“…His truth to triumph through us…”, Martin Luther, ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God’, 1527-1529.
CONTINIUATION
I am assuming that you have read Part 1.
In the New Testament, Jesus addressed the topic of idols and idolatry of the heart in the Sermon on the Mount.
See Matthew 5:27-30; Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 6:24.
Jesus also answered Satan explicitly about idols in the wilderness in Matthew 4:10 (context Matthew 4:1-11); and addressed the topic of idolatry with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:24 (context John 4:1-26).
Jesus’s position on idolatry is clearly stated.
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Q: Is the Church, the Body of Christ, the Ekklesia , the Bride of Christ worshiping the Father in spirit and truth?
Q: If the answer is questionable, then are idols and idolatry of the heart a real issue in the lives of followers of Jesus Christ?
The Apostle Paul warned the first century Churches about idols and idolatry of the the heart.
See I Corinthians 8, 10; Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5-6.
The Apostle Peter addressed idolatry in 1 Peter 4:1-5.
The Apostle John poignantly addressed idolatry in 1 John 5:21.
This verse was part of the catalyst for teaching on idols and idolatry of the heart.
1 John 5:21, NKJV, says, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Q: As a follower of Jesus Christ, are there idols in your life? Do you struggle with idolatry in your heart?
This is what the Spirit of God is searching out today in the Church.
If we have idols in our life and/or idolatry in our heart, then we cannot worship God in spirit and truth.
Q: Are you bold enough to pray to following verses of scripture?
Psalm 139:23-24, NKJV, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
I encourage you to read Psalm 139.
Reflect personally upon what is written.
Replace your name for David’s name.
Respond to the Lord as He speaks directly to your heart.
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Note, for your own personal study of idols and idolatry of the heart, it is easy to Google these words. You will be shown many different sources of commentary and lists of Bible verses. Using Google is a short-cut. I understand that. However, remember to use discernment regarding references found on Google. Do not rely just on Google, use your own Study Bible, a concordance, or other personal references you may have in your library.
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At this time, I want to focus our attention on the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.
The Book of Romans is a theological store house of truth.
I am not a theologian.
I am asking that you bear with me, and allow me to use ‘vocabulary’ used in other posts and interject those words and thoughts into the teaching of Romans.
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I propose that the Apostle Paul outlines for us the doctrine of going from ‘Treason to Triumph’ from Romans 1:1 -Romans 8:39.
I submit that Romans 8:1,2 summarizes for us what transpired at the cross defeating “cosmic treason” (R.C.Sproul).
Christ’s resurrection, and subsequent ascension validates the complete ‘triumph’ over the ‘doctrine of original sin’; satisfying the wrath of God (Romans 5:9; I Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9); providing eternal salvation for as many as “call upon the name of the Lord”.
Romans 10:11-13, NKJV, ” For the Scripture says, “Whosoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” “
Romans 8:1-2, NKJV, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” [both italicized emphasis and boldness are printed in the text of the NKJV Bible.]
In the NKJV Study Bible, WORD WEALTH 8:2 made free, eleutheroo (el-yoo-ther-ah-oh); Strong’s #1659. To liberate, acquit, set free, deliver. In the NT the word is used exclusively for Jesus’ setting believers at liberty from the dominion of sin.” (page 1561, Spirit Filled Life Bible, 2002)
Therefore, as a believer in Christ Jesus, we are ‘eleutheroo’ (made free) from the consequences and the condemnation of sin, which is controlled by the law of sin and death; but now, because of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, we are eternally grateful for the grace of God, alive in Christ Jesus, governed by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God.
Selah.
Chapters 1,2,3 of Romans, Paul outlines the consequences of mankind’s “cosmic treason” disobeying God; and Paul argues in opposition to mankind’s attempt to justify their position, logically refuting each excuse of not knowing God.
Paul also dramatically warns of the consequences of “seeing God”, yet “ignoring the truth”; “…because, although they knew God, they did not glory Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile (made empty, vain, useless, confused) in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”(Romans 1:21, NKJV) {emphasis-text} (insert mine)
The consequences of mankind’s futility of thought is… “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Paul concludes Romans 3, declaring that mankind is “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [boldness in text] Romans 3:24 NKJV.
