WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.880 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.978 --> 00:00:03.828 Day 29. 00:00:04.303 --> 00:00:05.893 immersed in Romans. 00:00:08.713 --> 00:00:12.493 A woman named Phoebe stood to address the gathering of Jesus 00:00:12.493 --> 00:00:14.293 followers in the city of Rome. 00:00:15.163 --> 00:00:19.993 She was a respected leader of the church in Cria, the Port city for Corinth, 00:00:20.323 --> 00:00:23.863 where the Apostle Paul was collecting an offering for the poor in Jerusalem. 00:00:25.213 --> 00:00:30.343 It's likely that Phoebe had been about to travel to Rome and Paul had chosen her to 00:00:30.343 --> 00:00:32.323 carry a letter from him to the believers. 00:00:32.323 --> 00:00:32.653 There. 00:00:33.763 --> 00:00:37.453 Paul had worked long and hard to announce the good news about Jesus to 00:00:37.453 --> 00:00:39.313 the eastern part of the Roman Empire. 00:00:39.883 --> 00:00:44.473 But now in AD 56 though, Paul had not even visited the church in Rome, 00:00:45.103 --> 00:00:46.663 he writes to the believers there. 00:00:47.713 --> 00:00:50.293 I have finished my work in these regions. 00:00:50.953 --> 00:00:54.793 After all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. 00:00:55.483 --> 00:00:59.773 I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. 00:01:00.313 --> 00:01:04.303 And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide 00:01:04.303 --> 00:01:09.823 for my journey in anticipation of a visit to Rome on his way to Spain. 00:01:10.183 --> 00:01:14.353 Paul writes the longest of his letters in this letter to the Roman 00:01:14.353 --> 00:01:18.763 believers, he makes the case for the world transforming news about Jesus. 00:01:19.303 --> 00:01:23.863 News that welcomes both Jews and Gentiles together into God's family. 00:01:25.063 --> 00:01:29.413 This good news is the plan God reveals through the entire story 00:01:29.413 --> 00:01:33.403 of the Bible to bring his blessing and salvation to all nations. 00:01:34.483 --> 00:01:39.073 The Roman Church, a mixed congregation of Jews and Gentiles exists 00:01:39.073 --> 00:01:40.783 as a result of this good news. 00:01:41.983 --> 00:01:46.093 And as Paul's letter is read, Dee's believers are invited to support the 00:01:46.093 --> 00:01:47.803 continued expansion of the good news. 00:01:49.423 --> 00:01:54.283 Paul's message to the Romans follows the usual pattern of his letters, including 00:01:54.283 --> 00:01:55.933 the opening and closing greetings. 00:01:56.833 --> 00:02:00.373 He starts with a clear and strong statement expressing the heart of 00:02:00.373 --> 00:02:04.933 the royal gospel about Jesus and of his own mission as an apostle. 00:02:05.683 --> 00:02:09.763 Following this, Paul presents a substantial teaching section in the first 00:02:09.763 --> 00:02:11.353 part of the main body of the letter. 00:02:12.133 --> 00:02:16.243 This section is as long and complex as anything we find in his letters. 00:02:16.618 --> 00:02:19.348 So it's worth saying a little more about how Paul structures 00:02:19.348 --> 00:02:20.608 the flow of his thought here. 00:02:21.478 --> 00:02:25.108 Paul regularly taught his churches comprised of both Jews 00:02:25.113 --> 00:02:28.618 and Gentiles, the story of God's people in the First Testament. 00:02:29.818 --> 00:02:34.348 In this section, he builds his presentation of the good news directly on 00:02:34.348 --> 00:02:40.378 the sequence of ancient Israel's calling captivity rescue and promised inheritance. 00:02:41.203 --> 00:02:45.313 Paul writes that God created all people to worship him and to 00:02:45.313 --> 00:02:47.173 serve his purposes in the world. 00:02:47.743 --> 00:02:52.483 But this human vocation was disrupted by the intrusion of sin and death. 00:02:53.473 --> 00:02:56.773 Abraham's family was chosen as the means by which God would 00:02:56.773 --> 00:02:58.633 reclaim his original purpose. 00:02:59.053 --> 00:03:04.153 Through Abraham's descendants, God sent his son as Israel's Messiah to 00:03:04.153 --> 00:03:06.223 rescue them and fulfill their mission. 00:03:07.108 --> 00:03:10.888 In his death and resurrection, Jesus is shown to be the savior of 00:03:10.888 --> 00:03:15.118 the whole world, bringing life and restoration to all peoples on earth. 