Text: Romans 12-16

Atmosphere

• Rom 12-13: Paul in a ‘Pastoral’ role gives practical guidance in holy living as part of being    ‘members in Christ’.
• Restates his God-given job of ministering to the Gentiles.(15:16)
• Teaches but also relates closely to the Romans he is talking to. Paul uses “we” and “us”(14,15).
• Paul had the desire to teach the foundations of gospel to people that have not heard of Christ (15:20)
• Greetings/introductions and asking Romans to welcome different brothers and sisters (16)
• After spending the first 11 chapters on theology, Paul spends the last 5 chapters talking about straightforward applications based on concepts from the previous chapters
• Chapters 15,16 Paul completes his main argument in which there has been a fulfillment of prophesies about the salvation of the Gentiles.
• Paul’s last message seems to be a plead for the church to stay in unity and love

Highlights:

• Worship includes taking care of our bodies (12:1)
• (12:1) In the past, sacrifices were always dead.  However, now, we need to present ourselves as living sacrifices.  Verse 2 explains how to live as living sacrifices.
• Transformation and renewal is key to not conforming to the world. (12:2) If we are truly transformed and renewed, is it even possible to conform to the world? (Romans 6:1-14, we can’t be alive in sin and be alive in Christ)
• We can only experience/find God’s will if we are not of the world
• Everyone in Christ belong to each other and we are given different abilities to work together as one. (12:4-8)
• Romans 12:9-21) Theme is to do things with love, to not be proud of oneself, to have unity.
• HATE what is evil (12:9).  Also, don’t fake it, you must back up your love with actions.
• Revenge is not ours to take. Remember God’s wrath. He will deal with people. (12:19)
• Instead we are to love our enemies (12:20) (Matt 5:44)
• Loving your neighbour is an encompassing law of others such as do not murder, covet or commit adultery. By loving you are obeying the law! (12:8-10)
• Chapters 13:1-7) Huge section on how we are commanded to be submissive to authorities.
• Question: What if the leader is evil?
• Unless what the leader is telling you to do is against God’s Word, you should respect authorities and obey them.
• However, if the authority is wrong, then God’s Word takes precedence.
• Question: If we don’t agree with the government, does that mean we can fight for reform?
• Remember Daniel, an exile in Babylon, but he still served the King and respected/honoured him.
• However, when the King ordered no one to worship anyone, Daniel still prayed to the Lord, because that’s what the Bible says

  -also remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego disobeying King Nebuchadnezzar  because they obeyed God over the authority that told them otherwise. (Daniel 3)

• Verse 4) Commentary: “sword”.  Figuratively, it means judicial punishment.  Another Commentary: it could mean capital punishment.
• We are sinful people, but we can clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. How do we fight sin in our lives is by having Christ near.(13:14) Since God is light, and if we are in fellowship with him, it is not possible to be remaining in sin and darkness. (1 John 5-6)
• 14:4) Don’t judge people’s faith by what they can/cannot do because the Lord is the only one who is powerful enough to save all mankind including you.
• Cross Reference:  1 Corinthians 10:23-33
• Two applications: Don’t do anyone thing make a brother/sister fall and also, do not judge other people who do things you don’t agree with
• Action: First of all, ask ourselves to make sure what you’re doing isn’t wrong.  If it isn’t, then be aware of people around you
• Certain people are given a certain amount of faith and gifts.
• Don’t judge your brother or sister. We will all stand before God’s judgement and we will individually be accountable to God. (14:10)
• Don’t be a stumbling block to someone.  We need to spend every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:13-21) We are bad people (Romans 3:11-18) so we need to put in the effort to love, do things that lead to peace and build others up.
• Romans 13:17) Don’t let petty matters come in between the peace of the church.  Back then, it was probably Jews not eating pork vs. Gentiles who did.  Present day, we argue about denominations, speaking in tongues ex: Pentecostal
• If anything in our lives is not done by faith or comes from faith, it is sin. (14:23) =O
• We should build up one another for their good. Define neighbour: anyone who comes across your path.  We are told to be like Christ and Christ was not selfish. (15:1-3)
• We should help everyone who meets us to get closer to God
• Maybe we should talk about spiritual things with our Christian friends when we hang out
• 15:4) Everything was written in the past was for teaching.  Example, the Old Testament, even gruesome stories in the Bible.  Everything in God’s Word is for teaching.
• Unity in Christ.
• The purpose of the unit is to glorify God (15:6)
• Accept one another just as Christ accepted you. (15:7)
• like seriously, God accepted us, such horrible people (super different from Him) and yet we find it hard accepting someone who is a little different from us? a little crazy eh?
• 15:14) If we are full of goodness and complete in knowledge, we can instruct on another
• 15:18-33) There is still unfinished work and people that need to be saved
• 16:20) Satan will be defeated!!!

