Gary Gleans

This chapter begins what seems like a parenthesis in Paul's argument that confronts his Jewish readers head on.  Though the arguments may be intended to convince Jews of the truth of justification by faith alone, they still hold very deep and precious truths for each of us. GOD'S FAVOR CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED FROM ANOTHER: Paul's love for his fellow countrymen was so great that he wished that he could be accursed in their place so that they might experience the joy of forgiveness.  This, of course, is an impossibility.  Each man will stand before God based upon his faith alone and one man's faith cannot be transferred to another.  I am, however, amazed and challenged by Paul's love for the people who constantly persecuted him.  His heart was truly broken over their blindness and he longed for their salvation.  I need to have that same passion for those who are lost. GOD'S FAVOR CANNOT BE INHERITED THROUGH BIRTH: The Jews wrongly believed that they would have G

If you are in the habit of reading these posts without reading the chapter it is on, please do yourself a big favor and open to Romans 8 and soak in what I consider to be the greatest chapter in all of the Epistles if not all of Scripture.  I won't even pretend to be able to cover it in this short post.  God leads us down different roads in our lives.  Some of them are peasant while some are painful.  However, the reality is that all of them are designed and directed by God for His purpose and glory. THE ROAD TO SPIRITUALITY: This first section is a summary of the previous two chapters that taught that we can be free from the law of sin's dominance over our lives through identification with Christ in His death and the Holy Spirit's ministry in our lives.  Christ has released us from the condemnation of sin as well as from power of sin.  When we are justified through faith, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and He gives us a new nature.  This act of salvation puts to de

The flesh of man is a powerful foe that promotes and provokes sin in the lives of men.  Thankfully the cross of Christ is more powerful still.  However, as long as we are in these fallen bodies, we will be enlisted in a battle that rages in our hearts.  This chapter depicts this battle. THE FLESH IS IMPRISONED BY THE LAW OF SIN: Paul uses marriage as an illustration of the power of sin over the flesh.  The only means by which a man may be released from the bond of marriage is by the death of his spouse.  This too is the only means by which a man may be set free from the bond of sin.  As long as we live we are in bondage to the law of sin that reigns over our flesh.  Death is the only way that we can be set free from the power and authority of sin.  This makes the truth that Paul taught in the previous chapter all the more vital.  The truth is that we have already died as we are in Christ through faith.  The law of sin no longer has any claim over us, for we have died with Christ.  Th

Justification by faith apart from keeping the law might cause some to believe that this doctrine might encourage the practice of sin.  Paul contradicts this thinking by showing that this doctrine teaches just the opposite.  We are justified not because we are sanctified but in order that we might become sanctified.  Christ died to free us from the captivity of sin.  Paul describes how this works. SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES THE HEAD: Paul says that sanctification starts with the knowledge of the fact that we have been crucified with Christ, buried with Christ and resurrected with Christ.  We have died to sin and been raised to a new life that is free from the power of sin.  We must know this truth in our minds.  Too often, we do not consider our knowledge of the truth to be a vial part of our walk with Christ.  But an accurate understanding of our identification with Christ is key to our living the way that He would have us to live.  We must realize that salvation brings about a very rea

The truth of justification by faith alone has amazing implications in the life of a believer.  It is a doctrine that shines like a beacon on our hearts that provides peace in the place of wrath, joy in place of fear and forgiveness in place of condemnation.  This blessed truth radically transforms the life and eternity of every believer. WE HAVE HOPE BECAUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S LOVE: Our justification gives us great reason to have joy and hope because of what Christ has done.  The trials of life are now face from an entirely new perspective because we recognize that they serve to make us more like Christ.  This truth shines the light of hope in the darkest of days because the love of Christ becomes the ultimate desire of our hearts.  The Holy Spirit ministers this grace in our lives whereby He guides us through the tribulations in life with an eternal perspective of the Love of God.  He reminds us that difficult circumstances are for our good because they make us more like Chris

