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I began this study within another thread..but why waste it there? when it could and should stand in it's own "Light"...this way, hopefully, someone seeking the truth may have a better chance in finding it...God Bless.
*Please note: I will quote a verse, and in between them, I will comment...and added brackets ([-]).within a verse, denotes my own wording.
ROMANS 1:
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
[his human/sinful nature] descended from David, but the pure, holy life that Paul lived and demonstrated was divine...
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:...
[his divine nature] AChristian is obedient. And all true Christians are brought to obedience of the faith, and they are who are effectually called of Jesus Christ. Here is the blessing enjoyed by these who are obedient...1. They are beloved of God, and are members of that body which is beloved. 2. Their responsibility is to be holy, they're called to be saints. These are who Paul honored, by wishing them grace to sanctify their souls, and peace to comfort their hearts, that sprung from the free mercy of God, the reconciled Father of all obedient believers.
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His Name:...
and they [obedient saints] are who are effectually called of Jesus Christ.
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:...
Paul is speaking to the apostles...obedient saints...called of Jesus Christ. (Not all saints are apostles.)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The gospel does not save unconditionally. Belief is a condition...
[belief n. 1. The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in a person or thing; faith. 2. Mental acceptance or CONVICTION IN THE TRUTH...2. Something believed or accepted as true. conviction n. 1. The act or process of finding or proving guilty. 2. The state of being convicted or so proved. 3. The act or process of convincing. 4. The state of being convinced or persuaded. 5. A fixed or strong belief. convince tr.v. 1. To bring by argument and evidence to belief; cause to believe something; persuade. Often used with of. 2. Obsolete. To convict. 3. Obsolete. To conquer. To OVERCOME]
...salvation to all who accept it in God's own way...to save every soul that embraces it. The medicine prepared will not cure the patient if it be not taken.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and all unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
"...hold the truth in unrighteousness..." Every man has a measure of truth that is revealed to them...See Romans 1:19...Too many refuse to benefit from the light they have been given, and love their darkness that they live in, rather than living in the light. All who do not live up to the knowledge they possess, who do worse than they know, hold the truth in unrighteousness. They obstruct the truth, rather than let it penetrate into their hardened hearts.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God gave them up to uncleaness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and received in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity whisperers.
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant-breakers<<<>>>[my note->those who do not keep the Ten Commandments], without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
ROMANS 2:
2 But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil. to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: andas many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
ALL WHO SIN...the Jew (which was under the law), AND the Gentile (which was not under the law)...of every nation, age, and description, must realize that the judgment of God will be according to their real character. It couldn't be any clearer! In every WILFUL sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God. And though mans disobedience are of every type...ALL come from the same root. But in TRUE REPENTANCE, there must be hatred of former sinfulness, a CHANGE in the state of the mind, which causes it to choose the good and to refuse the evil. Repentance IS CONVERSION!...AND IS REQUIRED OF EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING!
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified...)
Paul was saying to the Jews....Their law could not make them righteous unless it was obeyed! To be justified is to be counted righteous, or guiltless, before God. He who has one sin recorded against him is not justified. He whose sins are all blotted out is justified.
The sinner who believes upon Jesus Christ, who clings to the mercy of God with an OBEDIENT, trusting faith, and finds mercy through Christ's redeeming blood, is justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
The law which is spoken of here is - The ten commandments. Gentiles, who did not have the written law, are a law unto themselves. What the ten commandments are to the Jews, the ten commandments are, by the grace of God, a rule of life to the Gentiles.
The full demand of the law, the ten commandments, demands that the motives of the heart be pure, and rejects all earthly ambition. Gentiles, who did not have the written law, had the law within themselves, their conscience will bear witness...either aquitting them or condemning them. (See verse 15). Nothing will impart more terror to sinners...and more comfort to saints, than knowing that Christ shall be the Judge. (See verse 16).
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. Hipocracy dishonors God, by the prideful actions of the hypocrite...and their not living their own lives according to what they preach to others. They despise others who live in a dead form of godliness, and yet they trust in a form of knowledge that is void itself of life and power...still some glory in the gospel, yet while their own unholy lives dishonour God, and blaspheme His holy Name. To rest in the law with a rest of pride, and carnality leads to death. (See verses 22 through 24).
