My Morning Meal

To be honest, there are passages in Scripture that, when I read them, it is like stepping on to holy ground . . . and then, there are those that are like walking on rice paper. Romans 8 is an example of the former . . . it draws you into the very presence of God and drives you to your face in awe and thanksgiving. But Romans 9 is an example of the latter . . . while it too is filled with amazing truths, they are the “thoughts that are higher than our thoughts and the ways that higher than our ways” (Isa. 55:8-9) . . . and, at least at first, instead of falling facedown we might be more inclined to scratch our heads . . . and cause some to question God . . . and cause some to talk back.

“But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?” (Rom. 9:20-21 NKJV)

“Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, ‘Why did you shape me like this?’ Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?” (Rom. 9:20-21 MSG)

Peterson’s paraphrase in The Message might come across a bit harsh, but I think he kind of captures the essence of the question pretty well. It is kind of folly and arrogance for the creation to try and debate the wisdom of the Creator. When you step back, it is kind of silly for the pot to question the potter. But sometimes we believers are prone to do just that. Sometimes, though we shouldn’t, we talk back.

While there are many things I now grasp, at least in some measure, because I have been “called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Peter 2:9) it’s also true that “now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1Cor. 13:12 ESV). Though I’m now in relationship with God . . . though I no longer live but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20) . . . though I have the mind of Christ and access through the Sprit to the wisdom of God (1Cor. 2:12-16) . . . this piece of pottery . . . this jar of clay . . . is still a work in progress . . . still this side of heaven . . . still working out my salvation with fear and trembling. So, to argue with God doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.

When you think about it, there’s a bit of the old man at work when we talk back to God. A bit of pride . . . mixed with Satan’s worn out line, “Has God really said” (Gen 3:1) . . . mixed with a propensity to want to create a god in our own image. When we talk back, aren’t we really saying, “If I were God then it would be like this.” Think about that . . . how scary would it be if I were God.

Nope . . . there’s really not any place for the lump of clay to talk back to the potter. Not that God seeks to oppress us . . . not that God isn’t open to questions born out of our confusion or desire to understand Him and His ways better. But when we talk back . . . when we question parts of His word because, to our finite minds, they don’t align with how we think God should work . . . then we’re kind of walking on shifting sand. Instead we should be walking by faith (2Cor. 5:7). I read a passage like Romans 9 and while it might be difficult to fully understand . . . and while some of the implications might seem contrary to the implications of other Scripture I’ve read . . . mine is to ask the Spirit to help me grasp these high and holy truths, trusting in the goodness and grace of the God who reveals them. And, it’s a reminder that God is God.

And so, far from wanting to “talk back”, I just sit back in awe and wonder at my Creator God. And, as a lump of clay in the Potter’s hands, I want to give back praise and thanksgiving for being a recipient of His amazing grace . . . for having been privileged to grasp just a bit of the riches of His glory (Rom. 9:23). He is God and nothing less . . . I am man and nothing more . . . saved by His grace and for His glory . . . that much I get . . . amen!

No one! He will! No one! Not Christ! No one! Those are the answers . . . now let’s go take the test . . .

You gotta love Romans 8. Need a lesson in salvation? . . . Need a primer on sanctification? . . . Need your basic, everyday “pick-me-up”? . . . read Romans 8. It causes the soul to soar . . . the mind to spin . . . the praise and worship to ascend. And this morning, as I’m reading it, there are five questions at the end of the chapter that have got me thinking. I know that they are rhetorical questions . . . not really expecting an answer as, to the believer, the answers are obvious. But there’s something about whispering the answers that brings comfort, hope, joy, and praise. No one! He will! No one! Not Christ! No one!

First question, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (8:31). Answer: No one! And God is so for us . . . having foreknown us and predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, He called us . . . and justified us . . . and glorified us . . . declaring our heavenly destination as a done deal even though we are yet to fully enter into it (8:29-30). God began the work . . . God has promised to complete work . . . and so all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (8:28). Is God for us? Yeah! Who can be against us? No one! Move on . . question two . . .

“How shall He not with [Christ] also freely give us all things?” (8:32) Answer: He will! God, who did not spare His own Son, delivered Him up for us all. God gave heaven’s best . . . He pulled out all the stops . . . held nothing back . . . in order to redeem our souls. We couldn’t earn an ounce of salvation . . . but, as I was reminded this past Sunday at church, we have redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, “according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” (Eph. 1:7-8). We have already been lavished upon according to the riches of God’s grace . . . everything from here on in is “gravy” . . . the overflowing heart of the Father manifest in the giving of His Son. How shall He not also freely give us all things? He will!

