daddy4ms

Maybe selfishness is not a generational thing.  Maybe it is something that started in the Garden of Eden. Luther described this as “curved in on himself”  For Luther, the book of Romans is what wrecks his life.  This leads to 95 theses. Romans was essential to his understanding of Jesus. Luther lectured on the book of Romans in 1515-1516. He lectured on law/gospel, sinners/saints, justification by faith. Romans exposes us.  It is not just about exposing us, but pointing to Jesus.   The Bible does a great job of not hiding the mess. The Christian life is the battle between the old man and the new man. The way you become a new man is by gift not your efforts or intentions.   Grace is the pronouncement that you are a son/daughter and it has nothing to do with what you do. Theology of the Cross-The cross alone is our theology. It’s time to get back to forgiveness of sin. The abuse and misuse of the law is bad and it is prevalent....

I sent R.J. some questions about his new book, Reading Romans.   Book releases tomorrow and there is a link to purchase below. Here are his responses: What is it about Martin Luther that intrigues you? Why focus on him? Martin Luther is a theologian that changed the history of the Christian Church. In a day and age when people couldn’t read the Bible in their own language, they thought grace had to be earned, and certain work was considered more sacred than other work. Luther unlocked something that had been lost. In our own day and age, grace is routinely overlooked as the message of the Church. Instead it gets replaced with a message of “do more, try harder.” God’s scandalous grace while not being earned by indulgences is often treated as though we earn it.  If you had to list the top 3 things about God or faith that Luther helps you understand, what would they be? The top 3 things that Luther has helped me understand have been the distinc...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 20  and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, (Romans 15:20)   25  Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages (Romans 16:25)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” (Romans 10:16)   28  As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. (Romans 11:28)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)   16  on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:16)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 24  But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)  Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, (Romans 1:1)

Below are the promises of God compiled by Kenneth Boa from Romans. I have added a few at the bottom. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ; the gift of righteousness comes through faith in him and not through human effort (1:16-17). As believers in Christ, we are justified (declared righteous) by his grace through the redemption that was made possible through his blood (3:23-25). Since we have been united with Christ in his death, we will also be united with him in his resurrection; thus we can count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (6:5-11). In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose, which is to be conformed to the likeness of his Son (8:28-29).   God’s will for us is always good, pleasing, and perfect (12:2). God loves you!   Nothing can separate you from God's love. " 38  For I am sure that neither death nor life, ...

The flesh is bitterly resistant to "it is finished." We are not waring against flesh & blood. We are waring against the flesh, the world and Satan. Love not law begets love. There is a crucial distinction between law & gospel. Passive Righteousness vs. Active Righteousness We live on two planes: before God & before others Passive Righteousness-settled by Jesus Active Righteousness-serving our neighbor I had a low view of the law & thought, "do your best & God will do the rest" would satisfy requirements of law. When we think our good works are for God instead of our neighbor, God's love is dependent on us instead of finished work of Jesus.  We live as if our sanctification precedes our justification. Good works are not a transaction for God. They are for others. One of the Devil's greatest lies is God gets tired of our repeated asking for forgiveness. After justification, good works are not thrown out, but instead ...