How We Already Know

Think about it... Why does anything exist rather than nothing? For some people, the only answer they can give to this question is simply, “I don’t know.” But for others, the obvious answer may simply be that “God created something rather than nothing.” Whatever your answer may be, that question is one philosophers and scientists have wrestled with for centuries trying to answer.

If you don’t know why something exists rather than nothing, then ask yourself (or allow me to ask you), why don’t you know? Why don’t we know the reason for why things like a universe, light, matter, water, plants, dogs and cats, bacteria and humans with brains that can build space craft, exist? Can we know?

I believe we can and here’s why...
We already know there is a Creator, that God exists. We know that, because if God did not exist, there would be no ultimate cause for why things (including us) exist, which would mean that there would be no ultimate reason for existence. Then our intelligence would be a product of a causeless, reasonless world. If we claimed to know anything apart from the existence of a Creator, we could know no more than if we knew nothing, because we could never know everything all at once. We would simply have no reason to trust our own reasoning. Why should we trust the unchanging laws of logic, if everything is subject to change, with no intelligent Creator upholding those laws? Yet if we do acknowledge the existence of a Creator, then we have a reason to trust our ability to know, and to reason, because what we do know is what our Creator has made us to know. In short, we know what we know, because God has given it to us to know.

(Please note: I am not saying that those who do not believe in God cannot, or do not know anything. Clearly they do. But that is not because our existence is purposeless or without an ultimate cause and ultimate reason. The reason believers and unbelievers know what we know, must be because we were designed to have the ability to know things. If we were not, we would have no reason to trust our own mental capabilities, or the truth or falsehood of any belief. The only reason we can have knowledge, is because God made us to have knowledge.)

Also notice that I did not say we know everything there is to know. Only that what we do know, we know it because God made it known to us. This is called “revelation”. Revelation is God communicating things to humans so that we may know things about Him. We can know that God is great and powerful, since He created the stars and galaxies and put our planet in perfect orbit around the sun. We can know that God cares about His creation, because we receive rain and sunshine to provide us with food. We can know that God is creative and that His glory is splendid, because we can see it in all of creation. We also know God is intelligent and that He communicates, because He designed humans to have certain intellectual abilities and the power to communicate. We also can know God, because we were created by Him. That may sound strange, but think about it first, if we were created by God, then it is possible He has made us to know that we are created, that we are His creatures. This is, in fact, what I believe to be the case.

The Bible is made up of a collection of the best attested historical writings in the world. It speaks of these very things that you have just spent a few moments reading and thinking about. The Bible says (in regard to the fact that we know God as a result of His revelation), “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them” (Romans 1:19 ESV). In other words, we can know God, because God has plainly shown things about Himself to us.

Consider what else the Bible says about this, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20 ESV). This verse of the Bible is saying that we have no excuse for not knowing God, because His invisible attributes of power and divinity are clear through nature.

Far from being an old irrelevant book of the past, the Bible deals with very crucial questions, providing very acute answers. It speaks of our world in very real terms. It speaks of evil and suffering, providing the very answer to those problems. It also tells of the miraculous and prophetic manifestation of Jesus Christ as “God with us”, God in human form. The Bible provides a way to know God more personally than knowing He exists, it speaks of reconciliation to peace with God through Jesus.

So think about it, if God is our Creator and we are His creatures, then we should know Him already, and if the Bible is His special revelation, then we should be able to know that as well. While the Bible has a remarkable history, and has a mountain of proof in its favor, it should be enough for us to be able to read it for ourselves, knowing we know God, and knowing that He is able to communicate His will to us through His own special revelation. If this is so, we could know it. I believe we do know it, and I hope you will move from reading this short tract to something far greater...

Consider what the apostle Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:16-21 concerning the Bible:
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:16-21 ESV)

That is to say, that God has revealed His word to eye-witnesses through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Scriptures are His revelation to us, given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We will do well to pay attention to the Bible, as to a lamp that brings light to a dark room, like a great star that gives bright light to our hearts.

REASONS TO BELIEVE THE BIBLE #3

Here's a few more reasons why I believe you and I should read the Bible. This is my third post on this subject.

3) Is faith blind?

No, faith in the Biblical sense means to believe with certainty and conviction (Hebrews 11:1), to trust someone who is faithful, to believe the words of God. Contrary to blind faith, the Bible teaches we are to examine everything we hear (1 Thessalonians 5:21), to carefully consider what and who we trust in (1 John 4:1), to believe the testimony God has provided to His Word (1 Thess. 2:13; 1 John 5:9,10).

