INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS

The New Testament book of ROMANS

This will be a great opportunity for you to invite your unsaved friends or those friends that might be new in the gospel so that they might get a better understanding of who Jesus Christ is, and how we might live a life worthy to be called a Christian. The book was written by a man named Paul. He called himself a pharisee of the Pharisees. By that he meant that he was one of the best. He was A Roman, A pharisee. He took pleasure in seeing Christians persecuted because he saw them as a threat to the Jewish religion. You can find his story written in the book of Acts, Chapters 7 through 38. I encourage you to read these chapters about Paul while you're waiting. for the first installment of our study.

What is the book of Romans all about? What makes it so much better than any of the other books? It deals with, among other things, three big words: condemnation, justification, and sanctification. The first four books in the New Testament are called the gospels. They tell us about Jesus, His life and His death. The Book of Roman shows us our sin and the way out of our sins. In other words, it tells us how we should live a life deserving of being called Christian.

A brief outline of Romans:

Chapters 1-3 - CONDEMNATION -What is Sin? What’s wrong in the world?

Chapters 4 - 6 - JUSTIFICATION- God shows us our sin and shows how to avoid it.

Chapters 5 – 8 - SANCTIFICATION - Growing in grace and knowledge.

Chapters 9 – 11 - SOVEREIGNTY – God Rules

Chapters 12 – 13- DUTIES OF A CHRISTIAN- What am I supposed to do?

Chapters 14-15 – CHRISTIAN LIBERTIES- What to do and what NOT to do?

Chapter 16 - SOME CONCLUSIONS- What am I going to do??

This book is so good, I get goosebumps just thinking about. DON’T MISS IT!

HAVE A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR, SWEET FRIENDS.

MAGGIE

Hello again to my dear study partners. I'm so happy that you've joined us again. This study will be a fascinating explanation of how to be a Christian and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Now would be a great time to invite your unsaved friends and new Christians to join us. What a great opportunity this will be to lead someone to the Lord.

I hope that all of you have read the story of Paul's conversion in the book of Acts. If you haven't I urge you to do so before you take this study. You will get a better understanding of how and why Saul changed from being a Pharisee who hated Christians with a passion, to become Paul, a dynamic soul-winning Christian. Saul was his Jewish name, but he is better known by his Christian name of Paul.

Do you realize that the early churches had no New Testament. They had no Christian literature at all. They had to rely on what they heard by word of mouth. And what the apostles had told them. Of course, they knew about Jesus. And they had all accepted the fact that He was the Christ, the Son of God. But as far as concerning doctrine, they had nothing to go by except what the apostles had told them. This letter may well have been the first piece of Christian literature the Roman believers had seen. It was a systematic presentation of the Christian faith. In this letter, Paul humbly expresses his love and obedience to his beloved Master.

Paul was writing this letter to the church in Rome. He had never met the Roman Christians and wanted to introduce himself to them. The letter does not use the form of a typical letter, but he does, however, spend considerable time greeting people in Rome at the end of the letter. He also wanted them to know of his belief in Jesus Christ. The letter is a carefully presented statement of his faith. It is a belief statement that every Christian should be able to make and should be known by. I am going to be using the New King James version, but you can also follow along with your favorite version.

Let us get right to our Study, by looking at chapter one, verses 1 thru 6.

Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle., set apart for the Gospel of God--

Now let's stop here for a moment. I realize this is in the middle of a sentence, but I want you to see that Paul calls himself a slave. That's what a bondservant was. We also see that he calls himself an apostle, and he goes on to explain that an apostle was one set apart for the Gospel of God. In other words, he was chosen by God, to be an apostle, set apart for the purpose of spreading the Gospel of God. He was chosen. In our world today, we would call that being called to the ministry. But an apostle was more than that. They were chosen from those who had seen the Lord Jesus in person. Now, the first thing that you're going to ask is, “well, when did Paul see Jesus?” (after all, Paul was not a believer until after Jesus was crucified and had risen again). If you have read Paul story in Acts, then you know that Paul saw the resurrected Lord Jesus on Paul’s journey to Damascus. When Saul (or Paul) met Jesus, he asked the two greatest questions that anyone could ever ask; “Who are you, Lord”, and “What do you want me to do?” The Lord spoke to Paul at that time and told him that He had a special purpose for Paul.. As a result of this meeting, Paul was blinded. and had to be led by the hand to the home where friends were waiting to receive him.

In Acts:9 you can read the story and see how he regained his sight.

1. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle., set apart for the Gospel of God—

2. which He promised before, through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

3. regarding His son Jesus Christ, our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh. (Meaning that He was a legitimate ancestor of King David. This was one of the Jewish requirements that they expected the Messiah to make when he came.)

4. and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by His resurrection from the dead.

The fact that Jesus rose from the dead gave evidence of His claim to be the Son of God . Nobody could dispute the fact that he was dead, hundreds of people could testify to his crucifixion, and His tomb was guarded night and day for 3 days.

5. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name.,

6. Among whom you also are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Jesus didn’t come to save just the Jews. He didn’t come to save just one race or one nationality. He came to save all mankind from eternity in Hell.

Here, Paul declares that Jesus is that promised Messiah. He also declares that Jesus is the rightful person for the title because, according to the Jews, He would be the “son of David” meaning that he would come from the lineage of King David. He would have the right to be the King under David’s line as had been promised. So, what does this have to do with us who are not Jewish? He would also be the Son of God, Savior of both Jews and Gentiles. In saying all of this, Paul is declaring his agreement with all Scripture and of the Apostles before him.

Paul summarizes the facts about Jesus Christ in these verses as well. He:

1. Came as a human by natural birth.

2. Was part of the Jewish royal line through David,

3. Died and was raised from the dead, and

4. Opened the door for God’s grace to be poured out on all believers, everywhere.

What could have caused Paul to change his life so drastically? He was totally sold out to Jesus. What do you think that means? If you sell something, it doesn't belong to you any longer, does it? It belongs to the other person, and that person has full control over what happens to whatever

you sold him. That's what it means to be sold out to Jesus. Our life isn't ours anymore to do with as we please. We belong to Jesus, now. Jesus bought us with His own blood on the cross at Calvary. We are to live for Jesus and Him only. How many people do you think can live like that? I mean not have any thought of their own likes and dislikes. But whatever Jesus wants, that's what they want. I believe many, many people live like that. That's the kind of followers Jesus wants. Once you have Jesus Christ in your heart and in your life, and let him take control of your life, He not only tells you what He wants, but He gives you the power to do it.

What about you? What is your attitude toward your Master? Do you eagerly search for His will in your life.? Are you willing to serve and obey Jesus, your Master, at all costs. God may not call you to a foreign mission field. But the mission field begins when you walk outside your door. It begins with your next-door neighbor. Or with the new family down the street whom you haven't met yet. Wherever you go and whatever you do, do all for the glory of God. That's our mission as believers.

Thanks for joining us dear ones. “See” you next time as we start with Verse 7.

Maggie

Chapter 1, Part 2

FAITH, GRACE.

verses 7-17

Before we go any further, let’s look at Paul for a moment. Paul was one of the most committed men of all times to the Lord Jesus Christ and his great love for Christ has been proven over and over again. In fact, he called himself a “slave to Christ”. What made him a slave to Jesus? Nothing!! Paul made himself a slave. Christ loved us and gave Himself for us but He never makes us His slave. We must come voluntarily and do that ourselves. Jesus Christ never forces us to serve Him.

Paul made it very clear that he considered himself the apostle to the Gentiles. This was his calling, his special service to the Lord Jesus, to witness to Gentiles and win them to Christ at every opportunity. Paul made it a practice that he never went into areas where other apostles were ministering. He always went into uncharted areas where no other Christian had ever ministered before.

This letter was probably written while Paul was in Corinth around A.D. 55-56. It was during this time that Paul had made up his mind to return to Jerusalem even though there was great danger awaiting him there. Why would he deliberately put himself in danger by going into a hot-bed of resistance to the gospel? He apparently felt that his presence there was essential to achieving the ultimate goal of uniting the Jews and Gentiles in service to Jesus Christ. This unity was totally necessary for the gospel to spread and for the church to grow

This brings up his purpose for writing. Questions were being asked by the Jews. Questions such as, what do we do about the Old Testament law now that Jesus has come? Do we do away with it? Which do we obey, Jesus or the law? What about circumcision? What do we do about the Gentiles? Do we allow them in our worship? We never have before. If the Gentiles are allowed in the church, then what about us? Are we no longer God's chosen race? What's in it for us?

