2 Timothy 2:3-7

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

(v3-7, NIV)

Jacky brought this passage to my attention the other day. Apparently, they looked at it during Morning Prayer. I had a side thought or idea regarding this passage. This is by no means the main point, but themes surrounding shame, suffering and pleasing others in 2 Timothy caught my attention. I was reminded about John Piper's sermon on Romans 1:16. He was talking about shame and being ashamed. One way to avoid being ashamed is to always put yourself in a good light with people. By doing this, you may become a people pleaser, which is not what you want to be. As soldiers under the command of the living God, who do we seek to please? Do we seek to please men or our commander? When we become people pleasers, we become like a soldier who gets involved in civilian affairs. These affairs are not the affairs our commander has instructed us to deal with, so we are no longer pleasing God in these matters, but these civilians. I'm not saying you can't please anyone or go to help "civilians", but heart and soul of the matter should be pleasing God according to his instruction to us.

Romans 1:16-17

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

(v16-17, NIV)

How is the righteousness from God revealed in the gospel? Well this is the gospel and it's about salvation. It is the power of God. So why do we need salvation? What do we need saving from? Here's a quote from James MacDonald from a sermon he gave:

"A lot of times when you ask people, "are you saved?"

they're like, "saved from what?"

Here's some wrong answers:

Saved from Hello

-Not primarily

Saved from sin

-indirectly

Saved from myself

eh... sorta

Saved from what?

Saved from God

That's what you're saved from, you're saved from God."

-James MacDonald

The fact of the matter is that we need saving from the wrath of God. God is angry with our unrighteousness. God is righteous, but we are not. Somehow, in his saving, he reveals his own righteousness. Well what happens in the gospel? The fact of the matter is that God demands righteousness, but we don't have it. Our only hope is that God would give to us the righteousness he demands from us. This is the righteousness of God that is revealed. That's not it; there's more to it. It's deeper and you don't just stop there.

2 Chronicles 14-16 -- King Asa

The story of king Asa seems so typical. He obeyed and relied on the Lord, and he received blessing and peace from the God; and then when things is doing well under God blessing, when little problems comes, King Asa turned away and relied on human knowledge instead of God, and then Asa lost everything.

The morel of the story is to tell us that no matter in poor or in rich, we should seek God all our ways, and rely on Him, and He will make our path straight.

But my question is, does everyone has to go through all this circle of relying God and turn away from God? Can we just reply on God all our ways forever? Why does human turned so easily? Answer is our sinful nature rooted with us. We have pride and desire that only pleasing to ourself; and all that leads to death.

Trusting God is a life long journey. Because of our weaknesses, God told us to have fellowship with those who loves God, so that we can support each other. We also need to learn discipline. Remember we were born nothing, and will take nothing out from the earth. What really matter in life is love; because God is love; and to have relationship with this creator God who love.

Tomorrow:
- Revelation 2
- Lord's prayer everyday

Romans 1:16d

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

(v16, NIV)

Wow, still on this verse. I can't move on or something. What's up with that? Anyways, back to the case...

Though it may be good to see where Jews are first in, I think it's also good to know where they are not first in. The fact of the matter is that most of us are Gentiles. So what are they not first in? Well, we have all sinned. Both Jew and Gentile have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. There is no distinction between Jew and Gentile in this manner. In addition, we are equal in the way that we are saved. By this I mean that God is both the God of the Jews and God of the Gentiles. God doesn't save one person over the other because they are a Jew or a Gentile. This is a gift from God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not based on Jewishness or Gentileness. Instead, we Gentiles are brought into the fold. We are brought near and are fellow heirs. Don't worry if you're not a Jew, look to God and trust in him.

Proverb 2:16,17

"Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.
Shw has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God."

The two most difficult sins to resist are pride and sexual immorality. Both are seductive. Pride says "I deserve it"; sexual desire says "I need it". And only by the power of God can overcome it. Pride leads to a empty head, sexual enticement to the empty heart. By turning our eyes to Jesus and God we can fill our head with wisdom and our hearts with His love and joy.

Tomorrow:
- Revelation 2
- Lord's prayer everyday

Romans 1:16c

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

(v16, NIV)

Why is it first for the Jew, then for the Gentile? What part of God's power and gospel and salvation has anything to do with priority of Jews over Gentiles? From what I understand, salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ isn't any different if you're a Jew or a Gentile, does it?

Well, there are a few ways that Jews have priority in fact. They are God's chosen people. Back in the Old Testament we read about how God chose them as his own people. They were even given the Old Testament. Gentiles can't claim that they had Holy Scriptures like the Jews did. Gentiles weren't chosen by God as his peoples. In this way, Jews have priority over Gentiles. What's also interesting is that Jesus is a Jew. The savior who is the savior of the world is Jew and thus Jews and Gentiles alike must rely on a Jewish Messiah to be saved. This means that salvation is from the Jews. Christianity is the fulfillment of Judaism. So, there are a few ways in which Jews have a priority over Gentiles. But, we must all humble ourselves before the same God regardless of whether we are Jew or Gentile.

Revelation 1

I read the first chapter and also read some of the notes from my Bible. It mentioned a lot of different views of revelation, and sometimes you really don't know which view is correct. We all try to figure out the future, and we all leads to different directions and that is why so many different nominations were form.

Is that the purpose of revelation or God's word in general to form nomination? I don't think so, Jesus asks us to work as one body, but I think we are in nature sinful, meaning we like to do our own way regardless what God really wants.

The question is how should I live my day today in the present? The world is change and turning away, and sometimes you wonder if this generation would be the end day, as all generation wondered in some point I believe. We have been waiting for the second come for generations and still waiting, and the fact is that I know we will never know when it will come, yet we will it is going to come. So how should I live my day today to prepare the Kingdom come.