Faith is justified by the works God has performed before eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2-4; John 10:25,38; 14:11; Acts 5:32; 13:31; 1 John 1:1-4), the character of those eyewitnesses to be faithful (1 Thess. 2:10), their willingness to suffer or die for the message they taught (Acts 5:41; 21:13; Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:6), their strict morality which makes it impossible to knowingly deceive others and remain true to the message (2 Cor. 4:2; 1 Pet. 5:12; 2 Pet. 1:16), the power of the Holy Spirit (John 15:26; 16:13; Acts 2:38; 5:32; Rom. 1:4), and so on.

Biblical faith promotes careful examination of facts (Luke 1:3-4; 1 Thes. 5:21), but discourages blindly believing something without good reason (1 John 4:1). Faith does not stop with human reasoning alone (1 Cor. 2:5-6), it is a divine gift from God's Spirit (Eph. 2:8; 1 Cor. 12:9), imparted to the people of God so that they may believe with certainty the things written in His Word.

4) Is the message of the Bible all negative, fire and brimstone?

No, the Bible contains the most positive message I have ever heard in my life, calling it "Good News".

No merely human imagination could have ever made it up. The Bible was written by around 40 different authors who lived centuries apart from each other, who came from different countries and lifestyles, yet who wrote in perfect harmony with one another.

Like a masterpiece of art, the Bible paints the darkest picture of evil, sin and judgment, contrasting that with the most glorious display of light in God's love, mercy and grace. At the same time that it speaks of the justice and wrath of the Most Holy God, it also shows how everlasting and deep His love is for those sinners whom He rescues by taking their punishment away through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Only the words of Holy Scripture can accurately describe such loving grace: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. " (John 3:16). "For by grace you are saved through faith; and that is not from yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not by works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10). "And this word is the good news that was preached to you" (1 Peter 1:25).

6) Would you consider studying the Bible yourself?

Maybe you grew up going to church, but were never taught to understand the Bible well? Maybe you were never taught the Bible at all? Or maybe you have been told it is wrong or a lie? Maybe you are of another religion, but you have not really considered what the Bible says? Or maybe you have never had an interest in learning the Bible?

Whatever your case may be, would you consider the Biblical message honestly? Would you consider that you are a creation of an eternal, all-knowing God? That you will be held accountable to Him for all you have said, done and thought? That eternal justice will be performed on the day of Judgment, which God has appointed through His Son, whom He has raised from the dead? That without a righteousness no less than perfect, you will not be able to enjoy God's presence in eternity. That your sin will be held accountable and punished with an eternity of fire unless you humbly confess it, forsake it and turn to Jesus who shed His own perfect blood on a cross so that you could be forgiven. That you can be justified from your sin forever in His righteousness by faith alone, as a free gift.

Jesus Christ only saves sinners, and He only saves them by grace, which means that good deeds or being a good person will not earn you forgiveness. You must receive it as a gift of God through child-like trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, or you will not receive it at all. Those who do believe, do obey Jesus' commands, just as the Lord said. His commands are that you believe in the Son whom God has sent to the world, and that you love His true children. Obedience is the fruit and necessary result of true saving faith. Even this faith is a gift of God given by His Holy Spirit, whom you will receive if you truly believe. Please consider these things and turn to the Savior. You only have an eternity of peace with God to gain, and sin and hell to lose.

REASONS TO BELIEVE THE BIBLE #1

1) Is there really any proof for God?

Yes, there are many ways to know that God is. First, consider the need for a cause to produce the kind of universe in which we exist. Our universe contains order, design, progress, function, intelligence, communication, and much more. There is no other option than that it is the work of an intelligent Creator. Otherwise, it would be the result of coincidence or chance, which is literally impossible. It makes sense to believe the universe was created by God.

We can even see the "fingerprints" of our Creator's hands in the design and complexity of the natural world. From brilliant galaxies to the microbiology of a single cell, there is clear and distinct design and order to everything. It is so astounding that many scientists have willingly acknowledged the divine origin of creation, something the Bible has been doing since the first verse, written over 3,500 years ago where it said, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Our own consciences also testify that there is an eternal and divinely powerful God, to whom we are accountable for everything in our lives. We ought to acknowledge Him, honor Him and express our gratitude to Him for all that we have.


Consider what Romans says about how we all know God exists from nature:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
(Romans 1:18-25, NASB)

The Existence of God - Does God Exist?

The Existence of God

- Creation --> Creator
- Order --> Orderer
- Law --> Law Giver/Definer
- Design --> Designer
- Art --> Artist

To every building there is a builder. To every work of art there is an artist. And every law is issued by a lawgiver, an authority.

The existence of a universe containing intelligence is proof of the existence of an intelligent Creator of that universe.

It is like the existence of a city. A city is material that has been intelligently built, arranged and ordered. The city is itself a testimony to an intelligent builder or builders.

The Bible presents God as the cause of material and non-material existence. His existence is not defined by the existence of any thing else, but rather all things have their existence and definition from Him.

God exists and therefore all things exist. They exist because He exists. God is the Divine Existence that brings into being all things, yet He does not come into being Himself, for He simply exists without beginning or end.

