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The Problem

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“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.“

Romans 1:18

The problem lies with ourselves. God is a holy and righteous God. Therefore, he demands nothing short of perfection when it comes to His righteousness. He revealed His righteousness in times past through the law. He said in chapter two of Romans and verse thirteen that you must be a doer of the law, not just a hearer if you wanted to be justified. But, the problem is that none of us are righteous (Rom. 3:10). None of us do good (Rom. 3:12). Therefore, the wrath of God abides on every sinner, who believes not (John 3:18,36). All of our works are unrighteousness. We find ourselves in a dilemma. “How should a man be just with God?” (Job 9:2) The solution is of course through Jesus Christ our Lord. But the problem is that people refuse to believe in Christ and what He did for them on the cross. The problem is that the people of this world continue to hold the truth in unrighteousness.

There is a difference between the wrath of God being revealed and the day it will be poured out upon the earth. We know what God’s wrath is against. However, the day that God will execute His wrath is still yet future. Romans 2:5 says “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and righteous judgment of God.” They are treasuring up for themselves wrath against that future day of God’s wrath. Today, God is dealing with men by His grace.

What is the wrath of God revealed against?

According to Romans 1:18, the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. In other words, it’s revealed against all of man’s works, which are filthy (Isa. 64:6). Titus 3:5 tells us that we are saved “Not of works of righteousness which we have done.” Romans 3 shows us the contrast between being justified by the works of the law and being justified by faith. The conclusion we see in that chapter is that no flesh shall be justified in His sight by the works of the law, but only those who believe will be justified. While we may think of our works as good and righteous, the reality is they are seen as ungodliness and unrighteousness. Why is that? It is because all that we do in our flesh is done under sin (Rom. 3:9). Sin is working in the person’s flesh to produce works that are ungodly and unrighteous. The flesh, because of sin, produces only fruit unto death (Rom. 6:22).

What is the truth that unbelievers are holding in unrighteousness?

The verses prior (Rom. 1:16-17) spoke of the gospel of Christ. Paul spoke of how God’s righteousness was revealed in that gospel. The truth in this context would be the truth of the gospel of Christ. God has just told us His way of how to be justified. The world, instead of believing God, decides to do things their way. The world tries to establish their own righteousness by their own works, while under the influence of sin. God sees their works as unrighteousness. God sees what they do as holding the truth in unrighteousness. Instead of letting the truth of the gospel go out into the world, so that people may hear it and believe it, they are holding it or suppressing it. They are doing it in their own unrighteousness. They are doing it by their own works.

Paul explains this further by looking back at creation. What do we learn? What is happening today, is really no different than what happened in the past. God had revealed his truth to mankind through His creation. That truth primarily involved two things. That is, His eternal power and Godhead (Rom. 1:20). An example of His eternal power and Godhead can be seen in the creation of man. God made man in His own image (Gen. 1:26). He created us from the dust of the earth and breathed life into our nostrils and we became a living soul (Gen. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:45). Paul tells us that “forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device” (Acts 17:29). Since we were created in the image of God, then we know that we’re not created of gold, silver, or stone. We weren’t made by art or man’s device. So, why then would we think that the Godhead is like gold, silver, or stone made by art or man’s device? Here in Acts 17, the people at Athens ignorantly worshiped the true God (Acts 17:23). They knew God (had knowledge that there is a God), but they didn’t truly know who the true God is. More than that, God didn’t know them. Believers, on the other hand, knew God and they are known of God (Gal. 4:9). He didn’t recognize them as His sons. Therefore, they were not quickened (made alive) in Christ. They were still in Adam.

(In 1st Corinthians 15:45, it tells us that “the first man Adam was made a living soul.” God breathed life into man’s nostrils; therefore, man was created. But then man fell by sinning against God. Adam sinned; therefore, sin entered the world and death passed upon all men (Rom. 5:12). The rest of 1st Corinthians 15:45 says that “the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” In Adam, everyone was made a living soul. We all sinned. Therefore, we all have a need for a Savior to reconcile us back unto God. That person is the Son of God, who is Jesus Christ. God raised Christ up from the dead, who was “delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). He became a quickening spirit. In Christ, those who believe in Him are quickened (made alive) as well. Believers are alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:11). Christ made in himself one new man (Eph. 2:15). We are a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Therefore, because believers are sons of God, God has given to us the Spirit of His Son into our hearts and we are known of God (Gal. 4:6-8).)