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law; but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
They are required to live their life by that which circumcision signifies, which is, with a pure heart, and live their entire life according to the commandment of the law, so that if there is a man uncircumcised (the Gentile) according to the flesh, who is circumcised in heart, he (the Gentile) is far better and to be more regarded than any Jew that is circumcised according to the flesh only, who does not live according to the commandments of God.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision (the Gentile) keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
absolutely!
27 And shall not uncircumcision (the Gentile) which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee (the Jew), who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
absolutely!
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
For he is the real Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with an OBEDIENT faith. And the true baptism is that of the heart, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Ghost; bringing a spiritual frame of mind, and a willing heart to follow His truth in its holy ways.
May we be made real Christians, inwardly, in the heart and spirit, not in the letter...baptized with the Holy Ghost...and let all our praise be of God.
ROMANS 3:
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Here, Paul convicts them (his beloved in Rome) even more. They had the "WORDS!"...Words...the oracles of God!...the Jew had great advantages...more knowledge...the greatest advantage was that they had the Holy Scriptures...the promises that told them of the coming Messiah...the Savior.
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
But God's promises are made only to (obedient) believers...therefore the unbelief of some cannot make this faithfulness of no effect. He will fulfil his promises to his people, and bring his threatened vengeance upon unbelievers...covenant-breakers<<>>those who do not keep the ten commandments...who live a sinful life...He hates worker's of iniquity. Iniquity is sin...sin is the transgression of the law...the law is the ten commandments...all 10 of them.
5 But if our (g) unrighteousness commend (praise) the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak (h) as a man)
(g) Treachery, and all the fruits of it. (h) Therefore I do not speak these words of my own accord, as though this is what I thought, but this is the talk of man's wisdom, which is not subject to the will of God.
commend tr.v. 1. To represent as worthy, qualified, or desirable; recommend. 2. To express approval of; praise. See Synonyms at praise.
Unbelieving hearts are more than happy to engage in an argument about the fairness of God's actions/just rewards/wrath toward a wilful sinner... and will jump at the occasion to condemn HIM Who is most just, (see Job 34:17: Shall even he (the sinner) that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn HIM WHO IS MOST JUST?) "...I speak as a man...", like a vain, foolish, proud, ignorant creature!!!
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
How could anyone imagine such a perverted thing? ANY suggestions what-so-ever, that would reflect dishonour upon a just and holy God are shocking...in the least!...GOD FORBID!!! If He were not infinitely JUST and RIGHTEOUS, He would be unfit to judge the world!
If any sin, their condemnation is just.
7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
"THIS IS BLASPHEMY!" Paul screams! "If sins turn out to the glory of God, then they should not even be punished!..."...but we should just give ourselves over to a life FILLED with sin...BLASPHEMY!" Paul pronounces that God's punishment is just and fair!...and calls anyonewho questions the actions of God toward a sinner, a BLASPHEMER!
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
"...Let us do evil, that good may come...?" ABSURD!!! BLASPHEMER!!! All WHO TEACH THIS DOCTRINE ARE JUSTLY CONDEMNED!!!
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
Paul is telling the Jews that they are no better then the Gentiles...all were sinners before God...the Jews by transgressing the law...and the Gentiles, by transgressing the law of nature!
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
This is how God sees man when He looks down at us from heaven...but not what He makes them by His grace...there is none righteous...and the details of their unrighteousness follows...in Romans 3:11,12; their discourse, Romans 3:13,14; and their actions, Romans 3:16-18
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it shall to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
The law of Moses...NOT the Ten Commandments.
"The law of Moses" aka "The Book of the law"...ADDED to the Ten Commandments...Galatians 3:19: Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, TILL THE SEED [JESUS!] SHOULD COME TO WHOM THE PROMISE WAS MADE; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator [Moses].
What law was it that was given by Moses?...2 Chronicles 34:14: And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a "book" of the law of the LORD [given] by Moses. It was the Book of the law, NOT the Ten Commandments...it was the "added" law.
