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Romans 5

Peace with God                                                                                   verse 1- 2

 THEREFORE being justified by faith

            we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

                        by WHOM also we have access

by faith into this grace

wherein we stand

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God

 Purpose of trials                                                                                verse 3- 5

 And not only so – but we glory in tribulations also

            knowing that tribulation works patience

                        patience works – experience

                                    and experience – hope

and hope makes not ashamed

                        BECAUSE the love of God is shed abroad in

our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is

given unto us

 Procedure of salvation                                                                      verse 6- 11

 FOR when we were yet without strength

in due time Christ died for the ungodly

                        for scarcely for a righteous man will one die

            yet peradventure for a good man some

would even dare to die

BUT God commended HIS love toward us – in that

while we were yet sinners

                        Christ died for us

Much more then – being now justified by HIS blood

            we shall be saved from wrath through HIM

FOR if – when we were enemies – we were reconciled to God

by the death of HIS Son – much more – being reconciled

                        we shall be saved by HIS life

And not only so – BUT we also joy in

God through our Lord Jesus Christ

                        by WHOM we have now received the atonement

 Introduction of sin and salvation: Adam & Christ                           verse 12- 17

 WHEREFORE – as by one man sin entered into the world

and death by sin

and so death passed upon all men – for that all have sinned

(FOR until the law sin was in the world

but sin is not imputed when there is no law

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses

even over them that had not sinned

after the similitude of Adam’s transgression

who is the figure of HIM that was to come

BUT not as the offense – so also is the FREE GIFT

FOR if through the offense of one many be dead

            much more the GRACE of Godand the GIFT of grace

                        which is by ONE MAN – Jesus Christ

                                    hath abounded unto many

AND not as it was by one that sinned – so is the gift

for the judgment was by one to condemnation

            but the FREE GIFT is of many offenses unto justification

FOR if by one man’s offense death reigned by one

much more they which receive abundance of grace

            and of the GIFT of righteousness shall reign in life

by ONE – Jesus Christ)

 Conquest of sin’s control: Christ                                                      verse 18- 21

 THEREFORE – as by the offense of one judgment

came upon all men to condemnation

even so by the righteousness of ONE

the FREE GIFT came upon all men

unto justification of life

FOR as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners

so by the obedience of ONE shall many be made righteous

MOREOVER the law entered – that offense might abound –

but where sin abounded – GRACE did much more abound

that as sin hath reigned unto death

            even so might GRACE

reign through righteousness

                                    unto ETERNAL LIFE

by Jesus Christ our Lord  

COMMENTARY:           

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers 

: 2        By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (4318 “access” [ prosagoge] means right to speak, introduction, admission, a moving to, approach, or that relationship with God whereby we are acceptable to him and have assurance that he is favorably disposed toward him)

DEVOTION:  Through Christ we are introduced to grace. Once we are introduced to grace, we realize that what Christ is really doing is introducing us to the Father. HE is the door through which we can approach the Father in prayer. We are standing in the presence of the Father forever.

When we have Christ in our heart, we have a stand with God. Our stand is based on what Jesus did on the cross for us. With this stand we can rejoice in the hope that we will be spared the wrath of God. With this stand we can have hope. With this stand we can rejoice on a daily basis. With this stand we have a way we can approach God in our prayer life. Through our prayer life the Father will send blessings and trials. Each day we can go into the presence of the LORD. We can meet with him regarding his plan for our life. We know that his plan for our life includes tribulation. This tribulation works patience [perseverance] into our life. Once patience is worked into our life we gain experience [character] in our daily walk with the LORD. Finally, we have hope in our life because we realize that God is working a work in our lives. Not only is HE working but we realize that HE genuinely loves us. The is the only way we can rejoice in our suffering for HIM.

Too often this tribulation is part of our “thorn” that we have to work with the rest of our life. We don’t want any thorns in our life. Paul had a “thorn” that he prayed three times that it would be removed but was not.

However, we need to realize that God works through our weakness for HIS glory. Praise HIS name. We have to accept our “thorn” for HIS glory. This “thorn” keeps pride away from our life and ministry.

Believe the promise that once we are in Christ – God loves us as HIS children. HE wants to bless us. HE also wants us to grow correctly.