It says that “they knew God, but glorified him not as God” (Rom. 1:21). Even the people at Athens, during Paul’s day, had an altar with an inscription on it that read, “To the unknown God” (Acts 17:23). They knew that there is a God, but just didn’t glorify and worship the right one. Instead, the became “vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” They had “changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man” (Rom. 1:23). And they “changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom. 1:25). In the past, man took the glory of God and made it like unto a corruptible man. In other words, they made it like unto themselves. They brought God’s standard of glory down to their level, so that they would seem to be righteous in their own flesh. Not only are they changing the truth of God into a lie, but they are also making God Himself a liar as well (1 John 1:10; 5:10-12). They went through a lot of effort just so that they could judge among themselves and could appear to be righteous by their own works. The world continues do this.

Nothing has changed. The world is still the same (and even worse). God has now revealed the truth of the gospel (this time the gospel of Christ). He has revealed to us how we may be saved and justified in His sight by simply believing in what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us. But what does the world do. It does what it has always done. They keep on holding the truth in their own unrighteousness. They keep changing it into a lie, and therefore, they continue to make God a liar. They let every man be true in their own mind, and let God be a liar. They do it by changing the truth into a lie, and by serving the creature more than the Creator (Rom. 1:25). They serve themselves, instead of just believing in God. God has given us His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, we can have eternal life. All we have to do is believe. Believe that He died for your sins personally, was buried, and rose again the third day and you will be saved. God will freely give His righteousness to you, if you will just believe. “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4).

What is the standard by which God will judge men?

Romans 2:2 says “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.” The judgment of God is according to truth. That is, the truth of the gospel. The truth that they hold in their unrighteousness. The chapter continues to say that God “will render to every man according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6). Then in down in verse sixteen it says “in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” God will judge the world according to their own deeds, their own secrets, their own unrighteousness. He will do it by Jesus Christ. He will do it according to the gospel of Christ. The world who holds the truth (the truth of the gospel) in unrighteousness, God will judge them because they believed not the truth.

What is each person treasuring up unto themselves that God will judge them for in the future?

“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.“

Romans 2:5

Every unbeliever, who holds the truth in unrighteousness, because of their hardened heart is treasuring up unto themselves wrath. Then there will come in the end that day of wrath where God will judge them. All of the world’s works are ungodliness and unrighteousness in God’s eyes. It is just building up in each person, continuing to harden their hearts towards God. One day God will judge them. God doesn’t force anyone to do anything. God has always given us two choices. Like with Cain and Abel, the choice is either to bring the fruit of your own labor or believe God. In Abel’s situation, believing God meant bringing an animal sacrifice for his sins. In our case today, believing God means believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again for our justification.

For all those that decide to bring the fruit of their own labor, God will judge you according to that. He will judge you according to your works. And the punishment will be the second death (the Lake of Fire, or Hell). Your fruit or work may be good (in your eyes), but if it was done under sin, then God considers it fruit unto death. The things you do in the flesh are done without faith. It’s faith that pleases God (Heb. 11:6). You’ll be condemned to Hell, because you decided not to believe that God had revealed his righteousness through Jesus Christ. It’s because you decided to hold that truth in your own unrighteousness thinking that you could establish your own.

Stop thinking that you can get to Heaven by your own works. Start believing in God instead. Believe that Jesus Christ died for all of your sins, was buried (buried your sins away forever), and that he rose again the third day. Believe and you will be saved. If you believe, then you won’t have to worry about treasuring up wrath against that day of wrath any more. That’ll be because you will be made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). You’ll be at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1).

Who’s guilty?

All of us. The beginning of Romans 3 concludes that there is “none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10). The law was given so “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Rom. 3:19). “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” (Rom. 3:20). Again, stop thinking that you can save yourself. Instead, start trusting that God sent His Son to die for your sins and rise again for your justification. Believe and you will be saved. If you believe, then you will be justified from all things (Acts 13:39).

God has given us His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, we can have eternal life. All we have to do is believe. Believe that He died for your sins personally, was buried, and rose again the third day and you will be saved. Trust Him! God will freely give His righteousness to you, if you will just believe. “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4).