Are you sure about that? What about all the junk in my life? What about the times I’ve tripped up and messed up? Question 3 . . . “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?” (8:33) Answer: No one! Why? ‘Cause it is God who justifies. Sure, bring it on Satan . . . be the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10) . . . dredge up the failings of my past and bring them before God . . . make sure He knows about the failings of yesterday . . . but, guess what, the One who is Just is also the Justifier of those who have faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26). The One who in holiness demands payment of sin, paid the price through the giving of His Son in my stead. Bring on the charges . . . I know them . . . but the blood of Christ is sufficient to cover all my sin — past, present, and future. Mine is to confess my sins . . . to repent of my sins . . . to seek by His grace and through the power of the Spirit to live free from sin. And God is faithful and will forgive my sin and cleanse me from all righteousness (1John 1:9). Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? No one!

And then check this one out! “Who is he who condemns?” (8:34) Well, I know that Christ will judge the living and the dead (2Tim. 4:1). That He has all authority and all things are subject to Him as He sits at the right hand of God (1Peter 3:22). But I’m reminded this morning that the Son of God who died, and is now risen, who is at the right hand of God, is actually making intercession for me (8:34). Far from condemning me before the Father, He is pleading on my behalf. Far from being against me, He is so for me (refer back to question 1). There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (8:1). Who is he who condemns? Not Christ!

Ok kids . . . let’s wrap up this morning’s quiz with the last question: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (8:35) Answer: No one . . . not a thing . . . nada . . . zippo . . . can’t happen! Paul was absolutely persuaded that nothing could separate us from the love of God which is in Christ (8:39) . . . that in Him we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (8:37). Told ya’ this portion of Scripture could be a bit of a “pick-me-up”. How great is our God? How wonderful is our Savior? How cool is this quiz?

To Him be all praise and honor and glory . . . amen!

On Wednesday night we had a great discussion about the Holy Spirit at our men’s study. The specific context was that there is a blessing realized by suffering for Christ as “the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1Peter 4:14). One brother brought to our attention the nature of this Spirit who will “come alongside” . . . “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isa. 11:2). Though the subject of Isaiah’s prophecy is specifically the Messiah, the same Spirit which would come upon Him is the Spirit which rests upon those suffering for Christ. And our conversation went from the Spirit’s presence during trials to the broader topic of recognizing the Spirit’s active engagement in all aspects of our life.

We talked about how we might have a tendency to view the Holy Spirit as the “least” of the Trinity . . . somehow diminishing His divine attributes. To use a Francis Chan term, we talked of Him being the “Forgotten God” (check out Chan’s book, “Forgotten God”, for some great teaching and exhortation concerning the Holy Spirit). We talked about the difference He should make in our lives given that He indwells us . . . that He is the agent of God’s sanctifying work in our lives . . . and, that He is the means by which we can say “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

So, it’s probably because that conversation is still fresh in mind that a phrase jumped off the page at me this morning when I was reading Romans 7. The first part of Romans 7 speaks of the relationship between the Law and man and sin. The Law’s purpose was to make known the reality of sin (Rom. 7:7) and thus to lead us to the Savior (Gal. 3:24). The Law has no power to save, but only to condemn . . . to desire to be under the law is an absolute “no win situation.” To try and live by the letter of the Law as our way to heaven is a dead-end street . . . literally. Instead, Paul says, there’s a new basis by which we “do life.”

“But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.” — Romans 7:6

Having recognized my need . . . having confessed my sin . . . having asked forgiveness based on the finished work of Christ on the cross . . . having received Christ not only as Savior but also having bowed the knee to Him as Lord . . . the Scriptures declare that I have been: 1) delivered from the law; 2) died to the power of sin that held me; 3) enabled to serve in the newness of the Spirit. And that’s the phrase that’s swimming around my head this morning, “the newness of the Spirit.”

If God is in us, how can life be “the same old, same old?” If the very power that raised Christ from the dead has found residence in us (Rom. 8:11), then how can there not be “an edge” to every day as we anticipate interacting with the living God . . . the God living in us?

And I’m not talking about manufacturing some sort of hype or faking some feeling . . . I’m asking, “What should be the logical reality of having the Third Person of the Godhead wired into our spiritual DNA?” Answer: the newness of the Spirit.

The word for new literally means “of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of” . . . “fresh” would be a good word. And when I think about walking in the newness of Spirit it creates a bit of discontent within me. Too often I do life by rote . . . I settle for routine . . . I have very little expectation of Divine interaction . . . and so when I think about newness in the Spirit it leaves a bit discontent . . . good!!! I should be hungering and thirsting after the things of God and the realities of being a new creation in Christ. I should be aware that “newness in the Spirit” is what I’m wired for and should desire to recognize it . . . and desire to learn how to be led by the Spirit (Gal. 5:18) . . . and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25) . . . and live to the glory of God through the Spirit of glory who rests upon me.