Questions:

• Submission to Authorities in chapter 13, since authorities is God’s servant and an agent of wrath to bring punishment to wrongdoers then how about authorities that are the wrongdoers? like corrupted government? dictatorship and fascist?

Questions:

Personal Application

1. Principle: Offer bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- This is your spirtual act of worship (12:1)

Contemporary Situation: are we taking care of our bodies in a way that is pleasing to God. Eating healthy and getting enough sleep?

Application:

For my application, I need to sleep more and allow my body to rest and remember that both my body and mind should be pleasing to God.

-Do we treat authorities in our lives like parents, pastors, elders, governement and etc like they are God’s servant? (13:1-6)
- Rom 12:2 – Discerning God’s will.  I need to not only pray/hope/wish/guess for God’s   will.   I need to transform my mind (through prayer/Scripture) and test everything

- Romans 13:14) Do not pursue own desires/accomplishments of this world when Jesus is coming back soon.  Also, we are supposed to fight sin by putting on the armour of Jesus Christ.

15: 4-14) Rejoice because Christ has welcomed everyone.  verse 13: relates back to Chapter 12: 11.  It’s easy to serve without thinking, but we should be full of joy and serving with spiritual fervor.

15:7- I need to try a little harder to accept others that might be little different from me and practice loving my ‘different’ neighbour.

Chapter 16: Greet people by their names:)

16:17-18 Are some of our selfish desires, selfish reasons causing divisions within the church?

