I am blessed with a 200-mile one way commute on weekends. This gives me lots of time to listen to a variety of audio books and have some lengthy cell phone conversations with family and friends. One audio book in particular, I found very fascinating -”The Invention of Air” by Steven Johnson. It is about Joseph Priestly (1733 to 1804) who was friends with Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. He was known as an intellectual and was among several things a theologian (extremely liberal), philosopher, political theorist and a scientist. Among his numerous scientific accomplishments was his discovery of oxygen in 1774. Funny thing about it was that he called it “"dephlogisticated air". He coined this term because of the scientific paradigm that he was working within known as phlogiston (pronounced phlŏgistón) theory.
Phologiston theory was the science of combustion in the 1700’s. The theory said that everything that is flammable is flammable because it contained a substance called phlogiston. As a material burned, it released phlogiston to the air. When all of the phlogiston was depleted, combustion would cease. The air in the process of combustion would become phlogisticated. Priestly was able to isolate the component of air that would not become phlogisticated and he called it “dephlogisticated air”. Two other people, Scheele and Lavoisier, around the same period of time made similar discoveries of oxygen but Priestly is generally credited with the discovery. Priestly explained his discovery within the context of phlogiston theory until he died in 1804. Antoine Lavoisier abolished phlogiston theory and gave us the name oxygen and a new scientific theory that was closer to the truth. A massive paradigm shift had taken place. Research data could “fit” and be dealt with honestly within the context of the new paradigm. Priestly had to “force” the data into his erroneously held theory of combustion.
Ok, what does all of this have to do with being a Christian? When I read about phlogiston and paradigm shifts it reminded me some of my journey as a Christian. I had a certain paradigm or system for understanding the God of the Bible and Biblical doctrine. The first time I came across the truths at the end of Romans 8 and in Romans 9 (i.e. God chooses His people), it rocked me to the core. It was an anomaly to my belief system. My belief system had no room for this teaching. I was faced with a crisis and I could deal with the crisis in several different ways. I could ignore it and say I don’t want go there and deal with it….kind of a willful ignorance. Or, I could cram it into my existing system or paradigm using interpretive gymnastics. What happened in reality was a lengthy vetting process. I read books, engaged others in conversations, thought and analyzed, studied what pillars in the Christian faith believed in the matter and over a course of years a paradigm shift took place. I’m sharing this because I suspect that my teaching on Romans 9 may be creating a crisis of theology in some of my readers.
One other thought that I would like to share is that a vetting process of Biblical truth has taken place over a couple of millennia. A general orthodoxy has emerged through a lengthy vetting process, by godly and scholarly believers. The kind of paradigm shifts that I am talking about as a Christian will not shift you away from this general orthodoxy. It will not shift you into another religion or cult. It is an individual shift that moves one closer to the truth.
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Eph 4:11-13
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Romans 9:1-29 God's People, God's Choice
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, ...” Rom 9:15
If Romans could be illustrated as a “roller coaster”, I would describe chapters 1-3 as a long descent, chapters 4-5 as a beautiful ascent, chapters 6-8 as exciting with some twists and turns and chapter 9 as the “corkscrew”. Chapter 9 is the subject of many books and debates between theologians through the centuries. Let me share my observations and let the debates begin!
Paul has 2 primary things he is addressing in Romans 9. First, Paul brought up a truth at the end of chapter 8 that was surprising and needed further elaboration. In Romans 8:29, Paul presents justification as an act of God apart from any act of man. If God foreknew you, then He predestined you, called you, justified you and glorified you. You can be certain that if He foreknew you, you will be glorified and everything in between. Second, Paul was ever dealing with the “problem” in the Jewish mind of Gentiles being considered the people of God. This seemed to diminish Jewish specialness.
Paul begins by establishing his credibility in discussing the Jews. He is not an anti-Semite. He lays bare the extreme passion he has for Israel (i.e. the Jewish people). He presents his own Jewish roots. He explains the age old privileges of being Jews.
Then he explains that the people of God are not established by genetics and ancestry…rather, God chooses who will be His people. Of Abraham’s 2 boys, he chose Isaac for the promises. Of Isaac’s twins while still in their mother’s womb, God chose to love one (Jacob) and hate the other (Esau). God made this choice before these twins ever expressed any desires or performed any deeds. His choices were and are independent and purposeful.
The question that arises in most minds is “Isn’t this unfair?” “How can God judge us if He chooses who will be His people?” The answer is “Who are you to be questioning God?” You must accept it by faith, that God is never unfair or unjust and His choice of who will be His people is never unfair or unjust. Does this answer all the questions? No…but I know enough about God from the rest of the Bible to know that He is just and fair and I will view all mysteries involving God through that lense.
For those who may accuse Paul of coming up with something new, he goes to the Jewish Scriptures to Hosea to show God choosing people who are not His people (Gentiles) to be His people. He shows from Isaiah that though the Israelites are as numerous as the sea only a chosen remnant would be saved.
How do I deal with these truths? In the same context that Paul presents them. We have been justified, transformed and presented truth to perfect our conduct. Nevertheless, we groan because we are imperfect and still sin. However, God has made choices that involve you and despite your present imperfections, you can be full of peace. You have a predetermined destiny to become Christ-like. You are securely heaven bound. Only someone greater than God can change this!
If Romans could be illustrated as a “roller coaster”, I would describe chapters 1-3 as a long descent, chapters 4-5 as a beautiful ascent, chapters 6-8 as exciting with some twists and turns and chapter 9 as the “corkscrew”. Chapter 9 is the subject of many books and debates between theologians through the centuries. Let me share my observations and let the debates begin!
