Abraham: Father of Faith

Today we are studying from Romans 4:1-12.   

Does doing good works justify us?   NO! 
We are told this clearly.  Abraham believed God and IT (his belief) was counted as righteousness.  It was his FAITH that mattered. 

 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? ² For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ³ For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Does that mean that doing good works is meaningless?  Of course not.  It's part of what is due to God.   He made a way for us to be righteous.  Should we not then live according to the law that he has painted on our hearts?

 ⁴ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.

What matters is the belief in the saving work of Jesus Christ.  God provided the way for us. All we have to do is believe it!  That faith makes us righteous.   Pretty cool eh?
⁵ And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, ⁶ just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

⁷ “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
    and whose sins are covered;
⁸ blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Again Paul raises the question.  Is this determination only for the circumcised (ie... only for the Jewish people).   Abrahman's faith was counted BEFORE he was circumcised.   His circumcision was only the sign of his faith. 

⁹ Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. ¹⁰ How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. ¹¹ He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.

Circumcision's point with Abraham was a seal of his faith.  His faith, was counted as righteouness before he was circumcised, making Abraham then the father of those who believe without circumcision, AND the circumcision made him the father of the believers who are circumcised. 
 The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, ¹² and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Abraham, father of faith for all.  Circumcised or not, as long as you have faith, Abraham is our father in the faith.   

I have to admit I've not really thought about this before.   Like it's not that I don't KNOW that Abraham is a father in the faith.  But it's more that I've never really sat and pondered what that means for me personally.  Abraham is MY father in the faith.  He's part of the line that leads all the way back to the first covenant God made with his people.  Of Jewish origin or not, he is out father of faith. 

To follow along with the rest of this devotional series in Romans Click Here. 

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Hymn Study: Take my Life and Let it Be

We sang  this lovely song in the church where hubby was preaching this morning.  It was so nice to sing it with an almost full congregation.  Makes the singing so much easier you know?  :)

The tune sung below is the one I am most comfortable with. 

Lyrics

"Take My Life and Let it Be"

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.

Let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move

At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet and let them be

Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing,

Always, only for my King.

Take my lips and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee.

Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold,

Not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect and use

Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

Every pow'r as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it Thine,

It shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own,

It shall be Thy royal throne.

It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself and I will be

Ever, only, all for Thee.

Ever, only, all for Thee.

This hymn was written by Frances Havergal. She was the daughter of a minister and was a devoted christian lady all her life.   Her desire was for people to know the Lord, and loved using her ability to write to create literature and poetry to encourage people's hearts toward the Lord. She struggled with poor health all her life, but that didn't stop her from living an active life.  She started writing poetry at age 7, and spent time memorizing scripture - the psalms, most of the New Testament and more. She knew many different languages and was in demand as a soloist and pianist.    Her poetry was infused with prayer.   She died age 42.

This version was quite different but I thought you might enjoy it as I did. :)

The immediate story of this particular hymn.

I went for a little visit of five days (to Areley House). There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, Lord, give me all in this house! And He just did. Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, &c.; then and there both of them trusted and rejoiced; it was nearly midnight. I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with Ever, Only, ALL for Thee!
Havergal Manuscripts  (source)

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This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Creative Friday: Star Wars Builders: Starfighters

Our most recent Friday builders/creative time consisted of us putting together this lovely kit to review from the Star Wars Builders Series.  This one is called Starfighters.  You may recall us reviewing the Millennium Falcon and how much fun that build was.

My son was SO happy to see another in the Star Wars Builder series arrive on our doorstep, but he wanted to wait until just the right day to build it.  This one is the Starfighters set, where you can build a TIE fighter and an X-Wing.  It comes complete with a 64 page book where you can learn about all the different star fighters from both sides of the Star Wars conflict, can even be tested on your knowledge at the end.  

The instructions are very easy to follow, the pieces well numbered and easy to punch out.  Put on sturdy three layer cardstock which works really well for making the models.
 

