“Discerning God’s Will” ( Romans 12: 1, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

Paul warns Gentiles not to “be conceited;” not “to be unaware of this mystery:

“A partial hardening has come to Israel until the full number of Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Liberator will come from Zion; He will turn away godlessness from Jacob. And this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins.’ (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Regarding the gospel, they are enemies for your advantage, but regarding election, they are loved because of the patriarchs, since God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable. As you once disobeyed God, but now have received mercy through their disobedience, so they too have now disobeyed, resulting in mercy to you, so that they also now may receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience, so that He may have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:25-32)

Because of this same mystery, which amounts to God’s extraordinary mercies and His irrevocable grace, Paul urges us “to present [our] bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God; this is [our] spiritual worship.” And although Paul mentions our physical bodies, he moves directly to our minds, speaking of our transformation by renewing them. We renew our minds via the Word of God, fellowship with one another, and prayer. As our minds are renewed, “[we] are able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

How many times have you wondered what the will of God is for you? His specific will for your life is that you renew your mind, accept the “measure of faith” given to you, and use the natural and spiritual gifts He has bestowed. Paul says not to think more highly of yourself than you ought. He sets out with a list of God’s will for you. Here are a few choice ones:

“Cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)

“Pursue hospitality.” (Romans 12: 13)

“Be persistent in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

“Do not be proud.” (Romans 12:16)

“Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10)

“Be in agreement with one another.” (Romans 12:16)

“Do not avenge yourself.” (Romans 12:19)

“Do not be wise in your own estimation.” (Romans 12:16)

“Live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

 

“Mutually Strong” ( Romans 1: 12, NIV ) by Carley Evans

“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong — that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

So writes Paul to the church in Rome “who are loved by God and called to be saints.” (Romans 1:7) Paul testifies how he prays for them “at all times” and how pleased he is “because [their] faith is being reported all over the world.” (Romans 1:9,8) He is “eager to preach the gospel” to those “who are at Rome.” (Romans 1:15) Paul here implies that in Rome he will find “both Greeks and non-Greeks, both the wise and the foolish.” (Romans 1:14)

The gospel — the good news — is meant to be encouraging! The good news is encouraging to both the Greek and non-Greek, to the Jew and the Gentile, to the wise and the foolish. Therefore, Paul is “not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God.” (Romans 1:16) This power emanating from God saves; His power first saves the Jew, then the Gentile. This power reveals a righteousness also emanating from God, “a righteousness that is by faith first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous live by faith.’” (Romans 1:17) First to last, beginning to end — the power of God provides faith, salvation, and righteousness; and this is the good news!

The gospel – the good news – is meant to be strengthening! The power of God encourages and strengthens “all who believe.” (Romans 3:22) No matter whether we are male or female, Black or White, Brown or Red; no matter our national origin or ethnic descent, we have all “sinned and [fallen] short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace.” (Romans 3:23)

“Where then is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” (Romans 3:27-28)

“Let God Be True” ( Romans 3: 4, NIV ) by Carley Evans

God is faithful. He brings “a righteousness from [Himself], apart from law.” This righteousness “comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:21,22) All people “sin and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) All people “are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that comes by Jesus Christ.” (Romans 3:24)

God is faithful. “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4)

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All turn away.” (Romans 3:10-11,12) “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:18)

So, what point is Paul making? He’s saying, “Let God be true; every man is a liar!” “Every mouth is silenced and the whole world is held accountable to God. Therefore no one is declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” (Romans 3:19,20)

Now we are not left “conscious of sin.” Rather than leaving us drenched in guilt, God provides us a simple albeit costly solution. God “justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26)

Therefore, says Paul, boasting is excluded. Pride in self is inappropriate for “we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” (Romans 3:28)

Let God be true. Let God be faithful.

“The Night Is Nearly Over” ( Romans 13:12, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

Paul encourages us with these words, “The night is nearly over;” “our salvation is nearer than when we first believed;” (Romans 13:11) and “the daylight is near.” Because the night is almost finished, and the light is dawning upon us, Paul exhorts us to “discard the deeds of darkness” since it is fading away and “put on the armor of light” since it is shining already and soon is to be in full glow. We are to “make no plans” to remain in darkness, but are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 13:14) We are to actively avoid “quarreling and jealousy.” (Romans 13:13)

Notice Paul exhorts us to put off arguing which creates barriers between we who are brothers and sisters in the Lord. Paul says, “Let us no longer criticize one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in [our] brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13) “Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about doubtful issues.” (Romans 14:1) “Who are [we] to criticize another’s household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand. For the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)

Therefore, Paul encourages to be accepting of one another in Christ for we are all members of the same body, who is our Lord.

