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Romans 14:17 – Calm Delight

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Will

Romans 14:17 – Calm Delight

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Truth to Learn

Building up the body of Christ creates a sense of calm delight.

Behind the Words

“Eating” is from the Greek noun brōsis, which is derived from the same root as brōma (food) which we saw in verse fifteen. Brōsis refers to the act of eating and by extension it refers to the food being eaten.

“Drinking” is from posis, which refers to the act of drinking and by extension to the drink itself.

The word translated “righteousness” is dikaiosunē, which refers to the character or quality of being righteous (always doing what is right) or just (guided by truth and fairness). It is a state of being in which God charges no blame because either there is no wrong to be blamed or the wrong has already been paid for and done away with.

“Peace” is translated from eirēnē, which can mean “a state of tranquility” or “the absence of war or the threat of war.”

The word translated “joy” is charis. This word does not refer to “excitement and jubilation.” It refers to “gladness and calm delight.”

Meaning Explained

There are several uses of the term “the kingdom of God” in the New Testament. In some places it refers to the heavenly kingdom that will exist in the new heavens and the new earth after the current heavens and earth have been destroyed. In other places it refers to the earthly kingdom that will be in place during the Millennium, with Christ on the throne in Jerusalem. And in still others it refers to the spiritual kingdom that exists here and now, where Christ is reigning in the hearts of Christians. Although Paul’s use of the term here could refer to any or all of these meanings, it appears that Paul is talking about the spiritual kingdom that exists today of which all Christians are members.

Even though eating and drinking are necessary for our earthly existence, these are not the things that are really important in our spiritual existence. In Matthew 4:4 Christ, Himself, when tempted to create bread from the rocks after having not eaten for 40 days in the wilderness, told Satan,

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

The kingdom of God to which we belong today is not centered in the physical world, but in the spiritual world. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our daily walk with Him are neither enhanced nor depreciated by what we do or don’t eat or by whether we treat one day as sacred above the others or not. Instead, our focus should be on the spiritual body of Christ by treating each other with righteousness (doing what is right), being at peace with other Christians, and creating conditions that make for joy among all Christians.

Application

Instead of arguing about what foods we can and can’t eat or getting hung-up on how others treat “the Lord’s day,” let’s do what we can to help nurture and grow the body of Christ, the church. By doing so, instead of strife and contention we can all experience a sense of peace and calm delight even in the midst of a world that is filled with evil.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 11:6 – God Verses Works

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Will

Romans 11:6 – God Verses Works

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Truth to Learn

It is either grace or works. It can’t be both.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “grace” is a form of charis, which we looked at in yesterday’s verse. I like how The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines charis:

A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.

“Works” is from the Greek word ergon, which means “to perform labor, to carry out some action, or to do a deed.” It is in these two latter senses that Paul uses the word in this verse.

Meaning Explained

Paul is now making a further point about the election of grace which he referred to in the previous verse. That verse said,

Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)

The point he made there was that God’s choosing, His election, is by grace. It is done by God’s benevolent choice, without expectation of gaining anything in return. We did not earn it and we do not deserve it. And if it is truly unearned and unmerited, that means that we did nothing at all to earn it or to deserve it (we did not earn it or deserve it by deciding to get saved and asking Jesus into our heart).

In the current verse Paul says that if this election is by grace, then it is not the result of works, otherwise it would cease to be by grace. He is going to great lengths to show that God chooses whom he wants to save (whether in the Old Testament dispensation or in the church age), and he chooses strictly based on whom He wants to choose, not based on anything we have done or will do.

As I have said before, there are a lot of well meaning, committed Christians who claim that God foreknew who would believe and, as a result, chose them. But even believing in the truth of the gospel is an action on our part. It is a deed, an action, a work, and Paul says that if we are saved by a deed, then it is not by God’s grace. He says we are not saved by works, but by grace. It is God’s choice, not ours!

The “remnant in the present time” that Paul is talking about in these verses refers to the people saved during the church age, whom he is comparing to the remnant of Israel that God promised Elijah were set-apart in his day. It also refers to the remnant of Israel who will be saved when the Messiah returns. Paul tells us that each of these groups is chosen by God’s election, not based on their works (their faithfulness or any other of their actions) but by His gift of grace.

Application

My friends, I don’t know how Paul can make this any clearer. We are saved, not because of what we have done, but because of what He has done. I don’t deserve this salvation any more than you do and none of us did anything to earn it.

We are saved by God’s grace because He chose us. Period!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 11:5 – The Chosen Remnant

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Will

Romans 11:5 – The Chosen Remnant

Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Truth to Learn

We are the remnant, chosen to be God’s children, by His grace alone.