00:03:16.048 --> 00:03:20.398 God's people look forward to receiving their promised inheritance when they 00:03:20.398 --> 00:03:24.748 are raised from the dead, and all of creation is set free from death and decay. 00:03:25.918 --> 00:03:30.538 The second part of the main body of the letter than follows, detailing what new 00:03:30.538 --> 00:03:35.338 life in Christ should look like within a believing community of Jews and Gentiles. 00:03:35.923 --> 00:03:40.633 For example, Paul explains how they should accommodate Jews who wish to continue 00:03:40.633 --> 00:03:45.793 observing their Jewish dietary regulations and festivals while not requiring Gentiles 00:03:45.793 --> 00:03:47.713 to participate in these activities. 00:03:48.673 --> 00:03:53.593 Between the two major sections of the main body, Paul inserts a short hymn of praise. 00:03:54.343 --> 00:03:58.003 The scope of God's restorative work through Jesus is stunning, 00:03:58.453 --> 00:04:01.693 and Paul shows us that the only fitting response is worship. 00:04:02.863 --> 00:04:10.873 Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge while concluding his letter? 00:04:11.353 --> 00:04:14.983 Paul asks the Roman Church for help so he can continue to share 00:04:14.983 --> 00:04:16.023 the good news with all people. 00:04:17.128 --> 00:04:22.258 He both opens and closes his letter with the hope that all Gentiles everywhere 00:04:22.678 --> 00:04:27.718 will hear the good news about Jesus, so that they too might believe and obey him. 00:04:33.358 --> 00:04:34.618 The letter to the Romans. 00:04:37.108 --> 00:04:41.278 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen 00:04:41.278 --> 00:04:45.058 by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his good news. 00:04:46.018 --> 00:04:48.988 God promised this good news long ago through his prophets 00:04:48.988 --> 00:04:49.978 in the Holy Scriptures. 00:04:50.788 --> 00:04:54.958 The good news is about his son in his earthly life, he was born 00:04:54.958 --> 00:04:58.978 into King David's family line and he was shown to be the son of God 00:04:59.278 --> 00:05:00.778 when he was raised from the dead. 00:05:00.778 --> 00:05:07.228 By the power of the Holy Spirit, he is Jesus Christ, our Lord, through Christ. 00:05:07.498 --> 00:05:12.028 God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles 00:05:12.028 --> 00:05:14.128 everywhere what God has done for them. 00:05:14.773 --> 00:05:20.953 So that they will believe and obey him bringing glory to his name, and you are 00:05:20.953 --> 00:05:25.363 included among those gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 00:05:26.803 --> 00:05:30.463 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are 00:05:30.463 --> 00:05:32.293 called to be his own holy people. 00:05:33.523 --> 00:05:38.713 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 00:05:41.788 --> 00:05:46.918 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, 00:05:47.458 --> 00:05:51.148 because your faith in Him is being talked about all over the world. 00:05:51.988 --> 00:05:55.138 God knows how often I pray for you day and night. 00:05:55.143 --> 00:05:59.878 I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by 00:05:59.878 --> 00:06:01.708 spreading the good news about his son. 00:06:03.133 --> 00:06:07.783 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing to come 00:06:07.783 --> 00:06:12.733 at last to see you for I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual 00:06:12.733 --> 00:06:16.843 gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord when we get together. 00:06:16.963 --> 00:06:21.613 I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. 00:06:22.573 --> 00:06:26.593 I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to 00:06:26.593 --> 00:06:29.623 visit you, but I was prevented until now. 00:06:30.673 --> 00:06:35.383 I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen 00:06:35.383 --> 00:06:40.663 among other gentiles for I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the 00:06:40.663 --> 00:06:45.973 civilized world and the rest of the world to the educated and uneducated alike. 00:06:46.843 --> 00:06:53.923 So I'm to come to you in Rome too, to preach the good news for I am not 00:06:53.923 --> 00:06:56.023 ashamed of this good news about Christ. 