Two roads, one way #2
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The GPS
Let’s begin by reminding ourselves, as Christians, of our Biblical GPS for 2012 – our spiritual triangulation for determining where we are and what direction we need to head. What our goal should be. What our highest priority should be. And what our basic strategy for living should be.
Reality Check: Where are you really?
• Goal: What do you really want?
• Priority: What is really important?
• Strategy: What do you really pursue?
Biblical GPS: Where should you be (where Christ is)?
• Our Goal (aim of our lives): to glorify (honor God as ‘God’) and enjoy God (rest in Him as my supreme Good). (1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 16:11)
• Our Priority (important in every situation/relationship): to trust (His promises) and love (according to His Word). (Galatians 5:6; 1 John 3:23)
• Our Strategy (specific plan of action): to lay down our lives (John 12:24-26; 1 John 3:16; Romans 12:1-2)
Today, we want to be encouraged and equipped for living this way from Romans 9:30-33.
Let highlight six things from this passage.
I. Human Responsibility and God’s Sovereignty
Is God fully sovereign or is man fully responsible? Yes!
Does God have everything planned out or does man make real choices? Yes!
Does God have to give man faith or does man have to believe? Yes!
Is God alone to be praised for our believing or is man alone at fault for not believing? Yes!
- Romans 9:30
Paul has been discussing his sorrow over Israel’s rejection of the Messiah (Romans 9:1-5) and the question of whether this rejection means that God has failed to keep His Word of promise to Israel (Romans 9:6). Paul says that that is not the case because God never promised to save every Israelite by natural birth but only those who were of the faith of Abraham (Romans 9:6-9). And because no one will believe apart from God’s sovereign grace, it is part of God’s plan that only a remnant of Israel has been saved thus far (Romans 9:7-18). God has graciously chosen to save a portion of natural Israel and to save many of the Gentiles at this point in history (Romans 9:19-29). Indeed, God predicted that the majority of the Jewish people would reject their Messiah. But this does not mean that God’s rejection of most of national Israel is simply based on His arbitrary choice but is the result of their responsible rejection of the Messiah that God has provided for Israel.
Some want to erase all paradox from the Bible, but when we attempt to do so, we erase the Bible itself. This is a paradox (an apparent contradiction): God is fully sovereign and man is fully responsible. We need to treat God as fully sovereign and we need to treat man as fully responsible. Anything less is to deny the Bible.
Dinosaur Bones
Trying to think through this paradox is like trying to piece bones together without a complete picture of what the animal looks like. It’s like finding two dinosaur bones and then trying to come up with a way to fit it all together. Some just throw one bone away and say “this is the only real dinosaur bone.” Others try to keep both bones as “dinosaur bones” but how they imagine them going together essentially does the same thing and practically results in saying, “this is the only real dinosaur bone.” Others simply and humbly say, “Both of these bones belong to a dinosaur, indeed, the same dinosaur, but how they fit together, we don’t know.”
• Romans 11:33
II. Righteousness and LIFE
When I was in school my strategy for success was to figure out what the teacher required and to pursue that to the best of my ability. To disregard what the requirements of the course were was to ensure failure.
What is it that God requires? Good intentions? Your best? Religious ritual? Being a good person? Not doing certain things? Having more good works than bad? Being sorry for your mistakes/sin?
- Romans 9:30-31
Paul says the bottom line is righteousness. And righteousness is important because God blesses the righteous. God’s promises for now and eternity are for the righteous. The only other category for people to be other than the “righteous” category is the “wicked” category. And the “wicked” receive the wrath of God. So righteousness is crucial for what it doesn’t receive (wrath) and for what it does receive (the promises of God’s blessing).
• Romans 2:13
• Romans 5:21
But what is righteousness? Righteousness is conformity to the Law of God. Someone is righteous if they keep the Law. The Lord Jesus said that the Law us is summed up in the commands to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. One deviation from this in attitude or word or action and the wages of any sin is death.
Baptism of the Lord Jesus
- Matthew 3:13-17
Matthew 5: the Pharisees, the real meaning of the Law and being perfect as the Father is perfect
• Matthew 5:17-20
• Matthew 5:21-22
• Matthew 5:27-28
• Matthew 5:38-39
• Matthew 5:43-48
III. Only Two Kinds of Approaches to God
Have you ever felt inadequate to address people of different religions and have even wondered where to start?
Even though there are many and varied religions in the world, there are only two approaches to God.