The Gospel of Christ

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“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.“

Romans 1:16-17

When we study the Bible, the Word of God, the first thing that we must all come to an understanding of is the gospel (good news). If we don’t understand the gospel and believe it, then the rest of our study won’t really matter. The gospel is the most important doctrine that one can learn. Why? It is the most important, because it is what saves you. From our passage above we will set out to answer four questions. First, what is the gospel? Second, why is it the power of God unto salvation, not the power of man? Third, how is the fact that the righteousness of God being revealed significant? And lastly, why is it important that we believe this gospel, the gospel of Christ?

What is the gospel of Christ?

The gospel of Christ is that Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins (the sins of the whole world), was buried, and rose again the third day. Romans 4:24-25 says, “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered up for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” 1st Corinthians 15 is the most clear. It says in verse one, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, wherein ye stand.” It continues on in verses three and four. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” Romans 5:8 tells us that “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 8:3-4 says that God sent His Son to condemn sin the flesh, so that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us. Christ Jesus our Lord died for all of our sins with his own blood, and rose again so that we can have eternal life with God. He died for us, so that we could be declared righteous (or justified). The gospel is the solution to our problem.

Why is it by the power of God?

The gospel is the solution to our problem. What’s our problem? Well, we are sinners and cannot possibly save ourselves. The Apostle Paul in chapters one through three declares for us that all of us are guilty before God. Romans 1:18 starts out by telling us that the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. It says in verse 28 and 29 that God gave us up to our reprobate minds because we didn’t retain God in our knowledge, and that we were filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, etc. Chapter two starts out by saying that we are inexcusable. Then, Romans 2:5 says that we are all treasuring up unto ourselves wrath against the day of wrath. None of us can save ourselves or each other. If we could be saved by our own power or strength, then we would each have reason to boast in our own self (Romans 4:1-2). Also righteousness would be reckoned to us as a debt, not of grace (Rom. 4:4). This would be OK, if we actually could keep the whole law by our own works. But, the trouble is that we can’t keep the law. We’ve all come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). So, it needs to be and can only be by the power of God. It is God’s power that raised Christ from the dead. Can you raise yourself or someone else up? Man doesn’t have the power to do that.

  • “If we believe on him [God the Father] that raised up Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 4:24).
  • “Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father” (Rom. 6:4).
  • “But if the Spirit of him [God] that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you” (Rom. 8:11).

The preaching of the cross, it says in 1 Corinthians 1:18, is the power of God to us who are saved. But, to them who perish it is complete foolishness. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). The conclusion is that even the foolishness of God (which is the cross) is wiser than men. God is far more wiser than men. God used the foolish things, the base things, and the things that are despised to bring to nothing the things that are something (1 Cor. 1:28). He does this so that “no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Cor. 1:29). If we are to glory, then it should be in the Lord (1 Cor. 1:31). So when God’s Word says that “no flesh shall be justified in his sight” (Rom. 3:20) and that we “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” then we should believe it. When He says that He will save us if we just believe in what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross, then we should just believe him. Instead of trying to go about establishing our own righteousness (Rom. 10:4) we should just believe him, and let God save us. We need to be justified in His sight according to His way (not our way). God has revealed His righteousness to us, apart from the law, and through Jesus Christ Himself. He has revealed it freely by His grace (Rom. 3:24). It is a free gift. We don’t deserve it. But He gives it to us, if we will simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.

How is the righteousness of God being revealed in the gospel significant?

The fact that we cannot possibly save ourselves, but that God has revealed His righteousness in the gospel of Christ is very important. What we couldn’t obtain ourselves, God has revealed it to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Rom. 3:21-22). By nature we are ungodly and unrighteous sinners. “By one man sin entered, and death by sin” (Rom. 5:12). Isaiah 64:6 says “all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” And Romans 1:18 said that the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23a). God demands perfect righteousness. God is holy and righteous. He told Israel that they needed to be holy, because He is holy (Lev. 11:44-45). God also tells us today that we are to “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1) (this is, of course, after we’ve believed). We are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:17; 2 Cor. 6:17). In Romans 2:6-13, Paul tells us that God will judge every man according to their deeds or works. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul that doeth evil” (Rom. 2:9). “But glory, honour, and peace to every man that worketh good” (2:10). “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified” (2:13). But the problem, as we’ve already addressed, is that we don’t work that which is good (Rom. 3:12). We work ungodliness and unrighteousness. We’ve come short of His glory. We are sinners. Therefore, no flesh can be justified in God’s sight. But, the good news is that God has revealed His righteousness through Jesus Christ our Lord. All we have to do is believe!

Why is it important for us to believe?

