Expectations for Everyday Living.
Living for God demands dying to self.
And in dying to self comes living to and in righteousness.
Romans 10
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire (innermost desire) and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
…….that was Paul’s burden, to see his friends and kinsfolk be saved by Christ.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
…….Paul here is speaking about a type of people who have learned how to act and live according to what has been passed down, but he say, they really don’t know God through salvation.
3 For they being ignorant (unlearned) of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
…….not only were they unlearned but we’re “unable” to learn without God’s saving grace. It is his enlightenment that causes a person to see and follow after his righteousness. We can never find it on our own, nor is there anything we can do to acquire it.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
…….Christ ended the law of righteousness with his love and with the two greatest commandments, Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.
…….Where does righteousness begin you may ask?
Listen to vs 10…
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…….answer, from the heart
* listen to the description that the Strongs dictionary gives for explaining the heart biblicaly:
the center and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, (if we were all honest people there would be many admit today that the first thoughts when approaching people are always negative. God can and will change this), passions, desires, appetites, (not to be mistaken to the needs that God promises to meet for everyday living) affections, purposes, endeavours (hardest achievements) of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence, of the will and character of a person, of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions……all of this must be changed the ever see the righteous of God.
…….there is nothing we can fix outwardly unless Christ has fixed us inwardly. One of my favorite songs says this, “God has got to change your heart before he changes your shirt.”
God will always have his remnant.
Roman’s 10
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Roman’s 11
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
…….are we the ones who refuse the outstretched hand of God, the ones who have been made blind and exhausted because of disobedience?
Or are you the one who hungers and thirsts after his righteousness?
Romans 12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
…….just as the members of our physical body, each one has its place and purpose. We are to work together, not leaving any member behind trying to make things work with so many handicaps.
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
…….whatever our calling is, we are encouraged to wait upon the Lord for guidance and knowledge.
Never should we leave the timing of the Spirit behind in order to set our affection on the purpose.
The charge is not to become comfortable, but to abide while God does the work in our lives.
8 Or he that exhorteth (call to ones side to encourage, comfort, instruct or teach), on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
…….exhorting is an important ministry that has been so overlooked by the members of the church today. We should all seek for the ministry of exhorting to build up and strengthen the church.
9 Let love be without dissimulation (the opposite of sincerity). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent (boiling over) in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Romans 13
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.