GRACE BLOGS COLLECTION
Here are some of the treasures I discovered while reading and studying Romans chapter 10. I hope you’re encouraged!
Romans 10:5 says,
For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. (NLT)
This verse right here proves how impossible it would be for us to attempt to be justified by keeping the law. It also proves why there’s a whole bunch of frustrated Christians out there. I used to be one of them. It’s a dead end road.
Here are Andrew Wommack’s Living Commentary notes on this verse. You’re gonna love this. It will help you understand grace better.
“In Romans 10:5-9, Paul contrasted those who seek righteousness by the Law with those who seek the righteousness of God as a gift. Those who seek to earn righteousness through keeping the Law are consumed with “doing” (this verse), while those who receive righteousness by faith are simply confessing what has already been done (Romans 10:9).
This is a simple yet profound difference. If we are still “doing” acts of holiness to get God to move in our lives, then we are still operating under a “Law” mentality that is not faith (Galatians 3:12). When we simply believe and confess what has already been provided through Christ, that’s grace.
Those who are living under the Law and those who are living under grace should have very similar actions of holiness, but their motivations are completely opposite. Legalists have their attention on what they must do, while those living by faith have their attention on what Christ has already done for them.
For instance, the Scriptures teach us to confess with our mouths and believe with our hearts and we will receive from God (Romans 10:9-10 and Mark 11:23-24). Legalists think that means they can get God to heal them by confessing that by His stripes, they are healed. However, those who understand God’s grace will not confess the Word to get healed. They will confess that by His stripes, they are healed, because they really believe it has already been done.
Analyzing our mindsets is the simplest way of discerning whether we are operating in true Bible faith or a legalistic counterfeit. If the motive for our actions is to be accepted by God, then that’s legalism. If we live holy out of faith and gratefulness for what God has already done, then that’s grace.”
Referring back to paragraph #4 here in Andrew’s notes, I was one of those people who had made confession (confessing God’s Word) into a work.
I was taught the importance of confessing God’s Word growing up and it wasn’t taught to me in a legalistic way, but because of my own personality I approached almost everything in my life from a ‘works’ standpoint. I turned almost everything into a law.
As a result of this, I recall that during the beginning of my grace journey 3.5 years ago God had to show me that I had actually gotten into fear in this area of confession and had been wrongly believing that if I didn’t confess the Word (speak my confessions) everyday, I was not going to be blessed.
Again, I DEFINITELY believe in the power of confessing God’s Word and I have a list of declarations that I speak, but now I speak them when the Holy Spirit prompts me to speak them and I don’t feel like if I miss a day, or a week, that my life is going to fall apart.
As Andrew stated above, when a person is caught up in legalism, their motive for doing what they do is totally different.
Now that I live my life by God’s awesome grace, I actually find myself speaking God’s Word on a regular basis in addition to speaking out my list of declarations when the Spirit prompts me to do so, but there is no fear involved at all of something bad happening or me not being blessed because I haven’t confessed God’s Word today.
Here’s what made the difference for me. When I really grasped the truth that God’s grace is His unmerited, unearned, undeserved favor I stopped believing for His favor only when I had done all the right things or based on my good works (such as confessing the Word) and began to believe for and receive His grace (unmerited favor) solely based on what Jesus has already done for me through His finished work. I finally got the revelation that grace is based on Him, not me.
This my friend, is why I have fallen so deeply in love with Jesus that I now work harder for Him (do more good works) than I ever did while trying to live my Christian life under the law. This is why I spend practically every waking moment receiving His grace afresh for myself and why I love helping others (including my own kids) understand how His grace works, practically, in their everyday lives… if they will only receive it!
Romans 10:13 says,
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (NLT)
I just LOVE this verse! That all!
Romans 10:14 says,
But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? (NLT)
Do you know that there are many people who go to church every Sunday that aren’t hearing the true gospel – the gospel of grace. I just had a girl tell me yesterday how frustrating it is that she cannot seem to find a church in her little town. There are plenty of churches there, but the ones that she has visited are all steeped in religion (rules and regulations).
She hasn’t had success finding one yet where the pastor simply preaches Jesus and how having a living, vibrant relationship with Jesus can transform her life. She said all the churches that she has visited have strong religious mindsets and she feels judged by so many within those circles. I felt so sorry for her and reminded her that this is not how Jesus is. I am also agreeing with her in prayer that she will find just the right church that she can call home, where Jesus is exalted and where the pastor sets her eyes on Jesus every single week instead of giving her a list of 10 new rules to follow.
