Colossians 3:4,
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."
Much is written today in the world regarding having a peaceful and tranquil life. Books upon books for how to live a life with few obstacles, tips regarding how to be happy at work and in your marriage, not to mention the countless "how to" books that range from being a better person to being a better friend, yet without giving up who you really are. They even have the countless books "for dummies": "how to be a husband for dummies", "how to be a wife for dummies", "how to be a friend for dummies", and the list goes on and on. I think there is a "for dummies" book for just about anything and everything at a bookstore, implying we are all dummies.
Christianity has followed suit regarding its' own section of how one can have a "good" or "better" or "best life" now. Health, wealth, and prosperity books that make those who write them healthy, wealthy, and prosperous, but makes those who buy them frustrated, with less money than prior to buying the book, and hopeless. These books provide the same information as the secular books, but include verbiage from the Bible such as God, Jesus, Spirit, money, rich, healing, and gifts. Millions of these books are sold (bought by Christians who are ignorant of "the life in Christ Jesus" they have that effectually works to a degree these books can never reach), all to end at a "good will" store or "half-price books", because they simply don't work.
With all that said although there are countless verses like Colossians 3:4, yet this verse alone in four words explains the Christian life. Your life or our lives as Christians is Christ. The question remains what does that mean? Paul in Colossians chapter 2 explained what it does not mean. It does not mean following "philosophy", "vain deceit", "tradition of men", and "rudiments of the world" (2:8). It does not mean following God "in meats, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days" (2:16). It does not mean getting caught up in the spiritual phenomenon of Christianity "in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind" (2:18); and it is not a life of asceticism for Paul says, "why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (touch not, taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh" (2:20b-23). Unfortunately, these are the things that make up churches today. Paul explains these things as "not after Christ", "spoiling", "beguiling", and "not holding the Head (Christ)", yet as most Christians follow and practice these things it produces their Christian 'LIFE'. Their identity, experience, understanding, and knowledge stem from these things. Yet, to follow after these things is not to "walk after Christ", and not have Christ be your life.
The truth of the matter is before you even get to Colossians in Romans-Philippians there has been a "newness of life" described in much detail that makes up Christ and provide for you to be conformed into His image. Paul in Colossians 3:4 states the fact that by the time you get to this verse "Christ" should be "your life" and one day He will appear and because He will appear, "then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." May Christ be our life, so that, we will be presented "holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight" (1:22) when He appears. Is Christ your life?
Look Up,
Pastor J.M. Strelecki
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
"Man's Response To Wrath"
Man’s response can be quite fascinating. Frankly, the facial, emotional, and verbal responses one can give can be priceless. The expression and emotion of a mother who just gave birth to her child. A response of relief and jubilation clashing together at the same time can oftentimes be manifest with innumerable tears of joy. Astonishment and amazement form on the face of a brand new father. Words cannot be formed to express the excitement the father experiences; a non-verbal response to a situation that demands such expression is at times a very impactful and endearing response, but in other situations manifests guiltiness and lack of understanding. Responses are experienced each day of our existence. We either provide a response, manufactured by our facial expression and words, or either do or say something that provokes, produces, and even sometimes demands a response from someone else. A response is unique; for in watching someone else respond in some manner or form can result in one’s own response. We truly do impact one another even when we might not even know it. A response is not always a ‘good’ response, but a response can also be ‘bad’. A death glare produced by a bent in the brow, jaws locked, lips closed, and eyes penetrating the soul of someone else is a response we might have experienced at one time or another; either as the glarer or glaree. One to three word responses of rejection are another common ‘bad’ response: whatever, yea right, hhmmmm, are you kidding me, huh, uh huh, NO, etc. A ‘bad’ response can even grow into vicious assaults, stubborn negative responses, physical abuse, emotional and verbal abuse, or simply the cold shoulder. Pride and jealousy often are the root problem for these responses.