Paul has 2 primary things he is addressing in Romans 9. First, Paul brought up a truth at the end of chapter 8 that was surprising and needed further elaboration. In Romans 8:29, Paul presents justification as an act of God apart from any act of man. If God foreknew you, then He predestined you, called you, justified you and glorified you. You can be certain that if He foreknew you, you will be glorified and everything in between. Second, Paul was ever dealing with the “problem” in the Jewish mind of Gentiles being considered the people of God. This seemed to diminish Jewish specialness.
Paul begins by establishing his credibility in discussing the Jews. He is not an anti-Semite. He lays bare the extreme passion he has for Israel (i.e. the Jewish people). He presents his own Jewish roots. He explains the age old privileges of being Jews.
Then he explains that the people of God are not established by genetics and ancestry…rather, God chooses who will be His people. Of Abraham’s 2 boys, he chose Isaac for the promises. Of Isaac’s twins while still in their mother’s womb, God chose to love one (Jacob) and hate the other (Esau). God made this choice before these twins ever expressed any desires or performed any deeds. His choices were and are independent and purposeful.
The question that arises in most minds is “Isn’t this unfair?” “How can God judge us if He chooses who will be His people?” The answer is “Who are you to be questioning God?” You must accept it by faith, that God is never unfair or unjust and His choice of who will be His people is never unfair or unjust. Does this answer all the questions? No…but I know enough about God from the rest of the Bible to know that He is just and fair and I will view all mysteries involving God through that lense.
For those who may accuse Paul of coming up with something new, he goes to the Jewish Scriptures to Hosea to show God choosing people who are not His people (Gentiles) to be His people. He shows from Isaiah that though the Israelites are as numerous as the sea only a chosen remnant would be saved.
How do I deal with these truths? In the same context that Paul presents them. We have been justified, transformed and presented truth to perfect our conduct. Nevertheless, we groan because we are imperfect and still sin. However, God has made choices that involve you and despite your present imperfections, you can be full of peace. You have a predetermined destiny to become Christ-like. You are securely heaven bound. Only someone greater than God can change this!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Romans 8:28-39 Things You Should Know as an Imperfect Christian
“…If God is for us, who can be against us?” Rom 8:31
At work we use a phrase to determine the firmness of a decision that has been made. We ask if the decision is “cast in stone?” In other words we are asking “Can this decision be changed?” A question that might arise in our continuing imperfection is, “Is our justification cast in stone?” “If justification is by faith and our faith wobbles, are we still justified?” “Is our relationship with God cast in stone?”
Paul answers this by showing that justification is an action of God that falls in a specified sequence of His actions. V.29 There are no action words for us here…these are God’s actions alone.
1. Foreknew - If God foreknew you, you can be certain that He predestined you, called you, justified you and glorified you. When He foreknew you, he knew your, sins, your dark closets, warts and all.
2. Predestined- If God foreknew you, He established a predetermined destiny for you. It’s a moral destiny to become Christ-like in your character.
3. Called- If God predestined you, He called you. In our relationship with God, He calls for us before we call to Him. Those who are called can know that God is working all things for your good. V.28
4. Justified-If God called you, He justified you…declared you righteous. Justification has been an emphasis of Romans. Here we see it as an action of God toward all He foreknew.
5. Glorified-If God justified you, with certainty you can know that you will be glorified. Heaven is a certainty.
In these actions of God, Paul has moved us from a human perspective to a divine perspective in order to say, “Yes, your justification is cast in stone!”
So how should we respond to these actions by God? Clearly we can conclude that God is for us and if God is for us, it doesn’t matter if anyone or anything is against us. How can the fact that he is for us be illustrated any more dramatically than the gift and sacrifice of His Son? All the things that would stir humans to shake their fist at God and question His existence cannot separate us from His love. In fact we are more than conquerors in all these things. Our justification is cast in stone and the motive behind it all is love!
At work we use a phrase to determine the firmness of a decision that has been made. We ask if the decision is “cast in stone?” In other words we are asking “Can this decision be changed?” A question that might arise in our continuing imperfection is, “Is our justification cast in stone?” “If justification is by faith and our faith wobbles, are we still justified?” “Is our relationship with God cast in stone?”
Paul answers this by showing that justification is an action of God that falls in a specified sequence of His actions. V.29 There are no action words for us here…these are God’s actions alone.
1. Foreknew - If God foreknew you, you can be certain that He predestined you, called you, justified you and glorified you. When He foreknew you, he knew your, sins, your dark closets, warts and all.
2. Predestined- If God foreknew you, He established a predetermined destiny for you. It’s a moral destiny to become Christ-like in your character.
3. Called- If God predestined you, He called you. In our relationship with God, He calls for us before we call to Him. Those who are called can know that God is working all things for your good. V.28
4. Justified-If God called you, He justified you…declared you righteous. Justification has been an emphasis of Romans. Here we see it as an action of God toward all He foreknew.
5. Glorified-If God justified you, with certainty you can know that you will be glorified. Heaven is a certainty.
In these actions of God, Paul has moved us from a human perspective to a divine perspective in order to say, “Yes, your justification is cast in stone!”
So how should we respond to these actions by God? Clearly we can conclude that God is for us and if God is for us, it doesn’t matter if anyone or anything is against us. How can the fact that he is for us be illustrated any more dramatically than the gift and sacrifice of His Son? All the things that would stir humans to shake their fist at God and question His existence cannot separate us from His love. In fact we are more than conquerors in all these things. Our justification is cast in stone and the motive behind it all is love!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Romans 8:18-27 Dealing with Imperfection
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Rom 8:22-23
I’m a big football fan…Arizona Cardinal fan to be exact. For many years they’ve had an uncanny way of making many games over weak opponents, cliffhangers. The Lord has heard plenty of groans from me when the Cardinals have collapsed with a significant lead to barely win a game. Case in point was the recent win over the Green Bay Packers that was won by the Cardinals in overtime. They had a 17 point lead early in the game, the Packers surged ahead of them and they barely squeaked out a victory.