There were also questions by the Gentiles. Such as: If we believe in Jesus, do we have to keep all the laws of the Jews? Does this mean that we must become Jews before we can become Christians and worship in the Christian churches? Is circumcision necessary for Gentiles to worship with Jews.

Do you see the questions, the problems, the dilemma of the early church? This was His purpose for writing this letter, to clear up any misunderstanding between Jew and Gentile. Paul wrote to clarify the issue of law versus grace. He covers the whole range of man's sinfulness and God's provision of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Throughout the entire letter, Paul constantly points out the righteousness of God as well as the remedy for man's sin which God has provided for a lost race. That is the perfect remedy that we have in Christ. This is Paul's message in this great book.

OK, so now we have set the stage for the writing of the book. We will look further at this amazing Christian man as we go deeper into his letter. Let's now look at a couple of terms that caused misunderstanding in this early church (and I might add that many among today’s churches misunderstand as well.

Faith vs Grace

We need to understand the meanings of these two words, grace and faith. Many people believe that faith is what saves us, but faith is a gift of God. It's the gift that He gives us when we are saved. It is the Grace of God, that saves us, not because we've earned it, but because He loves us. After we are saved, He gives us faith.

The new NIV study Bible explains it this way. “Faith is a word with many meanings. It can mean faithfulness. It can mean absolute trust, as shown by some of the people who came to Jesus for healing. It can mean hope. Or as James points out, it can even mean a barren belief that does not result in good deeds. What does Paul mean when, in Romans, he speaks of the saving faith?”

“We must be very careful to understand faith as Paul uses the word because he ties faith so closely to salvation. It is not something we must do in order to earn salvation. If that were true, then the faith would be just one more deed, and Paul clearly states that human deeds can never save. Instead, faith is a gift God gives us because He saves us. It is God's grace, not our faith, that saves us. In His mercy however, when He saves us, He gives us faith, a relationship with His Son that helps us become like Him. Through the faith He gives us, He carries us from death into life.”

(be sure to look at these references for clarity: Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 2:16, John 5:24.)

1:5-6

Last time we learned that Paul was called by God to be a witness to all people and to be an apostle, spreading the Gospel of God. Let’s look, again to verses 5-6

5.Through Him (Jesus) we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

6. among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ.

In verse 5, what does it mean to “receive grace”? It simply means “forgiven”. You see, the Bible clearly states that all people have sinned and have fallen short of the requirement necessary to be a follower of Jesus. But, through Jesus, we have been forgiven.

The next question is, “How can we be sure. Grace means unmerited favor. It can also mean pardon. Think of it this way. If you commit a crime in this life, you have to pay the consequences for that crime. There are different levels of punishment for different crimes. With God, sin is,… well, SIN. There are no degrees of sin in the eyes of God. One sin makes one a sinner, and unworthy to be one of His “children”. Simply put, we received grace, the gift of God, which we don't earn, and our faith grows as we get to know Jesus Christ in His role as our Savior. we must accept his gracious offer of salvation with Thanksgiving, and allow him to plant the seed of faith within us.

In verse six we find another word that is sometimes misunderstood. The question is, who are the called? There are two meanings to this phrase. The most common use of the phrase is someone who has been “called to serve God in some special roll, such as Pastor or Missions, or some special service for God.” It is also used in connection with the word, Chosen. But there is a very simple way to remember these two words and what they mean. If God has called you, then you have been chosen. If you are one of the called of God, then you have been chosen by God, usually in connection with some service for God. But then, here again we can say that all followers of Jesus Christ have been chosen and called.

Now let's continue to verse 7.

7. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be His holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 7 is simply Paul’s greeting as he writes his letter to the Roman Christians. Verse 8 begins Paul’s explanation for his long-awaited visit to them.

8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all (I bet you didn't know that Paul was the Southerner’:) because your faith is being reported all over the world.

9 God whom I serve in my spirit, in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness, how constantly I remember you.

10. In my prayers at all times.; And I pray that now, at last, by God's will, the way may be open for me to come to you.

Paul begins his letter by thanking God through Jesus Christ for all of them. He uses the phrase, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ” to emphasize the point that Christ is the one and only mediator between God and humans. Through Christ, God sends his love. And forgiveness to us; Through Christ, we send our thanks to God. Paul goes on in verse eight to explain that their faith was being reported all over the world. My, my how they must have been truly faithful to God if the whole world had heard about this church. How do you think the world would react if they heard about the faith of our church or your church. Would they be excited and amazed? Or would they be disappointed.

Although Paul had never visited these people and had never visited this church, He prayed for them constantly. Have you ever prayed for someone constantly? Someone who didn't know you were praying for them. Those are the kind of prayers that draws us closer to God. I believe that's what Paul means by his ministry in the spirit.

We don't know why Paul had been hampered in coming to visit this church. He surely wanted to visit, and it was clearly through God's will that it was to come to pass at this chosen time.

When you pray constantly about a concern, don't be surprised at how God answers. Paul prayed to visit Rome so he could teach the Christians there. When he finally arrived in Rome, it was as a prisoner. (Read about this incident in Paul’s life in Acts 28:16) Paul prayed for the safe trip and he did arrive safely -- after getting arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake. ( MERCY!) When you sincerely pray, God will answer -- although sometimes with timing and in ways you did not expect.

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

13. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, 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.

What do you suppose was the main reason, Paul wanted so desperately to come to Rome. I think it was simply this: He wanted to win souls for Jesus Christ. I would ask you at this point. Would you have endured everything that he had to endure? Just to win someone to Christ?

14. 15 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and to the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the Gospel also to you who are in Rome.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

OK, now we are getting to the crux of the matter, that is the major reason that he wanted to come to Rome. Paul felt an obligation to all people everywhere to tell them about what Jesus had done for him and what He would do for them. Have you ever felt an urgency to tell certain people about Jesus? What causes that urgency in your mind and in your heart? I truly believe it is the Spirit of God within us that causes us to have that strong desire to pray for a particular person. Friends, don’t ignore that strong desire. But go to the Lord in earnest prayer.

Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel, or of his relationship with Christ. Are you? That is what the gospel is. It is all about the Lord Jesus Christ and His message. Are you afraid to speak up for Jesus? If you have had a bad experience because of your faith, try again. Pray before you go, pray before you speak, then speak with boldness.

Before we go, I would love to hear from you about an experience in speaking out for Jesus. Maybe it was your first attempt at witnessing. Maybe it was successful, or maybe not. But let us hear from you through our comment page. Until next time, sweet friends, brothers, and sisters,

Love y’all

Maggie

Romans 1 Part 3

verses 17-20

Welcome back, friends. I hope you enjoyed our last session. I must say it was a tough one. But one that I hope everyone will understand, and that it might strengthen your faith in order for you to tell someone else about Jesus.

Romans 1:

17. For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed -- a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.”.

18 the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of people. who suppressed the truth by their wickedness.,

19. since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to

them.

20. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities –His eternal power and divine nature has been clearly seen , being understood from what has been made so that people are without excuse.

verse 17 continues the thought from verse 16 from our last study session. It is through the Gospel that God reveals His power and might. The Gospel reveals a God who is both Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It shows us that our God is an awesome and mighty God who demands our respect, our loyalty, and our love. He created us to be His companions as well as His children. However, there are requirements which come with those promises.

This Gospel is all about righteousness, just how righteous God is and How righteous His plan is for us to be saved. God has the RIGHT to demand certain things of His created beings. He created us to be LIKE Him, therefore He has the right to require that we live a life deserving of the title, a “child of God”. And yet, people reject even this basic knowledge of God. Most people have a moral standard, or a basic belief in morality, but many chose not to live up to it. If they chose to suppress God’s truth in order to live their own way, they have no excuse. They know the truth and they will have to endure the consequences of ignoring it.

Most people, through nature, believe in a God, but they need to be told about Jesus and how, through Him, they can have a personal relationship with God. Knowing that God exists is not enough. People must learn that God is loving. They must understand what He did to demonstrate His love for us. They must be shown how to accept God’s forgiveness for their sins.

