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ROMANS 11 NO LONGER WORKS BUT GRACE

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May 27

ROMANS 11

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

                                                                        – Romans 11:1-6

ROMANS 11 NO LONGER WORKS BUT GRACE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Believe in Jesus and you will abound in grace

Christ already did what no human can do

There’s no need for believers to add to it

Christ has now completed it; it is finished.

In this letter, Paul reminds the believers of God’s promise of grace. He clarified to them that not all Israelites are going to be saved but only a chosen remnant. He warned them to focus on the importance of relying on the finished work of Christ and not thinking that just because they were Israelites, they were automatically saved. He reminded them of God promising salvation to those men who kept their end of the covenant promise.

Paul wants them to be mindful of how easy it is to be complacent and rely only on being part of the tribes of Israel. He points out to them that he too is an Israelite. Paul wants them to know that being an Israelite isn’t enough to be saved. Salvation is for those whom God has chosen from the beginning of time. Those whom he chose, he has given the ability to receive God, serve him and go against their nature.

We could very well learn from Paul’s letter about the importance of taking our responsibility as servants of God seriously. We ought to live faithful lives and prioritize God in everything we do.

REFLECTION

  • Cite some examples how some Christian churches twist the concept of “grace?”

ROMANS 8 HEDONISTICS CANNOT PLEASE GOD

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May 16

ROMANS 8

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set youfree in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. – Romans 8:1-8

ROMANS 8 HEDONISTICS CANNOT PLEASE GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When a person is indulgent with worldly pleasures

He will acknowledge God but chase material treasures

His mind is focused on his own desires and cravings

He will not please God or bow down to a higher being

Self-seekers can never please God for they are their own idol

They idolize themselves and are unable to revere the Lord.

Paul emphasizes the difference between someone who lives for God and those who live for themselves. In Christ, he points out that we have victory over our sinful nature. On our own, we will never overcome the flesh. In verse 5, he explains that anyone who lives for the flesh (human psyche) will always obsess over things that are physical or material. They do not understand that there are more important things aside from what they see. Matthew 6:19-21 says 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. So, those who are hedonistic cannot please God because their hearts are focused on earthly treasures.

REFLECTION

  • How can we fight the love for the things of this world?

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?

JOHN 16 IN A LITTLE WHILE

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March 25

JOHN 16
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” – John 16:12-18

JOHN 16 IN A LITTLE WHILE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When you are going through adversities for a long time
Hold on to faith for the Lord will be there in a little while
You may not think he is there beside you at this moment
But in a little while, he will make you feel his presence
Do not despair when you undergo much suffering
If you wait patiently, in a little while, he is coming.

In this last moment that Jesus was speaking to his disciples, he lovingly assures them that although they won’t see him, they need not be afraid or worried. The promise of the Holy Spirit leading them to truth was one of the greatest gifts that they could receive from the Father. They will no longer be in the dark because the Holy Spirit will lead them to the truth which will enlighten them in terms of things that Jesus taught them that they didn’t understand at the time they were hearing it. Many of the things they didn’t understand about Jesus’ spoken word while he was still with them were later on clearer to them. That is the work of the Spirit: to lead them to truth.
When Jesus said verse 16, he was foreshadowing his upcoming death and also his resurrection. The disciples will later on understand what their Master meant.

REFLECTION
• What were some truths you didn’t understand that became clearer later?

JOHN 15 PRUNE WHAT DOESN’T BEAR FRUIT

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March 20

JOHN 15
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:1-11

JOHN 15 PRUNE WHAT DOESN’T BEAR FRUIT
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, follow his word
If you do, you will decode lies coming from the world
If you stay faithful in doing what Scripture says
You will bear fruits in your life in abundance
When you recognize parts of you that isn’t productive
You may have strayed away from our heavenly Father.

In this account, Jesus likens his relationship to his disciples to a vine and its branches. The vine is Jesus and the branches are his followers. When the branches are not cut off from the vine, they will produce fruits. So, Jesus advises them to make sure that they are constantly in relationship with him so that they will bear fruits. When the Father, who is the gardener or vinedresser, sees that they are not producing fruits, he will prune them. To prune in gardening means to cut off or remove parts of the branch for better shape or more fruitful growth.

REFLECTION
• How has God pruned you when you are fruitless or unproductive?

JOHN 12 LIGHT COVERS DARKNESS

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March 10

JOHN 12
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
– John 12:44-50

JOHN 12 LIGHT COVERS DARKNESS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Is your life full of pain, struggle, chaos and adversities?
You are not alone; someone is going through the same difficulties
Satan wants us to stay in the dark; he throws lies at us constantly
Believe in Jesus and His truth and these lies will be exposed instantly
You will no longer be tricked by subtle tactics for it will be in the light
Darkness will not overwhelm and overpower you because you believed.

In the bible, “light” is used as a metaphor for our Lord, God and the truth. According to some sources, it is used over 200 times in the bible both in the Old and New Testament books. John 8:12 tells us that Jesus claims that he is the light of the world and whoever follows him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. In John 1:5, he says that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it. In Psalm 119:105, the psalmist calls the word as a lamp to his feet and a light to his path. Genesis 1 gives us a picture of how the world was in darkness until God created light in verse 3. According to Barclay’s study notes, these words of Jesus were his last words in his public ministry. Hereafter he will teach his disciples and hereafter he will stand before Pilate, but these are the last words he will address to people at large. He is inviting all to partake of his greatest sacrifice on the cross so that they will all come to light and be saved.

