Author: Don Guthrie

Don Guthrie is the Senior Pastor at FBCSA.

What say we?

Re: Verse reading–Romans 6 (day one)

“WHAT SHALL WE SAY then?  Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?”–v 1.  Paul often uses this formula to advance his argument.  “WHAT SHALL WE SAY to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) is another example.

The short summary is “How shall we respond to God’s grace?”  “Given the truths of Romans 1-5, what conclusions should we draw?”

Note that Paul ASSUMES  we WILL reach some conclusions.  He also warns that some conclusions are incorrect.

“Since grace is free, then what I DO doesn’t matter, right?”  ” Christ paid for my debt, so sin is no longer a concern, correct?”

No! This is one conclusion that we are NOT free to reach.  Paul will spend this week convincing us. Life in Christ and death to sin are two parts of the same story.

Thanks for reading RE Verse.  It’s gonna be a great week.

Shaped by stress

Re:Verse reading–Romans 5:1-11 (day seven)

“We know that tribulation brings about perseverance”–v 3.  I have a framed picture on my office wall.  A gift from Holly, years ago.  A picture of an umbrella and a single Greek word.  Hupomeno.  Usually translated “patience or perseverance”, the original word is literally “to remain under”.  To stay under the pressure until you learned the lesson of it.  To not run or seek safety, to seek God and growth instead.

The pastorate surprised me.  Shouldn’t have, probably.  The criticisms, the various needs calling for my attention and care, the pressure of decisions, facilities and staff,  the first priority of prayer.

At first, I wanted to run!  “This is impossible”, I said more than once.  Over time, I learned the grace that Paul discovered.  Slowly, powerfully, by the Spirit, stress began to shape ME, teach ME.  The circumstances did not change.  I did.

This is always God’s way.  With all of us. You in?

Joyful in hope

Re:Verse reading–Romans 5:1-11 (day one)

It is a powerful shift in thinking.  (Repentance at its finest).  In Christ, we move from “now” thinking to “someday”.  We shift our values from credit and comfort and control to Kingdom.  We pray for His will, His kingdom, His glory, His victory.

The result will be JOY!  The New Testament connects these ideas like peanut butter and jelly.  “For the JOY set before Him, He endured the cross.”–Hebrews 12:2.  “Be JOYFUL in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”–Romans 12:12.

Our Re:Verse reading this week repeats this theme.  “We REJOICE in the hope of the glory of God, not only this, we REJOICE in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint!”  v 2-5.

Need joy in your life?  Start here!  Trust Christ!  Lift up your head!  Make decisions based on “that day”!  Look forward!  Joy will come.  It always does.

 

Credit score

Re:Verse reading–Romans 4:1-25 (day seven)

“Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.”–v 3 (quoting Genesis 15:6)

They will check it when you want to buy a car or a house.  Your credit score.  How have you managed your financial life in the past?  Paid your bills on time?  Are you a good risk?

In arguably the MOST IMPORTANT VERSE IN THE BIBLE, God uses a similar idea.  A financial word.  From the world of accounting.  The Hebrew word is chasab–“to count, compute, or reckon.”  Like a teacher who gives you “extra credit” for another project, God counts faith as righteousness.

He is not pretending.  Not cooking the books.  Faith really is the essential core of being right with God.  It is the source and seed of all other virtues.  Let God be God.  Believe Him.  Trust what He says.  Do what He commands.

Nothing will substitute.  Not religion.  Not perfect performance.  How IS your credit?

The most interesting man in the world

Re:Verse reading–Romans 4:1-25 (day one)

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our father has found?”–v 1.

Don’t believe the commercial.  The true title belongs to someone else.  About the Bible rather than beer.  Truly, the most interesting man in the world.

His name is Abraham.  Three world religions point back to his story as the foundation of their concept of God.  Judaism.  Christianity.  Islam.  He changed the world more than any army that ever marched. His impact is still felt.  We are his offspring.  He is our father.

What did Abraham find?  That God is trustworthy.  That the foundation of the human responsibility is to conclude this basic moral fact and then to genuinely trust Him. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3, Genesis 15:6)

Why is Abraham so fascinating?  Because his life illustrates the same powerful principle by which God still saves men. He is the most interesting man in the world.