I don't have a clear conclusion yet as I am still seeking, but I think sometimes life is simple. Remember we are the sheep and our God is our shepherd. Does the sheep need to know everything in order to live peacefully? no, because we trust that God as our shepherd has His own way. All we need is that let God be God, and let the sheep be sheep. Listen to what God commends us to do: love Him and then love others. Revelation tells us that the days are coming and telling me that God has His plan. When the right time is here, He will reveal things that we need to know.


Tomorrow: Day 20, Revelation 2

Romans 1:16b

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

(v16, NIV)

Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. The gospel brings shaming, but he does not need to be ashamed of it. He tells us why he isn't ashamed of it. He's not ashamed of it because of its power. It's the power of God for salvation. This is the power for salvation of everyone who believes. How is this power? Why is it power? Well, it could refer to the power of salvation to create converts. It could also refer to the future results of salvation as it keeps converts. John Piper argues that it is the latter.

Paul is talking about not being ashamed. Would the fact that the gospel makes converts keep him from being ashamed? Look at all these other religions, do they not make converts? If Paul were referring to that, it would be a weak assurance to rely on the power of the gospel to make converts. Instead, it is the power of the gospel to keep converts and usher them into future saving glory with God the father. This goes along with the fact that Jesus looked towards the joy set before him. We as believers look towards Jesus and hope and trust in the future saving work of the gospel at the end. This is the power of God.

You might say that other religions have their method of "salvation". Sure, they do in a sense. However, they are largely based upon what you do and your works and your deeds. What is the power of this gospel we hope and trust in? This is solely upon God. We don't save ourselves. This is nothing of us and our might and our efforts. This saving power of the gospel is entirely upon God who is more than able to save us. We are weak and unable to redeem ourselves from God's righteous judgment. This is the power of the gospel, not our efforts but Christ's powerful saving work on the cross to redeem us. Other religions do not have this. Instead, it is man-made and a trust in self and own deeds. Believe, trust and rely upon God and his power in his gospel to save.

People who are saved continue in their belief. If you "fall away", then you never were saved to begin with. God keeps those whom he chooses to save. In a sense, you can run all you want, but you can't escape it. So Paul wishes to preach the gospel to these believers. Not only does the gospel convert people, but it saves those who believe. He wishes to encourage them and remind them and grow them in their salvation. This too is the power of God. This isn't a onetime salvation but a continual process that continues in power through our lives. This is the power to save us and keep us till the end.

Starting Over

I feel shame and also feeling miss out when I haven't read the Bible and spend time with God daily. I pray that starting today, it will be another beginning, day 1 of the future. I realize how much it means to a Christian to spend time with God. It is very essential.

Here I will use this blog to keep track my progress. Starting over.

I will continue my old Bible Plan. But also decide to study the book of Revelation.

Today:

I read the background of Revelation. And reviewing what Jesus has done for us was beautiful. Also reminds me that the end days is near, I should be repent, and let the whole world knows the good news. I had a dream last night, which I still remember, it was about by seeing disasters are coming, it reminds me the end days are very near. By looking at the US government, there is a high possibility the beast has risen. And in the dream I was desperately spreading the gospel and ask people to repent. I don't know what does it says to me, but all I know is that I need to turn my eyes more closely to Jesus.

Tomorrow:

Read "Day 20", Begin Revelation.

Romans 1:16a

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

(v16, NIV)

In what way can you be ashamed? I recall how one of my friends who was so confident in his upcoming basketball game victory. He was talking about how the other team has never won a game before and how it would be an easy victory for his team. However, the next day when I asked him about it, he told me that his team actually lost. If you were in his position, would you be ashamed? An example that John Piper gave was about a kid who boasts and makes fun of another kid whose father is in jail. The boaster boasts in his father's reputation and how he would never be sent to jail like this other kid's father. However, one day he finds out that the police have taken his father away because of some alleged illegal practices performed by the kid. This person would be ashamed. How would you avoid shame? Maybe you could avoid being ashamed by not boasting so much. Or maybe you could avoid shame by performing better and ensuring your victory. However, this is not how Paul avoids being ashamed.

When the gospel is preached, it brings shame. Who are these people Paul is obligated to? In verse 16 he talks about his obligation to Greeks, barbarians, wise and foolish. These people had different ways of shaming him. When we bring the gospel to the lost, there are often many different ways in which they shame us. Apparently, back in the 60s, people would be shamed because they thought the gospel was true. However, in this day and age, people shame you for thinking there is such a thing as truth. Have you noticed this? People will try to back you down by telling you not to be so oppressive of their own beliefs. They leave you with only two options: arrogant or accepting. They resist and refuse the gospel and in their defense they'll try to shame you. The gospel creates the shaming.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 2:2, NIV)

Preaching the gospel will bring shame, but that doesn't mean you have to be ashamed of it. How did Jesus deal with shame? He despised the shame. When faced with shame, he didn't cower away or give into the shame. Instead, he despised it and simply looked towards the joy set before him. This is his power, looking forward to this joy that will be the result.

We need not be ashamed of the gospel. Shame will be brought, but we do not need to be ashamed. Be like Jesus and despise the shame. Do not give into it and look towards the joy. Know that God is true and this gospel is powerful. In the example with the kid and his father, we need to trust that the allegations are not true. People will heap upon us shame like these allegations, but because we know the father, we know he is holy and righteous. Whose gospel is it? It's not our gospel, but it is God's gospel. He has entrusted us with it. Do not be ashamed of the gospel.

Romans 1:15

That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

(v15, NIV)

Who is Paul eager to preach the gospel to? Paul is obligated to Greeks and barbarians, to the wise and the foolish. He is debtor not to God but to everyone because he did not deserve the free gift of grace which he received. However, he is still talking to the believers who are at Rome. So, he is eager to preach the gospel to the believers at Rome. It is true that he will preach the gospel to non-believers. However, the gospel is to be preached to believers.

