Thursday: The Law and the Gospel
(Rom. 1:16, 17)
No matter how good our lives are, none can escape the constant reminders of sin. Inevitably, happiness is interrupted by sickness, death, disaster. On a personal level, feelings of spiritual security are often challenged by memories of past sins and, even worse, by the urge to sin again.
Image © Frank Gampel from GoodSalt.com
In what ways do Romans 6:23, Romans 7:24, and Ephesians 2:1 describe the impact of sin?
A person living in sin, in unrighteousness, is merely a walking corpse just waiting for the day when the last breath exits his body. When Paul assesses the human condition, he cries out in desperation, Who will deliver me from this body of death? (Rom. 7:24, NKJV). This is a cry for liberation from unrighteousness. Paul quickly realizes that deliverance comes through Jesus (Rom. 7:25).
This is the gospel. The good news is that we who have been trapped in bodies of unrighteousness can be covered with the righteousness of Christ. The gospel is the guarantee that we can escape the condemnation of the law because we now possess the righteousness that the law promotes (Rom. 8:1).
When Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, the story of Jesus’ death was still being circulated throughout the empire. Those who had heard were fully aware that the way He had died was scandalous. People whose loved ones had been executed on the cross were often left to a life of shame. However, Paul and countless other Christians understood that Christ’s shameful death was the most powerful event in human history. That is why Paul declares, I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16, author’s translation). And the heart of that gospel is the great promise that in the end, death will not have the final say and that those saved by Jesus will live forever in a new earth.
Many people believe that life is meaningless because it always ends in death. So, nothing we do will matter in the long run. It’s hard to argue with that logic, isn’t it? If everything we have ever done and every person we have ever influenced will all forever be lost and forgotten, what can life mean?
(15)
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ. Today. Let us give God praise for we are alive. To give Him glory. To be a witness of all His goodness towards us. PRAY.
If this isn't motivation to be dependent on the Lord, I don't know what is Wilcy! I am grateful for this bible study this morning. It is nice to discuss a topic with others who love the Lord. 🙂
These three verses describe sin as devastating to a life. They also embody the struggle each of us has with sin on a daily basis. It is frustrating to see the sin in our lives, but I am grateful, through God's Holy Spirit that He warns me when sin rears its ugly head. Good to meditate on, and consider on a daily basis.
Thank you and God bless.
Controversy and discussion do not enlighten the soul. We must look and live. Nicodemus received the lesson, and carried it with him. He searched the Scriptures in a new way, not for the discussion of a theory, but in order to receive life for the soul. He began to see the kingdom of heaven as he submitted himself to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
There are thousands today who need to learn the same truth that was taught to Nicodemus by the uplifted serpent. They depend on their obedience to the law of God to commend them to His favor. When they are bidden to look to Jesus, and believe that He saves them solely through His grace, they exclaim, "How can these things be?"
Question: What is the Gospel?
Answer: We can enter into life as cheifs of sinners. Realizing that Christ is the only name under heaven given to us where by we must be saved. Acts 4:12. Through faith we recieve the grace of God; but faith is not our Saviour. It earns us nothing. It is the hand by which we lay hold upon Christ, and appropiate His merits, the remedy for sin...
1. Look and listen to the Holy Spirit, beholding the Lamb of God, and believing by beholding you become changed.
2. Have faith that His grace is suficent, believing He is able to give His grace by holding His hand, making you relevant through spilling of His blood, once for all.
3. Repent, believing that it comes through Christ as much as parden does.
4. Be born again: of heaven, of water, of the Holy Spirit, of the Cross, of the love of God.
5. Now go back and pick up the book "The Desire of Ages" and read all of Chapter 17.