Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans

Posted By: dedication

Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/12/17 08:54 AM

The 500th Anniversary of Luther posting 95 thesis on the door of the Wittenberg Church has prompted the Adventist Church to initiate the study of two books of the Bible which were key sources enabling Luther's rise out of the darkness of spiritual fear and despair into becoming a champion promoting "salvation in Christ".


In 1515 (that's two years prior to posting his 95 thesis) Martin Luther, who was now a professor of Theology at the University of Wittenberg, began a course of lectures on the book of Romans.
Like all teachers who painstakingly prepare their lessons, he benefited greatly from this preparation as he pondered and compared the scriptures, seeking to make them clear to his students.

Here is the first paragraph to the preface to his study of Romans:


"The Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes."

You can read the rest of his preface
HERE

In it he defines the words: law, sin, grace, faith, righteousness, flesh, Spirit

and concludes with --
"Without this understanding of the terms noted you will never grasp this epistle of St. Paul, nor any book of the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, beware of all teachers who employ these words in a different sense, no matter who they are, even if they should happen to be Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose, Origen, and men like them or still higher than they."



Semantic confusion is the foundation of theological confusion.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/14/17 07:47 AM

This week's lesson was called "The Controversy".

What controversy was it talking about?

The controversy was basically about "control".
Who controls the church?

When we really stop to think about, we realize the very identity of the Jewish people was being challenged. They considered themselves a special people -- the chosen nation of God, and they signified this with circumcision. What was more -- this was all confirmed by "scripture".

They lived in a society that combined religion and state -- their leaders being the priests who made all sorts of laws (working policies) to "help" them keep God's law better, and keep them a distinct nation.

Those priests had a lot of control, even under Roman rule, the priests still held considerable power over the people. Control through religion is obtained by placing a human or a group of humans between the sinner and God. In other words -- divine grace must flow though a human channel in order to reach the repentant sinner.

This is true of the papal church, as it is taught that grace is confirmed through the seven sacraments which the priest must administer. A person out of favor with the church is cut off from receiving the sacraments, and thinks he is thereby cut off from God.

The Jewish church also held similar control over the people and were using it to make a profit for themselves and to control the people. People were dependent upon the rituals, sacrifices and ceremonies connected to the temple, for their forgiveness, cleansing, and salvation.


The majority of the first converts to Christianity were Jews. They didn't think they were leaving Judaism, they were simply accepting the Messiah prophesied to come to them.

But then -- they faced a troubling question:
how does the church relate to a huge influx of Gentiles who considered themselves Christians yet disregarded the "working policies" of the church?
What was even more troubling, was that these policies had good scripture bases.

These "policies" gave the Jewish leadership considerable control over the people. They pursued the enforcement of those policies in every church that Paul established.

It was a constant, and often life threatening, controversy in the early church.


Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/15/17 02:45 AM

Third lesson -- Oct. 14-21

The Human Condition

Memory Text: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Verses from Romans chapters one to three:

The Just Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

The Unrighteous:


21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 6undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, 7unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things rare deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

The Jews Guilty as the Gentiles

17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God,
18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
21You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.


God’s Righteous Judgment


2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/15/17 03:35 AM

Third lesson -- Oct. 14-21 Sunday
The Human Condition

What do these texts mean to you?

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Let's look at it phrase by phrase:

"What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?"

The word gospel means “good news." The good news of the gospel of Christ is the story of redemption! Christ died upon the cross that we might have forgiveness of sins. Christ ever lives to make intercession for us! Christ is working in us giving us a new heart and mind, reconciling us to Him.
Ever since sin manifested itself in this world, mankind has been under the condemnation of God (Romans 5:12). For all have transgressed God’s perfect law by committing sin (Romans 3:23), everyone is guilty (Romans 5:18).
By this gospel we are saved, if we hold firmly to the One Who is our Savior.

the power of God
In Romans 8:11, and Eph. 2:5, we read that the same power that raised Christ from the dead can raise us from being dead in sin, to being alive in Christ unto righteousness.

the righteousness of God
Paul is talking about God’s righteousness. The gospel reveals God’s righteousness, showing that God is just, fair and loving, good, and truly trustworthy, His ways are the right ways.

As Psalms 98 declares:
"98:2 The LORD has made known his salvation: his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the heathen.

faith unto faith
The righteousness which is by faith, is received by faith, is believed by faith, and is lived by faith.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/16/17 07:15 AM

Memory Text: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

What is sin?

We have the text in 1 John 3:4 "Sin is transgressing God's law"

But here we have additional information as to what sin is.

Sin means we "come short of the glory of God".

Quote:
"The glory of God, the perfection of Christian character, is to be the aim, the purpose of our life. {DG 169.2}
Our heavenly Father cares for man, who is the image and glory of God. He longs to see His children reveal a character after His similitude. As the sunbeam imparts to the flowers their varied and delicate tints, so does God impart to the soul the beauty of His own character. {DA 313.2}


Paul then goes on to describe sin in more detail:

Sin is ---

1:18 "all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men".
--ungodliness means not having a character after God's similitude.
--unrighteousness means not doing that which is right.

, suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
sin is suppressing truth in order to do that which is not right.

19 because what may be known of God is manifest among them, for God has shown it to them.
God had endowed them with reason and conscience, He has given every man a measure of faith, they only need to reflect on the wisdom and power that went into the creation, to recognize many of the attributes of God.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead,

The knowledge of the Creator God was available, and they see the things He had created.

so that they are without excuse
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.