Why would you preach the gospel to believers? Don't the believers already have the gospel? Well, if you go to church one day and the preacher is preaching the gospel, do you instantly shut off your brains thinking he's not talking to you? Do you say to yourself, "He's preaching the gospel, this must be directed to all the unbelievers who happen to have attended church today"? As true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we should never grow tired or weary or bored of this great gospel which he has graced us with. We should live in it and delight in it.

Looking back to previous verses, Paul is interested in mutual encouragement among these brothers. In addition, he wishes to bring about the obedience which comes from faith among these believers. Yes, the gospel is for the lost, but it is also for those who have been graciously saved by this glorious gospel of grace.

Romans 1:14-15c

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

(v14-15, NIV)

What's interesting is that the free gift of grace offered by God through Jesus Christ pays debts. We do not receive salvation by works, but by grace through faith. We do not owe God anything but receive it freely. If we did owe something, it would no longer by grace. However, Paul is in debt to Greeks and barbarians, to the wise and the foolish. Jesus paid a debt we could not pay. It pays debts. The way in which Paul is in debt to others is because he did not deserve what he received. So, to not share it with others would be to say that he deserved it and they didn't. So, since Paul is obligated to them, he wants to preach the gospel to them. He is eager to share with them about this free gift of grace which he received. By sharing the gospel with them, he also hopes for the fruit of the obedience which comes from faith to be produced in them. This is what we recall from back in verse 5.

Reflecting on OJ mission trip

Oh OJ, how much I miss thee! The 2 hours packing, 10 hours endless rides with the repeated music, “The Vision”. The grave, the light out, the candles, boys and girls, the bullies, tears and laughter; the pork, the fires, the “shout for joy”; the Bible experience, the late night flight, late night talk; the confessions, the joy, the love....

It has been almost a mouth now since our OJ trip 2010, but my heart still beats strongly and stirs every time when I think of the friendships we have made, the creations we have enjoyed, the joy and peace we have all shared as being a child of God with the Creed youths and with the OJ team. What a wonderful fellowship with God and with those who loves Him.

That “SHOUT for joy” was relieved!

One song the Creed loved the most during the camp was “I Will Not Be Shaken” by Sonicflood. How much they loved this song? They loved it to a point that they asked Michael to play on his guitar every gathering; even Michael told the Creeds that his hand was burning from playing the same song over X10 in a roll already; but they simply didn’t care and said Michael was being lazy.

Yup, you get the idea how much they crave for the song and here I have captured some part of the lyric for your understanding:

“I will declare my choice to the nation.

I will shout for joy in the congregation.

I will worship God (or serve my God) All my days.....

....When the nations crumble

....The joy of the lord is my strength

....I will not be shaken”

What a wonderful promise that God has given us. It reminds me the verse from Psalms saying, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want....he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul....Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me ”.

Indeed, we will fear no evil even in the valley of death, because our heavenly Father, and the creator God, is with us! What a joy we have to know God, and have Jesus to complete the salvation plan, because God is love. No wonder we want to SHOUT for joy to the King! And this was exactly what the Creed did during the camp. They “SHOUT for joy” (very loudly), and they weren’t fated it. Their joy came from their inner heart to their outer expression. A lot of them understood the salvation and allow salvation works in their life. They not just “SHOUT for joy”, but also hunger in seeking for His words and the Truth.

I am bad in writing, and sorry if I can’t express well; but I was really touched by the Creed and missed them so much. God have taught me good lesson through the Creed because I thought to myself, do I have this crave and joy for God like the Creed? Maybe I have been missing out a lot and didn’t really understand how good our God is to ME personally even though I have been going to Church for many years; maybe I didn’t really understand how He can lead me beside quiet waters and can restores my soul; maybe I was just being the lawlessness worker for so many years, working so hard at the building or a community called Church, and have forgotten the very essential as being a transformed Christan: ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’, and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. Following Jesus sometimes is just that simple and essential, and that’s the one essential thing I want to share with you. Although I have more to share, of course, I will keep it for next time ;).

Romans 1:14-15b

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

(v14-15, NIV)

It is true that in a sense Paul has an obligation to these people because of God's calling. God has called him to preach the gospel to these people. However, that's more with regards to an obligation to God rather than people. There is a more direct and important way in which Paul is debtor to Greeks and barbarians.

The way in which you could come into debt with someone is you could borrow. If you borrow from the bank, you owe the bank some money hoping to pay it back later. If you borrow a shirt from a friend, you owe him his shirt back after you're done borrowing it or after a certain period of time. So, when we receive grace from God, do we come into debt with him? No, it's by grace. If it were to bring us into debt, then it would no longer be grace. Paul is obligated to these people because he has received this grace freely. If he does not willingly share the good news of the gospel to these people, he is essentially saying that he deserves it and they don't. In the same way, if you by chance stumbled across a cure for cancer that was also free, you'd owe it to the other people stricken with cancer to share this cure with them. If you don't, you're essentially saying that you deserve it and they don't. God's free gift of grace is not owed, but we become into debt with people. In this way is Paul in debt to people. He did not receive it based on works and thus he is obligated to share it with others in order to continue to receive this free gift of grace.

Have you received Jesus as your Lord and savior? Are you by grace through faith saved freely regardless of your works? If so, you are obligated to Greeks and to barbarians, to the wise and to the foolish. Tell them and share with them this free gift of grace which you have received.

Romans 1:14-15

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

(v14-15, NIV)

In what way is Paul obligated to these people? He seems to cover all his bases in naming these people he's obligated to. They could either be Greeks or non-Greeks. Other translations say "Greeks and barbarians". Either way, he also includes both wise and foolish. These are the people he seems to be obligated to. His obligation leads him to preach the gospel, so that should give us an insight into how he is obligated to these people.

