Category Archives: Poem devotionals

ROMANS 9 WORK FROM FAITH VERSUS LAW-BASED WORK

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May 24

ROMANS 9

30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” – Romans 9:30-33

ROMANS 9 WORK FROM FAITH VERSUS LAW-BASED WORK

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Work from true faith is an act of total God-dependence

While law-based work is anchored on self-confidence

Following the law for those with true faith is a result of grace

While religious routines and rituals are by-products of the law.

In this letter Paul presents a comparison between works of righteousness and law-based works. Working for your salvation is a result of faith that is based on following rules or laws so you earn merit for what you do. This is not true faith. It is called “religious rituals.” Jesus didn’t die for a religion but for a relationship. James defines religion in chapter one as pure and undefiled before God the Father. It is defined as visiting orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. The world focuses on “self” rather than on God’s gift of free grace. When one follows the law through his own effort, that person doesn’t depend on God but on himself.

Paul explains again about God’s grace and faith in his letter to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 12:9 when he said that “God’s grace is sufficient for you, for God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ rests upon me.” He again mentions it in Ephesians 2:8-9 when he says “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. True faith leads to good works since it is a result of God’s grace. False faith is doing works to earn merits for themselves.

REFLECTION

  • How can you differentiate works from true faith versus law-based works?
  • What’s the difference between religion and relationship?

ROMANS 9 ONLY A REMNANT WILL BE SAVED

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May 23

ROMANS 9

19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, 28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” 29 And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom
and become like Gomorrah.”– Romans 9:19-29

ROMANS 9 ONLY A REMNANT WILL BE SAVED

In this letter, Paul continues to expound on the sovereignty of God. He quotes the prophet Hosea on verse 2:23 which promises those who were not part of the Israelites will also have a chance to be called sons of the living God. He also quotes the prophet Isaiah that even though the Israelites were as much as the sand, only a remnant of them will be saved. He also mentioned Isaiah’s prediction that if God didn’t keep his promise, they would be annihilated just like Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.

This is a warning not just for those first century Christians but also to all believers in our current time. In Matthew 22, we hear Jesus tell the parable of the great feast. It was about a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son and those who were invited didn’t come but killed the messengers who were sent to invite them.  So, in his anger, the king ordered everyone in the street corners to come instead. When someone came and isn’t properly dressed for the feast, he was bound and thrown into the pit of darkness. The parable ends with “many are called but few are chosen.”

REFLECTION

  • What does it take for a believer to receive the promise of eternal life?

ROMANS 9 GOD’S ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY

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May 22

ROMANS 9

8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. – Romans 9:8-18

ROMANS 9 GOD’S ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY

In this letter, Paul explains to the church in Rome that God has absolute sovereignty over all things he created. We humans have a tendency to question things we don’t understand. Paul wants to focus on God’s total preference on whomever he wants to bless. Only God alone knows what is best for us. Paul explains the promise of God to those whom he elects. He cites the example of Jacob and Esau. Even though Esau was the firstborn, he wasn’t God’s choice to bring forth the promised offspring. It was in Jacob that he fulfilled his promise to Abraham. Often, we do not understand why God chooses someone and not another person. He is God after all and he created all things, sees all things and has control over everything.  Verse 15 has been considered a hard saying to fathom especially for those who do not know God’s sovereignty. Many unbelievers try to understand it from a human standpoint and may interpret it as God having favorites. Another example like this is Cain and Abel. He accepted Abel’s offering but not Cain’s because Abel did worship God the right way, while Cain didn’t offer the best. God doesn’t need to explain his choices to us. He is sovereign and he will deliver all his plans and promises according to his will.

REFLECTION

  • What could be hard to understand for unbelievers regarding God’s election?

ROMANS 9 GOD’S WORD NEVER FAILS

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May 21

ROMANS 9

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

                                                                                 – Romans 9:1-8

ROMANS 9 GOD’S WORD NEVER FAILS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As believers in Christ Jesus, we are given God’s word

It is through his word that we overcome the world

God’s word never fails; it keeps us protected from wickedness

Cling to it always so you can stay in the path of righteousness.