My lad had a lot of fun building these flyers.  They were much less complicated than the Millennium Falcon, but that didn't change my lad's delight. He said "I'm going to put these in my room too.  Let them fly from the ceiling.  Won't that be interesting mom?"   I agreed, it will be interesting to let them fly from the ceiling.

The book, as always, full of great images.  This one showed a fighter over a two page spread and then showed the fighter in action.

I loved the full colour aspect of the book, it was will filled with lots of interesting information...which you were then tested on at the end of the book.

My thoughts
It's a lovely book with fun figures to make.   I love the information they give, making this an excellent gift for the Star Wars fan.  The colour in the book with the easy to read tesxt and information, the build, the whole set.... just a good book set for anyone from 7 & up.

Concerns
A couple of times the numbering got messed up.  So we were very glad to have the pictures to back up what we thought would be correct.
It would be lovely to have a back to the X-wing.  Having it left open makes it feels unfinished.
The TIE fighter, the curve units needed a wider curve to hold all three pieces well.
Compared to the Millennium Falcon these builds are out of proportion.  It would have been good to have them sized somewhat better and perhaps have a couple each.  :)

Star Wars Builders: Starfighters
Adam Bray
Silver Dolphin
64 pages
6 board sheets for doing two builds
Seven years old and up.

Reviewed for: Raincoast Books.

Where can you find it?
Amazon.ca: Star Wars Builders: Starfighters

Amazon.com:  Star Wars Builders: Starfighters.

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Belonging, I am comforted.

Comfort

In the stillness of the room
I sit.

I recently had a message from a friend
Needing prayer.

A loved one needing
Emergency surgery.

Comfort sought.
Prayer needed.

Fretting, worrying, 
I know it well.

It brings to mind
the worry.

Of a father 
lying ill. 

It also brings to mind
A line

From the catechism
of Heidelberg.

What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I belong body and soul, in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.

We are not our own.
That's a comfort,

A surety and
 A Knowing.

So fret I might
Worry I might.

Pray I will
Comforted I will be.

Knowing that I AM NOT
In this alone.

I have a faithful with me
Always at my side.

Belonging
I am comforted.

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This is a five minute Friday post. the word prompt is brought to us by Miss Kate over at Five Minute Friday.  What is Five Minute Friday?  Well it's a party of a group of like minded folks who gather on Friday to do a five minute free write around a singular word.  AND THEN (and this is the most important part) we take the time to offer up encouragement to each other on this writing journey.  It's fun, though it's not always easy, but it is always good.   Come join us won't you?  You are always welcome.

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This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Righteousness, faith and the law

Do you remember the sadness of yesterday?
Of no one being righteous?  Not a single one. 

But listen to this:
²¹ But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

Righteousness doesn't come based on the law.  Righteousness come through FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!!

 For there is no distinction: ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. 

See, we know from the previous verses the depravity of mankind.  How we all turned away from him.   That horrible picture of what sin is. 

But now there is hope for us right?   Hope  because God's righteousness is now found in our faith in his SON.  It doesn't matter if you are Jew or Greek.  There is no distinction between people.    All have sinned.  All fall short of God's glory.  ALL.  No exceptions to this fact.   But just as all have fallen, so all CAN come to faith in Christ Jesus.  All can receive the gift of God's grace in his son.Christ is our redemption.  Christ paid for our sin.  God put him forward as an atonement.  Christ, to be received by faith.
 
This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. ²⁶ It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Why did God do this?   To show his righteousness.  God is ever so patient with us but he can't keep letting us sin and not giving us a way through it.   He needs to be just you know?
 
²⁷ Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.
This gift is received in faith.  So Paul is clear.  There is not boasting.  How can you boast about faith?  Either you have it or you don't.  Works you can point at and say SEE.. See what I did?  But faith is faith.  
 