One way in which Paul is obligated to preach the gospel is because of his calling. God has called him and instructed him to preach the gospel. He is as all followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are to preach the gospel and tell everybody the good news. They do not have the good news, so Paul is to tell them the good news. Paul is continuing to be submissive and obedient to the will of God.

Romans 1:13

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

(v13, NIV)

Again, Paul is pressing his point that he wants to be with them. He is clear that he doesn't want them to be ignorant of this fact. He wants them to know that he even planned many times to come to them. Unfortunately, each of his attempts has failed since he was prevented to come to them. Paul is completely submitted to God. He wants to go to see them, but is ultimately under the will of God.

Why does Paul want to come to them? His goal is a harvest among the believers at Rome. He has had harvests among the other Gentiles, but wishes a harvest among them. What is this harvest? Looking back at verse 5, Paul wishes to bring about the obedience that comes from faith. This also includes a mutual encouragement by each other's faith as mentioned in the last verse. The obedience of faith that is brought about is that which the believers are mutually encouraged by though each other's faith. They are one in the same and this is the harvest which Paul is interested in.

Romans 1:11-12

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

(v11-12, NIV)

Paul wants to see them and he wants to go to them. He wants them to know that he longs to see them. It's not as if he doesn't care for them. They may think so since he hasn't come to see them yet. Some may have circulated false claims that Paul didn't really care about them and if he did, he would've came to see them already. This is not true; he wanted to come to see them.

Why did he want to go to them? He wanted to impart some spiritual gift to them. He wanted to strengthen them through spiritual gifting. He wanted to help them and bless them through this. However, as he says that, he takes a step back to explain what he really means. He doesn't want to sound arrogant as if he's so big and powerful that they need him for this spiritual gifting. Rather, he desires for mutual encouragement. He wants them to be encouraged by him and he wants to be encouraged by them. This is a two-way relationship. The fact of the matter is, he needs them. The body of Christ is not made up of people like Paul simply giving and giving to others. Churches aren't made up of a number of leaders who only give to the rest of the church. There is a mutuality of encouragement going on between all members of the church. This is not a one-way thing, but there is mutuality.

Romans 1:9-10

God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

(v9-10, NIV)

Paul is calling God to witness. He is appealing to his readers and calling God as his witness as he tells them about his prayers for them. He has been and continues to pray for them and have them in his prayers. The problem is that he can't really prove it to them. You can't prove it to others that you've been praying for them or not. This is why Paul calls God to witness to the fact that he's been praying for them. Paul isn't trying to show off or anything, but continue to show them his genuine heart for the believers at Rome.

It's quite possible that some sowed seeds of doubt in their hearts, having them believe that Paul really didn't care about them. They may have deceived the believers at Rome into believing that if Paul really did care for them, he'd have come to them already. However, Paul is trying to convey to them his desire for them by his prayers for them.

Paul is also praying that God would allow him to go to them. He is asking the Lord for an opportunity to be opened for him to go and be with the believers at Rome. Paul understands that whether he goes or not is entirely up to God. Therefore, he is appealing to God to allow him to go. In this, we see that Paul is submissive to the will of God. He is asking but still in obedience to God.

Jeremiah 4, 5

Looking at Jeremiah, reminds me of our generation. There is nothing new under the sun. History will repeats itself. I hope that we will be aware and hold on to what we have and stay strong in the word of God. The evil one is like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour! Repent for the kingdom of God is near.

Romans 1:8

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

(v8, NIV)

Looking back at verse 5, we remember that the result of the call is the obedience that comes from faith. The outpouring of them should be this obedience in their lives which comes from faith. Paul wants to show the believers in Rome that he's committed to this in their lives. He wants to see this in their lives.

Paul begins by thanking God through Jesus Christ for them. The reason for this thanking is their faith which is being reported all over the world. Now, Paul could've easily said "I thank God for your faith", but he didn't. They are included in this thanksgiving. The fact of the matter is that people have faith. We should encourage one another and be thankful for one another. These believers have faith and Paul is thankful for them because of their faith. It's true that God deserves thanks for faith and this is why God is primary in this thanksgiving.

The faith of the believers at Rome is being reported all over the world. Faith is invisible, so how can their faith have such an effect? This goes to back to the obedience which comes from faith. Our faith is invisible; only God can see our faith. However, the obedience which comes from faith is what others see and this is outpouring is why their faith is becoming so apparent to others.

Romans 1:7b

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

(v7, NIV)

Paul addresses those who are loved by God. He's not referring to those who are loved by God with regards to the way God loves the world. He's not saying: "God loves everyone, and since I'm addressing those who are loved by God, I'm really talking to everyone". Paul is addressing people who are loved by God in a different and select way.

We as Christians are called to love. We are called to love one another. We're even called to love our enemies. However, if we as Christians who are called to love even our enemies write a love letter to our spouse, the love letter is addressed with a specific and exclusive kind of love that we have for this person. This love is not the same as the love we have for our enemies or the world, so you shouldn't think that the same letter addressed to a spouse could be applied to the world. In the same way, here in Romans Paul addresses those who are loved by God and not in the sense for which God loves the world.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

(Romans 8:35, NIV)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:38-39, NIV)

Is there anything that can separate us from the love of Christ? No, there is not. However, this is referring to the love God has for his chosen people, not for the entire world. If this is applied to the entire world, then there is a contradiction. Are not people separated from the love of God when they are thrown into the eternal fire of hell and eternal separation from God? This love is for his chosen people from whom his love cannot be separated.

If you are his chosen child, know that he loves you and that he loves you with a special intimate kind of love. You are his and he will keep you.