REFLECTION
• Why do you think some people continually want to walk in the dark?

JOHN 12 BLIND EYES AND HARDENED HEARTS

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March 9

JOHN 12
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
– John 12:36-43

JOHN 12 BLIND EYES AND HARDENED HEARTS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
What would it take for a proud man to believe the Christ?
Though the Lord’s work is visible, he still cannot see
Because his heart had been hardened, they cannot know
You cannot receive the Lord without him choosing you
A man will remain blind and unable to experience God’s glory
Because he prefers to please man rather than his Maker.

It is a sad fate to watch the Pharisees continue to influence the beliefs of those that were around them. They indoctrinated the people with their legalism, rules and rituals. Sometimes, we in our current society are not far from these people. Culture has ingrained so many lies and false systems that we cannot even brush it off from our minds and hearts. We become unable to receive the truth because it is so tainted with corruption and evil. People-pleasing becomes automatic. We fear confronting evil and wrongdoing because we may not fit in and be politically correct. We are not far from those people who believed the signs Jesus did that they witnessed. They believed yet were not free to express it because of their fear of losing something if they did. They were slaves of the dictates of the religious systems of the Pharisees.

REFLECTION
• Why do you think a man chooses to remain blind and hard hearted?

JOHN 11 WHEN WE WORK IN GOD’S TIMING

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March 4

JOHN 11
54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him. – John 11:54-57

JOHN 11 WHEN WE WORK IN GOD’S TIMING
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When we are called by God for a calling
We need to work in God’s proper timing
He knows what is best because he sees all things
While our mind is limited, it may miss out on something.

What do we make of this account? Was Jesus hiding for fear of his life? Of course not. He was retreating to the wilderness in order not to stir the crowd and pre-empt his death and resurrection in their timing. He was obedient to God’s timeline. He will never go against God’s plan. Jesus was resting in the quiet of the wilderness so that he can be still and quiet in his Father’s presence. He needed to prepare for the coming days when his sacrifice on the cross was coming up.
The great Charles Spurgeon comments on these verses “We do not find that he wrought miracles there or preached, but in a holy and devout retirement, it may be, he prepared his mind for the last great week — the week of his passion and his death. It is generally best for us to imitate him in this; and when we have some great work to do — something that will need all the grace that we can get, it is well to make a retreat —get into retirement, and school the heart, and seek to drink in fresh strength that we may be prepared for that which lies before us.”

REFLECTION
• Share a time when you went against God’s timing and its consequence to you.

JOHN 10 WHY SOME CAN’T BELIEVE

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February 24

JOHN 10
22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
– John 10:22-29

JOHN 10 WHY SOME CAN’T BELIEVE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
There are some who claim that they are believers
Yet they do not truly hear and apply Scriptures
Just like the Pharisees, they are blind to the truth
They hear but their hearts do not submit to the Lord
Even if the truth is just right in front of them
They fail to see it because they are full of pride.

Have you ever encountered people who claim they know God and yet you don’t see any evidence in their lives that they do believe and serve the Lord? In this account, we are given a clear account of how the Pharisees are like these people I am talking about. They study Scriptures as an accomplishment to gain recognition. They have no love for the Lord or for His word. They do not truly understand them because the word of God needs to be received humbly. James 1:21 says “Therefore, laying aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” There is a posture of humility needed to be able to let the word of God come to life in your heart. The truth is not something that anyone can use for their own selfish motives. It is given to us so that we can follow the way of righteousness and proclaim the kingdom of God on earth. It is to give the Lord glory, not ourselves.

REFLECTION
• Share some Scripture abuse you have encountered in your Christian life.

JOHN 9 FAITH VERSUS UNBELIEF

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February 16

JOHN 9
8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
– John 9:8-12

JOHN 9 FAITH VERSUS UNBELIEF
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
If you have faith like a mustard seed the impossible can happen
Because of his faith, the blind man was given sight for the first time
There were those who saw him who couldn’t believe he was the same man
Their unbelief led them to many questions and inability to receive the sign.

It is interesting how the neighbors of the blind beggar couldn’t recognize the man who is now able to see. They were so used to seeing him without sight. Because of this mindset, they were also unable to believe that the Son of God can do the impossible. It is sad how unbelief can make us ask many questions because our minds are so limited. They had to interrogate the man and ask how Jesus gave him his sight. They had to process in their minds through reasoning how the impossible happened. They cannot just receive it because that would mean that their thinking process is wrong which is illogical. Many of us get stuck in our mindsets that we cannot see the new life that Jesus has given us. We get so used to the old sinful ways that it becomes hard to give up the habit of sin.
This man had faith which was manifested when he obeyed Jesus to go to the pool of Siloam to wash the mud that he placed on his eyes. David Guzik comments “Still as a blind man he had to find his way down to the pool of Siloam and down its steps to the pool itself. He likely could think of a dozen reasons why this was a fool’s errand, but he went and washed in faith and obedience, because Jesus told him to (and because there was mud in his eyes.”

REFLECTION
• How have you grown your faith since you became a servant of the Lord Jesus?