King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, December 08, 2024
Chapters: Romans Chapters 1-4
Message: No Excuses
Hello My Friend,
It does not take long into the reading of Romans before you discover that there really is no excuse for a soul to end up in hell. Regardless of who we are, where we came from, when we came here, or how sinful we are, salvation is offered to all who believe in God, but that does not mean that all who believe in God are saved, [Romans 2:9-13 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.]
The Book of Romans is the sixth book of the New Testament, forty-fifth book of the Bible, and contains sixteen chapters. The author of the book is Paul and it was written to the believers in Rome. The purpose of the book, also known as Romans road, was to show that salvation is given by grace through faith to all believers of Christ and not by any law or earthly lineage. What we learn from the book is that justification is by faith alone without works, and is the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer that gives them an eternal security, [Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.]
Paul, wrote this letter to the Romans while he was in Corinth, he heard about their faith in the Gospel, but they were intermixing salvation by grace with the Law of Moses, which was creating a false gospel. Paul, sets the record straight first by declaring that Jesus is the Son of God with power.
[Romans 1:1-6 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:]
[declared to be the Son of God with power,] [Declared; Made known; told explicitly; avowed; exhibited; manifested; published; proclaimed; recited.] Jesus, is not like the rest of us, He may have come here in the flesh through man as we do, but He has always been here and there is plenty of evidence of that from the Old Testament Scriptures. The Gospel of Christ itself is what separates saved, born again Christians from any religion or other belief. It declares that we know the Son of God with power whom was raised from the dead three days after His sinless death on the cross, [Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;]
Faith in God has never changed, even before the flood, those who did have faith had faith that He was going to send Jesus one day, [Genesis 3:14-15 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.]
The Law itself was foreshadow of Christ, but grace has always been given to those who live by faith, who are called just. We should be able to go anywhere around the world and Christ be seen in us, if not, then perhaps we need to make a change in our lives. We are debtors to Gospel of Christ and therefore sent out into the world to reach the lost with the Gospel. Paul, goes on to explain this.
[Romans 1:14-19 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.]
[I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians;] [Debtor; One who is under obligation to do something.] Just like the Jews would call anyone who is not a Jew heathens, uncircumcised, or Gentiles, the Greeks called anyone not a Greek a barbarian, who are Gentiles in general. Since all saved, born again Christians know how they got saved we are all under obligation to at least give our testimony of how we received Christ as our Saviour, [1 Peter 3:15-16 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.]
[that which may be known of God is manifest in them;] Our greatest asset in reaching the lost is our testimony. It is the unwise who will often reject the Gospel and not for the reasons we might think, they simply do not want Christ in their lives because He will change their lives. Nevertheless, every person born is given the knowledge that God does exist, but as sin becomes more acceptable their heart turns on Him.
[Romans 1:21-25 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.]
[gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,] This is why some people talk themselves into believing that they are born homosexual, not the gender they are born, or see nothing wrong with ending the life of a baby before it is born yet condemns one who interferes with turtle eggs on the beach. While God never denies salvation to anyone who comes to Him through His Son even if they got caught up in the lusts of their own heart, there is a name for those who reject Him, and that is reprobate.
[Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.]
[they which commit such things…have pleasure in them that do them.] Is that not the truth? This goes beyond unmarried couples living together or engaging in sexual activities, this is fulfilling every lust known to man and not being one bit ashamed about it. This includes drunkenness, illegal drug use, orgies, prostitution, cross dressing, and mutilation of the body. However, there are some who lived these lifestyles that have escaped by finding Christ so we are to never deny anyone the opportunity to know how they can get saved as well, [1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.]
We are all sinners and if we are honest with ourselves we will admit that we are guilty of at least one of these sins. This is why we cannot pass judgment on anyone for their sins, rather use righteous judgment. Paul, goes on to address those who are quick to judge others sins while not dealing with their own.
[Romans 2:1-5 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;]
[wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself;] We were all under condemnation at one point, and by the grace of God we learned the truth and found Christ. How would we feel if we were denied that opportunity because someone did not approve of the life we lived? Salvation is not about saving our flesh from the chastening that comes from sin, it is about saving our soul from condemnation. To explain this further, Paul goes on to explain that regardless of the Law, there is no salvation without Christ.
