Month: September 2015

Is good good enough?

Re:Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day seven)

“A man is a Jew if he is one inwardly. . .by the Spirit.”–v 29.  In Romans 1, Paul declares the wrath of God against those who REJECT Him.  Pagans/Gentiles.  Jewish listeners said “Amen” to the first part.  In Roman 2, Paul declares the wrath of God against those who try to satisfy Him with RELIGION.

Surprised?  Being good is not good enough.  God’s demand is not that we go to church or read our Bibles or try to be inclusive.  No.  God’s demand (something known only by revelation) is that we, “by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality”–v 7.

But, who does that?  Do you know ANYONE who steadily, courageously, at all times, in all circumstances seeks God’s will?  As the Bible says, we fall short of God’s glory.  Way short.

So, God provides a way.  A new life, Spirit-born.  It is the ONLY thing that is enough. Being good just isn’t.

Work

Re:Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day six)

But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:29

Paul makes it increasingly clear that we are all in trouble. We are idolaters, all of us; and even those of us who look the part, we too have rejected God for the praise of men. He then introduces the type of person that God seeks, one who is concerned more about the affections of their heart, then the one putting on airs. This one doesn’t live for the approval of men, but lives to worship God in all of life. Finally he tells us how such a person takes shape, “by the Spirit.” The Spirit of God does the work of reshaping the human heart through faith in the Gospel. The key to living a life of faith is just that-faith! It is not working harder, or beating yourself up over past sins (penance), it’s not adding another Bible study to your schedule, no, it is none of those things. Live from faith to faith forever resting in God’s approval of you because of the work of His Son! Have faith in the Gospel, and let the Spirit of God do the hard work of reshaping your heart!

Both/And

Re:Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day five) 

4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  Many people have inaccurate pictures or views of God.   1) God is a “wise and loving patriarchal figure” (grandfather in the sky) filled with wisdom and knowledge, but not actively engaged in the lives of His children. He won’t challenge or confront sin, idleness, or apathy.   He’s too loving to do that sort of thing. 2) He’s a “genie in a bottle” ready to answer and fulfill all our requests and petitions at a moments notice.

Each of God’s character traits (Love, Kindness, Sovereignty, Righteousness, Holiness, etc.) exist for the purpose of His Glory AND our good. They both go together. To separate them is poor theology at best, and manipulative theology at worst. John Stott says, “For God’s kindness leads us towards repentance. That is its goal. It is intended to give us space in which to repent, not to give us an excuse for sinning.”

We must seek to find and understand both God’s Glory and our good as we worship, follow, serve, and grow.

Led by Character

Re:Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day four)

The character of God is who He is…the very essence of His being.  Verse 4 says that the kindness (one of His character qualities) of God leads you to repentance.  Everything about God will draw you to Him…choose any character quality of God and it will inspire worship, lead to obedience, bring a sense of awe or confront with repentance.  God is in the business of changing lives.  Ezekiel says that God will take our heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh.  He will change us so we can enter into a right relationship with Him.  We are without excuse when we stand before God.  How we have responded to His character through obedience will determine the outcome of our relationship with Him.  What does your character inspire?  Does it lead others to God?  Does it lead to repentance?  It will if our lives look like Jesus…we will give an accurate picture of the character of God.

Immaterial

Re: Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day three) 

“As it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'” That the character and behavior of Christians would invite the larger society to conclude God doesn’t really matter much is quite a serious charge. And yet, Paul declares, that’s exactly the circumstance we find ourselves in when what we say becomes disconnected from how we live. If we claim devotion to Christ, do we then organize our daily lives in the same way he did? Paul says earlier in Romans that a person can come to know of God’s existence by considering the physical realm. What can a person come to know of God’s personality by considering the way you live?

Truth from the Start

Re:Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day two) 

For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them..14-15

Man is without excuse, this is an echo of what Paul said in the first chapter of Romans. Even those who did not grow up under the Law, or, in our case, in church will have to give an account. C.S. Lewis in his landmark Mere Christianity puts it like this: “If no set of moral ideas were truer or better than any other, there would be no sense in preferring civilized morality to savage morality, or Christian morality to Nazi morality. In fact, of course, we all do believe that some moralities are better than others.”

God has wired everyone with a basic set of right and wrong. The struggle with that difference and the questions that are generated from the conflict naturally lead to looking to where this morality came from. We are without excuse.

In deed and truth

Re:Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day one) 

“To every man according to his deeds.”–v 6 (see also Psalm 62:12)  In Romans 2, Paul makes startling statements.  God will judge all men. . .based on their deeds. . . based on the light (truth) they had.

No works-theology here.  Just unapologetic connection of faith and the works that rise from repentance.  On that coming day, God will need no other evidence.  “To those who by perseverance. . .seek for glory and honor. . .eternal life.”  “To those who are self-seeking. . . wrath and indignation.”–v 8-9.  Clear enough?

God will also judge us based on the light (truth) we had.  Those without the law will be judged without reference to it.  God is not unfair. He holds no man accountable for things he never heard.  Those with the Law will answer to an even a higher standard.

“Little children, let us love in deed and in truth”—1 John 3:18.  On the last day, God will use both categories to judge us.

No excuses

Re:Verse reading–Romans 1:18-32 (day six)

“They are without excuse”–v 20.

A shock to my system.  A contradiction to the way I normally (and comfortably) see myself. God says that I am (we all are) without excuse!

God just doesn’t see me as a victim.  I am not helpless in the face of my tendencies. He doesn’t buy it.  I have no one to blame.  Not now. Certainly not when “that Day” comes. The light of truth will shine into the deepest part of my soul.  Exposing my motives.  Revealing my heart.

It will know this truth on that day.  There are NO good reasons for not worshiping God.  None.  He made me.  He revealed Himself in the creation and in my conscience.  He warns of His wrath.  He offers grace in Christ.

People try to blame or explain.  I am tired.  I can’t help myself.  I had a rough childhood.

Words will be useless.  We are without excuse.

Worship

Re:Verse reading–Romans 1:18-32 (day six)

The central theme to our rev:verse text is not primarily the wrath of God, nor is it the sinfulness of man, but rather it is the Glory of God. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of life.” The great “unrighteousness” that Paul writes about is the sin of the unguarded heart; we gave our heart to another. We were made in the image of God, designed to behold, enjoy, and find purpose in the Glory of God, and yet we did not. We did not “honor him, or give him thanks.” The results are self-evident, just turn on the news. Once we chose to worship creature over creator, all hell broke lose. The affections of our hearts have “determined the course of [our] lives”

Our hearts need realigning. “Oh, what wretched people we are! Who will free us from lives of sin and death? Thank God the answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:24-25

Different Vantage Points

Re:Verse reading–Romans 1:18-32 (day five)

Last summer I traveled to Alaska with our Chapel Singers. One of the highlights was a trip to Denali National Park. Our travel literally took us around what is now called Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley). There were several places to stop and see this magnificent landmark. Each one provided a different, yet amazing view of this mountain. The different vantage points when combined, gave me a better understanding and appreciation of the vastness and beauty of whole mountain. If I had only seen one side or perspective, it would have been spectacular, yet I would have missed seeing and experiencing SO much more.

In Romans chapter 1, Paul shares glimpses or snapshots of God’s character and nature. (Same Holy and Loving God- different vantage points) God’s Power (v. 16), God’s Righteousness (v. 17), God’s Wrath (v. 18), God’s Glory (v. 20).

If we don’t continue to observe and be in awe of the many facets of God’s Nature and Character, we will miss seeing and experiencing SO much more of Him.