Gods Sovern Choice

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 9:1-29

 

Romans 9:25-26

As indeed he says in Hosea,

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
    and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
²⁶ “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
    there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

(ESV)

 

Does God have a predestined will for every individual and does this will include the creation of some individuals for death or destruction in their sins and others for eternal life? Scripture is clear that salvation is available to all who choose to believe (John 3:16) and that God does not want anyone to die in his or her sins (2 Peter 3:9). However, Romans 9:21-23 seems to indicate some people are destined for destruction with others destined to glorify God. A deeper study of Romans 9:1-29 in both its context and the entirety of the Bible provides clarification

 

Paul begins the passage by sharing the great sorrow of his heart regarding the failure of many of his fellow Jews to accept their Messiah (Romans 9:1-3). The Jews have ample resources to assist their discovery that Jesus is their Messiah for they have adoption as God’s chosen people, the glory of God present in the Temple, the covenants, the Law, the worship, and the promises (Romans 9:4). The Jews also have the heritage of the Patriarchs (Romans 9:5).

 

Paul continues by stating that the Word of God has not failed because the Jews do not recognize Jesus as Messiah but that it is a matter of their choice not to be children of the promise but to remain in the flesh (Romans 9:6-13). This does not mean God is unjust but indicates that acceptance of Jesus as Messiah is an individual’s choice with the Word of God providing evidence of Jesus as Messiah (Romans 9:14-15). In addition, the path to salvation is not created through human effort but the result of the mercy of God (Romans 9:16). Using the example of Pharoah, Paul reminds us that God raised Pharoah so He could show His power on all the earth (Romans 9:17). Pharoah could have let the Israelites go at any time, avoiding the loss of the firstborn of Egypt but chose to remain hard in his heart. Therefore, it was not God who predestined Pharoah to have a hardness of heart but Pharoah who chose to remain hard in his heart and not let the Israelites go (Romans 9:18).

 

Paul then posits the question of why one would ask why God still finds fault and who can resist his will (Romans 9:19). The answer to these questions is another question asking why one would answer back to God, the creator of the universe (Romans 9:20). Referring to God as the potter, Paul states that God has the right to make one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use (Romans 9:21). Paul then posits the possibility of God enduring with patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction to demonstrate his power through vessels prepared for glory, including both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 9:22-23). Paul then quotes the prophet Hosea who spoke of God making salvation possible for Gentiles (Hosea 1:10; Romans 9:25-26). Even though Israel's numbers are as the sand in the sea, only a remnant will be saved (Isaiah 1:9; Romans 9:27-29).

 

Some have interpreted Romans 9:1-29 to support a theology of predestination with God creating some individuals for destruction and others for His glory (Romans 9:22-23). However, this would contradict other teachings in the Bible that teach salvation is by grace, available to all, and God not willing for any to perish (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9). 2 Peter 3:9 tells that the heart of God is that none of humanity should perish in his or her sins. John 3:16-17 tells us that God loves humanity and sent His son to save the world, not condemn it. If one dies in his or her sin, it is because they choose not to accept the gift of salvation from God through Christ (John 3:18). The predestination of God is salvation for all humanity through Jesus and not die in their sins by his grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unfortunately, some will choose to die in their sins, but this is not God’s predestined will for their life. Instead, God creates the vessel, us, and allows us to fill our vessel with the good things of God or leave our vessel full of sin.

 

God’s calling on one’s life comes in three forms,

 

1)      General calling – for all to call on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13) because God does not want anyone to die in his or her sin (2 Peter 3:9). This is God’s predestined will for all humanity, but some will choose not to accept it.

2)      Vocational calling – Answering the calling to a specific vocation where one serves Christ based upon their specific gifting from God that can be in the Church or outside the Church. When we think of serving God, we can mistakenly believe this involves one working in the Church as a vocation. However, James 3:1 states that not all believers should become teachers but all are encouraged to serve God using the gifts given them by God (1 Peter 4:10-11).

3)      Calling to live for Christ – A calling to live a life devoted to God through the study of the Word of God (the Bible), prayer, and association with other believers through regular Church attendance. Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the world and its system but to instead experience transformation through the renewing of our minds. This is also a general calling but only reserved for those choosing to make Jesus their savior.

 

If you are reading this and have never made Jesus your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Safety in Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 40:1-16

 

Jeremiah 40:4

Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go.