The Bible testifies to this basic characteristic of God in many intelligent and understandable ways.

Biblical References include:

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." God created the existence of all that is in heaven and earth, for He already existed before all things.

Exodus 3:14 "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you." I AM is translated from the Hebrew letters YHWH and originates from a verb meaning "to be."

John 1:3 "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." There is not a single thing that exists apart from the existence of God. Note: this verse is in reference to Jesus Christ as God over creation.

Colossians 1:17 "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." He is the only original Being and all other existing things are kept in existence in God. This is another reference to Jesus Christ as God in creation.

Romans 1:10 "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." Nobody can claim there is no evidence or proof for the existence of God.

Revelation 1:8 "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" God declares Himself to be ultimate.

What this means for us is that we are creations, designs, creatures that belong to the Creator. What this means for God is that He made you, owns you and has authority over you. Every moment of our existence completely depends on God. You and I are morally accountable to our Maker for everything we do, say and think, because ultimately we belong to Him and His purposes, not to ourselves.

Therefore it is wise to take the advice of Proverbs 3:6-7, "In all your ways acknowledge him... Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil." Jesus came to save us for Himself.

-Penn Tomassetti

The Gospel in Romans, part 12

Just by faith - peace - hope - joy. Sufferings - endurance - character - hope - never disappointed! We have finally begun reading Romans again, and we are now in chapter five, which I like to call the "grace chapter" of Romans. We had taken a break from Romans for some weeks, and looked at Genesis 1-3, especially so that as we read Romans chapter 5, we will see the connection between Jesus and Adam in Genesis 3 as they are discussed from verses 12-21 of this chapter. I did not teach this whole lesson last night, but I hope to continue it next week. There is so much joy and hope to be found in understanding this chapter, so go ahead and dig in...

Romans Chapter 5, part 1

Romans 5:1-6 (ESV):
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.

Verse 1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember what we must do whenever we start reading the Bible at a certain verse or passage and see a "therefore"? We are supposed to go back and find out what that "therefore" is there for. The last chapter ended by teaching us that the Scripture was not written for Abraham's sake alone that his faith was "counted to him as righteousness" (Romans 4:22; Genesis 15:6), but it was also written for us who will be "counted righteous" by faith, if we trust in God who delivered Jesus up to be crucified for our trespasses and raised for our justification (Romans 4:23-25).
Now we have come to chapter 5 verse 1; and what does it say we are therefore justified by? "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith..." So the word "therefore" is intended to show us that because, or since we are justified by faith, as it was stated back in 4:25, we now have these blessings that follow.

What is the first result of being justified by faith? "We have peace with God." And through whom does this peace come? "Through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Remember when we studied Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter three, and how Adam and Eve needed to be reconciled to God. They had been separated from God's presence by their sin and by God's judgment with the angel and the flaming sword keeping them out of Paradise. Their own efforts to cover their shame could not have restored them to peace with God. They needed God to make a provision, and He did that through the sacrifice of the "lamb" in order to clothe them, representing Christ's sacrifice of atonement. Thus God was showing Adam and Eve how He would make a way for them to be brought back to Himself and have peace with Him through Christ. Now Paul is declaring that we have that peace through Jesus Christ if we are justified by faith, just as Abraham and all the saints were justified!

Notice also the title Jesus Christ has - "our Lord Jesus Christ." Do you remember what the words, "Lord" and "Christ" mean? First, Jesus is our Lord, which means He rules; He is our Judge, our Master, our God and the one we bow to in humble submission and obedience. Whatever He says, that is what we must believe and do. Next, Jesus is the Christ, which means "Anointed." That means He is the the one God the Father has anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our Prophet (speaking the truth of God), our Priest (making the sacrifice for our sins and interceding before God on our behalf), and our King (providing a kingdom and a land of peace and safety by ruling and reigning supreme over all). This is who Jesus is to those of us who are justified by faith. He is our Lord, and the one by whom we now have peace with God, because of the sacrifice of Himself.

Verse 2
Through him we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

How do we get access into "this grace" mentioned here? Notice the words, "through him." It is only through Jesus Christ that there is salvation, and that is received by faith. Jesus is the source of God's grace. John chapter one says that Jesus is "full of grace and truth," and that "from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace," and that "the law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:14,16,17). So all God's grace is only given and accessed through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What is grace? Salvation is by grace, so do you know what the word "grace" means? (I asked a young Hispanic man this, and since the Spanish word for grace is "gracia", he thought I was talking about giving thanks). I heard of one old black minister, who died not long ago (Elder D.J. Ward), who was quoted as saying, "I'm a grace case... I'm a grace case!" Grace is really profound and beautiful. I have a blog on the internet devoted to grace, called "All of Grace." A lot of ministries and churches like to attach the word "grace" to their names; "grace church," "Greater Grace World Outreach," etc. Countless books are written about grace all the time. In fact, this very chapter of Romans 5 is written to teach us about grace. So what is it? Well, grace in the Bible usually means Divine favor. It is God's favor and goodness toward those who deserve His judgment and wrath. It is revealed to us through Jesus Christ who took the judgment and wrath on behalf of those who are under God's divine favor. I like this definition: Grace is the free gift of undeserved favor toward hell-deserving sinners.