The righteousness of God is revealed without the law, or apart from it. It is revealed through Jesus Christ. It’s revealed by the faith of Christ. Those who believe in Christ and what He did for them will be justified by faith. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28). Believers are “made the righteousness of God in him (Christ)” (2 Cor. 5:21). Therefore, believers have the hope of eternal life, not death (Rom. 5:15-21; 6:23; Titus 1:2). According to Romans 5:2, we now “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” The same glory that we came short of in chapter three is now what we’ve obtained and look forward to when Christ, who is our life shall appear (Col. 3:4). We’ve obtained it by the our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Those who don’t believe are still lost, spiritually dead, and under sin (2 Cor. 4:3-4; Rom. 3:9). Unbelievers are still treasuring up for themselves “wrath against that day of wrath and righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:5). They will be judged according to their deeds and Paul’s gospel, the gospel of Christ (Rom. 2:2,6,16). Believers, being justified by faith, now have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). We are no longer enemies of God. God will still judge our works too, but while our bad works are burned up we at least will be saved (1 Cor. 3:15). Unbelievers, on the other hand, will be burned up with their works. It is important to believe that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead. That way you can be “saved from wrath through him” and be “saved by his life” (Rom. 5:9-10).

In conclusion, the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes it. God has revealed His righteousness through it. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot be justified in our own flesh by trying to do the law, because we are sinners. We can’t save ourselves. We have broken God’s law. The good news is that Jesus Christ, who is perfect, came into this world to save sinners. He came to die on the cross for our sins and rise again from the dead, so that we can have eternal life in Him. All we have to do is believe.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that he died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; 1 Cor. 15:3-4).

“Born Again” – and a Woman in Travail

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“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.“

John 3:3-7

What does it mean to be “born again?” Is it talking about Israel only, or is there a sense in which we (who are not Israel) can be and need to be “born again” too? It, of course, depends on the context and to whom the writer is writing to. Here in John 3, the Apostle John is in fact writing to the nation of Israel, not Gentiles. John is reporting what Jesus says to Nicodemus; and the response that Jesus gives him is in connection with the earthly Kingdom program. Their need to be “born of water” is connected to John’s (John the Baptist) baptism for the remission of sins (Mk 1:4). Their need to be “born again” or this time to be “born of the Spirit” is in connection to the new covenant, where Christ will baptize them with the Spirit and put the law in their hearts (Ezek. 36; Mt 3:11).

This passage also says that “that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” While this passage is talking about Israel needing to be “born again,” the Apostle Paul in writing to the Gentiles also makes several statements about the difference between the flesh and the Spirit. For example, Galatians 4:29 says “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” While Paul doesn’t ever use the phrase “born again,” he does still speak about being born. Another thing is that Paul doesn’t speak of being “born of water,” but only of the flesh and Spirit. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to be followers of God as dear children. Ephesians 2:19 says that we are of the “household of God.” So, God sees us (His saints) as part of His family, his household. We are His children. We are born into the family of God. We are born after the Spirit. We do “walk after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1). The purpose of this is to show both the similarities and differences between what John and Paul wrote.

We can look at this in two different ways. First, we can look at it in a redemptive or spiritual way. Secondly, we can also look at it dispensationally (which we have already started to do in John 3). Lets look first at it redemptively.

Redemptively

Every person is of the race of Adam. We are all human beings. Romans 5:12 tells us that “as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.” Since the fall of man, every person (excluding Christ) born into this world is born as a sinner. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). And most of the world are Gentiles, which means we were never God’s chosen people. Gentiles, or the uncircumcision, were without God and Christ, and were strangers of the covenants of promise (Eph. 2:11-12). Even though God didn’t make a covenant with us we still are guilty of breaking His law (Rom. 1:14; 3:19-20). Therefore, we have need to be saved or “born again.” Not into Adam again, but this time into Christ. “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (Rom. 5:15). When we are in Christ, we are dead to sin, but alive unto God (Rom. 6:11). We now are “chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13). We are saved or “born again” as a new creature or as one new man, not as Israel (not as a nation). Christ made in Himself one new man (the Body of Christ) (Eph. 2:15). After we believe, we are joined to Christ, to His own body. Everyone does need to get out of Adam and into Christ.

