Romans 14
Working with those who are weak in faithverses 1-4
His that is weak in the faith receive you – BUT not to doubtful disputations
for one believes that he may eat all things
another – who is weak – eats herbs
Let not him that eats despise him that eats not
and let not him which eats not judge him that eats
FOR God hath received him
Who are you that judge another man’s servant?
to his own master he stands or falls
YEA – he shall be held up – for God is able to make him stand
Choice between food and holy daysverses 5-9
One man esteems one day above another – another esteems every day alike
let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind
He that regards the day – regards it to the Lord
and he that regards not the day – to the Lord he does not regard it
He that eats – eats to the Lord – for he gives God THANKS
and he that eats not – to the Lord he eats not
and gives God THANKS
FOR none of us lives to himself – and no man dies to himself
for whether we live – we live to the Lord
and whether we die – we die to the Lord
whether we live therefore or die – we are the Lord’s
FOR to this end Christ both died – rose – revived
that HE might be Lord both of the dead and living
Each gives a personal account to the LORDverses 10-13
BUT why do you judge your brother?
OR why do you set at nought your brother?
for we shall ALL stand before the
JUDGMENT SEAT of Christ
FOR it is written
As I live – says the Lord – every knee shall bow to ME
and every tongue shall confess to God
So then every one of us shall give ACCOUNT of himself to God
let us not therefore judge one another any more
but judge this rather
that no man put a stumbling block
or an occasion
to fall in his brother’s way
Common responsibility to edify one anotherverses 14-19
I know – and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus
that there is nothing unclean of itself
BUT to him that esteems any thing to be unclean
to him it is unclean
BUT if your brother be grieved with your meat
now walk you not charitably
destroy not him with your meat
for whom Christ died
Let not then your good be evil spoken of
for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink
BUT righteousness – peace – joy in the Holy Ghost
FOR he that is these things serves Christ is acceptable to God
and approved of men
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace
and things wherewith one may EDIFY another
Follow your convictionsverses 20-23
FOR meat destroy not the work of God
All things indeed are pure
but it is evil for that man who eats with offense
It is good neither to eat flesh – nor to drink wine
nor any thing whereby your brother stumbles
or is offended – or is made weak
Have you faith? have it to yourself before God
happy is he that condemns not himself in that
thing which he allows
and he that doubts is damned if he eat
BECAUSE he eats not of faith
for whatsoever is not of faith is sin
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. (326 “revived” [anazao] means be alive again, recover life, regain strength and vigor, or return to life)
DEVOTION: Jesus Christ wanted to be Lord of both the living and the dead. Those who had died before HE came to this earth were looking forward to HIS coming, so that, they could have eternal life with HIM. HE went to Paradise to bring the Old Testament saints to be with HIM. Some of them came out of their graves after HIS resurrection and walked the streets of Jerusalem. It had to be quite a sight for some to see. They were waiting for HIS resurrection from the dead to ascend with HIM to heaven.
Now we have those who are alive after HIS resurrection looking back at that time with joy. It is because HE rose from the dead that we can realize our resurrection from the dead. HE is our example. HE is our Lord. HE had a purpose for HIS resurrection. The purpose was hope for us who were born after HIM and have become followers of HIM. The hope is that we will see HIM one day after we die. There will be a time of resurrection for all those who die in the LORD.
Those who are dead now since HIS resurrection are promised that their soul and spirit will be with HIM at the point of death. The bodies will join the soul and spirit when the trumpet sounds for all the dead in Christ to meet HIM in the air. Those of us that are alive when the trumpet sounds will also meet HIM in the air.
CHALLENGE: Christ is the resurrection and the live of all those who believe. That gives hope. We are not HOME YET!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers:
: 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you set at nought your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
(1848 “set at nought” [ exoutheneo] means look down, contemptible, despise, least esteemed, or to make of no account)
DEVOTION: Here is a main problem in the church. We see people practicing something that we think is wrong and therefore say that they can’t be Christians. There are many legalistic churches that set down rules that seem good but they cause problems for new believers. If a new believer struggles with a habit that is considered bad and in some cases sin by those who attend these churches, it can cause problems.
