“If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. Romans 4:2”

We learn in this passage from the Apostle Paul that as he previously declares, ““…None is righteous, no, not one; Romans 3:10”. No one is made right before God through obedience to the law. The angry judgement of God because of personal sin is upon us unless we accept Jesus as Savior. Israel’s primary ancestor was “father” Abraham and he is an example that being made right before God is through faith and not works. He gives us the example that Abraham would have bragging-rights if he was made right before God by works. So, we know that no one can be made right before God through the law or works. God is Holy, sinless and perfect as a result God is not impressed by our works and we have nothing to boast about. Our own efforts fail to make us right before God and Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Amen

“Romans 3:7: For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?”

In this passage Paul is not justifying lying. So even when a lie further displays God’s truthfulness it is still a lie. However, our sin results in showing that God is perfect. People that accused Paul of teaching that human sin leads to God’s glory is something in which Paul refutes. When we lie we sin. God is perfect and can’t be sinful. Christ is the standard of holiness and truth. So God’s judgement of our sin is completely fair and justified. We deserve to be judged by God. However, through Christ we are forgiven. In verses after it tells that it is impossible for us to never sin. Our sin does not bring glory to God. The reason we sin is because we are sinners and fallen from God. Paul also lets us know that our salvation should not be used as a license to sin (Romans 6:1). In Romans 3:8, Paul will brush aside this criticism as rank slander (Romans 3:8). Thank God for grace through Jesus Christ. Amen

Paul talks about God’s judgment being revealed and that God will pour out His anger upon those that are profoundly wicked and he will give eternal life to those that are doing good. However, there is trouble that’ll come for those who do evil and that the Gentiles (those who are not Jews and refuse to acknowledge God) who sin will be destroyed. The laws of God are written upon our hearts. Paul proclaims the second coming of Christ who will judge every person’s secret sins. We cannot hide from God! We learn that we should not to rely on God’s law for salvation but trust in Jesus. Although, God’s law gives us both knowledge and truth, we cannot be justified by obeying it (revealed in Chapter 3; Romans 3:20,28). Paul uses Romans 2:29 to tell us that obedience to the Jewish law of circumcision is useless and that it is our hearts that matter! We know that by faith we have become children of Abraham. We must have a change of heart through God’s Holy Spirit, seeking praise of God not from people.

Paul speaks a message of desire to visit his fellow brethren in Rome he then teaches us that the just shall live by faith and that we should not be ashamed of the gospel because it brings salvation to everyone. Paul speaks that he has been prevented at times from coming to them but how he has a great desire for them to hear the good news. The people of Rome that Paul writes to have a faith that is known throughout the world Paul admonishes them and continues to pray for them and for God to open up opportunity for him to gather with them. We learn that when we do the evil God hates we deny the truth because God has shown these things clearly from the creation of the world. He tells us that God’s invisible attributes (or qualities God has) have been revealed to us and that we should obey what the Lord says and be thankful in our hearts for what He has done. Paul tells us we should not let our hearts become foolish and darkened but be wise and discerning in the things that we do. The cross (or atonement of Jesus Christ) is the power of God to salvation for everyone that believes. In other words that when we preach about Jesus and others come to receive Him it has given the saving grace upon the person who accepts it.

“Titus 2:12: Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” This tells us that we should live good lives in this world. We will never be perfect but it is good to respond to the gift of salvation with gratitude. Jesus’ blood forgives all our sins. We have been liberated from our sins through Christ Jesus. We don’t earn our salvation, it is a free gift, and we are given a new nature when we accept Jesus.  Every sin we have committed is covered through the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Christ is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) and the living Savior and Redeemer of the world (John 3:16). I am personally thankful that Christ died for me and died for everyone that trusts in him so that we all can someday return to live with God. Amen

As Christians we need to be the light of the world and share the Gospel. It is the very blood of Jesus that covers all our sins. However, we should not take God’s grace for granted. We should seek to improve our lives and relationship with God. When we give glory to God we are showing our love and appreciation for Him. Life is a race and we should run it with Christ. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Corinthians 9:24”. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14”. While we can’t fully grasp the will of God we can let Him speak to us through the Bible and the Holy Ghost. Christ is the way to eternal life and when we find Him we have life eternal. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3”. Amen

“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:4”. What does this mean? We should defend the faith. In this passage immoral men had found their way into the membership of the church. The men were described as ungodly. The people that entered had rejected the faith because they were claiming that the grace of Christ permitted them to live immoral lives. Those people rejected the faith and ultimate authority of Christ. Paul also warns about taking God’s grace for granted when he says, we are by no means to sin willingly so God’s grace abounds. God’s grace covers all our sins but if we are true believers we should follow Christ. We can’t be fully committed to Christ if we keep sinning over and over. God is Holy and desires for us to live like Him. We will stumble but because the humble Jesus Christ died on the cross we are saved. Amen

Psalms 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God.”

It’s good to take time and find rest in Christ. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:30, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”. God will help bear our troubles and give us strength. When we are weak God is strong there is no area that God can’t help guide us in. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105”. Through the Bible we get to know God even more that is why His word is described as a guide for us. God dwells in the light and if we desire to be more like Him we should read about Him and pray. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21”. Both the Old Testament and New Testament are inspired by God. Amen

“And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. Mark 8:29″. Jesus is God. Jesus is the Jewish Messiah and Savior of the world.”Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:58”. Jesus is eternal so He always existed. “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: Hebrews 1:10”. Jesus is the only way to Heaven and His blood on the cross is enough to save us. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22”. Back in the days of the Old Testament animals’ blood were shed for sins. Now that Jesus came and shed His blood on the cross we are saved by accepting Him. What great news to know God sent His son to save us. Amen

“Romans 1:3, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,” Jesus came to earth as God and man He was a direct descendant of King David. This is important because Jesus is the Messiah that the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) promised would come. This is because of the prophetic Old Testament promises that one of David’s descendants would sit on the throne of Israel forever (2 Samuel 7:12–16). In the later verses Paul emphasized that justification and salvation come not by the obedience to the law of Moses, but to those that accept Jesus, believe in Him and accept Him as Lord of their life. “1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.”. When we love God we should also love one another. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4:20”. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20”. True faith in Jesus should be accompanied by good deeds; however, we can never earn our way to Heaven. God’s grace is so much that the Bible warns us not to take advantage of it by sinning in excess. Amen.