CHALLENGE:  Everything HE does from the point of our salvation is for our good and HIS glory.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers 

: 8        But God commends HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (4921 “commends” [sunistao] means demonstrates, hold together, show, prove, establish, introduces or exhibit)

DEVOTION:  Many have learned the Romans road to salvation as a evangelism tool for reaching out to those who don’t know Christ as their personal Savior. It starts with Romans 3: 23, then goes to Romans 6:23, then to our present verse, then to Romans 10: 9, 10 and finally to Romans 10: 13.It is a way to show how to move from the place of separation from God to a fellowship with God. That should be the desire of each believer for those who are friends, family, or neighbors.

Here we have God exhibiting HIS love toward those who are sinners. That includes every individual who has ever been born into the world except Jesus Christ.

HE takes us just as we are with the understanding that there will be a change in our life toward obedience to HIS commands. It is a gradual change for most believers but for some it can be a dramatic change. Many have quit bad habits the moment they became a believer. Some have gone out and witnessed to their friends to the point that many of them become believers.

It is all based on the death of Christ. If HE had not died there would be no sacrifice that God the Father could accept for the sins of the world. HE was the one who provided atonement for sin.

HE not only died for our sins but HE was buried and on the third day rose from the grave to give us an example of what is going to happen to us in the future.

We serve a resurrected Savior that we are supposed to spread the word concerning to all those in our world. All false religions serve dead leaders. Our leader or Savior is alive and making intercession with the Father for us each moment of each day. We have a representative in heaven who is working with us until we meet HIM.

CHALLENGE: Realize what Christ has done for you and celebrate it by spreading the word.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 11      And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (2744 “joy” [kauchaomai] means glory, boast, rejoice, to glory on account of a thing, to display or proclaim publicly a satisfied contentment with one’s own or another’s achievements, to take pride in, or to exult)

DEVOTION:  One of the characteristics of a believer should be joy. We have so much to be thankful for in our new relationship with Christ. We have a friend that is with us through every trial we face in life.

HE is the one who should put a smile on our face when we go through the worst trials of our life. I had one occasion where I was going through a major trial in my life and I still had a smile on my face. Someone asked me what was wrong with me because of my present circumstances. I told them that my trust in Jesus Christ was enough to give me confidence I would not only face the trial but with HIS help move on to greater service for HIM. It was true.

Our relationship with Jesus Christ should cause us to face anything with hope and a smile on our face. Some of our “friends” might let us down during these time periods but our one true friend in Heaven will never let us down. HE has made a promise and HE has kept it in my life and will keep it in yours if you will allow HIM too.

CHALLENGE: HE promises victory to those who trust in HIM. Trust HIM more today than yesterday. Put that smile back on your face and have the joy of the LORD in your heart!!!!

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: 15      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, has abounded to many. (5485 “grace” [charis] means favor, thanks, that which affords joy, goodwill freely disseminated (by God); especially to the benefit of the recipient regardless of the benefit accrued to the disseminator, to show kindness, mercy, goodwill, favor, or reward)

DEVOTION: Have you ever wanted something you can’t afford? It has been true of all of us at one point in our life. Some people will charge it even if they can’t afford it and have to either return it or go into debt.

We are all born in debt. We are born in sin. We have sins piling up every day of our life. When we finally reach the age of accountability, we have to face the fact that because of our sin we headed to a place called hell for eternity. There is no way we can pay our debt or pay someone else to forgive our debt.

Along comes a free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is offered to every human being who has ever live or who is presently living or who will be living in the future. This gift is offered by the God who created the universe. HE can only offer it because HE sent HIS Son to die on the cross in our place. HE was a substitute for us. HE was the only substitute that the Father could accept because HE was sinless. HE never sinned. HE was the perfect sacrifice.

Now because of that sacrifice we are offered grace or unmerited favor from God the Father. Many will accept this offer of grace and become believers. More will refuse.

Can you imagine refusing a free gift offered by the God of the Universe? It is true. Most of the people living today think they don’t need God’s help. Most of them don’t want to understand what it means to be a true believer in God. Many have heard stories about what it means to be a follower but few have really studied what it means. They are afraid of change.