There are those who say “If a God is so loving, how come He lets bad things happen? How could God send anyone to hell, especially those who have never heard of Jesus Christ? The scriptures plainly say that God has revealed Himself to all by his creation. God does not “send” anyone to hell. They go because they choose to, rather than give in to God’s commands, and accept His free gift of salvation through Christ Jesus. They stubbornly refuse God’s gracious gift of salvation through the death on the cross of His Son and the blood, He shed to cover our sin. A price He did not deserve for a salvation we did not earn. A truth revealed in His Word by a God who has shown Himself in all creation.

I have told this story in some of my former Bible studies. If you have heard it before, it bears repeating.

A former pastor of mine gave the following testimony, of a mission trip he took to South America. He and a group of Missionaries took trip up the Amazon River, further than any missionaries had ever gone. They stopped at a village and began, through an interpreter who they had brought with them, to speak to the village leaders about holding a worship service. Although the villagers knew nothing about “worship services” or about this “new God”, they eagerly agreed. Everyone was all excited to see these strangers and hear what they had to say. Several of the missionaries spoke with the help of their interpreter. Then it was our pastor’s turn to speak. He told a story about an unknown God who was all loving and all knowing, the creator of all. After he concluded his talk an older man came running up to him, with tears in his eyes, hugged the pastor and said (through the interpreter) “ I KNEW, I KNEW IT. I KNEW He was there, I just didn’t know His Name. As a result of this one man, plans were made for the Missions group to come back and begin an earnest work there.

Next time, another look at verse 20 and beyond. Oh, there is so much here, I don’t know where to stop. Keep studying, dear friends, let us hear from you. Got questions? FIRE away.

Until next time. Love y’all

Maggie

Romans Study

CHAPTER 1:18-32

Welcome back, friends. I trust you've had a good week and are ready to start again with part 4 of our study in this great Book of Romans. So, let’s back up to verse 18. The title for this section used in the NIV Study Bible is God's Wrath Against Sinful Humanity.

1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Why is God angry at sinful people? Because they have substituted the truth about him with a lie. They have stifled the truth God naturally reveals to all people in order to believe anything that supports their own self-centered lifestyles.

Scripture has told us in many, many different verses that God cannot tolerate sin. Because His nature is morally perfect. He cannot ignore or condone such willful rebellion. God wants to remove the sin and restore the sinner and He can do so if the sinner does not stubbornly distort or reject the truth. But His anger explodes against those who persist in sinning. Make sure you're not pursuing a lie rather than the true God. Don't suppress the truth about Him merely to protect your own lifestyle.

We have already seen that God has revealed himself in all of creation., And yet people will reject even this basic knowledge of God. Most people have an inner sense of right and wrong, but they choose to ignore it, therefore, they will have to endure the consequences.

20 the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, his eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22 Although they claim to be wise, they became fools.

23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like the mortal human beings, and birds and animals and reptiles.

We've all seen idols carved out of wood or molded from some type of metal, even from pure gold. How anyone could think that those idols have any power whatsoever is beyond reason. Yet seemingly intelligent human beings had rather worship some benign image made by their own hands instead of the one, true, God whose power created the universe and everything in it. Why do you suppose that is? It's very simple, really. If they believed in the true God, who created the universe, that would mean they would have to follow his rules. They would have to live their lives according to his laws. And not their own. Some people don't want to give up the right to live as they please. The next few verses A better explanation of the true reason why people do not want to believe in God.

24 Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the creator.- who is forever praised. Amen.

Stated plainly, people who refuse to accept the true God, don’t want anybody telling them what to do or how to live their life. God tells us in his word. What sin is? And sin is just that. SIN. There is no middle ground. There is no degree of sin. It is either sin or it isn't.

26. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.

27 In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves, the due penalty for their error.

Does this sound familiar? These verses are describing exactly what is happening today among the lost people of this world. We see evidence of this every day. Same sex marriages. In movies and on stage. We are living in a lost world where people are crying out for the very mention of God to be removed from everything.

When I was in elementary school, we were required to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and have prayer every morning before class began. Now, prayer is forbidden, and children as young as 5 and 6 years old, are taught, and even encouraged to ”change their gender” and don’t tell their parents. And why is this happening? Look t verse 28.

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what they ought not to do.

29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,

30 slanderers, God haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful. They invent ways of doing evil, They disobeyed their parents

31They have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.

32 know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do those very things, but also approve of those who practice them.

Oh, dear friends, no wonder it seems that God has turned His back on our country. I believe He has ! I ask you a personal question? Is there anything in your life? that you feel you cannot live without? Has that one thing become like a God to you? Is there a priority in your life that is greater than God? Do you have a dream you would sacrifice everything to realize? Does God take first place? Do you worship God or idols of your own making?

Paul clearly portrays the inevitable downward spiral into sin. First, people reject God., next, they make up their own ideas of what God should be and do., Then they fall into sin. Sexual sin, greed, hatred, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip. Finally, they grow to hate God and encourage others to do so. God does not cause this steady progression toward evil. Rather, when people reject Him, He allows them to live as they choose. God gives them over or permits them to experience the natural consequences of their sin. Once caught in the downward spiral, no one can pull themselves out of it. Sinners must trust Christ alone to put them on the path of escape.

If you have these desires, you can and must. Resist acting upon them. Consciously avoid places, or activities you know will kindle temptations of this kind. Don't underestimate the power of Satan to tempt you. For the potential for serious harm awaits you. if you yield to these temptations.

The big question is this. Do people who do not know God, and who are caught up in this type of lifestyle, know that it is wrong? And how do they know? Human beings, created in God's image, have a basic moral nature and a conscience. Most people instinctively, know that they do wrong. But they may not care.

Next time. We will look at God's righteous judgment beginning in Chapter 2.

God bless.

Maggie.

ROMANS 2:1-15

JESUS IS GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGE

Romans has been called the Highway to Salvation. Everything a person needs to know to be saved is in this book o the Roman church. In Romans 3, we find that everyone has sinned. And then again in Romans 6, we read that the penalty for our sin is death. But then Paul gives us the answer to our dilemma back in Romans 5, Jesus Christ died for our sin. Our sin nailed Jesus to the cross. And in Romans 10 we are told to be forgiven of our sins we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ and Him alone.

Back in chapter 1 we learned that most people who pass judgment on other people are guilty of the same things. Chapter 2 begins by telling those who find guilt in other people that they have no excuse.

Let's look at verse one of Chapter 2.:

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at what- ever point you judge another you, are condemning yourself, because you who passed judgment do the same thing.
Now we know that God's judgement against those who do such things is based on truth.
So, when you, a mere human being, passed judgment on them. and yet does the same thing, do you think you will escape God's judgment?
Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and penitence? Do you not realize that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

When I was young, I used to try to blame things on other people by pointing my finger at them. But my mom would tell me. “If you point a finger at someone. You've got four fingers pointing back at you”. In essence, that's what God is trying to tell us in these verses. Whenever we feel justifiably angry about someone’s, sin we should be very careful. Of course, we need to speak out against sin, however, we must do so in a spirit of humility.

I can just imagine how the citizens of this Roman church. reacted as Paul talked about people who practiced idol worship, homosexual practices, and violence. I would bet that there would be a lot of heads nodding in agreement, maybe even just like it would be today. But what a surprise it would have been when he turned the tables on them, they were just as bad. Paul was emphasizing the fact that no one is good enough to save themselves. While someone may be guilty of one sin. You or I may be guilty of a different sin. Paul is not saying here that one sin is no worse than another. One may be a murderer, and another a liar but both are sinners. He is saying that simply all have sinned in one way or another.

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed.

6 God will repay each person according to what they have done. You see, “It’s God’s way or the highway. The day will come when the hammer falls and God will have His way.” Notice that God has said that he would repay according to what they have done. I take that to mean good or bad. If a person has been obedient to God's word and God's way. Then God will reward him although God does not usually punish as immediately as immediately, for sin. The.

7 To, those who persistent in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life

8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: First for the Jews, then for the Gentiles,

10 But glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

11 For God does not show favoritism.

It's easy to see others’ faults but more difficult to see our own. As Christians, we must pray constantly that God will point our sins out to us so that He can heal them...

I'm sure you've noticed that God does not always punish us for sin, but He delays the punishment, hoping that we will repent. Still, the eventual judgment will come. It is certain. We don't know exactly when it will happen, but we know that no one will escape. We've belonged to a stubborn race. It's the same the world over. It's not enough to know what's right. But we must also do what's right.