“The Grace Of One Man” ( Romans 5: 15, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

“How much more do those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ,” writes Paul to the church at Rome. (Romans 5:17) “How much more does the grace of God and the gift overflow to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:15) “Through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.” (Romans 5:18) “Through one man’s obedience the many are made righteous.” (Romans 5:19) “Grace is multiplied even more.” (Romans 5:20) “Grace reigns through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21)

Whose obedience does Paul highlight? Certainly not Adam’s or Eve’s. Certainly not mine or yours. Rather, Paul writes of one man’s obedience, of the one man, Jesus Christ who obeyed God the Father completely. Through Jesus’ obedience is “life-giving justification.” Through Jesus’ grace, “the many are made righteous.” Jesus’ grace overflows to us as does the gift of His own righteousness.

“What shall we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not!” (Romans 6:1) “What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not!” (Romans 6:15) “What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He does not even spare His own Son but offers Him up for us all; how does He not grant also with Him us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies.” (Romans 8:31-33)

“Joy” ( Romans 5: 1, ESV ) by Carley Evans

Have you not heard? Do you not know? — We’ve been “justified by faith.” And what’s more — because “we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God.” How has this justification occurred? Our justification and therefore our peace with God has been secured “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We stand in this grace. And in this grace which we have obtained through faith, “we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)

Therefore, we stand in faith, in grace — justified fully before God the Father — in total peace with Him. We stand in joy because we have this hope of glory within us.

Sometimes, I believe we underestimate the state of joy in which we stand. Either we do not recognize it, or we fail to grasp its fullness. Now someone might say, ‘well, then how is that being in a state of joy?’ Of course it’s not. Joy comes with first knowing the weight of our sin and then recognizing the lifting of that weight. And joy is sustained by refusing to allow that weight of guilt to return to us, knowing that Christ carried that weight on the tree at Calvary. Like a garment, He has taken our sin from us and literally nailed it to the cross.

Taking it down, putting it back onto ourselves is the ultimate betrayal of grace. Have you not heard? Do you not know? “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. They who wait for the Lord renew their strength; they mount up with wings like eagles; they run and are not weary; they walk and do not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-29,31)

“God’s Great Army” ( Joel 2: 25, ESV ) by Carley Evans

God promises, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, My great army, which I sent among you.” God tells us that He sends His great army against us, to swarm, eat, and destroy. As God comes against us, we cry aloud in despair,”Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us: look, and see our disgrace!” (Lamentations 5:1) “Our pursuers are at our necks, we are weary; we are given no rest.” (Lamentations 5:5) “The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned!” (Lamentations 5:15-16)

After our near total destruction because of our unrecognized sins, the Lord restores to us all He has taken — “what the swarming locust has eaten.” With this restoration, God pours out His Spirit. His great promise comes true: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh: your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out My Spirit.” (Joel 2:28-29) “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32)

“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong, fear not!’” (Isaiah 35:3-4) “‘He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.” (Isaiah 35:5-7)

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

“The Good Work” ( Philippians 1: 6, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

Paul writes to the church at Philippi, “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The good work, I believe, to which Paul refers is their partnership with him in grace. These brothers and sisters in Christ partner with Paul to establish and defend the gospel. And God “carries it on to completion.” God has not begun this good work to see it fail.

Paul exhorts, “Just one thing: live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way.” (Philippians 1:27-28)

Paul calls them and us to stand together in “one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith of the gospel” and to do so without fear. He reminds, “If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. Who is the one who condemns?” (Romans 8:31-34)

“At Peace With God” ( Romans 3: 26, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

What is God’s righteousness which “has been revealed?” (Romans 3:21) God’s righteousness is demonstrated “in His restraint” as “[He] passes over the sins previously committed.” (Romans 3:25) “For while we were still helpless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:2) Therefore, God’s righteousness is demonstrated as “[He] presents [Christ] as a propitiation through faith in [His Son's] blood.” “[God] is righteous and declares righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26) And so we see “[we] are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24)

God restrains Himself now that Jesus has taken the sins of the world upon the crucifixion tree. And God declares righteous those who put their faith in Christ’s finished work.

If our righteousness — and therefore our inheritance — come through adherence to law rather than through faith, then “faith is made empty and the promise is canceled.” (Romans 4:14) “The promise is through faith, so that it may be according to grace.” (Romans 4:16) “[Jesus] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:25) “Therefore, since we are declared righteous by faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

“Chosen By God” ( 2 Thessalonians 2: 13, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

“God chose you for salvation.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13) “He calls you to this through [the] gospel, so you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

“For He chose [you] in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined [you] to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself.” (Ephesians 1:4-5)

“Where then is boasting? It is excluded. [You] are justified by faith.” (Romans 3:27,28) “Therefore, since [you] are declared righteous by faith, [you] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) “Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)