-13).
• Finally, it’s all about the love of God assuring us that nothing can separate us from Him: nothing! (Rom. 8:35-39).

Do we ever get to the place of Paul when he penned these words?

… that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, Philippians 3:10 

Ask a believer who is nearing death; what keeps his faith strong to the end? Ask a faith-filled person who’s in the middle of suffering how they keep going? Hopefully the above passages will help prepare you with a solid theology of suffering that’ll get you through it as well.

Hannah- A Story of Grace (Scene Four)

When you turn to 1 Samuel 2:1-10 you’ll find an amazing section of scripture spoken in great faith. Last week we looked at Hannah’s personal praise for Yahweh reflecting on her time of suffering. In verse two she went to a familiar place of worship:

There is none holy like the LORD for there is none besides You.

There is no rock like our God.

She realized that God is incomparable; no other god measures up to Him. He showed her grace and favor, answered her prayer for a child, and she boldly proclaimed His majesty. 

Hannah’s declarations are not only personal, but progressing through this poetry we find prophecy. God chose to speak to His people through this woman bringing warning and encouragement. Whoever would’ve thought this previously distressed and humiliated woman could be used for His glory?

Let her words sink into your heart as you read this prophecy and know that ultimately, she’s encouraging you in your life as well. No one is like our God.

Prophecy is simply God choosing to speak through a person and Hannah was a prophetess who birthed a great prophet: Samuel. Don’t miss her words of warning in verse three because they’re applicable to us as well. The warning: watch your words. God doesn’t like pride or arrogance and He’s the ultimate Judge. 

God vaulted Hannah’s words into a place of reversals; He can do that. He promised to reverse life circumstances (vs. 4-7) bringing us encouragement; don’t keep your eyes on your lower story, your physical circumstances, but remember these promises. 

He’ll break the powerful but strengthen the weak.

The full will be hungry but the hungry will be full.

The one who has many children will be emotionally spent, but the one who was barren will be complete.

Yahweh kills and Yahweh births; He can bring down and raise up.

He can reverse our lower story by making the rich poor, raising and lowering us, therefore, placing people where He wants them. He is God and there’s no one like Him.

You can count on God’s promises. If your position in life seems inconsequential be encouraged; He can change it in a moment.

These prophetic words in verses eight through ten catapult us into kingdom living; even though your lower story in life makes you feel like the underdog, He sees you as sitting beside Him in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6) like a prince. Never forget He’s in control of this world and will guard you from the enemy. The eventual end of Satan’s rule is coming, but until then we walk in victory realizing its,

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts. Zechariah 4:6b 

Hannah completed her telescopic prophecy with a far-future promise from God that He’ll send a strong and anointed King; we know Him as Jesus Christ, the King of all kings and He’s coming back soon.