Romans 5 | Rejoicing in the Sufferings

The gospel is so often counter intuitive. Our natural inclination is to pursue our greatest comforts. We plan and strive to put ourselves in better situations than we are currently in. For instance, we go to school so that we can get a degree, so that we can get a good job, so that we can purchase a good home, so that we can provide for our family. Maybe my example is too predictable? But aren't you looking to the horizon to see what you can do to better your situation? We strive after what we believe will be better for us and our loved ones.

The gospel tells, however, us to rejoice in the difficulties of life. It tells us to find contentment in God, regardless of our present situation, and to celebrate the difficulties because they are making us into people fashioned for heaven.

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us" (Romans 5:3-5).

Now I am not saying that we should pursue persecution. I do not think it wise to chase after hardships. Life has taught me that hardship will seek you out so you need not look for them. What I am saying is that we should expect difficulty, and when it comes, we should be ready to rejoice that God uses hardship to make us better subjects of the Kingdom.

God is so insanely good and wise that He takes the "bad" things of the world and uses them for our good.

Wherever you are at in life, recognize that God is using the present situation to give you perseverance, character, and hope. Do not despise your struggle, rejoice in it. Because through it you are becoming more like Christ.

Romans 4 | Finding the Gospel in the Bible

It is important to me that I see with Gospel lenses... What could be more important than seeing and reading the Bible the way God intends... Remember how Paul points us to things of first importance? In 1 Corinthians 15:3 he says, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures." And Jesus emphasizes that point by saying, "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me" (John 5:39). All of scripture is meant to lead us to the Gospel, namely Jesus himself.

In Romans 4, Paul wants us to understand that very fact:

The words, "it was credited to him" were not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:23-25).

These words were written for you. "The words, "it was credited to him" were not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness (4:23,24 emphasis added)" They were written so that you can see, feel, and experience the truth that God credits to your account the righteousness of Jesus, if you will but believe. All of Scripture push in on you to make an appeal, "do you believe that God justifies the wicked?" Do you read the Bible as an instruction manual for moral living? Or do you see it for what it truly is; the story of God come down, delivered over to death, crucified for sins, and raised to life for our justification? Do you see Jesus as you hold the Bible?... I do... and it makes my soul leap for joy!

Romans 4 | A Promise Keeping God

It is sad that so many people live at such a meager spiritual level. They trudge about through life trying to live up to their own expectations and those of others. They sense no joy. They have no peace. God desires to elevate you to a Royal Status. He wants you to experience the joy of salvation. He operates with your eternal peace in His cross-hairs.

Do you feel that? Do you know that sort of peace? Or is your life a treadmill of performance, trying to impress Him and live up to His standard?

Paul reminds us, "It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith" (Romans 4:13). God made a promise to Abraham. What Paul points out is that the fulfillment of the promise is not based on Abraham's law-keeping-skills. "For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise worthless. Because law brings wrath." (Romans 4:14-15a). If the promise is based on how well we keep the law, then faith is a non-essential. So what is the point of the law? It is to show us our needs. We are without out hope and without help on our own. We cannot leverage our goodness to make God have to bless us. We are incapable of putting God in our debt. The Law is too great. The standard is too great.

Abraham couldn't live up to the promise God made with him. He was declared to be heir of the World. That through him all men would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). But Abraham was bankrupt. His ancestors rebelled against God when they fashioned a tower in Babel. Abraham himself was no great man either. He pushed his wife off on others to save his own hide. But, in God's goodness, Abraham was a conduit through which the grace of God flows...

"Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring" (Romans 4:16)--including you and me. So what is this Promise? His name is Jesus. It is through Abraham's seed that the Righteous One came. The One who could live up to all the demands of the Law. He came and conquered. God put all things under him. He owns it all. Now he extends the Kingdom to us by faith. If we will believe and trust in Him we become co-heirs.

Do you see how beautiful this is!? God saw your desperate state. He knows your inability to live up to the law... but do you? Do you see your own bankrupt status? Do you see your need for a Rescue? That is what Christ is! He is the fulfillment of the promise that you couldn't bring about yourself. But in Him all the promises of God are yes and amen. " For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:20).

So here is the rub. Will you continue trying to meet the law by your own righteousness. Or, will you live in a righteousness that comes by faith? Will you be saved or will you save yourself. God opposes the proud. He comes to those who are humble in spirit. He rescues those that need a Savior. Fall on Him. Cry out to Him. Let Him be your Promise and your Hope.

Romans 4 | The Chicken or the Egg?

Which comes first obedience or righteousness? This question is one that helps us to understand our position with God. The way of the world makes me believe that obedience leads to righteousness. Obedience could be called the pathway to righteousness. If I obey, then God is pleased with my conduct. I obey therefor I am right with God. And the opposite would be, if I disobey then I am un-right. This is the thought pattern of many Churches and Christians too. We think that if someone wants to be a righteous Christian, then they must be obedient to God. You have a problem with gossip... You must put that sin away, then you are right with God. If you do not, then expect divine punishment. It is a very calculable way of looking at life. You do right. You are right.

