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: Monday, December 08, 2025
Chapters: Romans 1-4
Message: Romans: Vain Imaginations
Hello My Friend,
As we begin the reading of Romans, we learn that every human being born has the opportunity to learn of the Gospel and understand why they are sinners headed for hell. The life we choose to live as a whole comes from several factors, including our upbringing and faith. All it takes is one person to change one’s faith in God—but here is the thing: salvation does not rest on human effort or heritage, but on the power of the Gospel itself.
[Romans 1:16-17 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.]
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 writing to Corinthians. 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 reminding them that the Gospel was written in the Scriptures well before it came to pass and explains how all who believe it are saved by the same grace.
[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:]
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. Jesus, dying on the cross for us was all that was needed to redeem the souls of those who believe in Him from hell, and for us to reconcile with God, but He took it a step further by defeating death all together when He arose, [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;]
We should be able to go anywhere around the world and Christ be seen in us. The world may not know that it is Christ who lives is inside us, but that is how we reach them by telling them that it is Him. We who live our lives through Christ are not ashamed to share our testimony because it is the Holy Spirit who establishes our faith. Paul, first commends them on their faith in Christ to begin since no one has really preached the Gospel in Rome.
[Romans 1:8,11-15 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 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.]
We are sent out into the world to reach both the wise and unwise with the Gospel, meaning those who are unsaved and have faith in God and those who have never heard of God before. Every person born is given the knowledge that God does exist at birth but as time goes by and sin becomes more acceptable their heart turns on Him. Paul, explains it this way.
[Romans 1:18-21 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. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 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.]
There is nothing like ingratitude to reveal what is really in the heart and there you have it, vain imaginations. Those are the empty, misguided, unrealistic thoughts driven by self-centered, arrogant fools who distort reality, distract from the faith, and turn their heart away from God. And if you ever wondered why the world is more concerned about the sea turtle than a life in the womb, Paul explains how this happens.
[Romans 1:22-25 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.]
When people refuse to honor the Creator that is when their thinking becomes futile, and their hearts grow dark. They begin to elevate illusions above truth, worshiping the creation rather than the One who made it. Vain imaginations invert priorities, exchanging the glory of God for the emptiness of human pride. Paul, goes on to describe the very things that those vain imaginations produce.
[Romans 1:26-28 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 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;]
This is why we are even seeing men and women standing in front of churches, lifting their voices in praise to God, proclaiming that they are going to deform their bodies because God loves them the way they are. Where in the Bible does it say that God loves you just the way you are? Yes, God does love every soul and Jesus died for all souls, but He did not give His life to save our soul so that we could continue living in sin. In fact, He told the man who He healed to sin no more, [John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.].
If people truly believed that God loves them just as they are, why would they risk their lives by altering their bodies? The truth is this, they are trying to have the best of both worlds, seeking the approval of man while claiming the love of God. Scripture makes it clear: genuine faith brings transformation. When someone is truly saved, the Holy Spirit works from the inside out, reshaping desires and renewing the heart. But this is precisely what actually turns a heart away from God. Paul, goes on to describe the very things that turn a heart from God.
[Romans 1:29-32 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.]
Do you see the difference between a true believer and a reprobate? True believers repent of their sin while reprobates rejoice in their sin. Keep in mind that we are all guilty of committing at least one of these sins, but the proof of our faith is as the saying goes, in the pudding, [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.]
Think about it, just because they are living in sin that does not mean that God has not given up on them just yet. As long as they are still breathing He would rather see their soul in heaven then be cast into hell when they take their last breath. This is where righteous judgment comes in. While we not to condone their sin we are to witness to them because after all, we were where they are once. Now, Paul goes on to address the rumors of those who were passed up the opportunity to hear the Gospel because of their well known sin.
[Romans 2:1-3,5-6 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? 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; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:]
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. Paul goes on to explain that regardless of the Law, there is no salvation without Christ.
