How you doin? Stacey
and I attended the most interesting Bible study ever last night. There
was a man there that was very combative and argumentative. It was
interesting to see how the regular group of us responded. Thank God
we're all in a process. The man said a lot that demonstrated confusion
and hostility. One thing that stood out to me was when he said, "either
I'm being led by the Holy Spirit and all of you are being led by Satan
or I'm being led by Satan and all of you are being led by the Holy
Spirit". More then a memorable night. On our way there Stacey says,
"I'm very nervous about Bible study tonight". I in my normal closed
mindedness said, "don't be crazy... what on earth do you have to be
nervous about". So toward the end of this very disturbing/upsetting
Bible study, she gets my attention and says, "look at my face (which had
her signs of nervousness- red and blotchy) ... I'm very prophetic".
Classic! She is very prophetic and very funny. Romans 5 today.
While
reading, I put small marks near the verses that stand out to me. This
morning I found myself marking nearly ever verse in Romans 5. 21 verses
of awesomeness. I love understanding the difference between the inferior
old covenant (the law) and the new covenant (grace) that I live
in/under. As Jonathan Welton pointed out the majority of confusion,
debate, and lack of unity in the church today is a result of trying to
live in/under both covenants. Verses 1-2, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."
That's real hope (eager anticipation of something good) not wishing. So
we live in/under grace obtained by faith. Faith is Heavens currency. SO
GOOD!!!!!!! So should we tear the Old Testament out of our Bibles? I'm
not going to. Verse 13, "for before the law was given, sin was in the
world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law." The Law
makes me aware &/or conscious of my sin, which forces me to have
faith in the reconciliation through Christ. COME ON!!!!!!! God's plan is
more then perfect.
Verses 10-11, "For
if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the
death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be
saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so,
but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom
we have now received reconciliation." AWESOME!!!!!!! I feel like
getting up and following Jesus. I love being reconciled with the Father.
21 verses of awesomeness. I could write them all out, but I won't. I
love this chapter.
I love how this chapter gives us a great look at the character of God. Verse 5, "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." Verse 8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Verse 17, "... how
much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and
of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus
Christ!" AWESOME!!!!!!!
Jesus
fulfilled the Law. His death and resurrection reconciled me to the
Father. I'm feeling like I need to make a ruckus. His ascension into
Heaven allows for me to receive the gift and conceal of the Holy Ghost,
which makes it possible for me to follow Him. COME ON!!!!!!! That's a
good word. Verses 20-21 really help me want to live in/under the new
covenant. "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so
that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through
righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." I
don't believe these verses suggest that the more I sin, the more grace I
receive. It's my awareness of sin that is increased. The Law makes me
aware of my sin... grace, faith and fellowship with Jesus makes me free
from it. WOW!!!!!!! I love being free. Live in/under the new covenant
that reconciles us through grace today. 
No comments:
Post a Comment