The Jewish people called themselves the sons of Abraham.  Paul takes advantage of this conviction to try to convince them of the truth of the doctrine of justification that He is striving to prove.  Here are Paul's arguments. ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED WITHOUT WORKS: Paul reminds his readers that Abraham was declared righteous based solely upon his belief.  Some works followed but that was long after his righteousness had been credited to his account.  Paul makes it clear that the Old Testament teaches that Abraham did not earn justification but that it was given to him based on his faith. ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED WITHOUT CIRCUMCISION: The declaration of Abraham's righteousness was made before he was circumcised.  This makes it clear that circumcision can never be considered as a condition for salvation.  This was a major debate in the early church, but Paul settles the issue once and for all in this text. ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED WITHOUT THE LAW: This fact is obvious since it was w

When we get in a tight spot, we all have the tendency to start making up excuses.  These are usually fairly lame arguments that are easily brushed aside, but that never seems to stop us from trying.  Paul anticipates that his readers will try to excuse their sinfulness with these types of arguments so he makes a preemptive strike and just shoots them all down from the start.  But this chapters is not all gloom and doom.  Paul turns a very important corner and shows us the way of hope. ALL ARGUMENTS ARE SILENCED: Paul anticipates that his Jewish readers will make a series of arguments against Paul's message of justification by faith alone.  They will argue that this teaching seems to take all of the advantages of being a Jew away.  But Paul reminds them that their revelation of God was far superior to any other people however this brought greater responsibility as well.  They then make a series of arguments that all go back to the idea that God's grace is manifest through forg

Men are constantly striving to feel as if they are acceptable to God.  They try through many different ways to be good enough but never really gain confidence that they have made it.  This is an exercise in futility to which all men apart from Christ struggle to achieve.  This chapter outlines God's condemnation of two of these attempts. THE MORAL MAN IS CONDEMNED: There are people who consider themselves to be morally good people.  They know the difference between right and wrong and are experts at finding fault with the morals of other people.  They, however, are not so adept at seeing their own faults.  The fact that they have a high sense of morality is of no use to save them from sin, it only serves to condemn them further because they prove that their conscience is sensitive to sin when they judge others.  However, their failure to keep the standards to which they hold others makes their condemnation all the more clear and just.  We can never hope to be good enough morally

I feel the need to begin this portion of our journey with and admission that I am a little nervous about working through the Epistles at the same pace as we have done the Gospels and Acts.  From my past experience I know that these chapters are so rich with content that I will have a hard time moving a chapter at a time.  However, I really want to try to stay with this pace so please be aware that we are skimming over these rich texts and not really digging into them.  Romans is, perhaps, the richest of all the Epistles, and promises to be a leg on our journey that will probe our hearts.  With that said, lets get started. The book of Romans begins with condemnation of sin.  It is a reality that plagues each of our souls and should cause us to depend fully upon the grace of God in Christ.  After Paul's greeting in the first several verses, he dives right in to what I call the condemnation of the Pagan. A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD: Paul begins this glorious book recounting his relati

We have come to our final chapter in Acts.  If I had to choose one word that I would use to describe the book and especially this final chapter, I think it would be the word: "change."  God has done amazing things in the lives of these men and women.  The truly amazing thing is that He is still at work to change the live of people like you and me. GOD CHANGED MISERY INTO MINISTRY ON MALTA: The shipwreck landed Paul and all the men with him on the island of Malta.  Here they were greeted by a warm fire and friendly people.  As Paul collect some wood a snake latches onto his hand and the natives are sure that he will die soon.  They presume that the gods are punishing this wicked prisoner.  Soon they change their tune and decide that The God must be with this man.  Paul is taken to the wealthiest man on the island and is cared for in this home and while he  is there God uses him to heal the man's father.  When the word gets out the entire island begins to bring their sick