Paul does not excuse the pagans but rather says they are "without excuse".
Sin is not only active breaking of God's law, it is also
ignoring the evidence so that they don't need to change.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,


Sin is being wise in one's own eyes. It sets self up as being wiser and more knowledgeable than God.

23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things

Instead of acknowledging the Creator's hand and wisdom in His creation, they instead worship the creation.

Sin is a downward spiral.

God's ideal for mankind is to create in them the "image of God" -- characters reflecting His righteousness.

Sin --
Ingratitude and a love for unrighteousness and self exaltation pervert mankind so thoroughly that they repress truth in order to exalt evil. Instead of moving upward with the glorious God, into the similitude of His character, they now worship created objects, indeed he now worships his own figment of reason, which can never lift, and which is foolishness, leading to ever lower levels of sin.
Posted By: kland

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/20/17 08:34 PM

Quote:
We should notice that God’s goodness leads, not forces, sinners to repentance. God uses no coercion. He is infinitely patient and seeks to draw all people by His love. A forced repentance would destroy the whole purpose of repentance, would it not? If God forced repentance, then would not everyone be saved, for why would He force some to repent and not others? Repentance must be an act of the free will, responding to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yes, repentance is a gift from God, but we have to be ready and open to receive it, a choice that we alone can make for ourselves.

What is coercion, what would be an example of coercion?
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/21/17 06:44 AM

A person convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still.
Coercion demands obedience whether one wants to obey or not. Coercion only creates outward compliance, but does not win the heart or change the character.

The issue is "the will" --
What do we DESIRE?

God's goodness and love works with great patience to make the issues clear. He seeks to awaken in a person the realization of their hopelessly lost condition in the slavery of sin. He pours out mercy and grace to draw people out of sin and into life eternal.

God reveals the facts and offers salvation but how will we react? Sin is not a sustainable condition, it is foolishness to be allured by the short fused glitter of sin, when God offers us something so much better.

Scripture says we are without excuse, for the things of God are revealed. The state we are in, is known. Our need for a Savior is known. The available grace is known.

But many just don't like it! They love their sins and prefer to enjoy them for a season.

Originally Posted By: Bible
John 3
17 “Indeed, God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”


Coercion would be if God demanded those who chose to stay in darkness that they might enjoy the transitory pleasures, must now live in the light of His presence and worship Him whether they want to or not. It would be forced worship, with no heart, while the rebellious thoughts and desires and passions raged within. Heaven would NOT be a place of harmony, love and peace, if people were coerced abide by it's principles.

God will not force worship.
Worship cannot be forced for it is an act of the heart.
Heaven is heaven because everyone there WANTS to worship and glorify God with hearts brimming with gratitude and love and longing to be more and more like Jesus and be in fellowship with Jesus.



Posted By: kland

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/23/17 08:32 PM

Originally Posted By: dedication
A person convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still.
Coercion demands obedience whether one wants to obey or not. Coercion only creates outward compliance, but does not win the heart or change the character.
Amen!

Quote:
Coercion would be if God demanded those who chose to stay in darkness that they might enjoy the transitory pleasures, must now live in the light of His presence and worship Him whether they want to or not. It would be forced worship, with no heart, while the rebellious thoughts and desires and passions raged within. Heaven would NOT be a place of harmony, love and peace, if people were coerced abide by it's principles.

God will not force worship.
Worship cannot be forced for it is an act of the heart.
Heaven is heaven because everyone there WANTS to worship and glorify God with hearts brimming with gratitude and love and longing to be more and more like Jesus and be in fellowship with Jesus.
Along with what you've said, and probably would imply, is that there would be no fear. For fear does not change the heart nor the character. Those in fear would not really want to be there.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/25/17 09:20 AM

Lesson for this week:
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

Texts

Are We Better?

Romans 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;


Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

God’s Righteousness Through Faith

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law wand the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
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,
25 whom God set forth bas a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Boasting Excluded

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/25/17 09:54 AM

The term "under the law" can be quite confusing as it is used in different ways.

In Romans 3 What so ever things the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.
6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?


1 Corinthians "to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

Gal. 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up until faith be revealed

Gal. 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
4:5 To redeem them that were under the law,

Gal. 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

Gal. 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.




How do we understand the term?
a) under the jurisdiction of the law
b) under the condemnation of the law
c) under the Jewish understanding of the law
d) having a great knowledge of the Torah
e) all of the above, and must be read in context?


Here is J.N.Andrews thoughts on this.
Originally Posted By: J.N.Andrews
"Now we know that what things so ever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds
of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom.3:19,20.