00:06:56.623 --> 00:07:01.093 It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes the 00:07:01.093 --> 00:07:03.583 Jew first and also the Gentile. 00:07:04.393 --> 00:07:07.873 This good news tells us how God makes us right in his sight. 00:07:08.773 --> 00:07:13.723 This is accomplished from start to finish by faith, as the scriptures say. 00:07:14.083 --> 00:07:19.813 It is through faith that a righteous person has life, but God shows 00:07:19.813 --> 00:07:24.403 his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress 00:07:24.403 --> 00:07:25.903 the truth by their wickedness. 00:07:26.743 --> 00:07:31.663 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them forever. 00:07:31.663 --> 00:07:34.993 Since the world was created, people have seen the earth and 00:07:34.993 --> 00:07:37.513 sky through everything God made. 00:07:37.843 --> 00:07:41.983 They can clearly see his invisible qualities, his eternal power, 00:07:42.103 --> 00:07:46.543 and divine nature, so they have no excuse for not knowing God. 00:07:47.563 --> 00:07:51.283 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God 00:07:51.583 --> 00:07:52.873 or even give him thanks. 00:07:53.818 --> 00:07:57.178 And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. 00:07:58.138 --> 00:08:03.388 As a result, their minds became dark and confused, claiming to be wise. 00:08:03.628 --> 00:08:08.098 They instead became utter fools and instead of worshiping the glorious 00:08:08.103 --> 00:08:12.988 ever living God, they worshiped idols, made to look like mere people 00:08:13.198 --> 00:08:15.928 and birds and animals and reptiles. 00:08:16.948 --> 00:08:21.028 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. 00:08:21.838 --> 00:08:26.338 As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. 00:08:27.118 --> 00:08:32.848 They traded the truth about God for a lie, so they worshiped and served the 00:08:32.848 --> 00:08:39.478 things God created instead of the creator himself who is worthy of eternal praise. 00:08:39.838 --> 00:08:40.498 Amen. 00:08:41.668 --> 00:08:44.608 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. 00:08:45.283 --> 00:08:49.423 Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead 00:08:49.423 --> 00:08:54.733 indulged in sex with each other and the men, instead of having normal sexual 00:08:54.733 --> 00:08:59.833 relations with women, burned with lust for each other, men did shameful 00:08:59.838 --> 00:09:04.243 things with other men, and as a result of this sin they suffered within 00:09:04.243 --> 00:09:06.343 themselves the penalty they deserved. 00:09:07.573 --> 00:09:11.293 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned 00:09:11.298 --> 00:09:12.673 them to their foolish thinking. 00:09:13.108 --> 00:09:15.658 And let them do things that should never be done. 00:09:16.498 --> 00:09:22.018 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, 00:09:22.528 --> 00:09:28.558 envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 00:09:29.398 --> 00:09:30.058 They are back. 00:09:30.063 --> 00:09:34.738 Stabbers, haters of God, insole, proud and boastful. 00:09:35.458 --> 00:09:39.268 They invent new ways of sinning and they disobey their parents. 00:09:40.048 --> 00:09:46.138 They refuse to understand, break their promises are heartless and have no mercy. 00:09:47.428 --> 00:09:51.988 They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve 00:09:51.988 --> 00:09:54.328 to die, yet they do them anyway. 00:09:55.408 --> 00:09:58.588 Worse yet they encourage others to do them too. 00:10:00.808 --> 00:10:04.408 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just 00:10:04.408 --> 00:10:06.988 as bad and you have no excuse. 00:10:07.858 --> 00:10:12.208 When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself. 00:10:12.928 --> 00:10:13.978 For you who judge. 00:10:13.978 --> 00:10:20.008 Others do these very same things and we know that God in his justice will 00:10:20.008 --> 00:10:21.898 punish anyone who does such things. 00:10:22.708 --> 00:10:25.918 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think 00:10:25.918 --> 00:10:28.918 you can avoid God's judgment when you do the same things? 00:10:30.358 --> 00:10:34.888 Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you? 00:10:35.848 --> 00:10:37.348 Does this mean nothing to you? 00:10:38.278 --> 00:10:39.148 Can't you see that? 00:10:39.148 --> 00:10:45.508 His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin, but because you are stubborn 00:10:45.508 --> 00:10:49.468 and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for 00:10:49.468 --> 00:10:52.378 yourself for a day of anger is coming. 