Why the law? “What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgression until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.” Galatians 3:19, NIV. “The law was added because of transgressions,” why? Paul answers, “The law was added
Continue Reading “THE MESSAGE IN ROMANS (8) Galatians 3:19, 24”
Jews and the law. “You who boast in the law dishonor God by transgressing the law?” Romans 2:23, NET. While those who were not Jews had an implicit knowledge about God in what was created, the Jews had a direct revelation. Because they received the oracles of God, Jews bragged about their self-perceived advantage. The
No one has the advantage. “For there is no partiality with God.” Romans 2:11, NET. There is no advantage in being a blood descendant of Abraham. There is no advantage in belonging to a specific religious group or organization. There is no advantage in being born of well-respected parents. There is no advantage in possessing
The self-righteous are guilty also. Paul established that the unrighteous, sinful humankind, were guilty of sin even though they did not have the law. Humans are guilty of sin in the garden of Eden even if they did not sin personally. Before the Old Covenant, prophetic visions, and the written code, humankind had what God
The wrath of God continued. Paul begins his theological presentation by asserting that the sin problem was so big that only God could solve it. Sin is a power that only God can defeat. The wrath of God is his hatred of sin. However, God does not hate sinners. Why does God hate sin? God
The wrath of God After introducing himself, greeting the saints, and explaining why he longed to see the believers in Rome, Paul begins the letter to the Romans by describing the need for the manifestation of the power of God in the world. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
The reason for writing the letter to the Romans. “For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you.” Romans 1:11, NET. Paul wanted to visit the Church in Rome, but for an unknown reason, he could not fulfill the wish before he wrote the letter
Introduction “From Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.” Romans 1:1, NET. Being a bondservant of Jesus does not connote drudgery but honor and privilege. To be dead to self so that Christ can live in us is the greatest service to God, who
Are we free from moral obligations if the law is no longer our guardian and tutor? “For you are called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge in your flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law can be summed up in a
What should we do? “But what does the scripture say? ‘Throw out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.” (Galatians 4:30, NET). To free themselves from the power of sin, the yielded believers must renounce flesh and