12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law. Who will be declared righteous.

14 Indeed, when Gentiles who do not have the law, do by nature things that are required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.

15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences, also bearing witness, and their thoughts, sometimes accusing them and at other times, even defending them.

16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

We've said before that most people have a sense of right and wrong within them even though they do not know about God and His word. But then there are others who know about God but don't seem to care. . Paul continues to argue the point. That all stand guilty before God. He speaks of the Jews as being religiously privileged because they've had the opportunity to learn about God. But despite their knowing of God's will, they are guilty because they too have refused to live by their beliefs.. Despite their knowledge of God's will, they are guilty because they have refused to live by it. Those of us who have grown up in Christian families are the religiously privileged of our day. Paul's condemnation applies to us if we do not live up to what we know.

Do you get what Paul says here in verse 16? This verse emphasizes once again. That everyone has a conscience. Not everyone listens to his conscience, but those who do, even though they may not know about Jesus Christ, they will be judged according to how they respond to the conscience within them. Propitiation.

When I was very young. I used to ask Mom how I could know what was right and what was wrong? She explained to me this way First, she asked me if I could hear a little voice in my ear telling me anything. Then she said that little voice was God speaking to me and telling me what I should or should not do. That was such a comfort to me because I thought in my childish way. that I was taking God with me everywhere I went. At that point in my life, I did not know. A lot about the Bible and what it said. I knew it was a very special book and that we all should read it and listen to it’s message. But knowing that carrying God with me everywhere I went was such a blessing. and caused me to think long and hard before I did something that didn’t seem quite right. And you know that little voice still speaks to me today. And I recognize it as the Holy Spirit.

We'll take up here next week with verse 17 and talk about the Jews and the law.

Have a blessed week. Love y’all

Maggie

ROMANS CHAPTER 2 PART 2

2:17-29

Hello, again, my dear friends. So glad you have joined us again today. I want to remind all of you that you can ask questions, or make comments about our studies, right here on our page onthewayhomeministries.org or if you are reading the study from another venue, you can address your comments directly to me at Tnmomof3@gmaiL.com. I promise to respond to all your inquiries. Now let’s get on with our session for today.

Today's session of Romans chapter 2 addresses Some of the differences between the Jews and the Gentiles. This passage also has a scathing warning to both Jews and Gentiles who are considered teachers or you might substitute leaders here in place of teachers.

Look at verse 17of chapter 2.

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew---

Let's stop right here and define what makes one a Jew. I don't know about Jews today, but I do know that back then in biblical times, if a person was born of Jewish parents and if the males had been circumcised, then they were considered a Jew. They used to be called Hebrews. But somewhere along the line, it was changed to Jews.

The next few verses make some additional requirements along with being legally a Jew. We can substitute the word Christian instead of Jew in the next few verses. We are to rely on the law. And when it says boast in God, it means proclaim God as your God.

Next. They (we) are to know God's will and approve of what was superior.

18. If you claim to be one of God's people, your life should reflect what God is like. It is no different, today for a Christian.

This is speaking of hypocrisy, and it speaks to us, as born-again believers in Jesus Christ. Of course, we all know what hypocrisy means. It is much easier to tell others how to behave than to behave properly ourselves. Do you ever advise other people to do something that you are unwilling to do for yourself.? Make sure that your actions match your words.

As Christians, when you disobey God, you dishonor his name. Sometimes you don't even have to say a word. But only by your actions will they know if you're a believer. What do people think about God from watching your life.

19. if you are convinced that you are a guide to the blind. A light for those who are in darkness.

Do you feel God calling you to teach His Word? Or do you know a lost person that you feel led to witness to?

20. An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have, in the law, the embodiment of knowledge and truth.

There are those who just seem to have the gift of teaching. Then others have other gifts that are just as important. It you are one who would just love to be a teacher but you don’t feel qualified to teach a class. Maybe you get along with kids and love being around them. My advice for anyone who feels called to teach would be, first – know the material, study your bible, pray about it, then, volunteer to assist a teacher of the age group that interests you. as you become comfortable in the position. You might volunteer to teach a lesson with the teacher present for a little moral support. The knowledge is there, you just have to tap into it. But, must importantly, be sure God is calling you to this position.

21. You, then who teach others, do you not teach yourselves? You who preach against stealing, do you not steal?

This is NOT a “do as I do, not as I say” moment, I can tell you for sure. Practice what you preach. I can’t say it enough. The one thing I have learned in teaching is that I probably learn more than anyone in the class. Why? Study, study, study. You will find that the more you study, the more you find out how little you know. When I first started teaching, it wasn’t long before I thought” WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO!!!! I didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I knew. Bur, I just kept going and pretty soon it became easier, but the important thing was that I knew I was right where God wanted me to be.

The second part of this verse, I believe, has to do with tithing. Tithing is giving back to God, a token of what he has given to you. The Bible calls it a tithe. The word,.tithe translates in English as a tenth. Do you give a tenth of all you make to the Lord. Or do you take a tenth of what is left. That is the question you must ask yourself.

22. You who say you should not commit adultery; do you commit adultery? You, who abhor idols, do rob temples?

23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor the law by breaking the law?

24 As it is written “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.

25. Circumcision has value if you observe the law. But if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.

Most Christians today will say they believe adultery is a sin. However, let’s break it down for the sake of argument. There are many forms of adultery in our world today. What about pornography? Isn’t that adultery? The Bible clearly states that to look on a woman, to lust after her you have committed adultery already in your heart. The same can be said of a woman looking at a man and having lustful thoughts about him is also adultery of the heart. And it doesn’t have to be just pictures. What about that good looking man you saw in the supermarket, or the one sitting across the aisle from you at church? Oh, dear sisters, our thoughts can get us into a heap of trouble. It may seem innocent to you, but you are traveling down dangerous roads. Just don’t go there, even in your thoughts.

Verse 23 is a real roadblock for many of us. Do you break the law? This is really talking about God’s Law, and certainly most of us would have to say that we have broken God’s laws at one time or another. This not only speaks of the 10 Commandments, but of everything that pertains to God, his character, his judgments. What about your thought processes, your study and quiet time with the Lord. Do you get so busy that you don’t have time for Him.? If we are honest, most of us would have to admit to an occasional slip up at one time or another, (or two, or three)

The one verse that hit me hardest was verse 24. When we, as Christians, don’t live up to God’s expectations, the world WILL SEE AND MAKE NOTICE. Every time a Christian makes a slip, whether intentional or inadvertently, you can be sure that a lost world will take notice. Then they will say “ Oh well, so-n-so did this”, or I saw him or her at a bar the other night . so I’m just as good as they are so I don’t need God.

26.So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?

27’The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn those who, even though you have the written code and circumcision are a law breaker.

In verses 25 through 29. We're told that circumcision refers to the sign of God’s special covenant with His people. In return they were to be God's ambassadors to the rest of the world. They were to teach others the law. They were to enlightened others of the knowledge and truth of God. After Jesus came, His first followers were Jews. They had the scriptures. They had the knowledge. And they had the inspiration to know that Jesus was the Promised Messiah, yet many of the Jewish leaders refused to believe. They were looking for a king to rule on King David’s throne.

28 A Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, A person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the spirit. Paul goes on to explain that a real Jew, one who pleases God, is not someone who has been circumcised. That would be just being a Jew outwardly. But a true Jew keeps the law and obeys God inwardly in their heart.

This is so true of Christians today. There are many people who call themselves Christians who have been baptized. Who have said that they have accepted Christ as savior and Lord? But yet their life doesn't show it. They're like the Jews that were circumcised. But it was only an outward show.

Paul's bottom line here. Is to practice what you preach. And oh. is that not true of us today? We could take a lesson from that. Don't just speak the Word, live the Word.

We should also say our lesson here.is to let conscience be your guide. Just be sure your conscience is in the Spirit As my favorite pastor, Adrian Rogers used to say. “Conscience is that thing that feels bad. when everything else feels good.”

Paul, having shown that outwardly moral people, Jews and Gentiles alike, will stand condemned by God's judgment. turns his argument exclusively to the Jews, God's Covenant people neither their heritage, their knowledge, nor their ceremonies--specifically circumcision-- will protect them from God's righteous judgment. Neither will being baptized, or walking the isle at the close of a service, protect you from condemnation when judgment day comes.

