Romans Verse by Verse lesson 5

We have access into grace exclusively by faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith exclusively in Jesus Christ brings us the "how much the more" benefits.

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Romans 5:1  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  2  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Therefore… because of the truths revealed up to now therefore.  The foundational building blocks have been put into place.  Faith alone is counted for righteousness.  Our efforts must not ever be the object of our faith for righteousness (right standing) and justification (just as if we never sinned).  We can walk with a confident assurance we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ!  Peace derived from any other source is a false sense of peace.

We have access!!  We have access into the divine influence of God by our faith being centered in our Lord Jesus Christ.  We have an audience with the King!

Romans 5:3  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  4  and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Glory in tribulations is a kingdom principle; complaint in tribulations is an earthly mentality.  This is a word of maturity.  To glory in the tribulation is to praise God for the peace and worship Him for the access in spite of the storm.  It is considering the greatness of your God in spite of the circumstance.  If we will keep our eyes on Jesus a process of the sanctification of the soul begins.  Perseverance is birthed and builds character.  Character lays hold of the hope that is a confident expectation in God.  This kingdom hope will not disappoint.  This hope is founded in the love of God which was poured out in our heart by the Holy Spirit!  It is the process of living by faith!  A complaint in our mouth has the power to short circuit the whole process.

Romans 5:6  For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  7  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

How do you measure the love God has for us; He spent the treasure in heaven on our behalf.  He did not wait for us to become clean; while we were sinners Christ died for us.  Under the law when the unclean touched the holy the holy became unclean.  Jesus came and when He touches the unholy the unholy becomes clean.

Romans 5:9  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  10  For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11  And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

See the “much more” truth!  The believer is saved from wrath through Jesus!  The believer is saved by His life!  We have right now received the reconciliation!

Romans 5:12  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned; 

The sin nature came into being because of the 1^st Adam’s sin!  All men are born into sin and shaped in iniquity.

Romans 5:13  (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.  14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Remember Romans 4:15?  because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

Sin is not imputed where there is no law.  From Adam to Moses sin was not imputed.  When the law came sin was imputed indeed.  Even when the sin was not imputed death reigned and over man.  We needed the second Adam the Man Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:15  But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.

If sin allowed death to reign by the first Adam, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man Jesus Christ, abounded much more!  The greatness of the sacrifice of second Adam is greater than the offense of the fallen 1^st Adam.

Romans  5:16  And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.

The first Adam’s offense resulted in condemnation.  The second Adam’s free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification!

Romans 5:17  For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

See the much more!  Those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.  Abundant life is God’s intention for you!

Romans 5:18  Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

Through Jesus Christ's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

Romans 5:19  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.

The first Adam’s disobedience made many sinners, so also by one the Second Adam’s obedience many will be made righteous.  Whose obedience are you relying on?

Romans 5:20  Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,  21  so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Where sin abounded grace superseded and abounded much more.  Just as sin reigned in death, even so grace can now reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ!  God is calling us to live in the much more provided by His divine influence.

Roman Verse by Verse lesson 4

The faith of Abraham was God's demonstration of taking wishful thinking hope or earthly hope and changing it into a confident expectation based upon the character of God hope. Changing the impossible into the certain expectation that all things are possible with God. Justified exclusively by faith in Jesus Christ.

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Romans 4:1  What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?  2  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.  3  For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

The truth of grace is what separates us from all other religions.  All false religions have man being made right before God based upon the doing of the man or you could say man’s works.  However, true salvation is being justified by faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Abraham was not justified by works.  Remember last week we defined justified as “just as if we never sinned”.  Innocence restored.  If it is by works we have gone back to live by the tree of “the knowledge of good and evil”.  God’s desire is for us to live from the tree of life.  That life is found exclusively in Jesus Christ alone.  Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  Accounted is a interesting word.  Abraham believed the word of God and then there was an accounting.  God seen Abraham’s faith toward the word and God counted him as righteous.  When the object of your faith is the word of God it will be counted to you!

Romans 4:4  Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.  5  But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,  6  just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

If you work for it the wages are not grace but of debt.  If you believe for it through divine influence it is not of work but grace.  The scripture is so clear here.  Righteousness of God comes to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly.  His faith is accounted for righteousness.  God imputes righteousness apart from works and there is no other righteousness that takes away the sin.  All righteousness derived from works or human effort cannot impute righteousness from God.  The man who is working for it loses the ability to receive God’s defined righteousness.

Romans 4:7  "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;  8  Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin."

This faith journey is awesome.  It was prophetically spoken by the prophets of old.  The covenant brought by the blood of Jesus is the covenant where sin are not imputed; those who come into covenant by faith in Jesus Christ are the blessed ones to whom the LORD is not imputing sin.