We have a tendency to look at other people. Sometimes we like to look at other people to find fault in them. We like to compare ourselves with other Christians. If we find that another Christian is sinning or practicing something that we think is sin more than we are, we think we are better than them. We have a tendency to make others of no account, so that, we can make ourselves account. We can think of some as second class citizens, if not altogether out of the kingdom. One of the things we need to remember is that all of us are still totally depraved even after we have chosen to follow the LORD. We are not here to condemn our fellow believers. We are here to edify our fellow believers. We are not here to judge the choices of another believer. If there are poor choices we can pray for them. We can instruct those who will listen to us regarding their choices.
One of the main things that we have to remember is that all Christians are going to report to the judgment seat of Christ. We are not going to be judged for our sins but for our works after we followed the LORD. This “judgment seat” is a bema seat. The bema seat was the place where those who won at the Olympics received their rewards.
If we let the Holy Ghost led us, HE will direct us to right actions without others hounding us. Our personal convictions will ALWAYS be different from some other Christians. No two of us agree fully on personal convictions. We must agree on the basics of the faith. We must agree on the fundamental doctrines of the faith. If there is disagreement in these areas, then we can hold those individuals in question.
CHALLENGE: Make a distinction between basic beliefs and personal convictions. If you have any questions regarding the difference, contact us or a strong mature believer you know.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (5479 “joy” [chara] means gladness, the emotion of great happiness and pleasure, bliss, merry, or rejoicing)
DEVOTION: Too often we can get hung up on what people eat and drink. Our Christian life should be concerned with living a life that would bring joy to ourselves and others.
This passage of Scripture deals with the fact that all Christians are at different stages in their spiritual growth. Some are baby Christians. Some are young men or above baby stage but not to maturity yet. Others are mature in the faith. Each group has their own convictions regarding what they can eat and drink and what days are important and what days are not important.
We have a tendency to judge people by our standard rather than by the LORD’S standard. I don’t have a problem going into a place that serves alcohol such as a Pizza Hut. One of my men in my second church would not go into a place that served alcohol. It was his conviction. So when we went out together we would go to a place that didn’t serve alcohol. I didn’t want to be a stumbling block to him.
Young children have things they like to do as believers and so we need to be sure that we establish good convictions in their life at a young age. We also need to teach them that Christians are different. Some have never established the same convictions that the Bible establishes for believes.
CHALLENGE: We need to let believers grow at their own pace and make sure that we are not doing things that offend them or their growth.
: 22 Have you faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows. (1381 “allows” [dokimazo] means approves, discerns, scrutinize, deem worthy, to judge to be right or commendable, judge as good, discern, or put to proof)
DEVOTION: Once we become believers we have to be sensitive to the working of the Holy Spirit in our life. Growing as a believer brings times that we have to make personal decisions regarding what we will do as a believer and what we will not do as a believer.
Once we make decisions regarding our convictions we have to stick with our convictions until we know that the LORD wants us to change our convictions. At different stages in our growth things might change as we increase our knowledge of the Word of God and what the Holy Spirit convinces us is right or wrong for us.
The phrase “let your conscience be your guide” can be true in our life. If our conscience tells us it is wrong for us then we should listen to our conscience. God has given every man/woman a conscience to help him understand what is expected of him/her.