Unfortunately, when it comes to man’s response to “the gospel of Christ”, all to often, a ‘bad’ response is given. There are many points within the information provided in “the gospel of Christ” that challenge the heart and mind of an unjustified person and at each of these points a ‘bad’ response can result. It is the genius of our heavenly Father and the design of His glorious Word to make you, as an “ambassador for Christ”, fully equipped for such responses. In fact, it is a truth that with the doctrine provided in the opening chapters of Romans our heavenly Father provides for us to deal with any and all responses an unjustified person can give as we make known “the glorious gospel of the blessed God”.
Wrath of God
It should be noted that responses are often interpretated by the context in which they are given. The same goes for the responses the Apostle Paul deals with in Romans 2:1-3:20. The responses given in this portion of scripture stem from what Paul set forth in Romans 1:18-32; to wit, the wrath of God. As Twin Cities Grace Fellowship’s last quarterly explained Romans 1:18-32 provide the full, complete convincement of God’s wrath because of the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. It provides for making an unjustified person aware they are fully worthy of God’s wrath. Romans 2:1-3:20 provide us to handle any response an unjustified person might concoct in order to escape the wrath of God. Essentially, this information reveals man’s self-defense pleas as attempts to escape the judgment of God in connection with their sins. Our heavenly Father provides them for the ambassador in advance, so that, the ambassador is aware of man’s response to God’s wrath before they even appeal to them. Our Father “declares the thought of man” for us in Romans 2:1-3:20, so that, one can functionally respond in truth to the vanity of their escape tactics.
Escape Tactics
When it comes to these responses, these escape tactics, there are only 3 common escape tactics that the flesh can manufacture. In Romans 2:1-11, Paul deals with an unjustified “O, man” who in light of being made aware that God’s wrath is against him seeks to escape it by the tactic of, what we can call, relative or comparative righteousness. In Romans 2:12-17, Paul begins to deal with an unjustified Gentile in regards to them being “without law”. This information teaches the “O, man” we might deal with might possibly seek to give some kind of a extenuating circumstance in their defense as they try to escape the wrath of God. There are two kinds of extenuating circumstances the “O, man” can give, 1) a extenuating circumstance of disadvantage; represented by the Gentile who was “without law”, and 2) a extenuating circumstance of advantage, represented by the so-called Jew who was “in the law”. It is this extenuating circumstance of advantage that Paul explains next in Romans 2:17-29 represented by the so-called Jew. The “O, man” might appeal to some advantage like the so-called Jew in an attempt to escape the wrath of God. It should be noted that none of these escape tactics work; in fact, quite the opposite as Paul properly handles each one, the unjustified “O, man” is found in a position where his “mouth is stopped” and he finds himself truly “without strength”.
The third and final escape tactic that our Apostle Paul deals with is given last in the packet of three, because it is the final desperate attempts of the unjustified “O, man”. In his desperation he seeks to save face by opposing the message (the gospel of Christ) and/or the messenger. This is represented by the Jew to whom “the oracles of God ” were committed. The final escape of the unjustified “O,man” who negatively responds to wrath-consciousness consists of charging God with unrighteousness. The negative responses’ climax is when it takes on the form of blasphemy and slanders the grace of God. Notice this response as Paul actually and practically shares the doctrine of Romans 1-3 in the book of Acts to certain groups of people.
“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, SOME MOCKED: and others said, ‘We will hear thee again of this matter.”
Acts17:32
“And when they OPPOSED THEMSELVES, AND BLASPHEMED, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, ‘Your blood be upon your own head; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”
Acts 18:6
Reality & Our Final Response
The ambassador for Christ needs to acknowledge the reality, before he/she sets out to share the gospel of Christ in truth, of facing one of these negative escape tactics. Oftentimes, the ambassador will seek to ‘win one for Christ’ not realizing the potential stubbornness they might face and become real discouraged and be used by the Adversary resulting in he/she ‘throwing in the towel’ or ‘faint’ becoming a dysfunctional weak ambassador. The Adversary will also use these negative responses of an unjustified “O, man” to have the ambassador change the message and make it more palatable, so that, they won’t experience the harshness of the gospel of Christ working effectually in a unjustified person. The result of one changing the message leaves an unjustified person with a false or perverted gospel wherein there is no salvation at all.