Romans 4:9  Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10  How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.

Circumcision was the physical mark made upon the foreskin of every male in Israel saying they belonged to God.  Even under the law it was not a trumpet blown, saying I belong to God.  It was a personal reminder to the individual that they belonged to God. So today it is the inward work of God made in the heart of man; faith in Jesus’ atoning work allows one to confess “I now belong to God”.  It is truly a circumcision of the heart by placing faith in Jesus Christ the Messiah; look what God has done.  The blessedness of the promise was made before Abraham was ever circumcised.  Righteousness must be exclusively found in faith toward Jesus Christ!

Romans 4:11  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12  and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

It is the walk of faith that imputes righteousness to the believer.  It is of the covenant of the blood of the Lamb where men can be made justified.  The circumcision came after faith had already come.

Romans 4:13  For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 

The promise that God made to Abraham was not through the law; the promise to Abraham that he would be the heir of the world was exclusively through the righteousness of faith.  The just shall live by faith and there is no other way to live in victory.

Romans 4:14  For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15  because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

The law and faith cannot be mixed.  If it is of law then faith is made void and the promise made of no effect.  Hear the words of covenant.  It can’t be of law because law brings about wrath; where there is no law there is no transgression.

Romans 4:16  Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

The Holy Spirit does not want us to miss it!  Being made right with God is exclusively through faith and there is no other way.  If it is of law then many are excluded.  If it is of faith all who will call upon Jesus can be justified before God.  It is to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

Romans 4:17  (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed; God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18  who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be."

This promise is based upon the greatness of who God is.  God is the one who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.  Although earthy hope had no chance the hope coming from the word of God brought hope to believe the impossible.

Romans 4:19  And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.  20  He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,  21  and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

When receiving the promise of God there are things to consider and, just as important, things not to consider.  Abraham did not consider the deadness of his own body nor that of Sarah womb.  He did not waver at the promise.  He kept the promise in the forefront considering what God has spoken was true and God could and would perform His word to him.  To consider the weakness of his or his wife’ body would be the faith killer.  However, he considered the promise of God and was strengthened in faith.  Abraham gave glory to God, and being fully convince that what He had promised He was able to perform.  Abraham was giving the glory to God before the manifestation of the promise. 

Romans 4:22  And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness."  23  Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,  24  but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,  25  who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

Abraham’s life of faith is written down for us! There can be an accounting of righteousness for you!  Only by faith in the living word of God.  It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.  Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses,30?0000000000000000000……..our justification!  FAITH ALONE!

Romans Verse by Verse -- Lesson 3

Romans chapter 3 shows the wicked, the law keepers, and the good Joe's all need Jesus for God's true righteousness. For men no matter their lot in life do not possess nor can possess the righteousness of God without coming to the one true Messiah Jesus Christ. He is the way and there is not another way to be found righteous or justified before the Holy God.

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Romans 3:1  What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?  2  Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.  3  For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

The oracles of God were committed to the Jews; however, they missed their time of visitation and they as a whole did not receive Jesus as the Messiah.  Does their unbelief undo the faithfulness found in God?

Romans 3:4  Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."

The faithfulness of God is still in effect; even when there are those who do not believe!  Let God be true but every man a liar!  When the grace of God is made clear by the revelation of the Word, make is supreme in your life.  If there are traditions or the teachings of men contrary to the Word, let God be true and every man a liar.  Let the word of truth be put in your mouth and let it reign in your life.

Romans 3:5  But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6  Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

The good news of gospel being preached properly will call men to ask the same questions that were asked of the apostle Paul.  However, we must not allow the carnal mind to define how the righteousness of God works. 

Romans 3:7  For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?  8  And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?; as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

Grace brings true freedom from sin; some falsely declare going on in sin is okay because it shows the goodness of God.  They accused Paul of saying this; and Paul quickly rebukes the idea that the good news leaves one practicing evil.

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

The wicked, the law keepers, and the good Joes are all under sin. 

Romans 3:10  As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;  11  There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.  12  They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one."

Psalms 14:1-3 is the prophetic utterance to bring man to the realization they need a Savior.  There is none… no not one!  Psalms 53:1-3

Romans 3:13  "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips";  14  "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."  15  "Their feet are swift to shed blood;  16  Destruction and misery are in their ways;  17  And the way of peace they have not known."  18  "There is no fear of God before their eyes." 

More prophetic verses being fulfilled here in Romans.  Isaiah 64:6, Psalms 5:9, Psalms 140:3,  Psalms 10:7, Isaiah 59:7-8, and Psalm 36:1.  Man in his unredeemed state cannot claim any rightness before God.  Before one can come to salvation he must know he needs a Savior!