Highlights:
Arminianism: God foreknew would be saved and then He chose who would be saved.
man is sinful and unable to do good in their own strength
God desires all people to be saved
All people are able to believe or obtain salvation
Role of foreknowledge of God
Cross References: Romans 10:13, Romans 11:32
Calvinism: God chose who would be saved before the beginning of time.
Strong Calvinists believe in TULIP:
Total depravity (man has no power to go to God by themselves b/c of sin)
Unconditional predestination (God chooses because He’s sovereign)
Limited atonement (Limited to certain people)
Irresistible grace (not based on our works)
Perseverance of the Saints
Cross References: Ephesians 1:4,5; Romans 3:10-12 (depravity)
Illustration: A bird is free to fly. Unfortunately, if it breaks its wings, it cannot fly anymore even though it has the freedom to fly. Therefore it is deprived unless someone comes along to help it fly again.
IMPORTANT: Remember that both views were created by humans
Mention that different parts of the Bible say different things. However, based on Romans 9, it is more Calvinistic.
9:11,12 God already named which twin would get the inheritance so that no one could boast about it. God is sovereign and has a right to choose who does what. (Esau and Jacob)
9:14-18- Ultimately nothing we do can earn God’s mercy. He chooses who he will have mercy on (18) and have compassion on. He also hardens people (whom he wants). Things happen because God wants it. He is not random.
9:18 -Shows God’s sovereignty. sovereignty means God have control over all his creation. No person or thing can escape from His control and foreknown plan. Because God is just, fair, has not trace of evil, is not biased, and because He created us, He has the ultimate power to decide on our destinies. Election depends on God’s mercy and not works of man.
9:19-22 how can we challenge and demand an answer from God or question God. God’s sovereignty (Daniel 4:35- he does as he pleases…No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”, Isaiah 46:10-11) *9:24-26 Even us gentiles, not originally God’s people will be called and loved by God. We get to be sons of the living God because God calls us to be his people.
9:27-29- QUESTION about Israel? Only selected few of the Israelites will be saved? That is correct. Not all Israel will be saved. God has chosen only a remnant to be saved.
Pursuing righteousness by works is a stumbling block. Pursue righteous by faith and not by works.
10:6-7. This is a quote from Deuteronomy 30:12-13. Essentially it means that that righteousness by faith (salvation through Jesus) does not require heroic feats such as bringing Christ down from heaven or up from the grave.
10:10 heart–>believe–>justified mouth–>confess–>saved
10:12 again Paul is leveling Jews and Gentiles onto common ground. Same Lord of all. And RICHLY blesses ALL who call on him.
10:14-15- The importance of sending and preaching. Great commission. Bringing the good news to others and not just to have it yourself.(Matt 28:19)
10:20-21 God can reveal himself to people that aren’t even looking for him.
11:6 Grace is only grace if its not by works.
11:1-10 God has chosen remnant of Israel by Grace. There is the elect and then others that were hardened
11:11 Because the Israelites sinned and fell away from the Lord, that opened the door for non-Israelites.
11:18- Christianity is not about you but about Christ. We got grafted in and the root supports the branch not the other way around. Do not be arrogant or proud about your status as a “Christian”. God judges everyone equally
11:22 God is stern and nice at the same time. He can accept you or cut you off.
11:23-24.Some Jews(natural branches) broken off the olive tree because of faithlessness. They can also be grafted back.
11:11-24 Sweet how we are all part of one tree. Both Jews and Gentiles naturally or grafted together into one body.
11:25-27 God is holy and just and will fulfill His promises even though Israel keeps turning away from God, there will always be a remnant who will be saved (Romans 9:27)
11:30-32 God has let ALL men into disobedience so He may have mercy on ALL. Both Jews and Gentiles alike. Even ground of disobedience. This is how God magnifies His grace. Otherwise, we would not turn to Him.

Cross References:

Personal Application
· Verse 9:8. Abraham’s descendants does not mean you are children of God
o Contemporary:
We should not believe we are children of God just because we are raised in a
Christian family and because of our parent’s faith.
o Action: Reflect
on how real is your faith to you? Is God that God of your life or just your parents?
· Vs 10:20-21 Application-don’t forget to pray for people who might say they are not looking for God. Ask God to reveal Himself to them. At the same time we are like the Israelites, often disobedient and stubborn but God still have his hands out and open. We just need to return to Him
Romans 11:17-21. Do not become prideful and complacent with your faith. If God broke off the natural branches (Jews-God’s chosen people), He would not spare us either.
Romans 11:18 Does your faith of God revolve around you or God. Is God really the support of your life or is God like a peripheral branch to you? Make God your root. In all your ways acknowledge him.

Verse 9:16. Nothing by works
Contemporary: Again, nothing we do lets us get saved. For example, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been raised by a good family, went to a Christian school, do lots of ministry, lead others to Christ, give to charities, volunteer work etc…

Action: How much do we actually believe this? Do we praise ourselves when we’ve done something good for Christ? Are we proud of our achievements or leadership roles? Do we relish in the fact that we have a strong biblical foundation? Do we look down on other people who don’t do their devotions daily?

Verse 10:3,4
Contemporary: Righteousness by law instead of faith (Israelites)
Application: Our definition of what’s right and wrong should be based on God and not worldly standards.

Verse 10: 9,10
Application: Knowing is not enough. You must proclaim that Jesus is Lord.

Verse 10:14,15 People need to hear the Gospel
Contemporary: There are many unreached places in the world who have never heard the Gospel, and therefore, die without knowing about the chance of eternal life.

Action: How important is spreading the Gospel to us in our daily lives? Do we reserve that duty for the missionaries? Do we believe that God has not granted us the gift of evangelism and therefore don’t do it? Do we act on fear alone and try to please everyone we know by not talking about the “touch” truth of Jesus. Are we avoiding this passage in the Bible?