The Gospel has a different equation. It flips the script. It says, You are right so do right. Let me show you...

"We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after but before! (Romans 4:10)"

Paul is calling us to recognize the economy of God. When God credited righteousness to Abraham--when God called Abraham a righteous man--was it after or before Abraham was obedient? God asked Abraham to bear a mark on his body--circumcision. Naturally we would think once Abraham does what has been asked of him, then he is right. Paul says, "No! God called Abraham righteous before he was obedient!"

"What what what? How can God do that?!" We feel this is totally unfair. There are bad people in my life. They make poor choices, they disobey God, and they hurt others. I want them to do right. Here's what God wants.... He wants them to be right. Instead of demanding obedience, He provides it.

He declares Abraham, and Cory, and you righteous before we even have a chance to prove our obedience. He says, "You are right, now act like." "How can He do this," you may ask? Because Jesus is all the righteousness we will ever need. What Jesus did perfectly, we become recipients of. His perfection becomes ours. Before we are obedient, He is. When we put our faith in Him, He becomes our righteousness.

Mind blowing right!? And why does this matter? It matters because as long as you think obedience comes before righteousness you belittle the work of Jesus. You dismiss what He actually did. You say with your actions that your obedience is more important than His.

To be fair, once you understand this truth your life better show it. Abraham did what was required of him. He was obedient after he was declared right. If you really believe by faith that God has made you right by His Son, then your life will be marked with obedience.

But always remember... You are right with God because of Jesus. It is all on account of Him. He is Salvation. He is Righteous, and He is your Righteousness.

This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing But The Blood by Robert Lowry

Romans 4 | Why Work?

This might be one of the most offensive truths to Christians. Christians have a hard time hopping off of the self-righteous horse. We are quick to point to the things we have done as the basis of our right standing with God. In Romans 4 we see how the world usually operates: "Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation" (Romans 4:4). It is normal that someone engages in work with the understanding that they will be fairly compensated. I talked with my friend Travis about this today. He has recently been able to work for a local landlord doing routine maintenance on rented facilities. Travis understands that when the work is done, he gets paid. If the work is not completed, or is less than satisfactory, he either does not get paid or gets less. This sometimes transfers into our spiritual journey. We enter into spiritual work, like disciplines such as bible reading, small group, volunteering, tithing, obedience, journaling, etc... and our natural inclination is to think that because of those things we are compensated with the favor of God.

Then we see a crippling word in Romans 4:5, "However..." This tells us that tho we may think the world operates with this principle, however, with God it is different. "However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited to him as righteousness" (4:5). God is not shackled by your ability to work hard enough for His favor. His favor isn't contingent on your ability to give, to serve, to study... instead His favor rests simply on the blood of Christ. Do you believe that God justifies the wicked through His Son?

God, in His infinite goodness, legally declares us right based on His Son's work on the cross. Now we cannot boast in our work. We boast in the cross of Christ alone.

Yes we still work. But it is not to earn favor. We already have it in Christ. Yes we have to press on towards holiness, because without holiness no one will see God. But we can have peace and hope and rest because of Christ.

We work, but we work understanding that God is not obligated to give or withhold His favor... He has already gifted us with it at Calvary. Praise God.

Luke 17- Increase our Faith

Let me begin by saying, Jesus is pretty tricky. Even after taking a course on Hermeneutics and learning the historical-grammatical interpretation rules. When Jesus speaks I am still often befuddled. Why does that still surprise me that the Son of God can use words in a way that often leaves me intellectually crippled and soul-stirred?

When the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith he gave them a bizarre answer in Luke 17;

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' "

Here are a couple of observations --hold them lightly because I still have no idea if they are right. First, Jesus turns the apostles attention away from the size of their faith to what can actually be accomplished with it. He says, 'if you have faith as small as a mustard seed' --the smallest seed in the region-- you can say to this mulberry tree --the largest in the region-- 'be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. Don't look at the size, rather look at the outcome. What can God accomplish with your little faith? He can accomplish the miracle of Salvation, He can accomplish huge things. Or to say it a little differently, don't look at the size of the faith, look at the One in which you place your faith.
Second, the outcome of real faith is wondrous-servitude. If you understand what God has done for you in Christ Jesus, if you understand how gracious God is to you in his adopting you into the family and calling you His own, then you will be filled with gratitude. You will not look to your service to Him for your good-standing in His kingdom. We can never appeal to God on the basis of what we do for Him. As if our bible reading, or our volunteering at church, or our hours of prayer, or even our worship-singing earns God's favor. God's favor is given to us through Jesus Christ. That is the only way we are made right in the eyes of God. Not even our faith earns us God's favor. Essentially, what Jesus is saying is, we should stop looking to what we can or should do --even growing our faith-- and look to what God has already done. When we see God's work in salvation we cannot help but believe. You want to increase your faith, stop thinking about faith, and start looking to the One on the cross.