But now

Re:Verse reading–Romans 3:21-31 (day seven)

“But now a righteousness from God. . .has been made known. . . [which] comes through faith in Jesus Christ”–v 21-22.  For three chapters, Paul has described what “was”.  A sad picture.  Honest.  Hard to hear.  The fair judgement of God on the human race.  Gentiles.  Jews.  “But now” he says with great energy and excitement!  Something new.  The righteousness of God.  That righteousness that God intrinsically has.  That righteousness that He requires of all who would be part of His Kingdom.

The riddle is solved!  (Mercy offered) How could God be merciful to people who did not deserve it?  How could He love those who had not loved Him and, at the same time, maintain His own Holy standards?  Christ is the solution to this problem that no human could have imagined.

Christ became our redeemer.  Christ became our propitiation.  His blood paid our debt.

In ages past, this wasn’t clear.  BUT NOW it is!

Short people

Re:Verse reading–Romans 3:21-31 (day one)

“There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”–v 23.  Remember the old Randy Newman song?  “Short people got no reason to live” sings the catchy melody.  He (Randy) says it was about prejudice.  “Short people are the same as you and I”, sings a later verse.

Paul says that all of us are short people.  From God’s perspective.  From the vantage point of what we were made to be.  We have fallen short.  Way short.

Humans do NOT achieve God’s lofty dream–not individually, not collectively.  HIS glory is not even our ambition.  “They did not honor Him nor did they give Him thanks.”  Trashed the environment. Blamed others.  Served self.

“The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”–Genesis 6:6

Consider His great mercy in sending His Son!  We fell short.  He stood tall.

Is good good enough?

Re:Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day seven)

“A man is a Jew if he is one inwardly. . .by the Spirit.”–v 29.  In Romans 1, Paul declares the wrath of God against those who REJECT Him.  Pagans/Gentiles.  Jewish listeners said “Amen” to the first part.  In Roman 2, Paul declares the wrath of God against those who try to satisfy Him with RELIGION.

Surprised?  Being good is not good enough.  God’s demand is not that we go to church or read our Bibles or try to be inclusive.  No.  God’s demand (something known only by revelation) is that we, “by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality”–v 7.

But, who does that?  Do you know ANYONE who steadily, courageously, at all times, in all circumstances seeks God’s will?  As the Bible says, we fall short of God’s glory.  Way short.

So, God provides a way.  A new life, Spirit-born.  It is the ONLY thing that is enough. Being good just isn’t.

In deed and truth

Re:Verse reading–Romans 2:1-29 (day one) 

“To every man according to his deeds.”–v 6 (see also Psalm 62:12)  In Romans 2, Paul makes startling statements.  God will judge all men. . .based on their deeds. . . based on the light (truth) they had.

No works-theology here.  Just unapologetic connection of faith and the works that rise from repentance.  On that coming day, God will need no other evidence.  “To those who by perseverance. . .seek for glory and honor. . .eternal life.”  “To those who are self-seeking. . . wrath and indignation.”–v 8-9.  Clear enough?

God will also judge us based on the light (truth) we had.  Those without the law will be judged without reference to it.  God is not unfair. He holds no man accountable for things he never heard.  Those with the Law will answer to an even a higher standard.

“Little children, let us love in deed and in truth”—1 John 3:18.  On the last day, God will use both categories to judge us.

No excuses

Re:Verse reading–Romans 1:18-32 (day six)

“They are without excuse”–v 20.

A shock to my system.  A contradiction to the way I normally (and comfortably) see myself. God says that I am (we all are) without excuse!

God just doesn’t see me as a victim.  I am not helpless in the face of my tendencies. He doesn’t buy it.  I have no one to blame.  Not now. Certainly not when “that Day” comes. The light of truth will shine into the deepest part of my soul.  Exposing my motives.  Revealing my heart.

It will know this truth on that day.  There are NO good reasons for not worshiping God.  None.  He made me.  He revealed Himself in the creation and in my conscience.  He warns of His wrath.  He offers grace in Christ.

People try to blame or explain.  I am tired.  I can’t help myself.  I had a rough childhood.

Words will be useless.  We are without excuse.