Chapter Eight: Not Living in the ‘Condo’s’ Anymore!
~ By James Fire
I originally intended for the study this chapter to be divided into two parts, but when it came around to this portion (vs. 29 and 30) I realized that this would take some substantial exposition. So now, here is the last of the three segments for your perusal and hopefully your edification and blessing!
OK, now we’re going to get into some theologically deep waters in these next two verses. . .
ROMANS 8:29-30
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
We’ll take these very important words one at a time. Much theology has been written concerning God’s “foreknowledge” and His “predestination” and of those considered the “called” and “justified” – we shall tread lightly, carefully, but certainly and not speak beyond what the Scriptures tell us (and soundly ignore the predilections and perspectives of views found at the theological extremities in Christian scholarship).
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~ By James Fire
Chapter Five: The FAITH, HOPE and LOVE in the REIGN of Grace as found in Romans Five
It’s long been said that when you encounter a “therefore” (or even a “wherefore”) in the Scriptures, you have to find out what it’s ‘there for’; in other words, these two words are transitive. They relate a previous thought with the one that follows and that is the case here in Romans chapter Five. Let’s back up a bit and review the last couple of verses in chapter Four:
ROMANS 4:22-25
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Because Abraham “staggered not at the promise of God” (vs. 20) it was “imputed to him for righteousness” (vs. 22). This imputed righteousness means that the LORD God, by propitiation and atonement by the blood of Christ Jesus (ROM 3:25) and His resurrection (ROM 4:25) has justified us, and because of this justification “therefore… we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ”.
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By James Fire
JESUS, THE WAY OF SALVATION!
One day, the Man from Galilee came to the river bank of Jordan where John was baptizing and I can well imagine that when their eyes met, John must have smiled with recognition of two sorts. Firstly, he recognized his cousin, for Jesus and John were just that. Secondly, he recognized by divine revelation that Jesus was far more than merely that!
The Baptist stepped forward, wading in the streams of Jordan, pointing his finger and shouting, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!” JOHN 1:29b.That term “lamb of God” would be familiar to the Jewish nation for they were accustomed to offering up lambs in sacrifice for their personal sins at the Temple, an institution God established through Moses, and was carried on some forty years after the crucifixion of Jesus (before it was destroyed by the Roman army led by General Titus in 70 AD). However, this was a lamb with a difference! This was the very Lamb of God!
Such was prophesied by ISAIAH which we just read,
ISAIAH 53:7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isaiah says much about the Messiah and His mission –
ISAIAH 53:4
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (5)But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6)All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
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