Good morning,

Romans 4 illustrates the concept of faith through the life of Abraham. To correctly interpret this chapter we must read Genesis 15:1-6 and Genesis 17:1-14, 22-24. Then we must factor in when and to whom was the Law given. When we have all these reference points clear, then we see how Paul makes his argument that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and not by the Law or Circumcision.

Today we look at Romans 4:1-12.

Abraham an illustration (1)

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

God does not impute sin against a justified man (2-8)

² For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.³ For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.⁴ Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.⁵ But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.⁶ Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,⁷ Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.⁸ Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Abram trusted in the promise of God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. God promised him a seed from his own body. He was 85 years old at the time. Yet he believed.

3) Abraham’s salvation a pattern for both Gentiles and Jews (9-12)

⁹ Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.¹⁰ How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.¹¹ And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:¹² And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

We learned in the Introduction that the promise was given before the covenant to be circumcised. At that point he had not been circumcised. So Abram/Abraham could not have been justified by circumcision.

Righteousness does not come from works but in believing God’s promises. Today it is through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ who shed His blood to pay our sin debt.

Tomorrow we will look at Romans 4:13-24.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Romans 4 illustrates the concept of faith through the life of Abraham. To correctly interpret this chapter we must read Genesis 15:1-6 and Genesis 17:1-14, 22-24. Then we must factor in when and to whom was the Law given. When we have all these reference points clear, then we see how Paul makes his argument that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and not by the Law or Circumcision.

Genesis 15:1-6 Abram (Abraham) believed God’s promise.

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.²And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?³ And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.⁴And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.⁵And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.⁶And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Genesis 17:1-14, 22-24

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.²And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.³And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,⁴As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.⁵Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.⁶And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.⁷And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.⁸And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.⁹And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.¹⁰This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.¹¹And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.¹²And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.¹³He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.¹⁴And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

²³And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.²⁴And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

When was Abram declared righteous, before or after the command to be circumcised?

Who was the Law given? Israel. At the time of Abraham was the nation of Israel established? No. If the Law was given to the nation of Israel how could Abraham been justified through the Law? He could not.

Abram’s faith in the promise of God made him righteous.

Understanding these principles we can now study Romans 4.

Tomorrow we will look at the first 12 verses.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

The more I see of Jesus!

(Mary Winslow)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.)

“My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You!
 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6

The more I see of Jesus, the more He opens to me His loving heart–the deeper is my sorrow for sin. I lie down in the dust at His feet closer than ever I did before. I can truly say I abhor myself in dust and ashes before Him. My heart seems ready to melt into contrition in view of the ten thousand thousand sins, willful and aggravating–that I have committed against Him who loved me with an everlasting love, and with loving kindness drew me to Himself.

So eternal and deep, so sovereign and boundless is the love of Jesus, that angels cannot fathom it! He is nothing but sincere, constant, and unabating love–to the weakest and most unworthy of all His little flock.

I feel such a weariness of this world that nothing here gives me anything more than a momentary, passing pleasure–and it is gone at a glance.

Oh, to have such a Friend as Jesus, who feels all our sorrows, carries all our burdens; and has promised to bring us safely through this trying world, and place us at last at His own right hand, where neither sickness nor sorrow shall ever come!

Oh for Heaven! Nothing else will satisfy my longing soul, but the sight of Him it loves!

Jesus is all in all to me, and He will be all in all through eternity!

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name!
   ~  ~  ~  ~
Something to ponder:
“Pray against that thirst for light and trifling reading–that strange and sinful inconsistency of so many, the certain tendency of which is to starve the life of God in the soul, to engender a distaste for spiritual nourishment–for the Word of God, for holy meditation, and for Divine communion and fellowship.” Octavius Winslow
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

Romans 3 tells God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. The problem is all have sinned and need redemption. The solution is Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice to pay man’s sin debt.  

Romans 3:21-31 

THE SOLUTION: Faith in Jesus Christ 

Justification by faith (21) 

²¹But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 

The law is established by Christ’s righteousness (22-31) 

²²Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ²⁷Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. ²⁸Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. ²⁹Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: ³⁰Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. ³¹Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. 