00:10:52.858 --> 00:10:57.278 When God's righteous judgment will be revealed, he will judge everyone 00:10:57.328 --> 00:10:58.598 according to what they have done. 00:10:59.143 --> 00:11:02.473 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, 00:11:02.743 --> 00:11:06.673 seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 00:11:07.663 --> 00:11:11.473 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, 00:11:12.043 --> 00:11:16.483 who refuse to obey the truth, and instead live lives of wickedness. 00:11:17.543 --> 00:11:20.653 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps 00:11:20.653 --> 00:11:25.033 on doing what is evil for the Jew first, and also for the Gentile. 00:11:26.038 --> 00:11:32.038 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good for 00:11:32.038 --> 00:11:34.558 the Jew first, and also for the Gentile. 00:11:35.458 --> 00:11:37.198 For God does not show favoritism. 00:11:38.698 --> 00:11:43.048 When the Gentile sin, they will be destroyed even though they 00:11:43.048 --> 00:11:44.758 never had God's written law. 00:11:45.448 --> 00:11:49.198 And the Jews who do have God's law will be judged by that 00:11:49.198 --> 00:11:50.868 law when they fail to obey it. 00:11:51.823 --> 00:11:55.093 For merely listening to the law doesn't make us right with God. 00:11:55.813 --> 00:11:58.933 It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 00:11:59.833 --> 00:12:04.183 Even Gentiles who do not have God's written law show that they know His 00:12:04.183 --> 00:12:08.443 law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 00:12:09.403 --> 00:12:14.293 They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts for their own 00:12:14.293 --> 00:12:18.883 conscience and thoughts Either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 00:12:20.143 --> 00:12:25.993 And this is the message I proclaim that the day is coming when God through Christ, 00:12:25.993 --> 00:12:29.143 Jesus will judge everyone's secret life. 00:12:31.003 --> 00:12:36.463 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God's law and you boast about 00:12:36.468 --> 00:12:37.913 your special relationship with him. 00:12:38.773 --> 00:12:40.123 You know what he wants. 00:12:40.423 --> 00:12:41.593 You know what is right. 00:12:41.833 --> 00:12:43.303 Because you have been taught his law. 00:12:43.903 --> 00:12:47.473 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for 00:12:47.473 --> 00:12:49.003 people who are lost in darkness. 00:12:49.633 --> 00:12:54.313 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God for 00:12:54.313 --> 00:12:57.823 you are certain that God's law gives you complete knowledge and truth? 00:12:59.053 --> 00:13:03.073 Well then if you teach others, why don't you teach yourself? 00:13:04.213 --> 00:13:07.393 You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 00:13:08.293 --> 00:13:12.643 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? 00:13:13.453 --> 00:13:18.823 You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? 00:13:19.828 --> 00:13:24.328 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 00:13:25.348 --> 00:13:31.258 No wonder the scriptures say the Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you. 00:13:32.788 --> 00:13:37.708 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God's law. 00:13:38.458 --> 00:13:41.338 But if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off 00:13:41.338 --> 00:13:43.048 than an uncircumcised gentile. 00:13:43.678 --> 00:13:48.838 And if the Gentiles obey God's law, Won't God declare them to be his own people? 00:13:49.738 --> 00:13:55.048 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God's law will condemn you. 00:13:55.048 --> 00:14:02.368 Jews who are circumcised and possess God's law, but don't obey it for you are not 00:14:02.373 --> 00:14:07.318 a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone 00:14:07.318 --> 00:14:08.998 through the ceremony of circumcision. 00:14:09.868 --> 00:14:14.428 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. 