The Book of the law!..the law of Moses!...the ceremonial law! was observed by DOING DEEDS (the blood of bulls and goats<<<which cannot take away sin!)!!! THESE ARE the "works" or the "deeds" spoken of here!...and a man is not justified by doing these deeds!...they ARE JUSTIFIED by FAITH!...these laws left no room for repentance...these WORKS gave them room to BOAST!!!
"28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
You can bet that if God gives you over to a reprobate mind, there's not much you can do about it!
"7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?"
My understanding of this is that God has made sin to turn to His glory. "The wrath of man shall praise God." This is a marvellous thing, that God can take bad things and make them to glorify Him.
Some people believe that there will be no judgement, since "the Father has given all judgement to the Son," and "the Son judges no one."
Still, the Holy Spirit within us judges us daily, and so in this sense "judgement" is a GOOD thing, because we learn righteousness when judgement is in the earth (us). Judgement begins at the house of God (us who have the gift of faith).
20 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.
Some uncivilized person steals something...thinking he has a right to another's property...then he hears the law, Thou shalt not steal (Ex 20:15), now his sin is revealed.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
A man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the first law; the law of nature; the ceremonial law; the moral law...because Paul speaks of that law by which is the knowledge of sin and it is these works which could be used by man to boast. Man could never gain acceptance with God by anything he could/would ever do; but a relationship with Him will be determined solely by His free grace, given through Jesus Christ to all TRUE BELIEVERS THAT RECEIVE IT as a free gift.
"The believer in Christ is now, by grace, shrouded under Song complete and blessed a righteousness that the law from Mt. Sinai can find neither fault nor diminution therein. This is that which is called the righteousness of God by faith."--Bunyan.
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
The righteousness of God is Christ Jesus apprehended by faith...without Jesus Christ ALL PEOPLE ARE SHUT OUT FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
...but there is a Way!...a Truth!...and a Life! to be received!!!...and that is respecting Christ Jesus as our Savior, our Prophet, our Priest and our King...this is called "Justifying Faith."...this faith accepts Him and cleaves to Him. His righteousness is upon all that believe (trust enough! to obey His commandments); not only offered to them, but put upon them as a crown, as a robe.
When you receive Christ by faith and "put on" the breastplate of righteousness, you received Christ's righteousness. Paul said, "...that I may win Christ, And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:8-9).
In this verse, Paul recognizes the Source of true righteousness is IN Christ. Through our spiritual union with Him, we are One with Him. He is in us and we are in Him. In this relationship, we are "...partakers of the divine nature..." (2 Peter 1;4). We are "...in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Clothed in His righteousness, you have the ABILITY to live your life AS HE LIVED HIS...in COMPLETE VICTORY OVER SIN!!! It is possible!!! By His Spirit that is within you, you can be holy and blameless. You can be righteous as Jesus is righteous.
There are Christians today who go around claiming to have "...the righteousness of God in Christ...", but walk after their own ungodly desires, fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. They have more of the world in them than some who do not claim to be Christians. Outwardly, they appear to be righteous and holy; they appear to walk according to the Word. But, they still yield to their carnal natures. Their hearts are full of lust, greed, hatred, envy, jealousy.
God is going to have a people!...who will be holy and blameless...above reproach in His eyes...
Paul said, "...let us cleanse ourselves from all filthyness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the FEAR of God: (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Peter said, "...be diligent that ye may "mortify" - [put to death] - the deeds of the flesh (Colossians 3:5); to "...put on the new man..." (Ephesians 4:24)...
...ALL OF THESE REQUIRE ACTION!!! on our part. You can do it! God has given you the ability.
I began this study within another thread..but why waste it there? when it could and should stand in it's own "Light"...this way, hopefully, someone seeking the truth may have a better chance in finding it...God Bless.
*Please note: I will quote a verse, and in between them, I will comment...and added brackets ([-]).within a verse, denotes my own wording.
ROMANS 1:
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
[his human/sinful nature] descended from David, but the pure, holy life that Paul lived and demonstrated was divine...
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:...
[his divine nature] AChristian is obedient. And all true Christians are brought to obedience of the faith, and they are who are effectually called of Jesus Christ. Here is the blessing enjoyed by these who are obedient...1. They are beloved of God, and are members of that body which is beloved. 2. Their responsibility is to be holy, they're called to be saints. These are who Paul honored, by wishing them grace to sanctify their souls, and peace to comfort their hearts, that sprung from the free mercy of God, the reconciled Father of all obedient believers.
