Archive for March 2023
Romans 4: The One Who Does Not Work
Numbers 9-11, Psalm 52, Matthew 22:34-46, Romans 4 Romans 4: This chapter is less compact in its argument than the ones previous, and presents a grand vision of how Abraham in particular (and David too) also give evidence to prove Paul’s thesis. These great Old Testament heroes, they were likewise justified by faith without works—just as are we.…
Read MoreRomans 3: Just and Justify the Unrighteous
Numbers 7-8; Psalm 51; Matthew 22:15-33; Romans 3 Romans 3: Once again, we verge on the sacrilegious in attempting to summarize this whole majestic chapter in just a few short words today. But what is Paul teaching us here? First, we are all sinners! This is the grand point that Paul has been driving at so far in…
Read MoreRomans 2: Not Just Religion
Numbers 5-6; Psalm 50; Matthew 22:1-14; Romans 2 Romans 2: There’s a lot in this chapter—far too much to analyze in any depth in one short devotional! But let us summarize first, again, what Paul is arguing here in this chapter, and then what lessons we can learn from what he says. First, Paul is here basically arguing…
Read MoreRomans 1:18-32: The Persuasive Importance of the Gospel
Numbers 3-4; Psalm 49; Matthew 21:33-46; Romans 1:18-32 Romans 1:18-32: We come now to one of the most somber passages in Scripture, but at the same time the most necessary, the most compelling, and the essential foundation for the reception of any good news. Paul’s argument is simple, and the conclusions from it devastating to human pride and…
Read MoreRomans 1:1-17: Introducing the Gospel
Numbers 1-2, Psalm 48, Matthew 21:23-32, Romans 1:1-17 Romans 1:1-17: We come now to the Book of Romans—a book so deep that to cover the first 17 verses in one short devotional feels tantamount to sacrilege. But there is much that we can learn from these 17 verses, nonetheless. First, that the gospel of Jesus Christ calls…
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