²⁸ For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰ since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. ³¹ Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

So having faith doesn't negate the law right?    Remember.. it's written on our hearts.  Having faith causes us to want to follow the law, to uphold it, to not turn aside from it. Paul affirms how God is God to everyone, doesn't matter if Jew or Greek.  The offer is the same, our faith is the same, It's all about our faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ, God's gift of Grace offered to us.   So our faith will naturally cause us to want to stick to the law of God written on our hearts.   (and yes I know.. the old sinful nature will cause us to want to fight that...but that's another lesson).  :)

To follow along with the rest of this devotional series in Romans Click Here. 

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Parenting Series: Foolishness

Foolishness, it's in all of us.  It's readily apparent in our children when they argue with us, when they insist on doing what they want, when one event seems the most important thing ever, and so forth.  Foolishness is evident everywhere.

So the question we need to ask, from what does foolishness stem from?   From the heart.

Proverbs 4:23 tells us "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Make the heart your priority.  ALWAYS.  Focus on the heart.  See the heart when you discipline your children, not just their actions, but their heart.

How do you do this?
1. remind yourself over and over and over again...it's the heart you are after, not the actions.
2. lasting change ALWAYS happens through the heart. Always.  

You don't want to help create a stone heart, one that is hard and set.  You want your children to have soft hearts, malleable to the will of God. 

Knowing that you are a fool, parenting a fool, how then do you parent?
1. Glory.  Show your child a higher better glory.  Letting them see God's awesomeness so it will be easier for them to submit to God's law.  The more we see God the less apt we are to be foolish.
2. Wisdom.  Let your child see God's wisdom at work and how it far surpasses our own.  Tell your children how wonderful it is to rely on God's wisdom.
3. Story.   Tell the story of Jesus over and over and over again. Tell of how he's acted in your life and the lives of people you know.   Make sure they know the stories of faith. 
4. Welcome.  Oh.. let them know how God gives them welcome.  How he invites them. Tell them that message of salvation over and over and over again.

But mostly remember this.  God is a God of grace.  He freely extends it. His grace is always extended toward his children of faith.

 Want to follow along?  Amazon affiliate links below.

Amazon.ca:  Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family

Amazon.com: Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

No One is Righteous

Hello, welcome to another day of learning from the book of Romans.   For the rest of the series go here.  Today we'll be learning from Romans 3:9-20.

⁹ What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 
ALL are sinners.  No one is any better than anyone else.  Jew or Greek...all under sin.  All already charged.
 
 ¹⁰ as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
¹¹     no one understands;
    no one seeks for God.
¹² All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
    no one does good,
    not even one.”
I read these words, and I see the condemnation.  No one, not a single person can be righteous.  EVERYONE has turned aside. So you see it.. TOGETHER the people have become worthless.   It's like this whole group mentality thing.  Making choices to turn aside from God.  So that not even one person does good. Not a single one.
 
¹³ “Their throat is an open grave;
    they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
¹⁴     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
¹⁵ “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
¹⁶     in their paths are ruin and misery,
¹⁷ and the way of peace they have not known.” 
This is how God sees sin you know? At least that's my reading of this passage.  How everyone has turned aside, no one is able to do good.. so we get this horrid picture of what sin looks like... all that bitterness and venom and misery.   So much deception and ruin.   This is what sin is.   A people who know no peace. A people who not NOT known the way of peace... but how could they?  They are a people full of bitterness, venom and deception.
It's a sad place to be in.
 
¹⁸     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Not only that.. there is NO fear of God.  None.  They simply don't get the thought of being in awe of God.  Of knowing the fear of him as the Triune Lord.
 

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. ²⁰ For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

So the law of God is written on the hearts of all. We know this from previous verses.  People who are under the law are people under sin.  People who are accountable to God.  We are.  We are accountable to God, and when we are under the law we cannot be justified.  The law brings knowledge of sin.    

No justification through the law.
The law shows us sin.
Sin means no peace.
Sin means no knowing God, a turning from the truth written on our hearts.