Romans 3- Exposing Our Little gods

"This righteousness comes by faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference" (Romans 3:22).

We had a killer staff meeting yesterday where we talked about this concept. I am very excited for this truth to get massaged into the heart of our Church and church people.

I don't know if you ever read Christian literature? If you do, you more than likely have picked up a copy of a book that promises some sort of help for some sort of problem. For instance, there are devotional books that claim to bolster your devotional life. There are small group books that promise help for leading discussions. There are church growth books that teach churches the appropriate steps to growth. There are preaching books that claim they have the answers to effective preaching.... the list goes on and on.

Do you see the implications of this literature on your heart? If you think that in order to be an effective Christian or an effective church you must 1) read a book, 2) understand the concepts, 3) then put into play the steps the author insists upon, well you are going to be a very self-righteous person. The reason is because all of your success rests on whether you read a book and make the right action steps.

In a Church it looks like this: if you use such and such a curriculum, or if you have such and such a program, or if you do this kind of service project, or this sort of meeting, or this new technology, or this kind of small group, or this kind of messages, or this conference, or etc..... then you will be a successful church. First off, let me point out, what we think is a successful church is hardly what Christ demands from us in Scripture. Our understanding of success is usually centered around our pride. Success for us is camouflaged in churchy terms like "healthy, transforming, growing, vibrant." But what we really mean is the church is, in the words of Ron Burgandy, "kind of a big deal." Our success usually rests on does it make me look good and part of a "successful" church? Because, at the end of the day, I want notoriety.

So we read books, we put together programs, we copy-cat other "successful" churches and worship them as if they are god and have all the answers. And all of this can be called self-righteousness.

In the life of the individual we see the same thing. We regularly have a quiet time, we read the One Year Bible, we join small groups, we attend worship, we have prayer meetings, we do all sorts of good Christian things. Which none of those things in itself is bad. They are actually all good things and each have their places. The problem is when we think that it is on the basis of those activities that God is happy or that God will bless us.

The reality as Paul reminds us is that "righteousness comes from faith in Jesus Christ." It doesn't matter if you are a Jew or Gentile. It doesn't matter if you read the right book, or pray daily. It doesn't matter if you are in a mega church or a congregation of 15 people. It doesn't matter if you attend the right conferences.

What truly matters is, do you put your faith in Jesus Christ alone? Or do you trust something else?

There is only one place where we find righteous people and righteous churches.... the foot of the cross covered in the blood of Christ. If you look anywhere else for your acceptance and significance, you are looking to another god. When we get acceptance from something, that thing is our god. We need to repent of our devotional gods. We need to repent of our trusting bible reading gods. We need to repent of worshiping our church growth gods.

The only confidence we have is in the Grace of God, namely Jesus Christ on the Cross. Anything less or more is false.

"Where then is boasting?"

"It is excluded" (Romans 3:27).

Romans 2- Inconsistency

Inconsistency is frustrating.... why is it that when we boast in our relationship with God, proclaim to be teachers of the truth, desire to be a light for the world, why is it that tend to be hypocrites and not deliver the goods? Our lives do not always demonstrate the realities that we claim.

One of the reasons why God so swiftly delivers this gospel punch to our guts is because we often need it. We oftentimes actually think that we measure up. We need to be constantly reminded that we don't. In the context, Romans two leads to Romans three where Paul is saying, "There is no one righteous, no one who seeks God, not even one."

Most older generations fear going to the hospital. They believe that they are well and that if they are to go to the hospital then all of sudden things start breaking. They believe the cause is the hospital visit. It is a classic mix up. The reality is that the sickness has been lying beneath the surface. To the onlooker, and the patient, everything appears fine, but in reality there is a life-threatening disease that needs to be dealt with. Once the physician finds the problem he can administer the much needed care.

In the same way, Romans 2 uncovers the sickness. You are not who you claim to be.... you who brag about the law actually fail to live up to the law you so love. You who teach others about the ways of God, actually you fail to teach them to yourself. You are sick and in need of soul care.

My conviction here is that most people misunderstand the remedy. I think you can read Romans two and resolve to set your life in order. Because of the deep conviction inflicted on you, you have a new kindled desire to change. You break the law so naturally you put into place more things that will help you live out the law. You fail to live up to what you teach others so you work harder at listening to your own message. You try harder to become better. Let me say this with emphasis: Morality is not the answer. Jesus is.

Romans 3, heart of the Gospel, is where Jesus breaks into the scene and masterfully administers his scalpel to your soul, remedying your greatest need. The process is painful, but the end result is glorious. Jesus transforms us into His likeness by His Spirit. That is real change.

