Romans 5:17-21 God’s gift of grace needs to be accepted by faith

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

Jesus was totally God and totally man. When Jesus prayed to the Father it was in His humanity. When He heard Lazarus had died He wept. Knowing that He would raise him from the dead He still wept for the grief that death brought to those who loved him. 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

The triune Godhead is a stumbling block to the Jew. We are told in Scripture that we are created in His image. We have a mind, a body and emotion. The Father is the mind and without Him nothing could exist. Jesus, the very Word of God, dwelt among us. Some failed to see Him.  Holy Spirit is the very heart of God. We are warned not to grieve Him. 

Hebrews 9:22  And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

The  shed blood of Jesus cleansed the sins of mankind. It allowed us to stand before a holy God in His name. We live in His righteousness and not our own. God sees His sinless life and attributes it to us. It is finished. We only need to humble ourselves and accept that it is not our good works but His that saves us.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross

Romans 3:23-26  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

All of mankind  falls short and our only hope is in the sacrifice of Jesus.  He is the justifier of us who place our faith in Him. 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Without the shed blood of Jesus Christ there is no forgiveness of sin. Without faith in Him and the work of the Cross to accomplish what is impossible for us there is no hope. He was made in the fashion of men and humbled Himself willingly sacrificing His sinless  for us. Only He as all God-all man could offer salvation to the world. 

Romans 5:17-21 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The sin of Adam condemned all of humanity. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ broke the bondage of sin that it brought with it. In our faith in Him  we receive forgiveness of sin and we live and abide in the grace of God in His name. Carla

Through Adam came condemnation, a word used only three times in the NT, and all three times in Romans (verses 18; 8:1). The word refers to “the punishment following a judicial sentence.” In the face of this, through Christ came the free gift that resulted in justification. That is to say, the aim or goal of the gift is justification, or “righteousness.” In verse 18, the same word is translated “righteous act.” In other words, the goal of the gift of eternal life is righteous living. This does not refer to justification by faith but to the practical outworking of faith through righteous acts (6:16). Thus this verse contrasts the penal servitude of a sinner with the righteous life of a believer. 

Here Paul completes the comparison begun in verse 12 between the sinful work of Adam and the righteous work of Jesus. Through Adam came condemnation. Through Christ came justification of life, a justification that produces life. Made means “to make,” “constitute.” As the result of Adam’s sin, people became sinners. 

By Christ’s death many will be made righteous (in contrast to declared righteousness; 4:3). That is, believers are actually being constituted or made righteous. Through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, the believer who has been declared righteous by God is continually becoming more righteous. 

The Law magnified sin. What was inherently wrong became formally and explicitly wrong once the Law was revealed. In God’s gift, grace abounded much more. The Greek term Paul uses means “superabounded.” Not only can sin never exceed the grace provided by God, sin loses its threat when compared to the superabounding grace of God. The NKJV Study Bible

One man refers  to Adam. The gift of righteousness refers to the gift of right status before God. All human beings bear the effect of Adam’s sin. All are condemned to die and fall short of God’s righteousness (3:23). One righteous deed refers to Jesus’ death on the cross. Although Christ’s obedience has implications for the justification of all people, it does not result in justification apart from their acceptance of the free gift (verse 17). The law refers to the law of Moses. Trespass could increase refers both to knowledge of trespasses through the law and sinful rebellion against the law’s requirements. Faithlife Study Bible

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 5:14–16 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many…

1 Timothy 1:13–14 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 

Here's the deal: I’m in favor of every invitation, affirmation, yes, piece of advice that embraces a simple gesture of kindness and inclusion and healing.

The gift of a meal.

For healing and for blessing.

Rachel Held Evans retells one of Jesus’ parables as a life-giving, revitalizing invitation to come to God’s table: “Jesus once had (a conversation) with a group of religious leaders at the home of a prominent Pharisee. ‘When you give a banquet,’ Jesus said to his host, ‘invite the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.’ He told them a parable about a man who prepared a banquet and invited many guests. When those on the guest list declined to attend, the man instructed his servant to go into the streets and alleyways in town and bring back the poor, the hungry…. The servant obeyed, but told his master there was still room at the table. ‘Then go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come,’ the master said, ‘so that my house will be full’ (Luke 14:12–23). 

This is what God’s kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes. And there’s always room for more.”