OK, enough football – what does this have to do with today’s passage. Today’s passage looks to the future in a very positive way. But it talks about the present using the word “groaning”. We as believers are groaning, creation itself is groaning and even the Holy Spirit is groaning. Groaning is a result of present imperfections, disappointment in unfulfilled expectations, and from the Holy Spirit’s viewpoint sharing in our disappointment. I groan over a football game when a good team makes mistakes that gets them defeated…when the team does not live up to who they are. Groaning is knowing all the good things that have transpired since being justified by faith and yet experiencing flaws and imperfections.
When reading through Romans 6, 7 and 8, I am impressed with my flaws and failures in light of who I would expect to be based on the teaching. Paul, probably recognized that a believer could have very frustrating expectations of perfection after reading about the changes that have transpired in the one who has been justified. Here he acknowledges that perfection is future. Even our adoption as sons is not fully realized and perfected until the future. Though our expectations in the present are somewhat tempered by the fallen world we are part of, our expectations and hope in the future are for perfection.
Thank you Lord for your understanding and mercy and for the future that we as believers look forward to! Thank you that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”!!!!
I’m a big football fan…Arizona Cardinal fan to be exact. For many years they’ve had an uncanny way of making many games over weak opponents, cliffhangers. The Lord has heard plenty of groans from me when the Cardinals have collapsed with a significant lead to barely win a game. Case in point was the recent win over the Green Bay Packers that was won by the Cardinals in overtime. They had a 17 point lead early in the game, the Packers surged ahead of them and they barely squeaked out a victory.
OK, enough football – what does this have to do with today’s passage. Today’s passage looks to the future in a very positive way. But it talks about the present using the word “groaning”. We as believers are groaning, creation itself is groaning and even the Holy Spirit is groaning. Groaning is a result of present imperfections, disappointment in unfulfilled expectations, and from the Holy Spirit’s viewpoint sharing in our disappointment. I groan over a football game when a good team makes mistakes that gets them defeated…when the team does not live up to who they are. Groaning is knowing all the good things that have transpired since being justified by faith and yet experiencing flaws and imperfections.
When reading through Romans 6, 7 and 8, I am impressed with my flaws and failures in light of who I would expect to be based on the teaching. Paul, probably recognized that a believer could have very frustrating expectations of perfection after reading about the changes that have transpired in the one who has been justified. Here he acknowledges that perfection is future. Even our adoption as sons is not fully realized and perfected until the future. Though our expectations in the present are somewhat tempered by the fallen world we are part of, our expectations and hope in the future are for perfection.
Thank you Lord for your understanding and mercy and for the future that we as believers look forward to! Thank you that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”!!!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Romans 8:5-17 The Holy Spirit
“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Rom 8:9
As we are perched on this summit chapter (ch.8) in Romans, let’s take a moment and gaze down on the path that has brought us here, after all that is part of the “summit” experience.
1:1-15 Introduction
1:16-17 Theme: Righteousness from God (NIV Study Bible)
1:18-3:20 Sin and Judgment
3:21-5:21 Justification and Its Benefits
6:1 – 8:5 Personal Conduct
Intimated in the discussion of personal conduct (6:1-8:5) and what it means to be a Christian is the idea of transformation. God gave us the Holy Spirit who is the law in life form. When I say “law” here, think of the 10 commandments. The Holy Spirit is the 10 commandments full of life. Romans 8 talks of having the Spirit of Christ. Read the gospels and see the excellent life of the One we love. He was the 10 commandments alive and visible. The Spirit of Him indwells us and the evidence of His life is visible. People will see you living the 10 commandments from the heart not out of fear and slavery but in “life and peace” (v.6).
The Holy Spirit works in our mind and the transformation begins inward and works its way outward. “…the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;…” (v.6) The Holy Spirit empowers you to obey your new master and to not obey your old master, sin. (v.13)
The benefits of the Holy Spirit go beyond transformation to creating a Father-son relationship with God. By this Spirit, we are now children of God. The Spirit has made it our nature to call God, Daddy! Do you suppose we’re in line for a nice inheritance? I should say so! I’m getting dizzy…I think the altitude is getting to me!
As we are perched on this summit chapter (ch.8) in Romans, let’s take a moment and gaze down on the path that has brought us here, after all that is part of the “summit” experience.
1:1-15 Introduction
1:16-17 Theme: Righteousness from God (NIV Study Bible)
1:18-3:20 Sin and Judgment
3:21-5:21 Justification and Its Benefits
6:1 – 8:5 Personal Conduct
Intimated in the discussion of personal conduct (6:1-8:5) and what it means to be a Christian is the idea of transformation. God gave us the Holy Spirit who is the law in life form. When I say “law” here, think of the 10 commandments. The Holy Spirit is the 10 commandments full of life. Romans 8 talks of having the Spirit of Christ. Read the gospels and see the excellent life of the One we love. He was the 10 commandments alive and visible. The Spirit of Him indwells us and the evidence of His life is visible. People will see you living the 10 commandments from the heart not out of fear and slavery but in “life and peace” (v.6).
The Holy Spirit works in our mind and the transformation begins inward and works its way outward. “…the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;…” (v.6) The Holy Spirit empowers you to obey your new master and to not obey your old master, sin. (v.13)
The benefits of the Holy Spirit go beyond transformation to creating a Father-son relationship with God. By this Spirit, we are now children of God. The Spirit has made it our nature to call God, Daddy! Do you suppose we’re in line for a nice inheritance? I should say so! I’m getting dizzy…I think the altitude is getting to me!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Romans 8:1-4 Summarizing a Grace Based Relationship with God
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...” Rom 8:1
My brother had a goal of climbing the tallest mountain in each state of the United States. I was going to join him on the climbs in the states nearest New Mexico. We climbed Guadalupe Peak in Texas, Wheeler Peak in New Mexico and Humphreys Peak in Arizona. Each time, after much hard work, we would reach the summit full of joy and awe. We generally, would pause and rest there (unless there was a blizzard) and enjoy the views. This is how I feel upon reaching Romans 8. It’s a summit, highlighting lofty truth about our grace-based relationship with God. While we’re in this chapter, take some time and enjoy the views and find refreshment.