Lets bring this down to real life. You and I will sin before the day is out.... We are not who we claim to be. The process to godliness is not to try harder not to sin, although we are to exert all the effort we possibly can. The process to godliness is to return to the Surgeon, lay yourself on His operating table, and tell Him the symptoms. Confess your sins to Him. Express your desire to be different and let Him work His grace afresh. I know this process seems redundant! Every single day we are need of this. You may say,"But, how many times Cory?! Shouldn't there be a point when Jesus gets sick of this?! Shouldn't I just shape up so that He doesn't have to do the procedure again?!" No my friend. That counsel is from Hell. The quicker you are to rely on yourself, the quicker that means you dismiss Jesus' work on the cross.

I know it seems incredible that when we continue to sin He continues to forgive us.... the reason is because it is incredible. But we must learn to run to Jesus! I need to hear this over and over and over again!

Romans 2- The Stupidity of Religion

"Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."" (Romans 2:17-24)

When I was little, I was involved in martial arts for a couple of years. For the most part it was fun, but there were a couple of experiences that were less-than fun. One of those less-than-fun experiences was getting an unexpected kick to the gut. If you are prepared you can tense your body up and take the blow in stride, but if you are not ready for it, you lose all the air in your lungs. Your abdomen feels like "the blob" at summer camp when a chubby kid drops on it from the towering high dive. The whiplash of the blow sends your diaphragm up like a tidal wave which crashes on the shores of your lungs, evacuating your life-giving ability to take in oxygen. No matter how great of a fighter you are, this is crippling. (It is also embarrassing if it causes you to moan like an injured animal). Come to think of it, I hate martial arts;)

Romans 2 has that sort of effect on me. It is a swift gospel-kick to the abdomen of my soul. It deflates my self-centered, self-reliant, religious, Pharisaical lungs. Most seasoned Christians are jocking and vying for the best religious seat in the house. We attend church weekly, we listen to christian audio(music, sermons, etc...), we maybe read a little christian literature, some christian blog, we abstain from gross moral sin as best as we are capable, and we boast. We boast in our ability to be good "christians." Let me warn you though, God hates "good christians." When Jesus talked to a bunch of religious people (what we might call "good christians") he said they weren't sons of God, but instead, sons of the Devil (John 8:44). The Devil himself seems to advocate self-reliance in becoming a good person, "I will make myself like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:14). Which is the mantra of "good christians" everywhere. Good christians say things like; I will attend church, I will change my life, I will become a better husband, I will get control over my emotions, I will, I will, I will... Which is dangerously similar to Isaiah 14:13,14. The reality of that attitude is that you do not need a god if you are a god for yourself. If it is within you to change your life for the better then why would you need Jesus? Do you see the absurdity of Christ if you are religious?! If you are religious then you can come to church and God can stay home. We don't need Him.

Look again to Romans 2. "If you are convinced you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, etc..." Those are all well and good but subtract God from them and they become religious and spiritually dead. Those that practice outward appearances of good without real inward gospel-change are spiritually dead too! "You who teach others, do you not teach yourself?" (vs. 21). There seems to be a contradiction between what is being said and what the teacher's life actually demonstrates. This is the case with religion, it has no power to actually change people. It is a form and it is a dead form. Furthermore, the form leads to hypocrisy and even slander of the Name. "As it is written: God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you"" (vs. 24). A religious person can never live up to the holiness and righteousness of God Himself. Our best efforts are laughable and sub par (Isaiah 64:6).

We must be warned of this! It's been said over and over, "religion is the default of the human heart." We naturally resort back to "I will" statements. We naturally become a god for ourselves looking for ways to save ourselves and others.

Paul tells us what we need... we need an inward change by The Spirit. We need an inward circumcision of our hearts and Spiritual renewal by God Himself, which He provides for us by His grace, through His Son (vs. 28-29). Praise God that even though our religious acts are rebellion, even though we are more likely to trust ourselves than we are to trust God, even though we usually dismiss God and emphasize our own efforts, even in all those things God loved us enough to send Jesus. Jesus is the only one who has the right to say, "I will.... I will be a guide for the blind and a light for the foolish. I will teach you, I will preach the kingdom, I will correct, I will renounce idols, I will make a way." Praise His Name. He rescues rebels like you and me from the stupidity of religion. He delivers a gospel-kick to the gut. He does this so we exhale our stale, life-less, puffed up, religious breath, that He can fill us with the life-giving Spirit!

Romans 2- The Desperate Need of the Gospel

Let's be clear on this next portion of Romans 2. Those that have not heard the gospel will stand condemned. We must feel the seriousness and urgency so we will take up our calling to make disciples with haste.

"Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secret through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares" (Romans 2:14-16).

Paul notes that even those that do not have the law do things required by the law because the law is written on their hearts (vs. 14-16). So even a people group in the jungle with no Bible will stand condemned on the basis of their own moral compass (the law written on their hearts by the finger of the Almighty), or as a previous entry noted, by their tape recorders. I hope you see the need for the Gospel!?! The Bible clearly says, "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law" (vs. 12). We must conclude that all people groups that have ever existed, stand under the curse of sin, the curse of Adam (Romans 5). And, all people groups are in desperate need of liberation, by and through the work of the second Adam, Jesus Christ (Romans 5).