Romans 3:19  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

The law has stopped every mouth from proclamation of any righteousness before God.  The entirety of the world is guilty before the holy God.

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

By the deeds of the law no flesh will be found without sin; the law’s purpose and intent is to impart the knowledge of sin and to make sin exceedingly sinful.

Romans 3:21  But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22  even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

The righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed.  God’s defined righteousness is exclusively found through faith in Jesus Christ and it is to all and on all who believe.

Righteousness is be made in right standing before God; and coming into union with God by the reconciling work Jesus did at the cross.

Romans 3:23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  24  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

The wicked, the one resting on the law, and the good Joe have all sinned and fall short of the manifestation and revelation of God.  However the justification (justification = made as if we have never sinned or rendered innocent) is given freely by His divine influence and favor through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus! 

Romans 3:25  whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,  26  to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans verse by verse lesson 3

Jesus is the atoning victim and His blood went upon the heavenly mercy seat.  Through faith in His atoning blood there is indeed justification.  God the Father is the just One and it is the just thing to justify those who put faith in Jesus’ atonement. 

Romans 3:27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.  28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

It is not any longer the law of Moses; it is the law of faith.  Romans 8:2 calls it the “Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus”.

Romans 3:29  Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30  since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

At the foot of the cross everything has changed.  The wicked, the law keepers, and the good Joe’s can find justification through faith in Jesus.  It must be God’s defined way of righteousness and there cannot be any other way.  It matters not if you are Jewish, Gentile, male, or female justification will come by way of the cross of Jesus Christ.  The just will live by faith.

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

The law of Moses is not made void.  It still stands to make all men aware of their sin and to make sin exceedingly sinful so one can see their need for Jesus the Messiah.  However, the law cannot bring life nor was it ever the intent of God to bring life through the law.  It has always been a tool to make men aware they need a holy God to redeem them and reconcile them.  That righteousness is found exclusively in Jesus Christ.

Romans verse by verse lesson 2

The brick laying of Romans has already begun. Last week we ended with the wicked and this lesson deals with those resting in the law and the "good Joe". In the end no matter what people group you belong to, righteousness can only be obtained throught the good news of the gospel of grace.

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Romans verse by verse lesson 2

Romans 2:1  Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.  2  But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.

Last lesson we left off with the wicked and how they are without excuse because God has witnessed to them.  Now the Holy Spirit begins to speak to the ones who judges with the judgment of the law.  Those standing in judgment of others are also inexcusable.  While men judge with their own standard, God’s judgment is according to truth.

Romans 2:3  And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

The standard of judgment is not relative.  I’m living better than so and so… does not equate into the righteousness found in Jesus Christ.  This is the judgment that the Holy Spirit is rebuking.  If one is going to judge by the behavior of men you must submit to the whole of the law; and if you transgress in one part you become a transgressor of the whole.

Romans 2:4  Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 

Jesus brings a new standard by the covenant of grace.  The goodness of God leads you to repentance.  Man’s standard has been the wrath of God leads one to repentance.  Under the performance of the law God is unapproachable; the law of Moses had this fear and trembling approach; the children of Israel failed miserably in the covenant.

Romans 2:5  But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,  6  who "will render to each one according to his deeds":  7  eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 

Judgment by man’s doings is the judgment of the law.  It does come with blessing but it is also coupled with the cursing.  It well described in Deuteronomy 28:1-13 is the announced blessing and how sweet they are.  However, it is declares the curse in Deuteronomy 28:14-68.

Romans 2:8  but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath, 9  tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10  but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Yes, again it is cursing with blessing.  The weakness is that it depends completely upon the good works of men.

Romans 2:11  For there is no partiality with God. 12  For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law  13  (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

If you can be a doer of the law you can be justified by it.  Again, the weakness is man is unable to perform fully save the one man Jesus Christ. 

James 2:10  For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Romans 2:14  for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,  15  who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

Now Paul begins to turn his attention to the “good Joe’s”.  When those not under the law do by nature the things in the law they will witness against the law keepers.  It brings the truth that God has put eternity in the hearts of all men.  All creation witnesses the goodness of God.

Romans 2:16  in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.  17  Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18  and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

A little of the good news before the righteousness that Paul is going to lay out in chapter 3.  There will be a day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.  Listen to Paul’s words “according to my gospel.”  May we ever speak the gospel (almost too good to be true news to men who need God.  A stern rebuke of the Jews resting on the law!