Grace is something we stand in. We have these blessings which result from being justified by trust (faith) in Jesus: 1) we are justified (counted righteous before God); 2) we have peace with God (we are His friends and no longer enemies); 3) we have access into this grace in which we stand (i.e. we stand in God's favor as His chosen and beloved); 3) this causes us to rejoice (lit. "to speak loud") in hope of the glory of God. All these spiritual blessings come to us only through Jesus Christ our Lord by faith.

Verses 3-4
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Verse 3 begins with the words, "More than that." What do we do "more than that" if we are justified by faith? We rejoice in our sufferings. Sufferings are a part of the blessings that come with being justified by faith. Philippians 1:29 says, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake." Just as faith is granted (given) to us in order to believe in Jesus for His sake, even so, suffering is given to us for His sake also. The Greek word used for "sufferings" means to be under pressure, afflictions, tribulations, persecution, anguish, burdened. Such are the things Christians rejoice (lit. "speak loud") in. The reason we rejoice in our sufferings if we are justified by faith is, because sufferings produce all kinds of valuable spiritual blessings in us.

Why do you think suffering would be the cause of great spiritual blessings to a Christian? We see from verse 3, that it produces endurance. What does it mean to endure? The Greek word used here for endurance means to patiently and cheerfully endure, to have power to remain, to endure with hopefulness. It gives the idea of patient continuance in the faith. To endure means to hold out against adversity, not to fold under pressure but to remain steadfast, continue in hopefulness. Jesus said, "By your endurance you will gain your lives." (Luke 21:19). Hebrews 10:36 says to suffering Christians, "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised." Jesus said to the Church of Philadelphia in the book of Revelation, "Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown." [The crown was used as a symbol of victory after enduring the test of sufferings]. Revelation 14:12 calls Christians to endure after telling them about how those who follow the beast and receive the 666 mark will be tormented in fire forever without rest, it then says, "Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." And the following verse pronounces a blessing on all who die in the Lord from now on, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" (See Revelation 14:9-13). Endurance is essential to being saved, and Paul says that we rejoice in our sufferings, since as justified believers, they are producing this blessing of endurance in our lives.

What is the second thing sufferings produce? Sufferings produce endurance, which in turn produces character. The Greek word translated "character" means "test," or "proof." It is a word people used when testing gold or money to see if it was genuine. Sufferings or difficulties produce endurance in the justified believer, and that hopeful endurance produces genuine tested character (proving our faithfulness to God). When you want to know somebody, you always want to test their character to see if it is real. That is exactly what difficulties and trials do for our faith - it is tested and proven to be the real thing.

What is the third thing sufferings produce? Or, what does tested character produce? Character produces hope. Hope is a really good thing. It means to be waiting with expectation. When I was studying this word in the Bible, I thought of this example for hope: The Bible's definition of hope is similar to the feeling you get when you know it is sure your team is going to win. You are watching a football game, or playing soccer or something else, and everything is intense. Then the time starts running out, and your team does something, like scores or whatever, and you realize it's all over. The game is over - your team is going to win and now it is just a matter of time until it ends. And you begin to rejoice, even jump for joy, because you know it's finished. You know what the outcome is going to be, and so you are filled with hopeful expectation. That is the idea we get here. Suffering produces endurance in the justified believer's life, which produces tested proven character, which produces joyful hope.

Verse 5
and hope does not put us to shame because the love of God has been
poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given
to us.

What does hope not do for us? Hope does not put us to shame. The NASB says, "and hope does not disappoint." Verse 5 is the climax of all the spiritual blessings listed here. Hope, which means "waiting in expectation" does not leave the justified ashamed or disappointed. Why not? How could someone have hope, and then end up disappointed or put to shame? Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."