Verse: Romans 11:11
Application: God can use anything to further His kingdom. People were saved because of the disobedience of Israel. How much more can be done for the Kingdom of God if we are faithful?

Verse: Romans 9:16
Contemporary: If we are predestined to be saved, then that is a tremendous honour and privilege.
Application: We must live our best for Jesus and not take salvation for granted (again, we will all be judged).

Verse: Romans 9:21
Contemporary: When bad things happen to us, we should not blame God.
Even though God elects people to be saved, we don’t know who those people are. Therefore, we need to continue praying for them and outreaching to them. Perhaps it is our prayer that brings someone to Christ.

Synthetic Reading and Application Summary

Text: Romans 5-8

Atmosphere:

-Paul covers multiple sides on a topic. Talks as if he is clarifying any doubt and answering the questions that the people might have.

-The story of how sin and grace came into the world.

-The consequences of sin and of God’s Grace

-Paul has shown that keeping the law does not bring salvation (in the previous chapters).  Now he continues and expands, adding that breaking the law is not what brings death

-He is still trying to explain a lot of things (doesn’t seem like a letter, more like an essay.  This might be because he has never met these people before

- Paul is continuing his discussion about how people think that grace allows sin and how the law relates to grace
Highlights:

• Definitions:
• Justification: unrighteous declared the righteous
• Sanctification: slow process of becoming more like Jesus
• Holiness: set apart
• Regeneration: being transformed by the Holy Spirit (miracle)
• Reconciliation: a relationship being made right
• Redemption:
• Glorification:
• Propitiation: the removal of God’s wrath (through Christ)
• Intercession:

• Christian life (5:1-5): The two-sided reality of the Christian life is addressed.  On the one hand, we are complete in Christ and our acceptance with him is secure.  We are also growing in Christ and becoming more and more like him.  We have the status of kings and the duties of slaves at the same time.  We feel both the presence of Christ and the pressure of sin.  We enjoy the peace that comes from being made right with God but we still face daily problems that help us grow.
• Sin was in the world before the law was given (5:12,14)
• The concept of hope is used a lot in these chapters (5:4,5), (8:24,25)
• Definition of hope in this context: This hope is Jesus!! (8:24)

• The benefits of suffering is perseverance, character and hope.
• Holy Spirit is God given
• We are at peace with God due to Christ
• vs 6-11 God demonstrates
• his love (even though we sin, are ungodly and powerless)
• his mercy-save us from his wrath
• Reconciliation (our sin and death exchanged for life through Christ)-bringing us back to himself even though we are his “enemies”

Sin entering the world through one man (Adam) and also the gift of grace through one man (Jesus Christ)
vs12-20

sin of one man << Gift and Grace of God through Christ Jesus

• Sin-in the world before law. Existed before law was given to Moses
• Grace- it is not because anything we do but God gave eternal life through Jesus Christ
• Law’s purpose was to increase trespass, which allowed Grace to increase and to show grace victory over sin. (purpose essentially to bring more glory to God).
• God is in control- He had a plan to save people people from death and condemnation brought about by Adam
• Can we sin because God has freed us from the law?
• ex: the law in Canada: there are consequences for our actions
• if you’re under grace, it doesn’t mean the law doesn’t work anymore.  There are still consequences
• We can’t be dead in sin and still continually live in it. (1 John 1:5-7 God is light, we can’t have fellowship with him if we walk in darkness. it is one or the other) We are dead to sin and living a new life because of Christ’s death and resurrection. We are FREE from sin! leave the sinful ways behind because it is crucified and died on the cross (6:6)