The gospel doesn’t need a coalition devoted to keeping the wrong people out. It needs a family of sinners, saved by grace, committed to tearing down the walls, throwing open the doors, and shouting, ‘Welcome! There’s bread and wine. Come eat with us and talk.’ This isn’t a kingdom for the worthy; it’s a kingdom for the hungry.” (Thank you, Rachel Held Evans, Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church)

My friends; Let us be the giver, and the dispenser, of blessings. 

Sabbath Moments

John 3:16-21 Jesus wept Is the shortest but most powerful verse in Scripture.

 1 John 4:7–12 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love…

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

John 3:16-21 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Every person born has the light of God in them. Some choose to honor this in themselves and in others. Some do not. Blessed are the peacemakers they will see God. Carla

God loved the world  presents a concise summary of the gospel message, tying the events of Jesus’ death to God’s love for the world He created. The statement is remarkable in its depiction of divine care for the entire world—not just His chosen people, Israel. 

The Greek term used here for “One and only Son” is monogenēs, meaning “one of a kind.” At one time, it was presumed that the term derived from the Greek words monos (“one” or “only”) and gennaō (“to beget”). The translation “only begotten” is based on this assumption. Subsequent manuscript discoveries produced evidence that the term actually comes from monos and the noun genē (“kind” or “type”). The term monogenēs therefore refers to uniqueness and has no inherent reference to chronology or origin. 

John prefers to refer to Jesus as the “Son” and God as the “Father” (John 3:35; 6:40; 17:1). Jesus’ reflection and representation of the Father is complete (14:9–10). As one sent by God, Jesus fully represented Him on earth. 

Rejection of Jesus results in condemnation. The New Testament ultimately roots all salvation in faith in Christ (Romans 4:1–24; Hebrews 11:13, 26). There is no other way to achieve right standing with God. 

The dualism between light and dark is a common theme in John’s Gospel and 1 John. In this context, “evil” refers to deeds that flow from unbelief. Anything done apart from faith in Christ is no better than the worst evil. Faithlife Study Bible

God’s love is not restricted to any one nation or to any spiritual elite. World here may also include all of creation (Romans 8:19–22; Colossians 1:20). At His first coming, Jesus came so that the world through Him might be saved. When Jesus comes again, He will come in judgment upon those who refused His offer of salvation. 

To believe is to receive life (verses 15, 16) and avoid judgment. A person who does not believe not only misses life, but is condemned already. The idea of believing in Jesus’ name is also found in 1:12. 3:19 

Condemnation refers to the reason for judgment. The light referred to here is Jesus, the light of the world (1:7–9; 8:12; 9:5). 3:20 People offer many excuses for not accepting Christ. Some cite the presence of hypocrites in the church. Others claim inability to believe some of the truths about Christ or the gospel. These are merely attempts to conceal a heart in rebellion against God. The ultimate reason people do not come to Christ is that they do not want to. 

A person who comes to the light not only believes, but also openly identifies with the light so that his or her works can be seen as things done in union with God. The NKJV Study Bible

John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Ephesians 5:13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

John 1:4–5 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Show me the suffering of the most miserable;

So I will know my people’s plight.

Free me to pray for others;

For you are present in every person.

Help me take responsibility for my own life;

So that I can be free at last.

Grant me courage to serve others;

For in service there is true life.

Give me honesty and patience;

So that I can work with other workers.

Bring forth song and celebration;

So that the Spirit will be alive among us.

Let the Spirit flourish and grow;

So that we will never tire of the struggle.

Let us remember those who have died for justice;

For they have given us life.

Help us love even those who hate us;

So we can change the world.

Amen.

(The following prayer is César Chávez’s “Prayer of the Farm Worker’s Struggle,” which shows how devotion to God combined with action in the movement. I am deeply touched by the simplicity and humility of his prayer. Thank you, Richard Rohr) excerpt from SabbathMoments 

Our identity and salvation are not lost when we make mistakes (John 10:28; Jude 1:24-25). Our identity is hidden in Christ's perfect, finished work on the cross, and His righteousness now defines us as we rely on Him alone for our good standing before God.

When we say our identity is in our Savior, we exemplify that our worth is not determined by our job, hometown, or anything else in this world; our identity comes from the One who made the world. And when we walk in our true identity, people can see Jesus in us.

The truth is our identity can only come from the One who made us. Only by understanding whose we are can we understand who we are. We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and how we reflect Him to the world around us can help others to find their rightful identity too.

Amazingly, even when we mess up, God can still use our failures to reveal Himself and His salvation. We cannot outrun God's grace, and if we trust in Jesus as Lord, our position in His Kingdom is secure. First5

Matthew 8:23-27 The incarnate God-man who came not to condemn but to save!