In this letter, we hear Paul have anguish over some of his brothers and sisters in Christ. It sounds like he is suffering sorrowfully for those who have become lax with faithfully following the path of righteousness. He is urging the believers in Rome to press in God’s truth which says that the children of God are those that he has counted as his elect.

Just because they are Israelites, it doesn’t mean that they are automatically saved. He uses the term “children of the flesh” which could be those who think they are saved just because they are Israelites, but do not keep their end in following the covenant stipulation of God.

Paul reminds the believers in this letter that those who keep the covenant promise between Abraham and his offspring will be the ones who will be counted children of God.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us to hunger for God’s word regularly?

ROMANS 8 NOTHING SEPARATES US FROM GOD

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May 20

ROMANS 8

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can beagainst us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:31-39

ROMANS 8 NOTHING SEPARATES US FROM GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are in Christ Jesus, fear not for God is with you

There is nothing that will separate you from God’s love

No matter what happens to you or whatever Satan does

It will never diminish the steadfast love of God

Even death will not stop God’s Spirit from being with you

No circumstances or adversities will keep you away from that love.

Have you ever been loved by someone unconditionally? Why do we humans long to be loved this way? That is because God made us in his image as Genesis 1:27 says. We were made for God and nothing or no one else. The Lord designed a perfect match for us. It was his love. This is why we long to have that assurance in life. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, that love of God was twisted with another kind of love, a transactional love. But this kind of worldly love doesn’t complete us. It poses emptiness and loneliness. Unknowingly, we are unable to understand that twisted thinking that the devil made when he enticed Adam and Eve to disobey and change the trajectory of God’s plan. Giving Jesus to us removed that separation by sin and nothing can separate us from God.

REFLECTION

  • What were Satan’s tricks in your life that made you feel separate from God?

ROMANS 8 THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN WEAKNESS

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May 19

ROMANS 8

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. – Romans 8:26-30

ROMANS 8 THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN WEAKNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

There is no fear for all those who are in Christ Jesus

They need not worry about their trials and weaknesses

The Spirit helps believers in their difficulties and troubles

He guides them when they don’t know what to pray for

For all those who love God, all things work together for good

They are led to righteousness and to give all the glory to God.

Paul continues to lay down all the benefits of believing in Christ in this letter. He assures all believers of what the Spirit can do when they don’t know what to do. How do we know what to do when we cannot see the Spirit? We are given the word of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16, it says that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” That is how the Holy Spirit guides us. He even inspired all the writers of the books of the bible to write them so that we have the truth and be guided by it.

There is no reason for any believer to stay fearful and doubtful because the Spirit of the Lord lives in every heart of every believer. He is our helper so that everything in our lives will work together for good. It may not remove all our troubles and challenges, but the Holy Spirit will always be present to counsel us and protect us from falling away.

REFLECTION

  • Share some ways that the Holy Spirit guided or counseled you in your life.

ROMANS 8 HOPE FOR THE GLORY AHEAD

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May 18

ROMANS 8

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. – Romans 8:18-25

ROMANS 8 HOPE FOR THE GLORY AHEAD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you are chosen to be one of God’s people

There is much eager expectancy to hope for

Do not be discouraged with the sufferings you encounter

They are incomparable to the glory waiting for a believer.

In this letter, Paul encourages the church in Rome not to be discouraged by trials, adversities and suffering they encounter. He wants the believers to look forward to the glory that surpasses all those challenges they are faced with currently. He is urging them to have an eager expectancy of the glory that are coming for all those who believe and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

This letter is not only for those believers in Rome at the time Paul was writing it. It is also for all believers in our current day. We need to press on towards the promises that is going to be fulfilled when Jesus comes back. Instead of being discouraged and let down, we focus on the glory that lies ahead. If we place our attention on the promise of the new heaven and earth, of a place where there will be no more diseases, pain and tears, we could have that expectancy that will make us press on and grow our endurance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTION

  • Why is “hope” sometimes challenging for some believers?