00:14:15.463 --> 00:14:19.393 And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law. 00:14:20.323 --> 00:14:25.363 Rather, it is a change of heart produced by the spirit and a 00:14:25.363 --> 00:14:30.493 person with a changed heart, seeks praise from God, not from people. 00:14:32.233 --> 00:14:34.003 Then what's the advantage of being a Jew? 00:14:34.963 --> 00:14:37.843 Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? 00:14:38.833 --> 00:14:40.573 Yes, there are great benefits. 00:14:41.218 --> 00:14:45.178 First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God. 00:14:46.108 --> 00:14:46.588 True. 00:14:46.588 --> 00:14:50.008 Some of them were unfaithful, but just because they were unfaithful, 00:14:50.488 --> 00:14:52.498 does that mean God will be unfaithful? 00:14:53.098 --> 00:14:53.758 Of course, not. 00:14:54.568 --> 00:14:57.598 Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. 00:14:58.348 --> 00:15:02.668 As the scriptures say about him, you will be proved right in what you say 00:15:03.058 --> 00:15:04.768 and you will win your case in court. 00:15:06.073 --> 00:15:11.743 But some might say our sinfulness serves a good purpose for, it helps 00:15:11.743 --> 00:15:13.573 people see how righteous God is. 00:15:13.963 --> 00:15:16.453 Isn't it unfair then for him to punish us? 00:15:17.023 --> 00:15:18.823 This is merely a human point of view. 00:15:19.483 --> 00:15:20.263 Of course not. 00:15:20.863 --> 00:15:25.483 If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? 00:15:26.623 --> 00:15:30.883 But some might still argue, how can God condemn me as a sinner 00:15:31.093 --> 00:15:36.043 if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory? 00:15:36.973 --> 00:15:40.723 And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, the 00:15:40.723 --> 00:15:42.403 more we sin, the better it is. 00:15:43.093 --> 00:15:45.523 Those who say such things deserve to be condemned. 00:15:47.053 --> 00:15:50.563 Well then should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? 00:15:51.613 --> 00:15:51.833 No. 00:15:52.453 --> 00:15:53.203 Not at all. 00:15:53.863 --> 00:15:57.703 For, we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or gentiles, 00:15:57.853 --> 00:15:59.383 are under the power of sin. 00:16:00.223 --> 00:16:03.403 As the scriptures say, no one is righteous. 00:16:03.793 --> 00:16:04.633 Not even one. 00:16:05.203 --> 00:16:06.793 No one is truly wise. 00:16:07.033 --> 00:16:08.503 No one is seeking God. 00:16:09.043 --> 00:16:12.013 All have turned away, all have become useless. 00:16:12.643 --> 00:16:15.463 No one does good, not a single one. 00:16:16.243 --> 00:16:17.563 Their talk is foul. 00:16:17.713 --> 00:16:21.583 Like the stench from an open grave, their tongues are filled with lies. 00:16:22.258 --> 00:16:24.268 Snake venom drips from their lips. 00:16:24.478 --> 00:16:26.788 Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. 00:16:27.388 --> 00:16:30.808 They rush to commit murder, destruction, and misery. 00:16:30.813 --> 00:16:31.768 Always follow them. 00:16:32.578 --> 00:16:34.138 They don't know where to find peace. 00:16:34.828 --> 00:16:36.688 They have no fear of God at all. 00:16:38.088 --> 00:16:42.568 The obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given for 00:16:42.568 --> 00:16:46.708 its purpose is to keep people from having excuses and to show that the 00:16:46.713 --> 00:16:49.408 entire world is guilty before God. 00:16:50.323 --> 00:16:54.883 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. 00:16:55.873 --> 00:17:02.833 The law simply shows us how sinful we are, but now God has shown us a way to be 00:17:02.833 --> 00:17:07.753 made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law as was promised 00:17:07.758 --> 00:17:12.853 in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago, we are made right with God 00:17:13.063 --> 00:17:16.093 by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. 00:17:16.813 --> 00:17:19.363 And this is true for everyone who believes. 00:17:19.963 --> 00:17:23.413 No matter who we are, for everyone has sinned. 00:17:24.193 --> 00:17:26.803 We all fall short of God's glorious standard. 00:17:27.703 --> 00:17:31.693 Yet God in his grace freely makes us right in his sight. 00:17:32.383 --> 00:17:36.763 He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 00:17:37.663 --> 00:17:41.263 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. 