Romans 1:7

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

(v7, NIV)

Called is one way to describe these people. Paul also addresses those who are loved by God. There's this aspect of love that Paul talks about here. These people are loved uniquely and differently than the way in which God loves everybody. It's true that God loves everybody. However, if you are a true child of God, you should know yourself as loved by God differently than the way God loves everybody. But, how does God love everybody?

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

(Matthew 5:44-45, NIV)

God loves his enemies. How do we know this? Well, God allows the sun to rise on the good and the evil. He loves both the good and the evil and evidence is that the rose for both. Why would God allow the sun to rise for the evil? These who are enemies of God deserve destruction and wrath, but God allowed the sun to rise on them. This shows that God loves his enemies.

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

(Philippians 3:17-19, NIV)

Are there really enemies of God? Some may object to the existence of enemies of God. Or, if there are enemies of God, they aren't people. They may say that maybe the enemies of God consist of devils and demons. Many people walk as enemies of God. Here in Philippians, Paul addresses his readers and encourages them to live a certain way. This he says in light of those who are enemies of the cross of Christ. This implies that there is a manner of living that makes you an enemy of God. There are in fact people who live as enemies of God. There are in fact many as Paul says here who live as enemies of God. It says here: "enemies of the cross of Christ". God sent his son to die on the cross for our sins. If you are enemies of the cross, are you not enemies of God? There do exist many who are enemies of God. But there is a way in which God loves everyone and God does love his enemies in a way.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:16, NIV)

Many of you know John 3:16. This is another passage in which we see how God loves the world. God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son. By this and through him, we may be saved. Though we are utterly depraved and deserving of death, the one and only true God lovingly made a way for us to be redeemed. For God so loved the world.

Romans 1:6-7b

And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

(v6-7, NIV)

The call is from God. God is the one who called Paul and he calls you if you are a true believer and follower. Therefore, it's not really what we do, but what God does. When we tell others about Jesus, we aren't the ones who convert, but God does. As mentioned before, we are not to play God and magically pick and choose who to evangelize to based on whether they are called or not. How would we know? We are to do what Jesus did and spread the seed of the word across all soils. It's interesting the way John Piper puts it. He says, "I can issue a call for conversion. Only God can issue a converting call.".

This brings up another question. Can you resist his call? His call isn't one where you're dragged along kicking and screaming. Was Paul drawn along kicking and screaming? He was passionately and fervently working for God and his gospel.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

(2 Corinthians 4:4-6, NIV)

We are and have been blinded by the god of this age. However, when Jesus Christ the Lord is preached, God can make is light shine in us. We see him as he truly is. It's not like we have the blinders on anymore, but we can actually come and embrace him in all his glory. Seeing and knowing him for who he is, we'd want to get to know him more and worship and follow him. This following of him is or results in the obedience that comes from faith, which is the goal of preaching to others. It's truly amazing that God would allow us to be a part in this process; what a joy it is.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." proverbs 14:12

Romans 1:6-7

And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 1:6-7, NIV)

We see from Paul that he has been called. It is God who calls him. Now Paul specifically addresses his readers with regards to this calling. He is addressing those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Calling is not based on works. Nobody is called because they deserve it. If that were the case, others would have a right in objecting to the fairness of this call. So, there can be no objection because those who are called do not deserve it. We don't have any rights with God. We don't have a leg to stand on if we were to argue for ourselves for anything with God.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

(v23-24, NIV)

The fact of the matter is that nobody deserves it. Everyone has sinned, and because we have all sinned, we fall short. However, he justifies freely; God is the one who calls and justifies sinners.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

(Romans 8:28-30, NIV)

Not everyone is called. He works for the good of those who love him; do all people love God? There are also those whom God foreknew that he predestined. Those he predestined, he called. It doesn't seem to say that God predestined everyone. God only predestines and calls some. This means that not all are called; there are those who are not called.

If there are certain people who are called, are we to play God and only evangelize to those who are called? Do we divinely decipher those who are called and those who are not in our choosing of who to evangelize to? No, we do not play God. We do what Jesus did. He took the seed of the word and spread it over all the soil.

Matthew 18:3

"Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

This is a complicated world. We are called to be in the world but not of it. How difficult it is and somehow we don't even know when we were deceived by the media or the world's standard in general. Once I discover more and more about this spiritual battle, I realize how small I am and how great our God is. What a blessing to know Him and have Him as our Father in heaven. The world is indeed complicated and full of darkness, but unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 1:5c

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

(v5, NIV)

through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

(v5, ESV)

This is a receiving of grace and apostleship that Paul is taking about. This is to call people to the obedience of faith. Paul's ministry is to the Gentiles, and he mentions the Gentiles as those whom are called. God's calling is not strictly limited to a select race or gender.

Why is it about grace? This receiving of grace, the calling and bringing about the obedience of faith is through him. It is also for his name's sake. The name of Christ should be exalted in your life.

If it were by works, we would get the glory. If I do whatever I do by my own strength, I get the glory. If I get the glory, I will perish with it. However, if it is by the power God supplies, then God will get the glory.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

(1 Peter 4:11, NIV)

Romans 1:5b

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

(v5, NIV)

through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

(v5, ESV)

There is a calling taking place. This call is to bring for obedience. This isn't just any obedience, it is obedience that comes from faith. In the ESV, it is the obedience of faith. John Piper comments on how ambiguous this is. For example, you can say "acts of courage" and you mean acts which come from courage. However, you can also say "block of wood" which means the block is made of wood. So, is obedience coming from faith, or is obedience made of or composed of faith. Both are true, but which does Paul mean here? Apparently, commentaries and split on this matter, but John Piper leans towards the NIV's take on this matter.