(ESV)

 

In 2 Timothy 1:7, God lets us know that He has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, and soundness of mind. God’s Word also tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). However, is it a lack of faith for one to receive help from ungodly sources or people and to use common sense when warned about impending harm? Jeremiah 40:1-16 gives us an answer to this question.

 

Jeremiah receives a word from the Lord through an unusual source, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard. The word from the Lord gives Jeremiah a choice to either go with the people going to Babylon into exile or remain in Judah with the poor remaining there (Jeremiah 40:1-4). The choice of remaining in Judah seems to go against the previous word of the Lord issued by Jeremiah to go to Babylon for safety or die by the sword, famine, or pestilence in Judah (Jeremiah 38:2-3). However, the choice to stay comes with instructions to return to Gedaliah who was appointed governor by the king of Babylon over the people of Judah (Jeremiah 40:5). Jeremiah chooses to remain in Judah under the care of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:6).

 

Gedaliah is an unusual source of protection for Jeremiah and the poor remaining in Judah, and a leader committed to the men, women, and children he is appointed to govern (Jeremiah 40:7-8). Gedaliah also provides comfort for those remaining in Judah by telling them not to fear the Chaldeans and to serve the king of Babylon so all will go well with them (Jeremiah 40:9). Gedaliah also promises to remain in Mizpah as a representative for the people before the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 40:10). The concern for those in Judah demonstrated by Gedaliah is heard by the Judeans in Moab, among the Ammonites, and in Edom with them also returning to Judah (Jeremiah 40:11-12).

 

However, this peace and protection are threatened by a threat to the life of Gedaliah from Ismael (Jeremiah 40:13-14). When informed of this threat, Gedaliah chooses to ignore it and even denies Johanan permission to take out Ismael (Jeremiah 40:15). Gedaliah believes the word of a threat from Ishmael is false when it is true (Jeremiah 40:16-41:3).

 

Jeremiah chooses to remain in Judah with the remnant of the poorest people remaining there (Jeremiah 39:10). While these people had nothing to offer the king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan did give them vineyards and fields to sustain them while in Judah. Jeremiah’s choice to remain in Judah seems to go against the Word of the Lord to those in Judah, telling them to go into exile to find safety (Jeremiah 38:2-3). However, Jeremiah receives a word from the Lord through Nebuzaradan, offering Jeremiah a choice to remain in Judah or go into exile (Jeremiah 40:1-4). While not clear in scripture, it is possible Jeremiah knew of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who were going into exile, believing the exiles would continue to hear from the Lord in their captivity (Daniel 1:1-7). Based on this knowledge, Jeremiah may have chosen to remain in Judah and minister to the poor remaining in the land. This will become increasingly important after the execution of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1-3).

 

There are three applications of this passage in the life of a believer today

 

1)     Safety in Christ (Jeremiah 40:1-6) – Although those obedient to the Lord will find protection by going into exile due to their disobedience, Jeremiah has remained obedient to the Lord and is given a choice of going into exile or remaining in Judah. Those obedient to the Lord may have a calling from God to do something that appears dangerous on the surface but when this calling is based upon a word of the Lord, one called by God can rest assured in God’s protection.

2)     Protection and resources from unusual sources (Jeremiah 40:7-12) – The king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah as governor of the cities of Judah (Jeremiah 40:5). While not a Jewish leader in Judah, he understands Jeremiah is a prophet from God and brings the word of the Lord, promising safety to Jeremiah and the remnant in Judah (Jeremiah 40:9-10). God may use unusual sources or people of the world to provide protection and resources for God’s people (Ezra 1; Mark 15:43; Nehemiah 2).

3)     Heeding warnings from the Lord (Jeremiah 40:13-16) – Gedaliah is involved in the good work of protecting the prophet Jeremiah and the remnant of poor remaining in Judah but receives word from Johanan regarding a threat to his life (Jeremiah 40:13-14). While having faith in God to provide protection is part of ministry, it does not mean one should ignore warnings of threats to their ministry or life. Taking precautions to ensure the protection of one’s life or ministry is not a sign of a lack of faith but instead wisdom. Paul understood this and used common sense when receiving word of a threat to his life (Acts 23:12-35).

 

As children of God, we have safety in Christ with God providing resources and protection from many sources but must not abandon common sense for the God of miracles we have faith in has also provided us with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). If you are reading this and have not entered a life of safety in Christ through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Love Like no Other

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 8:31-39

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

(ESV)

 

In the previous posting in the study of the book of Romans, we looked at the glorious future each person accepting Jesus as their savior has (Romans 8:18-30). Not only do Christians have a glorious future but it is a future full of God’s everlasting love. During times of tribulation and struggle, we can become depressed and full of worry but with the hope of a glorious future coupled with knowing God loves us with everlasting love, we will prevail. Romans 8:31-39 is a pep talk to Roman believers struggling with persecution that still serves to encourage believers today, reminding us that God’s love is like no other.