So this leaves me here... is there no hope then?  
If we are all under the law and the law means sin... then how can we be justified?

This is where today's passage leaves us... asking the question.  
How can we then be justified?

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Art Series: Home School In The Woods - Artist Pack

Today I am reviewing for you an Activity-Pak rather than a regular book.  :)   Home School in the Woods has put together the Artists Activity-Pak that the lad and I have been learning from for the past few weeks.   I've been sharing some of the pictures on Instagram, but I want to tell you all about it right now!  :)   This unit is part of a larger series of Activity-Paks.

 Home School in the Woods has kept my son and I busy learning about Artists throughout history for the past several weeks.   Activity-Paks are lap books designed to be more than a lap book.  Students should be able to complete them independently (depending on their ability) along with additional activities to add to your study.

You can use the lapbook elements to add to your own study, or use the lapbook as a basis for a larger study.   Some independent research will be required as you do them.

One of the things I liked about this pack is the conversation it provoked as we went through some of the elements.  

These elements include:

• Art Media
• Art Movements
• Art Exhibition
• Paint Box Vocabulary
• Paint like the Masters
• Art Gallery, File Folder Game

I have to admit that I struggled with two of the elements. I found it impossible to put together The File Folder Game and the Artist Exhibition.  I tried printing them off several times but just couldn't figure out the orientation between two separate files for the same element.   Everything I tried had it coming out incorrect so we just simply by-passed doing those elements as written, rather we talked our way through them, taking our time to examine some of the artists and the work they did.  

I am not sure what they could do to make it easier... possibly put arrows in the margins to show which way it should go or something?   It was extremely frustrating. Or make it book format with the proper orientation done already?   Just thoughts.  We didn't miss out an anything in the long run, just didn't do the elements as designed.

Admittedly an element was a touch fussy to make, but as the lad said "I can help you and you can help me".  I LOVE THAT.  It's good to have a lad help out his mom and vice versa.  It's great to laugh and talk together. And if in the process you both learn something, it's a good thing indeed.  :)

One of the things I most appreciated was that html link.   That provided us with a really really easy way to find the files I needed.  It allowed us to skip around and use the elements that interested us the most at the time.  See how they the instructions are in the brown and the elements are in blue?   Makes it so easy to navigate!

We learned about different types of mediums you can use (clay, marble, acrylic etc), artists of old (Michelangelo, Santi, Rubens etc), new types of artistry we hadn't heard about before (monoprint, pointilism etc).   So many different forms of art, and then we got a chance to try our hand at some of them.

Oh Oh!   before I forget.  There's an A La Carte Option!

Home School in the Woods has just introduced an a-la-carte options from some of their projects.   What this means that you can grab and use one or two smaller projects to use.  These aren't complete unit studies, but rather smaller projects to meet a need or an specific interest.  You can learn more about it here.   

Home School in the Woods
Artists Activity-Pak
Received: Ebook with Html Support, comes as PDF files in a zip file

DOWNLOAD VERSION  $18.95

CD VERSION $19.95

You may find this video helpful in understanding the differences in some of their products:

The Crew has been reviewing a large selection of materials from Home School in the Woods. Home School in the Woods has a whole variety of hands-on history projects for your students to complete.  Here is what we've been looking at.

Time Traveler American

• New World Explorers
• Colonial Life 
• The American Revolution
• The Early 19th Century
• *The Civil War
• Industrial Revolution through Great Depression
• World War II

Activity-Paks

• The Old Testament
• The New Testament
• Composers
• Artists
• Make-a-State Activity

Lap-Paks

• U.S. Elections
• 20th Century in America
• Wonders of the World
• Benjamin Franklin
• Knights

Timeline Trio

To see what we all have to say about these products, click this link OR on the banner below.

Social Media Links

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This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time .