This summit chapter begins with a statement for all who have entered into a relationship with God based on grace. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” We do not try to avoid His wrath by our actions nor do we try to gain His favor by our actions. His favor toward us is not earned. We enter into this grace relationship by faith.
We’ve seen in the previous 2 chapters that this grace is not conducive to sinning more, rather it has the opposite affect. It delivers us from being ruled by the sinful nature that resides in every human being…the same nature that manifests itself to an even greater degree when under law. It results in being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ death for His enemies - that’s you and me - made this kind of relationship possible.
We learned the driving force behind the unearned actions of God on our behalf in chapter 5. It was love…passionate love…directed not only toward the masses but toward you and me as an individuals. Give the Lord praise for His love and grace!
My brother had a goal of climbing the tallest mountain in each state of the United States. I was going to join him on the climbs in the states nearest New Mexico. We climbed Guadalupe Peak in Texas, Wheeler Peak in New Mexico and Humphreys Peak in Arizona. Each time, after much hard work, we would reach the summit full of joy and awe. We generally, would pause and rest there (unless there was a blizzard) and enjoy the views. This is how I feel upon reaching Romans 8. It’s a summit, highlighting lofty truth about our grace-based relationship with God. While we’re in this chapter, take some time and enjoy the views and find refreshment.
This summit chapter begins with a statement for all who have entered into a relationship with God based on grace. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” We do not try to avoid His wrath by our actions nor do we try to gain His favor by our actions. His favor toward us is not earned. We enter into this grace relationship by faith.
We’ve seen in the previous 2 chapters that this grace is not conducive to sinning more, rather it has the opposite affect. It delivers us from being ruled by the sinful nature that resides in every human being…the same nature that manifests itself to an even greater degree when under law. It results in being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ death for His enemies - that’s you and me - made this kind of relationship possible.
We learned the driving force behind the unearned actions of God on our behalf in chapter 5. It was love…passionate love…directed not only toward the masses but toward you and me as an individuals. Give the Lord praise for His love and grace!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Romans 7 Law and the Sin Nature
“For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.” Rom 7:5
In Romans 7, Paul continues to answer the question “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?” (6:15) The concept of “law” carries with it the idea of awarding and punishing actions. A law-based relationship with God would intuitively seem conducive to sinning less. A grace-based relationship with God would intuitively seem conducive to sinning more. In a grace-based relationship, God deals with us with favor regardless of our actions.
The problem with law is it arouses our sinful passions. Humans literally react to law by becoming more sinful and that is the corrupt nature of every human. Paul said “For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘Do not covet.’ But sin seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.” Paul goes on to talk about how a person in a law-based relationship with God is ruled by the sin nature, causing a person to do the very things they don’t want to do. This is the root of the struggle and defeat described in v.14-24 where Paul says “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”
So Paul begins chapter 7 by illustrating how a law-based relationship can legally be changed with death. A woman who leaves her husband and joins another is committing adultery. However, if there is a death (i.e. her husband’s), she can join herself to another man legally. Our water baptism is a statement that we died to the sin nature as our master and it is also a statement that we died to something else. We died to a relationship with God based on law so that we could legally be joined to Jesus in a relationship based on grace. “So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” (7:4)
The grace-based relationship is conducive to moral purity and righteousness and it is conducive to bearing fruit for God. Get ready for a struggle if you insist on a law-based relationship with God. Get ready to bear fruit if you think in terms of a grace.
Ponder this and give thanks!
In Romans 7, Paul continues to answer the question “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?” (6:15) The concept of “law” carries with it the idea of awarding and punishing actions. A law-based relationship with God would intuitively seem conducive to sinning less. A grace-based relationship with God would intuitively seem conducive to sinning more. In a grace-based relationship, God deals with us with favor regardless of our actions.
The problem with law is it arouses our sinful passions. Humans literally react to law by becoming more sinful and that is the corrupt nature of every human. Paul said “For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘Do not covet.’ But sin seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.” Paul goes on to talk about how a person in a law-based relationship with God is ruled by the sin nature, causing a person to do the very things they don’t want to do. This is the root of the struggle and defeat described in v.14-24 where Paul says “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”
So Paul begins chapter 7 by illustrating how a law-based relationship can legally be changed with death. A woman who leaves her husband and joins another is committing adultery. However, if there is a death (i.e. her husband’s), she can join herself to another man legally. Our water baptism is a statement that we died to the sin nature as our master and it is also a statement that we died to something else. We died to a relationship with God based on law so that we could legally be joined to Jesus in a relationship based on grace. “So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” (7:4)
The grace-based relationship is conducive to moral purity and righteousness and it is conducive to bearing fruit for God. Get ready for a struggle if you insist on a law-based relationship with God. Get ready to bear fruit if you think in terms of a grace.
Ponder this and give thanks!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Romans 6:15-23 Grace and Sin Part 2 of 2
“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” Rom 6:15
The first half of Romans 6 addresses the question “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?”. The second half of Romans 6 addresses the question “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?”. The answers to these questions are an emphatic “By no means!”
Under a law-based relationship with God, behavior is rewarded. Good behavior earns good things from God and bad behavior earns punishment. “For the wages of sin is death…” (6:23) Intuitively, this would be a good system for discouraging sinful behavior. Unfortunately we have a sin nature that is aroused when under God’s law (7:5). Trespasses increase under the law. (5:20) The law makes us conscious of sin. (3:20) Regardless of the rewards and penalties, the sin nature rules in this system.