CHALLENGE: Our true happiness depends on us making Biblical decisions regarding what we should and shouldn’t do in our life.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Give God thanksverse 6
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18, 20, 22
Lordverses 6, 8
Kingdom of Godverse 17
Acceptable to Godverse 18
Work of Godverse 20
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Christverses 9, 10, 15, 18
Lordverses 9, 11, 14
Diedverses 9, 15
Resurrectedverse 9
Revivedverse 9
Lord of the dead and livingverse 9
Judgment seat of Christverse 10
Every knee shall bow to HIMverse 11
Every tongue confess to HIMverse 11
Jesusverse 14
Lord Jesusverse 14
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Holy Ghostverse 17
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Approved of menverse 18
All things are pureverse 20
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Doubtful disputationsverse 1
Despiseverses 3, 4
Judging fellow belieververses 4, 10, 13
Look down on fellow belieververse 10
Stumbling blockverses 13, 21
Occasion to fallverse 13
Uncleanverse 14
Grieve a brotherverse 15
Destroy a brotherverse 15
Evilverses 16, 20
Eat with offenseverse 20
Condemn by what is allowedverse 22
Doubtverse 23
Eating not in faithverse 23
Sinverse 23
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Faithverse 1, 22, 23
Weak in the faithverse 1
Different beliefsverse 2
Servantverse 4
Fully perswaded in own mindverse 5
Thank Godverse 6
Live to the LORDverse 8
Bow down to LORDverse 11
Confess to Godverse 11
Give accountverse 12
Walk charitablyverse 15
Goodverse 16
Righteousnessverse 17
Peaceverses 17, 19
Joy in the Holy Ghostverse 17
Serve Christverse 18
Acceptable to Godverse 18
Approved of menverse 18
Edify one anotherverse 19
Happyverse 22
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Judgment Seat of Christverse 10
Give account of self to Godverse 12
Kingdom of Godverse 17
Damnedverse 23
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QUOTES regarding passage
14:13–18 So it was time for the believers in Rome to stop criticizing one another. If they felt they must reach a decision about something, they were not to place a stumbling block or an occasion to sin in the path of a weaker brother in Christ. Paul himself was fully convinced that nothing was intrinsically unclean.114 To Timothy he wrote, “Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Tim 4:4; cf. Titus 1:15). The old taboos on certain ceremonial foods were no longer in force. Jesus taught that it is not what goes into the mouth that makes a person unclean but what comes out (Matt 15:10–11, 16–20). Nevertheless, Paul was concerned with the affect of this new freedom on the lives of those Christians who still felt that in some way the regulations of Judaism were not totally obsolete. Although no food is unclean in itself, if someone regards it as unclean, then for that person it is.
We must be careful not to generalize on the principle expressed in this teaching. Paul was not saying that sin is a matter of personal opinion. He was not teaching that as long as we think something is okay it is okay for us. Scripture clearly teaches that certain things are wrong. There are, however, other matters about which there may be legitimate differences of opinion. They are secondary issues about which Christians may be of differing persuasions. In such cases “strong” believers are to be willing, as an expression of Christian love, to allow the sensitivities of the “weak” to condition how they live.
If a Christian brother, unable to enjoy the freedom that is yours, is troubled by your “unrestricted diet” (Phillips) and you persist in eating whatever you wish, you are no longer acting in the spirit of love (v. 15). Paul’s instruction is clear: Do not allow your own freedom of conscience to destroy your brother or sister for whom Christ died. To influence others to act against their conscience is a serious matter. Acting contrary to what one perceives to be right is to weaken one’s own moral structure and undermine integrity. Since Christ died for believers with a weak conscience (as well as for all others), certainly it is not too much to ask that strong believers not destroy them by encouraging actions of which the weaker brothers do not approve. Elsewhere Paul discussed the same issue and added that if a weak believer is destroyed by your knowledge, your sin is not only against that person but also against Christ (1 Cor 8:11–12).
Stronger Christians are not to encourage misunderstanding by allowing what they consider to be permissible to be an occasion for slanderous talk (v. 16). After all, the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteous living. For people to insist on eating whatever they want (since nothing is unclean in itself) is to reduce the kingdom to matters of dietary preference. God’s kingdom simply cannot be trivialized in this way. His kingdom has to do with righteous living.120 Its concerns are significantly broader and relate to issues such as peace and joy, which come from our relationship to the Holy Spirit. Those who serve Christ in this way, that is, “by recognizing that food and drink are secondary matters,” bring pleasure to God and are accepted by others.122 Pursuing the higher priorities is something “approved by men” and “pleasing to God.” (Mounce, R. H. (1995). Romans (Vol. 27, pp. 255–257). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
17. The kingdom of God. See on Luke 6:20, and compare Matt. 3:2. “The heavenly sphere of life in which God’s word and Spirit govern, and whose organ on earth is the Church” (Lange). Not the future, messianic kingdom.