Dispensationally

But what about dispensationally? Dispensationally, it is true that only Israel will be born again. While Jews are of the human race or the race of Adam, they are also of the race of Abraham. God called out one man from among the nations to form a new nation to be a light unto the world. They have sinned against God too, but they at least were God’s people. Exodus 4:22 says “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn.” They had been born as a nation before when God brought them out of the land of Egypt. He called them His firstborn. God made a covenant with them. Israel had the “oracles of God” and the “covenants of promise” (Rom. 3:2; 9:4). They were God’s people, but they broke His covenant. God considers them even to this day “Lo-ammi,” which means “not God’s people.” God has concluded them in unbelief (Rom. 11:32). Therefore, they need to be “born again.” They need to be “born again,” as a nation, but this time under a new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34). One that they won’t have to worry about breaking, because they will have the Spirit in them to cause them to walk after His statutes and commandments. And God will be their God and they will be His people once again. But, first they have to go through the Tribulation. They have to go through that day of wrath, just as travail comes upon a woman in labor. Then, in the end a nation will be born in a day, or at once (Isa. 66:8).

“…pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth…Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger.“

Isaiah 13:8-9

According to prophecy, the nation of Israel has to still “accept of the punishment of their iniquity” (Lev. 26:41). They have to go through the Tribulation. That time is described for us in scripture as a woman in travail (woman in labor). In verse nine of Isaiah 13, it is called the day of the LORD. Jeremiah 6:2, Israel is likened to a delicate woman. Then the rest of the chapter is about God preparing Israel for war. Jeremiah 30:6-7 describes the time as the time of Jacob’s trouble. At the end of the tribulation period their sorrow will be turned to joy (John 16:20-21). In a day will a nation be born. All Israel will be saved and “born again.” They will be God’s people once again.

The good news for us is that we are not appointed unto wrath (1 Thess. 5:9). The last reference of the woman in travail is 1 Thessalonians 5:3. It says that it will come upon those that say “Peace and safety!” But, we are children of the light, not of darkness. We are “chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13). In other words, because we believed the truth of the gospel we were then sanctified (set apart) of the Spirit; and therefore, we are chosen to salvation. When we believe today, we become crucified and buried with Him. And since He rose again the third day, we also are raised with Him and seated with Him at the right hand of God. We obtain our salvation the moment we believe. Israel, on the other hand, will be saved at the end of the Tribulation.

In summary, the phrase “born again” can be used of Israel and the Body of Christ. However, there is a difference. Dispensationally, only Israel will be “born again,” according to prophecy. They were God’s chosen nation before, and they will be His people once again. Redemptively (or spiritually), those who believe that Christ died on the cross their sins, was buried, and rose again the third day will be “born again” into Christ. Ultimately, it is Christ who is God’s firstborn. Colossians calls Him the “the firstborn of every creature…the firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:15,18). He is also the “firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). We are crucified, buried, and risen with Christ Jesus our Lord. We are joined to His Body. We are the firstborn today, because He is.

If you haven’t believed yet, do so now! Believe that Jesus Christ our Lord died for your sins, was buried, and has risen again the third day for your justification. Believe and you will be saved.

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.“

1 Cor. 15:3-4

Living Godly – Looking for that Blessed Hope

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“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldy lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.“

Titus 2:11-13

The grace of God that has come into this world teaches us (God’s saints) to deny ungodliness and worldy lusts (or desires). Instead, we are to live soberly, righteously (to live according to that which is right), and to live godly while looking for that blessed hope of Christ’s appearing. This present world is called “this present evil world” in Galatians 1:4. God has provided for us a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13), in which we will someday in the future be delivered from this present evil world. We are told to be looking for that blessed hope. For it is this hope that will be our escape. Now, God does provide an immediate escape for whenever we face a temptation as we live on the earth now. But, after facing one temptation, another one may be close behind. So, I’m focusing on that ultimate escape that God has provided for us (members of Christ’s body). That being the Rapture. God gives us this hope so that we would be able to bear with the temptations of this world as we wait for His Son, who is in Heaven (1 Thess. 1:10). And, He has given us His Word, that we may grow in Him and that it might comfort us (Rom. 15:4).

Live Soberly

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.“

Romans 13:11-14

We see that throughout God’s Word it uses two primary set of contrasts. The first one is the difference between day and night. The second is between being sober and being drunk. There are of course more than this. But, these are two that we have mentioned in the passage above. We are instructed on more than one occasion to “awake out of sleep.” It says for us to “walk honestly, as in the day.” 1st Thessalonians 5:7 tells us that those who “sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.” A little wine is ok (1 Tim. 5:23). But, a lot is not. Ephesians 5:18 says “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Instead of being asleep and drunk at night, we are to be awake and be sober. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not with wine (or other worldly lusts). Being filled with the Spirit will help us to bear with the temptation, because it will help fill our time (or redeem our time (Eph. 5:16)) until the Rapture takes place. We would be giving our time to the Spirit, instead of giving it to other things. Therefore, we are to watch and be sober and to walk as children of light.