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His Name:...
and they [obedient saints] are who are effectually called of Jesus Christ.
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:...
Paul is speaking to the apostles...obedient saints...called of Jesus Christ. (Not all saints are apostles.)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The gospel does not save unconditionally. Belief is a condition...
[belief n. 1. The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in a person or thing; faith. 2. Mental acceptance or CONVICTION IN THE TRUTH...2. Something believed or accepted as true. conviction n. 1. The act or process of finding or proving guilty. 2. The state of being convicted or so proved. 3. The act or process of convincing. 4. The state of being convinced or persuaded. 5. A fixed or strong belief. convince tr.v. 1. To bring by argument and evidence to belief; cause to believe something; persuade. Often used with of. 2. Obsolete. To convict. 3. Obsolete. To conquer. To OVERCOME]
...salvation to all who accept it in God's own way...to save every soul that embraces it. The medicine prepared will not cure the patient if it be not taken.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and all unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
"...hold the truth in unrighteousness..." Every man has a measure of truth that is revealed to them...See Romans 1:19...Too many refuse to benefit from the light they have been given, and love their darkness that they live in, rather than living in the light. All who do not live up to the knowledge they possess, who do worse than they know, hold the truth in unrighteousness. They obstruct the truth, rather than let it penetrate into their hardened hearts.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God gave them up to uncleaness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and received in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity whisperers.
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant-breakers<<<>>>[my note->those who do not keep the Ten Commandments], without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
ROMANS 2:
2 But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil. to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: andas many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
ALL WHO SIN...the Jew (which was under the law), AND the Gentile (which was not under the law)...of every nation, age, and description, must realize that the judgment of God will be according to their real character. It couldn't be any clearer! In every WILFUL sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God. And though mans disobedience are of every type...ALL come from the same root. But in TRUE REPENTANCE, there must be hatred of former sinfulness, a CHANGE in the state of the mind, which causes it to choose the good and to refuse the evil. Repentance IS CONVERSION!...AND IS REQUIRED OF EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING!
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified...)
Paul was saying to the Jews....Their law could not make them righteous unless it was obeyed! To be justified is to be counted righteous, or guiltless, before God. He who has one sin recorded against him is not justified. He whose sins are all blotted out is justified.
The sinner who believes upon Jesus Christ, who clings to the mercy of God with an OBEDIENT, trusting faith, and finds mercy through Christ's redeeming blood, is justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
The law which is spoken of here is - The ten commandments. Gentiles, who did not have the written law, are a law unto themselves. What the ten commandments are to the Jews, the ten commandments are, by the grace of God, a rule of life to the Gentiles.
The full demand of the law, the ten commandments, demands that the motives of the heart be pure, and rejects all earthly ambition. Gentiles, who did not have the written law, had the law within themselves, their conscience will bear witness...either aquitting them or condemning them. (See verse 15). Nothing will impart more terror to sinners...and more comfort to saints, than knowing that Christ shall be the Judge. (See verse 16).
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. Hipocracy dishonors God, by the prideful actions of the hypocrite...and their not living their own lives according to what they preach to others. They despise others who live in a dead form of godliness, and yet they trust in a form of knowledge that is void itself of life and power...still some glory in the gospel, yet while their own unholy lives dishonour God, and blaspheme His holy Name. To rest in the law with a rest of pride, and carnality leads to death. (See verses 22 through 24).
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law; but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
They are required to live their life by that which circumcision signifies, which is, with a pure heart, and live their entire life according to the commandment of the law, so that if there is a man uncircumcised (the Gentile) according to the flesh, who is circumcised in heart, he (the Gentile) is far better and to be more regarded than any Jew that is circumcised according to the flesh only, who does not live according to the commandments of God.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision (the Gentile) keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
absolutely!
27 And shall not uncircumcision (the Gentile) which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee (the Jew), who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
absolutely!
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
For he is the real Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with an OBEDIENT faith. And the true baptism is that of the heart, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Ghost; bringing a spiritual frame of mind, and a willing heart to follow His truth in its holy ways.