See you next time when we look at chapter 3 of this great letter from Paul.

Love y’all

Maggie

A Study of Romans CHAPT 1:1-6

ROMANS CHAPTER 3

GOD’S JUDGMENT DEFENDED

Hello sweet friends. It's time for us to start a new chapter, chapter three of Romans. You'll find that this chapter is an argument, and God gives the results of the argument. It's really strange. that people can find all kinds of reasons why they are sinners, or, let's say excuses, for them to sin. They say, “I'm not so bad as other people”. Or they might say “I'm a church member”, or ‘I'm a religious person.”. But no one will be exempt from God's judgment. Every person must accept that he or she is sinful and condemned before God. Only then can they understand and receive God's wonderful gift of forgiveness and salvation. “If I don't feel like I’m lost, then why do I need to be saved?” That, I think, is one of the most common. reasons why people are lost today. I heard someone say “you have gotta get ‘em lost before you can get ‘em saved.” How true is that! Let’s look at our scripture for today:

Let’s look at our scripture for today:

3:1 What advantage, then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision.?

2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jew has been entrusted with the very words of God.

3. For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

4. Not at all. Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

“So that you may be justified when you speak,

and may overcome when you are judged.”

What a depressing picture Paul is painting. All of us. Pagans, gentiles, Jews, Humanists, and religious people of all kinds are condemned by our own actions. God gave us the law to show the way we are to live. and we are condemned by the law.

However, the law is not our basis for salvation. God himself is. He, in His righteousness and wonderful love offers us eternal life. We receive our salvation, not through the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. We do not, cannot, earn it. We accept it as a gift from a loving heavenly father.

The Jews had many advantages. They were entrusted with the very laws of God-given by, God himself. They were the people through whom the Messiah would be born. They were given covenants with God, Himself. In fact, because of all these advantages, they were even more responsible to live up to God's requirements.

Some people think they don't have to worry about salvation. Why? Because it's God's job to forgive -- or so they think. Others may say that “God is so loving, that He won’t send anyone to Hell.” Have you ever heard anyone say,” Oh, I’m not so bad.” Then there are those who simply do not believe there is a God. People can make all the excuses they want, but in the end, they all must face God at the judgment.

5. But, if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say then? That God is unjust in bringing His wrath upon us.? {Paul is using a human argument.).

6. Certainly not! If that were. So. How could God judge the world?

7. Someone might argue., “If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases His glory, why am I still condemned as a Sinner?”

8. Why not say-- as some slanderously claim that they say-- “Let us do evil that good may result.” Their condemnation is just!

NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS

It is far too easy to take God's grace for granted. But God cannot overlook sin. Sinners, no matter how many excuses they make, will have to answer to God for their sin.

9. What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage?? Not at all! For we have already said that the Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.

10. As it is written, (referring to Psalm 5:1-4)

there is no one righteous, not even one.

11. There is no one who understands., There is no one who seeks God.

12. All have turned away. They have together become worthless. There is no one who does good. Not even one.

13. Their throats are open graves. Their tongues practice deceit. The poison of Vipers is on their lips. 14. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.

15. Their feet are swift to shed blood.

16. Ruin and misery mark their ways.

17. And their way of peace they do not know.

18. There is No Fear of God before their eyes

King David wrote these words from Psalms. He was guilty of terrible sins, sins of adultery, murder, lying, and yet he experienced the joy of forgiveness. You might hear someone say. Is my faith strong enough to save me? These people missed the point. It is Jesus Christ who saves us, not our feelings or actions, and he is strong enough to save us, no matter how weak our faith is. Jesus offers us salvation as a gift because he loves us, not because we've earned it. What, then, is the role of faith? Faith is believing and trusting in Jesus Christ and reaching out to accept the wonderful gift of salvation that He offers.

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever just been so burdened with guilt, that you thought you couldn’t stand it? So how do you get rid of guilt? We can have the same joy that King David felt When he experienced forgiveness. In Scripture, we find three steps that are necessary. In finding forgiveness.

1. Quit denying your guilt and recognize that you have sinned.

2. Admit your guilt to God and ask for His forgiveness.

3, let go of your guilt and believe that God has forgiven you. This can be very difficult. When the sin Is a very serious one. Or one that involves others. But we must remember that Jesus is willing to forgive every sin in view of the tremendous price he paid on the cross. His word declares that sins confessed are sins forgiven.

19. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law. So that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

20. Therefore. No one will be declared righteous in God's eyes by the works of the law, rather, through the law, we become conscious of our sin.

You see when you study God's word. He speaks to your heart. And he convicts you of your sin. When we follow God's commands and do what He asks us to do, we become conscious of our sins. We realize that we have sinned, and we have fallen short of that law. That's what Bible study does for us. That's why we should read our Bible every day. so, God can speak to us in every way.

21. But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the prophets testify.

22. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

24. And all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.

So, there you have it, friends., Those three verses--That's the gospel in a nutshell.

25. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement. Through the shedding of His blood. -to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because of His forbearance.

He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.

Verse 25 tells us that Christ is the sacrifice for our atonement. In other words, He died in our place, for our sins. You see, before Jesus came, when someone sinned, something had to die. That's why he told the Israelites that they were to bring a spotless lamb to the altar and kill it. That lamb was to die for their sin. And it was a prelude to the coming of Jesus. That's what He came for. He is our sacrifice for the sins that we have committed.

Is God angry when we sin? Of course, He is. We have rebelled against Him and cut ourselves off from His life-giving power. But God has declared Christ's death to be the appropriate designated sacrifice for our sin. Christ then stands in our place. Having paid the penalty of death for our sin. And He completely satisfied God's demands. His sacrifice brings pardon, deliverance and freedom.

I remember being in Sunday school when I was very young. The first verse I ever learned was John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. It was true back then, many years ago, and it's still true today.

Why would Jesus do that? Why would God send His only Son to die on a cross. Verse 26 tells us.

26. He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Have you ever heard someone boast about what they're doing in church? They say I'm a Deacon, or I'm a Sunday school teacher. But those are things that we do for God. Not for ourselves and salvation.

Look at verse 27.

27. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law?? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith.?

28. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

29. Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too.,

30. Since there is only one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

31. Do we then nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather we uphold the law.

Is my faith strong enough to save me?? Absolutely not. People who ask this question miss the point. It is Jesus Christ who saves us, not our feelings nor our actions. And He is strong enough to save us, no matter how weak our faith is. Jesus offers us salvation as a gift because He loves us, not because we have earned it through our powerful (or weak) faith. So then, what is the role of faith? Faith is believing and trusting in Jesus Christ, not ourselves, and reaching out to accept His wonderful gift of salvation.

NEXT TIME, CHAPTER 4. SEE YOU THEN.

MAGGIE

ROMANS CHAPTER 4

Justification by faith

Welcome back, Friends. Let’s get right to our study for this week. It is so very important so let us hear the word from Paul concerning justification. That is one of our words that needs explaining. But, when you break it down, the word explains its own meaning.

Think of it like this: JUST AS If I (had not sinned.) That is what it means. The scripture in chapter 5 explains how this amazing thing happens.

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?

The Jews were proud to be called Children of Abraham. Paul uses Abraham as a good example of someone who was saved by faith. By emphasizing faith, Paul is not saying that God's laws are unimportant., But that it is impossible to be saved simply by obeying the laws.

You can read Abraham’s story about his call to follow God, in Genesis 18. Abraham had a choice to make. We've all had choices. And we know that there are circumstances to every choice we make and to any action that we take. What we do can set in motion a series of events that may continue long after we're gone. Unfortunately. when we're making a decision, most of us think only of the immediate consequences. These are often misleading because they are short lived. Abraham's choice was between setting out with his family and all of their belongings for parts unknown or staying right where he was. He had to decide between the security of what he already had, or the uncertainty of what was in the future. Of course, one thing was in Abraham's favor. If he decided to continue on, it would be under God's direction. However, all he had to go on was God's promise to bless him. And bless him, He did.! He became the father of the Jewish nation. And the Jewish people revered him. And looked up to him. They were called the children of Abraham. So, God did indeed give him a nation through which all the world would be blessed.

So. The question here is, was Abraham justified by works? Let's look a little further.

If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about. but not before God.