When the escape tactics from the wrath of God reach the pinnacle of their negativity by blaspheming God and slandering His grace, the ambassador has reached the end of their ambassadorship and there is one final response to give to have work effectually in the opposer for the ambassador is no longer obligated to continue to share the gospel of Christ with them. The response is given by the Apostle Paul in the doctrine in Romans 3:8. He writes,
“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.”
It is these last four words that make-up the final response of the ambassador toward the unjustified person who is negatively opposing “the gospel of Christ” and “the ambassador for Christ”. It is at this point in their negative response, that in view of it “the goodness” of God’s appeal has reached its limit. It is the final proclamation of the damnation spoken of throughout Romans 1-2 which will be their final lot if they do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their all-sufficient Saviour. Again, this final response from the ambassador is designed to alert the unjustified person one last time that they are in real jeopardy of receiving the very wrath, judgment, and damnation they are so forcefully denying. This strong statement by the ambassador is designed to shut the mouth of the blasphemer who slanders the grace of God.
Full Prosecution
The Apostle Paul concludes his prosecution of the defenses escape tactics with his closing statement. This statement begins in Romans 3:9 and ends in Romans 3:20. He starts by concluding all men “under sin”. Romans 3:9,
“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;”
He ends his statement in Romans 3:19-20 saying,
“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. 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.”
This form of doctrine doesn’t describe the unjustified persons response, but does provide the full prosecution in light of all of the self-defense pleas and escape tactics given. Paul declares they are “under sin” with their “mouth…stopped” and “guilty before God”. The effectual working of God’s Word in Romans 1-3 is designed to accomplish this very end; so that, the need of salvation from the debt and penalty of one’s sins is properly realized and the effectually working of Romans 3:21-26 can do its job.
One Response
When all is said and done, no matter what facial expression is given: glare, stare, frown, or smile; no matter what verbal expression is given: slander, blasphemy, acceptance, or any other negative or positive response, there is only one response that matters. It is a response that the ambassador can not see or feel, because it is the inward response of faith in the gospel of Christ. It can be manifested by someones profession to you; however, the moment one responds to the gospel of Christ God sees it and will forgive that person all their sins , impute Christ’s righteousness to them, and give them eternal life. Although we might face and experience many responses as we preach the gospel, the only response that matters is the one you are not immediately aware of or might never know took place. Our role as ambassadors isn’t to worry about the result or the response, but about co-labouring with our heavenly Father by beseeching others on His behalf to be reconciled unto Him (2 Cor. 5:18-21). We are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). May we be instant in season and out of season to preach the Word, not change it because of the potential negative responses we might experience, and know that the Word of God effectually works in those we preach the gospel to. The best response one can have is of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s all-sufficient Savior. It is an honor and privilege to share the message that can work such a response, and icing on the cake if those who respond positively to the gospel of Christ through faith in Christ actually share their positive response with us.
Look Up,
Pastor Josh Strelecki
Unfortunately, when it comes to man’s response to “the gospel of Christ”, all to often, a ‘bad’ response is given. There are many points within the information provided in “the gospel of Christ” that challenge the heart and mind of an unjustified person and at each of these points a ‘bad’ response can result. It is the genius of our heavenly Father and the design of His glorious Word to make you, as an “ambassador for Christ”, fully equipped for such responses. In fact, it is a truth that with the doctrine provided in the opening chapters of Romans our heavenly Father provides for us to deal with any and all responses an unjustified person can give as we make known “the glorious gospel of the blessed God”.
Wrath of God
It should be noted that responses are often interpretated by the context in which they are given. The same goes for the responses the Apostle Paul deals with in Romans 2:1-3:20. The responses given in this portion of scripture stem from what Paul set forth in Romans 1:18-32; to wit, the wrath of God. As Twin Cities Grace Fellowship’s last quarterly explained Romans 1:18-32 provide the full, complete convincement of God’s wrath because of the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. It provides for making an unjustified person aware they are fully worthy of God’s wrath. Romans 2:1-3:20 provide us to handle any response an unjustified person might concoct in order to escape the wrath of God. Essentially, this information reveals man’s self-defense pleas as attempts to escape the judgment of God in connection with their sins. Our heavenly Father provides them for the ambassador in advance, so that, the ambassador is aware of man’s response to God’s wrath before they even appeal to them. Our Father “declares the thought of man” for us in Romans 2:1-3:20, so that, one can functionally respond in truth to the vanity of their escape tactics.