[Romans 2:7-10,12 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 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: 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;]
Think about it, saved or not, God will always see sin as rebellion. I will be honest and say that I have gotten myself into more trouble than I care to admit and was rightfully judged for it too. While I cannot condone the choices I made, I was repentant, and believe that is the only reason God was so merciful to me. Jesus, said this when Peter asked Him how many times a person should be forgiven of their sin, [Matthew 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.]
God’s forgiveness is abundant; He will forgive us a hundred times a day if our repentance is sincere. This is actually something that comes from the Holy Spirit as He leads us to the desire to sin no more. While some sin is harder to overcome than others as long as we are sincere God will continue to work on us to remove it. True believers keep the Law within themselves to some extent and seek repentance because they aim to please God. However, we cannot mix the Law with grace in the sense that we must adhere to everything written in the Law. Paul goes on to explain this and points out that those who enforce the Law after salvation are foolish.
[Romans 2:14-16,20-21 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. 20 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?]
In other words, if they could not even keep the Law themselves, what right did they have to enforce it upon the new converts? There is a sobering truth every Christian must grasp: there are people who do not know Jesus, who are not saved, yet live more morally upright than some who claim His name. This is religion at its worst. It distorts the Gospel, undermines God’s promise, and makes Him appear untrue when He has declared that salvation comes by faith in His Son alone. Paul points out that such hypocrisy not only dishonors God but also causes the Gentiles to blaspheme His name because of the behavior of those who should have been His witnesses.
[Romans 2:24-26,28-29 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. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.]
The majority of the time that a lost soul that knows of Jesus does not get saved it is because someone who claimed to be a Christian treated them or someone else worse than one in the world did. We are the example for the world to seek and accept Christ. If we are living more corrupt than the world than they are not going to see the need to receive Christ themselves, [1 Corinthians 9:14,19 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.]
The reason Paul wrote all this was because there was this division in Rome, the Jews thought the Gospel was only for them, while the Gentiles (Romans) thought it was only for them. Paul, sets the record straight, the Gospel does not make the Law void, it perfects it.
[Romans 3:7-10,12,20 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 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; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.]
The Law acknowledges that we are sinners, and if we are living under the Law, that means that it does not matter what the sin, we are guilty of them all. This is why the one who told a lie and the one who murdered someone receives the same punishment. Whether they are ignorant to God and the Law (His Word), know it, or reject it, the same judgment applies, death and hell. And this is exactly why Jesus gave His sinless life for us.
[Romans 3:22-25 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;]
In other words, those who were here before Christ’s passion are counted righteous before God under their obedience waiting for that promise. We are saved by grace alone and not of our works, but that does not mean that God has changed how He feels about sin. As I have said before, when we get saved and the Holy Spirit starts living inside of us we are automatically wired to start following the Law, meaning we learn to remove the things that are sinful to God as we start learning from His Word.
[Romans 3:27-31 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.]
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 or us 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.
[Romans 4:1-5 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.]
Salvation has always been granted to us by the grace of God because He knows that even at our best, we still fall short. This is not to say that we would not benefit by following the Law in regards to living our lives to please God, [Titus 3:8-9 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.]
Jesus, through His sinless death, burial, and resurrection, having Himself been brought up under the Law, broke the need to follow the Law by shedding His blood. Now, all who believe in and receive Him as their Savior are redeemed—set free from the Law and justified of every sin. The same grace covers both the liar and the murderer, for salvation is not earned but given through faith. Yet many were fixated on circumcision, insisting it was necessary for salvation. What they failed to see was that circumcision was never proof of faith in God; it was only a symbol of belonging to Abraham’s covenant family. Paul explains this.
[Romans 4:10-12 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.]
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.
[Romans 4:14-17 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, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.]
Human comprehension never understands how someone so evil can receive eternal life and someone so good can 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 4:19-24 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 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;]
[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.]
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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