Making Lemonade – Romans 5:1-5

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“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:1-5, HCSB).

Commentators differ as to whether Romans 5 belongs thematically with Chapters 3 and 4 where the Apostle Paul argues for the imputation of righteousness through Christ or with Chapters 6-8 where Paul describes the new life in Christ.

I see it as transitional from one theme to the next because it summarizes Paul’s case for righteousness in Christ and then suggest how this new life of righteousness in Christ can be applied to our personal lives.

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What’s In a Name? – Isaiah 56:5-6

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rose“I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give each of them an everlasting name that will never be cut off. And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord minister to Him, love the name of ‘Yahweh’ and become His servants” (Isaiah 56:5-6, HCSB).

The Shakespearian character, Juliet asked Romeo: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Juliet’s question means that what really matters is not what someone is called but what someone is.

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The View from the Balcony – 1 Samuel 16:7

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balcony_view“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart'” (1 Samuel 16:7, HCSB).

In 1 Samuel 16:1 God told Samuel to go and anoint David as the new king over Israel. From biblical descriptions, David and Saul had contrasting appearances. Saul was tall and striking in appearance while David was a young boy with a ruddy appearance.

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In Defense of Hell – Romans 1:32

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hellsflames“They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too” (Romans 1:32, NLT).

There’s been a lot of controversy lately among Christians on theological questions about universal salvation, hell, and who occupies it (or not). While an exhaustive discussion of these theological issues is beyond the scope of this blog (and beyond the capability of this amateur theologian), I would, however, like to submit a short defense of hell.

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How To Be Led by the Spirit – 1 Samuel 10:6-7

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Updated 3/25/2023
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“The Spirit of the Lord will control you, you will prophesy with them, and you will be transformed into a different person. When these signs have happened to you, do whatever your circumstances require because God is with you.” (1 Samuel 10:6-7, HCSB)

In these verses the prophet Samuel is giving Saul instructions on the first thing he should do after he was chosen as the first king of Israel.

After his selection as Israel’s first king, Saul was empowered by the Holy Spirit. In fact, it was this empowering of God’s Spirit that validated Saul’s kingship!

The Holy Spirit not only enabled Saul to prophesy alongside a group of prophets, but this experience would change his life so dramatically that he would be like a different person!

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Truth Management – 2 Corinthians 13:6

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pinocchio“For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth” (2 Corinthians 13:6, HCSB).

The Apostle Paul is telling the Corinthians in this verse that regardless of their opinion about him, the truth of the gospel will prevail.

Paul said that as an apostle he had exercised no power over those who received the truth of the gospel. And any apostolic power he had exercised was to defend the truth of the gospel by instructing, reproving, or censuring those that opposed, denied, or contradicted it.

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Just In Time – Isaiah 49:8

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justintime“At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them.” (Isaiah 49:8, NLT).

In this chapter Isaiah continues his description of the suffering servant. This chapter has traditionally been regarded as the second of four suffering servant songs.

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