INTERESTING FACTS : Josiah Bartlett, MILITARY OFFICER; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

“Called on the people of New Hampshire . . . to confess before God their aggravated transgressions and to implore His pardon and forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ . . . [t]hat the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be made known to all nations, pure and undefiled religion universally prevail, and the earth be fill with the glory of the Lord.”[1]

 

Daily Reading : ROMANS 1 -3, 4 – 7, 8 - 10

 

TEXT : Rom 3:7  For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? Rom 3:8  And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. Rom 3:9  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

 

Rom 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Rom 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Rom 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom 3:21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 

THEME : RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

Romans

 

The scope or design of the Apostle in writing to the Romans appears to have been, to answer the unbelieving, and to teach the believing Jew; to confirm the Christian and to convert the idolatrous Gentile; and to show the Gentile convert as equal with the Jewish, in respect of his religious condition, and his rank in the Divine favour. These several designs are brought into on view, by opposing or arguing with the infidel or unbelieving Jew, in favour of the Christian or believing Gentile. The way of a sinner's acceptance with God, or justification in his sight, merely by grace, through faith in the righteousness of Christ, without distinction of nations, is plainly stated. This doctrine is cleared from the objections raised by Judaizing Christians, who were for making terms of acceptance with God by a mixture of the law and the Gospel, and for shutting out the Gentiles from any share in the blessings of salvation brought in by the Messiah. In the conclusion, holiness is further enforced by practical exhortations. (Matthew Henry) [2]

 

Romans

 

(Summarized Bible) [3]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : “NO MAN OR WOMAN IS RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD – WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST“

 

The book of Romans is one of the most important books of the Bible.  It was the book of the New Testament that started the Reformation.  Martin Luther, a young Roman Catholic monk upon much reflection, review, intense and in depth study of this book, concluded the Church had strayed from the faith of Jesus Christ and his Apostles.  Luther’s theology had a profound effect on the entire world.  With respect to Luther’s work as a reformer, the Encyclopaedia Britannica says this. 

 

“Luther said that what differentiated him from previous reformers was that they attacked the life of the church, while he confronted its doctrine. Whereas they denounced the sins of churchmen, he was disillusioned by the whole scholastic scheme of redemption. The church taught that man could atone for his sins through confession and absolution in the sacrament of penance. Luther found that he could not remember or even recognize all of his sins, and the attempt to dispose of them one by one was like trying to cure smallpox by picking off the scabs. Indeed, he believed that the whole man was sick. The church, however, held that the individual was not so sick that salvation could not be earned through faith and good works.”[4]

 

Thus, you have the power of this book – the book of Romans.  Through a study of this book, changes took place in the entire western world - including the Americas, which had lasting effects sociologically, economically, psychologically, politically, and obviously – ecclesiastically. Eventually, every corner of the globe would feel the effects of the Reformation through the preaching of the Gospel and its influence on men and women’s thinking.  Here in the United States, much of what we believe with respect to our government and politics is due to the influence of protestant theology.  That, in turn, is related to the work of Martin Luther; and particularly his study of the book of Romans. 

 

Therefore, it does not take much thought to entertain the idea of how this book can change you personally.  Its truths are fundamental, and the entire book encapsulates the teachings of Christianity. Romans emphasizes salvation by faith only, conversion by the Holy Spirit, living a life of sanctification and holiness, as well as including the God’s purpose in authority and government, being ordained by God in the first place.  The importance of the book of Romans cannot be underestimated.  There was a time when the book of Romans was taught in law schools to train lawyers how to frame an argument and draw a valid and logical conclusion.

 

The Apostle Paul opens his argument (in a manner of speaking), by demonstrating that no man or woman on earth has obeyed God.  Further, he concludes the guilt of humanity is known to them.  Of the Gentiles he speaks of conscience which, means “with knowledge. “ To the Jew, the Apostle Paul reminds them that they have the law of Moses.  Yet, they have not obeyed it.  With these two facts in mind (having given proof of the guilt of both Jew and Gentile), the Apostle Paul states the Gentiles will perish without the law (“perish” is a reference to eternal punishment or Hell), and the Jews will perish with the law of Moses. The reason is, that both Jew and Gentile – one with the law of Moses and the other without it, know the nature of God that it is holy. Everyone knows the nature of God either by the outward law, or the inward law, or, as it is in most cases – by both. 

 

However, the meaning of the word “Gospel,” is “good news.”[5] Having concluded that all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, the Apostle Paul  goes on to affirm that all people, that is any man or woman – who cannot be justified or made righteous by their own good deeds, can be justified and made righteous by faith alone. Hence, from a rather depressing verdict - one of guilt and condemnation, you arrive at an indication that inspires liberty, joy, and comfort.  It is a polarity of extremes.  You go from complete guilt and hopelessness to total forgiveness and the gift of the eternal life.  Salvation then, as the Apostle Paul said, and Luther concluded, is a gift given, not a deed earned. Yet, you must believe one in order to accept the other. 

 

This means, a person must be convinced of complete guilt before God. If not, there would be no need to ask God for grace and forgiveness of sin.  Although the conclusion that you are sinful in the sight and judgment of God is initially disheartening and discouraging, the fact that he loves you and wants you to be him for eternity, is again - good news. No doubt, to acknowledge the complete state of sinfulness is, or may be, depressing. Still, the alternate revelation of God’s willingness to forgive all sin and to purify you by the atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary balances bad news with good.

 

Be encouraged - because God cannot lie.  In his book - the Bible, God reveals good news and bad news.  The bad news of course, is that every human being has sinned and cannot see him or be with him for eternity.  The good news is God has taken steps to remove all guilt and shame through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ.  This is the Gospel.  This is Christianity.  It is simple and easy to understand.  When Luther discovered these truths, it revolutionized him , the medieval world , and eventually the entire western world.  Through faith (“sola fide” – faith alone) you can be made completely innocent and new.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers hope, confidence, and stability of spirit and soul. From a down hearted verdict of guilty, to an uplifting conclusion of innocent God forgives and heals you of all offenses against him.  Certainly, this is good news!