Live Righteously

“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.“

1 Thessalonians 5:6-7

Since we are children of light, we are therefore to live righteously. We are to live according to that which is right. God has done everything for us. He has literally declared us righteous. We are made the righteousness of God in Him (in Christ) (2 Cor. 5:21). Since we live in the Spirit, shouldn’t we also walk in the Spirit too (Gal. 5:25-26)? Since we are justified by the faith of Christ, shouldn’t we also live by the faith of the Son of God too (Gal. 2:16,20)? And we who began in the Spirit, shouldn’t we also be made perfect in the Spirit (Gal. 3:1-5)? The answer to all three questions is “Yes!” Christ Jesus our Lord condemned sin in His own flesh, so that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us (Rom. 8:4). We have become dead to sin, but alive unto God, because of Christ (Rom. 6:11). Now that we are made alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord, what is the right thing for us to do? Or what should our reasonable service be towards God (Rom. 12:1-2)?

Live Godly

“…and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.“

Colossians 1:9-10

Therefore, we are to live godly. We are to do that which is well pleasing unto God. And, of course, we do that by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Heb. 11:6). We are to be filled with the knowledge of His will. We are to obey God by doing what He has commanded us to do. Of course, we are to know those commandments, rightly divided. The things that Paul writes unto us are the “commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37). We are to have reverence towards God and the things of God (1 Cor. 2:10; Phil. 4:4-8). While we were saved by grace through faith and it was not of ourselves, at the same time we were created for good works that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:8-10). We are to know His will, study His Word rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15), and be filled with His Spirit, so that we may walk worthy of the Lord.

In summary, the grace of God has appeared unto all men (mankind). It teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. It teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present evil world. Therefore, we are to be awake, not asleep; we are to be sober, and not drunk. We are to be filled with His Word, and therefore the Holy Spirit. We are to do that which is right, which means living by His Word, so that we may walk worthy of the Lord and be pleasing unto Him, as we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). However, so many people still do this backwards. They try to live righteously first, and then they look towards God’s grace. In other words, they try to live good lives in their own flesh and by their own good works. But in reality, we first need to learn His grace that brings salvation. Then, His grace will teach us how to live. It will be the grace of God that will keep us going, especially when do fail. Each of us will still sin, but we’ll have the comfort of the scriptures to remind us that we were saved by the grace of God, not by our own works.

If you have not believed yet, then do that first. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto all men” (Titus 2:11). Salvation is offered as a free gift. We can not do anything ourselves to earn it. All we can do is simply believe on our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who believe are saved by His grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). After you’re saved, then you can start to live soberly, righteously, and godly for God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith or Works

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“Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.“

Numbers 1:2-3

The book of Numbers is, of course, about numbers. God had told Moses and Aaron to take a sum of the nation. They were to number them. By numbering the people themselves they also ended up numbering the amount of sacrifices they were told to perform. For example, in Numbers 7:87-88 we have the sum of 12 bullocks, 12 rams, and 12 lambs of the first year for a burnt-offering. There were then also 12 kid goats for a sin-offering. And then 24 bullocks, 60 rams, 60 lambs, and 60 goats for peace-offerings. This was all for the dedication of the altar. So, in summary there were a lot of sacrifices that they had to do. This is just one chapter mentioning sacrifices though. And when you consider Hebrews 10:1 where it says that the law and the sacrifices, which they offered “year by year,” could never make them perfect, then what was the purpose?

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me?