Under a grace-based relationship with God, God declares a sinner righteous – certainly not what the sinner deserves. With righteousness comes the free gift of eternal life. (6:23) Under a grace-based relationship with God, it is just as if, and every bit as true as being crucified with Jesus and being set free from the old master of sin. It is just as if, and every bit as true as being resurrected to life with a new master, God. Under the grace-based system, a transformation takes place as evidenced by choices you make that would have never been made when you were a slave to sin. (6:17-18)
When you were a slave to sin: (1) you were on the path to death, (2) you were enslaved to impurity, (3) you were enslaved to “ever-increasing wickedness”, (4) you were free from the control of righteousness, and (5) you earned what you deserved, death.
When you are a slave to God: (1) it will lead to practical righteousness (i.e. right behavior), (2) your life shows evidence of being controlled by righteousness, (3) you are on a path leading to holiness, (4) you are ashamed of sinful acts committed when enslaved to sin, and (5) the free gift of eternal life is waiting for you at life’s end.
We will understand the transformation issue better when we get to Romans 8. Paul explores the believer’s relationship to the law even further in chapter 7.
The first half of Romans 6 addresses the question “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?”. The second half of Romans 6 addresses the question “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?”. The answers to these questions are an emphatic “By no means!”
Under a law-based relationship with God, behavior is rewarded. Good behavior earns good things from God and bad behavior earns punishment. “For the wages of sin is death…” (6:23) Intuitively, this would be a good system for discouraging sinful behavior. Unfortunately we have a sin nature that is aroused when under God’s law (7:5). Trespasses increase under the law. (5:20) The law makes us conscious of sin. (3:20) Regardless of the rewards and penalties, the sin nature rules in this system.
Under a grace-based relationship with God, God declares a sinner righteous – certainly not what the sinner deserves. With righteousness comes the free gift of eternal life. (6:23) Under a grace-based relationship with God, it is just as if, and every bit as true as being crucified with Jesus and being set free from the old master of sin. It is just as if, and every bit as true as being resurrected to life with a new master, God. Under the grace-based system, a transformation takes place as evidenced by choices you make that would have never been made when you were a slave to sin. (6:17-18)
When you were a slave to sin: (1) you were on the path to death, (2) you were enslaved to impurity, (3) you were enslaved to “ever-increasing wickedness”, (4) you were free from the control of righteousness, and (5) you earned what you deserved, death.
When you are a slave to God: (1) it will lead to practical righteousness (i.e. right behavior), (2) your life shows evidence of being controlled by righteousness, (3) you are on a path leading to holiness, (4) you are ashamed of sinful acts committed when enslaved to sin, and (5) the free gift of eternal life is waiting for you at life’s end.
We will understand the transformation issue better when we get to Romans 8. Paul explores the believer’s relationship to the law even further in chapter 7.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Romans 6:1-14 Grace and Sin - Part 1 of 2
“But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,…What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Rom 5:20; 6:1
One of the ways that we know we are properly teaching justification by faith is by the questions that arise from the teaching. When someone properly understands justification by faith and the gift aspect of it (i.e. the grace or unmerited favor aspect of it), a question that is likely to be asked is “Isn’t this a license to sin?” When we get that question, we know we are teaching justification properly.
What is Paul’s answer to the question “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” His answer is “By no means!” Now this is where it gets interesting - look how Paul expounds on his answer. He goes to the subject of baptism and the meaning of it. Yes, he’s talking about water baptism.
Water baptism is a statement concerning a commitment related to death, burial and resurrection. I’ve always thought of water baptism as a dual sermon. It is a sermon that proclaims that the Messiah Jesus, in whom you have placed your faith, died, was buried and rose from the dead. The parallel sermon is that you died, you were buried and rose from the dead. The waters of baptism are like an invisible dye and once you’ve been immersed in them, you are forever stained and identified with this dual message.
Now for some expounding. Paul makes it clear about certain things we as believers should “know”. See how he says “don’t you know” (v.3), “for we know” (v.6), “we believe” (v.8), and “we know” (v.9). And what is it that “we know” and “believe”. In a nutshell, we should know and believe three things:
1. Baptism means that you considered yourself to have been crucified with Jesus. As a Wycliffe missionary once told me,” it is just as if, and every bit as true as” being literally crucified with Jesus. To make the decision to be baptized is to make the decision to be crucified.
2. To be crucified with Jesus means that the sin nature no longer rules over us. We are freed from the sin nature as a master in the same way that a slave who dies is no longer ruled by his master.
3. Crucifixion is followed by resurrection. Resurrection means that we come back to life not merely for the sake of living but for the purpose of living under God’s rule.
Take a moment and give some thought to your own baptism. Think of the meaning of it. Let your brain process what you’ve done according to Romans 6. Now, go live for God!
One of the ways that we know we are properly teaching justification by faith is by the questions that arise from the teaching. When someone properly understands justification by faith and the gift aspect of it (i.e. the grace or unmerited favor aspect of it), a question that is likely to be asked is “Isn’t this a license to sin?” When we get that question, we know we are teaching justification properly.
What is Paul’s answer to the question “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” His answer is “By no means!” Now this is where it gets interesting - look how Paul expounds on his answer. He goes to the subject of baptism and the meaning of it. Yes, he’s talking about water baptism.
Water baptism is a statement concerning a commitment related to death, burial and resurrection. I’ve always thought of water baptism as a dual sermon. It is a sermon that proclaims that the Messiah Jesus, in whom you have placed your faith, died, was buried and rose from the dead. The parallel sermon is that you died, you were buried and rose from the dead. The waters of baptism are like an invisible dye and once you’ve been immersed in them, you are forever stained and identified with this dual message.