What does the scripture say? (Let's read it and find out)

Abraham believed God. And it was credited to him as righteousness. You might say that Abraham had a lot to boast about. But it wasn't about His works. We might boast about a lot of things that we do. We might say we teach a large Bible study group. Or we might say we visited 10 families today. There are a lot of things that we could say and boast about. But one thing we can never boast about? Our belief in God. We might be able to say, I believe in God. But that's not boasting. That's simply stating our belief. To boast about belief in God would be to tell people how much we believe in God, or to say what our belief in God has accomplished. But we can never boast about what God has done through us.

4. Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift. But as an obligation.

5. However to the one who does not work but trusts God, who justifies the ungodly. Their faith is credited as righteousness.

You see, wages are not a gift. They are an obligation. So this first means that if a person could be righteous. And then right standing with God by being good. The granting of it wouldn’t be a gift. It would be an obligation. Our self-reliance would be futile. All we could do is to cast ourselves upon God's mercy and grace.

6. David said the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one who to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.

(The following then, is a quote from Psalms.)7. Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8, Blessed is the one whose sin, the Lord will never count against them.

9. Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? (Remember now? Paul is speaking to the Jews.)We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.

10. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after but before.

(Now notice something. This is important.) Circumcision was nothing more than simply a sign that Abraham’s life had been changed by the power of God because of God’s promise to him and Abraham’s decision to let God rule in his life. As a result, all of the followers of Abraham (called Jews) took circumcision as a sign of both their promise to follow God, as well as their association with Abraham.

11. And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal, for the graciousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then. He is the Father of all who believe but have not been circumcised in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

13, It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be their heir to the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

14. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless.

15.because the law brings wrath. and where there is no law, there is no transgression.

16. Therefore the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace. And may be guarantee to all Abrahams offspring not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the Father of all of us.

17. As it is written, “I have made you. a father of many nations.” He is our Father in the sight of God in whom He believed-- the God who gave life to the dead and calls into being those that were not.

18. Against all hope, Abraham, in hope, believed and so became the father of many nations. Just as it had been said to him. “So shall your offspring be”.

Now, you’ve gotta hand it to old Abraham here. He had just received a promise from God that his children would inherit this promise from God as well….but Abrahan was nearly 100 years old. AND HE HAD NO CHILDREN. I can just see this old man thinking about this and doing the math. He knew Sarah was way passed the child bearing age. He must have been thinking “now how is God aiming to keep this promise? Because, if He said it, He meant it but how is He going to accomplish this one???? But when God makes a promise, He keeps it. Abraham and Sarah, even in their impossibly old age, did go on and have a child, as we will see.

20. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God

21. being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised.

22. This is why it was credited to him as righteous. 23. The words “it was credited to him” was written not for him alone, 24. But also for us, to whom God credits righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. HE WAS DELIVERED OVER TO DEATH FOR OUR SINS AND WAS RAISED TO LIFE FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION.

So there you have it, we are justified by the same promise God made to Abraham. If we have the faith to believe that God’s promises are true and kept, we can have the same results in our lives as Abraham had. We sometimes miss God’s blessings in our lives because our faith is weak. Not because God didn’t keep his promise but because of our unbelief.

Next time, Peace and Hope. Are either of these missing in your life? Then you won’t want to miss chapter 5. God bless, my sweet friends. Watch for it.

Maggie

ROMANS CHAPT. 5

PEACE AND HOPE

Good morning friends it's good to be back with you.

Chapter 5 is a difficult chapter to understand but we'll do our best to interpret it for you. The chapter is about peace and hope two things all of us long for especially in today's age. Our verses for today is in a section that contains some difficult concepts. To fully understand the next four chapters, it helps to keep in mind that there is a two-sided reality to the Christian life. On one side, we are complete in Christ and our acceptance with Him is secure. But on the other hand, we are growing in Christ and becoming more and more like Him. We have the status of Kings, but at the same time, we have the duties of slaves.

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus,

2. through whom we have gained access, by faith, this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

We are now at peace with God which may differ from peaceful feelings such as calmness and tranquility. Peace with God means we have been reconciled with Him. There is no more hostility between us, no sin. We feel both the presence of Christ and the pressure of sin. We enjoy the peace that comes from being made right with God, but we still face daily problems that often help us grow. If we remember these two sides of the Christian faith we will not be discouraged as we face temptations and problems. Instead, we will learn to depend on the power available to us from Christ who lives in us by the Holy Spirit. Do you realize that as believers we now stand in the place of highest privilege? Not only has God declared us not guilty, He has drawn us close to Himself. Instead of being enemies we have become His friends, in fact we have become His own children.

3. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.

4. Perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who was given to us.

Here is our formula for living the Christian life. This is what you can expect when you turn your life over to Him. We build upon these four things and each one leads us to the life God expects us to live.

There's no question about it, you can expect conflicts to arise in your life when you give your life to Christ. You're old friends might laugh at you, make fun of you, and may not even want to hang out with you. There may be conflicts at your job, or even in your family. That's when we need to keep on keeping on. It's not only our new life in Christ that people watch, they want to know if it's consistent. When we are consistent about our beliefs and our faith in Jesus Christ we develop character, and we become more confident in our new life

All three members of the Trinity are involved in salvation. The Father loves us so much that He sent His Son to bridge the gap between us. The Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to fill our lives with love and to enable us to live by His power. With all that loving care how can we do less than serve Him, completely.

As human beings we have a a tendency to think that we are strong and can do anything we choose to do but just the opposite is true. We were weak and helpless because we could do nothing to save our own selves. Someone had to come and rescue us. Not only did Christ come at a good time in history, He came at exactly the right time; according to God's own schedule. God controls all of history, and He controlled the timing, the methods, and the results of Jesus death and His resurrection.

9. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

10. For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life?

11. Not only is this so but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Wow! while we were sinners. Did you get that? These are amazing words. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough, but because HE LOVED US. Whenever you feel uncertain about God's love for you, remember that He loved you even before you turned to Him. If God loved you when you were a rebel, He can surely strengthen you now that you love Him in return. Remember heaven is not a reward for the righteous, it's a gift for the guilty.

12. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because of sin-

13. To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.

14. Nevertheless, death reigned from this time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a commandment, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

Verse 12 is interesting. It says that sin entered the world through one man, Adam. The first question that comes to mind is “what does Adam's sin have to do with me?” When you continue to read it says “and death through sin and in this way death came to all people.” Don't get the wrong idea that we have to pay for Adam's sin no we pay for our own sin but we have inherited Adam’s sin nature because we are a part of Adam's family. Traits in many family situations are inherited. It is no different here.

But now in verse 13 we read that sin was in the world before the law was given. That's interesting. If there were no laws how would Adam know what was expected of him? Obviously God made it known to Adam how he was to live.

Death through Adam, Life through Christ 15. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ overflow to the many.

16. Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man's sin: the judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation but, the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

17. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provisions of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ

We were all born and to Adam's physical family-the family line that leads to certain death. All of us have reaped the results of Adam's sin. We have inherited his guilt and sinful nature, and God's punishment. Because of Jesus, however, we can trade judgment for forgiveness. We can trade our sin for Jesus’ righteousness. Christ offers us the opportunity to be born into His spiritual family, the family line that begins with forgiveness and leads to eternal life.

If we do nothing, we have death through Adam; but if we come to God by faith, we have life through Jesus Christ. Which family line do you now belong to?

18. Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.

19. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

20. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.

21. So that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through the righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pastor Adrian Rogers has written, In his book, a beautiful piece about how to have a rock solid faith. It's based on Romans chapter 5. In this piece he says that conversion brings conflict, conflict teaches consistency, consistency develops character, and lastly character gives confidence. He also tells the story of a little boy who had a horse, and the horse was really just an old oat- burning nag. It was decrepit, sway back, and not much of a horse-really sort of a flea-bitten animal. One day the man started making fun of the little guy and his horse, but the boy loved the horse very much because they had been pals for a long time. The man said, “son is that horse any good?” The boy replied, “yes, Sir, he's the best horse in the whole world.” The man said “he doesn't look so good. Can he run fast?” The boy replied “no, Sir but he can stand fast.”