Romans 10:15 says,
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (NLT)
Notice, the scriptures do not say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring bad news.’ It says this is true of those who bring good news.
It doesn’t even say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who mix bad news with good news in an effort to be balanced.’ (and this goes for all of us because we are all called to be bearers of this amazingly good news)
The true gospel, which is the gospel of grace, doesn’t need to be balanced. It’s the gospel. It’s about Jesus. It’s Jesus plus nothing. It’s the good news because when we really understand it and believe it, we fall in love with Jesus so deeply that we then end up doing everything else we should be doing as a Christian out of a spirit of love rather than works. Of course this doesn’t mean we’re going to be perfect in our actions because this Christian walk is a journey, but as we continue to grow in God’s grace, right actions follow.
Look at this:
Romans 13:10 says,
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (NASB)
Yes, yes, yes! This is what happens when a person is taught the true gospel of grace and they come to understand that, in fact, Jesus is grace. He is God’s grace personified. When they come to the revelation that it’s all Jesus, this amazing Grace changes their heart from the inside out and they begin to walk in love and do what they do out of love for people like never before. I am a witness to this and I know that many of you are too.
Every person I come in contact with who has really grasped a revelation of God’s grace cannot be quiet about it. It’s impossible. They simply cannot stop talking about Jesus and they want everyone, everywhere to know this good news!
Romans 10:17 says,
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. (NLT)
See here, we have to be hearing the good news about Jesus for faith to come. This is why it is critically important for people to find a church where the pastor sets their eyes on Jesus and what He has already done for them through His finsihed work on the cross instead of focusing their attention on themselves and what they need to do. Their doing (good works) will naturally flow from their right believing about Christ!
Next God’s Treasure Chest post will be on Romans 11.
To find all my other God’s Treasure Chest posts just click here on My Grace Journey and then scroll down to the topic that says God’s Treasure Chest!
If you have not yet made Jesus your Savior and received the wonderful joy that His finished working the cross has provided for you to live in, please visit my page here titled Jesus In The Driver’s Seat. On this page I explain the good news of the gospel and you will have the opportunity to pray a prayer of salvation, making Jesus your Savior! Jesus loves you and His arms are wide open!
Sandra McCollom
Do you struggle with anger? I had a bad temper for many years. I would explode over the littlest things at times. Something I’ve learned on my grace journey over this past 3.5 years is that it’s impossible to get free from a problem if you don’t know what’s causing the problem. After all, I […]
The post Anger Management appeared first on Sandra McCollom.
DUDLEY HALL -- All good stories begin by introducing the main characters. Much of the plot is involved in getting to know the characters as the narrative moves along. The big story of the Bible follows this pattern. "In the beginning, God ..." alerts us to the central character. He is the creator of all things. He obviously has some design in mind as he goes about putting it all together.
The crown of his creation is man. Adam is introduced as the next main character of the story. But he is alone, and so the creator makes him a companion who is like him but with distinctions. They are given the shared assignment to cooperate with God in managing the creation.
Together, they are God's partners in his overall plan to make the earth flourish. Soon, a third character is introduced. He is the antagonist. He persuasively offers the pair an alternative means to fulfill their desires, and they yield. This introduces the conflict that will be an issue throughout the story.
Because of their rebellion Adam and Eve chose to hide. This reaction made it clear they really didn't know God that well yet. Why would those cared for and created by God want to hide from him? The couple experienced shame because of their choice. They saw themselves as bad, and they did know that God was good. They perceived that he would want to distance himself from them once they had rebelled against him. But God came looking for them. They feared exposure, because they thought it would condemn them. God came to expose them, so he could cover them. This theme is central to the continuing narrative as told by God through his storytellers.
God is not hiding from sinful people. He loves his creation and longs to share all that he has with them like a father does with his children. Not only did God come to Adam and Eve when they were behind the bush, but later he came to Noah when the world was corrupted and needed to start over. Then God sought out Abram who was confused about divine-human relationships and revealed himself as a covenant-keeping God, changing Abram's name to Abraham.