As we have been stepping along these verses about the gospel of God, we learn about grace. It is by grace through faith that we are saved. Nowhere does it mention obedience, though you can imply it through Paul's actions. Paul has been called and set apart and he reacts through obedience. Obedience can be related to works. We can obey what someone says and hope that it merits some sort of result. However, that is not how we receive grace. We receive grace by faith. It is not by obedience or works that we receive grace. However, we see that Paul reacts with obedience. If you read 1 John, we learn about how a Christian should live and act. John wrote that so that believers would have assurance of their salvation. This walking in the light and loving one another is not meriting to salvation, but assuring of salvation that was already given to us freely.

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

(James 2:18, NIV)

In this passage, James talks about faith and deeds. Never does he say that deeds merit salvation. However, faith without deeds is dead. If you say you have faith but don't have any deeds, you don't really have faith. Faith and deeds go hand in hand. However, deeds and grace don't really go together.

Romans 1:5a

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

(v5, NIV)

It is through him that we receive grace. We do not receive grace through anything other than through him. If grace is what we receive, what is grace? We're not talking about the movements of an ice skater or simply something we say before meals. Paul has just been talking about the gospel of God for the past few verses. Grace is built upon this gospel of God.

Paul is talking about not just receiving grace but receiving apostleship. From this we can gather that Paul is speaking more specifically about a receiving for ministry. This gifting is undeserved and freely given. How was Paul given this? Paul did not receive it on the basis of his effort or work. Paul was moving in the opposite direction, and God allowed him to do so. However, from the way in which God works, we know without a doubt that it was God and God alone who moved powerfully in Paul's life.

Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.

(Romans 4:4, NIV)

Paul did not work or merit anything he received from God. Instead, it was received by grace. If he had worked for it, it would be owed to him.

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

(Romans 11:6, NIV)

This is a passage that does good in defining what grace is in a way. Grace is not by works. If it is by works, then it is no longer grace. The mere fact that work was involved nullifies the possibility that it was by grace.

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

(Romans 4:16, NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

(Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Grace and faith go hand in hand. You can't really receive grace without faith, can you? The promise comes by faith and is in accordance with grace. We are saved by grace through faith. Faith is the means by which you receive it, not by works.

Romans 1:4b

and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

(v4, NIV)

This messiah who was sent forth by God was raised from the dead. The mere fact that the Messiah died was quite devastating to the Jews. In their minds, they could not picture the Messiah to ever die and to die the way Jesus did.

but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

(Luke 24:21, NIV)

After Jesus is raised from the dead, he meets two people traveling a few miles away from Jerusalem. These two are sad because of the fact that Jesus died. At this point, they are kept from recognizing that it is Jesus who meets them. We read here that they had hoped that Jesus would redeem Israel. However, his death proved to them that Jesus was not the Messiah and that Jesus failed. We know that Jesus accomplished what he came to accomplish. However, it was difficult for them to accept a crucified Messiah.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

(Romans 8:11, NIV)

Though we may not be exactly sure here in chapter 1, we can look to chapter 8 to confirm that it is the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. But what does it mean by the "Spirit of holiness"? Apparently, "Spirit of holiness" is only mentioned here in the bible. John Piper suggests that it is to ward away any sort of dirtiness and filthiness with regards to the dead. It may be hard for me to imagine that at first, since I always picture Jesus so awesome and holy and bright and white in his resurrected state. However, to those who do not know Jesus, they may be put off by the fact that we worship one who was dead for three days and rose from the dead. Some may picture zombies and witchcraft and demons and the devil. In order to ward away any notion of any filthiness with regards to Jesus' resurrection, the Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of holiness. Though dealing with the dead is dirty business, the resurrection of Jesus was done with holiness.

Do not love the world

"when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you....pride in our achievements and possessions. They are not from the Father." 1 John 2:15-17

Always remember God gives and takes, so love God in all our heart and soul and mind and with all our ability. Don't let other things to be our idols, but to love God.

Romans 1:4a

and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

(v4, NIV)

and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

(v4, ESV)

Jesus was declared with power to be the Son of God. Before, Jesus was in a weak and limited state. Jesus became a man, so he was limited in certain ways. Jesus grew hungry and he got tired. Jesus got beat up, he was spit upon and he was crucified. However, Jesus was raised to kingship and power. He is the messiah king and he reigns. Jesus is no longer this weak man who gets beat up and crucified. He is now the powerful king who reigns on high. This isn't to say that Jesus shouldn't have been crucified or that Jesus couldn't avoid being beat up. Jesus did in fact choose that and it was necessary in order to save us. Jesus did it for us; he humbled himself and took upon himself our sins. Now he is declared with power to be the Son of God.

Romans 1:3

regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,

(v3, NIV)

This is talking about God's son. God sent his son into the world to become a man. This is who was chosen to redeem and save us. God didn't choose a man, he chose his son to become a man. This gospel of God is about God's son who he sent into the world to become a man to be the propitiation for our sins.

So what's so important about Jesus being a descendant of David? Well, the Jews were waiting for a savior. The Messiah who was spoken of and prophesied about in the Old Testament is who they were waiting for. He would come and great things were expected of him. One thing that was prophesied about him was the fact that he would be a descendant of David.

"The days are coming," declares the LORD,

"when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely

and do what is just and right in the land.

(Jeremiah 23:5, NIV)

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.

(Isaiah 11:10, NIV)

From the Old Testament we find these prophecies saying that Jesus is to be a descendant of David. These prophecies are fulfilled since Jesus is a descendant of David. Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy; Jesus is the Messiah. The gospel is regarding Jesus, God's son.

