Monthly Archives: April 2025

ROMANS 3 JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

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April 30

ROMANS 3

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. – Romans 3:21-31

ROMANS 3 JUSTIFIED BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we believe in Jesus Christ we are vindicated

God’s wrath toward sinners was appeased by Jesus’ blood

By Christ’s sacrifice, we are now adopted as his own children

By faith, we also uphold the law so we can truly be justified.

What does it mean to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ? It means that we human beings are made righteous to God because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. God provided the remedy for our sinfulness. Because he hates sin, he gave his only begotten Son so his wrath will be appeased. All we need to do is to believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross and uphold the law in order for our sanctification to happen. Justification was a gift from God alone. It was done when Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for the appeasement of God’s wrath. Jesus’ work was to mediate between us and God so we can follow the salvation plan that God laid out for those whom he has chosen to be his people.

Our sanctification is an ongoing process until Jesus comes back again and the new heaven and new earth is fulfilled. We have assurance that we are justified through Christ.

REFLECTION

  • How is our justification by faith in Christ very different from other religions?

ROMANS 3 NO ONE DOES GOOD

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April 29

ROMANS 3

9 What then? Are we Jewsany better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one; 11no one understands; no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

No one does good, not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human beingwill be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. – Romans 3:9-19

ROMANS 3 NO ONE DOES GOOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Can anyone claim that they are good at what they do?

Does anyone truly understand or comprehend God?

He who thinks he is good is a liar because only God is good

Even Jesus himself didn’t claim that he was good.

We live in a world system that is plagued by standards of perfection. This system focuses on the “self” in relation to the world around it. The standard it follows is to be accepted as “good if not better or best.” The system propagates comparisons which generates envy and power struggles including all sorts of conflicts of various kinds.  He says it very clearly in James 3:16: For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. In this letter, Paul points out to both the Jews and Gentiles that there is no one who does good. In Mark 10:18, Jesus corrects someone who called him good. Only God is good according to our Lord Jesus Christ. He humbled himself to become human and doesn’t claim anything else that the Father hasn’t given him.

REFLECTION

  • What does the idea of “being good” do to believers and unbelievers alike?

ROMANS 3 BELIEVERS’ BETRAYAL DOESN’T CHANGE GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

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April 28

ROMANS 3

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though everyone were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” 5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come? —as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. – Romans 3:1-8

ROMANS 3 BELIEVERS’ BETRAYAL DOESN’T CHANGE GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one is chosen by God, it doesn’t excuse him from infidelity

Because God has given us a will, we are free to reject his invitation

Betraying the offer of God to belong to his kingdom

Will probably manifest that you weren’t chosen by him after all

When he chose you as his child, he gave you the ability to say “yes”

Your betrayal and rejection of him doesn’t change his faithfulness.

In this letter of Paul to the Romans, we could probably hear the questions being shot at him regarding the value of circumcision or being a Jew. If he said in his earlier letter that God is not partial, what is the point of being a believer? They even challenged Paul in verse 8 when they thought of why not just do evil then so good may come? Another question that they raised was if the believers were unfaithful, would God also do the same to them. We can hear how shallow and childish these people were regarding their faith. They have to be convinced that there are some benefits that they will gain if they do believe in God. Paul mentions in verse 2 that one of the advantages of being chosen by God is that they are also entrusted with the truth that comes from God’s word. Paul defends God’s character by saying that no matter how evil they are, God will stay true. It exposes such immaturity from them how they know and see God.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think these people thought that God will be unfaithful if they were?

ROMANS 2 CIRCUMCISION IS A MATTER OF THE HEART

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April 27

ROMANS 2

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physicallyuncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. – Romans 2:25-29

ROMANS 2 CIRCUMCISION IS A MATTER OF THE HEART

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you were circumcised as a sign of the covenant

You didn’t just have the physical manifestation of it

Circumcision is a matter of the heart and spirit

It symbolizes our spiritual separation from sin

It is a commitment you made to obey God’s laws

If you intentionally and habitually sin, it has no value.

In this letter of Paul to the Romans, he reminds them of the importance of circumcision. He stresses that it is not just a physical sign but more a spiritual sign that involves the heart. Genesis 17:11-14 brings us back to the time when God required circumcision. He commanded Abraham: “11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

It is very clear that it is not just a physical sign from the time that it was commanded to Abraham and the rest of his people. It was a covenant sign that identifies the people of God from the rest of the world. Therefore, all believers need to take this to heart.

REFLECTION

  • What is the sign now that has replaced circumcision in some churches today?

ROMANS 2 HYPOCRISY EXPOSED

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April 26

ROMANS 2

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” – Romans 2:17-24

ROMANS 2 HYPOCRISY EXPOSED

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we are obsessed to follow rules without love

We are being rigid to others just so they can obey laws

If we set a standard to give to someone that we cannot follow

We are hypocrites who do not do what we require

If we use the law as a measure for our standing and character

We will surely fail in leading others to our heavenly Father.

According to the ESV bible introduction to the book of Romans, Paul wrote Romans to unite the Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome in the gospel. He also wanted the church in Rome to become the base of operations from which he could proclaim the gospel in Spain. The ultimate goal of preaching the gospel is the glory of God. Paul longs for the Gentiles to become obedient Christians for the sake of Christ’s name.

In this account, Paul exposes the hypocrisy of the Jews through questions that will make them reflect on how strict and legalistic they were in obedience to the laws. The law becomes their accolade. They formulated 613 laws to live their lives which made it so difficult for many. Paul brings out their inability to follow all the rules they set for others to obey. He rebukes them for their rule-keeping that doesn’t reflect God’s laws.