Now for some expounding. Paul makes it clear about certain things we as believers should “know”. See how he says “don’t you know” (v.3), “for we know” (v.6), “we believe” (v.8), and “we know” (v.9). And what is it that “we know” and “believe”. In a nutshell, we should know and believe three things:
1. Baptism means that you considered yourself to have been crucified with Jesus. As a Wycliffe missionary once told me,” it is just as if, and every bit as true as” being literally crucified with Jesus. To make the decision to be baptized is to make the decision to be crucified.
2. To be crucified with Jesus means that the sin nature no longer rules over us. We are freed from the sin nature as a master in the same way that a slave who dies is no longer ruled by his master.
3. Crucifixion is followed by resurrection. Resurrection means that we come back to life not merely for the sake of living but for the purpose of living under God’s rule.
Take a moment and give some thought to your own baptism. Think of the meaning of it. Let your brain process what you’ve done according to Romans 6. Now, go live for God!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Romans 5:12-21 Summarizing Sin and Justification
“Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life to all men.” Rom. 5:18
Paul concludes this first section of Romans concerning sin, judgment and justification by contrasting two men who have had unparalleled impacts on the human race. One man’s single action affected the human race negatively resulting in appropriate condemnation. The other man’s single action affected the human race positively resulting in undeserved blessing. The two men are Adam and Jesus. Adam’s act was an act of sin. Jesus’ act was an act of righteousness. Adam’s act resulted in a sinful nature in all of his descendants along with condemnation and death. Jesus’ act resulted in the gift of righteousness offered to all men. Consequent to Jesus act, came life, and not just life but reigning in life.
Paul’s teaching in Rom 1:18 to 3:20 leaves no doubt that every single human being is guilty of sin. Quoting the Old Testament, he states “There is no one righteous, not even one;…” A questioning person has to ask why. What is so pervasive about sin that it affects every person on the planet? Why aren’t there some people who are sin free? The answer – Adam sinned and it affected his nature. Every human being is descended from Adam and we inherited his corrupt nature.
Put a hungry lion in a room. In one corner of the room, place the carcass of a flea-bitten deer. In the other corner of the room, place a bushel of premium grain. The lion will go to the carcass every time. Why? Because it is in his nature to eat meat. It is in our nature to reject God and His law every time.
What is the best way to highlight this sinful nature? Bring in the law. Bring in the moral code that reflects the truth about God and His character. That’s like bringing in a bushel of fine grain. The lion will always go to the meat. If we had only meat in the room, we could only speculate about the lion’s nature. But when we add the wheat, it highlights the lion’s nature to eat meat. Rom 3:20 says “…through the law we become conscious of sin.” In this verse the law makes us conscious of sin by providing a well-defined reference point of righteousness. Rom 5:20 says “The law was added so that the trespass might increase.” In this verse the law not only makes us conscious of sin but it exposes how our sinful nature reacts to God’s laws with further disobedience.
And finally we are told that “where sin increased, grace increased all the more…” (v.20) How ever large is the size of sin or the quantity of it, the size of God’s grace and the quantity of it is far greater. How bad are you? How great are your sins? God’s grace is far greater!
Paul concludes this first section of Romans concerning sin, judgment and justification by contrasting two men who have had unparalleled impacts on the human race. One man’s single action affected the human race negatively resulting in appropriate condemnation. The other man’s single action affected the human race positively resulting in undeserved blessing. The two men are Adam and Jesus. Adam’s act was an act of sin. Jesus’ act was an act of righteousness. Adam’s act resulted in a sinful nature in all of his descendants along with condemnation and death. Jesus’ act resulted in the gift of righteousness offered to all men. Consequent to Jesus act, came life, and not just life but reigning in life.
Paul’s teaching in Rom 1:18 to 3:20 leaves no doubt that every single human being is guilty of sin. Quoting the Old Testament, he states “There is no one righteous, not even one;…” A questioning person has to ask why. What is so pervasive about sin that it affects every person on the planet? Why aren’t there some people who are sin free? The answer – Adam sinned and it affected his nature. Every human being is descended from Adam and we inherited his corrupt nature.
Put a hungry lion in a room. In one corner of the room, place the carcass of a flea-bitten deer. In the other corner of the room, place a bushel of premium grain. The lion will go to the carcass every time. Why? Because it is in his nature to eat meat. It is in our nature to reject God and His law every time.
What is the best way to highlight this sinful nature? Bring in the law. Bring in the moral code that reflects the truth about God and His character. That’s like bringing in a bushel of fine grain. The lion will always go to the meat. If we had only meat in the room, we could only speculate about the lion’s nature. But when we add the wheat, it highlights the lion’s nature to eat meat. Rom 3:20 says “…through the law we become conscious of sin.” In this verse the law makes us conscious of sin by providing a well-defined reference point of righteousness. Rom 5:20 says “The law was added so that the trespass might increase.” In this verse the law not only makes us conscious of sin but it exposes how our sinful nature reacts to God’s laws with further disobedience.
And finally we are told that “where sin increased, grace increased all the more…” (v.20) How ever large is the size of sin or the quantity of it, the size of God’s grace and the quantity of it is far greater. How bad are you? How great are your sins? God’s grace is far greater!
Romans 5:1-11 Benefits of Justification
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” Rom 5:1
Here are some of the words of an old hymn I grew up singing:
Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your blessings See what God hath done.
Let’s count the blessings in the first half of Romans 5 as Paul writes about the benefits of being justified through faith.