Those who are believers still have to try to reach everyone in their world with the true message of salvation.

CHALLENGE:  It is offering your family and friends a free gift that will last for eternity. Have you offered it recently to someone you love?

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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)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible) 

Scripture                                                                                          verse 3

Law                                                                                                  verse 13, 20 

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

                   God                                                                                                              verse 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 15

Peace with God                                                                              verse 1

Glory of God                                                                                  verse 2

Love of God                                                                                   verse 5 , 8

Reconciled to God                                                                         verse 10

Joy in God                                                                                     verse 11

Grace of God                                                                                 verse 15 

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

                      Lord                                                                                                         verse 1, 11, 21

Jesus                                                                                              verse 1, 11, 15, 17, 21

Christ                                                                                             verse 1, 6, 8, 11, 15, 17, 21

Lord Jesus Christ                                                                           verse 1, 11

Christ died for ungodly                                                                verse 6- 8, 10

Justified by blood of Christ                                                          verse 9

Son                                                                                                verse 10

Salvation in life of Christ                                                              verse 10

Gift of grace                                                                                 verse 15, 16

Man                                                                                              verse 15

Jesus Christ                                                                                   verse 15, 17

Gift of righteousness in Jesus Christ                                           verse 17, 18

Obedience                                                                                    verse 19

Jesus Christ our Lord                                                                   verse 21 

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

                       Holy Ghost                                                                                           verse 5

Holy Ghost – which is given unto us                                           verse 5 

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) 

Enemies                                                                                        verse 10

One man: Adam                                                                          verse 12, 14,16- 19

World                                                                                           verse 12, 13

All have sinned                                                                            verse 12

All men                                                                                        verse 18 

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

                    Ungodly                                                                                                  verse 6

                       Sinners                                                                                                  verse 8, 19

Sin                                                                                               verse 12- 14, 16, 20, 21

Death by sin                                                                                verse 12

All have sinned                                                                            verse 12

Transgression                                                                              verse 14

Imputed                                                                                      verse 15

Offence                                                                                       verse 15, 16, 18,  20

Sinned                                                                                         verse 16

Condemnation                                                                           verse 16, 18

Disobedience                                                                             verse 19 

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

                   Justified                                                                                                  verse 1, 9, 16, 18

Faith                                                                                           verse 1

Justified by faith                                                                        verse 1

Peace with God                                                                          verse 1

Access by faith                                                                           verse 2

Grace                                                                                          verse 2, 15, 17, 20, 21

Rejoice in hope                                                                          verse 2

Glory in tribulation                                                                    verse 3

Patience                                                                                     verse 3, 4

Experience                                                                                 verse 4

Hope                                                                                          verse 4, 5

Love of God in our hearts                                                         verse 5

Holy Ghost given to us                                                             verse 5

Righteous                                                                                  verse 7, 19

Justified by Christ’s blood                                                         verse 9

Saved from wrath                                                                      verse 9

Reconciled to God                                                                     verse 10

Saved by HIS life                                                                       verse 10

Joy                                                                                             verse 11

Atonement                                                                                verse 11

Free gift                                                                                    verse 15, 16, 18

Gift of grace abounds to many                                                verse 15

Justification                                                                               verse 16, 18

Abundance of grace                                                                 verse 17

Gift of righteousness                                                                verse 17

Righteousness unto eternal life                                               verse 21 

Israel (Old Testament people of God) 

Moses                                                                                       verse 14 

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events) 

Wrath                                                                                       verse 9

Death                                                                                       verse 17, 21

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QUOTES regarding passage

9–11 Whereas the preceding paragraph dealt with the depth of the love of God as seen in the cross, the present section moves on to declare the height of that love, its refusal to stop short of effecting final and everlasting salvation in which the enmity created by sin has been completely overcome.