“Romans 3:21–31 finally introduces the ”good news” part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Up to this point, Paul has shown that even following the law cannot spare us from being judged by God for our sin. Now Paul announces that, through faith in Christ, we can be made righteous in God’s sight. Entirely apart from the law, we can be redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s blood, willingly shed for our sin. This gift of God’s grace instead of wrath is available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. This is truly good news!” 

Those who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) ^“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24) 

The abode of believers in Jesus is Heaven. Revelation 21 describes it. Revelation 21:27 states that the names of these people are written in the Lamb’s book of life. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 

We now have a clear choice, heaven or hell. Peace or torment. Cool refreshing water or fire. 

CHOOSE LIFE! 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Romans 3 tells God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. The problem is all have sinned and need redemption. The solution is Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice to pay man’s sin debt.  

First though, God speaks to the Jews through the Apostle Paul. The Jew had an advantage because they were given “…the oracles of God.” They had the opportunity to know God’s plan, promise, and covenants. They also were aware of the blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience. They really believed that because they were Jews they were above the judgment of God. They were wrong. 

Romans 3:1-8 

God’s special blessing to the Jews (1-8) 

Three questions 

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? ²Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 

³For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? ⁴God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.  

⁵But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) ⁶God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? ⁷For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? ⁸And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 

“Romans 3:1–8 contains a series of questions which might have come from someone opposed to Paul’s teaching in Romans 2. Using this challenge-response structure, Paul clarifies that being Jewish and circumcised still comes with great advantages. He also points out that God remains faithful to the Jewish people in spite of their sin. In fact, His faithfulness in the face of unfaithfulness increases His glory. That does not mean, however, that God wants human beings to continue to sin, as some were accusing Paul of teaching.” (BibleRef.com) 

It is one thing to know the Word of God and quite another to act upon what you know. As Israel failed to act on what God had revealed to them, Christians, in good Bible believing church’s, are ignoring the clear revealed will of God. Unbelievers see no difference in the believers’ lives than in their own. So, they ask “Why do we need to become a Christians?” 

Obeying God’s word is critical to the furtherance of the gospel outreach and salvation of lost souls.  

OBEY and be part of God’s solution. 

Romans 3:9-20 

THE PROBLEM: All are sinners (9-20) 

⁹What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; ¹⁰As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ¹¹There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. ¹²They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. ¹³Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: ¹⁴Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: ¹⁵Their feet are swift to shed blood: ¹⁶Destruction and misery are in their ways: ¹⁷And the way of peace have they not known: ¹⁸There is no fear of God before their eyes. ¹⁹Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ²⁰Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

“Romans 3:9–20 contains a string of quotes from the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul uses these to demonstrate that both Jews and Greeks alike are under sin. After establishing that ”there is none who does good” from Psalm 14:1, Paul uses quotes from Psalms and Isaiah to show ways we have always used our bodies—throats, tongues, lips, feet, and eyes—to express our sinfulness. He concludes the section with his strongest statement, yet, that no human being will be justified in God’s sight by following the works of the law. The law can only show us our sin, not save us from it.” (BibleRef.com) 

Remember earlier God said He was no respecter of persons. That point is made clear in relationship to sin. All are under sin, none are righteous, none that understands, none that seeks God, none that does good.  

Sin separates us from God. If man’s sin is not dealt with, he will be eternally separated from God. Some may not see this as a problem until they understand what that entails. 

Hell is the abode of those who will not deal with their sin and turn to God. Hell is described as “torments”, “tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:19-31), “lake of fire and brimstone”, “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:7-10). 

Revelation 20:11-15 refers to these people as dead. Judgment day has come and those who chose not to repent of their sins stand before God. When the book of life was opened their names did not appear. The consequence is “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

That is where those who choose not to deal with their sin go.  

HOWEVER, there is a solution to the problem of sin. 