1. Previously, the wrath of God was being stored up for us (Rom. 2:5), now we have peace with God. V.1,9-10
2. Previously, we were prepared to stand before a judge who would condemn us, now we stand in His unmerited favor (i.e. grace). V.2
3. Previously, we fell short of the glory of God…we would never see it (Rom 3:23), now we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. V.2
4. Previously, we concluded our sufferings were the result of an angry God (Rom 2:9), now we rejoice in our sufferings because we know they are for our good to build godly character in us. V.3-5
5. Previously, nothing good was in us, now God has given us the Holy Spirit. V.5
6. Previously, there was nothing to be happy about, now we rejoice in standing in God’s grace, we rejoice in our sufferings, we rejoice in God Himself who was at one time very angry with us. V.2, 3, 11
7. Previously, not only was God’s wrath being stored up for us (Rom 2:9) but we were opposed to Him (enemies), now we have been reconciled to Him. V.10-11
Why did God justify us and give us these blessings? What motivated him to do that when we were “powerless”, “ungodly”, “sinners”, and “enemies”? The answer is in the following verses:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” V.8
“…God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” V.5
Yes, love was the driving force! You’re not just a number. You are someone worth dying for. You are on the mind of God in a favorable way. Come on now…lets rejoice!
Here are some of the words of an old hymn I grew up singing:
Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your blessings See what God hath done.
Let’s count the blessings in the first half of Romans 5 as Paul writes about the benefits of being justified through faith.
1. Previously, the wrath of God was being stored up for us (Rom. 2:5), now we have peace with God. V.1,9-10
2. Previously, we were prepared to stand before a judge who would condemn us, now we stand in His unmerited favor (i.e. grace). V.2
3. Previously, we fell short of the glory of God…we would never see it (Rom 3:23), now we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. V.2
4. Previously, we concluded our sufferings were the result of an angry God (Rom 2:9), now we rejoice in our sufferings because we know they are for our good to build godly character in us. V.3-5
5. Previously, nothing good was in us, now God has given us the Holy Spirit. V.5
6. Previously, there was nothing to be happy about, now we rejoice in standing in God’s grace, we rejoice in our sufferings, we rejoice in God Himself who was at one time very angry with us. V.2, 3, 11
7. Previously, not only was God’s wrath being stored up for us (Rom 2:9) but we were opposed to Him (enemies), now we have been reconciled to Him. V.10-11
Why did God justify us and give us these blessings? What motivated him to do that when we were “powerless”, “ungodly”, “sinners”, and “enemies”? The answer is in the following verses:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” V.8
“…God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” V.5
Yes, love was the driving force! You’re not just a number. You are someone worth dying for. You are on the mind of God in a favorable way. Come on now…lets rejoice!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Tangent #2 Justification
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” Rom 3:28
Justification is the act of God declaring a sinful man righteous. As you read through Romans you will find that it talks about being justified by things other than faith. There are 4 different things including faith by which we are justified. Here they are:
1. Justified by faith – Rom 3:28 “…we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”
2. Justified by grace – Rom 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
3. Justified by His blood – Rom 5:9 “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!”
4. Justified by works – Rom 4:2 “If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about – but not before God.”
Justification by faith is an action of man directed toward God.
Justification by grace is an action of God directed toward man.
Justification by blood is an action of God directed toward Himself.
Justification by works is an action of man directed toward man.
Justification by faith is the primary focus of Romans and I have discussed it at length in my previous writings. Justification by grace emphasizes that justification is unmerited. It contains with it the concept of a gift from God as opposed to the concept of a wage or reward from God. Justification is not earned or merited but it is something that God gives us that we do not deserve.
Justification by blood has to do with atonement or propitiation. The concept of atonement or propitiation is, according to a Google definition, the satisfaction of God’s wrath by means of a sacrifice. Pagans would try to satisfy their angry gods by sacrificing animals and even humans. However, to satisfy the wrath of the living God against our sin, a perfect sacrifice was required. Jesus was that sacrifice. Literally, Jesus bore our sins and God’s wrath was poured out on Him until every last drop of God’s wrath was satisfied.
Justification by works is being declared righteous by other people. The only benefit of it is that you can boast about how righteous you are. Other than that, it does not affect your standing before God.
Here is a hymn inspired by someone in 1875 who understood justification. Ponder the words and the truths of Romans and lift your heart in worship!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was he;
Full atonement can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Justification is the act of God declaring a sinful man righteous. As you read through Romans you will find that it talks about being justified by things other than faith. There are 4 different things including faith by which we are justified. Here they are:
1. Justified by faith – Rom 3:28 “…we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”
2. Justified by grace – Rom 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
3. Justified by His blood – Rom 5:9 “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!”
4. Justified by works – Rom 4:2 “If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about – but not before God.”
Justification by faith is an action of man directed toward God.
Justification by grace is an action of God directed toward man.
Justification by blood is an action of God directed toward Himself.
Justification by works is an action of man directed toward man.
Justification by faith is the primary focus of Romans and I have discussed it at length in my previous writings. Justification by grace emphasizes that justification is unmerited. It contains with it the concept of a gift from God as opposed to the concept of a wage or reward from God. Justification is not earned or merited but it is something that God gives us that we do not deserve.
Justification by blood has to do with atonement or propitiation. The concept of atonement or propitiation is, according to a Google definition, the satisfaction of God’s wrath by means of a sacrifice. Pagans would try to satisfy their angry gods by sacrificing animals and even humans. However, to satisfy the wrath of the living God against our sin, a perfect sacrifice was required. Jesus was that sacrifice. Literally, Jesus bore our sins and God’s wrath was poured out on Him until every last drop of God’s wrath was satisfied.
Justification by works is being declared righteous by other people. The only benefit of it is that you can boast about how righteous you are. Other than that, it does not affect your standing before God.
