Romans 4
4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
6David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
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16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
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The above passages I have placed here for your reference... please, I beseech you to read all of Romans, but at the very least chapter 4... I only chose to include these passages, that you may understand the "therefore" that chapter 5 begins with... When EVER the bible begins a passage with "therefore" it is good to go back and find out... what it is there for... ;)
Romans 51Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10For if while 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.
11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--
13for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.
17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.
19For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Tribulations... hmmm tribulation brings about perseverance? how wonderful... have you ever ACTUALLY thought about this...
2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10For if while 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.
11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--
13for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.
17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.
19For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Tribulations... hmmm tribulation brings about perseverance? how wonderful... have you ever ACTUALLY thought about this...Tribulations are NOT fun things... and persevering is tough stuff... this isn't some race, or smelly bus ride, that you JUST need to endure till your stop comes... this is hard life stuff, and persevering, can really be heart wrenching, clinging to Jesus, holding on for dear life stuff... but we have that peace from God....
yet sometimes it may elude you and me.. but it is there... if you aren't sure, haven't felt it just yet... talk to someone who does NOT know the Lord, really get to know people OUTside the christian circles you dwell in.. I don't mean "dump on them" I mean LISTEN to them... and you will learn... just because you aren't feeling the peace, like a trip you took in the 70's ~ does NOT mean you don't have it.. what it means is that your just numb from the tribulation right now... trust, and keep holding on... if you didn't have that peace... you'd REALLY be wigging out!
am I talking too frank for you... a little edgy perhaps.. well... I am in a little tribulation... living amongst unbelievers, most of whom barely speak the same language as I do... but I listen to them, I ask questions.... and in the midst of my tribulation, as my character is being "proven"... I hear...
that one of my most lovely friends, who comes from a Muslim Nation... would prefer to be a butterfly...
She can live then... beautifully, boldly, and die swiftly having lived a glorious albeit short life.... the standard bearing in her culture perhaps too much... the mental Burke overwhelming, demanding, demeaning to the point of despair... I worry for her, for we have not seen her lovely face now for some weeks... precious child... may she be free in Jesus Christ... may she turn to Him, who can save and redeem her, to live and breath and BE that beautiful girl she is...
What do I hear...
I hear many friends, most of whom have left countries, like the rhythms of the drums I hear their stories in my memory... stories of leaving their homelands & trying to start new here in France, some who long to come then to America.. perhaps coming From France, looks better on a Visa... than coming from... Algeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Afrika, different areas of Asia....? hmm I do not know...I do not have answers to questions like these... no... not I...
I hear their instruments, so beautiful playing on the streets and how they tell me, so many, how they long to simply live here, in Lyon, for they are from what was once French Colonies... why not have their rights met in France?
What do I hear when I listen...
I hear the beating of the drums
I hear the guitars being played
I hear the crys of the people
I hear them ...
all night long
What do you hear...???
do you listen...?
Listen to the trials, to the tribulations of believers
and unbelievers as well?
... extending grace?
letting your character be proven...
It can really be shown to you in the listening... your peace... if you have it...
sometimes... they will tell you to your face.. they wish they had your peace...
funny, too... you may have not "felt" you had it... but... you do... you do have the Peace of God...
If you have Christ..
and with the perseverance, my character proven, there is hope... hope for me, and hope that I can share with them in Christ...
8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10For if while 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.
11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--
9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10For if while 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.
11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--
That is the "good news" that needs to be told to all the peoples...
I think one of my favorite parts of this passage of scripture is when you follow it all the way through... because it is the hope.... it doesn't leave it at just the condemnation... just the "you are a sinner who needs saving" part.... and " I KNOW THE WAY!"... no
Romans doesn't do that... funny, preachers do.. but follow it all the way to the end...
For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So through the ONE many will be made righteous...
I am being made righteous...
I am a work in progress
My children
My husband
are all works in progress....
and where transgression increased
where sin has increased
do I need to be MORE stern, more angry, more HARSH???
no.. the words in the good book, are so plain..
it says, grace should abound...all the more...
just as sin reigned in death
grace should reign through Righteousness...
does that mean they get away with stuff?
grace should reign through RIGHTEOUSNESS...
GRACE.... should REIGN through RIGHTEOUSNESS....
a whole lot to just sort of dwell upon ....
isn't it....
just taking a break from all that "christian-ese" I get fed in America...
and reading that book God wrote...
and dwelling....
very encouraging verses and i love the photos too :-) great exhortation.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Anika!!! You are such an exhorter and any life you touch is richer, indeed.
ReplyDeletethank you ladies so much for the encouraging words... I am so thankful to the Lord that you were both exhorted and encouraged in Christ! :)
ReplyDeleteI just read this blog today and it was a timely word for my life.
ReplyDeleteWhere sin did abound, grace did much more abound.
My hope is renewed by this reminder of the grace of God. Thanks for writing.