We are invited to take our stand on the fact of an achieved justification (the terminology is identical with that found in v. 1), then turn to face the far-reaching effects of this justification on our future. Lest it be taken lightly, the means of that justification is repeated also—“by his [Christ’s] blood.” NEB has “by Christ’s sacrificial death,” and Barrett renders it, “at the cost of his blood.” We were reconciled when we were enemies. Surely, then, since God no longer looks on us as enemies subject to his wrath, he will find it possible to maintain the status quo and not suffer us to lapse back into the unreconciled position and, furthermore, will carry us on to the full end of our salvation. The agency of Christ continues to be crucial, only now with this difference, that, whereas our justification was achieved by his death, our preservation is secured by his life. This is a clear reference to his postresurrection life rather than to his life in the days of his flesh. Here Paul conjoins justification and salvation as he did in the theme (1:16, 17).

No doubt, the pivotal word for the right understanding of vv. 10, 11 is echthroi (enemies), the fourth term Paul has used for those in the unsaved state. (See vv. 6–8 for the others.) Is “enemies” used in an active sense to mean those who have enmity toward God (cf. 8:7) or in the passive sense, meaning those who are reckoned as enemies by God? Several reasons dictate that the latter is the intended force of the word. First, that the word is capable of conveying this meaning is evident from 11:28, where the people of Israel are spoken of as enemies in the reckoning of God and yet loved by him, involving the same combination as in the passage we are considering. The enmity in 11:28 is not temperamental but judicial. Second, the mention of “God’s wrath” in v. 9 points to the conclusion that the echthroi are the objects of the wrath. Third, the tenor of the argument leads one to the same conclusion. Paul reasons from the greater to the lesser. If God loved us when we were enemies, now that he has made provision for us at infinite cost, much more will he go on to see us through to the final goal of our salvation. But if the sense is that God loved us and saved us when we were enemies in our attitude toward him, the “much more” loses its point. “He is not arguing that if we have begun to love God we may reckon on his doing so and so for us, but because He has done so much, we may expect Him to do more” (Archibald McCaig in ISBE, 1930, vol. IV, p. 2537a). Fourth, Paul not only states that we have been reconciled (v. 10) but that we have received the reconciliation (v. 11). He avoids saying that we have done anything to effect the reconciliation. God provided it through the death of his Son. The matter is made even clearer, if anything, in the companion statement that God has reconciled us “to himself” (2 Cor 5:18). The appropriate response of the saved community is exultation (cf. vv. 2, 3) (Harrison, E. F. (1976). Romans. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans through Galatians (Vol. 10, p. 60). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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But also glorying in God (ἀλλα και καυχωμενοι ἐν τῳ θεῳ [alla kai kauchōmenoi en tōi theōi]). Basis of all the exultation above (verses 1 to 5). Through whom we have now received the reconciliation (δι οὑ νυν την καταλλαγην ἐλαβομεν [di hou nun tēn katallagēn elabomen]). Second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω [lambanō], looked at as a past realization, “now” (νυν [nun]) in contrast with the future consummation and a sure pledge and guarantee of it. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Ro 5:11). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)

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Here this same truth is repeated in different words (Rom. 5:10). Reconciliation, the third great achievement of Jesus’ sacrificial death on Calvary, is presented (also v. 11). This great triumvirate—redemption (3:24; 1 Cor. 1:30; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7); propitiation (Rom. 3:25 [niv: “sacrifice of atonement”]; 1 John 2:2; 4:10 [niv: “atoning sacrifice”]); reconciliation (Rom. 5:10–11; 2 Cor. 5:18–20; Col. 1:22)—is totally the work of God, accomplished through the death of Jesus Christ. Redemption pertains to sin (Rom. 3:24), propitiation (or satisfaction) pertains to God (3:25), and reconciliation is for people (cf. we were reconciled). Reconciliation is the removal of enmity that stands between people and God (cf. “enemies” in 5:10; Col. 1:21). Reconciliation is the basis of restored fellowship between people and God (cf. 2 Cor. 5:20–21).