How should this effect us? Well, by very nature, it begs us to take action. The fact that we sit idly by as many of our friends and coworkers race toward everlasting destruction is sin on our part. We cannot remain cool or calm regarding others that do not know Christ. We are compelled to share. Not because we want to convert or win over others to our way of thinking, but because out of great love and compassion, we want to rescue them from torment and deliver them into a everlasting kingdom of joy.

This passage should also inform our world missions. On the local front we are concerned for those that do not profess Christ. But, there are presentations available. We live in a Church saturated society. The gospel, if you don't know, is being preached in Beloit, Wisconsin and the surrounding areas. There are Disciples of Jesus in our midst that are making Him known. However, there are places where there is no visible Church of Jesus Christ. There are places where the gospel has not penetrated the darkness and it is our duty to pray, give, and sacrifice (even our own lives if necessary) to see the Gospel reach those places and those people.

Romans 2-Condemned by Yourself

When it comes to this concept of judgment found in Romans 2, I think Francis Schaeffer does a superb job of illustrating. He writes about it like this:

Let us suppose for a moment that as each baby is born, a tape recorder is placed about its neck. Let us further suppose that this tape recorder works only when moral judgments are being made. Aesthetic judgments, etc., are not recorded, but every moral judgment is. Throughout one's whole life, every moral motion is recorded upon the tape recorder. Finally, when each person dies and stands before God in judgement, God pushes a button and each person hears with his own ears his own moral judgments as they roll out over the years: "You were wrong in doing this. You are wrong in doing that." Thousands of moral judgments pour forth, and God simply turns and says, "On the basis of your own words, have you kept these moral standards?" And each man is silent. No person in all the world has kept the moral standards with which he has tried to bind others. Consequently, God says, "I will judge you upon your own moral statements (those judgments upon which you have bound and condemned others), even if they are lower than moral statements should be. Are you guilty or not guilty? No one will be able to raise his voice. The whole world will stand totally condemned before God in utter justice, because they will be judged not upon what they have known, but upon what they have judged others and have not kept themselves. So all men must say, "Indeed I am justly condemned." (A Christian View of the Church pg.278)

As you can see, God is utterly just in His dealing with us. I try to emphasize this over and over, there will never be a person in Heaven that feels slighted. Grace will be the only explanation of why anyone is present.

Romans 2- So Quick to Judge

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things." (Romans 2:1).

Why is it so natural to judge? As I sit here and try to think of things and people that I condemn, I am having a hard time coming up with a substantial list. The reason however, is not because I do not judge, but because it is so natural that I hardly give a thought to it. The reality is that I judge all the time. I judge people that I come in contact with, I judge the performance of others, I judge the attitudes displayed by others, I judge motives, I judge content, I judge, I judge, I judge.

Now the reason why this passage is so indicting is because it says, "you who pass judgement do the same things." It would be one thing if I was morally blameless. However, the reality is when I am judging something or someone else, I am judging something that I myself do or have done.

We all stand guilty. We are each guilty of being annoying, guilty of not looking or acting a certain way, guilty of flaws, guilty of making mistakes, guilty of reacting wrongly, and most damning-- guilty of treason against God. But, God in His infinite kindness, tolerance, and patience, has lead us to repentance (vs. 4). Imagine for a moment, that God actually gave you what you deserve... Recently the Great Accuser has marched my most embarrassing sins through my mind in an effort to discourage. They are absolutely terrible sins that I wish I could undue. Take a moment to think through some of the utterly despicable things you have done.... What if God treated you as your sins deserved? We would all be in a lot of trouble. Yet, God in his grace has redeemed us by Jesus' death on a cross. Amazing! But let us press this even further. Even after your conversion, you still do things that are absolutely punishable. This week even, when given the option of obedience or sin, you chose sin. (I'm not a prophet. I simply know my own flaws and think they are common to humanity.) But, God is still patient with you!?! Isn't this bizarre?!?

In 1555 John Bradford was burned at the stake for being a protestant Christian. He was known as a compassionate and Christ-like man. Also, he had made a habit of cultivating a life of repentance. Meaning, he made it his ambition to see his own flaws and shortcomings and repent of them quickly. One of the practices that he was known for, I heavily recommend to you: When Bradford would see criminals being lead out to execution he would say, "There but for the grace of God go John Bradford." (Rediscovering Holiness, by JI Packer pg. 116).

We live in a world of broken and messed up people. We need to be careful that we do not judge others for what we ourselves do. Whenever I see someone who is stumbling through life, making mistakes, and sinning, I should remind myself, "there but for the grace of God goes Cory Williams."

Romans 1- Why Sin Should be Shunned

"Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they knew God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:26-32).

Much could be said about this chunk of scripture. We could spend time on each of the types of sin that are named in this infamous passage of scriptures... they each deserve to be unpacked and examined. But, our culture is opposed to such practices. If we were to name each of these sins and examine them case by case.... well let's just say most of you wouldn't stick with this article very long. The browser would be closed and anger might be opened up. We hate name dropping. And the worst kind is when it has to do with sin. "Who has the authority to call my sin's name," we think?!? So, in the hopes of keeping you with me.... Let me point out how we get into this list, how we stay there, and how we get out.