6:11-14

• Being slave to sin just brings death but being slaves to God leads to Holiness which results in eternal life (6:22). We don’t have a choice about being slave to sin due to Adam but we can be slave to God instead which have good results rather than death
• Chapter 7: Marriage analogy
• We are dead to law through Christ and are not longer bound by the sinful nature (we are released from the law)
• What is the law?
• To teach us about our sins and make us aware (7:7-9,13)
• it is Holy righteous and good
• by showing how something good (the law) can be used to bring death, it really shows what sin is and how bad it is.
• 7:5-6 We are free from the law. Since we are human, our sinful passions can use the law to cause us to sin.
• 7:14, we have a continual struggle with sin
• Nothing good dwells in us. Willing is present but doing of good is not. (7:18)
• Sin is responsible for us doing the things that we don’t want to.
• There is conflict: Between the law of God inside of our minds vs law of sin in our body. (we might want to do good but sinful body do otherwise). The only solution and freedom is through Jesus Christ who saves us from our sinful bodies that lead to death (7:21-25)
• God sent his son in flesh so that he can condemn sin in flesh

• Glorification (8:18,23)
• the ultimate state of the believer after death when they become like Christ
• all of creation suffered when sin came into the world, it is subject to frustration.
• What is creation?  Humanity
• What is the role of the Spirit? 8:26
• Intercedes- (mediate to God on our behalf)
• knows what we ought to pray for even if we don’t know exactly
• works in us on our behalf and according to the will of God. (possible app? Don’t be so busy trying to “find” the will of God but pray and let Holy Spirit work in you!)

8:28- God has a purpose for all of us. All he does is for good. (think story of Joseph in Genesis, he got owned ←-literally but in the end he was able to preserve his family in famine)

• God calls people according to his purpose—Question-Predestination related talk? (1 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Tim 1:9)
• “foreknew”:  foreknowledge of how God knew us before we were born, instead of foreknowledge in that God knew who would be saved
• If this comes up in the study, we will be addressing this in the next bible study (chapter 9)

• It is almost foolish not to trust God. No need to worry! He has even given his Son! He can graciously give all things! He even provides for birds and the flowers, of course he will provide for you! (Matt 6:25-34)
• Absolutely nothing or no one (now or future, not angels or demons) can separate us from the love of God.

Cross References:

Personal Application
Notes:

• Verse: 6:1,2.  We should not sin more because we have grace
• Contemporary: we should not be complacent or careless with sin (ex: not confessing, repenting or asking for forgiveness).  We should not take advantage of God’s mercy
• Action: when we’re tempted to do wrong, we should take our decision seriously because sin is sin no matter how “little” you think it is.  Ultimately, sin will block our relationship with God.
• Verse: 7:17,18.  There is nothing good in human nature, only sin
• Contemporary: we can try to convince ourselves that we are good people or that God is “pleased” with us because of our upbringing/devotion/attitude etc.  In reality though, we’re disgusting!
• Action: be humble! Do not be proud in our spiritual achievements (ex: how often we do our devotions, how involved we are in ministry, how we’ve “experienced” Christ).
• Also, don’t compare people with ourselves because we are all the same in God’s eyes because all sins are the same.  For example, we are no better than murderers.  In fact, a murderer might even have more repentance for their wrongdoings then we do.
• Verse 8:1.  There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
• Contemporary: a lot of people beat themselves up for their previous sins and they can’t let go of it.  But this verse tells us that we are set free through Jesus Christ
• Action: Remember that!
• Verse 8:26,27.  The Holy Spirit will intercede for us
• Contemporary: A lot of the times, we don’t let the Spirit guide us because we are trying to take control of our own life and we don’t take the time to be still and listen to what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell us.  Many times we are trying to find an answer to our prayers in a rush and with our own power instead of waiting and listening to the Spirit.
• Action: Set apart a time where we meditate on God’s word and pray and listen closely to the Spirit without distractions.