I read an article about an African American man from a small town who was accused of several rapes and a murder back in the 1980's. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison. The man, who's name was Tim, always held that he did not commit the rapes and the murder. After he was in prison for a number of years, another man stepped forward and admitted he was the one who committed those crimes that Tim was in prison for. The judges would not listen to the man's confession and they would not reconsider that Tim was innocent. After more years passed, Tim died in prison of health complications. It was only after he died that the courts reconsidered his case, and found out he was innocent, while the other man was the one who had indeed committed those rapes. I watched a video where Tim's brothers and mother were crying and talking about their brother. One of the brother's held a little brown New Testament, and he read from it these words, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12). Tim's hope and his family's hope had been deferred. Tim died before justice could be dealt out rightly for him. However, someone in the article said that there is only one Judge and one system of justice that is perfect, and it isn't on this earth yet. Nevertheless, for Tim's family, their hope for his release was gone. Tim's hope was ended. However, knowing that he was innocent did fulfill their desire for their brother in some ways. That is what it means to have hope and not see it fulfilled. It is a sad story. But the story will not end there. Whether or not Tim was a believer, God will raise him from the dead and all this will be worked out on judgment day. God was Sovereign over Tim's situation, and we do not know what God's purposes were for him to be in such a situation. That is why we look forward to that day, because it is a day when God will judge the world in righteousness (Psalm 96:13).

Now, we are reading here that while Christians may suffer extremely in this life, and we are promised that it will be so, nevertheless, this hope will not be deferred, it will be fulfilled. Christians may die, yet Christ, who is our hope, will return and will raise the dead. And this is how we know our hope will be fulfilled, because it says, "the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." I have often thought, how could I ever doubt God's love? How can I doubt His love when He has given me everything? He gave His Son, as we will see in verse 6, and He gave me His Holy Spirit to be in me and with me. Through the Holy Spirit, God has poured out His love into the hearts of those of us who are justified. The Holy Spirit is given as a down payment, or as an engagement ring. He is the seal of God's promise that He will save those who are justified by faith. This love of God is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. So if you have the Holy Spirit, then God's love has been poured into your hearts through Him and you have this hope that will never put you to shame, because it will be fulfilled!

Verse 6
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

This is where we see the love of God - that Christ would die at the right time for the ungodly. While we were still weak, helpless, ungodly, unable to do good, Christ died for us who are justified by faith in Him!

I will end with some soul-searching questions:
Are you justified by faith in Christ? Are you trusting Him alone as your hope and your righteousness? Are you enjoying peace and friendship with God through Him? Are you standing in His grace that comes only through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord? Are you suffering through difficulties as a result of your faith in Jesus? Are you enduring, proving your character and waiting in hope for Christ to return and for you to be delivered into Heaven? Have you experienced this overflowing love of God poured out into your hearts through the Holy Spirit? Has He changed your heart, and has He melted it with His love, so that you are looking to Christ for all grace? And last of all, do you view yourself as weak, and ungodly? Do you see that Jesus Christ died at the right time for the ungodly, and that includes you if you have trusted in Him?

Don't turn away from Him, but instead, trust Him who delivered Jesus up for our trangressions and was raised for our justification. Trust Him and Him alone.
Amen.

The Gospel in Romans, part 10

Romans 4:9-15

Romans 4:9-15 ESV:

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

Intro:

First, in order to prove that God only saves people by faith and not by their works, Paul brought up Abraham as an example. What did Abraham find? If he was justified by works, he could have something to glory in or boast about, "but not before God." (v2). The Scripture says he was counted righteous when he believed God (Genesis 15:6). Those who rely on works for justification are under debt, not grace. But those who are counted righteous before God are justified by faith while they are still ungodly. This is grace... it is a free gift. The person who is justified by faith is the most blessed of all! Why? Because their iniquities (their disobedience to the Law) are forgiven, and their sins are covered over. Romans 4:8 says [paraphrased], "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord won't count." That is the blessing of all blessings! Those who are justified by faith will never be charged guilty with sin!

Study Notes:

(Paul continues using Q & A as a format in this chapter).

Verse 9
Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.
Who gets the blessing, Jews only, or Gentiles also?
It is faith that was counted to Abraham as righteousness. So then, could a person who is not circumcised have faith also?
(There are many people, ministers, churches, so-called Christians, Bible study leaders, who will tell you that being right with God [or justified] is dependent upon YOU and the works YOU do).
Paul says, "When was Abraham justified?"

Verse 10
How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised.
Not after, but before he was circumcised, i.e. before he performed the sign of the covenant or did any works.

Verse 11-12
He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Circumcision was God's command to Abraham and all his people for a sign and a seal that he was already righteous by faith in the one true GOD, YHWH.
So salvation is by faith alone, both for the man who is circumcised and for the man who is not.
Abraham was made the father of all who believe, both Jew [circumcised] and Gentile [uncircumcised], (and for everyone else believing in Christ).

Verse 13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
The Bible is clear that God will destroy the earth and everyone in it who has not obeyed Him out of faith and love, when His righteous judgment is revealed. So when the Bible says, "Abraham and his offspring... would be heir of the world..." we should think, "What does that mean? What offspring? Heirs of what world?"