Meat and drink (βρῶσις λαὶ πόσις). Rev., eating and drinking. Both words, however, occur frequently in the sense of A. V. Meat (βρῶμα), that which is eaten, occurs in ver. 15. The corresponding word for that which is drunk (πῶμα) is not found in the New Testament, though πόμα drink occurs 1 Cor. 10:4; Heb. 9:10, and both in classical and New-Testament Greek, πόσις the act of drinking is used also for that which is drunk. See John 6:55. A somewhat similar interchange of meaning appears in the popular expression, such a thing is good eating; also in the use of living for that by which one lives.
Righteousness (δικαιοσύνη). On its practical, ethical side, as shown in moral rectitude toward men.
Peace (εἰρήνη). Not peace with God, reconciliation, as ch. 5:1, but mutual concord among Christians.
Joy (χαρὰ). Common joy, arising out of the prevalence of rectitude and concord in the Church. The whole chapter is concerned with the mutual relations of Christians, rather than with their relations to God.
In the Holy Ghost. Most commentators construe this with joy only. Meyer says it forms one phrase. Compare 1 Thess. 1:6. While this may be correct, I see no objection to construing the words with all these terms. So Godet: “It is this divine guest who, by His presence, produces them in the Church.” (Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 3, pp. 170–171). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.)
(14:16–18) The “good” here refers to “Christian liberty, the freedom of conscience which has been won by Christ, but which will inevitably get a bad name if it is exercised in an inconsiderate, loveless fashion.” “Evil spoken of” is blasphēmeō (βλασφημεω), “to speak reproachfully of, rail at, revile.” The kingdom of God is defined here by Lange as follows: “The heavenly sphere of life in which God’s Word and Spirit govern, and whose organ on earth is the Church.” “Meat and drink” is brōsis kai posis (βρωσις και ποσις), which the Rev., translates “eating and drinking.” Righteousness here is not used in its judicial sense of justifying righteousness, but in its “practical, ethical sense, as shown in moral rectitude toward men” (Vincent). “Peace is not peace with God, but mutual concord among Christians” (Vincent). Joy is “common joy, arising out of the prevalence of rectitude and concord in the Church. The whole chapter is concerned with the mutual relations of Christians, rather than their relations to God” (Vincent). The qualifying phrase “in the Holy Ghost” according to Godet, refers to all three terms, righteousness, peace, and joy. He says, “It is this divine guest who—by His presence, produces them in the Church.” On verse 18, Denney comments, “One may serve Christ either eating or abstaining, but no one can serve Him whose conduct exhibits indifference to righteousness, peace, and joy.” “Serve” is douleuō (δουλευω), “to be a slave, do service.” “Acceptable” is euarestos (εὐαρεστος), “well-pleasing, acceptable.” “Approved” is dokimos (δοκιμος), “put to the test for the purpose of being approved, and having met specifications, having the stamp of approval placed upon one.” (Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Ro 14:15–16). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.)
14:15–18. How should a Christian whose convictions allow him to eat everything respond to one with scruples against certain foods? In Christian love he ought to forgo his liberty in Christ to avoid being a spiritual hindrance to his spiritual brother. If he persists in exercising his liberty so that his brother is distressed (lypeitai, “grieved, hurt”), Paul concluded, then the Christian exercising his liberty is no longer acting (lit., “walking”) in love. Such persistence could cause the spiritual destruction of a brother for whom Christ died. Destroy renders the word apollue, which often means eternal ruin. Here it may mean temporal ruin; a Christian forced to act contrary to his scruples, even though more strict than necessary, may find himself ruined by his wounded conscience (cf. 1 Cor. 8:10–12). Persisting in one’s freedom could also result in his Christian liberty (what you consider good) being blasphemed (spoken of as evil, blasphēmeisthō).