If (Rom. 5:10) may be rendered “since”; it assumes that the reconciliation through the death of His Son is true. In addition, reconciliation was done when we were God’s enemies (lit., “being enemies”). Since reconciliation was accomplished by Jesus’ death, certainly His life is able to insure the complete and final salvation of believers. “His life” is His present life (not His life on earth) in which He intercedes (Heb. 7:25) for believers. He died for His enemies; surely He will save those, His former enemies, who are now fellowshiping in Him. Because Christians, God’s reconciled ones, share in Christ’s life, they will be saved. Not only is future salvation assured, but we also rejoice in God (“but also boasting [kauchōmenoi] in God”) here and now. This is what Paul already exhorted believers to do (Rom. 5:1–3). The assurance and guarantee of it all is the fact that through … Christ … we have now received reconciliation (lit., “the reconciliation”). Since God has reconciled godless enemies to Himself, they should enjoy that peace with Him. (Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 457). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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Reconciliation with God (v. 11). The word atonement means “reconciliation, brought back into fellowship with God.” The term is mentioned also in Romans 5:10. In Romans 1:18–32, Paul explained how men declared war on God and, because of this, deserved to be condemned eternally. But God did not declare war on man. Instead, He sent His Son as the Peacemaker (Eph. 2:11–18) that men might be reconciled to God.

A review of these seven blessings of justification shows how certain our salvation is in Christ. Totally apart from Law, and purely by grace, we have a salvation that takes care of the past, the present, and the future. Christ died for us; Christ lives for us; Christ is coming for us! Hallelujah, what a Saviour! (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 528). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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Ver. 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God, &c.] Something seems here to be understood, and which is to be supplied thus; not only we are saved by his life, and from wrath through him; not only are we reconciled to God by his Son, and Spirit; not only Christ has died for us while sinners and ungodly; not only do we glory in tribulations, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God: but we also joy in God; himself, as our covenant God and Father in Christ, as the God of all grace, peace, and salvation; in his perfections, as engaged on our side, and as glorified in our salvation; in the purposes of God, and his covenant-transactions with his son, as they are made known in the everlasting Gospel; in all his providential dispensations, which are mercy and truth; and in our being of him in Christ, and Christ’s being made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; in all the blessings of grace we receive from him, the glory of which is his due; and in his sight and presence, and in the enjoyment of him. The means by which saints come at this joying and glorying in God, is through our Lord Jesus Christ; not the light of nature, nor the law of Moses, nor any works of righteousness done by men, nor through angels or saints, but Christ, and him only; for ’tis only in and through him that God is their covenant God and Father; by him only have they the agreeable view of his glorious perfections; in him only all his purposes and promises have their fulfilment; ’tis by his hands, and through his blood, that all the blessings of grace are conveyed to them; their access to God is only by him; and by him they give the praise and glory of every mercy to him. And the ground of this joy is the expiation of sin by Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement; atonement is not made, but received by us; which denotes the application of the atoning blood and sacrifice of Christ to the conscience, the Spirit’s witness of interest in it, and the office of faith, as a recipient of it: ’tis not faith, nor anything else of the creature’s, that makes the atonement, only Christ; but faith receives it from him, and by him; which, as it is the ground of present joying in God, so it is the foundation of hope of future glory: the word now refers to the Gospel dispensation. The poor Jews are at the utmost loss about atonement: sometimes they tell us it is by confession, repentance, and good works; sometimes by beneficence and hospitalityd; sometimes they say their captivity is their atonement; and, at other times, that death expiates all their sinsf. Blessed be God for the atoning sacrifice of Christ! (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 452). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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Believers boast not only in the “hope of the glory of God” (v2) and in tribulations (v. 3), but in God Himself (5:11, The Moody Bible Commentary by Michael Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaniingham)

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 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!!)

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I repeat that everybody who is decent or wants to be decent, will admire you when you preach the truth, although you riddle them when you do it. The hour is come, my friend. The hour is come to believe in a revival. Some people do not believe in revivals; neither does the devil; so you are like your daddy. (p. 196, “Billy” Sunday: The Man and His Message by William Ellis)

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Christian leaders are called to convictional leadership, and that means leadership that is defined by beliefs that are transformed into corporate action. The central role of belief is what must define any truly Christian understanding of leadership. This means that leadership is always a theological enterprise, in the sense that our most important beliefs and convictions are about God. Our most fundamental beliefs about God determine everything else of importance about us. If our beliefs about God are not true, everything we know and everything we are will be warped and contorted by that false knowledge – and this fact points to a huge problem. …. As theologian David F. Wells states so powerfully, “We have turned to a God that we can use rather than a God we must obey; we have turned to a God who will fulfill our needs rather than to a God before whom we must surrender our rights to ourselves. He is a God for us, for our satisfaction, and we have come to assume that it must be so in the church as well. And so we transform the God of mercy into a God who is at our mercy. We imagine that he is benign, that he will acquiesce as we toy with his reality and co-opt him in the promotion of our ventures and careers.” (Albert Mohler, Leadership as Stewardship)

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Genesis 22
Abraham offers his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice.
INSIGHT

God tests our faith — not to catch us failing so that He can punish us or merely to determine genuineness — but to strengthen and increase our faith for the future.