This portion of scripture presents in a striking light the state of mankind without a Saviour. The Apostle had been presenting in the previous verses numerous quotations from the Old Testament, showing the fearful state of fallen man. The verses which we have quoted, present us with the holy standard of rectitude by which the unrighteousness of men is made manifest, and their fearful crimes left without excuse. "What things so ever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law." How many, then, are under the law? The remainder of the verse determines this with certainty. "That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." This fact then is plainly stated: that the whole human family are addressed by the law of God; that all of its members without distinction of rank, or order, share in one general condemnation; and that condemnation is so just, that every mouth is shut, and all the world stands speechless before the bar of God. The twenty-third verse explains the cause of this: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

The law of God can justify no flesh in his sight. But why cannot the law justify sinful man? Because by the law is the knowledge of sin. Man is guilty of transgression, and the law of God discovers and manifests this fact. The law is God's great rule of right; and as such, it shows every departure from rectitude and holiness. We have thus seen the sad state of fallen men. Let us now consider what God does for their salvation. If he takes back his law, one of two things must be true:-

1. He takes back an unjust law, and thus acknowledges that he was the cause of man's condemnation. But this is false; for we have seen that the law is so just that none can plead against its righteous sentence. Hence if God has taken back his law we shall be compelled to adopt the second position; namely,

2. He takes back a just law, thus denying his own moral character as expressed in that law, and overthrowing his own moral government. God cannot lie; and it is manifestly absurd to teach that God has abolished the principles of his own moral government. Hence we conclude that God did not, and could not overthrow his own moral law, in order to save its transgressors.

We inquire again, What did the great Law-giver do in order to save men? If he did not take back his law, and abolish his own moral government, what did he do? It would seem that but one other thing could be done; namely, to put the law in force upon its transgressors. In other words, to execute its
penalty upon the human race. If this were done, all must be destroyed; for all were its transgressors; and the wages of sin is death. Let us now with gratitude and adoration look at the wondrous plan which God has devised for man's redemption: a plan in which justice and mercy meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each other: [Ps.85:8-13:] a system of redemption by which God can be just and yet can justify him that believeth in Jesus. It is set forth by Paul in the following language:-

"Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness; that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Rom.3:24-26.

In these words the great plan of redemption is set forth; but oh! what has it not cost! Man had broken the law of Jehovah and fallen under its awful and yet just condemnation. God could not reverse his holy law without destroying the moral government of the universe; but he so loved our race that he gave his only Son to die for perishing man. John3:14-17. He sent his Son to be the propitiation or offering for the sins of men. 1John4:10.

Christ came to take the curse of the law upon himself, and to offer his life as a ransom for its transgressors. Gal.3:13; 1Tim.2:5,6. The perpetuity of God's Law by J.N.Andrews

Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/26/17 08:26 AM

Here is Waggonners notes on the verses in our study this week.

"The Grand Conclusion.
Rom. 3:19-22

"Now we know that what ever things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe."

What do we know?

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law."

To whom does it speak?
"To them who are under [within the sphere of] the law."

What is the object of its speaking?
"That every mouth may be stopped."

What circumstances cause every mouth be stopped?
"All the world may become guilty before God."

What then is the conclusion?
}
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight."

Why not?
"For by the law is the knowledge of sin."

What is now manifested?
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested."

How is righteousness manifested?
"Without the law."

Whose righteousness is it that is thus manifested?
"The righteousness of God."

What credentials has this righteousness?
"Being witnessed by the law and the prophets."

Where is it manifested?
"Unto all and upon all them that believe."

How is it manifested?
"By faith of Jesus Christ."

Within the Law .- What the verse before us really says is, "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are in the law," or, "within the sphere or jurisdiction of the law." This is an obvious fact, and in view of what immediately follows, it is a very important fact to keep in mind.

"What the Law Saith."
-The voice of the law is the voice of God. The law is the truth, because it was spoken with God's own voice. In the covenant which God made with the Jews concerning the Ten Commandments, he said of the law, "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice." etc. Ex. 19:5.
The commandments were spoken "in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice." Deut. 5:22. Therefore when the law of God speaks to a man, it is God himself speaking to that man. Satan has invented a proverb, which he has induced many people to believe, to the effect that "the voice of the people is the voice of God." This is a part of his great lie by which he causes many to think themselves above the law of God. Let every one who loves the truth, substitute for that invention of Satan the truth that the voice of the law of God is the voice of God.

Every Mouth Stopped .-The law speaks that "every mouth may be stopped." And so every mouth would be, if men would only consider that it is God that is speaking. If men realized that God himself speaks in the law, they would not be so ready to answer back when it speaks to them, and they would not frame so many excuses for not obeying it. When some servant of the Lord reads the law to people, they often seem to think that it is only man's word to which they are listening, and so they feel themselves privileged to parley, and debate, and object, and to say that, although the words are all right, they do not feel under obligation to obey, or that it is not convenient. They would not think of doing this if they heard the voice of God speaking to them. But when the law is read, it is the voice of God now just as much as it was to the Israelites who stood at the base of Sinai. People often open their mouths against it now, but the time will come when every mouth will be stopped, because "our God shall come, and shall not keep silence." Ps. 50:3. {January 16, 1896 EJW, SITI 35.29}
The Law's Jurisdiction .-What things soever the law says, it sa to them who are within its sphere, or jurisdiction. Why? "That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." How extensive, then, is the jurisdiction of the law? It includes every soul in the world. There is no one who is exempt from obedience to it. There is not a soul whom it does not declare to be guilty. The law is the standard of righteousness, and "there is none righteous, no, not one." {January 16, 1896 EJW, SITI 35.30}
No Justification by the Law .-"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin." One of two things must be the case whenever a man is justified by the law, namely, either the man is not guilty, or else the law is a bad law. But neither of these things is true in this case. God's law is perfectly righteous, and all men are sinners. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." It is obvious that a man can not be declared righteous by the same law that declares him to be a sinner. Therefore it is a self-evident truth that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified. {January 16, 1896 EJW, SITI 35.31}
A Double Reason .-There is a double reason why no one can be justified by the law. The first is that all have sinned. Therefore the law must continue to declare them guilty, no matter what their future life might be. No man can ever do more than his duty to God, and no possible amount of good deeds can undo one wrong act. But more than this, men have not only sinned, but they are sinful. "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7. "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye can not do the things that ye would." Gal. 5:17. Therefore, no matter how much a man may try to do the righteousness of the law, he will fail to find justification by it. {January 16, 1896 EJW, SITI 35.32}
Self-justification .-If one were justified by the deeds of the law, it would be because he always did all that the law requires. Note well that it would be he that did it, and not the law. It would not be that the law itself does something to justify the man, but that the man himself does the good deeds required. Therefore if a man were justified by the law, it would be because he has in him by nature all the righteousness that the law requires. He who imagines that he can do the righteousness of the law, imagines that he himself is as good as God is, because the law requires and is a statement of the righteousness of God. Therefore for a man to think that he can be justified by the law, is to think that he is so good that he needs no Saviour. Every self-righteous person, no matter what his profession, exalts himself above the law of God, and therefore identifies himself with the Papacy.
Righteousness without the Law .-Since because of man's weak and fallen condition no one can get righteousness out of the law, it is evident that if any man ever has righteousness he must get it from some other source than the law. If left to themselves and the law, men would truly be in a deplorable condition. But here is hope. The righteousness of God without the law or apart from the law, is manifested.
This reveals to man a way of salvation.