Did you ever think of your life as a ladder? You try to climb the ladder of success and you miss a rung and you fall back to the beginning or perhaps just the height of the ladder itself seems to be so overwhelming that you've never even started up it. Perhaps you're trying to live the Christian life without first becoming a Christian; without first giving your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. Try as you may you can never seem to get past that old nature of yours. Or perhaps just the sheer weight of trying to keep all those commandments just has you waited down. What a difference it makes when you finally admit to God, you can't do it on your own, you need Jesus’ help. That's when you turn to Him and ask Him for forgiveness and ask Him to come into your life and direct your paths as you climb that ladder. What relief, you should feel to see Jesus offering, with open arms, to lift you above the ladder of God’s law and take you directly into God's presence. Just trust Him; He will not fail you, He will not drop you halfway through the climb, but will see you through into the open arms of God the Father, and eternal life with Him.

Next time friends will look at chapter 6 dead dead to sin and the life in Christ what it means to have freedom from sins grasp. Oh, you don't want to miss this one. Don't you just love Romans? Why not invite one of your friends to sit in on one of our sessions?

Love y’all ,Maggie.

Romans 6.

Dead to Sin: Alive in Christ

1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?
3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4 We were therefore buried with him through the baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father we too may live a new life.
5 For example, we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His.
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
7 Because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

In the Church of Paul's day immersion was the usual form of baptism, that is, new Christians were completely buried in the water They understood this form of baptism to symbolize the death and burial of the old way of life coming up out of the water symbolized resurrection to a new life with Christ. If we think of our old simple life as dead and buried, we have a powerful motive to resist sin.

Most Baptist churches of today use this type of baptism. Many other denominations use only sprinkling. May I say here that baptism does not save a person. It does not replace that personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is only symbolic of what has occurred in our lives. We are literally becoming a new person as we live the Christian life. The old person is gone and a new life in Christ has taken it’s place.

I grew up in a Methodist family and at the proper age of 12, along with about six or seven of my friends, we were presented to the church for baptism. Somewhere along the way I had given my heart to Christ and at that time I felt the difference in my life. I didn't call it “getting saved” like the Baptist did. But I truly did make a dedication to the Lord that day. A funny thing happened which I've never told anyone before, but as we were being presented to the church and to have the water sprinkled on our heads, the pastor completely overlooked me and I never did get the water sprinkled on me.

Some years later, I became reacquainted with a guy I used to know in high school. We didn’t have the same circle of friends back then, so we didn’t know each other well , but I knew that He was one of the good guys. When I saw him again after all those years, something stirred within me, and I knew that this man was special. Six months later, after a whirlwind courtship, he asked me to marry him. Billy Brooks was special, and he was the spiritual leader that I needed. After we had been married about six months, we were attending church at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis TN. It was there, that I was baptized, immersed by, Dr. R.G. Lee, who was pastor there at the time. Because you see baptism does not save. It only tells the world that God has already saved you, and in most churches, it is essential for church membership as it was at Bellevue.

The power and penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. Our old self, our sinful nature, died once and for all so that we are freed from its power. The body ruled by sin is not the human body, but it is the rebellious, sin loving nature inherited from Adam. Though our body willingly cooperates with our sinful nature, it is the power of sin in our body that is defeated. It is the sin in us that is evil. Paul has already stated that through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, not guilty before God. Here, Paul emphasizes that we need no longer live under sin. God does not take us out of the world and make us robots; we still feel like sinning and sometimes we will. The difference is that, before we were saved, we were slaves to our sinful natures but now we can choose to live for Christ.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him for we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again, death no longer has mastery over Him..
9 The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God
10 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
11 Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies so that you obey its evil desires.
12 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who had been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness.
13 For sin no longer shall it be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Because of Christ's death and resurrection, His followers need never fear death. That assurance frees us to enjoy fellowship with Him and to do His will. This will affect all our activities- work and worship, play, bible study, quiet times, and times of caring for others. When you know that you don't have to fear death, you will experience a new vigor in life. When my bill was given the word that he only had two weeks to live, the first words out of his mouth were “I get to see Jesus.” And I'll never forget as he lay dying that morning, two weeks later. I watched his face as I held his hand, and I would almost swear he was smiling. I wanted him to tell me what he was seeing but I couldn't say a word, I was so caught up by the look on his face. It was practically shining.

I want to offer you an outline that I found in the new living translation of the Bible. If you are struggling with sin in your life, I urge you to always keep this with you, so that when you feel the temptation about to overcome you, take it out and read it again.

What has God done about sin?
He has given usNEW LIFE importance
6:2-3 Sin’s power is broken you can be certain that
6:4 Sin loving nature is buried sin’s power is broken
6:6 you are no longer under Sin’s control

He has given us a New Nature
6:5 Now you share His new life We can see ourselves as
6:11 Look upon your old self as dead; unresponsive to the old
Instead, be alive in Christ power and alive to the NEW

He has given us a New Freedom
6:12 Do not let sin control you We can commit ourselves
6:13 Give yourselves completely To obey Christ in
To God Perfect freedom
6:14 You are free
6:16 You can choose your own master.

Now let us look at what Paul has to say about our command to be Slaves to Righteousness.

SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUSNESS
15.What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!
16.don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves you are slaves of the one you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?.
17. But thanks be to God that though you used to be slaves to sin, You have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
18. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

We all know what an apprentice is. It is someone who works under a master who trains, shapes, and molds his apprentice in the finer points of a craft. All people choose a master and pattern themselves after him. Without Jesus we would have no choice, we would have to apprentice ourselves to sin and the result would be guilt, suffering, and separation from God. But thanks to Jesus, however, we can now choose God as our master. Are you still serving your first master, sin? Or have you apprenticed yourself to God?

To obey wholeheartedly means to give ourselves fully to God to love him with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind. And yet so often our efforts to know and obey God's command can best be described as “halfhearted”. How do you rate your heart's obedience? God wants to give you the power to obey him with all your heart.

19. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
20. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.
21. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
22. But now that you have been set free from sin, and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
23. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT TIME IS TO MEMORIZE VERSE 23.

ROMANS 6:23 FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS, OUR LORD

Keep studying, sweet ones, it just keeps getting better and better.
Love y’all,
Maggie

ROMANS 7

Released from the Law, Bound to Christ

7:1Do you not know brothers and sisters; for I am speaking to those who know the law; that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives?

2For example, by law, a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him.

3So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive,

she is called an adulterous. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not adulterous if she marries another man.

Paul uses marriage to illustrate our relationship to the law. When a spouse dies, the law of marriage no longer applies. Because we have died with Christ, the law can no longer condemn us. We rose again when Christ was resurrected and, as new people, we belong to Christ. We now serve Christ not by obeying a set of rules, but out of renewed hearts and minds that overflow with love for God.

4So, my brothers and sisters, 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 fruits for God.

5For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death.

6But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Our law today doesn't always spell out right and wrong, but gives us a general idea of what is right. It is the same with God's laws . It isn't always spelled out in black and white as, “you must do this or you must do that”, but our common sense should tell us when something is right or wrong.

Some people try to earn their way to God by keeping a set of rules, like obeying the 10 commandments, attending church faithfully, OR doing good deeds. But all they get for their efforts is frustration and .discouragement. However, because of Christ’s sacrifice, the way to God is already open, and we can become His children simply by putting our faith in Him. We no longer have to reach God by keeping rules. We can become more and more like Jesus as we live with Him day by day.

The Law and Sin

7What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “you shall not covet”.

8But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.

We can find no relief in attending church until we look to Jesus Christ Himself for our salvation, which He gives us freely. When we come to Jesus, we are flooded with relief and gratitude. Will we keep the rules any better? Most likely, but we will be motivated by love and gratitude, not by the desire to get God's approval. We will not be merely submitting to an external code, but willingly and lovingly seeking to do God's will.

9 Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.

10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.

12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

Do you realize that where there is no law, there is no sin because people cannot know that their actions are sinful unless the law forbids those actions? God's law makes people realize that they are sinners doomed to die and yet it offers no help. Sin is real and it is dangerous. Sin deceives people by misusing the law. The law is holy expressing God's nature and will for people. In the garden of Eden the serpent deceived Eve by taking her focus off of the freedom she had and putting it on the one restriction God had made. Sin sometimes looks good to us precisely because God has said it is wrong. When we are tempted to rebel, we need to look at the law from a wider perspective--in the light of God's grace and mercy. If we focus on His great love for us, we will understand that He only restricts us from actions and attitudes that ultimately will harm us

13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. (In this verse, Paul speaks of his death to sin and NOT his literal death.)

14 We know that the law is spiritual; But I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

( you’ve just got to love how Paul explains his actions in the next verses. We can all relate to His dilemma . Yesss, been there, done that.)