 

Paul begins his pep talk by reminding us that if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31). If one has any doubt about God being for us, it evaporates when one considers the extent of God’s love demonstrated by His willingness to give up his only Son to die for our sins even though we were sinners (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 8:32). No charges can be levied on God’s elect because God has completely justified those believing in His Son with the shed blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7; Romans 8:33). However, not only are we freed from all charges, and justified by the blood of Jesus, we are freed from condemnation for Jesus came to save not condemn, and now sitts at the right hand of God, making intercession for us (John 3:17; Romans 3:34).

 

The pep talk continues with Paul exhorting us that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This includes tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or the sword (Romans 8:35). Paul then quotes Psalm 44:22, reminding us that God’s people are regarded by the world as sheep to be slaughtered and suffer for the sake of Christ (Romans 8:36). In John 16:33, Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble with the reminder that Jesus overcame the world. Therefore, believers in Christ can boldly join Paul in declaring that nothing can separate us from the love of God demonstrated in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 8:37-39).

 

Paul is writing the words of Romans 8:31-39 to Roman believers who may have been suffering persecution and rejection for their faith. This persecution might also have brought with it economic consequences with people in Rome refusing to do business with them or give them employment. They may also have suffered rejection by family and friends. Viewed in this context, this passage is a pep talk offered to discouraged believers, reminding them of their identity in Christ and God’s everlasting love, love like no other.

 

When we make Jesus our Savior, we enter a relationship with Jesus who is God (John 1:1) and loves us unconditionally (Romans 5:8), providing a path to complete redemption and reconciliation with God through Jesus (John 3:16). However, we live in a corrupt and ungodly world where we will suffer persecution (John 16:33). Therefore, Romans 8:31-39 applies to our lives today, reminding us of the unconditional love of Christ. In fact, it is difficult for a believer in Christ to imagine going through the struggles of this world without a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are reading this and trying to navigate the struggles of this world without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to enter a relationship with Christ by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

When in a time of struggle, Romans 8 is a great source of encouragement. This is because it reminds us of our Spirit-filled life (Romans 8:1-11), that we are heirs with Christ (Romans 8:12-17), our future glory (Romans 8:18-30), and the everlasting love of God (Romans 8:31-39). May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post and remember, God loves you. 

The Fall of Jerusalem

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 39:1-18

 

Jeremiah 39:18

For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the Lord.

(ESV)

 

In Jeremiah 39:1-18, we observe the fulfillment of the consequences of continued rebellion against God with the invasion of Judah by king Nebuchadnezzar and the carrying off of King Zedekiah into exile. However, we also see the grace of God extended towards King Zedekiah with the sparing of his life, although in blindness, (Jeremiah 39:6-7) and the deliverance of Jeremiah from harm living among his people (Jeremiah 39:14). While we should be thankful for the grace of God, we must also consider the consequences of continued rebellion against God and repent before enduring these consequences.

 

The day of reckoning has arrived with Judah and the city of Jerusalem facing the consequences of their continued rebellion against God and duplicitous worship. The Babylonian army besieged the city and breached the city with king Nebuchadnezzar’s officials sitting at the middle gate (Jeremiah 39:1-3). Upon seeing this, King Zedekiah and his soldiers flee the city by night but are overtaken by the Chaldeans and brought to King Nebuchadnezzar for sentencing (Jeremiah 39:4-5). The sentence passed by the king is the death of the sons of Zedekiah along with the nobles of Judah and putting out the eyes of Zedekiah, making the death of his sons and nobles his last vision, and carrying Zedekiah off to Babylon (Jeremiah 39:6-7). The Chaldeans then burn the king’s house along with the house of the people and break down the walls of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:8). The rest of the people in Jerusalem are carried into exile, except for the poor who owned nothing (Jeremiah 39:9-10).

 

The obedience of Jeremiah to God has different consequences with Nebuchadnezzar warning the captain of the guard to look after Jeremiah, do him no harm, and instructs them to deal with him as Jeremiah instructs (Jeremiah 39:11-12). Jeremiah is taken from the court of the guard and entrusted to Gedaliah who takes him home so he can live among the people (Jeremiah 39:13-14). Jeremiah then issues a word from the Lord to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian telling him that God will fulfill His words against Jerusalem for harm and not good that shall be accomplished on that day (Jeremiah 39:15-16). God then promises Ebed-Melech that he shall not be given over to those he fears and be saved because he trusted in the Lord (Jeremiah 39:17-18).