Escape Tactics
When it comes to these responses, these escape tactics, there are only 3 common escape tactics that the flesh can manufacture. In Romans 2:1-11, Paul deals with an unjustified “O, man” who in light of being made aware that God’s wrath is against him seeks to escape it by the tactic of, what we can call, relative or comparative righteousness. In Romans 2:12-17, Paul begins to deal with an unjustified Gentile in regards to them being “without law”. This information teaches the “O, man” we might deal with might possibly seek to give some kind of a extenuating circumstance in their defense as they try to escape the wrath of God. There are two kinds of extenuating circumstances the “O, man” can give, 1) a extenuating circumstance of disadvantage; represented by the Gentile who was “without law”, and 2) a extenuating circumstance of advantage, represented by the so-called Jew who was “in the law”. It is this extenuating circumstance of advantage that Paul explains next in Romans 2:17-29 represented by the so-called Jew. The “O, man” might appeal to some advantage like the so-called Jew in an attempt to escape the wrath of God. It should be noted that none of these escape tactics work; in fact, quite the opposite as Paul properly handles each one, the unjustified “O, man” is found in a position where his “mouth is stopped” and he finds himself truly “without strength”.
The third and final escape tactic that our Apostle Paul deals with is given last in the packet of three, because it is the final desperate attempts of the unjustified “O, man”. In his desperation he seeks to save face by opposing the message (the gospel of Christ) and/or the messenger. This is represented by the Jew to whom “the oracles of God ” were committed. The final escape of the unjustified “O,man” who negatively responds to wrath-consciousness consists of charging God with unrighteousness. The negative responses’ climax is when it takes on the form of blasphemy and slanders the grace of God. Notice this response as Paul actually and practically shares the doctrine of Romans 1-3 in the book of Acts to certain groups of people.
“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, SOME MOCKED: and others said, ‘We will hear thee again of this matter.”
Acts17:32
“And when they OPPOSED THEMSELVES, AND BLASPHEMED, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, ‘Your blood be upon your own head; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”
Acts 18:6
Reality & Our Final Response
The ambassador for Christ needs to acknowledge the reality, before he/she sets out to share the gospel of Christ in truth, of facing one of these negative escape tactics. Oftentimes, the ambassador will seek to ‘win one for Christ’ not realizing the potential stubbornness they might face and become real discouraged and be used by the Adversary resulting in he/she ‘throwing in the towel’ or ‘faint’ becoming a dysfunctional weak ambassador. The Adversary will also use these negative responses of an unjustified “O, man” to have the ambassador change the message and make it more palatable, so that, they won’t experience the harshness of the gospel of Christ working effectually in a unjustified person. The result of one changing the message leaves an unjustified person with a false or perverted gospel wherein there is no salvation at all.
When the escape tactics from the wrath of God reach the pinnacle of their negativity by blaspheming God and slandering His grace, the ambassador has reached the end of their ambassadorship and there is one final response to give to have work effectually in the opposer for the ambassador is no longer obligated to continue to share the gospel of Christ with them. The response is given by the Apostle Paul in the doctrine in Romans 3:8. He writes,
“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.”
It is these last four words that make-up the final response of the ambassador toward the unjustified person who is negatively opposing “the gospel of Christ” and “the ambassador for Christ”. It is at this point in their negative response, that in view of it “the goodness” of God’s appeal has reached its limit. It is the final proclamation of the damnation spoken of throughout Romans 1-2 which will be their final lot if they do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their all-sufficient Saviour. Again, this final response from the ambassador is designed to alert the unjustified person one last time that they are in real jeopardy of receiving the very wrath, judgment, and damnation they are so forcefully denying. This strong statement by the ambassador is designed to shut the mouth of the blasphemer who slanders the grace of God.