Romans 2:19  and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,  20  an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 

The Holy Spirit is rebuking those who are fully resting in the law telling them they have the form of knowledge and truth in the law.  They did not know it was only a pattern and shadow of the true substance found exclusively in Christ Jesus and the new covenant He brought with His blood.

Romans 2:21  You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?  22  You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  23  You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

Such strong rebuke for those boasting in the law and the Holy Spirit exposes them as incapable of fulfilling the law.  Only Jesus could do that!

Romans 2:24  For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written.  25  For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

Those trusting in the law for righteousness bring reproach upon God.  They look to their own performance and others look to their performance also.  When the failure comes the name of God is blasphemed among the unbelievers.  The eyes of all were upon the performance of man; all eyes need to trust in the performance of the One Man Christ Jesus!

Romans 2:26  Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?  27  And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?

The “good Joe’s are better off then those who have come under the law and cannot perform.

Romans 2:28  For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29  but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

God wants us to know it is not about keeping the letter of the law!  It is about the heart being transformed by the Spirit of God.  It must be about a heart being changed; that is the power of God at work unto salvation.

Romans verse by verse - Lesson 1

The just shall live by faith!

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Romans is foundational for building church doctrine.  The apostle Paul came with the revelation of grace and truth that empowers every believer to walk in victory.  The book of Romans is a brick by brick building block.  Paul speaks to 3 people groups after his introduction.  1st he speaks to the wicked, then to the law keepers, and finally to the good Joes.  In the end he makes it plain, no matter which group you find yourself there is not one of those groups who are righteous before God, no not one.  Jesus came with a specter of righteousness.  It cannot be something that man can contrive, it must be the imputed righteousness that God’s provides and there is no other way.

The covenant of grace and truth found in Jesus Christ, God’s righteousness revealed,  and living by faith in Jesus Christ will be the repetitive themes throughout the book of Romans.

Romans 1:1  Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God  2  which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

3  concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,  4  and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Paul a bondservant.  Jewish law said a Jewish slave could only be in servitude for 7 years at the 7^th year they were free.  However, if a man loved working for his master he could choose to become a bondservant and stay and serve.  Oh, that every believer would have sweet fellowship with God and yield as a bondservant to Jesus Christ.  Called to be an apostle.  An apostle is a sent one.  Paul was sent as an apostle to the Gentiles.  Separated to the gospel of God. 

The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ.  The old covenant pointed to the coming of the Christ; the new covenant is Jesus the Christ has come.  Jesus is the Son of man and the Son of God.

Romans 1:5  Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,  6  among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

There is purpose in receiving grace.  The divine influence gifts you and equips you for obedience to the faith.  Every believer is the called of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:7  To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Beloved of God and called to be saints.  You are members of the household of God.

Divine influence and peace comes from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,  10  making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

Paul commend them for their faith in Jesus.  Paul served God with his spirit in the gospel of Jesus.  It lead him to be a prayer warrior for all the saints of God.  Paul was driven by desire for the people of God.  Oh, that we the believers will be driven by desire for the people of God.

Romans 1:11  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established;  12  that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Spiritual gifts are imparted to establish the believer and build up one another in Christ.

Romans 1:13  Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.  Romans 1:14  I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.  15  So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

Godly leadership is moved with a heart for the people of God. It is time for the gospel, the almost too good to be true news, to be declared to the body of Christ.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes!

Romans 1:17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

We have come into the kingdom by faith and we shall live by faith.  From faith to faith!

Romans 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  19  because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  20  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

Man is without excuse because creation itself testifies of God!

Romans 1:21  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22  Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23  and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Men have rejected the witness of  creation and have created their own gods living in idolatry.  They have not glorified God, nor were they thankful.  Men’s foolish hearts were darkened and God allowed it to be so.

Romans 1:24  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,  25  who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

What is this that man exchanged the truth of God for the lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator!  Our society has become a reflection of this word.  Our heroes are creatures instead of the creator.

Romans 1:26  For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  27  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

God’s word has surely come to pass in our society and now if you stand for righteousness you are called evil and evil is now called courageous and good.

Romans 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29  being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,  30  backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Instead of being filled with the revelation of God’s righteousness they are being filled with all unrighteousness.

Romans 1:31  undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;  32  who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

This prophetic word is coming to pass before our very eyes.  Not only is the unrighteous ruling with great delight in their sin, now the so called church is getting in union with them and calling it righteousness.  However this is not the righteousness that has been revealed in Christ Jesus.

Spirit Soul Body The Law The Cross The Covenant of Grace lesson 13

Here is the 13th lesson in the Spirit, Soul, and Body; The Law, The Cross, And The Covenant of Grace. Jesus came with the blood of the everlasting covenant. Jesus alone is the Mediator of this everlasting covenant. It is a covenant with better promises. Because of this truth we cannot mix the law of Moses and the new covenant Jesus Christ brought.