Righteousness "Manifested." -Where?-Why, of course where it most needs to be manifested, in people, that is, in a certain class described in the next verse. But it does not originate in them. The Scriptures have already shown us that no righteousness can come from man. The righteousness of God is manifested in Jesus Christ. He himself said through the prophet David: "I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest." Ps. 40:8, 9. {January 16, 1896 EJW, SITI 36.1}
"Witnessed by the Law." -Let no one imagine that in the Gospel he can ignore the law of God. The righteousness of God which is manifested apart from the law, is witnessed by the law. It is such righteousness as the law witnesses to, and commends. It must be so, because it is the righteousness which Christ revealed; and that came from the law, which was in his heart. So, although the law of God has no righteousness to impart to any man, it does not cease to be the standard of righteousness. There can be no righteousness that does not stand the test of the law. The law of God must put its seal of approval upon every one who enters heaven. {January 16, 1896 EJW, SITI 31-36.2}
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/29/17 04:35 AM

This weeks lesson;

THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM
Memory Text: “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31).

TEXTS IN ROMANS

3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.


Abraham Justified by Faith

4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found 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 accounted to him for righteousness.”
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.


David Celebrates the Same Truth

5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”


Abraham Justified Before Circumcision

9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,
12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.


The Promise Granted Through Faith

13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,
15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God
21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Gal 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/29/17 04:54 AM

The illustration of Abraham --

Why was circumcision instituted, and why is no longer necessary?

A.T.Jones gives an answer in Adventist Review and Herald Dec. 5,1899:

"Thus Abram had received the blessing of God, which was to make him a blessing to all nations; he had received the promise of the world for an inheritance; he had received the promise of the seed in whom all nations should be blessed; he had received the righteousness of God; and God had made his covenant with him, in which he pledged himself: and all this by faith alone, utterly without circumcision, and with no mention or even hint of circumcision, or of any necessity for it....{ARSH 788.11}

"Why, then, was Abraham circumcised after he received the righteousness and the promises, and yet his true children—his children by faith—now be not circumcised? The answer is: For the simple reason that circumcision was not in the original plan. It was no part, and is no part, of the original order of God in justification or salvation. The truth is that if Abraham had continued to walk in the faith in which he walked before he was circumcised, he never would have been circumcised, nor any of his children.

But then, in the sixteenth chapter of Genesis: "Sarai said unto Abram. Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai." Gen. 16:2. Hagar conceived and bare Ishmael. And we know, from the other scriptures, that this whole arrangement was altogether a scheme of the flesh.

"It was an effort of the flesh to do the works of the Spirit, and so was a lapse by Abram from the true faith and work of God, into unbelief and the plans of self and the works of the flesh. Then it was that circumcision came in. And it was because of this that circumcision did come in. It was a mark made in the flesh as a reminder, a humiliating reminder, of Abram's resort to the flesh; and thus also a reminder that every one who bore it must not make the same mistake that Abram did, but must remain true to the faith and work of God. {December 5, 1899 ATJ, ARSH 788-789}
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 10/31/17 09:12 AM

"For Our Sake Also.
Romans 4:17-25"
The Signs of the Times 16, 40.
E. J. Waggoner

The fourth chapter of Romans is one of the richest in the Bible, in the hope and courage which it contains for the Christian. In Abraham we have an example of righteousness by faith, and we have set before us the wonderful inheritance promised to those who have the faith of Abraham. And this promise is not limited. The blessing of Abraham comes on the Gentiles as well as on the Jews; there is none so poor that he may not share it, for "it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed."