Full Prosecution
The Apostle Paul concludes his prosecution of the defenses escape tactics with his closing statement. This statement begins in Romans 3:9 and ends in Romans 3:20. He starts by concluding all men “under sin”. Romans 3:9,
“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;”
He ends his statement in Romans 3:19-20 saying,
“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. 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.”
This form of doctrine doesn’t describe the unjustified persons response, but does provide the full prosecution in light of all of the self-defense pleas and escape tactics given. Paul declares they are “under sin” with their “mouth…stopped” and “guilty before God”. The effectual working of God’s Word in Romans 1-3 is designed to accomplish this very end; so that, the need of salvation from the debt and penalty of one’s sins is properly realized and the effectually working of Romans 3:21-26 can do its job.
One Response
When all is said and done, no matter what facial expression is given: glare, stare, frown, or smile; no matter what verbal expression is given: slander, blasphemy, acceptance, or any other negative or positive response, there is only one response that matters. It is a response that the ambassador can not see or feel, because it is the inward response of faith in the gospel of Christ. It can be manifested by someones profession to you; however, the moment one responds to the gospel of Christ God sees it and will forgive that person all their sins , impute Christ’s righteousness to them, and give them eternal life. Although we might face and experience many responses as we preach the gospel, the only response that matters is the one you are not immediately aware of or might never know took place. Our role as ambassadors isn’t to worry about the result or the response, but about co-labouring with our heavenly Father by beseeching others on His behalf to be reconciled unto Him (2 Cor. 5:18-21). We are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). May we be instant in season and out of season to preach the Word, not change it because of the potential negative responses we might experience, and know that the Word of God effectually works in those we preach the gospel to. The best response one can have is of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s all-sufficient Savior. It is an honor and privilege to share the message that can work such a response, and icing on the cake if those who respond positively to the gospel of Christ through faith in Christ actually share their positive response with us.
Look Up,
Pastor Josh Strelecki
"Light & Darkness"
Being made aware of certain events, details, and other random information is a part of our everyday life. Gaining knowledge and exercising knowledge begins as soon as we wake up in the morning. We do this particularly in specific areas of expertise. In other words, in our jobs, while on the job, and doing business. Most of the time we exercise existing knowledge: certain knowledge we have already gained by education or experience; however, at times our occupation demands further training and education. The companies and businesses we work for take the time to train and educate their employees. This includes an array of things such as how to do your job better, how to do a specific part of your job better, or how to do a new aspect of your job that is being implemented. Simply put, learning and receiving, as well as, exercising knowledge is routine at work and in our lives.
At the moment one trusts Christ as their all-sufficient Savior there is training God our heavenly Father wants them to receive. When one believes Christ died for the debt and penalty of their sins on the Cross our Father wants the believer to be equipped to share the same glorious news that saved them. As our Father begins to train us as “ambassadors for Christ” it could be said, “the eyes of our understanding” begin to be enlightened; in other words, 1) we begin to learn the dark predicament we were in before we trusted in Christ, and 2) the dark predicament the world is still in. In Romans 1-3 our Father equips us to be effectual “ambassadors for Christ” as part of His business and it is in Romans 1:18-32 where we are made aware of the world’s worthiness of God’s wrath. We are made aware “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” , so that, we can make “men” effectually aware of God’s wrath being against them.
LIGHT
All throughout scripture when God’s “glory” is being expressed and explained it always is manifest by a bright light. In fact Paul writes about this very issue in 1 Tim. 6:16, in context of the Lord Jesus Christ,
“who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen”
God through the express person of Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God and the brightness of His glory (2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3) is “dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto”, that is, no man in Adam with an unrighteous standing before God. Now, the brightness of God’s glory is only the represent manifestation of the glory. His glory consists of His God-ness; the characteristics and attributes of who He is such as His “eternal power and Godhead” (Rom. 1:20).
These characteristics of God that make up His God-ness, especially the two previously mentioned, are the very things that God has made known of Himself to every man. God not only left a fingerprint trail in everyman, but He also manifests the things that can be known of Him “from the creation of the world”, which “are clearly seen”. This is what Paul says in Rom. 1:19-20,
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 see, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
Simply put, every man can and does understand the “invisible things” of God by the consciousness of Himself that He has placed within everyone, as well as, the creation manifesting and bearing witness to God. Therefore, it can fundamentally be said that mankind knows God. This knowledge is not intimate; however, according to God manifesting the things that can be known of Him it can be said, “mankind knows God.” They know of His “eternal power and Godhead” and thereby “the glory of the uncorruptible God”.