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Spirit Soul Body  The Law The Cross The Covenant of Grace lesson 13

Romans 7:1  Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?  2  For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.  3  So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.  4  Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another; to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.  5  For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.  6  But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

The law has dominion over a man as long as the man lives.  When we surrender to Jesus we become dead to the law of Moses.  This frees us to be married to another.  Just like the woman whose husband has died she is no adulterer when she marries another.  We have been delivered from the law so we are freed to walk in the newness of the Spirit.  Law gives sin strength; when the connection between the law and believer is gone sin has no dominion over the believer.  The believer is now married to Jesus.

JESUS CHRIST LOVES HIS BRIDE, KEEPS, CLEANS, AND WASHES HER MOUNT ZION THE COVENANT OF GRACE

Ephesians 5:23  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  24  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.  25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,  26  that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,  27  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  28  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  29  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.  30  For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.  31  "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.“  32  This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

JESUS WILL PRESENT HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH.  HE DOES IT ALL WITH THE WASHING OF THE WATER OF THE WORD  We are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.  What a powerful union.  Jesus Christ is the head of the church, He is the Savior of the body.  Jesus loved the church to such a degree He gave His very life for her!  Jesus sanctifies and cleanses the bride with the washing of the water by the word.  Jesus loves us, nourishes, and cherishes us!  Oh that we would turn our eyes on Jesus.

THE LAW

Exodus 20:18  Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19  Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die."

Remember the law made God unapproachable; the law had limited access to God, it  exposed guilt, brought condemnation,  it fostered fear and trembling.  However, the law could not impute life.

THE CROSS

Titus 2:11  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,12  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,  13  looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  14  who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

The power of the cross brought the divine influence of God to us.  It teaches us to deny evil and empowers us to live righteously.  It forever turns our eyes upon Jesus and allows us to enjoy access to God and live free from guilt and fear.  His perfect love cast out fear!  We are redeemed as God’s special people.

THE COVENANT OF GRACE

Matthew 11:28  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30  "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.“ 

The covenant of grace calls us near to God and promises rest.  The rest is not a moment of peace but a lifestyle of intimacy with God.  Jesus will lift the heavy burden and cause the labor from carrying that burden to cease.   The more we learn from Jesus the greater the rest for our soul.  We need to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light; it is the place of rest.

GRACE AND LAW CANNOT BE MIXED

Galatians 2:16  "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.  17  "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!  18  "For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  19  "For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.  20  "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  21  "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Justification (just is if I never sinned) is exclusively by faith in Jesus Christ.  If we put ourselves under the law and find ourselves a sinner once again, does that make Christ a minister of sin?  Certainly not!!  For through the law we died to the law that we might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  To mix grace and law is to say Christ died in vain!

GRACE AND LAW CANNOT BE MIXED

Galatians 4:22  For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.  23  But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,  24  which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar;  25  for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children;  26  but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.  27  For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.“  28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.  29  But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.  30  Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.“  31  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Abraham had two sons one was the son of promise one was birthed by the will of flesh.  Hagar the bondwoman is the earthly Jerusalem and represents the covenant given at Mount Sinai .  This is the law of Moses and if one tries to serve under it receives the bondage that it fosters.

The Jerusalem from above is free represented by Mount Zion !  It is where the child of promise was birthed.  The Jerusalem from above is the mother of us all.  We are the children of promise, like Isaac was; we are free! 

Those children from bondage persecute the children born according to the Spirit.  The Scripture say “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with son of the freewoman.  Brothers and Sisters, we are not children of the bondwoman; we are children that are free!  Law and grace cannot be mixed!

MOUNT CALVARY THE  CROSS

Matthew 26:26  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body.“  27  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  28  "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Jesus' last supper was eating the Passover with his disciples, and with it brought great revelation to the new covenant.  Jesus body and blood was all that the Passover had pointed to, for all those generations between deliverance for the children of Israel from Egypt to Jesus Christ's earthly ministry.   Every time the nation Israel had Passover they were preaching Jesus Christ is the Passover Lamb! The Lamb brings in a better hope with a better covenant.  Jesus said “My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Romans 5:18  Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.  19  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.  20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,  21  so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

BELIEVERS CAN TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST’ OBEDIENCE FOR ABUNDANT LIFE  Through one Man’s righteous act, through one Man’s obedience the righteousness of God has been brought to man.  Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more!!  So that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Grace reigns in life!   Live in the abundant life Jesus provides!