Such things should not happen. After all, food is not that important an issue (1 Cor. 8:8); it is not the sum and substance of the kingdom of God. But … righteousness (upright living), peace (cf. Rom. 12:16, 18; 14:19) and joy in (the sphere of) the Holy Spirit (cf. 15:13) are essentials of Christian fellowship and harmony. A concerned believer insists on right conduct, harmony, and joy rather than forcing his own lifestyle on others. As a result the Christian who serves (pres. participle, douleuōn, “who keeps on serving as a slave”) Christ in this way—in Christian love, pursuing righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit—is pleasing (cf. 12:1; 15:1; Heb. 13:21) to God and approved by men (in contrast with being evil spoken of, Rom. 14:16). (Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 493–494). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Christians must have priorities (vv. 16–18). Like the Pharisees of old, we Christians have a way of majoring in the minor (Matt. 23:23–24). I have seen churches divided over matters that were really insignificant when compared with the vital things of the Christian faith. I have heard of churches being split over such minor matters as the location of the piano in the auditorium and the serving of meals on Sundays. “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink” (Rom. 14:17). “But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do” (1 Cor. 8:8, niv)
Not the externals, but the eternals must be first in our lives: righteousness, peace, and joy. Where do they come from? The Holy Spirit of God at work in our lives (see Rom. 5:1–2). If each believer would yield to the Spirit and major in a godly life, we would not have Christians fighting with each other over minor matters. Spiritual priorities are essential to harmony in the church. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 561). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
14:17 kingdom of God. The sphere of salvation where God rules in the hearts of those He has saved (see notes on Ac 1:3; 1Co 6:9). eating and drinking. Non-essentials and external observances. righteousness. Holy, obedient living (cf. Eph 6:14; Php 1:11). peace. The loving tranquillity, produced by the Spirit, that should characterize believers’ relationships with God and each other (Gal 5:22). joy in the Holy Spirit. Another part of the Spirit’s fruit, this describes an abiding attitude of praise and thanksgiving regardless of circumstances, which flows from one’s confidence in God’s sovereignty (Gal 5:22; 1Th 1:6). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ro 14:17). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, &c.] Neither the kingdom of glory, nor the ultimate glory and happiness of the saints in the other world, is attained to by any such things; for neither eating and drinking, nor not eating and drinking, can recommend to the divine favour, or give a meetness for heaven, or a right unto it; see 1 Cor. 8:8, nor does the kingdom of grace, the principle of grace, lie in such things, nor in any thing that is external; nor does the Gospel, or Gospel church-state, which frequently go under this name of the kingdom of God, consist of such things as the ceremonial and the legal dispensation did, but the Gospel and the dispensation of grace are opposed unto them; see Heb. 9:10 and 13:9. But righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The kingdom of glory, which is the kingdom of God, because of his preparing, giving, calling to, and putting into the possession of, is attained unto by righteousness; not the righteousness of men, but the righteousness of Christ imputed by God, and received by faith; and through peace made by the blood of Christ, and rejoicing in him, without having any confidence in the flesh, which is a branch of the spirit’s grace in regeneration. The kingdom of grace, or the governing principle of grace in the soul, and which is of God’s implanting there, lies in righteousness and true holiness, in which the new man is created; in truth and uprightness in the inward parts, where the laws of God are put and written; and in peace of conscience, arising from the blood and righteousness of Christ; and in that spiritual joy and comfort the Holy Ghost produces, by leading to a sight of Christ, and an interest in him and his atonement. The Gospel, which gives an account both of the kingdom of grace and of glory, reveals the righteousness of Christ, and teaches men to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present evil world: it is a publication of peace by the blood of Christ; it calls men to peace, to cultivate peace one among another, and to seek those things which make for it; and when it comes in power, is attended with joy in the Holy Ghost, and is the means of increasing it; and this is another reason, persuading to Christian forbearance, in the use of things indifferent.
(Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 565). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Several issues fed the conflict in Rome. Originally, the gospel had come to Rome, independently of Paul, through Jewish Christians. An influx of Gentiles (non-Jews) into the church had resulted in tensions over issues like vegetarianism (because meat could be tainted with pagan religion), wine consumption (because of its use in drink offerings to Roman gods), and observance of special days (like the Sabbath). (Paul the Pastoral Mediator by Michael F. Bird)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers told Danica Patrick on her podcast, Pretty Intense, that he has questioned the existence of God.