Atmosphere:

Ask for 2 points
Questions:

• Definition of terms

• Justification: unrighteous declared the righteous (5:1)
• Reconciliation: a relationship being made right (5:10-11)
• Sanctification: slow process of becoming more like Jesus (6:19)
• Holiness: set apart (6:22)
• Regeneration: being transformed by the Holy Spirit (miracle) (6:4)
• Redemption: someone paying the price to bring you back (3:24)
• Glorification: end product of sanctification (8:23) (1 John 3:2)
• Grace: Getting what we don’t deserve (3:23-24)
• Mercy: Not getting what we deserve (Jonah 3:10)
• Faith: it is comprised of hope and belief (4:17-18) (Hebrews 11:1)
• hope- hope for something you do not see and do not have
• belief- assurance and conviction, in God’s promise of Jesus Christ atoning for our sins, regeneration in us
• faith is accompanied by works
• Intercession: praying, talking to God on behalf of, for the sake of others (8:26-27)
• Propitiation: the removal of God’s wrath (through Christ) (3:25)
• Atonement: removal of sin (3:25) (Hebrews 2:17)
• Difference between propitiation and atonement

• 5 What does it mean to be justified by faith?
• Define: faith
• 5 How would you contrast life as children of Adam vs children of Christ?
• Define: righteousness,
• 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
• Define: Grace, mercy
• 7:14-20 Why do we still struggle with sin even though we have Christ?
• 8:13 If we are to live without sin (6), but there is sin still remaining in us (7), what is the way we are to live now?
• 8:18-27 What does it mean to be glorified?

Here are two short, quick, resources to help us approach the Bible with a correct truthful mindset. One that gives principles to help you understand Scripture correctly and the other to help prevent you from understanding Scripture in the wrong way. I highly recommend checking them out because it is extremely extremely helpful for keeping in mind while reading the Scripture. I wanted to call one of them the don’t-be-lazy principle because if you follow it you can’t be lazy, but actually, it seems that applies to all of them haha!

Hermeneutics

Hermeneutic Distortions

Hermeneutic Distortions 2

One thing the resources imply but don’t touch upon directly, in light of Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” is that approach Bible reading as communion with the God your Father, your maker and the maker of the universe! Jesus has opened up the amazing promises of blessing which God has spoken to those who are His. If you are in Christ, you are no longer reading of impending doom because of God’s wrath!

Something a friend of mine said that has kept coming to mind recently, “my favourite time of the day is when I do my devotions…” Man, I wish I was there. Seriously, mad props and please pray for us if it is for you; let’s strive for that if it isn’t for you. I want to share with you a sermon on this topic of the amazing worship of thirsting for communion with God. It’s brilliant and so convicting. He says something in it about people who read the Bible once a year and do not commune with God one moment. It’s great information, very crucial information, to read the Bible in a year but we’ve missed half, if not more, of the point to hearing God’s Word if we’re not talking to God about it, asking Him questions, acknowledging our need for Him, praising Him over it. God certainly desires us to know and obey His Word but He’s also like Dad, (Romans 8:13) through faith in Jesus Christ, who wants to help His children with stuff.

http://www.graceoncampus.org/readFile.axd?DL=1&ID=29

May God be exalted above all things,

wunming

Synthetic Reading and Application Summary

Text: Romans 1-4
Atmosphere:

• Paul was writing to the called of Jesus Christ, the beloved of God in Rome, called as saints (v.7)
• Paul writes formal and lengthy intro where he introduces himself, (vs.1), he introduces his master (servant of Jesus), his office and position (an apostle), and his purpose (set apart for the gospel of God)
• Paul summarizes the facts of the gospel (1:3-5) and declares his loyalty to it (1:16,17)
• He hasn’t been able to go to Rome, although he has tried many times, and is now sending a message to them before his arrival (1:13). He is passionate about what he is doing and have a certain eagerness to reach the Romans.