The last clause of the seventeenth verse is worthy of special attention. It contains the secret of the possibility of our success in the Christian life. It says that Abraham believed "God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." This marks God's power; it involves creative power. God can call a thing which is not as though it existed. If a man should do that, what would you call it?-
A lie. If a man should say that a thing is, when it is not, it would be a lie. But God cannot lie. Therefore when God calls these things that be not, as though they were, it is evident that that makes them be. That is, they spring into existence at his word.
We have all heard, as an illustration of confidence, the little girl's statement that "if ma says so, it's so if it isn't so." That is exactly the case with God. Before that time spoken of as "in the beginning," there was a dreary waste of absolute nothingness; God spoke, and instantly worlds sprang into being. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. . . . For he spake, and it was; he commanded, and it stood fast." Ps. 33:6-9. This is the power which is brought to view in Rom. 4:17. Now let us read on, that we may see the force of this language in this connection. Still speaking of Abraham, the apostle says:-

"Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness." Rom. 4:18-22.

Here we learn that Abraham's faith, in God, as one who could bring things into existence by his word, was exercised with respect to his being able to create righteousness in a person destitute of it.

Those who look at the trial of Abraham's faith as relating simply to the birth of Isaac, and ending there, lose all the point and beauty of the sacred record. Isaac was only the one in whom his seed was to be called, and that seed was Christ. See Gal. 3:16. When God told Abraham that in his seed all nations of the earth should be blessed, he was preaching the gospel to him (Gal. 3:8), therefore Abraham's faith in the promise of God was direct faith in Christ as the Saviour of sinners. This was the faith which was counted to him for righteousness.


Now note the strength of that faith. The strength of his flesh was already virtually dead from age, and Sarah was in a like condition. The birth of Isaac from such a pair was nothing less than the bringing of life from the dead. It was a symbol of God's power to quicken to spiritual life those who are dead in trespasses and sins.

Abraham hoped against hope. There was no human possibility of the fulfillment of the promise; everything was against it, but his faith grasped and rested upon the unchanging word of God, and God's power to create and to make alive. "And therefore it was imputed unto him for righteousness." Now for the point of it all:-

"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." Rom. 4:23-25.


So Abraham's faith was the same that ours must be, and in the same object. The fact that it is by faith in the death and resurrection of Christ that we have the same righteousness imputed to us that was imputed to Abraham, shows that Abraham's faith was likewise in the death and resurrection of Christ.

All the promises of God to Abraham were for us as well as for him. Indeed, we are told in one place that they were specially for our benefit. "When God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself." "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us." Heb. 6:13, 17, 18. Our hope, therefore, rests upon God's promise and oath to Abraham, for that promise to Abraham, confirmed by that oath, contains all the blessings which God can possibly give to man.

But let us make this matter a little more personal before leaving it. Trembling soul, say not that your sins are so many and that you are so weak that there is no hope for you. Christ came to save the lost, and he is able to save to the uttermost those that come to God by him. You are weak, but he says, "My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9. And the inspired record tells us of those who "out of weakness were made strong." Heb. 11:34. That means that God took their very weakness and turned it into strength. In so doing he demonstrates his power. It is his way of working. For "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence." 1 Cor. 1:27-29.

Have the simple faith of Abraham. How did he attain to righteousness?-
By not considering the deadness and powerlessness of his own body, but by being willing to grant all the glory to God, strong in faith that he could bring all things out of that which was not. You, therefore, in like manner, consider not the weakness of your own body, but the power and grace of our Lord, being assured that the same word which can create a universe, and raise the dead, can also create in you a clean heart, and make you alive unto God. And so you shall be a child of Abraham, even a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus. E. J. W.

{October 13, 1890 EJ Waggonner }
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 11/06/17 10:42 AM

Lesson -- November 3-11

ADAM AND JESUS

Read Romans 5:1-5. On the lines below summarize Paul’s message. What can you take from that for yourself now?

5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; hand perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Justified == accepted, forgiven,
have peace with God --

In His grace we stand -- we can approach the throne of God through Jesus without fear, and by His grace we can stand!

Have hope -- His grace will work transformation in us.

We can rejoice in tribulation knowing God is working to develop characteristics in us in that work of transformation.

rejoice in hope of the glory of God
rejoice in the awesome gift of redemption in Jesus

rejoice in the hope that the glory of God's character is being imprinted in our lives.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 11/10/17 09:05 AM

Romans 5
6 For when we were still without strength, 4in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.



Waggoners Comments:

""For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Mark the words "without strength." There was a fixed time in the history of the world when Christ was offered on the cross of Calvary. But that was not the only time when Christ availed for the ungodly. Who are the ungodly? They are those who are "without strength." The human family has been without strength from the fall, and they are without strength today. When men find themselves without strength, Christ is to be lifted up, and he says that he will draw all men unto him. So we can look to Jesus as a crucified and risen Saviour to-day, just as much as could the disciples. {March 16, 1891 EJW}

We sometimes think that we look back to Christ and that the patriarchs and prophets looked forward to him. Is it so? We look up to Christ and so did they. We look to Christ a loving Redeemer by our side, and so did they. Said Moses to the children of Israel: "It is not in heaven, that thou shouldst say, who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? . . . But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart that thou mayest do it." The Word, which was Christ the Redeemer, was nigh unto them, and He is nigh unto us. {March 16, 1891 EJW, GCDB 127.5}

