DAY 334 Read Romans 8 and 9.
Today's reading: Paul now turns from the painful struggle with sin to a view of the peace and freedom offered in Christ. Then in chapter 9 he takes up the problem of why God's chosen people refuse to accept the salvation of the gospel.
Memory gem: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).
Thought for today:
Not only did Jesus reveal God to men, He also demonstrated the possibility of a life of victory over sin. He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). And by this sinless life He condemned all sin in human life, as we read in Romans 8:3: "What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh. God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin [that is, as the sacrifice for our sins], condemned sin in the flesh."
That is one reason why some men hated Christ when He was here. The very purity and holiness of His life condemned them. That is why some hate Him now--hate His doctrines, hate His teaching, hate His gospel. They resent it.
Christ has not only given us the perfect example of God among men, but He has made it possible for us to live a holy and righteous life here on earth. He has revealed the power of God, which is ours as a gift from heaven, all based upon the supreme gift of His own life on Calvary's cross.
Our situation is like that of a man in prison, condemned to die. Someone brings him a key. He may unlock the prison door and go free. If he does not, it is his own fault if he dies in the dungeon. So the key that God has given us through Christ is His grace, His divine gift. Oh, friend, use that key; unlock the door.
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Difficult or obscure words:
Romans 8:19, 20, 39. "Creature"--rather: creation, as the same word is translated in verse 32. The word in this sense means "the thing (or things) created."
Romans 9:13. "Hated"--a common biblical expression meaning "regarded with less favor," or "loved less" (for similar usage see Genesis 29:30, 31; Luke 14:26, John 12:25).
Today's reading: Paul now turns from the painful struggle with sin to a view of the peace and freedom offered in Christ. Then in chapter 9 he takes up the problem of why God's chosen people refuse to accept the salvation of the gospel.
Memory gem: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).
Thought for today:
Not only did Jesus reveal God to men, He also demonstrated the possibility of a life of victory over sin. He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). And by this sinless life He condemned all sin in human life, as we read in Romans 8:3: "What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh. God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin [that is, as the sacrifice for our sins], condemned sin in the flesh."
That is one reason why some men hated Christ when He was here. The very purity and holiness of His life condemned them. That is why some hate Him now--hate His doctrines, hate His teaching, hate His gospel. They resent it.
Christ has not only given us the perfect example of God among men, but He has made it possible for us to live a holy and righteous life here on earth. He has revealed the power of God, which is ours as a gift from heaven, all based upon the supreme gift of His own life on Calvary's cross.
Our situation is like that of a man in prison, condemned to die. Someone brings him a key. He may unlock the prison door and go free. If he does not, it is his own fault if he dies in the dungeon. So the key that God has given us through Christ is His grace, His divine gift. Oh, friend, use that key; unlock the door.
----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
Romans 8:19, 20, 39. "Creature"--rather: creation, as the same word is translated in verse 32. The word in this sense means "the thing (or things) created."
Romans 9:13. "Hated"--a common biblical expression meaning "regarded with less favor," or "loved less" (for similar usage see Genesis 29:30, 31; Luke 14:26, John 12:25).
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