AMBASSADORS
This point of the light of God-consciousness is where we begin to function as “ambassadors for Christ” as we present the “gospel of Christ”. As an ambassador we make men aware of our Sovereigns existence and the testimony of His God-ness from understanding the things that are made in creation. This will be the first point in our presentation of “the gospel of Christ” that will test and challenge the heart and mind of the unjustified. As we present this “truth of God” to them they are left “without excuse” and thereby challenged with the effectual working of God’s Word that is designed to lead them to change their mind. They will respond in one of two ways. If they in the honesty of their heart will respond positively to the light of God-consciousness we then can present the next point that will test their volition. If they decide to respond negatively to the light of God-consciousness and oppose the truth of God it is testimony of God’s wrath being against them.
DARKNESS
Romans 1:18-32 is our Father’s indictment against mankind. It is His substantial evidence that ultimately deserves and warrants just judgment. The nature of this substantial evidence against the world begins when the “course of this world” was charted and catered to by mankind. It was at this time God gave the world over to “the power of darkness” . God consigned the world over to the Adversary, because mankind consigned themselves over to it, by aligning their hearts with the wisdom of this world rendering their hearts foolish. In Romans 1:21, God characterizes mankind’s heart for what it now became, according to the “the power of darkness”;
“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.” {EMPHASIS ADDED}
Their hearts were darkened and the light of God-consciousness was covered by its’ power. In other words, they “hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18b). This ultimately led to ungodly and unrighteous conduct and behavior that warrants justice. God uses this case when He consigned the world over to the Adversary due to their compliance with “the power of darkness” as the substantial evidence to prove man’s ungodliness and unrighteousness that deserves God’s wrath. It is this standing and predicament the world is still in today. This world is characterized by being: “vain in their imaginations”, “foolish hearts are darkened”, “professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”, “changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things”, “vile affections”, women changing “the natural use into that which is against nature: 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”, not retaining “God in their knowledge”, and doing “those things which are not convenient”. This list of man’s offences is on many accounts; yet, there is more. God concludes what is an already lengthy list of “ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” in Rom. 1:29-32. Romans 1:29-32 is the final piece of God’s indictment toward mankind. The strength that these verses give His indictment is remarkable and one would think this is God’s closing statement, but the truth of the matter is, He is just getting started. With the final piece of God’s opening statement it leaves the world and mankind “inexcusable” (Rom. 2:1). Romans 1:29-32,
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 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.”
The strength of God’s charge toward man’s ungodliness and unrighteousness does not only leave mankind “inexcusable”, but it is also inescapable. The rest of the case is formality and although man will produce tactics to escape the charge, there is no escape of God’s wrath being against them due to their “ungodliness and unrighteousness”.
We truly live in a dark world and to not recognize this as such is to not see the world through God’s eyes. This world and the unjustified men in it need to be delivered from “the power of darkness” and be declared righteous in the sight of God. As an ambassador one of the amazing privileges we have is the nature of the message we are graced with to share.
AMBASSADORS OF LIGHT
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthains 4:3-6
It is in this passage that our Father explains in wonderful detail what He does to an unjustified person through the gospel of Christ. As ambassadors this passage explains the honour and granduer to partake in sharing the gospel we are given. And it is in this passage that explains the glorious nature of the gospel. In 2 Cor. 4:6 there is a comparison of the words He spoke during creation that brought light to shine out of darkness to the words He has given us to speak that brings forth light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ to shine in man’s foolish darkened hearts. The glorious gospel of Christ is the light that shines in the hearts that are darkened being consigned to “the power of darkness”. The glorious gospel of Christ is the power of God to change man’s predicament, to satisfy the justice of God against them, to forgive all their sin, to impute His righteousness, and to give an “inheritance of the saints in light (Col. 1:12).”