Romans 3:21-31 

THE SOLUTION: Faith in Jesus Christ 

Justification by faith (21) 

²¹But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 

The law is established by Christ’s righteousness (22-31) 

²²Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ²⁷Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. ²⁸Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. ²⁹Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: ³⁰Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. ³¹Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. 

“Romans 3:21–31 finally introduces the ”good news” part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Up to this point, Paul has shown that even following the law cannot spare us from being judged by God for our sin. Now Paul announces that, through faith in Christ, we can be made righteous in God’s sight. Entirely apart from the law, we can be redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s blood, willingly shed for our sin. This gift of God’s grace instead of wrath is available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. This is truly good news!” (BibleRef.com)

Those who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) ^“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24) 

The abode of believers in Jesus is Heaven. Revelation 21 describes it. Revelation 21:27 states that the names of these people are written in the Lamb’s book of life. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. “

We now have a clear choice, heaven or hell. Peace or torment. Cool refreshing water or fire. 

CHOOSE LIFE! 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Romans 3 tells God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. The problem is all have sinned and need redemption. The solution is Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice to pay man’s sin debt.  

Romans 3:9-20 

THE PROBLEM: All are sinners (9-20) 

⁹What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; ¹⁰As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ¹¹There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. ¹²They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. ¹³Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: ¹⁴Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: ¹⁵Their feet are swift to shed blood: ¹⁶Destruction and misery are in their ways: ¹⁷And the way of peace have they not known: ¹⁸There is no fear of God before their eyes. ¹⁹Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ²⁰Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

“Romans 3:9–20 contains a string of quotes from the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul uses these to demonstrate that both Jews and Greeks alike are under sin. After establishing that ”there is none who does good” from Psalm 14:1, Paul uses quotes from Psalms and Isaiah to show ways we have always used our bodies—throats, tongues, lips, feet, and eyes—to express our sinfulness. He concludes the section with his strongest statement, yet, that no human being will be justified in God’s sight by following the works of the law. The law can only show us our sin, not save us from it.” (BibleRef.com) 

Remember earlier God said He was no respecter of persons. That point is made clear in relationship to sin. All are under sin, none are righteous, none that understands, none that seeks God, none that does good.  

Sin separates us from God. If man’s sin is not dealt with, he will be eternally separated from God. Some may not see this as a problem until they understand what that entails. 

Hell is the abode of those who will not deal with their sin and turn to God. Hell is described as “torments”, “tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:19-31), “lake of fire and brimstone”, “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:7-10). 

Revelation 20:11-15 refers to these people as dead. Judgment day has come and those who chose not to repent of their sins stand before God. When the book of life was opened their names did not appear. The consequence is “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

That is where those who choose not to deal with their sin go.  

HOWEVER, there is a solution to the problem of sin. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

Romans 3 tells God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. The problem is all have sinned and need redemption. The solution is Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice to pay man’s sin debt.  

First though, God speaks to the Jews through the Apostle Paul. The Jew had an advantage because they were given “…the oracles of God.” They had the opportunity to know God’s plan, promise, and covenants. They also were aware of the blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience. They really believed that because they were Jews they were above the judgment of God. They were wrong. 

Romans 3:1-8 

God’s special blessing to the Jews (1-8) 

Three questions 

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? ²Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 

³For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? ⁴God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.  

⁵But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) ⁶God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? ⁷For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? ⁸And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 

“Romans 3:1–8 contains a series of questions which might have come from someone opposed to Paul’s teaching in Romans 2. Using this challenge-response structure, Paul clarifies that being Jewish and circumcised still comes with great advantages. He also points out that God remains faithful to the Jewish people in spite of their sin. In fact, His faithfulness in the face of unfaithfulness increases His glory. That does not mean, however, that God wants human beings to continue to sin, as some were accusing Paul of teaching.” (BibleRef.com) 

It is one thing to know the Word of God and quite another to act upon what you know. As Israel failed to act on what God had revealed to them, Christians, in good Bible believing church’s, are ignoring the clear revealed will of God. Unbelievers see no difference in the believers’ lives than in their own. So, they ask “Why do we need to become Christians?” 