Though 400 years went by as Abraham's descendents lived in Egypt, God came to them to deliver them from slavery and make them a nation of prominence. By his own initiation, God revealed the design of the tabernacle where he would meet with his people. More of his character is revealed as he identifies with them by coming to live in a tent just like they have. Other religions had gods who lived in the heavens, the mountains, the plains or the seas, but Israel's God lived with them.
He showed them how sinful people could relate to sinless God. It was by a substitutionary animal sacrifice. Blood was shed to show that sin could not be dealt with without death. Sin could not be overlooked, ignored, tolerated, denied or redefined. The substitute must die in order for God's children to enjoy life with him again. In beautiful yet bloody foreshadowing, animals died to show this picture and point to a time when a perfect substitute would die and not only pay the penalty of sin, but condemn it.
That day came when Jesus was born. In Jesus, God was again coming to sinful man to cover him. Jesus lived as Adam and Eve were designed to live. He died as the representative of their descendents. His blood was sufficient to satisfy all justice and redeem all who are held in sin's slavery. Before his final hours, Jesus told his disciples that he was going to prepare for them a place where they could enjoy the Father just like he did. He knew they would miss him, but told them that he would come again and he would send the person of the Holy Spirit who would explain what they needed to know about how to live as God's redeemed and reconciled children.
It happened just like he said. Today we have the privilege of living in fellowship with God without fear of shame -- because God is not hiding from sinners. He is coming to them.
It is time for all of us who are hiding from God to step out of our shame by stepping into his arms. He has been looking for you. Step forward. There is no condemnation in him for those who trust his Son.
Prison life has always fascinated me. It’s another world inside those walls behind the fence. I’ve watched numerous prison movies and documentaries. The whole concept of survival in a place like that is interesting to me. I once had a friend who spent eighteen years of his life behind bars. His stories intrigued me as I listened to the things that went on behind the barbed wire.
Prison Bound/Thomas Hawk /BY-NC
As much as I am interested in prison life, I definitely would not want to go to prison!
Just the thought of it brings on a sickening feeling.
I was watching a movie recently about the life of Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G. In the movie, Christopher was running from the police and he was carrying a weapon. As he was running he ditched the gun in a trash can. He was eventually caught and the police found the gun. They just didn’t know if the gun belonged to him or his friend who was with him at the time. Christopher had already done time and his music career was in the beginning stages of taking off. His friend told him he would take the gun charge for him so that he could get his music career going. It would have been a three year sentence. Christopher reluctantly agreed. Being this was a movie, I don’t really know how true the story line is but I do know that there are men and women who are doing time for someone else. That is true friendship and love for a friend.
I wonder if I would ever do time for someone else. I think about my kids or wife and I think I would do it for them. I don’t believe I will ever be put in that position but the point of doing someone else’s prison time is a very curious concept.
In my thought process, I see Jesus as doing time for me. How could the Almighty Son of God become a human, deal with temptations and human issues and then die? How is that even possible? I know that we read about that happening in myths and legends. I also know that many people believe that Jesus wasn’t the son of God. I know that many people don’t believe that Jesus was fully God and fully man.
But I believe it! I don’t know and understand all the intricacies involved in it but I believe it.
Jesus “did time” as a human being. He willingly became “imprisoned” in a human body with human limitations. The most miraculous part of it all was that he chose to do it. He chose to lay aside all his abilities as God and experience life as a normal human being.
The Bible tells us that he was tempted in every way that we are. I don’t think that most of us have ever thought deeply about that. We read about his temptations in Matthew 4, but we don’t see any temptations beyond that listed in the Bible. I believe that he was tempted to lust after women, to steal, to lie, to cheat, to do things that would make life easier for him. I am tempted with those things and so is the rest of humanity.
Temptation is a part of our daily lives. The good news is that God understands our weaknesses as humans because Jesus did time as a human. I don’t understand prison life because I have never been there but someone who has been will understand the harsh realities of prison life . . . because they have been there.
Jesus has been there as a human being! He understands our weaknesses and frailties.
Because Jesus understands he is able to give mercy and compassion. He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He is able to come alongside us and help us carry the burden. He is able to pray for us because of his vast knowledge of the human experience.
The things I have experienced in my life bring me an understanding so that I can comfort, help and guide others who are facing similar experiences. However, I have found myself out of my league when dealing with someone who has gone through something I have never experienced. I have no point of reference. I have no understanding.
