“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

This is probably one of the most reassuring verses in all of scripture. No Judgment. Sounds almost too good to be true. What does it mean?
This statement is the starting point for an extended section in the book of Romans where the apostle Paul explains the absolute security of the believer. This doctrine, also sometimes referred to as “the perseverance of the saints”, was hotly disputed in the early 1600’s by the followers of Jacob Arminius and John Calvin.

In dueling documents, the Remonstrants and the Canon’s of Dort, the essential points of dispute were laid out. In the Canon’s of Dort there is a whole section that summarizes the Biblical teaching on this issue. Below are several of the truth’s they expressed:

Whom God calls, according to his purpose, to the communion of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, he delivers also from the dominion and slavery of sin in this life; though not altogether from the body of sin, and from the infirmities of the flesh, so long as they continue in this world.

Hence spring daily sins of infirmity, and hence spots adhere to the best works of the saints; which furnish them with constant matter for humiliation before God, and flying for refuge to Christ crucified; for mortifying the flesh more and more by the spirit of prayer, and by holy exercises of piety; and for pressing forward to the goal of perfection, till being at length delivered from this body of death, they are brought to reign with the Lamb of God in heaven.

By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength. But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.
Amen!!

Because of grace,
Tim

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Romans 7:7
What does it mean to covet?
The Larger Westminster catechism explains it this way:

Q-146: Which is the 10th commandment?
A: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbors.
Q-147: What are the duties required in the 10th commandment?
A: The duties required in the 10th commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his.
Q-148: What are the sins forbidden in the 10th commandment?
A: the sins forbidden in the 10th commandment are, discontentment with our own estate, envying, at the good of our neighbor, together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.

Notice that this commandment, to a greater degree than the others goes to the core of our being.
It is not enough just to not steal- don’t covet what your neighbor possesses.
It is not enough to not commit adultery- don’t covet your neighbor’s spouse.
It is not enough to not murder- don’t hate your neighbor!

Now also notice- the Westminster catechism stresses contentment. What is this contentment? Is it wrong to desire to better ourselves or improve our condition? No, not at all. However, we must guard against making the increase of wealth our main concern in life or setting it up as the object of our hope. We also must guard against lustfully desiring what position, goods or lot in life God has entrusted to our neighbor.

The New Testament teaches productivity and investment. It teaches diligence and industriousness.
It takes for granted that the fruit of labor leads to the increase of goods. It only mandates that that increase is received with thanksgiving, charitableness and proper perspective.
To idolatrously hoard and lust after things is sin. On the other hand, to receive things from the Lord’s hand with gratefulness and charity is God glorifying.

The heart is the heart of the matter. Guard your heart.
Because of grace,
Tim

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The dictionary defines temptation as: “To try to make a person do something wrong by the offer of some pleasure or reward.” Let’s analyze the definition for just a moment.
Every temptation involves a provocation to do something we know is wrong. Why would we want to do something wrong? Because the tempter always lies to us!

The carrot that he uses is some pleasure or reward. However, if you read Genesis 3, which details the first temptation of mankind, you will find that the carrot quickly evaporates when we yield.According to the Bible there are three sources of temptation: My own sinful desire (Mark 7:14-23; James 1:12-16), the world system (I John 2:15-17) and Satan himself ( Acts 5:3, I Peter 5:8,9, Luke 4:1-13). Therefore, the Bible presents a complicated picture of how temptation works.

Temptation lurks at every corner (Proverbs 7:6-8), looking for an unsuspecting person to lure into its trap. The world’s values and beliefs become a powerful magnet that conspires with our inherent sinful heart to trap us into all sorts of sinful behaviors.

When we are facing strong temptation, rationalization is meaningless. In a saner moment we would recognize how foolish it is to yield to temptation, but in the conflict of strong passions it becomes very difficult to resist. Conversely, the more often we have yielded to the same temptation in the past, the more powerful temptation becomes. Thus we become increasingly dependent and enslaved to sin.

Is there no way out? Thankfully, God has given us both the resource and the wherewithal to win this battle. Don’t let sin reign in your mortal body to obey it in its passions. This is the Word of the Spirit speaking to us through the Apostle. This morning we learn again the “how”.

Because of grace,
Tim

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As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
I Corinthians 15:22

The New England Primer was the basic reader for most Colonial American’s. Not only did it use phonics- it also incorporated Biblical lessons throughout its pages. It was important to the Puritan settler’s that their children understood the cause of sin and death. All sin, sickness, suffering and ultimately death is the direct result of Adam’s sin and our participation in it.

Today we explore the implications of original sin. What affects has it had on this world? On you and I personally? And more importantly- how can its effects be reversed? Additionally, when will it be reversed?

Evil is real. It is everywhere. It is within each of us as well as propagated by the Evil One. If you doubt the reality of evil just think of 911 and everything that flowed from that momentous day. The taking down of the world trade center towers was an act of pure evil. ISIS is evil. Evil is real. The reason for evil is a deep philosophical and theological question. Why would a pure and holy God allow it to enter His pure and perfect creation?

These questions and more will arise in the text before us. Let us seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom as we direct our thoughts to these issues.

Because of grace,
Tim

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