In Romans 4, Paul outlines what it means to be ‘justified by faith’.
Roman 4, shares a historical account of Abraham who is Israel’s patriarchal father.
Paul, writes, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:3, NKJV)
Abraham walked by faith. See Hebrews 11:8-12.
As Paul continues his Epistle to the Church at Rome, he summarizes Chapters 1-4 with this statement in Romans 5:1, NKJV, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul explains how a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has been transformed from ‘treason to triumph’.
For a believer to live in triumph is realized by living in trust.
Hence, the title of the post.
Foundational Triumph! From Treason to Trust.
Trust is faith.
WORD WEALTH [Mark] 11:22, faith, pistis (pis-tis) Strong’s #4102, Conviction, confidence, trust, belief, reliance, trustworthiness, and persuasion. In the NT setting, pistis is the divinely implanted principle of inward confidence, assurance, trust, and reliance in God and all that He says. The word sometimes denotes the object or content of belief. Act 6:7; 14:22; Gal. 1:23.) [insert mine]
I share the following acronym: F.A.I.T.H.
Following Adonai I Trust Him
Note: The word Adonai is a Hebrew transliteration of the word for the unspeakable NAME of God. It is used in the Tree of Life Bible, that has a Hebraic emphasis. (The Holy Bible, Tree of Life Version, 2015 by the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.)
Summarizing, Romans 1,2,3 reveals the treason of mankind, and its universal consequences.
Romans 4 explains the trust of faith.
Romans 5 focuses on understanding our position of triumph as a result of our trust of faith.
Paraphrasing Romans 5:1-5, we have been justified (work of the cross); we are given access by faith into the grace in which we stand; we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God; we learn to glory in our trials and tribulations; why? because of the work (way of the cross) of sanctification in our life; all of this working in our life is strengthening our hope; and this hope will not disappoint us; why? because (the fruit of the work of sanctification is agape) the love of God is being poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
[This paragraph is a personal paraphrase/understanding of Romans 5:1-5]
Continuing in Romans 5:6-21, Paul outlines what Adam did that resulted in “cosmic treason”; and what God, the Father did, through Christ, His Son, to turn “cosmic treason” into ‘triumph’.
Quoting verses 6-11, Paul writes, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own (agape) love toward us, in that while we yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His (Christ’s) blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him(Christ). For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Christ), much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His(Christ) life(resurrection). And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through Our Lord Jesus Christ(The Ascended Christ, Hebrews 3:1; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1) through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (boldness and inserts mine)
This is the message of the Gospel.
The Gospel necessitates Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
Christ’s death is the ‘finished work’ of the cross. (John 19:30, NKJV)
Verses 6-11 pictures the substitutionary atonement of Jesus (Son of God/Son of Man) who died as the Lamb for God for the sin of the world. (Romans 6:23) (see Got Questions: What is the substitutionary atonement?)
Continuing in Romans 5:12-21, Paul compares the disobedience of Adam to the obedience of Christ.
Adam’s disobedience resulted in the “the law of sin and death”.
Christ’s obedience resulted in “the law of the Spirit of life” in Christ Jesus.
The fruit of Adam’s sin is ‘control and condemnation’, self-governing your life.
The fruit of Christ’s obedience is living a life centered in Christ, governed by grace, guided by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God, “…so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21b, NKJV)
In this we rejoice with a grateful heart to God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.
Let us read the text.
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned–(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) [That is a mouthful to digest] Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [insert mine]
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Let’s put ourselves in a classroom setting.
I am the teacher and you are a student in the class.
Your homework is a writing assignment.
You are to read Romans 5:12-21; identify the key words and concepts; then compose a written summary of Paul’s teaching based upon this passage of scripture.
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End of Part 2.
to be concluded in Part 3.
a brother in Christ, deo
Living Words of Encouragement 