Read Romans 3:19-20. What is Paul saying here about the law, about what it does, and about what it does not or cannot do? Why is this point so important for all Christians to understand? Paul is using the term law in its broad sense as the Jew in his day understood it. By the term Torah (the Hebrew word … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rom. 3:19-28. Memory Text: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28). In this lesson we come to the basic theme of Romans: justification by faith-the great truth that, more than any other truth, brought about the Protestant Reformation. And despite all the … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “Thus the biblical terminology shows that sin is not a calamity fallen upon the human unawares, but the result of an active attitude and choice on the part of the human. Further, sin is not the absence of good, but it is ‘falling short’ of God’s expectations. It is an evil course that the … Continue reading –>
“Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4). What message is here for us in regard to the whole question of repentance? We should notice that God’s goodness leads, not forces, sinners to repentance. God uses no coercion. He is … Continue reading –>
In Romans chapter 1, Paul was dealing specifically with the sins of the Gentiles, the pagans, those who had lost sight of God a long time ago and, thus, had fallen into the most degrading of practices. But he wasn’t going to let his own people, his own countrymen, off the hook either. Despite all … Continue reading –>
At the turn of the twentieth century, people lived with the idea that humanity was improving, that morality would increase, and that science and technology would help usher in a utopia. Human beings, it was believed, were essentially on the path toward perfection. Through the right kind of education and moral training, it was thought … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 3:23. Why is this message so easy for us as Christians to believe today? At the same time, what could cause some people to question the truthfulness of this text? Amazingly enough, some people actually challenge the idea of human sinfulness, arguing that people are basically good. The problem, however, stems from a lack … Continue reading –>
“I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live’” … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rom. 1:16-17, Rom. 1:22-32; Rom. 2:1-10, Rom. 2:17-24; Rom. 3:1-2, Rom. 3:10-18, Rom. 3:23. Memory Text: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Early in the book of Romans, Paul seeks to establish a crucial truth, one central to the gospel-the sad state of the human condition. This truth exists because, from the … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Jew and Gentile,” pp. 188-192, 194-197; “Apostasy in Galatia,” pp. 383-388, in The Acts of the Apostles; “The Law Given to Israel,” pp. 310-312; “The Law and the Covenants,” pp. 370-373, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Chosen People,” pages 27-30, in The Desire of Ages. No doubt, our church faces times of controversy and dissension. But this is nothing … Continue reading –>