May we be made real Christians, inwardly, in the heart and spirit, not in the letter...baptized with the Holy Ghost...and let all our praise be of God.
ROMANS 3:
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Here, Paul convicts them (his beloved in Rome) even more. They had the "WORDS!"...Words...the oracles of God!...the Jew had great advantages...more knowledge...the greatest advantage was that they had the Holy Scriptures...the promises that told them of the coming Messiah...the Savior.
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
But God's promises are made only to (obedient) believers...therefore the unbelief of some cannot make this faithfulness of no effect. He will fulfil his promises to his people, and bring his threatened vengeance upon unbelievers...covenant-breakers<<>>those who do not keep the ten commandments...who live a sinful life...He hates worker's of iniquity. Iniquity is sin...sin is the transgression of the law...the law is the ten commandments...all 10 of them.
5 But if our (g) unrighteousness commend (praise) the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak (h) as a man)
(g) Treachery, and all the fruits of it. (h) Therefore I do not speak these words of my own accord, as though this is what I thought, but this is the talk of man's wisdom, which is not subject to the will of God.
commend tr.v. 1. To represent as worthy, qualified, or desirable; recommend. 2. To express approval of; praise. See Synonyms at praise.
Unbelieving hearts are more than happy to engage in an argument about the fairness of God's actions/just rewards/wrath toward a wilful sinner... and will jump at the occasion to condemn HIM Who is most just, (see Job 34:17: Shall even he (the sinner) that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn HIM WHO IS MOST JUST?) "...I speak as a man...", like a vain, foolish, proud, ignorant creature!!!
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
How could anyone imagine such a perverted thing? ANY suggestions what-so-ever, that would reflect dishonour upon a just and holy God are shocking...in the least!...GOD FORBID!!! If He were not infinitely JUST and RIGHTEOUS, He would be unfit to judge the world!
If any sin, their condemnation is just.
7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
"THIS IS BLASPHEMY!" Paul screams! "If sins turn out to the glory of God, then they should not even be punished!..."...but we should just give ourselves over to a life FILLED with sin...BLASPHEMY!" Paul pronounces that God's punishment is just and fair!...and calls anyonewho questions the actions of God toward a sinner, a BLASPHEMER!
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
"...Let us do evil, that good may come...?" ABSURD!!! BLASPHEMER!!! All WHO TEACH THIS DOCTRINE ARE JUSTLY CONDEMNED!!!
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
Paul is telling the Jews that they are no better then the Gentiles...all were sinners before God...the Jews by transgressing the law...and the Gentiles, by transgressing the law of nature!
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
This is how God sees man when He looks down at us from heaven...but not what He makes them by His grace...there is none righteous...and the details of their unrighteousness follows...in Romans 3:11,12; their discourse, Romans 3:13,14; and their actions, Romans 3:16-18
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it shall to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
The law of Moses...NOT the Ten Commandments.
"The law of Moses" aka "The Book of the law"...ADDED to the Ten Commandments...Galatians 3:19: Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, TILL THE SEED [JESUS!] SHOULD COME TO WHOM THE PROMISE WAS MADE; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator [Moses].
What law was it that was given by Moses?...2 Chronicles 34:14: And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a "book" of the law of the LORD [given] by Moses. It was the Book of the law, NOT the Ten Commandments...it was the "added" law.
The Book of the law!..the law of Moses!...the ceremonial law! was observed by DOING DEEDS (the blood of bulls and goats<<<which cannot take away sin!)!!! THESE ARE the "works" or the "deeds" spoken of here!...and a man is not justified by doing these deeds!...they ARE JUSTIFIED by FAITH!...these laws left no room for repentance...these WORKS gave them room to BOAST!!!
...to be continued...
In Christ's eternal love, in His truth, Verna.
Verna, you cannot do that!!! You used too many verses one after the other. It is only allowed if the verses are used individually. With them all together it is too much truth for some to handle, and does not tickle the ears!! Let me show you how to do it:
"Who will have ALL men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of truth"
(1 Timothy 2:4)
Who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time"
(1Timothy 2:6)
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the saviour of ALL men, specially of those that believe."