So in every age of the world, when men have felt themselves to be without strength, then Christ has been a Saviour to them. ...
How wonderful and how matchless is the love of God and to how great an extent was that love shown by the death of his dear Son! What had the world done to merit goodness at the hand of God? It had joined hands with the enemies of God; nothing but punishment was deserved.
Some say they cannot accept Christ because they are not worthy....
But God commended his love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Why did he die? To make us worthy; to make us complete in him. The trouble with those who say that they are not worthy is that they do not feel half unworthy enough. If they felt "without strength," then the power of Christ could avail them...
In 1 Tim. 1:15 Paul says: "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." That is exactly what He came for-to save sinners. "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Oh, that men would realize that they are without strength! When they reach that point, then they can have the strength of Christ. That is the strength that is worth something; it is worth everything. {March 16, 1891 EJW, GCDB}

You feel that you are one of the ungodly; then the promise is yours that Christ has died for you. You are there before him on your knees because you are a sinner, so you can have the benefit of his death. What is the benefit of that death? "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Many act and talk as if Christ was dead and irrecoverably dead. Yes, He died, but He rose again and lives forever more. Christ is not in Joseph's new tomb. We have a risen Saviour. What does the death of Christ do for us? Reconciles us to God. It is the death of Christ that brings us to God. He died, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. Now mark! It is the death of Christ that brings us to God; what is it that keeps us there?-It is the life of Christ. We are saved by His life. Now hold these words in your minds-"Being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." {March 16, 1891 EJW, GCDB 127.11}

Christ has the life and he is the only one who has it, and he is willing to give it to us.... in John 3:36: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are to believe that God has given to us eternal life in Christ. As long as we have the Son of God we have eternal life. By our faith in the word of God we bring Christ into our hearts. Is he a dead Christ? No. He lives and cannot be separated from his life. Then when we get Christ into our hearts, we get life there. He brings that life into our hearts when he comes. How thankful we ought to be to God for this. {March 16, 1891 EJW, GCDB}

In Eph. 2:4, 5, 6, and 7 we read, "But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us [made us alive] together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)." {March 16, 1891 EJW, GCDB}

Notice, he hath done this, and he "hath raised us up and made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." We were dead, we are quickened, and we are raised up to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus.

We must have, and we can have the life of Christ today, for when he comes, he will change our vile bodies by the same power by which he has changed our hearts. The heart must be changed now. It cannot be changed except by the life of Christ coming in and abiding in it. But when Christ is in the heart, we can live the life of Christ, and then when he comes, the glory will be revealed. He was Christ when he was here upon earth, although he did not have a retinue of angels and glory visible about him. He was Christ when he was the man of sorrows. Then when he ascended, the glory was revealed. So with us. Christ must dwell in our hearts now, and when he comes and changes these bodies, then the glory will be revealed. {March 16, 1891 EJW, GCDB 127.18}
Posted By: kland

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 11/10/17 04:44 PM

Originally Posted By: dedication
{December 5, 1899 ATJ, ARSH 788.12}
Hmmm. Will the real page 788 of {December 5, 1899 ATJ, ARSH} please stand up. I had trouble finding the passage until I discovered there are three instances of 788.1. Anyone know why the same reference given for multiple items?
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 11/11/17 04:15 AM

I don't know -
I went to Review and Herald, December 5, 1899, and Jone's article on why Abraham and his descendants were circumcised, begins on p. 788 and continues on into page 789 -- entitled "Gal. 3 : 6-9".
It's not the first article on that page 788 of the Adventist Review and Sabbath Herald. On the same page there is information on Sunday exemptions, and persecution for anyone doing work on Sunday and wondering why a group rejecting the Sabbath was trying to validate slavery from the Bible.

The article from which post #185368 was taken doesn't begin until the third column of page 788. Maybe that explains it?

It's also quite a bit longer than what was posted above.
Posted By: kland

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 11/14/17 01:37 AM

Ah, so what would be the correct numbering of the paragraphs for three articles starting on the same page in separate columns? 788.1, 788.1, 788.1?

I would probably start numbering all paragraphs starting in column 1. But if one article continues on another page, would there be a gap of indefinite paragraph numbers? 788.1, 788.2, 788.3 [next page] 788.27...
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 11/14/17 11:16 AM

Time to start our next lesson--

This week we our studying Romans chapter six.

OVERCOMING SIN

Romans 6 Dead to Sin, Alive to God

6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that jour old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, 3reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as 4instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as 4instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.












What is the most integral part of the texts under discussion?

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death"

What does that mean?
When we read this passage the first thing we need to understand is that our dying to sin is the result of our union with Christ. Because He died to sin, we die to sin. Therefore, our dying to sin is not something we do, but something Christ has done, and something we obtain when we are united with Him.

A mistaken understanding is that once we are baptized somehow all our propensities to sin die, and we are no longer tempted to sin. But it doesn't happen that way.

So what does it mean "died to sin"?
In the first chapters of Romans Paul emphasizes that Christ died bearing our sins and that we are justified by faith in Christ, and this is a gift, not something we earned. The one who comes by faith to Christ is freed from the guilt and condemnation of their sins! Christ took our sins and died on the cross that we might be justified. No, this does not allow us to continue in sin, but in addressing the sanctified life Paul is telling us that we need to keep in mind the things he stressed in the previous verses.

When Christ died He took our "old sinful nature" upon Himself and died the death that was due that "old sinful nature". He died bearing every sin we have committed! When we are baptized we are baptized into HIS DEATH -- the death that was caused by our sin.