Oh, that by the grace of God, I would learn more and more to walk in this spiritual reality . . . indwelt by the Spirit . . . empowered by the Spirit . . . led by the Spirit . . . doing life fresh in the Spirit. Bring on newness!!!

So, who doesn’t like receiving a gift? Especially when it’s a gift into which a lot of thought has gone. The sort of gift that just “nails it” . . . the “it’s just what I wanted or needed” sort of gift. The sort of gift which, beyond just loving the gift, you love the giver because of their thoughtfulness and generosity. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive gift . . . although, it might be . . . but the real value goes beyond the price tag.

This morning, as I wrap up Romans 5 I’m led to think about such a gift. A very expensive gift . . . it came at an extremely high price. A gift which I would never be able to purchase for myself . . . something that, apart from the having been given it, I would never have owned. Nor would I have thought to have owned it . . . not really something that was on my radar or “wish list” . . . such a perfect gift that, for years, I didn’t even know it existed. But when I found out that such a gift existed . . . when I received it . . . it became pretty evident pretty quickly that it was the perfect gift. Though, at the time it wasn’t “just what I wanted”, it was very much “just what I needed.” Fit like a glove. Opened up new worlds of potential. Literally changed my life . . . from the inside out. Re-wired me. Some 30+ years later the gift has not lost a bit of its shine. In fact, the gift is more beautiful today than the day I first received it . . . has gotten better and better. Not something that has sat on the shelf, but something that I put on pretty much every day . . . and the days I don’t . . . well, those typically have not been very good days. What a gift!

This gift was given by the grace of one Man (5:15b). Some gifts are given because they are earned . . . this gift was beyond earning . . . just couldn’t do it, even if I wanted to (which I didn’t). The gift was given solely because of grace . . . because of unmerited favor . . . because the Giver determined in and of Himself to give the gift. He presented me with the gift not because I merited it . . . but because, thought I didn’t recognize it at the time, I desperately needed it. And He loved me so much that we went to great lengths to secure the gift and patiently present it to me . . . free of charge . . . all I needed to do was receive it by faith . . . and even that faith He was prepared to gift me with, if I was but willing to exercise it. This one Man was Jesus Christ. The One who claimed to be the Son of God and through many convincing proofs, not the least of which was His resurrection from the dead, validated that claim. And the Son of God purchased and presented the gift to me. What a gift!

The gift brought justification (5:16). Unlike some gifts which are given because someone has done something good, this gift was given because of all that I did which was bad. It was because of my sin that I needed the gift. In all fairness, my transgressions needed to be judged . . . the only verdict which would have been fair would have been “guilty” . . . the only just result would have been “condemned.” But, because of the gift, the verdict was completely reversed. Instead of “condemned” being found next to my name, the Book of Life now shows “justified” written in red. The gift not only covered the price for my sin, but also imparted to me something that makes it “just-as-if-I’d-never sinned” . . . justified. I’m not some ex-con . . . I’m a new creature. I’m not some second class citizen of heaven, I’m a child of God . . . adopted into His family, soon to partake as a joint heir with Christ. All because of the gift. What a gift!

And Paul calls it “the gift of righteousness” (5:17). It is packaged in the “abundance of grace” . . . imparted to all who will receive it . . . and results in ability to “reign in life” through Jesus Christ. It is His righteousness given to me. That’s why I couldn’t earn it . . . that’s why I’m declared justified . . . because the very righteousness of the Perfect Son of God has been given to me through the all-sufficient provision of grace. And it’s not some gift that sits on the shelf . . . not a trophy that I just look at it. No, it’s a garment . . . something I can put on on daily . . . something that is very practical . . . something that can make a huge difference in how I live life . . . something that allows me to live as a king’s heir here and now . . . something that promises eternal benefits there and then . . . “that grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (5:21b).

Who doesn’t like a gift? Oh, that I might never take for granted the gift or the Giver . . . that I might offer to the Giver my gift of praise . . . for His glory . . . oh, what a gift!

At this moment I can’t think of a set of verses in all of Scripture that is more packed with the wonder of salvation than the first eleven verses of Romans chapter five. Check this out . . .

“Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God (5:1) . . . we have access by faith into God’s grace (5:2) . . . we rejoice in hope of the glory of God (5:2) . . . the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (5:5)”. What benefits belong to the child of God! Declared righteous . . . at peace with our Maker . . . invited to draw from the limitless wells of His grace . . . implanted with a hope of eternity that is sure and does not fade . . . infused with the immeasurable love of God through the “out of this world” dynamic of the Spirit of God living in us. In my NKJV the word “we” or “our” is found 15 times in these 11 verses. These verses are so much about us, the believer in Jesus Christ. “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits.” (Ps. 103:1-2)

But, as amazing as these “benefits” of salvation are in this passage, they pale compared the awe factor presented in how these benefits were received . . . now check out the “we’s” in these verses . . . “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (5:6) . . . God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (5:8) . . . when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (5:10).”

Christ gave His all for me when I had absolutely nothing to give him . . . weak, infirm, feeble, without strength . . . nothing to offer that would earn a place in His holy presence. And more than that, I was a rebel . . . a breaker of the law . . . not just the ten commandments given Moses, but the moral law written on my heart, impressed upon my conscience. A sinner . . . no other “beat around the bush” word for it . . . and it was while I was still a sinner that Christ died for me. And even more than that, I was an enemy of God . . . oh, I remember that time when in my arrogance I flashed hostility toward the One who made me . . . that time when I stood in opposition to God as I determined that my way was the right way. Oh the grace of God . . . the love of God . . . that He would give His Son to die for me when I was without strength . . . still a sinner . . . set an enmity against Him.

And how was this grace shown . . . how was this love manifested . . . how did this great reconciliation occur? Through Christ . . . “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (5:1) . . . through whom also we have access by faith into this grace (5:2) . . . we shall be saved from wrath through Him (5:9) . . . we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation (5:11).”

We have peace . . . we have access by faith . . . we are saved from wrath . . . we rejoice . . . we have received reconciliation . . . all through the Lord Jesus Christ. The very riches of heaven have been poured out upon this impoverished soul through the Person and Work of the Son of God. That great expanse of separation between God and I has been breached . . . reconciliation accomplished . . . an enemy now at peace . . . a sinner made holy . . . a weakling indwelt with the very power of God Himself. How can I not rejoice . . . through Christ? How can I not sing His praise?

Oh, to chew on these eleven verses is to savor afresh the wonder of salvation . . . to know anew the joy of my salvation . . . and declare again the glory of my Savior . . . amen.

I’m not one to look at my bank statement to see where I “stand financially”. I’m not one who pays a lot of attention to what’s in savings . . . to be able to tell how much “I’m worth.” Not that any of that is wrong . . . it’s just that I don’t have much of a mind for that sort of thing. “Long term financial planning” and I never really became well-acquainted. But this morning I was directed to my “heavenly statement” . . . and spent some time taking stock of the debits and credits in my account in the “Bank of Eternal Life.”

According to Romans 4, Abraham was the founding client in the “B of EL”. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness (4:3). Ch-ching! Paul says that faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness (4:9). Ch-ching! Paul says that Abraham “did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore, ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness’ ” (4:20-22). Ch-ching!

And Paul says Abraham isn’t the only one that gets this deal. “Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed (credited) to him, but also for us” (4:23-24a). He is the father of all who believe (4:11). The “righteousness of faith” (4:13) ready to be credited to a personal account in the “B of EL” for all “who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification” (4:24b-25). Pretty amazing, really. I look at my “deposit slips” and they are all signed by the Father . . . and transacted by the Son. And I look at the balance in my account and it fills me with a fresh sense of awe and gratitude. Righteous! . . . righteous by faith! God credits righteousness apart from works (4:6). If it was based upon my works, I’d have nothing to deposit to my “righteousness account” . . . apart from faith in Christ “all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6). Outside of God’s grace, I’m bankrupt. Oh, but by God’s grace . . . and through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross . . . the very righteousness of Christ has been deposited into an account with my name on it . . . Ch-Ching!

But I also know that it’s not just about how much money’s in the bank . . . it’s also about how much you owe. Praise God! . . . He’s taken care of that too. “David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those who lawless deeds are forgiven, and who sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.’ ” (4:6-8). Not only is my account credited with righteousness . . . but my debt has been erased . . . my transgressions forgiven . . . my iniquities covered . . . my record cleared of sin.

Am I blessed? Yeah! So blessed! Can’t really tell you how much I owe on our mortgage or what’s in my 401k (RSP for my Canadian friends). But I sure know what’s happening with my accounts in the “B of EL”. There, I’m debt free . . . the judgment owed for my sin has been paid in full . . . gone . . . as far as the east is from the west. And as for my “saved” account, my last “statement” said that it is maxed out with the righteousness of Christ . . . by the grace of God . . . for His glory!

Ch-Ching!