How we get into the list starts in the verse proceeding... Verse 25 says, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen." So the way in is by making the exchange. When we trade the Glorious Creator God for our petty sin, we make a poor exchange. Then, the result is essentially a letting go by God. "Because of this God gave them over to their shameful lusts..." (vs. 26). Sin is what gets us there. When we pursue sin instead of God, God is inclined to let it "play out". He gives us over to our sinful desires and then.... well the list speaks for itself. The way in is so subtle. I want you to feel that. I want you to see that you, yes you reader, are capable of making the exchange. In fact, like me, you probably already have made the exchange today. So, it is grace that God hasn't let go yet. It is crazy that I have not tumbled into full-on full-out life destroying sin. You and I should feel that. It should worry you.

What's worse is that we have a tendency to stay in our sin too. "Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do those things deserve death, they not only continue to do those very things but also approve of those who practice them" (vs. 32). Persistence in sin gets us to a point where we are not only unaffected by it, we actually promote it. You and I both have areas of sin that we persist in. Here is what is scary, you may actually get so deadened to your particular sin that instead of shunning it, you promote it. You may have an area of your life where you are working as a salesperson for our Opposition. You may be peddling the lie. You may actually be so okay with your sin that you push it on others as the norm. And, if you are a Believer, then it is really easy for others to think that because you participate then it must be okay. Please do not take sin lightly! It can destroy others too!

There is one way to escape the death trap of sin... the cross of Christ. Paul eventually gets there in chapter 3 but we need to see it now. The atoning work of Jesus gives us freedom from our captivity to sin. We need to let the grace of God explore our sinfulness today so that we can be free. Are there any areas of your life that you have un-confessed, un-dealt-with sin? Do you see any areas that you have made the exchange? Pray that God would expose them in you right now... so that you don't grow so comfortable with your sin that you become a sales person for it.

God have mercy on us! Help us to see our tendency to trade your Truth for a lie. Help us to see that we are inclined to sin. Not only that, we love it so much that we approve of it. Break our hearts over our sins and help us to be forgiven and made whole by the power of Jesus through His Spirit to Your glory. Amen.

Romans 1- You're Not Getting Away With It

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness... For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of God for images..." (Romans 1:18, 21-23).

The exchange in Romans 1:23, the exchange of the glory of God for images, is common to all people. Instead of worshiping and serving the Creator God, we worship and serve images. The list of created things that we worship is incredibly long. And our ability to dismiss God and withhold from glorifying Him and thanking Him is incredible. In fact, this morning I have given very little worship or even thought to God. Granted I have already had my devotional time of reading the One Year Bible... But I immediately got up from that experience, drove to the office, and began to work without giving glory to God. I've got a task list... that task list is what is important when I work. God is not central to my work, work is. I have not gloried in God yet today, I glory in work. You may think, "Cory, this is a bit ridiculous! You have already had a quiet time and work is for work. Don't beat yourself up." But, we are to work as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). That requires a conscience awareness that my work is for God and to God. I am working today but not as if God were the central part of it. Do you see how subtle this exchange can be!?

Furthermore, there is much that we do that is not only unaware of God, but actually in opposition to Him. Sometimes we don't acknowledge God, but other times we simply don't care what He might want. We exchange His glory for whatever we want (vs. 23). And we think we get away with it! Because most days we don't see or feel the wrath of God towards our sin... we get away with it. God must not be that concerned because He doesn't do anything about it. So we persist in our sin. Is it really that bad to persist in sin? Sinclair Ferguson speaks to this issue:

[Men and women] think, "We despise His laws, and break them freely, yet no threatened thunderbolt of judgment touches us." In fact however, they are judicially blinded and hardened. They cannot see that the conscience-hardening and body destroying effects of their rebellion are the judgment of God.(In Christ Alone, pg. 40,41. Emphasis added).

I hope you feel the weightiness of this quote. The very fact that you are able to exchange the glory of God and worship created things as if you were getting away with it... is the punishment of God. That is the argument that Paul goes on to say, "God gave them over" (vs. 26). God, in a sense, lets go and lets us pursue our sins. We don't actually get away with disregarding God. We actually get exactly what we wanted.

Let me just point out how bogus this exchange is. We trade the infinite and awesome God for our petty pleasures. We rob ourselves. Thanks be to Jesus Christ that He redeems us from our futile thinking and foolish hearts. He rescues us. He rightly occupies our place of worship and restores us to a right relationship with the Father. He helps us to glorify God and give thanks to Him. He trades us His obedience and righteousness for our rebellion. We make a poor exchange but Christ strikes a killer deal with us. We get it all (His inheritance)... and our foolish rebellion is nailed to a tree.