HOPETV, Inspiring Summer Viewing

Hi everyone!  :)

I have a unique opportunity this week.  HOPETV has asked me to make sure that you, my fellow Canadians, are aware of their summer programming, which is perfect for watching while you are on vacation.  This is a sponsored post.

First off, let me tell you that HOPETV is currently available on Bell 591, throughout Alberta & BC on Telus Optik 875 or Telus Satellite 591, in Manitoba on Shaw/MTS 11 and in Ontario and New Brunswick on Rogers 174.

Are you looking for TV that fills your day with light, love and hope? Tune in to HOPETV and you’ll get the most popular and inspirational programs from the world’s leading Christian ministries.  HOPETV's programming is quite varied, so it will appeal to a wide variety of audiences.

I don't know about you, but when we go on vacation it can be a challenge to find a good local congregation to meet with.  HOPETV would like to fill that gap.  Giving you good programming and music to inspire you for when you are away from your own church. 

For instance, they have a whole segment on the First Nations peoples in Tribal Trails,  Joyce Meyer and the 700 Club, along with a program called Quick Study TV that goes through the entire bible in a year using biblical archaeology, creation science and expository teaching. 

And boy oh boy do they have music, from the beautiful little classics that gives nice background music, to the Gaither Hour, or the Concert Series.  So many options of music, on it's own or set to natures videos.  This music will lift you up and encourage you.  Imagine you are away from your own church and wanting to feel more connected to God, this music will draw your heart in with praise to our Lord and Saviour.

In Touch Ministries, Day of Discovery, Joyce Meyer, and even Joel Osteen.   All sorts of programs to teach and intrigue you.  As you tune in to HOPETV  you will get the most popular and inspirational programs from the world’s leading Christian ministries.   Continue to learn of the things of the Lord even when you are away from your local congregation.

HOPETV gives you a positive, uplifting message to listen to this summer instead of so many of the negative things that fill our lives today.   Be inspired and connected with people of faith this summer vacation, watch HOPETV!

HOPE TV is a subsidiary of ZoomerMedia Limited, a multi-faith, multi-ethnic media outlet that aims to provide Canadians with enlightening, encouraging and educational content. HOPE TV is a unique, lifestyle television service that presents the some of the most popular and inspirational programs from the world’s leading Christian ministries, as well as select local shows representing other faiths. HOPE TV provides online and cable content, and offers a wide range of content, perspectives, and communication styles.

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This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

God's Righteousness Despite our Lack

Hello, continuing my study in the Book of Romans. Glad to have you here. Click here for the rest of the series   Today the first 8 verses of chapter 3. 

 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? ² Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. ³ What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? ⁴ By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

“That you may be justified in your words,
    and prevail when you are judged.”

⁵ But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) ⁶ By no means! For then how could God judge the world? ⁷ But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? ⁸ And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

I can't say this is the easiest section to understand.  I really can't. 
If circumcision is of the heart, if we are to be Spirit-led, then is there any advantage to being Jewish.  That's the question right?
Paul says the advantage is in that they were the first people to received God's word.

Now.. does it matter that some of the Jewish people were unfaithful?
Not really.
It doesn't really say anything about God's faithfulness.  He remains faithful and righteous.

God is true.  EVEN IT everyone involved with him turns out to be a liar.  It doesn't change God's character one whit.  He is faithful and fully righteous. 

In fact... our lack of being faithful and righteous shows off just how faithful and righteous God himself is.

So....Does that mean God shouldn't judge us for being what we are?
Seriously DUDE?

Imagine a child does something wrong, despite his folks telling him how to do things correctly.   Does that mean the parents have done wrong OR that they would be wrong to say HEY.. son..you did that incorrectly?   Of course not.

God needs to be able to call sin what it is.. Sin.  It's a choosing to do something against God's written law.  (written on our hearts remember?)  If our sin shows God off for being better.. that's a good thing...but doesn't mean we should want to sin, or that God can't call us on our action.   Just means more glory to God.

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