Here is a hymn inspired by someone in 1875 who understood justification. Ponder the words and the truths of Romans and lift your heart in worship!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was he;
Full atonement can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Romans 4 Justification by Faith in the Old Testament
“What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”” Rom 4:3
Picture an attorney in a court room arguing his case before the judge. He presents the facts of his case and he presents the laws that are relevant to his case. However, there is one other important ingredient necessary to convince the judge of the validity of his position. He must present the legal precedence for his position. He must present something that happened in a courtroom many years ago that was favorable to the present case.
Paul has just presented the argument in Romans 3 for justification by faith…how a sinful man can be declared righteous by having righteousness from God credited to him. He can hear the Jewish critics saying “Paul, there is no precedence for this. You’re coming up with something new.” In Romans 4 Paul presents the precedence by going to a couple of highly respected people in the Old Testament…Abraham and David. The Jewish race began with Abraham. He is considered their patriarch. The Messiah was promised the throne of David and the prophets said the Messiah would arise from the descendants of David.
Regarding Abraham, Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 where it says “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” The Jewish critic would respond that Abraham was circumcised and this was necessary for right standing with God. You must be identified as a Jew to have right standing with God. Paul answers by pointing out that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised. Again the Jewish critic declares that the law is necessary for one to be righteous. Paul answers “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.”
David speaks of the “blessedness” of being justified by faith when he says in Psalms 32 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”
Justification by faith is not something new. There is precedence for it in the Old Testament. Some would argue that it is too good to be true. Others would say that is why the gospel is “astounding good news”.
Picture an attorney in a court room arguing his case before the judge. He presents the facts of his case and he presents the laws that are relevant to his case. However, there is one other important ingredient necessary to convince the judge of the validity of his position. He must present the legal precedence for his position. He must present something that happened in a courtroom many years ago that was favorable to the present case.
Paul has just presented the argument in Romans 3 for justification by faith…how a sinful man can be declared righteous by having righteousness from God credited to him. He can hear the Jewish critics saying “Paul, there is no precedence for this. You’re coming up with something new.” In Romans 4 Paul presents the precedence by going to a couple of highly respected people in the Old Testament…Abraham and David. The Jewish race began with Abraham. He is considered their patriarch. The Messiah was promised the throne of David and the prophets said the Messiah would arise from the descendants of David.
Regarding Abraham, Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 where it says “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” The Jewish critic would respond that Abraham was circumcised and this was necessary for right standing with God. You must be identified as a Jew to have right standing with God. Paul answers by pointing out that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised. Again the Jewish critic declares that the law is necessary for one to be righteous. Paul answers “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.”
David speaks of the “blessedness” of being justified by faith when he says in Psalms 32 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”
Justification by faith is not something new. There is precedence for it in the Old Testament. Some would argue that it is too good to be true. Others would say that is why the gospel is “astounding good news”.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Romans 3:9-20 Summarizing Man's Condition Before God
“What shall we conclude then? Are we (Jews) any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.” Rom 3:9
Someone may be tempted to conclude that when Paul speaks of the sinfulness of mankind, he is speaking in generalities. Paul removes that temptation by saying “There is no one righteous, not even one…there is no one who does good, not even one.” To remove any doubt about who is included in the sinfulness category, Paul states twice, there is “not even one” person who is righteous or good.
Verses 10 through 18 are Paul’s proof texts regarding his conclusions on the universality of sin. He uses Jewish Scripture (i.e. the Old Testament) in summarizing his teaching. A Jewish reader would have been hard pressed to argue against Paul. Paul is continually working to show the Jews that he is not coming up with something new. His teaching is found throughout the Old Testament.
But a Jew who is troubled by Paul’s conclusion would remind Paul that the Jews are “entrusted with the very words of God” also known as the “law”. Surely the possession of the law means Jews have a right standing with God. Paul responds by saying “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscious of sin.”
We are introduced to a new concept at this point in Romans. The “law” made people become conscious of sin. It didn’t cure the sin, remove the sin, rehabilitate the sinner etc. The “law” made people become conscious of sin by presenting a lofty standard of righteousness to measure their lives against. A Jew does not benefit from the law by having a right relationship with God rather the Jew benefited from the law by being made conscious of sin.
If Romans were an oil painting that begins with a blank pallet in chapter 1 and is a completed work of art in chapter 16, the background for the masterpiece is completed at this point. It is a very dark background that leaves the world facing the righteous judgment of God. The title of Jonathan Edward’s most famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” would be a good title for Romans up to this point.
Someone may be tempted to conclude that when Paul speaks of the sinfulness of mankind, he is speaking in generalities. Paul removes that temptation by saying “There is no one righteous, not even one…there is no one who does good, not even one.” To remove any doubt about who is included in the sinfulness category, Paul states twice, there is “not even one” person who is righteous or good.
Verses 10 through 18 are Paul’s proof texts regarding his conclusions on the universality of sin. He uses Jewish Scripture (i.e. the Old Testament) in summarizing his teaching. A Jewish reader would have been hard pressed to argue against Paul. Paul is continually working to show the Jews that he is not coming up with something new. His teaching is found throughout the Old Testament.
But a Jew who is troubled by Paul’s conclusion would remind Paul that the Jews are “entrusted with the very words of God” also known as the “law”. Surely the possession of the law means Jews have a right standing with God. Paul responds by saying “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscious of sin.”
We are introduced to a new concept at this point in Romans. The “law” made people become conscious of sin. It didn’t cure the sin, remove the sin, rehabilitate the sinner etc. The “law” made people become conscious of sin by presenting a lofty standard of righteousness to measure their lives against. A Jew does not benefit from the law by having a right relationship with God rather the Jew benefited from the law by being made conscious of sin.
If Romans were an oil painting that begins with a blank pallet in chapter 1 and is a completed work of art in chapter 16, the background for the masterpiece is completed at this point. It is a very dark background that leaves the world facing the righteous judgment of God. The title of Jonathan Edward’s most famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” would be a good title for Romans up to this point.
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