- Romans 9:32
We either approach God by faith alone or by works in some form (whether in combination with faith or not).
“Pursue” means earnest striving as in a footrace or to run swiftly after something as in hunting.
In the Garden, Adam and Eve tried to make coverings for themselves and God made a covering for them.
• Genesis 3:7
• Genesis 3:21
Prayer meeting of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
• Luke 18:9-14
The King’s Feast
• Matthew 22:1-14
IV. Righteousness by Works
What kind of relationship do you have with ‘to do lists’?
Ancient Israel is a picture of modern ‘me.’ It is Satanically natural for me to disbelieve in God’s provision and rely on my own righteousness and efforts.
Romans 9:31-32
I must fight to avoid the stumbling block that God is loving me or not loving me depending on whether I have been “good enough.” My ‘gut feeling’ that ‘works’ are necessary is true, but I must see that I am saved and forgiven and accepted and loved because of Jesus’ works, not my own. So I am saved by works, but not by my own works.
We can have the right goal (righteousness) and the wrong approach (dependence on my own effort and works).
Pursuing obedience to God’s Law is not rejected here, but the pursuing of it by a works or legalistic or self-righteous mentality rather than by faith in the Messiah.
Rich Young Ruler: The Law Promises Life If We Keep It
• Romans 7:10
• Matthew 19:17
Sinai: But We Can’t and This Was Not God’s Intent
Think about the terrifying spectacle of God’s giving the Law on Mt. Sinai. Why this fearful picture? Because in the giving of the Law God was communicating the danger involved in sinners trying to approach Him on the basis of their own efforts to keep His perfect Law.
• Hebrews 12:18-24
• Romans 3:20
• Galatians 2:21
• Galatians 3:24
V. Righteousness by Faith
What do you think could be the most freeing thing anyone could ever tell you?
The whole point of the book of Romans is that the good news of God to sinners who deserve only His wrath is a gift of Christ’s righteousness which is offered to all men and is received by faith alone so that they can enjoy all that God has promised those who are righteous in His sight.
- Romans 9:31-32
• Romans 4:4-5
• Romans 5:17
• Philippians 3:9
• Matthew 5:3
This is why I can approach God boldly for mercy and for the grace I need, since I come in the name of Jesus, not in my own name.
In contrast to Sinai, we hear the Lord Jesus saying, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
The Gift of a Lazy Boy?
The righteousness by faith which God offers is like the offer of a Lazy Boy recliner in the shade with a tall glass of sweet tea to a slave picking cotton in the hot sun. The work has already been done on the chair and I am called to receive and rest – to receive the chair and to lay back while my full weight on it, ceasing my work.
Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love. (Westminster Confession of Faith, Article XI:II)
The Thief on the Cross
• 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”- Luke 23:39-43
VI. No Disappointment in Jesus
Are you ever disappointed?
If we have received the righteousness of Jesus by faith, we need not fear losing or missing out or failing to receive the blessing of God, now or throughout eternity. It is 100 % guaranteed in Jesus. God cannot fail to bless us and love us any more than He can fail to love His own Son.
Romans 9:33)
“Offense” is a bait stick of a trap.
“Shame” is often associated with judgment in the OT.
• Isaiah 28:16
• Isaiah 8:14
• 1 Peter 2:6
• Matthew 21:42
• Acts 4:11
• Psalm 118:22
• Ephesians 2:20
• 1 Corinthians 1:22-23
I may be disappointed now because of my limited understanding and knowledge, but in the life to come, I will experience no disappointment over the past or the future.
Those who are not righteous, when they trust in the righteousness of Jesus, are declared righteous and treated as righteous.
• Romans 5:1-2
• Romans 8:1
• Romans 8:28
Getting What You Ask For
If our heart is crying out for righteousness before God through Jesus, God will grant it.
• Matthew 5:6
If our heart is crying out to be satisfied in God through Jesus, God will grant it.
• Matthew 5:8
God will not disappoint us by not granting the cry of our hearts if we are looking to His Son, Jesus.
• Matthew 7:9-11
Faith and Love
Let’s make some quick application. We glorify and enjoy God by trusting God and loving others. In every situation and in every relationship my priority should be to trust God and to love. So how does this passage encourage us to trust and love more?