Paul begins his journey to Rome, and it is anything but routine.  There are ups and downs and highs and lows as Paul and his companions are literally tossed to and fro.  What is consistent all along the way is the presence of God that protects Paul and continues to provide him with a platform to impact the people around him. PAUL RECEIVES FAVORABLE TREATMENT FROM THE SOLDIERS: As Paul travels on the ship as well as when he is at port, he is given the privilege of having visitors and receiving gifts from his friends.  This is, by no means, the normal way that Roman prisoners are treated, but it is a demonstration of how God can work in the hearts of any person to bring about His will and provide for His servants.  God is faithful to give us what we need and gives us hope when He knows that we need it. PAUL FACES A FEROCIOUS TEMPEST AT SEA: Paul tries to convince the sailors that they should stay at port, but they thought they knew better and set sail.  Predictably, a storm rages and

No mater what we might face in life, God is always with us and gives us the grace and the strength that we need to do the task at hand for His glory.  Paul is a shinning example of a man who was given great tasks to perform but was also given the strength with which to do them. GOD GAVE PAUL OPPORTUNITIES TO PREACH: Paul is given an audience with governors and kings.  People to whom he would have never had access had he not been arrested.  It is very dangerous for us to think that God is closing doors when things go wrong with our plans.  The reality is that He is, more than likely, opening up greater opportunities for us than we would have ever planned on our own.  It is not our job to create opportunities, but it is our job to be faithful to the opportunities that God gives us along the way.  Far too often, we allow discouragement or disappointment with our circumstances to blind us to the opportunities that God gives us, or we simply ignore the opportunities when they present them

This chapter has a whole lot of appealing going on.  It seems that there is a lot of confusion going on and it begins to seem like nobody is really in control of this situation.  It sure is nice to know that when it seems like nobody is in control we can be assured that God is in control.  We can always appeal to Him. THE JEWS APPEAL TO FESTUS: When Festus visits Jerusalem the Jews are quick to bring Paul's case before him and appeal for him to return Paul to be tried in Jerusalem.  They actually are planning to kill Paul on the way if they can, but their plan was not to be and they were required to go back up to Cessaria if they wanted to continue to accuse Paul.  It is amazing to me that this seems to be the only problem with which they are concerned.  I still wonder about the forty guys who vowed not to eat or drink until they killed Paul and if they are still a part of this attempt to assassinate Paul. PAUL APPEALS TO CAESAR: Paul defends himself once again, but this time F

Let the trials begin or I should say continue.  Paul will have the opportunity to defend himself and announce Christ before Felix, the governor and many others as time goes by.  He is able to face these trials without fear because of the trust he has in the Lord. JEWS MAKE FALSE ACCUSATIONS: The lawyer hired by the the Jews to accuse Paul resorts to making false accusations against Paul.  The lawyer ends up making subtle accusations of the Roman soldiers who saved Paul in the process.  Paul had done nothing wrong, but he represented what they considered to be a cult so they felt justified in making up lies about him.  I think that what I take away from this is the realization that it is never right to do wrong even though you may think you are doing it with right motives.  Doing right should never involve telling lies no matter the consequence. PAUL MAKES FAITHFUL ARGUMENT: Paul was basically being accused of starting a riot and he had done nothing prior to his arrest and only at h

God has never promised us that, as believers, we will not face trials and persecution.  However, He has promised us that He would be with us during those times.  That truth is beautifully illustrated to us in today's passage. GOD GAVE PAUL WISDOM AT HIS DEFENSE: As Paul was being questioned, her perceived that his accusers were divided over the issue of the resurrection, so he affirmed his strong belief in the resurrection.  This strategy sparked a controversy between his accusers and took the focus off of him and brought a large group of his accusers over to "his side."  Paul knew that, before the Jews, he would never get a fair trial, so it was vital for him to be able to get out of this context.  The fight between the Jews becomes so violent that the Roman soldiers remove Paul from the tumult for his own safety.  Christ had promised his disciples that He would give them the words to say when they stood before the courts and this promise was fulfilled in Paul's li

This is the beginning of the end of Paul's freedom to roam freely and preach Christ from city to city.  However, I think that we will be surprised at how often he ends up preaching the Gospel while he is in prison.  He will write some of our favorite books while in prison.  He refuses to quit no matter what he faces.  Even at his arrest, he takes the opportunity to preach. PAUL DEFENDS HIMSELF WITH HIS TESTIMONY: This is not the first time, nor will it be our last time to hear Paul give his testimony.  Paul reviews his life as a persecutor of the church and then explains how Christ appeared to him and saved him from his sin and revealed the truth to him.  Basically Paul is telling them that he was once doing to others the exact thing that they were doing to him now.  But Christ changed all of that.  You can hear him pleading to with them to open their eyes and hearts to see Christ.  Paul is not mad about having been beaten, his heart is broken for these men that continue in the b