Do you know what God told the serpent after Adam and Eve were decieved by him into disobeying God? Genesis 3:14-15 says, "The Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” God said the serpent would have "offspring" or "seed," and the woman would have an "offspring" or "seed." These are two heads, or fathers of peoples. There are two offspring, one of the serpent, and one of the woman. The two offspring, or seeds, are the rulers of two different groups of people (only on of them inherits the world, according to Romans 4:13). What does the word "enmity" mean? They would be enemies [enmity=enemy] of each other. What does the woman's offspring do? And what does the serpent do? Which is worse, a bruised head, or a bruised heel? (Now for the tricky part) has any woman on earth ever produced a seed? Seed in Greek is "sperma." Did Mary commit adultery before she was married? Absolutely not, she was a virgin. Then how was she pregnant? The Holy Spirit caused her to conceive before being married to a man. So Jesus is the "seed" of the woman, and He is the Head of all those who will inherit the earth.

Back in Romans 4:13, when God promised Abraham and his seed [offspring] that he was to be heir of the world, we see a connection with what God had said about the woman and her offspring who would destroy the serpent. Jesus, the seed of the woman, would come through Abraham as his offspring. There is also a connection here with believers, who are Abraham's offspring through faith. Every person who is born of the Spirit (which is a miraculous birth, like the birth of Christ) will be an heir of the world just as God promised Abraham.

Now we can ask, how does that promise come? Does it come to you through your obedience to the law? Not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (There is no mistake, you must be righteous to be saved. How did Abraham become righteous? It says, he believed God, and righteousness was counted to him).

Verse 14
For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
Faith is useless and the promise is empty if one becomes an heir of the world-to-come by law. Why? Well... verse 15 says,

Verse 15
For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
What does the law bring? Wrath! "But where there is no law, there is no transgression."
Faith justifies apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28 says, "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."

If you trust God as Abraham did, then God counts you to be righteous and not guilty of breaking any law. Why not? Because Jesus died for those who believe and trust the Word of God. So it is His blood and death on the cross that atones for all your sin if you come to Him. And He rose again to be the Ruler, the King, the Head of all the people of God. You can be an heir of the world, if you believe the Word of God. It comes only through Jesus and no other.

Conclusion:

So, are you believing God's Word? Do you trust God to be faithful, just as Abraham did? Do you believe all the Bible says concerning the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord?
What does the Bible say? The Bible tells us of the wrath of God, which is "revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." (Romans 1:18). The wrath (indignant anger) of God is against all who commit sin. He feels righteous anger everyday, and is ready to kill those who will not repent (Psalm 7:11-13). Here is a short list of some sins that bring God's wrath: cowardliness, pride, self-will, faithlessness, hatred, coveteousness (wanting what doesn't belong to you), disobedience to parents, jealousy, uncontrolled anger, slander, sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, theft, greed, drunkenness, abusive language, swindling, lying, evil thoughts, gossip, boastfulness, selfishness. This righteous judgment of God against those who do these things is a reality. Do you believe it?
The Bible says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). Do you believe that you have sinned? Do you believe that you deserve the righteous anger and judgment of God? (I sure deserve it).

Now, with that said, do you believe God's gracious promises? First, do you know any of His promises? Dear friends, if you don't know the promises of God, then you don't have any hope. God promises to justify the ungodly through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 4:5). He promises to pardon every sin you have ever committed through faith in Jesus (1 John 1:7-9). God promised that all who put their hope in Him who raised Jesus from the dead will be counted righteous before Him. That means to have no sin, to be perfect, to be upright and blameless. It is a free gift (Romans 3:24)! He promises to give His Holy Spirit to every believer who comes to Jesus (Ephesians 1:13). God promises believers will never die (John 11:25-27). Though our bodies wear out like old rags, or decompose in the dust, or get eaten by worms, God will raise them again, forever new to be with Him and to see His face (1 Corinthians 15:35-38,56-57; Revelation 22:1-4).

All these promises and more, are to those who come to Jesus Christ alone for satisfaction and life and rest (Matthew 11:28; John 6:35,37). They are not made to anyone else, because it is only through Jesus that they come to us. Do you believe Him? Have you repented and thrown yourself down at the feet of Almighty Jesus? If you do, He will most certainly save you. It is a promise (John 6:37).

Don't put off believing for another time. If you continue in unbelief, you may never have another chance to be turned and saved. Today is the day... Now is the time... Call on Jesus! Ask Him to make it possible. God bless.

The Gospel in Romans, part 9

I was extremely excited to share this wonderful passage of Scripture to study with my small group in West Philly. May God use this study to reach whomever He wills, however He wills, for His glory and praise. There really is no better news in the world than the news that Jesus Christ came to give! May God bless those of you who read this study.

Romans 4:1-8

Romans 4:1-8 ESV:

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather 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 counted to him as righteousness." [Gen. 15:6]. 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,

and whose sins are covered;

8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."