 Christ, the incarnate God-man, in the appointed time of the Father lived with His creation. In Him and through Him the world was forever changed. 

Luke 3:38  the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

The Son of God came from the human experience of Adam. From the beginning, the Godhead planned the end, knowing that man without Him would fail.  In the birth, death and resurrection of the Redeemer King of Israel, all God-all man, salvation would be offered to the whole of the human race.

Luke 2241-44 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

In His humanity Jesus suffered. He was completely submissive to the Father even in His death.

There were two times in the story of Jesus that everything was perfect. In the Garden of Eden God created His perfect plan for the human race and then He rested. After the finished and complete work of the Cross He sat at the right hand of the majesty on high. Christ was crucified and shed His blood and by His resurrection power He offered salvation to all of humanity. Faith is the only thing required to spend eternity with Him.

Matthew 8:23-27 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

In His humanity Christ slept. In His Godhead He calmed the winds and the seas. Faith in Him is the gift of the Father to all who accept Jesus the Christ as their hope. This was a perfect illustration of Jesus, all God-all man, He came not to condemn the world but that through Him the world could be saved (John 3:17). We are clothed in His righteousness..not our own. Carla

His disciples refers to the Twelve. Jesus uses this phrase, you of little faith, to respond to His disciples’ doubt that God would take care of them (Matthew 14:31; 16:8). Their weak faith contrasts with the great faith of the centurion (verse 10). Since in the ancient Near East the sea represented chaotic forces controllable only by God, Jesus’ command of the waves serves as a sign of His deity. Matthew frequently refers to the astonishment of Jesus’ audience (Matthew 8:27; 9:33; 15:31; 21:20; 22:22; 27:14). His authority over the storm awes His disciples, just as His teaching did the crowd (7:29). Faithlife Study Bible

It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships, and are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a Saviour to trust in and pray to, who knows what it is to be on the water, and to be in storms there. Those who are passing with Christ over the ocean of this world, must expect storms. His human nature, like to ours in every thing but sin, was wearied, and he slept at this time to try the faith of his disciples. They, in their fear, came to their Master. Thus is it in a soul; when lusts and temptations are swelling and raging, and God is, as it were, asleep to it, this brings it to the brink of despair. Then it cries for a word from his mouth, Lord Jesus, keep not silence to me, or I am undone. Many that have true faith, are weak in it. Christ’s disciples are apt to be disquieted with fears in a stormy day; to torment themselves that things are bad with them, and with dismal thoughts that they will be worse. Great storms of doubt and fear in the soul, under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes end in a wonderful calm, created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption. They were astonished. They never saw a storm so turned at once into a perfect calm. He that can do this, can do any thing, which encourages confidence and comfort in him, in the most stormy day, within or without, Isaiah 26:4. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.

Matthew 6:30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Psalm 65:7 

You who still the noise of the seas,

The noise of their waves,

And the tumult of the peoples.

Psalm 89:9 

You rule the raging of the sea;

When its waves rise, You still them

I confess: It’s so easy to close my eyes, and emotionally take a pass, because I know how to do that. And I can let gloom get the best of me because I know how to do that too. But this isn’t the time for any one of us to be trapped by fear and judgment, demonization and division, or to be unsettled by cruelty.

They remind me that… Grace wins. Hope wins. Compassion wins. And none of it is tied to a religion or a political party.

What we do, and who we are, touches lives, plain and simple.

This matters more than ever, in a divisive world, a world on edge, a world where a kind word or gesture makes all the difference. We need a reset on making a difference.

Tomorrow I will wake up with my eyes open.

I will do the good work of loving those whose paths I cross.

I will fight for sanctuary for the broken, the marginalized and the unseen.

I choose to be a voice for compassion and mercy and second chances and healing and hope and grace and inclusiveness and restoration and kindness and bigheartedness.

I want to be a place of sanctuary. Where we say No to cruelty and hatred. And where there is hope for the least of these, for the wounded and marginalized.

Will you join me?

Be a voice where you live.

Be the giver and dispenser of blessings.

Know that deep down there is a light that cannot be extinguished by hatred or judgment or cynicism or fear.

Our hearts and prayers are with Minnesota Melissa Hortman’s family, after the horrific shooting.

And a shoutout to all my friends and colleagues who marched yesterday. I smiled real big. An affirmation, onward together, one step at a time. Excerpt from Sabbath Moments

in Acts 2, God sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within all believers in Jesus.

If we follow Jesus today, Ephesians 1:17 gives us the same assurance: "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give [us] the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him." First5