What was the purpose of these sacrifices? Did it please God when Israel offered up these sacrifices to Him? Isaiah 1:11 says “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of the fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.” Why would the LORD say this after He clearly told them in Leviticus and Numbers to offer these sacrifices? In verse 13, it says “Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moon and the sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.” God was full of (we might say today that God was fed up) their multitude of offerings, because they were offered up in vain. They were empty. Israel didn’t mean it. They didn’t have faith. It’s because they didn’t have faith that God was full of their offerings. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23). The Jews, under the law, still needed to do the law, but they needed to do it in faith. Romans 9:31-33 tells us that Israel didn’t attain to righteousness, because they sought for it by the works of the law. They didn’t seek it by faith. They tried to keep it in their own flesh. Therefore, they stumbled at the stumblingstone, which is Christ and His cross. Romans 10:3 says “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

But, we Gentiles have attained to righteousness (Rom. 9:30). Why? Because we believed. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Rom. 10:4). We are now not under the law, but under grace (Rom. 6:14). We are saved by grace through faith and it is not of ourselves (Eph. 2:8-9). Our faith is counted for righteousness (Rom. 4:5). We are saved by believing that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. There is nothing that we can do ourselves to earn salvation.

Interestingly, the Apostle Paul doesn’t tell us to take a sum of the Body of Christ. Instead, he says that there are many members and leaves it at that (1 Cor. 12:12). And then goes on to say that there is one Body. There is one Body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father above all and through all and in you all (Eph. 4:4-6). We are baptized by one Spirit into one Body. Also, instead of a multitude of sacrifices there is just one that counts for our salvation. That is the sacrifice of Christ (Heb. 9:11-12, 26; 10:12). By faith in Christ Jesus, we become one with Him (Gal. 3:26-28). The focus is on what He has done for us.

Not of our Ourselves, but of God

This brings me to 2nd Corinthians. This epistle to the Corinthian church is simply about God. Everything thing we have in Christ is of God. It is about His power and His grace. It is about what He has done for us and what He is able to do for us. It wasn’t by our own power or strength that we got saved. It isn’t by our own power that we can effectively serve God either.

  • God is called the God of all comfort (1:3)
  • God is true (1:18)
  • He establishes us and anoints us in Christ Jesus our Lord (1:21)
  • He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit (1:22)
  • It is God who causes us always to triumph in Christ (2:14)
  • Our sufficiency is of God (3:5)
  • We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord (4:5)
  • It is God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness and has shined it in our hearts (4:6)
  • We have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (4:7)
  • Our house is not made with human hands and is therefore, eternal in the heavens (5:1)
  • Paul’s apostleship and ministry is of God. God made Paul an Apostle and revealed unto him the mystery, which God had kept secret and hidden in Himself (Eph. 3:9). God committed to him the ministry and word of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19). Therefore, we also have that same ministry committed unto us today.
  • We are workers together with Christ (6:1), because we are one with Him
  • We are His holy temple (6:16)
  • Christ became poor that we may be rich (8:9)
  • God is able to abound all grace towards us that we may abound to every good work (9:8)
  • It is his grace that is sufficient for us (12:9)
  • And we live by the power of God (13:4).

What was the purpose of the law?

What was the purpose of the law? To reveal that we are sinners. To reveal that we cannot save ourselves or make ourselves perfect in our own flesh. Romans 3:20 says “for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” What pleases God? This whole topic comes down to this question. Do we go about establishing our own righteousness or do we submit ourselves to God’s righteousness instead? The nation of Israel went about establishing their own, and we’ve seen how that turned out. They didn’t obtain righteousness, because they lacked faith. It’s always been faith that has pleased God. “But without faith it is impossible to please him” (Heb. 11:6). God has revealed His righteousness to us. He’s revealed His righteousness without (apart from) the law (Rom. 3:21). He’s revealed it by the faith of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22). All we have to do is trust in Christ. Romans 10 continues to say that the word of faith which Paul has preached unto us is already near us (Rom. 10:8-10). All we have to do is believe it. God’s righteousness is already established and made known to us. We just have to believe it.

In conclusion, Israel was told under the law to offer a multitude of sacrifices. But, it wasn’t their own works done in their own flesh that saved them. It was to teach them that they couldn’t keep the law on their own. And we Gentiles can’t keep it either. They needed to have faith. We need faith too. They tried to establish their own righteousness by the works of the law, instead of submitting themselves to the righteousness of God. God has revealed His righteousness apart from the law. That is, by the faith of Jesus Christ. In other words, by what He did for us on the cross. His righteousness has already been established. So, our responsibility is to have faith in Him. Christ fulfilled all righteousness. He took care of the law (Col. 2:14). He took care of our sin. He did so by condemning sin in His own flesh, so that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us (Rom. 8:1-4). No more sacrifices are needed. All we have to do is believe in Him and His finished work. Then, our faith is counted for righteousness. And we will be translated into the One Body, where we are complete in Him.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.“

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.“

Acts 16:31