Study Notes:

Intorduction:

We are still talking about justification by faith. In Romans 1:17, Paul said that the gospel reveals the righteousness of God from faith to faith, "as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith [Habakkuk 2:4]." Before we could get on this topic about justification, we had to learn what Paul taught in the first three chapters about righteousness and judgment. Remember Romans 1:18, "For the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unright eousness suppress the truth." So God's righteous wrath is revealed from heaven against people who are unrighteous and suppress the truth about Him. That is what unrighteousness is, it is suppressing the truth about God, and turning instead to lies for satisfaction and worship. We are created to worship God, and if we do not worship Him, we worship other things besides Him. Therefore, God's wrath (His righteous anger and judgment) is revealed from heaven against people who turn away from Him as the source of their life and joy and satisfaction to lesser and more unworthy things which will not satisfy us, but cause death in the end.

We also learned that religion does not help anyone avoid this wrath and judgment, but actually makes it worse, because Romans 2:4-5 says to the self-righteous hypocrites, "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent [unchanging] heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed." And in chapter three, we read about how we are all guilty, the whole world is condemned before God, because every one of us has turned aside and become worthless as far as making ourselves right. God's law shows us what sin is and reveals that we are sinners, and we all are under the righteous judgment and wrath of God. Being guilty before God of sin ultimately leads to an eternity of suffering and torment in hell, unless we are forgiven and made righteous before Him. Now, the way for anyone to be forgiven and stand righteous before God is not by our works (obedience to the law, religious ceremonies, prayers, confession, baptism, making ourselves feel bad, trying to do better, or anything else we do), but rather we are given a righteousness from God through faith in the Person and life, death and resurrection of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This righteousness is God's righteousness for us, and it is a free gift. Since He died as a propitiation for those who believe, God can forgive those who trust in Him and still be righteous in condemning their sin on the cross.

At the end of chapter three, Paul said this eliminates all boasting in what we have done. Nobody can say, "I did what I was supposed to do, now God is going to accept me and save me." No one can say that, because no one has the right to be forgiven or justified. However, through faith in Christ, we can now be completely (and I mean completely, totally) forgiven and justified because of who He is and what He has done for us if we believe (trust) in Him as our only hope.

Verse 1
What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?

To understand why Paul is writing this verse, we need to remember what he wrote in the previous verses about boasting, and what kind of people he had in mind when he wrote it. Paul wrote to Jews about how they cannot be justified by the law (3:1,9,20). He said that righteousness is actually a free gift of God given to those who trust in Christ (3:24). this eliminates all forms of boasting in what they do (3:27). Now, he mentions Abraham as an example from the Old Testament to back up the things he just taught them. Who was Abraham? Abraham was the first father of the nation of Israel. He was the one God called out of his homeland, and promised that he would be a father of many nations, "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:2-3).

Verse 2

For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

Why could Abraham have something to boast about if he was justified by works? Why not before God?

Abraham could boast if he was justified by works, because he would have something good that he had done, so all he would have to do is point to those good things he did, and boast. But not before God, because no one stands justified before God who has not kept every part of the law (Galatians 3:10).

Verse 3

But what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."

Paul again goes back to the Bible, "What does the Bible say about this?" We would label someone like that "a Bible thumper" or something else, but there is an important reason for that. The Bible contains exactly what God has spoken to all people for all time in every place. When we want to know what God says or thinks, we can go to the Bible and find out exactly. So, what does it say? What does it say Abraham did? What was counted to Abraham as righteousness [being right before God]? By saying this, Paul showed the Jews that God has always justified His people by faith, rather than by works they performed.

Verses 4-5

Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

If you went to work someplace for $8 an hour, and at the end of the week you get paid for all that you had done, could the person paying you say, "I'm giving this to you as a gift"? No way! Why not? Because you worked for it, you earned it! Nobody earns a gift. Nobody deserves a gift. A gift is something a person gives out of love for the person they give to, not because of anything the person has done to get it, but to show them how much the giver loves. In the case with God, God is not glorified if you deserve forgiveness and justification, and heaven and eternal life. No, rather, God is glorified when He gives those things freely to people who don't deserve them. (That is the whole reason why chapter three made it so clear we are all no good sinners, who are worthless and unrighteous and deserving of damnation from God. It is to show how great His grace and love is to freely give us forgiveness and righteousness through Jesus Christ).

In what way does verse 5 describe God? How does it describe the person who believes in Him?

Verse 6

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

Here again is another example of an Old Testament person trusting in God to be justified. Who was David? What part of the Bible did David write? Who does Paul say David was writing about in these next veses?

Verses 7-8

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,

and whose sins are covered;

blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."

Have you heard of people talking a lot about blessings? What kinds of blessings do they refer to most? Well, this blessing is the greatest blessing in the world! How are the people in these verses blessed? What are "lawless deeds"? What does it mean to have your "sins covered"? What does it mean for the Lord to count your sin? Notice about that those who are trusting, resting, relying on, satisfied with, Jesus Christ as their only hope and treasure and Lord and Savior, that the Lord will not count their sin against them.