Jesus isn’t like that though. Somehow, during his time on earth, he managed to experience all that comes against humanity. I don’t think that he experienced every single little temptation that we do, like the temptation to smoke a cigarette. But I think that the basic temptations of life were experienced by Jesus. I believe that Jesus dealt with things that are related to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).
I believe that our entire temptations boil down to a few basic temptations, such as the need to feel loved, the need for acceptance, the need to feel validated, etc. I believe we all do things for a reason. Every time we do something wrong, there is usually a deeper reason for it. I believe that Jesus’ temptations were in the areas of trying to fill needs within his life that would replace his dependency upon God. That’s simply my opinion and it would make a great discussion but that’s for another time.
Jesus did time for me as a fellow human being. I wonder when Jesus realized that He was the Son of God. I wonder if he felt the limitations of humanity. I wonder if he was ever tempted to use his abilities as God to get himself out of situation. I know that in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of his betrayal and arrest he appealed to God for deliverance. He admitted that he could call down angels to fight his battle but he didn’t. He accepted the mission of death.
I don’t believe that Jesus looked at his time as earth as “doing time.” When you love someone you will go to whatever lengths necessary to help them. That’s what Jesus did for humanity.
The Creator became the created. God became man. The Son became a son. Life experienced death. Jesus did time for me and you. He is the man that “did time” for all of us.
All of my life I have heard Christians talk about the unconditional love of God. I’ve heard, and even spoken, about the love of God being without conditions, while people tend to love with conditions. As I think about love and what love really is, I have come to an understanding that “unconditional love” is really an oxymoron.
If love comes with conditions then it is really not love. Love has to be without conditions or else it becomes manipulation.
God does love us without conditions because He is love. Love is to be the standard by which all people will know who the true followers of Jesus are. Jesus tells his first followers to love others as He had loved them.
Think about a parent. Good parents do not love their children with conditions. They love them without conditions. They love their children, not for what they do or don’t do, but for who they are. They don’t love their children in spite of their children. They simply love their children because they are part of them.
Yet, I see so many people within the body of Christ that are better parents to their kids than what they believe God is to them. They will love their kids without conditions, yet somehow believe that God conditionally loves them.
Imagine your child coming to you and saying, “Dad, I know I am so unworthy of your love. I am just a worm. I am just a sinner that doesn’t even deserve to live under your roof. Dad, I am so undeserving of your love.” You’d probably flip out and ask what drugs they had been doing. You would not stand for such nonsensical talk. You would correct them and make sure they knew that your love for them has nothing to do with what they do or don’t do.
Why do we treat our children that way, yet feel God treats us differently? Why do we believe that God gives us a standard to live by but doesn’t live by that standard Himself? Many Christians seem to believe that God is a “do as I say, not as I do” kind of parent. God expects us to forgive others, even if they don’t ask for it, yet many Christians don’t believe that God will forgive unless you confess and repent. God says that we are to keep no records of wrong, yet many Christians believe that God is keeping an account of all our sins.
Now I know that some would argue that He is God Almighty and He can do what He wants. That is true, but I don’t see that manifested in Jesus, who is the perfect image of the Father. In Jesus, I see a God that is loving, kind compassionate and merciful. I also see a God that is tough on religion, pride, hypocrisy and people unwilling to forgive. In Jesus I see a God that would rather forgive and die for his enemies than to live without them.
That is love without conditions. That is what true love is.
True love is always concerned with the other person’s well-being, value and happiness. True love is being willing to put someone else’s needs before our own. True love is always without conditions.
If we believe that God loves us with conditions then how do we know what those conditions are? Some would say that God loves us when we obey. If that’s the case then we need to stop telling “sinners” that Jesus loves them and wants to save them. That would not be true because they are not obeying God.
If we believe that God loves us when we are living right, then wouldn’t that make us worthy of God’s love because somehow we are earning his love by doing what he wants?
If I can do something to make God love me then I become worthy of his love because of my actions. That’s not love . . . that’s reward. Unfortunately that is how many people give out their love….as a reward for other people’s right behaviors.
I don’t love my wife or kids because of what they do. I love them because they simply are! Even when my kids are rebellious, testing boundaries and my patience, I still love them without conditions. I will not stop loving them because of what they do or don’t do.