15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me that is in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing.

20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Paul shares three lessons that he learned in trying to deal with his sinful desires.

1. knowledge of the rules is not the answer. Paul felt fine as long as he did not understand what the law demanded. When he learned the truth, he knew he was doomed.

2. self-determination (struggling in one's own strength) doesn’t succeed. Paul found himself sinning in ways that weren't even attractive to him.

3. Becoming a Christian does not stamp out all sin and temptation from a person's life.

It only takes a moment of faith to be born again, but it is a long process to become like Christ. We are in a strenuous fight with our old nature, to become Christ like. One of the things that Paul has stressed from the very beginning of this letter is that no one in the world is innocent no one deserves to be saved--not a Pagan who doesn't know God's laws, not the person who knows them and tries to keep them, all of us must depend totally on the work of Christ for our salvation. We cannot earn it by our good behavior.

21 So, I find this law at work; although I want to do good, evil is right there with me

22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law,

23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

24 What a retched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?

25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

26 So then, I, in my mind was a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Paul has given us a lot to think about in these verses. If a man like Paul struggles with his old sinful nature, how much more do we struggle. I think any Christian will tell you that it is a daily struggle and one that we cannot win without that dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is great tension in living a daily Christian life. The conflict is that we agree with God's commands but fail miserably to keep them. As a result, we are painfully aware of our sin. This inward struggle with Satan was as real for Paul as it is for us. But from Paul we learn what it takes to overcome these struggles.

Paul tells us that, whenever he felt overwhelmed by the spiritual battle, he would return to the beginning of his spiritual life, remembering how he had been freed from sin by Jesus Christ. When we feel confused and overwhelmed by sins appeal, let us claim the freedom Christ gave us. His power can lift us to victory

Hang in there, dear friends. The prize awaits us at the finish line. Finish the race with Jesus and be blessed. Read ahead in chapter 8 for our next session.

MAGGIE

Share in His suffering in order that we may also share in His glory.
OTWHministries
ROMANS 8
Life through the spirit

1.Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2.Because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
3.What the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.
4.In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the spirit.

Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice, a sin offering, for our sins. In Old Testament times, animal sacrifices were continually offered at the temple. The sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin, but animal blood could not really remove sins. The sacrifices could only point to Jesus’ sacrifice, which paid the penalty for all sin’.

5.Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; But those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6.The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
7.The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God, it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
8.Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

People are divided into two categories- those who are dominated by the sinful nature, and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn't offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following Him, because His way brings life and peace.

This is a daily process. We must consciously choose to center our lives on God using the Bible to discover God's guidelines, and then follow them in every situation. Ask yourself, “What would Jesus want me to do? When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly.

9.You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.
10.But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the spirit gives life because of righteousness.
11.And if the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you He will give life to your mortal bodies because of His spirit who lives in you.

Have you ever worried about whether or not you really are a Christian? A Christian is anyone who has the spirit of God living in him or her. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for your salvation and acknowledge Him as the Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life, and you are a Christian. You won't know that the Holy Spirit has come if you are waiting for a certain feeling; you will know He has come because Jesus promised He would.

12.So, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation-- but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
13.For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14.Those who are led by the spirit of God are the children of God.
15.The spirit you receive does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again, rather, this spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we
16.Cry, abba, father.

This verse is very special to me and to my family. I'm sure most of you may know that Richard is our adopted son. When we took him into our family, he became an heir to all that we had, just as our other children. I would like to share an incident with you that shows just how much he belonged to our family.

For some reason, I can't remember, Richard needed his birth certificate. We searched for it and I couldn't find it. But the thought struck me that I might have his hospital birth record. So I started searching for that. And suddenly I stopped and looked up, and he was looking at me with a grin on his face, he said, “mom you don't have it do you?” To that I replied, with a sheepish grin on my face, “I forgot”. For a moment both of us had forgotten he was adopted.

17.The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children
18.Now if we are children then we are heirs-- heirs of God and co heirs with Christ if, indeed, we share in His suffering in order that we may also share in His glory.

Do you count it a privilege to be known as a child of God? We share in the greatest treasures the world has ever known. God has already given us His best gifts, His son, His Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and eternal life. And he encourages us to ask him for whatever we need. Well, there are wonderful things ahead for us as children of God. However, I will not kid you; there is a price to pay for following Christ. When we are associated with Jesus Christ, the world does not look very kindly upon us. We live in a free country where we are free to follow Christ or not to follow Him, however, if we choose to follow Him, we can be assured that we will be looked upon differently. Personally, I have been laughed at, criticized, been called a fanatic, and lost friends. I have had friends who have been thrown in prison because of their belief in Jesus Christ and their preaching of the gospel. A missionary friend of mine is still fighting a prison sentence in London, England, for preaching the gospel on a street corner. He was charged with creating a nuisance, disturbing the peace, and offending other with his preaching. He had to post bail before he could leave the country and was told he must return for trial. He has made two trips that I know of, back to London for his trials and I have not heard if it has been resolved. And this is in a free country.

Can you imagine what it is like to be in countries that are not so free? We have seen news clippings of people being crucified on rugged crosses just like Jesus was, just for declaring Jesus is Lord. I'm not saying that all of this might happen to you if you become a follower of Jesus, but it's a warning that you might not be treated nicely by some people. But what a privilege it is, to be able to say, “I stand with Jesus Christ”.

19.Present Suffering and Future Glory
20.I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
21.For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
22.For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that
23.The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into freedom and glory of the children of GOD
24.We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
25.Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
26.For in this hope, we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
27.But if we hope for what we do not yet have we wait for it patiently.

Sin has caused our world to fall from the perfect state in which God created it. Almost daily we hear of catastrophes such as storms, earthquakes, landslides, and other such disasters in our world. We could say that all nature is reeling from sin. Because we are children of God, we are a part of the new order that will free the world of sin, sickness, and evil. In the meantime, it is our responsibility to go with Christ into the world where we can fight the evil effects of sin.

But isn't it wonderful that we know what is ahead for us? We don't have to hope if we're saved, we have seen the future in God's word; that's what it means when it says, “who hopes for what they already have.” For now, we, as Christians, wait patiently for Gods will to play out. And in the meantime, we can rejoice, for we know who wins the war. Hallelujah!

26.In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

27. And He who searches our hearts, He knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God

28. 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.

29. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son, that he might be the first born among many brothers and sisters.

30. And those He predestined, He also called; Those he called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

These last few verses in this chapter have caused many controversies between denominations, but there is nothing complicated about them. God is working all things not just isolated instances for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long range good. Notice He is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose. Notice also that the promise is not for everyone, it can be claimed only by those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Those who are called are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ. If you have received Christ, you have been called. God has given you a new mindset on life. We trust in God. not life's treasures, we look for our security in heaven, not on earth. We learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution, because God is with us. God does not force us to follow Him. To be “called” by God, means to be invited. The rest is up to you, whether or not you respond to that call.

More Than Conquerors

31.What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32. He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--How will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things

33. Who will bring any charges against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34. Who's the end is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life is that the right hand of God and he is also interceding for us.

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

36. as it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”. 37. No, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers

39. 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.

Do you have a problem when it comes to praying? You need not be concerned about that because the Holy Spirit knows your heart and even when you don't know the right words to pray the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and god answers. You don't need to be afraid to come before God. Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you in accordance with the will of God. Then when you bring your request to God trust that he will always do what is best.

God's purpose for people is not an afterthought. It was settled before the foundation of the world. People are to serve and honor God. If you have believed in Christ, you can rejoice in the fact that God has always known you. God's love is eternal. His wisdom and power are supreme. He will guide and protect you until you one day stand in His presence.

See you later

LOVE Y’ALL

Maggie

MOMMA MAGGIE'S BIBLE STUDIES

THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Hi Friends and welcome to OTWHministries’ first bible study together. I’m glad you joined us.

For those of you who do not know me, I have been teaching Bible studies for about 50 years, and I have taught Revelation studies, perhaps as many as 10-15 times throughout the years. I am most excited about this particular study, because it is different from others that I have done. This one will concentrate on the events in our world today as they relate to the events in the book. I WILL NOT be relating the events of today to any fulfilment of prophesy but will be showing you how events follow a pattern in prophesy. I will explain as we come to specific events. With that being said, let’s get to our introduction of the book.