 

The fall of Jerusalem and the deliverance of Jeremiah illustrate how God’s grace can save one through judgment or deliver one from judgment. While both receive a measure of God’s grace with king Zedekiah having his life spared but sentenced to exile and blindness for the remainder of his life with the last thing he saw being the death of his sons and officials (Jeremiah 39:4-10). Jeremiah received grace from God with his life divinely spared due to his trust in God (Jeremiah 39:17-18). Jeremiah receives full deliverance by God’s grace through his trust in God while king Zedekiah lives and does not die by the sword but will live his remaining days blind reflecting on his rebellion against God. While Scripture does not reveal whether king Zedekiah ever repented of his sin, in sparing his life God is giving him an opportunity to do so.

 

We live in a world of rebellion against God. The sanctity of marriage declared by God as the unity of a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6) is perverted to include same-sex marriage with ministers refusing to officiate a same-sex wedding threatened. Continued rebellion against God and what His Word says is like cancer to the soul leading to a debased mind full of evil (Romans 1:26-32). Many Churches have condoned same-sex marriage either through their silence on the issue or their acceptance of it. It is time for the Church to take a Biblical stand against the practice of same-sex marriage, pointing those engaged in or condoning the practice to a merciful and graceful God who sent His Son Jesus to die for their sins.

 

 

Whether you are reading this and engaged in same-sex marriage or condone the practice or not and have never prayed to make Jesus your Savior, I encourage you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

A Bright and Glorious Future

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 8:18-30

 

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

(ESV)

 

Looking at the current state of affairs in the world, it is easy for one to become depressed, leading to despair and a loss of hope. These conditions were present in Rome at the time of the writing of Romans and perhaps why Paul wrote Romans 8:18-30 to provide hope for believers in Rome. Like those in Rome, Paul is addressing, we must take time to pause and reflect on the bright and glorious future in store for those choosing to believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

 

Romans 8:18-30 is teaching that provides encouragement and empowerment to endure suffering for one’s faith. Paul is qualified to provide this teaching due to his history of suffering for his faith (2 Corinthians 6:3-10). In this passage Paul provides,

 

1)      Encouragement (Romans 8:18-25) – The thesis statement of encouragement (Romans 8:18) is a reminder of the temporary nature of suffering in this world compared to the eternal glory of eternity with Christ in heaven Christians have in their future. Not only do God’s people suffer in this corrupt world, but creation itself suffers, experiencing birth pains as it awaits the manifestation of the glory of God (Romans 8:19-22). Believers also suffer with creation in anticipation of the glory we will have when we live in eternity with Christ (Romans 8:23-25).

2)      Empowerment (Romans 8:26-30) – When Jesus left to be with his father he instructed his followers to wait in Jerusalem until they received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,8). While we are unable to see the future, Jesus knew his followers would have persecution and would need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8:26, Paul reminds the believers in Rome that they need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to help them in their weaknesses and in how to pray. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and intercedes for believers based upon the will of God, making it possible for all surrendering to the will of God to have all things work together for their good (Romans 8:27-28). In Romans 8:29-30 Paul mentions the idea of predestination, a hotly debated topic in theology, The Calvinistic view is that predestination is God having selected a select few predestined to live with Him in eternity. However, this interpretation goes against what Jesus said in John 3:16 which says God loves the entire world and that anyone choosing to believe in Him, inherits eternal life. Therefore, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to endure hardships is available to all choosing to believe in Jesus as their Savior.

 

The world of Paul’s time was a world under Roman occupation. Paul was familiar with the oppressive nature of Roman occupation from his time in prison for his faith (Acts 12:4; 16:23). Going to prison for his faith is not surprising for Paul and knew he faced prison wherever he went (Acts 20:23). Paul’s statement in Romans 8:18 comparing the hardships of temporary suffering for Christ with the eternal glory all believers can look forward to is likely how he endured the hardship of imprisonment. Paul also had the power of the Holy Spirit in his life to empower him through the weaknesses of his flesh caused by the hardships he suffered for his faith (2 Corinthians 6:3-10).