Thus we are to "reckon ourselves dead to sin", because Christ died with those sins. We are freed from them, and now FREE to live for Him, reconciled to Him.
Before we accepted Christ and came to Him for salvation, we were in bondage to sin, under the reign and rule of sin. It didn't matter if, by human standards, we were "good" people, we were still sinners in bondage to sin, under the condemnation of the law and headed for destruction.
But now, through our union with Christ in His death to our sin, we have been delivered! Simple faith enables the believer to reckon himself dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is as we behold the cross and Christ's death, that we are to reckon, or count ourselves dead to sin. It's not in looking at our achievements, but in looking to the cross. That's where our death to sin finds a reality.
It's as we rejoice in His resurrection, that we must believe the same power that raised Christ from the dead, can raise us from our spiritual death into newness of life in Him.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 11/17/17 10:48 AM

What does it mean -- "not under the law"

Does it mean we don't have to obey God's law?
Of course it doesn't mean that, since God's purpose is to deliver us from sin. The law defines sin, and it's sin we need to be delivered from!

So why does Paul say we are not "under the law" but under grace?


The previous chapters have strongly emphasized a point.

That point is that no matter how hard we try, or how many good deeds we do, we will never earn salvation for we are all sinners condemned to death.

We must be justified by a Being outside of ourselves.
Our justification is not dependent on us observing any law -- not even the ten commandment law.

To be saved by law means one has to keep the law perfectly, completely, not just outwardly, but also inwardly, fully in thoughts and motives. To break it just once, one ends up being condemned by the law, as law breakers. Adam just ate a little forbidden fruit, yet everything hinged on that one sin, and threw everything into the camp of sin.

We haven't just sinned once -- we have sinned millions of times. The only thing the law can do for us, is condemn us.
We must keep that reality in mind as we study Romans six.

Christ was born "of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Gal 4:4-5

Christ was born under the same moral law that condemns humanity.
But that moral law did not condemn Him -- it vindicated Him and declared Him righteous. Why? Because, He alone, of all born of woman, kept the law fully and completely.

To be "under grace" is accepting not only Christ dying for our sins, but also accepting His merits of a perfect life accredited to us. He gives us a clean record, He gives us His righteousness and then bids us to walk with Him in obedience in the paths of righteousness.

We are not "under the law" which condemns us, but that law is still the standard of righteousness in which we walk with Christ in obedience to His leading, and the prompting of His Holy Spirit.

"The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God's law; for they are holy, just, and good".

Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 11/25/17 04:08 AM

Who is the man of Romans seven?


The chapter begins with these verses:

Romans 7 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he lives?
7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to [her] husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of [her] husband.
7:3 So then if, while [her] husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.



These verses too often end up in debates over whether Paul is talking about moral or ceremonial laws. And what laws are abolished, and which ones we should still keep.

However, that is not what the context suggests.


To be married to the law is to look to our own works of the law to save us. It is looking to our flesh to line up with the law.

7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not [in] the oldness of the letter.


Notice Paul's own explanation here.
"we were in the flesh"
and we were doing everything the law said was sin.
"the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members"


While we were married to the law, "we were in the flesh" and ended up doing everything the law said was sin! Thus the law can only condemn us, for we are guilty.

Who was the first husband that died, in order that we might be united to the second? The sixth chapter has the answer,
Compare
Rom. 7:5 "For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death."
And
6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed,

To what were we united? What were we in? We were in union with the FLESH. In the sixth chapter we found that the body of sin is destroyed by Christ. By what means is it that the body of sin becomes destroyed? By the man being crucified with Christ.

What is being married to the law like when we are in the flesh trying to obey the law in order to be saved?

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good.
7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not
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Originally Posted By: Waggoner

God has given to us "exceeding great and precious promises;" but we can never know their fulfilment through the works of the flesh. "To Abraham and his seed were the promises made;" and only they who are the children of faith are the seed of Abraham. In the flesh, we are bound to the "old man," the carnal nature, which is not, and cannot be, subject to the law of God; and therefore we cannot in the flesh be Christ's. But we can become Christ's by being crucified with Him. We may meet Him and become united with Him at the cross. Gal. ii. 20. At the cross the "old man," the first husband, is crucified and put to death, and we can then be "married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." Rom. vii. 4. The flesh cannot be separated from sin; and therefore, in order that sin may cease, it must die. We are then delivered from the "law of sin and death," the law which bound us to sin while we were in the flesh. "For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead [the law of sin] wherein we were held [because the flesh is dead]; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." Rom. iv. 5, 6. {February 22, 1894 EJW, PTUK 119.6}

This is the wonderful change that is wrought in us at the cross. The law does not die, but the flesh dies, the law of sin and death is abolished, the enmity between us and the law dies, the bondage ceases, and we become joined to Christ in faith, and the law becomes to us "the law of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus." Then the works of the flesh cease, and we work the works of faith, which bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, and are heirs with Abraham of the promises made to him and to his seed. {February 22, 1894 EJW, PTUK 119.7}
Posted By: Daryl

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 12/02/17 03:52 AM

The man of Romans 7 is the man who hasn't yet been converted, or who is in the process of being converted.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 12/02/17 09:21 AM

What I see in the verses is that the "man of Romans 7" is trying to keep the law "in the flesh".
He's trying to "earn" his way to heaven by keeping the law, but the law only condemns him.
He is convicted that the law is right, and good and holy. But try as he might, he can't live up to it.

Tomorrows lesson (chapter 8)points out the "flesh" can't do it.