As we continue in our presentation of the gospel and make unjustified man aware of God’s wrath being against their ungodliness and unrighteousness, Romans 1:18-32 is the passage that is designed to effectually work and challenge their volition in connection with God’s wrath: both the reality and truth of it. At this point they can respond in one of two ways. They can honestly and positively respond to the truth of the wrath of God being against them and change their mind in connection with it, or they can respond negatively. Usually at this point a negative response is formulated through tactics to try and escape the wrath of God. There are only so many excuses the human soul can come up with and our Father in Romans 2 educates us as ambassadors to make us aware of them and also how to respond to each of them. This subject of study will be the content in TCGF next quarterly.
TRAINING
It is a truth that our Father teaches us to co-labour with Him in His business today in the dispensation of the grace of God, by training us and equipping us to effectually share with others as ambassadors, the gospel of Christ; the message that we have believed and are beneficiaries of. As in any business that further educates its’ employees to be effective and efficient, it is expected that the knowledge and education gained will be appreciated, received with zeal, and implemented. May we esteem the training and education we receive in Romans 1-3 as much as God our Father does and thereby appreciate it, receive it with zeal, and implement it to the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Until next time…..Look Up!!!
J. M. Strelecki
At the moment one trusts Christ as their all-sufficient Savior there is training God our heavenly Father wants them to receive. When one believes Christ died for the debt and penalty of their sins on the Cross our Father wants the believer to be equipped to share the same glorious news that saved them. As our Father begins to train us as “ambassadors for Christ” it could be said, “the eyes of our understanding” begin to be enlightened; in other words, 1) we begin to learn the dark predicament we were in before we trusted in Christ, and 2) the dark predicament the world is still in. In Romans 1-3 our Father equips us to be effectual “ambassadors for Christ” as part of His business and it is in Romans 1:18-32 where we are made aware of the world’s worthiness of God’s wrath. We are made aware “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” , so that, we can make “men” effectually aware of God’s wrath being against them.
LIGHT
All throughout scripture when God’s “glory” is being expressed and explained it always is manifest by a bright light. In fact Paul writes about this very issue in 1 Tim. 6:16, in context of the Lord Jesus Christ,
“who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen”
God through the express person of Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God and the brightness of His glory (2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3) is “dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto”, that is, no man in Adam with an unrighteous standing before God. Now, the brightness of God’s glory is only the represent manifestation of the glory. His glory consists of His God-ness; the characteristics and attributes of who He is such as His “eternal power and Godhead” (Rom. 1:20).
These characteristics of God that make up His God-ness, especially the two previously mentioned, are the very things that God has made known of Himself to every man. God not only left a fingerprint trail in everyman, but He also manifests the things that can be known of Him “from the creation of the world”, which “are clearly seen”. This is what Paul says in Rom. 1:19-20,
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 see, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
Simply put, every man can and does understand the “invisible things” of God by the consciousness of Himself that He has placed within everyone, as well as, the creation manifesting and bearing witness to God. Therefore, it can fundamentally be said that mankind knows God. This knowledge is not intimate; however, according to God manifesting the things that can be known of Him it can be said, “mankind knows God.” They know of His “eternal power and Godhead” and thereby “the glory of the uncorruptible God”.
AMBASSADORS
This point of the light of God-consciousness is where we begin to function as “ambassadors for Christ” as we present the “gospel of Christ”. As an ambassador we make men aware of our Sovereigns existence and the testimony of His God-ness from understanding the things that are made in creation. This will be the first point in our presentation of “the gospel of Christ” that will test and challenge the heart and mind of the unjustified. As we present this “truth of God” to them they are left “without excuse” and thereby challenged with the effectual working of God’s Word that is designed to lead them to change their mind. They will respond in one of two ways. If they in the honesty of their heart will respond positively to the light of God-consciousness we then can present the next point that will test their volition. If they decide to respond negatively to the light of God-consciousness and oppose the truth of God it is testimony of God’s wrath being against them.