• He’s presenting an argument, he shows the foolishness of human argument.
• You can tell he’s teaching and not just argument. He teaches theology in a conversational way.
• He’s trying to connect the ground between Gentiles and Jews. He shows that Gentiles and Jews are not so different and shows the similarities. He unites the two different views under the truth of one God, one gospel, and one faith.
• He’s trying to debunk certain misconceptions for those young or uncertain in the faith such as what constitutes being part of God’s righteousness and making sure all members are on the same page, trying to paint the picture of the true gospel.
• He paints a bleak picture of human sin
• There is confusion about what constitutes being part of God’s righteousness

Highlights:

• What can we learn from Paul?- served the Lord wholeheartedly, prayed for his fellow brothers and sisters that were far away (at all times), desire to share spiritual gifts and teach to builds up his brothers and sisters, knowing it is his calling to preach to EVERYONE (1:14), he is not ashamed of the word of God, knowing the gospel message is the key to salvation for whoever believes. (don’t be ashamed of the word of God)
• About God: 1) Reveals himself in his creation. He reveals his deity and power through the works of his hands. Men are without excuse of not knowing God. Can’t use it as an excuse for rejecting God. (1:19-20). He has made himself known and he can be seen everywhere. 2) His sovereignty over his people can be seen. It is not by accident that God let man fall to their sinful nature, he gave (intentionally) them over to their sinful desires, lust, and depraved (perverted, corrupted) mind because of their rejection of the truth and God. On the other hand God also have to power and authority to protect the way of his faithful people (Proverbs 2:7-8)
• Although God reveals himself to the world, people are still blinded to the truth because of wickedness. EVERYONE knows God since he revealed himself but there is a choice after knowing God whether to accept or reject God (1:21)
• Judgement
• (2:1-3) Be careful of hypocrisy. When we judge others do we not do the same thing? Jesus told us not to judge because “we have a plank in our own eyes”.(Matt 7:1-5) Judgement means the condemnation of wrong, the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others. God’s judgement is based on truth. When we “judge” do we even know the truth? Judging is different from correcting. If a brother or sister is in sin we are suppose to restore them gently (Galatians 6:1) which is not the same as condemnation. God’s word is available to us so that we may know the truth and only when we do know the truth and only on that basis should we correct one another. (2 Tim 3:16)
• Purpose for God’s kindness with his righteous judgement is so we may repent and be closer to him. His patience and tolerance is not something to be taken advantage of or for granted. (2:4)
• God’s Judgment is fair. He does not have favourites (2:11) Both Jews and Gentiles will be under same judgement.
• Don’t just know the God’s word, and not obey it. (2:13,17-23) Also don’t be a hypocrite because it is not your name that will be blasphemed but God’s.
• Characteristic of God
• His faithfulness is independent of people’s faith (3:3)
• God’s righteousness is also independent of his people. (3:5-6) We do not make God look better. He does not need us to enhance his truthfulness or glory. He is self-sufficient (Acts 17:24-25)

• Righteousness

o Righteousness is the proper intention of God for humanity

o Unrighteousness and ungodliness is improper

• Everyone has sinned
• Sin: failure to conform to the moral laws (in nature, attitude and action), refusing to do God’s will and failing to do all that God wants.  Our nature is to disobey God and our sin cuts us off from God, causing us to want to live our own way rather than God’s way.  Because God is morally perfect, holy, righteous, just and fair, He is right to condemn sin
• Each person has sinned, either by rebelling against God or by ignoring his will (2:13).  No matter what our background or how hard we try to live good and moral lives, we cannot earn salvation or remove our sin, only Christ can save us (3:28)

• Propitiation (3:25)
• The removal of God’s punishment for sin through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ
• God’s wrath is right because he is good, just, righteous and holy.  His wrath is diverted, taken away even though it is only against Him that we have sinned (Psalm 51:4).  Jesus rescues us from the coming wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 John 4:10)
• God declares Christ’s death as the appropriate, designated sacrifice for our sin, and he completely satisfies God’s demands.  His sacrifice brings pardon, deliverance and freedom.
• Redemption (3:24)
• Jesus Christ has paid the price so we can go free (penal substitutionary atonement: punishment, substitution, removal of sin)
• Redemption refers to Christ setting sinners free from slavery to sin.  Christ purchased our freedom and the price was his own life (1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 1:7)
• Justification (4:25)
• God’s act of declaring us “not guilty” for our sins
• The great exchange, the act of God where He declares the believing sinner righteous in Christ on the basis of the finished work of Christ on the cross.  Declares us, not makes us.  It is a legal matter.
• The source of our justification is God and His grace (24)
• You’re not saved by what you do, don’t try to look good.
• Purpose of the law (3:20)- Not a way of measuring righteousness but a way to help us become aware of our sins. Scripture is not there to make us right with God, it is there to show us the truth.