[Romans 2:12-16 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.]
[the doers of the law shall be justified.] The doers meaning those whom have accepted Christ as their Saviour, they are the souls are justified or rather pardoned from condemnation. The best of believers, even believers in Christ, are not without sin in themselves so it must be understood that perfect righteousness of the Law is fulfilled solely by the grace of God through ones faith, [2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.]
[having not the law, are a law unto themselves:] Those who live moral lives by their upbringing are naturally drawn to Christ because they have not succumbed to those lusts of the flesh. True believers keep the Law within themselves to some extent because they seek to please God and not any law. However, they were not bound to the Law and neither were the Jews if they were honest with themselves, which Paul goes on to point out that those who enforce the Law after salvation are fools and instructors of the foolish.
[Romans 2:20-25 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.]
[which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.] We could follow every commandment written in the Law, but that does not mean that we are saved, and that has been from the very beginning. Why? We are natural born sinners, even on a good day we come short. Paul, goes on to explain this.
[Romans 3:1-4,7,9 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;]
[For what if some did not believe?] That is a very good point, there were plenty of Jews, even Muslims whom have gotten circumcised but have no faith in God. Circumcision, was never a means to salvation it was merely an act to physically distinguish someone who was of the lineage of Abraham from a Gentile, [Genesis 17:9-10 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.]
[For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory;] Paul, is not saying that he has lied or lying to anyone he is saying that there is no advantage for him by lying as not only would God’s truth prevail, he would be in danger of bringing damnation to himself. What Paul is saying is that we are all sinners, no one is good, meaning, no one is complete and perfect before God through our own merit.
[Romans 3:12-19 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.]
[and all the world may become guilty before God.] The Law acknowledges that we are sinners, and it does not matter what the sin, everyone receives the same punishment. Why? Religion puts us under the Law, and if we are all under the law for breaking one command then we are guilty of breaking them all at some point, which is why we need Jesus.
[Romans 3:22-26,28 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.]
[a propitiation through faith in his blood,] [Propitiation; The atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage His wrath and render Him favorable to sinners.] Saved or not, we will all stand before Christ, and if we are not saved we will be judged according to the Law. Jesus, through His sinless death, burial, and resurrection, brought up under the Law Himself, broke the need to follow the Law with His blood. Now, all who believe in and receive Him as their Saviour are automatically redeemed, set free from the Law, and justified of every sin by the same grace. What about those who were here before Christ’s passion? Paul explains this using Abraham as an example, and how he was justified by the same faith.
[Romans 4:1-7 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.]
[Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.] The Law of Moses was a temporary fix to the law of faith in that those who did live by faith followed the Law. However God, has always determined that it is not what we do for Him or anyone else that shows us righteous before Him, but only by believing in what His Son did for us. Although Abraham never even saw or knew the name, Jesus, that did not stop him from believing in the promise.
[Romans 4:13-16 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,]
[Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace;] Human comprehension never understands how someone wicked can receive eternal life and someone good end up in hell, but again salvation has never been about works, it us all about faith. Paul, explains this using Abraham as an example, and how he was justified by his faith.
[Romans 4:20-25 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.]
[to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus] [Impute; To charge; to attribute; to set to the account of.] God has determined that it is not what we do for Him or anyone else that shows us just before Him, it is our faith in His promises, and naturally, if we love God and want Him in our lives, then we are subconsciously going to obey His commands, [Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, You deserve all the glory, honor, and power for redeeming my soul when I received You as my Saviour, for my salvation was only made possible by mu believing in Your sinless death, burial, and resurrection. While we were still powerless and dead in our sins, You died for us. You demonstrated Your love for us, in that while we were sinners, You died for us. Now, we are seen as righteous before You and justified from our sin through Your sacrifice. Your wondrous love is truly amazing and the only way that we can truly be grateful is to live our lives to give glory to You. Today, I am just by my faith, and am not ashamed to proclaim You as mine, and definitely not too proud to admit that I am who I am today because of You, I am no good in my flesh, but through You I am complete, perfect, and justified. I pray this in You name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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