Lesson 2013

(Lesson 2013)(05-07-17) Romans 10:22-26

"What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God."

Today's lesson again reaffirms that, from the beginning, God's promise was to the Gentiles as well as to those Jews who have already, and may come to believe on our Lord Jesus Christ.

The last part of this lesson relates that, although the Gentiles were at first called "not loved", upon the completion of the ministry of Jesus and their acceptance of Him, they were called "Children of the living God".~

Lesson 2012

(Lesson 2012)(05-06-17) Romans 10:12-21

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people."

In this lesson Paul made it clear that, in the sight of God, there is no preference. His grace is sufficient for every individual, no matter their lineage.

This lesson also qualifies called out preachers as the main means by which the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life, is to be spread throughout a lost world. "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

Paul, again in the latter part of today's quote, ridiculed the Jews for their continued unbelief.~

Lesson 2011

(Lesson 2011)(05-05-17) Romans 10:1- 11

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Today's lesson is generally self explanatory and needs very little commentary. It, again, confirms that eternal salvation CANNOT be achieved by the "good" deeds of the Law.

The point that Paul was trying so hard to make to his brother and sister Jews, (And to those who today still believe that maintaining a life without sin is necessary to achieve and maintain everlasting life.), is that the ONLY thing that can purify a mortal soul to the point of reunion with Father God is that righteousness which is imputed into that lost soul through FAITH in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of His only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. "For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)~

Lesson 2010

(Lesson 2010)(05-04-17) Romans 9:24-33

"Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Today's quote, along with yesterday's establishes that although God made a covenant with the Jews in particular, He used many of them simply as pawns. Thereby allowing them to fail to demonstrate that mankind, in all, is incapable of living a life of righteousness worthy of a renewal before God or eternal life.

As is demonstrated in today's quote, the ONLY path to the renewal of the spirit (eternal salvation) is through faith. And, as these lessons confirm, that has been true since the fall of Adam.

The allowed failure of the Jews can be summed up in the following passage; "But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Because the Jews tried to live out their own righteousness, instead of, by faith, relying on God to impute that righteousness.~

Lesson 2009

(Lesson 2009)(05-03-17) Romans 9:14-23

"What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,"

Todays quote is the first of a two part lesson concerning the predisposition, or predestination, of some throughout the history of mankind.

Herein, Paul pointed out that Pharaoh, like many who are mentioned in the bible, was predisposed to stand against the will of God so that God could teach the Jews a lesson while also demonstrating His omnipotence to the rest of the world.

Judas Escariot was also doomed from the beginning because God chose him to the vessel that betrayed Jesus to die.

In essence, the first part of this lesson establishes that God used a few certain men/women to work evil so that the failure of mankind to abide by the will of God could be established and so that the ultimate good (eternal redemption) could be afforded to the many. "Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth."~

NOTE: We will continue this lesson tomorrow.

Lesson 2008

(Lesson 2008)(05-02-17) Romans 9:6-13

"Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."

Today's quote explains that not all the descendants of Abraham are Jews yet all of his descendants are still a part of the covenant God made with Abraham. Only the descendants of Isaac are actually Jews by blood. The descendants of Ishmael, the son of Rebecca, though always a part of God's covenant of redemption with Abraham, are not Jews.

This knowledge is important because it helps us understand that the Covenant that God made with Abraham was a covenant of faith to ALL his descendants and not a covenant that was exclusively with the Jews.

The latter part of today's quote demonstrates Sarah's hatred for Rebecca and Esau. Though God had already planned that her son Jacob, even though he was the younger of Isaac's sons, would inherit the birthright. ~

Lesson 2007

(Lesson 2007)(05-01-17) Romans 9:1-5

"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."

Today's lesson is a short one but nevertheless an important one. Herein, Paul made it very clear that he was saddened by the actions of his blood kinsmen (The Jews) as they held on to the restrictions of the Law while rejecting the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Even today there are many who still contend that adhesion to the rules of the old Law is required to attain everlasting life. As Paul made vividly clear in his letter to the Romans, the deeds of the Law have nothing to do with the perfection of the spirit. The ONLY thing that can purify the spirit of the a lost man to the point of eternal salvation is faith in the perfect righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. "For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)~