Faithful Sayings

This is the critical thing the Holy Spirit would have us understand: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2). This text, so often isolated and abused, is clearly connected with the previous example of Abraham discussed in chapter four. To wit, through an Abrahamic type faith (implicit trust and obedience), we can be justified (declared righteous) before God. It is through faith in the blood of Jesus that we find favor with God and a perfect standing before Him.

Solomon was a concerned father, to be sure, but his voice is used by the Holy Spirit to express the concerns and admonitions of our Heavenly Father– the One who “disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.” What does our Father want us to know about sexual purity? What warnings does He have to share? What wisdom does He impart to help us see the danger and consequences of sexual immorality?

As Paul continues to reveal how one can be justified (declared righteous) before God, he draws our attention to Abraham, asking, “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?” (Rom. 4:1). This “matter” being the matter of justification, so Paul hones in on Abraham to instruct us further upon soul-saving faith.

When ancient Israel was at its most prosperous economically, politically, and militarily, it was at its worst spiritually (see Amos and pretty much any other minor prophet). Living wisely (in a God-pleasing way) necessitates cultivating wisdom in the heart. Remembering that we have a limited time to do this will instill a sense of urgency. There was another wise man, Solomon, who had much to say about this in Proverbs chapter four, so our study continues.

Let’s continue our study of Proverbs chapter three wherein Solomon is pointing us to the real treasure that’s at our fingertips: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom”, he says, “for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold” and “She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”3 While people scramble to stockpile material wealth, hit the jackpot, or win the lotto, the Lord extends the very thing that will make us truly rich–His wisdom. Not rich in the “I’m gonna make it rain Benjys” sense, but rich in peace and honor and life.

In offering His Son, God is both just and the justifier of those who obey Him (Rom. 3:26). God cannot sin, it is against His very nature and He cannot be reconciled to it (1 Jn. 1:5), and it is also the nature of God to love sinners and seek reconciliation with them (2 Cor. 5:20-21), yet we are powerless to cleanse our souls from sin. No one but God could resolve the problem, only God Himself could be faithful to both aspects of His being (i.e. be just and merciful), and He did so by sending His Son to the cross, thus becoming the justifier of those who submit to Him in faith (Heb. 5:9).

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”1 These words comfort me now as much as when I first read them. These verses are one of six pieces of instruction contained in the first twelve verses of chapter three. Let’s go back to the beginning, shall we?

Paul takes hypocritical Jews to task just as he did hypocritical Gentiles. Herein is a warning for us also: just because we have been instructed in the will of God–the embodiment of knowledge and truth (Rom. 2:20)–and may be confident, capable instructors ourselves, doesn’t necessarily mean we have applied His teaching to our own hearts (v. 21).

Previously Lady Wisdom was pictured as one crying out, imploring the naive to come and learn in order to save themselves. Solomon will now picture wisdom as something to be sought after in this second speech beginning in chapter two. This speech–which fills all of chapter two–can be broken down into four parts: a call to pursue wisdom (vv. 1-4), the benefits of wisdom (vv. 5-11), two dangers that wisdom guards against (vv. 12-19), and a final summary of consequences (vv. 20-22). Let’s dive in.

The second half of Paul’s discourse of Romans 1 diagnoses the cause for all the evil, corruption, and social decay observed in the world: it is man’s refusal to acknowledge and worship God, the Creator of all things and source of every good and perfect gift (Jas. 1:17). That’s it. There’s more to say, but the big take away here (as Paul begins to prove that all men are guilty of sin) that people are to blame for everything wrong in the world: political, moral, social ills and corruption can all be traced to prideful humans pursuing perverted desires because they refuse to humble themselves before Almighty God and submit to His authority and laws.

Wisdom is more like a skill that the Bible is calling us to attain and use. Using wisdom and pursuing wisdom involves mental activity, but it goes beyond that, and is seen all of one’s conduct, not just in the way one thinks or what someone may say. “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”1 So in the Book of Proverbs, those who live with integrity and uphold justice in the fear of the Lord are the very same ones who heed Lady Wisdom.

There are so many points to be taken from the opening of the Roman letter as Paul lays out his thesis: The Gospel is the power of God to bring salvation to all who believe (Rom. 1:16-17). Let's dive and see how he goes about it, and what implications there are for us.

Last week we saw a sweeping, bird’s-eye view of the Book of Proverbs. In beginning with the overall big picture of Proverbs, my hope is that we’ll not lose sight of the forest as we consider the various trees of the book. The first of those trees is a series of ten speeches from a father to a son, with four interludes thrown in from Lady Wisdom. The main thrust here is that the son should listen to wisdom and cultivate the fear of the Lord, while living a life that honors God, bringing forth success and peace.

The Book of Romans has been called the Mount Everest of the New Testament. It's difficult to discuss any biblical subject without bringing some point from Romans into the conversation. I'd like to begin a weekly study of this book with you and welcome and comments or questions you may have.

Proverbs Overview by Leon Valley Church of Christ

"What is truth?" was Pilates cynical reply to Jesus when the King of Kings revealed He came to testify to the Truth. Jesus clearly established the Word of God as Truth (Jn. 17:17), and claimed to be the embodiment of that Truth (Jn 14:6). He is the final revelator of Truth (Heb. 1:1), so why so much ballyhoo about Truth being relative, or even non-extstent? Everyone believes in some truth, but what are holding to (if anything) as the standard of Truth?

John said, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" in Revelation 1:10; what did he mean by "the Lord's Day"? Was this a special occasion? Is there a way we can trace Scripture and history to answer this question? I believe there is and, more importantly, we'll discover why it matters.

What will Heaven be like? Does the Bible offer any clues? Should we all have the hope of Heaven? What conditions are necessary to go?

Scripture makes clear that God has always intended to save man from eternal condemnation (Rev. 13:8; 1 Pet. 1:20), but what are the specifics? What has He called man to do, if anything?

There's so much discussion on this topic. I want to take a fresh look at the Scriptures today and allow them to speak for themselves with regard to water baptism. What is it? Why is it in the New Testament? What did Jesus say about it? What did the Holy Spirit inspire the apostles to say about it?