DARKNESS
Romans 1:18-32 is our Father’s indictment against mankind. It is His substantial evidence that ultimately deserves and warrants just judgment. The nature of this substantial evidence against the world begins when the “course of this world” was charted and catered to by mankind. It was at this time God gave the world over to “the power of darkness” . God consigned the world over to the Adversary, because mankind consigned themselves over to it, by aligning their hearts with the wisdom of this world rendering their hearts foolish. In Romans 1:21, God characterizes mankind’s heart for what it now became, according to the “the power of darkness”;
“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.” {EMPHASIS ADDED}
Their hearts were darkened and the light of God-consciousness was covered by its’ power. In other words, they “hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18b). This ultimately led to ungodly and unrighteous conduct and behavior that warrants justice. God uses this case when He consigned the world over to the Adversary due to their compliance with “the power of darkness” as the substantial evidence to prove man’s ungodliness and unrighteousness that deserves God’s wrath. It is this standing and predicament the world is still in today. This world is characterized by being: “vain in their imaginations”, “foolish hearts are darkened”, “professing themselves to be wise, they became fools”, “changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things”, “vile affections”, women changing “the natural use into that which is against nature: 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”, not retaining “God in their knowledge”, and doing “those things which are not convenient”. This list of man’s offences is on many accounts; yet, there is more. God concludes what is an already lengthy list of “ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” in Rom. 1:29-32. Romans 1:29-32 is the final piece of God’s indictment toward mankind. The strength that these verses give His indictment is remarkable and one would think this is God’s closing statement, but the truth of the matter is, He is just getting started. With the final piece of God’s opening statement it leaves the world and mankind “inexcusable” (Rom. 2:1). Romans 1:29-32,
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 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.”
The strength of God’s charge toward man’s ungodliness and unrighteousness does not only leave mankind “inexcusable”, but it is also inescapable. The rest of the case is formality and although man will produce tactics to escape the charge, there is no escape of God’s wrath being against them due to their “ungodliness and unrighteousness”.
We truly live in a dark world and to not recognize this as such is to not see the world through God’s eyes. This world and the unjustified men in it need to be delivered from “the power of darkness” and be declared righteous in the sight of God. As an ambassador one of the amazing privileges we have is the nature of the message we are graced with to share.
AMBASSADORS OF LIGHT
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthains 4:3-6
It is in this passage that our Father explains in wonderful detail what He does to an unjustified person through the gospel of Christ. As ambassadors this passage explains the honour and granduer to partake in sharing the gospel we are given. And it is in this passage that explains the glorious nature of the gospel. In 2 Cor. 4:6 there is a comparison of the words He spoke during creation that brought light to shine out of darkness to the words He has given us to speak that brings forth light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ to shine in man’s foolish darkened hearts. The glorious gospel of Christ is the light that shines in the hearts that are darkened being consigned to “the power of darkness”. The glorious gospel of Christ is the power of God to change man’s predicament, to satisfy the justice of God against them, to forgive all their sin, to impute His righteousness, and to give an “inheritance of the saints in light (Col. 1:12).”
As we continue in our presentation of the gospel and make unjustified man aware of God’s wrath being against their ungodliness and unrighteousness, Romans 1:18-32 is the passage that is designed to effectually work and challenge their volition in connection with God’s wrath: both the reality and truth of it. At this point they can respond in one of two ways. They can honestly and positively respond to the truth of the wrath of God being against them and change their mind in connection with it, or they can respond negatively. Usually at this point a negative response is formulated through tactics to try and escape the wrath of God. There are only so many excuses the human soul can come up with and our Father in Romans 2 educates us as ambassadors to make us aware of them and also how to respond to each of them. This subject of study will be the content in TCGF next quarterly.
TRAINING
It is a truth that our Father teaches us to co-labour with Him in His business today in the dispensation of the grace of God, by training us and equipping us to effectually share with others as ambassadors, the gospel of Christ; the message that we have believed and are beneficiaries of. As in any business that further educates its’ employees to be effective and efficient, it is expected that the knowledge and education gained will be appreciated, received with zeal, and implemented. May we esteem the training and education we receive in Romans 1-3 as much as God our Father does and thereby appreciate it, receive it with zeal, and implement it to the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Until next time…..Look Up!!!
J. M. Strelecki
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