Love is an emotion that we feel, but more importantly, it’s a choice we make. We love people because we see the value in them. You don’t love what you don’t value.
God values us as His creation, and as His children. Therefore, he loves us. Our value is determined by him not us, our actions or even our right believing. God can love us unconditionally because He places great value on who we are to Him.
I can love others unconditionally when I see their value over their actions. To love with conditions doesn’t benefit the person I am “trying” to love. It only benefits me as the person does what I want in order to get my love. It’s manipulation and it’s not love.
God’s love is never manipulative. His love is perfect and unconditional because He is love and he is the standard of what true love is. May we truly learn to love others as Jesus has loved us.
DUDLEY HALL -- When our grandson Sam was about three years old, he often climbed into my lap and begged for me to tell him a "scary story."
Now, for Sam a scary story did not necessarily include ghosts, wild animals or fearful situations. He just wanted drama, action, surprises and a good ending. He was easily bored with moral lessons and statistics. Even being young, he was already demonstrating the need that we humans have for stories.
We live our own stories. We listen to the stories of others. Even history itself is a big story.
Our culture has been fighting about stories for years. The "Moderns" told their story in terms of rational order. A fruit of the Renaissance was a heightened appreciation for what could be proven with the scientific method. The test tube became the final arbiter of truth. When needing to verify a truth claim, Moderns like to say, "Science tells us."
But the modernist's story didn't produce the fruit it promised and some people who reacted to it were called, "Post-Modernists." Some of their spokesmen liked to use an interesting phrase to define their story. "The incredulity of the meta-narrative" was often used in philosophical discussions and it sounds pretty impressive. It means that there just might not be a big story. If there is one, who can be trusted to tell it? Who gets to say what is right and wrong?
Maybe there are just lots of individual stories. For instance, if Mary decided to be sexually active before marriage and Lori chose to wait, neither is right or wrong. Each story stands alone. Where the Moderns repeated, "Science says," the Post-moderns declared: "Who says?"
A large portion of today's society is so fascinated with the individual's story; there is no appreciation for a bigger one. We live in one big "selfie." The problem is that we actually are a part of a bigger story, and our souls know it quite well. Even though we take up the whole frame in the picture, we aren't big enough to satisfy the deepest longings of our heart. We are the creations of the Master Storyteller. The need for story is stamped upon our conscience.
God not only thought up the grandest narrative of all but he also brought it to life. It is an adventure mystery with drama beyond human imagination, and the climax is not only surprising, but transforming to those who hear it. The hero is revealed in the most unusual twist imaginable. One clue: He is a Lamb/Lion.
There are alternative stories that use some of the elements of the grand story, but tell of something less. These tend to fixate on humanity's role, with Jesus either being ignored or relegated to a supporting position. Emphasis is placed on personality, talent, vision, strategy and knowledge. If God's Son is included at all, he is seen as an assistant in reaching our destiny. His place as Lord of all creation is not showcased.
Bookstores swell with books that tell us how to get better individually. We can lose weight, improve our attitude, dress in style, get rich, live long and secure our legacy. Pulpits that encourage us to think positively and behave nicely draw crowds who are hoping to find a way to be successful, gain blessings and avoid pain. In all the competing narratives, humans seem to be both the subject and the source.
The grand story actually does include you. But it is not primarily about what you have done good or bad, what you should do, or what you can do if you try harder. In fact one of the great surprises is that you are not the central figure at all. It is about who God is and what he has done. Oh, you do play a role right along with the famous ones in history like Abraham, Abel, Noah, Moses, David, Isaiah and Paul. Your story is part of the big story and it is being recorded for eternity.
It works like this. You hear the story and gain a new perspective of reality. That new perspective allows new choices that cause new actions. You discover what God has done for you, is doing in you, and will accomplish through you. As you live in partnership with God, who is the source of all, you tell the story.
Think! Who is the most genuine Christian you know? Ask to hear his/her story. Watch their eyes light up. Listen. You will hear the big story behind the personal story.
It is time to climb into the lap of the Father and let him tell you the scary story. You will come back time after time. Each time you hear it, you will want to know more. You will inevitably begin to connect your story to it. And strangely -- you will find that you cannot stop telling it. It is just too good to be kept a secret. There are millions who have not yet heard the story that makes all stories make sense. They wait in hope. Everyone likes a "scary" story.