“I don’t know how you can believe in a God who wants to condemn most of the planet to a fiery hell,” he says in the clip about growing up. He was speaking to Danica Patrick about a range of topics. Patrick is Rodgers’ girlfriend.
Rodgers says he was involved in the Christian ministry Young Life and grew up attending a nondenominational church with his parents.
In 2017, Rodgers talked about his friendship with Rob Bell in an ESPN the Magazine story. Bell is a preacher and author who wrote a book that questioned the traditional teachings of hell.
“Listing all the ways in which Rob has positively impacted my life would take up too much space; so I’ll simply say that he has inspired me to live life with a deeper level of appreciation and to love people with a greater awareness of our connectivity,” Rodgers said in an endorsement of Bell’s book, How to Be Here.
On the Bible, Rodgers said: “The Bible opens with a poem. It’s a beautiful piece of work, but it was never meant to be interpreted as I think some churches do.”
Also in the interview, Rodgers said he started to question evangelism and salvation.
He said in the interview he doesn’t identify with any affiliation and does not call himself a Christian.
“I think in people’s lives who grew up in some sort of organized religion, there really comes a time when you start to question things more,” he says. “It happens for some at an early age; others, you know, maybe a little older. That happened to me six or seven years ago.”
Genesis 44
Joseph’s older brothers are tested.
INSIGHT
Sometimes we get a second chance. When we do, it is important to seize the opportunity.
Judah did. When his brothers plotted to kill Joseph, Judah intervened. But he still fell short of rescuing Joseph.
Judah’s second chance came when, from his perspective, Benjamin’s life was in danger. Judah put his own life on the line. Perhaps this commitment was taken into account in the blessings he passed on to his sons, resulting in the Messiah coming through the tribe of Judah.
Throughout life we are given second chances. We should take these chances and set things right.
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God.Romans 5:1
Justification is opposed to condemnation, and nobody can bring an accusation because it is God who declares people just.
Justification is legal and forensic, and as you go on with the Scriptures you will find this in other places: “But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). And in Galatians 2:16 there is a statement that is parallel to those in Romans: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians is the great epistle that gave Martin Luther his liberty. His famous commentary on the epistle to the Galatians is a book that you should read, and the more you go on with it, the more you will enjoy it. Do not be put off by his polemic against the Roman Catholics. He had to do that because you must show what is wrong as well as what is right. People do not like t hat today, but Luther had to do it, and I think we must do it in our age and generation.
God makes a legal declaration that all the demands of the law upon us, as a condition of life, are fully satisfied with regard to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. We are no longer in a state of condemnation: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God” (Romans 5:1). “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Why? Because God has declared it. He is the Lawgiver, and He says that Christ has satisfied the law. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes” (Romans 10:4).
A Thought to Ponder: God is the Lawgiver, and He says that Christ has satisfied the law. (From God the Holy Spirit, pp. 171-172, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
The Communion of the Saints
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3)
The words “fellowship” and “communion” in the King James Version are both translations of the same word (koinonia) in the Greek New Testament. The fellowship of which the New Testament speaks is one of the most important doctrines of the Christian life. In the early days, “they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. . . . And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:42, 46).
It wasn’t long before heresies, schisms, and non-Christian practices began to fragment the churches; nevertheless, fellowship is still a vital biblical doctrine toward which all Christians should strive.
Today, with our multiplicity of sects and denominations, the concept of the communion of the saints seems almost an anomaly. Yet there is still a very real and blessed fellowship among Bible-believing Christians of all denominations, and this is one of the great blessings of the Christian life.
True fellowship, of course, must be based on truth in doctrine and practice. As our text indicates, real spiritual fellowship with fellow Christians must be based, first of all, on fellowship with the Father and the Son. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7). Christian fellowship is not, as many seem to think, built on food and fun, but on truth and light.
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)I
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