Paul’s march to Jerusalem reminds me a lot of Christ’s march to this same city.   They both know that danger and death are ahead of them and they both don’t seem to care.   I am sure that both of them wanted a way out, but the truth is that the both wanted God’s will above their own. PAUL IS WARNED OF THE DANGER: Wherever Paul went, his fellow believers and traveling companions were warning him about the dangers he would face in Jerusalem.   They were basically pleading with him not to go.   However, Paul would not be deterred.   He made it clear that he believed God would have him go and that he was willing to suffer whatever consequences this decision might bring.   Paul teaches us a vital lesson as he is far more concerned with obeying God and furthering the kingdom than he is about his own comfort and safety.   God’s will and work should always be our first priority. PAUL IS WILLING TO BE DEFERENT: When Paul arrives in Jerusalem, he is advises to perform a purification ritual and p

Paul continues his journeys to visit the believers where he has already been.  He has several traveling companions and just continues to faithfully invest his life in the people around him.  There are several incidents and special messages along the way from which we can learn. PAUL RETURNS TO STRENGTHEN THE SAINTS: I think that it is interesting that Paul makes it a priority to establish the churches in the cities where he has already been.  I think that Paul's hearts desire was to take the Gospel to other places like Spain, but he realized the importance of making sure that the churches he had already started were able to mover forward before he moved on.  This is wise stewardship and an important lesson for all of us learn.  We must disciple those we bring to Christ so that they will be able to carry on the work of the ministry after we are gone.  Otherwise missionary efforts will be constantly directed and the same places over and over again and true multiplication will never

Do you remember a few chapters ago when the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from sharing the Gospel in Asia?  Well, it looks like that is all over now as God opens the doors of this part of the world to the ministry of Paul.  God is doing amazing things in the midst of great hardship. THE POWER OF MULTIPLICATION: As Paul arrives in Ephesus, he meets 12 disciples of John the Baptist, likely friends of Apollos from the previous chapter.  When Paul finds them, they do not know of the Holy Spirit and do not fully understand the Gospel.  Paul instructs them and they are transformed by the Spirit of God.  Paul then proceeds to preach in the synagogue for several months until the Jews speak evil of him so he begins to meet privately with what I like to call the "Bible College of Paul."  During the two year period of time that Paul was preparing these disciples God used them to preach the Gospel in all of Asia (v. 10).  This is an amazing statement and a vivid illustration of why it is

In this chapter we see the foundations for two prominent churches; that of Corinth and Ephesus.  There is so much to observe here, but I want to try to focus on a few basic principles that we can observe as we see a pattern for how churches grow. THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIPS: When Paul arrives in Corinth, he works together with Aquila and Priscilla.  They help to meet his physical needs as they make tents together but they also are very instrumental in the teaching ministry.  We must never think that we can do things alone.  The church is a body with many parts and we must learn the importance of cooperating with one another and helping each other as we serve the Lord.  Once Timothy and Silas arrive Paul is free to do more teaching and they are all working together without being jealous or competing with one another.  It is vital that we learn to seek and value partnerships. THE INEVITABILITY OF PROBLEMS: Even though God had revealed to Paul that he could minister with freedom he

As Paul travels from city to city preaching the Gospel, he experiences a wide variety of responses.  We continue to see these same responses today not only in the lives of those to whom we preach the Gospel, but also in our own lives as we respond to God's Word. HOSTILITY: Many in Thessalonica begin to follow Christ through Paul's teaching.  However, the Jewish leaders responded with hostility and sought, not only to kill Paul but any who had helped him.  Jason, Paul's host almost lost his life for having served Paul by providing hospitality.  Paul decided to move on and take his message to the next place.  We should not be surprised when unbelievers respond to the teachings of Scripture with hostility because the Gospel can be very offensive to those who have rejected the truth.  People like to worship themselves or the gods of their own making.  They take offense when we must tell them that they a wrong and must repent from their idolatry to worship the only true God an