Behind the Words

The word translated “election” is the Greek word eklogē. This is a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of legō, meaning “to choose” or “to select.” Thus we see that it literally means “to choose out” or “to select out.” According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, “this word refers to the benevolent purpose of God by which any are chosen unto salvation so that they are led to embrace and persevere in Christ’s bestowed grace and the enjoyment of its privileges and blessings here and hereafter.”

“Grace” is translated from charis, which is based on the verb chairō, meaning “to be calmly happy or well off.” Charis specifically refers to “the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life producing happiness and peace.” It is often thought of as “our undeserved favor from God.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now brings his readers back to the present (meaning both the present at the time this letter was written and the present time today). He says that it is just the same in the present, that a remnant has come into being. The remnant he refers to is a concept that Jews well understood. God promised the Jews that He would preserve a remnant out of Israel who would be saved. They have always believed that the salvation of the remnant refers to them being saved from the ravages of their oppressors and that the remnant would finally inherit the land and reign with the Messiah. Paul’s point, however, is that the remnant in his day is composed of those whom God has chosen “according to the election of grace.”

I know that election (God’s choosing those of us who are to be saved independent of any act or action on our part) is a difficult doctrine for many Christians to grasp. However, Paul states it so clearly and so often that, if you believe the Bible is truth, it is even more difficult to deny it than to believe it. Paul believed in and taught election as a fact. Therefore, we should simply accept it as truth, even if we don’t completely understand it.

Paul calls it “the election of grace” because he understands that election is not by choice on our part, it’s an undeserved gift from God. We don’t choose to be saved. We don’t simply decide that we will get saved and then say the sinners prayer. Before the foundation of the earth, God chose those who would be saved. It involves the sovereign hand of God which removes the blindfold from the eyes of the elect. Only then can we see, and understand, the truth of the gospel so that we may become saved. It is all God’s work and it is all by grace (totally undeserved by those who receive it) so God is the only one who can receive the glory for it. In the next verse Paul will make the specific point that this election is not by anything that we have done (works); it is strictly by His grace!

Application

God, thank you for your gift of salvation. I didn’t, don’t, and won’t ever deserve it! You deserve all the credit, all the glory, and all the praise. In thanks to you, I humbly submit my will to yours and ask that you use me in whatever way you determine, to bring praise to Yourself. Wonderful is your grace!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 6:17 – Getting Into Shape

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Will

Romans 6:17

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

Truth to Learn

We are molded into Christ’s shape by Biblical teaching.

Behind the Words

The words “be thanked” are translated from the Greek word charis, which refers to “a favor done without expectation of anything in return.” However, this word is also used to express the joy or gratitude (thanks) arising from the favor received.

The word “obeyed” is hupakouō, which we have looked at recently. It literally means “to hear under.” It refers to hearing, and obeying the teaching of an instructor.

“Form” is translated from tupon, which is equivalent to the Hebrew word cabala, meaning a mold that is used to create a “copy” or “type” of the original.

The word “doctrine” is from the Greek word didachē, a noun derived from the verb didaskō, meaning “to teach.” Hence, the word didachē refers to something that has been taught. It is frequently translated as “a teaching,” “a precept,” or “a doctrine.” Some Christians have a negative attitude toward doctrine, seeing it as unbending dogma. But, as you can see here, it simply refers to something that is taught.

Meaning Explained

In talking about this verse we have to begin with what Paul is not saying. He is not giving thanks to God that we were all slaves to sin. Being a slave to sin is neither desirable nor commendable. It is a state of helpless devotion to things that are contrary to all that God is. What Paul is saying is, “Though you were slaves of sin, you have been delivered from that state.” That’s what Paul is giving thanks for. He is thankful for every one of us who has believed the gospel message and has been saved from our sins and from the mastery of sin.

The second half of this verse has been misunderstood due to a mistranslation in the past. Literally, it says,

you obeyed, from the heart, unto which you were delivered, a form of teaching.

Now, obviously we don’t talk that way in English, so we rearrange the words a bit. Now it says,

from the heart you obeyed a form of teaching unto which you were delivered.

The “form of teaching” is that which was begun by Christ and taught to His apostles, who in turn taught it to others. It includes the gospel message (by which we were made into the image of Christ), but it also includes teaching about how to live our lives. This teaching acts like a mold or a form, shaping us into a copy of the original and that original is Christ himself. As we obey this teaching we become a “type” of Christ (hence, we are called Christians). We were freed from sin and we were delivered to the new teaching. And because we have received the shaping effect of that teaching, we have been delivered from the bondage of sin.

Application

I know this is a confusing verse and difficult to understand. What we need to learn from it, however, is that we need teaching from the Bible in order to allow ourselves to be shaped into an image of Christ. Let’s all get into His shape!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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