How does this passage encourage me to trust God?
o Trust God for the promises of God in Jesus (Romans 5:1-2)
o Peace
o Provision
o Pleasure
Reformed Theologians and Slavery
What Do We Do With Our Slavery-Affirming Theological Heroes?
by Trevin Wax | January 5, 2012
When I read the works of men like James P. Boyce and Jonathan Edwards, I am amazed at the depth of their biblical knowledge and the keenness of their personal application. At the same time, I am astounded that these theological giants could justify the owning of slaves, support slavery as a system, and conform to the racial prejudice common in their day. John Piper is right: “One of the central cadences of the gospel walk is the breaking down of ethnic hostilities and suspicions, and the impulse of unity and harmony” (Bloodlines, 175). So how is it possible to believe the gospel and articulate so clearly the doctrine of justification by faith alone, yet miss how this doctrine severs the root of racism and ethnocentrism forever? Even more, how can one’s life be so out of step with one’s theology? … Remember that justification by faith levels us all. So what do we do with our heroes? For starters, we cannot stand smugly and chide our forefathers for their shortcomings. We would then ourselves be guilty of denying justification because we would be speaking from a place of moral superiority and chronological snobbery. Justification by faith alone kills the pride that comes from legalism, racism, pedigree, and yes, even chronology. We are no more righteous because of our time period than they were in theirs. It also won’t do for us to abandon the theology of Edwards, Boyce and others simply because they were wrong on slavery. All theology must be measured by its fidelity to the truth of God’s Word, not by our ability to live up to God’s Word. So what to do? Instead of abandoning the biblical understanding of justification expressed eloquently through our heroes despite their flaws, we ought to lean harder into it. Here’s the glorious truth: the reality they saw so clearly provides the answer to the sin they didn’t. In other words, they discerned the reality of justification by faith alone better than they discerned the sinfulness in their own hearts and lives. And it’s that reality of justification by faith alone that levels us all and drives us to our knees — thankful for the clear example of horrendously flawed theologians articulating the only doctrine that gives hope to all of us who are horrendously flawed. Slavery is a great evil, but even slavery cannot stand in the way of the grace and glory of the gospel. And just as we learn from the blind spots of the generations who have gone before us, we trust that the blood of Christ will cover our own blind spots. That’s why the more we walk with God, the more we cry like David: “Cleanse me from my hidden faults.” It’s only in the security of being wrapped up in the righteousness of Christ that we can say, “Challenge me, Lord. Change me, Lord. Expose my wickedness.” And in the midst of it all, we cling to the hope that God’s grace is bigger than our biggest flaws.
How does this passage encourage me to love in regard to my fellowship with God?
o By laying down my life to obey His Word (John 12:24; Romans 12:1)
o To fellowship with God (live like a branch), (John 15:1-11)
I am to approach God daily through His Word and prayer, regardless of my performance, expecting God to speak to me and hear my prayers, not because of my own work or righteousness, but because of the finished work and righteousness of the Lord Jesus.
Can you yell at your kids and drop to your knees?
How does this passage encourage me to love in regard to speaking the truth in love to other believers?
o By laying down my life to obey His Word (John 12:24; Romans 12:1)
o to speak the truth in love to one another (live like a body member) (Ephesians 4:11-16)
I am to fight to rest in the righteousness of Christ and to resist speaking condemnation into the lives of my fellow believers, but rather to encourage them to also rest in His righteousness.
Can you be sinned against and pray that they rest in the righteousness of Christ?
How does this passage encourage me to love in regard to being a fisher of men?
o By laying down my life to obey His Word (John 12:24; Romans 12:1)
o to be a fisher of men (live like a missionary/messenger). (John 1:29-46)
I am to preach the good news of a gift of righteousness which God offers to all men through faith alone in the Lord Jesus.
Is the ‘good news’ you try to communicate primarily about what God has done in Jesus or about what they must do or about what they can’t do?
Who embraces this kind of life?
o Those who receive Jesus for who He is: Lord and Savior (John 1:12)
o as the Way (of acceptance with God – our Pardon and Perfection)
o as the Truth (our Wisdom and Guide for living in this world)
o and the Life (our Help and Happiness). (John 14:6)
Receiving Jesus
Have you received Jesus as your righteousness (the Way to acceptance with God)?
What your step – don’t stumble over Jesus!
Turn and Look to Jesus and Live!
- John 14:6
If we have looked to Jesus as our righteousness, our hearts should sing moment by moment and day by day and sin by sin and failure by failure and obedience by obedience and triumph by triumph and trial by trial and blessing and blessing:
1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
o Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
3. His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne. (The Solid Rock by Edward Mote)
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