 

In countries like the United States where there is religious freedom, most believers in Christ can freely attend Church services and practice their faith. However, the shutting down of Churches due to Covid illustrates how suddenly this freedom to freely assemble could disappear. Therefore Christians must be diligent and vote for candidates having Christian values and who support the freedom of religion to avoid hard persecution. However, soft persecution or rejection by friends or family because one’s faith in Jesus as Savior does occur in religiously free countries and can be emotionally devastating. Avoiding the devastation of either hard or soft persecution requires the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in one’s life and a focus on the eternal glory all believers in Christ look forward to (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Receiving this encouragement and empowerment in one's life requires one to make a public profession of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for their sins. If you are reading this and have never made this profession of faith, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

A Final Warning

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 38:1-28

 

Exodus 20:1-3

And God spoke all these words:

² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

³ “You shall have no other gods before^[a] me.

(ESV)

 

The nation of Judah and the people of Jerusalem are guilty of duplicitous worship of God as well as the pagan god Baal, which is not duplicitous worship at all, but disobedience of the first commandment (Exodus 20:1-3). This disobedience means they face exile (Deuteronomy 28:15-68), which will occur at the hands of the Babylonian army. The choice is no different for people today once presented with the Gospel, allowing them to choose eternal life free from the condemnation of sin through Christ, or condemnation by remaining in their sin (John 3:16-18). This is a choice with eternal consequences, with everyone reading this post having an opportunity to make at the end of this post.

 

The passage in Jeremiah 38 represents a final warning for Judah and the people of Jerusalem because Jerusalem is about to fall to the Babylonian army (Jeremiah 39:1-10). In this passage, we see the quick and total rejection of truth, an attempt to silence the messenger of truth, and the king considering the message of truth coming from the Lord through Jeremiah. This passage shows us,

 

1)      Jeremiah rejected and arrested (Jeremiah 38:1-6) – The king’s officials hear the words Jeremiah is speaking to the people, reminding them that if they remain in the city, they will die by sword, famine, and pestilence. However, those that go out to the Chaldeans will live (Jeremiah 38:1-2). Jeremiah also reminds them that the city of Jerusalem will be taken and given to the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 38:3). These words from Jeremiah are not new (Jeremiah 14:12; 29:17-18; 32:24) and have a biblical basis in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. Jeremiah is speaking truth from the Lord, but the truth is unacceptable to the king’s officials with them asking the king to put Jeremiah to death, resulting in them casting Jeremiah into a cistern without food or water (Jeremiah 38:4-6).

2)      Jeremiah rescued (Jeremiah 38:7-13) – Upon hearing of the casting of Jeremiah into a cistern from Ebed-Melech, the king orders him to take thirty men with him and rescue Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:7-10). Ebed-Melech obediently did as the king commanded, rescuing Jeremiah, and placing him in the court of the guard for safety (Jeremiah 38:11-13).

3)      Zedekiah warned again (Jeremiah 38:14-28) – After Jeremiah’s rescue, king Zedekiah sends for Jeremiah to ask him a question, urging Jeremiah not to hide anything from him (Jeremiah 38:14). Jeremiah has concerns that the king will put him to death and not listen to him (Jeremiah 38:15). King Zedekiah comforts Jeremiah’s concerns, promising not to put him to death or hand him over to those seeking his life (Jeremiah 38:16). Comforted by the king’s promise, Jeremiah tells the king he can escape death by handing himself over to the king of Babylon, also saving Jerusalem from destruction (Jeremiah 38:17-18). The king also has concerns with the Judeans who have deserted to the Chaldeans, fearing they will deal cruelly with him (Jeremiah 38:19). Jeremiah brings comfort to the king by assuring him that he will not be handed over to the Judeans and will escape death by the sword through surrender to the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 38:20-23). The conversation with the king ends with him telling Jeremiah not to tell anyone about their conversation and if asked, to say that he pleaded with the king not to be sent to the house of Jonathan where he would surely die (Jeremiah 38:24-27). Jeremiah remains in the court of the guard until the day Jerusalem is taken (Jeremiah 38:28).

 

The Word of God does not return void when presented (Isaiah 55:11) but has an impact on one’s life. The choice for one that hears the Word of God is either to accept it as truth or reject it. The officials of the king hearing the Word of the Lord from Jeremiah rejected it because it did not bring them encouragement in defending Jerusalem from the pending attack of the Babylonian army but instead instructed them to surrender to the Chaldeans where they would find safety and life (Jeremiah 38:2-3). The people of Judah and the city of Jerusalem have sinned against God by not making Him their only God (Exodus 20:1-3; Jeremiah 9:14; 11:13-14; 19:5) and can only have deliverance through repentance from their sin (2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 12:15-16). God knows that should the people remain in Judah and Jerusalem they will not repent for that is where they have erected temples to their false gods. Instead, God must remove them from their rebellious environment where they will be able to repent from their sins and return to their land after 70 years of exile.