00:17:42.253 --> 00:17:46.183 People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed 00:17:46.188 --> 00:17:48.283 his life shedding his blood. 00:17:49.048 --> 00:17:54.328 This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish 00:17:54.328 --> 00:18:00.328 those who sinned in times past for He was looking ahead and including them in 00:18:00.328 --> 00:18:02.218 what he would do in this present time. 00:18:03.328 --> 00:18:07.978 God did this to demonstrate his righteousness for he himself is fair 00:18:07.978 --> 00:18:13.378 and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. 00:18:14.698 --> 00:18:15.958 Can we boast then? 00:18:16.603 --> 00:18:19.363 That we have done anything to be accepted by God? 00:18:20.383 --> 00:18:24.313 No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. 00:18:25.063 --> 00:18:26.203 It is based on faith. 00:18:27.403 --> 00:18:32.473 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. 00:18:33.643 --> 00:18:36.763 After all, is God the God of the Jews only. 00:18:37.423 --> 00:18:39.493 Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles? 00:18:40.483 --> 00:18:41.323 Of course he is. 00:18:42.103 --> 00:18:43.453 There is only one God. 00:18:43.978 --> 00:18:48.028 And he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether 00:18:48.028 --> 00:18:49.678 they are Jews or Gentiles. 00:18:50.938 --> 00:18:56.398 Well then if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? 00:18:57.238 --> 00:18:58.048 Of course not. 00:18:58.768 --> 00:19:04.138 In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. 00:19:06.058 --> 00:19:10.348 Abraham was humanly speaking the founder of our Jewish nation. 00:19:11.293 --> 00:19:13.933 What did he discover about being made right with God? 00:19:14.923 --> 00:19:19.093 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would've had something 00:19:19.093 --> 00:19:23.923 to boast about, but that was not God's way for the scriptures tell us. 00:19:24.343 --> 00:19:30.433 Abraham believed God and God counted him as righteous because of his faith. 00:19:31.363 --> 00:19:36.433 When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned, 00:19:37.453 --> 00:19:39.283 but people are counted as righteous. 00:19:39.643 --> 00:19:44.563 Not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. 00:19:45.943 --> 00:19:50.203 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared 00:19:50.203 --> 00:19:52.123 righteous without working for it. 00:19:53.533 --> 00:19:58.273 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose 00:19:58.273 --> 00:19:59.743 sins are put out of sight? 00:20:00.523 --> 00:20:00.973 Yes. 00:20:00.973 --> 00:20:06.943 What joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin, now 00:20:06.948 --> 00:20:08.653 is this blessing only for the Jews? 00:20:09.493 --> 00:20:11.983 Or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? 00:20:12.763 --> 00:20:15.913 Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous 00:20:15.913 --> 00:20:17.593 by God because of his faith. 00:20:18.463 --> 00:20:19.513 But how did this happen? 00:20:20.323 --> 00:20:24.553 Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was 00:20:24.558 --> 00:20:25.993 it before he was circumcised? 00:20:27.103 --> 00:20:31.213 Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised. 00:20:32.563 --> 00:20:36.673 Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith. 00:20:37.363 --> 00:20:41.593 And that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous 00:20:42.283 --> 00:20:43.963 even before he was circumcised. 00:20:44.983 --> 00:20:48.733 So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith 00:20:49.333 --> 00:20:50.773 but have not been circumcised. 00:20:51.673 --> 00:20:54.493 They're counted as righteous because of their faith. 00:20:55.513 --> 00:21:00.673 And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but 00:21:00.673 --> 00:21:05.263 only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised. 00:21:06.613 --> 00:21:11.533 Clearly God's promise to give the whole Earth to Abraham and his descendants was 00:21:11.533 --> 00:21:16.363 based not on his obedience to God's law, but on a right relationship with God. 00:21:16.753 --> 00:21:17.863 That comes by faith. 