• Abraham is the father for both the Jews and Gentiles. They were not related because of circumcision but due to having the same faith as Abraham. (4:10-12)
• Abraham’s strong faith- he did not waver through unbelief, and fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised.
• The relationship between works/salvation:
• Why works does not justify or ‘save’ us (3:27-31)
• Why works still matters (2:7,10,13)
• Grace of God:
• Romans 3:24 states we are justified by grace
• Romans 4 mentions the phrase ‘counted to him’ many times – implication of this ‘righteousness’ as not rightfully or deservedly belonging to Abraham (and as an extension: Jews & Gentiles alike)

Questions:

• What happens on judgement day?

o Romans 2:7,10 – Renders to each person according to his deeds (2 Cor. 5:10) Paul is struggling to do good with the power of the Spirit working within him (Col 1:29, 1 Cor. 15:10).

Cross References:

• 3:4 – cf Psalm 51:4 was helpful in understanding. In the Psalm, David admits his sin before God so that he may be forgiven by God. He recognizes that God is justified when He speaks and blameless when He judges him because he has wronged God.
• 3:10-18 – cf Psalm 14:1-3 & Psalm 53:1-3, you get a hint at what is going on. Both Psalms begin with “the fool in his heart said there is no God” which would cause these verses. This is the belief of every sinner.

Personal Application

1. Principle: (2:28) A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

Contemporary Situation: For me, a modern parallel to the Jewish rite of circumcision would be the act of going to church.  If I go to church and someone does not, I assume that I am better than the other just because of my ritual of going to Sunday school and service.

Application: I should not be holding rituals in such high esteem and use them as a measuring stick because God measures on a completely different standard.

2. Principle: (3:10-18) No one is righteous and we are just bad people.

Contemporary Situation: We are still human, descendants of Adam, we do have a sinful nature.

Application: Knowing that we have a sinful nature I should strive to understand, seek God, turn to God, watch my tongue, peace and to fear the Lord. Don’t let my sinful nature to be an excuse for my foolish ways, instead strive to pursue  the opposite of our human nature.

3. DON’T BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL! For it is so precious and powerful!
4. Abraham’s faith was so strong, can I also say I am fully persuaded that God has the power to keep his promises?
5. I know if I really believe, I am justified. Shouldn’t it be such a great joy to know God has presented his Son as a sacrifice to justify us! PLUS its FREE. Its not earned but given! (3:24).  Am I living out a life that really reflect my understanding of how significant Christ’s death and resurrection is.?

I wanted to share the Romans manuscript (NASB) I created a while back with you guys, since I’ve been finding it useful for my own study — it’s what I’ve used to print out a copy of Romans on 8.5×11. Note that I have changed the formatting which involves removing verse numbers and paragraph headings,  so if you use my copy, keep that in mind … I got the text from an online bible resource  where you can find NIV and a few other translations if you want another translation found here: http://www.biblica.com/bibles/

The only reason why I like it is because I can have larger margins to write notes and also I can write all over the text without worrying about ruining my Bible. I’ve removed the verse numbers and paragraph headings because these weren’t in the original text, but I’ve since realized, that actually doesn’t help that much, really… actually it’s worse because not having verses numbers makes it difficult to reference, do the summary and share with others without them so I’ve been writing them back in on my own copy. If you’re interested here’s my copy: Romans Manuscript (NASB)

Tim

• be respectful and mindful of each other’s perspectives and opinions
• keep the random/non-relevant posts for Facebook, twitter, e-mail, etc.

Here is the latest reading method instructions, example, and template. You’ll have to click the entry to see the download links.

2011-04-01_Synthetic Reading and Application Instructions (modified)

Synthetic Reading and Application Example (modified)

Synthetic Reading and Application_Blank

Tim