Romans 1:2

the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

(v2, NIV)

Paul is set apart for the gospel of God. In these next few verses, Paul begins to talk about this gospel. The first thing he mentions is that it was promised beforehand. The gospel is not something that was recently thought up. The gospel is not some new way of thinking or thought that just so happened to surface. Instead, the gospel was planned a long time ago. We can see this through the prophecies of the Old Testament. Jesus was prophesied about long time ago and he came to fulfill those prophecies. Christianity is not a new religion. Christianity is the fulfillment of an old religion - Judaism. Also, since God's promises have been fulfilled and continue to be fulfilled, we know that God keeps his promises. God is faithful to what he says and we can trust in him.

God's promises regarding the gospel are through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. God spoke through these men which are now written down in the bible. The bible is comprised of writings of men who were inspired by God. Basically, God wrote what was in the bible through a bunch of different people. The bible is quite precious; God wrote a book for us to read. In it we can find his promises and see them come to fulfillment. Now, you might think it's silly to read a book about a "god" who makes promises and fulfills them in the same book. You may think that's somewhat biased and unbelievable. It may be hard to believe, because it is only possible by the work of God. In addition, the bible isn't simply one book, but a number of different writings by a number of different people spanning hundreds of years. I'm not going to go into great detail, but the bible is quite amazing and it is from God. If you don't believe me, read it and research about it yourself.

Romans 1:1c

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

(v1, NIV)

So Paul has been set apart for the gospel. In what way has he been set apart?

But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,

(Galatians 1:15-16, NIV)

God didn't set him apart when he was on his way to persecute Christians. It was since when he was born. When he was in his mother's womb, God set him apart for his gospel. Now, if Paul was set apart since birth, how or why did God allow him to stray as he did? If Paul was set apart for the gospel since birth, how could God let Paul become a persecutor and hater of Christians?

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

(1 Timothy 1:16, NIV)

God allowed Paul to run astray for a season. In doing so, he was able to display his unlimited patience. Now, people can look to God's example in Paul and see the kinds of people God saves. God saves sinners. God even saved the "worst sinner" there is. Name your sins, if you dare. Does any or all of your sins compare to what Paul did? Paul was a murderer of Christians. He hunted them down to bring them to their death, thinking he was doing the work of God. Fine, the point is not to compare. We are all dirty sinners deserving of death. However, before Paul's encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, we know without a doubt that he was not moving towards salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; he was doing quite the opposite in fact. However, God allowed him to stray and saved in powerfully to show how patient he is. In addition, we know without a doubt that it wasn't any effort of Paul, but a miraculous work of God that saved him and propelled him towards the Gospel of God. God did that. This is God's gospel. It's not about Paul, it's about God.

Romans 1:1b

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

(v1, NIV)

Not only is Paul a servant of Christ Jesus, but he is also called to be an apostle. To be an apostle, you have to have seen the risen Christ and be commissioned by him.

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

(1 Corinthians 15:7-8, NIV)

In chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians, Paul begins with a recounting of the gospel. In this he mentions how Jesus appeared to many after he was raised. The last he appeared to that is mentioned here is Paul. An account of Jesus appearing to Paul is also found in Acts.

'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.

(Acts 26:16, NIV)

In another instance in Acts, Paul recounts his experience of when Jesus appeared to him. In this recounting found in Acts chapter 26, we find that Jesus commissioned Paul as an apostle.

Paul has seen the risen Christ and has been commissioned by him as an apostle. He is a bondservant and has been purchased, owned and ruled by another. In addition, he is called as an apostle by another. It's not as if he decided on his own or called himself to position of apostle. He has been called and he follows his calling.

Romans 1:1a

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

(v1, NIV)

Paul is a servant of Christ Jesus. Now, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, this may not seem weird. However, to those who are not Christ followers, this may be strange. Jesus was crucified and buried. How can Paul claim to be a servant of someone who is dead? As you may already know, Jesus has been raised from the dead. Jesus is alive.

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

(1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

If Jesus has not been raised from the dead, this is all pointless. This passage in 1 Corinthians goes on to talk more about Christ being raised from the dead and resurrection. The point remains that if there is no resurrection, our faith is futile.

So Paul is a servant of Jesus Christ. The word is actually bondservant. However, we don't really use that word nowadays, so it's hard to understand what that means. What Paul is saying by this phrase is that he is bought, owned and ruled by Jesus. Jesus paid it all by taking upon himself our sins and dying as a sacrifice and payment for our sins. The wrath of God that was due to us was unleashed on Jesus. We have been bought and are therefore owned by him. What's interesting is that if you are a bondservant of Christ Jesus, you are doubly owned by him. We are owned by him because he bought us, but we are also owned by God because he made us. We are double not our own because we were created and we were bought.

The last thing is that Paul is saying that he is ruled by Jesus. As a servant or a bondservant, you are to do the bidding of your master. Immediately we may come to think of a servant who is unwilling and not desiring to do the will of his or her master. However, this type of ruling is not like that. Paul is not being drawn along against his will to be ruled by another. It's not something he doesn't want but can't help but be forced against his will. Instead, Paul is joyfully submissive and obedient to he who rules. As a bondservant, Paul seeks to please and obey Jesus.

Who is Paul? Paul may have been the number one opposing force to followers of Christ. However, he is the bondservant of Christ Jesus. He is bought, owned and ruled by him who he persecuted. If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I hope you too can boldly proclaim to be a bondservant of Christ Jesus. We are his bondservants.

Romans

I'm somewhat scared, but I'll be starting Romans. Romans is beast. Well, the entire bible is beast, but Romans is quite scary to me. Scary in a good way. It's so scary that it's awesome. It's so scary because of the truth it speaks of and how it may change and bless those who read it. Often when studying the bible, I'll look to commentaries. For Romans, I've chosen to follow John Piper's sermon series on Romans. In his introduction to Romans, he brings up these two quotes.