00:21:18.883 --> 00:21:22.873 If God's promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not 00:21:22.873 --> 00:21:25.723 necessary and the promise is pointless. 00:21:26.533 --> 00:21:30.403 For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. 00:21:31.633 --> 00:21:35.053 The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break. 00:21:36.943 --> 00:21:39.823 So the promise is received by faith. 00:21:40.543 --> 00:21:45.763 It is given as a free gift, and we are all certain to receive it, whether or 00:21:45.763 --> 00:21:50.263 not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham's 00:21:51.163 --> 00:21:55.963 for Abraham is the father of all who believe that is what the scriptures mean. 00:21:55.963 --> 00:21:59.443 When God told him, I have made you the father of many nations. 00:22:00.343 --> 00:22:04.903 This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life. 00:22:05.398 --> 00:22:07.918 And who creates new things out of nothing. 00:22:09.418 --> 00:22:11.308 Even when there was no reason for hope. 00:22:11.938 --> 00:22:16.798 Abraham kept hoping, believing that he would become the father of many nations. 00:22:17.578 --> 00:22:21.328 For God had said to him, that's how many descendants you will have. 00:22:22.318 --> 00:22:26.728 And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though at about 100 years of 00:22:26.728 --> 00:22:31.378 age he figured his body was as good as dead and so was Sarah's womb. 00:22:32.503 --> 00:22:35.383 Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. 00:22:36.163 --> 00:22:41.173 In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God. 00:22:41.863 --> 00:22:46.273 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises, 00:22:46.933 --> 00:22:51.553 and because of Abraham's faith, God counted him as righteous. 00:22:52.453 --> 00:22:56.473 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn't just for Abraham's benefit, 00:22:57.103 --> 00:22:59.503 it was recorded for our benefit too. 00:23:00.178 --> 00:23:04.918 Assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him. 00:23:05.578 --> 00:23:08.398 The one who raised Jesus, our Lord from the dead. 00:23:09.118 --> 00:23:13.828 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to 00:23:13.828 --> 00:23:16.498 life to make us right with God. 00:23:18.238 --> 00:23:23.278 Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we 00:23:23.278 --> 00:23:28.108 have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 00:23:28.963 --> 00:23:33.043 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of 00:23:33.163 --> 00:23:38.743 undeserved privilege where we now stand and we confidently and joyfully 00:23:38.743 --> 00:23:40.723 look forward to sharing God's glory. 00:23:41.893 --> 00:23:46.813 We can rejoice too when we run into problems and try for, we know that 00:23:46.813 --> 00:23:51.943 they help us develop Endurance and endurance develops strength of character. 00:23:52.453 --> 00:23:55.933 And character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 00:23:56.608 --> 00:23:58.828 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. 00:23:59.698 --> 00:24:04.918 For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit 00:24:05.098 --> 00:24:07.078 to fill our hearts with his love. 00:24:08.038 --> 00:24:11.818 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right 00:24:11.823 --> 00:24:14.008 time and died for us sinners. 00:24:14.938 --> 00:24:19.348 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though 00:24:19.348 --> 00:24:23.038 someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 00:24:24.433 --> 00:24:28.423 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for 00:24:28.423 --> 00:24:30.643 us while we were still sinners. 00:24:31.453 --> 00:24:36.313 And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will 00:24:36.313 --> 00:24:38.623 certainly save us from God's condemnation. 00:24:39.583 --> 00:24:43.993 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his son while we 00:24:43.993 --> 00:24:48.343 were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his son. 00:24:49.723 --> 00:24:55.303 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord 00:24:55.303 --> 00:24:58.303 Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. 00:25:00.223 --> 00:25:03.073 This concludes today's Immer reading experience. 00:25:03.193 --> 00:25:04.423 Thank you for joining us.