Monthly Archives: March 2011
the other vessels
Romans 9:1-29. Paul had just made his case that those who are saved by faith are safe because they are God’s elect (8:33). They will face all kinds of troubles in this life but nothing will separate them from God’s … Continue reading
present sufferings, future glory
Romans 8:18-39. The sufferings of this present time consist of two types. The creation itself groans as if in childbirth. This means that things are not going to go well for anyone. There will be tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, … Continue reading
Posted in conflict, deliverance, Holy Spirit, perseverance, sanctification, suffering
Tagged Romans 8
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life-choices
Romans 8:1-17. The secret to victory in spite of the time of testing we face as believers is that there is another law at work within us. This law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus accepts the reality … Continue reading
Posted in deliverance, Holy Spirit, relationship with God, sanctification
Tagged Romans 8
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the time of testing
Romans 7. The Christian who desires to please God and walk according to the resurrected life will immediately recognize a struggle. Sin continues to live within him, and wage war against his good intentions. He will often have the desire … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, conflict, deliverance, faithfulness, perseverance, sanctification
Tagged Romans 7
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resurrected and free
Romans 6. Should Christians continue to live the sinful lives they were living before their conversion? Absolutely not. Paul moves from the theme of justification by faith in chapter 5 to sanctification in chapter 6. He explains something he said … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, deliverance, faithfulness, forgiveness, holiness, obedience, redemption
Tagged Romans 6
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a monkey wrench
Romans 5:12-21. Denying the mortality of the human soul throws a monkey wrench into the machinery of Paul’s argument in Romans 5. Paul says that death has resulted from Adam’s transgression, and that the death penalty has passed on to … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, eternal life, resurrection, the cross
Tagged Romans 5
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the gospel in prepositions
Romans 5:1-11. Christ died FOR us when we were ungodly sinners (6-8). We were justified BY his blood — that is — his death on the cross, and will be saved completely BY his resurrected life (1,2,9,10). Our current standing … Continue reading
Posted in gospel, Jesus Christ, peace, redemption, relationship with God
Tagged Romans 5
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the unthinkable
Romans 4. Abraham put his faith in the God who promised him the unthinkable. He would become the father of many nations because he chose to believe what God promised. Abraham’s faith would have been a ridiculous thing if there … Continue reading
the means of salvation
Romans 3:21-31. Right standing with God is not bought by means of being part of any ethnic group — not even those who were given the Mosaic law. It is a gift that God has given to those who have … Continue reading
Posted in deliverance, faith, gospel, Jesus Christ, relationship with God
Tagged Romans 3
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until there was no remedy
2 Chronicles 36. The sad story of Judah’s decline and fall is the story of a people that God wanted to bless, but they so persistently ignored him and rebelled against him that even he was forced to abandon them … Continue reading
Posted in faithfulness, obedience, relationship with God, wisdom
Tagged 2 Chronicles 36
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Devotions 