Obeying God’s word is critical to the furtherance of the gospel outreach and salvation of lost souls.  

OBEY and be part of God’s solution. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

Romans 2, continues to challenge us as to whether we will follow or oppose God’s plan. The themes covered are judging others, choosing to obey or disobey God’s word, the law, and circumcision.   

Today we will look at circumcision. 

4. Circumcision  

Romans 2:17-29 

^“Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,¹⁸And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;¹⁹And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,²⁰An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.²¹Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? ²²Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? ²³Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? ²⁴For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. ²⁵For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. ²⁶Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? ²⁷And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? ²⁸For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: ²⁹But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” 

Genesis 17:9-14 

“And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.¹⁰ This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.¹¹ And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.¹² And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.¹³ He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.¹⁴ And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.” 

CONCLUSION 

• God will judge everyone 
• There is no respecter of persons with God 
• The law could not save 
• The law pointed to Jesus 
• The heart needs to be circumcised 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Romans 2, continues to challenge us as to whether we will follow or oppose God’s plan. The themes covered are judging others, choosing to obey or disobey God’s word, the law, and circumcision.   

Today we will look at the law points to Jesus. 

3. The law points to Jesus  

Romans 2:12-16 

^“For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; ¹³(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.¹⁴For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:¹⁵Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)¹⁶In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” 

Exodus 20:1-17 (Ten Commandments) 

“And God spake all these words, saying,² I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.³ Thou shalt have no other gods before me.⁴ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;⁶ And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.⁷ Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.⁸ Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.⁹ Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:¹⁰ But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:¹¹ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.¹² Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.¹³ Thou shalt not kill.¹⁴ Thou shalt not commit adultery.¹⁵ Thou shalt not steal.¹⁶ Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.¹⁷ Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.” 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Romans 2, continues to challenge us as to whether we will follow or oppose God’s plan. The themes covered are judging others, choosing to obey or disobey God’s word, the law, and circumcision.   

ROMANS 2 

But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:For there is no respect of persons with God. (2:10-11) 

Introduction Judgment, Righteousness, Law 

1. God will judge all of us 

Romans 2:1-5 

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.²But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.³And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?⁴Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?⁵But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;”  

Matthew 7:1-5 

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.² For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.³ And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?⁴ Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?⁵ Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”  

2. Lovers of righteousness  

Romans 2:6-11 

^“Who will render to every man according to his deeds:⁷To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:⁸But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,⁹Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;¹⁰But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:¹¹For there is no respect of persons with God.” 

Deuteronomy 6:1-19 

“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:² That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.³ Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:¹⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.⁸ And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.⁹ And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.¹⁰ And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,¹¹ And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;¹² Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.¹³ Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.¹⁴ Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;¹⁵ (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.¹⁶ Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.¹⁷ Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.¹⁸ And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers.¹⁹ To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the Lord hath spoken.” 

3. The law points to Jesus  

Romans 2:12-16 

^“For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; ¹³(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.¹⁴For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:¹⁵Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)¹⁶In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” 

Exodus 20:1-17 (Ten Commandments) 

“And God spake all these words, saying,² I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.³ Thou shalt have no other gods before me.⁴ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;⁶ And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.⁷ Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.⁸ Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.⁹ Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:¹⁰ But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:¹¹ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.¹² Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.¹³ Thou shalt not kill.¹⁴ Thou shalt not commit adultery.¹⁵ Thou shalt not steal.¹⁶ Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.¹⁷ Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.” 

4. Circumcision  

Romans 2:17-29 

^“Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,¹⁸And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;¹⁹And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,²⁰An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.²¹Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? ²²Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? ²³Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? ²⁴For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. ²⁵For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. ²⁶Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? ²⁷And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? ²⁸For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: ²⁹But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” 

Genesis 17:9-14 

“And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.¹⁰ This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.¹¹ And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.¹² And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.¹³ He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.¹⁴ And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.” 

CONCLUSION 

• God will judge everyone 
• There is no respecter of persons with God 
• The law could not save 
• The law pointed to Jesus 
• The heart needs to be circumcised 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com