Conclusion:

If you have understood what I've been teaching you, you should then be able to see how this is "good news only for bad people." Have you realized that you are totally guilty of breaking God's righteous and holy Laws, rejecting His rules and following after your own will, and that this makes you totally worthy of eternal damnation in hell from God? If you can humbly, and honestly acknowledge such things about yourself, then Jesus Christ is the best news in the world to you! Why? Because for those who do not work, but rely on Him, Jesus Christ becomes our righteuosness before God, and He will never, ever count your sin against you. Why not? Because He already counted it against His perfectly righteous and holy Son, when He was crucified for hell-deserving sinners. God raised Him from the dead, so there is hope for the unrighteous. There is hope, because there is a real, living Savior who really saves all who come to God through Him. Praise God!

Have you believed?

FIRST we looked at how Jesus said we must repent. Second, Jesus said you must believe. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15 ESV). Actually, repentance and faith go together. You cannot believe unto salvation if you have not repented, and you cannot repent without faith. Both of these acts are a result of the work of God's gracious Holy Spirit in the heart. After Jesus performed many miracles, preached sermon after sermon, warned, rebuked, invited people to believe, the Scripture then said, "Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him... Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them." (See John 12:36-43). Why did they not believe? It says, because "they could not believe."

Photo: courtesy of Maria Tomassetti

John the Baptist said, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven." (John 3:27). Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." (John 6:44). Paul said, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians 2:8). James said, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." (James 1:17). Peter said, "To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ..." and "...you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." (1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 1:21). John said, "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God..." (1 John 5:1). Jude said, "...contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3).

It is clear from the Bible that faith is a gift from God. But the question is, have you received faith? Have you believed?

You may ask, "Believed what?" Have you believed in the good news of the gospel? Have you believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world? (John 11:27). That He is God manifested in the flesh? (John 1:1,14). That He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world? (John 1:29). That He is the light of the world, so that whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life? (John 8:12). That Jesus is the only way to God the Father? (John 14:6). That He came from the Father and has gone back to Him? (John 16:28,30,31; 17:8). Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal I AM, the Living One, Jehovah, YHWH, Adonai, the Lord GOD, the First and the Last? (John 8:58; Revelation 1:17-18; 21:6; 22:13). Do you believe that He is the propitiation for your all your sins? (1 John 1:7; 2:2). Do you believe He rose from the dead? (Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:4).

How do you know that you truly believe? Jesus said to those who believed in Him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32). He also said, "Abide in me, and I in you." (John 15:4). Paul said that in Christ Jesus, faith works through love. (Galatians 5:6). Hebrews chapter eleven says faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen. (Hebrews 11:1). Chapter twelve says that faith is looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2). James said that faith without works is dead, useless and cannot save you. (James 2:14,17,26). Peter said that you are being guarded by faith for salvation and rejoice in it. (1 Peter 1:5-6). Peter also said that genuine faith is tested by various trials. (1 Peter 1:6-7). Peter again describes faith as waiting according to God's promise for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13). John describes the results of faith as walking in the light; having fellowship with God and Christians; confessing sins; keeping His commandments; walking as Jesus walked; loving other believers; doing the will of God and not loving the world; abiding in Christ and His teaching; doing righteousness; quitting sinful practices; giving to needy Christians; listening to His apostles; not fearing judgment; believing God's testimony about His Son; receiving answered prayers; keeping away from idols. (1 John).

My dearly loved friends, are these marks of faith showing in you? Have you truly believed in Jesus? Have you repented from trusting your own works, your own goodness, your own righteousness, your own faith, your own efforts, your own prayers, decisions, knowledge, self? Have you been "looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith"? (Hebrews 12:2). Do you trust Him who never sinned, who obeyed every commandment, resisted every temptation, believed every word of God, carried every sorrow, was stricken for every transgression, crucified for all your sin, died for your pardon, was buried for you, rose from the dead for your justification, lives so you can have life, removed the wrath of God, went back to the Father, will come again to save, to judge and to rule as King of kings and Lord of lords? Do you believe Him, trust Him, rely on Him, rest in Him? Is He your righteousness? Is He your God, your all in all?

Looking to Jesus,
Penn

Faith

"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward." (Hebrews 11:24-26 ESV).

Faith is a strange and alien thing to a blind and fallen world. Faith sees Christ as worth the cost of separation, mistreatment, reproach, and loss of worldly wealth here and now, for something far more rewarding in the future. To the eye of faith, Christ is worth it. No faith is like no sight - it sees no worth in Christ as the only true and lasting treasure.

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having my own righteousness that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith..." (Philippians 3:7-9 ESV).

Oh Lord, grant me such faith, and let all those who hope in you rejoice! Amen.