There, you see how that works!! It says that ALL will be saved. How dare you try to teach what the WHOLE word says!!
Anyway, back to reality!! Phew, that felt wierd. I have never seen a universalist break down a book to show precisely what it is saying. I dare any one of them to post a majority of verses from any book (or romans if they prefer) with their interperatation of it, and It will not make a wink of sense. Guaranteed!! There will be verses in any book that will contradict their "all will be saved" THEORY !! Great job of showing the meaning of the book of Romans. I hope you will continue!! I noticed they will not touch this thread!! Well, now they will!!
Verna, you cannot do that!!! You used too many verses one after the other. It is only allowed if the verses are used individually. With them all together it is too much truth for some to handle, and does not tickle the ears!! Let me show you how to do it:
"Who will have ALL men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of truth"
(1 Timothy 2:4)
Who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time"
(1Timothy 2:6)
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the saviour of ALL men, specially of those that believe."
There, you see how that works!! It says that ALL will be saved. How dare you try to teach what the WHOLE word says!!
Anyway, back to reality!! Phew, that felt wierd. I have never seen a universalist break down a book to show precisely what it is saying. I dare any one of them to post a majority of verses from any book (or romans if they prefer) with their interperatation of it, and It will not make a wink of sense. Guaranteed!! There will be verses in any book that will contradict their "all will be saved" THEORY !! Great job of showing the meaning of the book of Romans. I hope you will continue!! I noticed they will not touch this thread!! Well, now they will!!
GOD BLESS YOU SISTER!!!
DALE
Good morning brother......Love you!
Unfortunately, you are correct...which is the reason I am "pubically" doing a thorough study of the Book of Romans...next is Galatians...to prove that 1. "Once saved always saved" false doctrine is a lie from the pit of hell, and anyone who teaches such a perverted form of God's holy Word is teaching it to their own destruction...<<<and not only to their OWN destruction, but they have the blood of all those they lead into believing this lie, upon their own hands!...THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!... and, 2. The false teaching that everyman...ALL!...will be saved eventually...no matter what kind of life they chose to live and die in, is also a lie from the pit of hell!...and their hands are dripping with the innocent blood of lost little lambs as well!.. and, 3. The lie that a believer cannot lose their salvation...even if they turn 360 degrees away from God and live and die in pure sin, is a lie from the pit of hell...and anyone who teaches this lie as well, will also pay dearly for the blood they are found with, dripping from their hands before the Lord our King!
...and I am doing this for myself first.
Dear God, by Your precious Holy Spirit, guide me into all truth...and open every eye...every heart that reads this thread, to receive Your truth as it is written. Amen.
I dare any one of them to post a majority of verses from any book (or romans if they prefer) with their interperatation of it, and It will not make a wink of sense. Guaranteed!!
And if you can't understand it, thats the standard by which we measure truth?
And if you can't understand it, thats the standard by which we measure truth?
I understand very well actually!! But thanks for the concern Phazel!!
I don't want a universalist to interperate a book for me to understand but for the poor souls that may be led astray to see what a false doctrine it is that they follow. Hopefully to turn from their sinning instead of the belief that no matter how much we defile the name of God we will still get the joys of eternal life with the Father. If I am wrong, then I will tell Hitler hello for ya when I see him K!!
I dare any one of them to post a majority of verses from any book (or romans if they prefer) with their interperatation of it, and It will not make a wink of sense. Guaranteed!!
It would be an exhaustive summary without question, but briefly it says to me:
The carnal life is currupt, impossible to rehabilitate, and must die
The process is painful, and demands trust
The life of Christ replaces the life we lose, known as "resurrection life"
This new life fulfills all requirements of God's laws, as such we should live unto the Spirit and not be in bondage to the law of the flesh
God creates some vessels for honor, and some for dishonor*
*Sparrow's beautiful illustration of the Semitic culture and their use of dishonorable vessels can be found here:
God's covenant is not for Israel only, but for anyone who believes on His name
Live peaceably with the brethren, and all men if possible
Live the life of servitude, doing all as unto the Lord
Judge not others based on customs, but don't let your customs offend others either
Bear one another's burdens, and be like-minded
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Page 2...Romans continued...