Romans 1- Spreading like Wildfire

You know how a good rumor spreads fast? In middle school if a rumor got started it only took about half a day for it to spread within our school (admittedly I attended a very small school where kindergarten through 8th were all in the same building and totaled about 200 kids). Then, it wasn't long after, if the news was big, the parents would all find out that evening. The reason is that news can spread like wildfire.

"I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world" (vs. 8).

What was it about the Romans that caused a worldwide report? There are obviously many factors that must have contributed, including Rome's influence and communication etc... But I do not want to overlook the simple fact that the Roman Christians must have been doing something incredibly right. How could we become more like them?

I think one hindrance we may have is that we segregate our lives. We do work stuff at work, home stuff at home, friend stuff when with friends, and church stuff at church. Our lives our disjointed. Think for a moment what your non-christian friends would think if they saw you at a worship service... they may be weirded out because that is not the same person they usually see. What we need is to allow the gospel to permeate every sphere of our lives. We need to let our faith in Jesus come through in every way in every opportunity.

Shouldn't the work of Christ in our lives be a normal part of our conversation? Wouldn't it make sense to pray before we go to work that the Gospel would be spoken about by us and demonstrated by godly character and holiness? Wouldn't it be cool if God used you on your campus or place of work to be a newsworthy messenger of the Gospel?

Our lives should be a demonstration of faith. Our decisions, actions, attitudes, deeds, and words should all build on one another to prove our faith in Jesus Christ.

Rome was a community of faith that was living out their trust in Jesus in a way that was noteworthy... and I want to be a part of a community of faith like that. When the gospel gets traction in our lives it will be some big news. It will spread like wildfire in our community and throughout the region and even to the world. If we will let the gospel dominate our lives, the world will be dominated with the message of Christ.

Lord, help us to become people that exhibit faith in You. Help our lives to be a message of faith that is noteworthy enough to be talked about. Let the message spread from hear to the ends of the earth. Jesus make us your people. Amen

Acts 28- Two Years of Good Livin'

"For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 28:30,31)

Is this considered a short or long amount of time? Some would consider 2 years a very brief amount of time. Hardly worth consideration. Others might see two years as an eternity. Either way we should note what Paul spent his time doing. Paul to me is the biggest stud ever. I mean he lives life. There are few people living like Paul. This man knows how to be fully alive. He just spent weeks in a ship, got smashed up on the shores of Malta, gets bitten by a snake and cursed by the natives, survives the snakebite and gets called a god, all the while he is a prisoner in transport on his way to a trial. But, he keeps his cool. Preaches to the masses from all of scripture. Then, when they won't listen to them he rebukes em' and rents a house to set up shop and preach!? This guy is incredible. Now he welcomes anyone who comes to visit him and teaches teaches them about the Lord Jesus Christ. He is a missionary. A church planter. A humble yet confident leader. An imitable elder. A lover of Christ and a dedicated follower of Him.

I want to be Paul when I grow up.

But let's ask a few questions to help us wrap ourselves into this text. Do you understand that God has ordered the circumstances so that you would be in the exact place where you are right now? Do you understand that God wants to teach you new things while you are here? In what ways are you planning your departure maybe before God even calls you to leave? Are you giving yourself completely to the task at hand? Are you preaching about Christ relentlessly in your setting?

God help us to be like Paul. Help us to have courage and boldness to proclaim Your greatness. Help us to see Christ in all of Scripture and to live life with passion for Your sake and Your glory. Amen

Acts 28- Paul Takes a Ride With Some Little g's

"After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux." (vs. 11).

I wonder why that verse is included? It is seemingly insignificant to describe the ship that they used to get from an island to Rome. But I think it serves as a good reminder that we do not have to alienate ourselves from the world. Christians all too often condemn the sins of the world. We are not called to eradicate sin without, we are called to eradicate sin within. Paul did not say, "there is no way I am riding in a ship with these false godheads on the front!" It is a reality of life that people will serve created things and not God (Romans 1:25). That does not mean that we cut ourselves off from the world.

"I have written you in this letter not to associate with any sexual immoral people [the context is speaking of a sexual deviant, but we could safely interpret as any immorality]-- not at all meaning the people of this world. In that case you would have to leave the world. But now I am writing these things that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother (Christian) and is [sexually] immoral." (1 Cor. 5:9-11a)

Christians need to be reminded that the world will live and act how they please. We are not to judge. Who or what are you judging that is outside the camp of Christianity? Please stop. Feel free to take a ride in a sin ship. Coming into contact does not contaminate. Furthermore, if you repel people before you even tell them about Christ that is doubly terrible.

Acts 26- The Insanity of Christianity

""You are out of your mind Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane"" (Acts 26:24).

There is a sense that Christianity is ludicrous. Paul says in another place the message of the cross is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). In reality, the gospel is an absurd message to the wisdom of the world.