ROMANS 8 ADOPTED AS CHILDREN OF GOD

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May 17

ROMANS 8

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. – Romans 8:9-17

ROMANS 8 ADOPTED AS CHILDREN OF GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you believe in Jesus Christ, you are adopted by God himself

You are dead to your flesh and is led by the Spirit in righteousness

You are no longer slaves to sin but alive in Christ Jesus

God claimed you as his child and sin no longer controls you.

Do you know of someone who has been adopted? They are brought into the family of those who took them in. They become like their own. The adopted parents give their name to them. They get all the same benefits as the biological children get. This is how God adopted all those who believe in Jesus Christ into his kingdom. They become heirs to his kingdom. If God is a King, then all believers are princes and princesses. Like Jesus, they also have a place in his kingdom. So, all believers ought to act like they are God’s actual children. Paul explains here the spirit of adoption which is given to all those who believe in Christ. Even though Christians still live in a sinful body, they are given God’s Spirit so they can have the ability to do what is right and pleasing to God. There is no reason anymore to be slaves to sin since righteousness dwells in us through the Spirit of the Lord.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think some Christians behave like they weren’t adopted by God?

ROMANS 7 INNER CONFLICT

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May 15

ROMANS 7

19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. – Romans 7:19-25

ROMANS 7 INNER CONFLICT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Before I knew the Lord Jesus Christ

I was a slave to my own desires

I only did what gives me pleasure

I chased wealth, achievements and treasures

When I learned about the laws of the Lord

I can no longer continue to follow the world

I now want to please God rather than myself

But my body still desires to give in to the “self.”

The worst kind of conflict is the one that is inside of us. Paul talks about this inner conflict in this letter to the Romans. He was referring to that battle between the flesh and the spirit. We didn’t used to be bothered by sins until we heard the gospel and received it. When one pledged allegiance and loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ, the old selfish ways are now a threat to the Spirit’s transforming work. Before we heard the gospel and received it, we were unaware of the sins that we automatically do, but when the laws of God were presented to us, a consciousness is stirred in us and we begin to be convicted of sins. Our conscience kicks in because we now belong to the Lord.

There is no struggle to all those who continue to live in the standards and systems of the world, but for those who believe in Christ, they can no longer continue to do the wicked and evil ways they used to do. Now, the inner conflict is a challenge to believers.

REFLECTION

  • How can we win the battle that wages inside us regularly?

ROMANS 7 THE PARADOX IN A BELIEVER’S LIFE

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May 14

ROMANS 7

13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. – Romans 7:13-18

ROMANS 7 THE PARADOX IN A BELIEVER’S LIFE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

“Following my own desires” was what I used to live for

But when I believed in Christ, it is now difficult to do so

For God’s law showed me the sinful nature that lives in me

Because of the law, paradoxes fill my mind and heart

For it is a struggle to follow the good that is required of me

I do not follow the law even though I desire it because of sin.

Paul continues to explain the changes that happen to a believer when they transition to their old life to the new one given to them in Christ. Before they believed in Christ, they didn’t have many conflicts of interests.  Now that they heard the truth, they can no longer follow their carnal desires because their flesh was totally opposed to what God requires in his law.  The more they heard the law, the harder it was to lean on their own understanding and cravings. This is the paradox that believers are constantly battling on a regular basis. Verses 15 and 16 expose this inner contradiction in a believer’s heart and mind. Now that their lives are no longer about “serving the self” and is now “serving the Lord,” it may be a struggle to follow the law because they still live in their sinful bodies.

Even though the believer wants to do what is good, sometimes they end up doing what is evil or sinful. Those who are unbelievers do not struggle with this paradox since they only do their hedonistic desires and do not have to please the Lord. There is no inner conflict in their minds and hearts unlike the believer.

REFLECTION

  • What do we need to do as Christians each time this paradox presents itself?