The concept of testing includes refining or purifying. It is the same word used to describe the process of refining gold to purify it and to increase its value. The purpose of testing is to yield spiritual maturity.

We see from Abraham’s life that God tests us for our good. We, then, can trust Him, even during times of testing. (Quiet Walk)

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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PENTECOST

Would God that all the LORD’s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! Numbers 11:29
The great purpose of Pentecost is to give the final proof of the fact that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. That is declared. The second thing is the great inauguration of the Church as His Body; and third, it is a proof of the fact that the various people who are added to the Church are members of the Body.
Also, in the Old Testament we are told that the Holy Spirit was with men or that He came upon them. He worked upon them from without, as it were, and what David even said, you remember, was, “Take not thy holy spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11), as if the Holy Spirit was with him—that is the Old Testament terminology. The New Testament terminology is in, within; He works from within, and He abides. In the Old Testament He came upon men and left them. He comes, in the New Testament, because we are members of the Body of Christ and because the Spirit comes from Christ through the whole Body. Because we are members of the Body, the Spirit abides in us—perfectly; and that, it seems to me, is the essence of the teaching with regard to this matter.
On the Day of Pentecost the rushing mighty wind and the cloven tongues as of fire especially emphasized, not the filling with the Spirit, but the baptizing into the unity of the Body, the inauguration of the Church. That is why you have the special phenomena. The cloven tongues of fire were never repeated. The walls were shaken on another occasion, but this particular sound, this noise, the gathering together of the special phenomena places a uniqueness upon the event of the Day of Pentecost that has never been repeated. The filling with the Spirit is something that can be, and often is, repeated, but that is not the vital thing that happened at Pentecost. What is emphasized at Pentecost is that the Church became Christ’s Body, and the Spirit was given to fill the Body.
A Thought to Ponder: Pentecost inaugurated the Church as Christ’s Body

                  (From God the Holy Spirit, pp. 40-41, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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The Holy Spirit’s Ministry: God’s Fail-Safe Plan–Calling
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:30)
God has “called” those whom He has predestined. The Greek term is kaleo, widely used to convey a specific invitation. Note how the Scriptures use kaleo with the formal identification of the name Jesus: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. . . . Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:21, 23).
Just so, Jesus is “called” a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23). The lord in the parable of the vineyard “calls” the laborers (Matthew 20:8), and the king in the parable of the marriage feast “bids” those in the “highways, and as many as you find” to the feast (Matthew 22:9).
This same invitation (a specific and identifiable calling) is issued to believers when we “were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). It should come as no unusual matter, therefore, that because God foreknew how we would respond to His invitation, He could then “pre-order” the end product of that calling, having “saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9).
May we never tire of the precious knowledge that God’s “calling” was an invitation that had an eternity behind and ahead of it—merely executed in time and space.

                (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

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HE understands that the fight against sin is a fight to trust in our heavenly Father. (p. 87)

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Your part as a born-again believer is to “toil, struggling with all his energy” as Christ powerfully works within us (Co.1:29). We must never forget that according to Jesus the reward of eternal life goes to those who conquer and overcome (Revelation 2-3.) (p. 89)

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Sanctification is not by surrender, but by divinely enabled toil and effort.

Listen to Martyn Lloyd-Jones

The New Testament calls upon us to take action; it does not tell us that the work of sanctification is going to be done for us … We are in the good fight of faith”, and we have to do the fighting. But, thank God, we are enabled to do it; for the moment we believe, and are justified by faith, and are born again of the Spirit of God, we have the ability. So the New Testament method of sanctification is to remind us of that; and having reminded us of it, it says, “Now then, go and do it.” (p. 90)  (The Hole In Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung)

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