Our Christian experience says that we experience Jesus Christ, the Ruler of the Universe (even though he has been crucified). Our experience then proclaims that by faith in this crucified man, we have forgiveness of sins. Then, it calls us to proclaim that very message to the world in an act of reconciling all men to Him. It calls us to repent and to prove our repentance by deeds (vs. 20). And, it says that all along this was the revealed will of God as spoken of through the centuries. Furthermore, faith in Jesus means that you follow a persecuted leader and most likely suffer persecution too. This is bizarre. Either, this is the greatest message the world has heard worthy of total commitment, or Paul ate some old pizza and is delusional.

But Paul says, "I am not insane... what I am saying is reasonable" (vs. 25).

So why is the gospel outrageous and do you believe these outrageous claims?

1) It calls us sinners

"I preached that they should repent" (vs. 20). All have sinned and are in need of a Savior. This is the truest reality of humanity. We have broken fellowship with the Creator of the universe by rebelling against Him. We were designed to know and be known by Him but we push aside His rights over our lives and live as if we were gods. "We commit cosmic treason"- R.C. Sproul

2) The gospel damns our religion

Paul had spent his entire life living by religion. "[Paul lived] according to the strictest sect of [their] religion, a Pharisee" (vs. 5). Paul had spend his life trying to live according to the rules. Paul was trying to please God by his actions. He was what all parents desire their kids to be. He was honest, upright, trustworthy, and passionate. Paul was an extremely moral person. But morality is not what God desires of us. The gospel actually shows us that our religion is at best inadequate, and at worst, directly opposed to Christ. Jesus says, "why do you persecute Me?" (vs. 14). Morality and religion can be two of the biggest obstacles to faith. Those who are seemingly closest to Christ in outward appearance can sometimes be the furthest away. Our religion is insufficient and inadequate. Note: this may be the most offensive part of the gospel. It is part of our hellish nature that we want to earn our right standing with God. We want to prove our worth. So, a gospel that strips us of our ability to perform for God is insane and flat out offensive.

3) It requires an experience with the Risen Lord.

"Now get up and stand on your feet. I [Jesus] have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness" (vs. 16). There is no faith apart from a faith in the experience of the crucified and risen Christ. There is no entry point to our faith except the door that is Jesus Christ. It is exclusive. Our faith begins and ends with a person, namely Jesus Christ.

4) The gospel requires repentance and action

"...repent and turn to God and prove [your] repentance by [your] deeds" (vs. 20). We are sinful and even our best works are filled with sin. Therefore the gospel demands that we renounce our sinful actions. We need to turn from our self righteous abilities and then put our faith in Christ. We need to turn from sin to the holy Christ. But even beyond that, we must live according to our repentance. False repentance leads to unchanged lives. The proof of repentance lies in the change that occurs. Grace actually transforms us to live holy and pleasing lives. Here is a telling question; are your deeds proving your repentance? Does your life reflect the transforming power of the gospel?

5) The gospel doesn't play favorites

"I stand here and testify to small and great alike" (vs. 22). The gospel is not so concerned with getting the "Christian Celebrities" (even tho most Christians are enamored with that concept). The gospel is not looking for the wealthiest or most talented people to be drafted onto the team. Most of the time, the gospel shines brightest in the most insignificant and ordinary people. Paul says in another place; "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not may of you were wise by human standards; not many of you were influential; not many were of noble birth" (1 Cor 1:26). Then he goes on to say, "God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." Essentially, the gospel doesn't play favorites! Praise God for that one.

For those and many other reasons, the gospel is insane. But, although it shames the wisdom of the world, it is the greatest message ever told!

Acts 22- Testimony

In Acts 22 we see Paul roll out his personal testimony. This is one of the spots in the bible that show us the unique experience of sharing our personal stories.

Here are a couple thoughts about testimonies.

1) God doesn't give or create wasted days. There is much about Paul's story that could seem throw away. I'm sure Paul may have wished to erase the history surrounding his persecution of Christians. In the same way there may be many days of your life that you could rewrite. God aims to redeem even the most broken of our experiences.

2) There is no magic testimony formula for conversion. Sometimes the cross work in your life is the stench of death.

The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, "Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!" (Acts 22:22)

Acts 21- Posturing

"there on the beach we knelt to pray" (vs. 5b).

Hmmm. So they literally got down on their knees to pray?

How often does our prayer life suffer... we may have had good times of prayer pouring out of us before, but it can be like a slow inconsistent drip too. I have intentions of praying often, but most days I am distracted. Other things nab my attention and at the end of most days all my prayers add up to an insignificant amount.

I think there is something to this posture of prayer, this idea of kneeling. I remember when reading Tozer's biography that he had a pair of prayer trousers that he left at his church office... He didn't want to wear out all his pants so he had a special pair with holes in the knees from praying!?

In my travels as a sports minister I got to meet an interesting guy named Mr. Ralph Meloon. Chairman of Correct Craft Boats. He was such a man of prayer that he actually had to have the fluid in his knees drained on a couple occasions.

Maybe, prayer life suffers because we never place ourselves in a position of awe and reverence... when is the last time you knelt to pray? Try it out today.