 

Jesus instructed His Church to present the good news of the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) and make disciples of the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Individuals presented with this truth have a choice to reject or accept it. Since all have sinned, everyone lives in rebellion against God (Romans 3:23) and under a penalty of death (Romans 6:23), with the only choice leading to salvation and eternal life, being the belief and acceptance of the free gift of eternal life through Jesus’ death burial and resurrection (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; 10:9-10). There is no condemnation for those choosing Christ (John 3:17) but self-condemnation for those choosing not to accept Christ and remaining in their sin (John 3:18). I invite those reading this post to choose Christ by praying with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Life is full of choices with choosing Christ the most important choice one can make because it has eternal benefits. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Identity Shift

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 8:12-17

 

Romans 8:13

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

(ESV)

 

When driving to work this week, the topic of conversation on the Christian station I listen to was having people call in to share how they manage stress in their lives. Many callers shared finding comfort from stress through God’s Word, but one caller said they did not read the Bible. I found this alarming for I am among those finding comfort in the Word of God and prayed for this person. When one accepts Jesus as his or her Savior, they become part of the family of God (Romans 8:15). As part of God’s family we must communicate with our Heavenly Father like Christ did through the study of the Bible, God speaking to us, and prayer, us speaking to God (Mark 6:46; Matthew 14:23). Even though Jesus did not have the completed Canon of Scripture as we do, he had a hunger for the Word, even at a young age (Luke 2:41-52). The disciplines of study of the Bible, prayer, and regular Church attendance are crucial in the identity shift from one living according to the flesh to life in the Spirit.

 

The heading for Romans 8:12-17 in the English Standard Version (ESV) is “Heirs with Christ.” An heir is someone having a claim to the inheritance of someone who has passed away. When Jesus died on the cross, he gave us access to an inheritance of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16) and resurrected from the dead to enforce His will. However, to claim this inheritance, one must decide to quit living by the flesh and sin, leading to death (Romans 3:23, 6:23; 8:12-13), and living in the Spirit leading to life (Romans 8:13). Through acceptance of the will of God by the public profession of faith, one is adopted into the family of God (Romans 8:14-15). The Holy Spirit serves as a witness to one’s new identity as a child of God upon accepting Jesus as Savior (Romans 8:16). While it would be nice to believe accepting Jesus as Savior eliminates all struggle and suffering, we must realize that even the Son of God suffered with us sharing in His sufferings but also sharing in His glorification (Romans 8:17). Accepting Jesus as Savior does not guarantee a life without suffering but guarantees eternal life with Christ, free from condemnation (John 3:16-17).

 

An identity shift occurs when one accepts Jesus as his or her Savior. Before one’s profession of faith in Jesus as Savior (Romans 10:9-10), one lives in slavery to sin leading to death (Romans 8:12-13). However, after a profession of faith in Jesus as Savior, one receives the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9) and can put to death the deeds of the flesh and live (Romans 8:13). While one receives the Holy Spirit at salvation, the process of putting to death the deeds of the flesh and experiencing life in the Spirit is an ongoing renewing of the mind through the study of God’s Word and fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25; Philippians 4:8; Romans 12;1-2). This process is known as sanctification or the setting aside of a believer to find God’s purpose for his or her life and service to God. This is the purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, empowering one to serve God (Acts 1:8).

 

Unfortunately, Covid and the shutdown of Churches have led to many becoming comfortable with attending Church conveniently online, leading to them not returning to Church after they reopened, and losing fellowship with other believers. Others have a fear of being around others who may be sick. While serious health issues may require one limiting their exposure to disease, fear of being around other people is not mentally healthy (Genesis 2:18). Since God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7), fear of being around others without an underlying health precaution based upon one’s health history is unfounded. For those staying away from Church out of fear, I encourage them to be strong and courageous in the Lord (Joshua 1:9), going back to Church this week.

 

If you are reading this post and have never prayed to accept Jesus as your Savior, I encourage you to do so by praying with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage everyone reading this post to continue working on their identity shift from a slave to sin to liberty in the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:17). The challenge for each of us is the development of the disciplines of regular reading and study of God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers through regular Church attendance. I pray for God to challenge and bless everyone reading this post.