This chapter could be a primer on Paul's missionary ministry.  It has a little bit of everything that is a part of his ministry as he travels from place to place.  There is much from the example of Paul from which we can learn and follow. PREPARING MEN FOR MINISTRY: Paul finds Timothy and immediately begins to invest in his life.  He takes Timothy along with him and gives him an opportunity to learn and grow.  Timothy was a young man with a good reputation and was a faithful follower of Christ.  These are the types of men that we need to look for when looking to prepare future leaders.  Too often in ministry we end up spending so much time correcting the unfaithful men that we never get around to preparing the faithful men.  Paul did not fall into that trap.  He had a balanced ministry where he did faithfully correct the sinners but he also spent a great deal of time perfecting the saints.  It is of vital importance that we seek out faithful men and women in whom we can invest ou

Conflict is, unfortunately, an inevitable part of our lives on this earth, even within the church.  Until we are free from our sin nature in glory, we will have to deal with conflicts that arise.  This chapter has several lessons from which we can learn. LEGALISM CREATES CONFLICT: The Jewish converts were convinced that the Gentile believers should be circumcised.  This was a huge issue to them and they thought that it should apply to all believers.  In their minds, keeping this law was crucial to pleasing God and they wanted to impose their conviction on all believers.  This is often the source of conflict today when people become convicted about standards that are not found in Scripture and then they impose those personal conviction on others as a means of pleasing God.  This is a divisive and dangerous practice that has hindered the cause of Christ in every generation.  There is nothing wrong with holding to personal convictions and even encourage others to adhere to those convict

There is a cost associated with the Gospel, not only for those who preach it, but also for those who hear it.  Neutrality is not an option when it comes to Christ.  As we conclude the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, we will see the impact of their ministry both positive and negative. THE GOSPEL IS DIVISIVE: Those who hear the message of Christ are either filled with hope or hatred.  For those who believe the Gospel brings forgiveness, love, joy and peace.  They are filled with a meaning in life that allows them to rejoice in the most dire of circumstance.  For those who reject the Gospel it represents condemnation, fear, sadness and anger.  There is no middle ground, either you believe it our you don't.  Those who believe will continue to reach out in love to those who do not, but what we consider to a gesture of love is usually offensive.  This was Paul's experience, those who believed loved him and longed to learn more from him.  Those who rejected the messag

This chapter gives us the history of one of the first models for missionary efforts.  Many of the principles observed in this text continue to impact the way that we "do" missions to this day.  This is what stands out to me as I read this chapter. MISSIONARIES ARE SEPARATED BY THE WILL OF GOD: There were many strong and godly leaders in Antioch, but God made it clear to all of them that He wanted Paul and Barnabas set aside for the the task of going out to other locations.  Notice that the Lord asks for, what we have to assume were, the very best leaders.  Also notice that the church was willing and ready to do just that.  They were focused on the good of the kingdom and the glory of God and not the fame or size of their local congregation.  We as believers must be constantly looking for those who might be set aside to leave our geographical fellowship so that they may go out and take the Gospel to others on our behalf.  We should do this without concern for what might happ

God is in control!  We might not always understand His ways and why He chooses to deliver some people and not deliver others, but the fact that He is in control is indisputable.  That fact should give us both peace and hope in whatever circumstances we might be called upon to face. DELIVERANCE FROM PRISON: Herod decided that he wanted in on the persecution of Christians in order to please the Jews.  James, the brother of John and one of the closest disciples who followed Christ was executed.  The response was so positive that he arrested Peter and no doubt decided to do the same with him.  God had different plans and send an angel to set him free.  The guards ended up losing their lives, but Peter was safe and sound.  It just show us that no matter how hard things seem, God is able to provide relief.  Peter was chained between two guards with another set of guards in front of the prison door.  Herod was planning to kill him the next day.  Things did not look very good for Peter, but