But Christ has freed us from the condemnation of the law and from the power of sin.
When we invite Christ and the Holy Spirit into our lives and live by the spirit, then the deeds of the flesh can be put to death, as we are led by the Spirit.
Posted By: kland

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 12/07/17 02:45 PM

Ro 9:18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.


Ps 81:11 "But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me.
12 12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels.


Ro 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

Ro 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

Ro 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

Heb 3:8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,
...
Heb 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 12/10/17 02:14 AM

Romans 9
What is Paul's huge concern?

His people -- the literal descendants of Jacob, are trusting in their rituals and the fact they are "the chosen nation" for their salvation and they are rejecting the "true Israel" who is Christ their Savior, the One to Whom all their rituals pointed.

Without Christ they will forfeit salvation for their rituals cannot save them.

Yet, there is a remnant -- several thousand actually from Israel who have accepted the gospel and will take it to the world.
Posted By: dedication

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 12/10/17 02:37 AM

Predestination?


9:17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”

Did God deliberately harden Pharaoh's heart against Pharaoh's will?
What God does is show HIS TRUTH in a compelling way, but when God shows TRUTH-- people react, they either accept it or they go to GREAT LENGTHS to oppose it. Thus one can say that God "did it" but it was THEIR CHOICE and THEIR REACTION.

God didn't "shut down" Pharaoh's receptive abilities to truth, Pharaoh did that himself in his stubborn resistance to the awesome revelations of God's reality.
God didn't "shut down" the minds of the Israelites who rejected Christ as their Messiah-- they shut their own minds down in opposition to compelling revelation of God through Christ.

But the truth remains, WHEN GOD'S TRUTH shines forth in power, those who resist must harden themselves and end up building massive mental walls to keep God's spirit out of their lives.

That's what Pharaoh did, BUT rather than hinder God it only made his power show forth greater.
That's what Israel as a nation did as well. The Messiah, Himself, worked among them yet they would not accept Him and they hardened their hearts against Him. But God's truth still shone forth with power.

When the light is bright, that is when the two camps separate and it can be clearly "discerned between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."

Some may question: If God knew Pharaoh would respond to God's revealed compelling evidence by hardening his heart, why did God allow him to be Pharaoh in the first place?

Others may wonder, IF GOD knew Israel would harden their hearts against HIM, why did He chose them in the first place?
Well, God's power shone through with even greater brightness because of the stubbornness of man.



Romans 9:18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

Well some may question, why did God allow this bright light to come to Pharaoh if he was only to reject it? Because through it God showed His mercy to all who responded to Him!
In the same way we may question why does God shine forth compelling evidence if HE knows people will only reject it and harden themselves?

Yet it is by shining forth compelling evidence that God draws many to Himself, and to these He shows mercy, even though many harden themselves in the process.
Yet God knows what He is doing!

When God's truth shines forth, people respond in only one of two ways-- they harden themselves against it, or they are drawn God.



9:19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?

God is in control of the development of His plan. People ask; "what choice do we have then if God controls everything Why are we still called sinners?


The answer follows: Our choice is to submit to the will of God, to allow Him to fashion our lives according to His plan.

When God's truth shines forth, no person can remain neutral--
they either respond, or harden themselves against God.

Thus it makes a clear distinction between them that serve God and them that serve Him not, and no one will yet say God is unjust.



9:20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it “Why have you made me like this?”
9:21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

People are to submit to the will and righteousness of God. Some will be called to do a humble, common work for the Lord. Some will be called to do a great work for the Lord. Our duty is to submit to our Creator and not "answer" or talk back to God.

Others use the excuse to continue in sin, saying, but God made me like this it's part of who I am.
But evil propensities plague us because we have inherited a sinful body from our ancestors. God is in the business of transforming our hearts and minds. He is capable of transforming even the those most sunk into sinful lifestyles if they are only willing and calling upon Him.

Romans 12.1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
.

So people still question, Lord, if only you had made me a more "honorable" person, I would have responded. If only you had given me more money, or better position---
Why do you question God? "Whosover believeth in Me, shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16" Don't make excuses that you are less honorable, or too honorable and that caused you to harden yourself against God.


9:22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
9:23 And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,


Notice the longsuffering of God with those who HE KNOWS, before they were even born, that they would reject HIM. Yet, His longsuffering with them is astounding. Think of Judas. Christ knew he was a traitor, yet with loving longsuffering He drew Him to Himself, till Judas "went out into the night", and personal destruction." A potter does not create a vessel just so he may destroy it. He creates vessels for useful purposes. Yet many vessels end up in the garbage pile--WHY?
Because they are not plyable, the potter cannot mold them into the desired shape.

The same holds true for people, those who do not present themselves to God, who refuse to be molded by the Master Potter, cannot be kept-- they will be destroyied.

He endured with great patience--these vessels of wrath.
God doesn't throw them away right away. He tries to make something good out of them, but in the end they must be destroyed if they do not submit. Just like a potter will eventually throw out all pottery that does not meet with His standard, even though this was not the reason why he first started making them. Yes, God can still make good come out of things. Even in the vessels destined for wrath because of their own choice, God's power, mercy and justice will be seen.
Posted By: Daryl

Re: Fourth Quarter 2017 The Book of Romans - 12/23/17 12:49 AM

Dedication,

That was a very well written post that you posted on December 9th. thumbsup
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