"I think St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans is the most profound work in existence..."

(Samuel Tayloer Coleridge)

“[Romans] is unquestionably the most important theological work ever written.”

(John Knox)

Does that not get you excited?

So what is Romans? This is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the believers in Rome. Who is Paul? You may already know who Paul is. He wrote many of the New Testament letters. he was a former Pharisee. In fact, looking at Philippians chapter 3, we find a respectable resume of Paul and his accomplishments as a Pharisee. If anyone wanted to boast in anything of their own flesh, he would be able to top them by boasting in his own flesh.

What else do we know about Paul? Well, he hated Christianity. He breathed out murderous threats against them and went out persecuting the church. He even participated in the killing of the first Christian Martyr, Stephen. Fortunately, the story doesn't end there. On his way to persecute Christians, Jesus Christ appears to him. He is blinded and God uses a follower of Christ, Ananias, to restore Paul's sight. Through this experience and God's work in Paul caused Paul to change his trajectory. I don't know how to explain it other than simply God. How else or why else would Paul or could Paul change in such a way? It was by God.

1 John 5:21b

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

(v21, NIV)

I write to you, dear children,

because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

I write to you, fathers,

because you have known him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, dear children,

because you have known the Father.

(1 John 2:12-13, NIV)

Who are these dear children who John is addressing in this last verse? Looking back at chapter 2, John individually addresses certain people. He writes to the children because their sins have been forgiven on account of his name. Also, they have known the father. If their sins have been forgiven, why would they even bother with idols?

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

(Romans 6:1-2, NIV)

I love the way Paul puts it in Romans 6. Some people think that just because we're saved, we should just go on sinning. That doesn't make sense at all. How can we be saved from our sin and then go dive back into that filth? So, why would you tempt yourself by being near idols in any way? We should keep ourselves from idols. We have been forgiven.

In addition to being forgiven, the children have known the father. If you know the father, how can you even put something between him and you? God is God and you want something less? That doesn't make sense. How can you come into contact with the one true living God and want to bow down to a mere idol? It's sad, but people fall into that all the time. Do not stumble or fall or prove yourself to not be one of his. Keep yourself from these silly idols.

1 John 5:21

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

(v21, NIV)

This is the very last verse of 1 John. It seems somewhat weird to end off with this. John concludes with these three certainties. But at the very end of it all comes a warning. It may make sense when looking at 1 John as a whole.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

(v13, NIV)

Why is John writing this? Looking back to verse 13, we may recall that he is writing this so that his readers may know that they have eternal life. You may also recall that an assumption about his readers is being made. His readers are those who believe in the name of the son of God. It's not simply something to be written to anybody so that anybody who reads this would know that they have eternal life. Instead, he wishes for those who have eternal life to be assured of it.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

(1 John 2:1, NIV)

There is another reason that John gives for his writing of 1 John. Back in chapter 2, he addresses them as "my dear children" and writes to them that they will not sin. Sin is so dirty and disgusting and it separates us from God. The goal here is to keep them from sinning through 1 john. This reason is in addition to the reason found in chapter 5; to assure believers of Jesus Christ of eternal life.

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

(Exodus 20:4-6, NIV)

We are to keep ourselves from idols. So what is an idol? Apparently, it is an image used as an object of worship or it is a false god. Well, we worship the one true God. How dare we have anything other than him? Anything else would be a false god; this includes images used as objects of worship. It is very clear from the bible that this is a no-no. We are commanded by God not to make an idol for ourselves.

To have any part with idols is wrong in so many ways. First of all, we are breaking his commandment in the Old Testament. Do we not love him? If we do, we will keep his commandments. Will we continue in disobedience to him? If so, we are not truly his. Those who are his continue in righteousness. Those who are his put him first and acknowledge him as the most high. If he is the most high and the truth, why would we choose anything other than him? To put an idol up in front of our eyes between us and God would be to say we do not love God and worship him. We are to walk in the light as he is in the light, but to worship an idol would be to walk in the darkness. Do not do that and do not even get close to that. The warning here is very clear; keep yourselves from idols.

1 John 5:20

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

(v20, NIV)

I was reading about how this last section of 1 John is known as the "Three Certainties". Well, it might not be well known, but here in verse 18-21 talks about three certainties. We've already seen the first two certainties. First of all, there is deliverance from sin. Those born of God do not sin and our regeneration causes us to have a different relation with sin. The second certainty is divine sonship. We as children of God belong to God.

Coming to verse 20, we find the third certainty. This last certainty is about fellowship with the true God. With regards to this fellowship with God, we are first made aware and given understanding. Through Jesus Christ, we are given understanding. It is only through him and this understanding that we may even know him who is true. Back in chapter 4 we learn about testing the spirits. Spirits that are from God are ones that acknowledge Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus that we are able to discern which spirits are from God and which are not. In addition, in chapter 2 we learn about the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit whom we are able to know and be taught about the truth. When Jesus came, he promised the Holy Spirit to us before he left. He promised the Holy Spirit to his followers. Jesus had to go before the Holy Spirit would come to those who follow him.

We are given understanding. This understanding is the understanding of God - God is truth. We are not given the power to understand things in a general sense. The understanding of God is what we are given. The understanding of truth is really all we need. This isn't to say that we fully understand God. Rather, maybe it is better described as the power to know him who is true. We are able to know him and get to know him better. This is only made possible by Jesus Christ his son.

This verse also reminds me of the theme of abiding. John mentions us being "in" him. We are in him who is true. In addition, we are in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is referred to as the true God. He is also referred to as eternal life. For Jesus is God. He brings us understanding of the true God and he brings us eternal life through propitiation for our sins. To know the father is to know the son, and to know the son is to know the father. I don't know what to say other than to simply stress and focus on Jesus Christ our Lord.