REFLECTION

  • John 1:17 says that the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. How do you explain the hypocrisy of the Jews based on this?

ROMANS 2 THE UNWRITTEN LAW

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April 25

ROMANS 2

12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.  – Romans 2:12-16

ROMANS 2 THE UNWRITTEN LAW

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God created humans in his own image

The Lord also placed in their hearts his laws

It is unwritten in every man’s mind and his heart

This is why we know what is wrong and what is right

There is no excuse for man to justify his evil ways

Much more so those who are given God’s laws.

In this account, Paul explains the importance of both the written and unwritten law. For those who are Jews, they were given the laws by Moses when God freed them from the Egyptians. He made a covenant with his people to follow so that his promise will be received by them.

The Gentiles on the other hand didn’t have a covenant with God, but now, Paul is preaching to them the gospel. He made them aware that God has placed in their hearts the unwritten law of God. Even if they do not know God, they have a moral compass. We can call it conscience. We feel shame when we do something against that unwritten law, but we feel okay if we do not go against what is right. Paul also reproves the Jews because even though they know the law already and yet do not do it, they are as guilty as those who do not know the law of the Lord. The book of James calls this the royal law of liberty in his second chapter which is about loving our neighbor as yourself.

REFLECTION

  • Cite examples how the unwritten law is manifest in every human being.

ROMANS 2 A GOD WHO IS IMPARTIAL

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April 24

ROMANS 2

6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

                                                                    – Romans 2:6-11

ROMANS 2 A GOD WHO IS IMPARTIAL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord God is just and merciful and shows no favoritism

He treats everyone equally and has no partiality

But because he hates evil and unrighteousness

The wicked will be dealt with tribulation and distress

Glory, honor and peace will be given to the righteous

If anyone obeys the truth, they will receive God’s promises.

Favoritism refers to the act of showing bias or preference for one person or group over others. It’s often used in situations where someone is given special advantages or treatment because of their perceived status or connection to someone in power. Partiality is more general and can refer to bias or favoritism in any context. It implies a lack of impartiality or objectivity in judgment or decision-making. The book of James in chapter 2 calls “partiality” a sin. When we show prejudice to the poor because we respect the rich more than them, we are actually sinning according to him. Preferential treatment manifests inequality towards another person.

Paul explains in these following verses that God shows no partiality.  Leviticus 19:15 says that “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. Some unrighteous people may view God as impartial because they may want to justify their wicked acts.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think James calls partiality a sin?
  • What does favoritism do to people? What are some ways we can show biases?

ROMANS 2 GOD’S KINDNESS LEADS TO REPENTANCE

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April 23

ROMANS 2

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. – Romans 2:1-5

ROMANS 2 GOD’S KINDNESS LEADS TO REPENTANCE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If we love the Lord our God with all our heart

We will take seriously all that he commands us

As a loving parent would do to care for their child

God’s kindness also will lead us to relate with him

Let us desire to know our just and righteous God

Let us not judge others when we ourselves are corrupt.

We humans are very quick to pass judgment on others without truly reflecting on our own weaknesses and transgressions. In Galatians 6:1, we who are spiritual need to correct our brothers or sisters who are transgressing but in a spirit of gentleness. James 4:12 says that there is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and destroy. In 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, we are not to judge those outside the church but only those who are in the church, God judges those outside. We are to purge the evil person from among the body. This is why there is a body of leaders and council who will address those who are continually disobeying the laws. They cannot continue to sin and claim that they are serving the Lord. They are obviously serving the desires of their flesh. Galatians 5:17 says that the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. We need to be accountable for our actions so we do not stray.

REFLECTION

  • How does the laws of God show his kindness to his people?

ROMANS 1 SHAMELESS ACTS OF A DEBASED MIND

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April 22

ROMANS 1

26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.  – Romans 1:26-32

ROMANS 1 SHAMELESS ACTS OF A DEBASED MIND

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When someone intentionally defies God’s laws

That person will definitely do evil and shameful acts

The Lord will leave them to their wicked ways

They will do what is unnatural and debased

They love to gossip and slander others

They are ruthless, haughty and boastful.

Because they fail to acknowledge God, God forsakes them. God will never force us to follow his will. If we decide to choose to go against righteousness, we will be left to continue sinning. One sin generates another one and another one.

Paul also mentions that they become deviants, preferring what is not natural. Instead of going with the opposite sex, they prefer to be with their own kind. Some engage in many different evil ways such as envy, murder, gossip, slander, deceitfulness, disobedience to their parents and many more. 2 Chronicles 15:2 says “The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”

REFLECTION

  • What characteristic of God is clearly evidenced in these following verses?

ROMANS 1 AFTERMATH OF NOT HONORING GOD

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April 21

ROMANS 1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.– Romans 1:18-25

ROMANS 1 AFTERMATH OF NOT HONORING GOD
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
If you know God and do not honor or thank him
You will become foolish and futile in your thinking
Your heart will be hardened because you think you are wise
You will be left in the lusts of your hearts and your sinfulness
Because you exchanged the truth about God for a lie
You will continue to be wicked and darkened in your mind.

Paul challenges us all to bow down to only the One true God because there are consequences if a person doesn’t do so. He clearly gives us God’s invisible attributes here. He is eternal and divine. When he made man in his own image, we were given the internal compass to know what is right and what is wrong. Because our sole purpose is to give him glory, he has put it in every man’s heart to know that. If we defy this purpose, we will definitely pay for the consequences that may follow. Because God hates sin and punishes it, we will have to think twice if we want to be the recipient of these following aftermath: depraved minds, hardened hearts, idolatry, and futility in their thinking.

REFLECTION
• Who can you remember suffered the consequences of dishonoring God?