Salvation can be for anyone regardless of their background.
Paul is consistent in his leveling of Judaism having any kind of spiritual advantage apart from Christ.
God reward faith in Christ from anyone.
Men need to hear and respond to the gospel for salvation.
I need to be a voice that points people to Jesus.
Many people have not heard and certainly not comprehended or responded to the gospel.
Here I am, Lord. Send me.
God chose Israel but some of Israel did not choose God- rather, they depended on their own works.
This would have been a difficult message for law keeping Jews to take to heart.
God is perfectly just in every way.
When it comes to salvation, the only thing men bring to the table is their own sin.
Remember: salvation is offered because of God’s goodness- not ours.
When we have an accurate view of our own righteousness apart from Christ (sad face), the entire conversation of God’s actions being just comes into proper focus.
Perfect Father, thank you for your perfect character.
One day all Christ-followers will be completely transformed- glorified at last!
This hope of glory piece fills in so many gaps of both Jewish and Gentile theology.
God’s love is infinitely massive.
Man’s only lasting hope is in Christ.
I need to fully trust the Holy Spirit for the here and now as much as eternity to come.
God’s unfailing love is worth pointing people towards often.
Holy Spirit, increase my faith in your ability to lead, correct, and transform me now and into eternity.
Walking in the Spirit is life and peace!
This is another example of how the law reveals our sin problem but on the Spirit can truly fix it.
The Holy Spirit leads Christ-followers to a full life now.
Our flesh fails in so many ways.
Walk in the Spirit breath by breath.
People need to hear the great adoption story from verses 14 and 15.
Father, thank you for adopting me and continuing to remake me as I walk with you. Give me endurance and a holy desire for more of you.
My biggest sin problem is me- at least what live within me.
This root problem of sin nature cannot be remedied by law keeping or behavior modification. It’s an internal problem. People feel this deeply.
God is about dealing with sin himself (through Christ) and transforming hearts.
We are conflicted creatures, sin infected to the core.
I must continue to make war against my sin nature through the power of the Holy Sprit.
Every person feels the weight of their own sin. And this is a good thing because only those who feel their sickness look for a cure.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being the ultimate cure for my sin.
A new life in Christ results in a new master.
This language of slaves and masters was common knowledge and experience of this time.
Jesus offers new life!
Sin nature views the chains of sin as freedom.
Enjoy serving Christ!
Carnal people have a flipped worldview- like sin as a master is ultimate freedom and Jesus as master is a hostage situation.
Father, thank you for your impeccable goodness. It is a joy to serve the one whom I love.
Adam brought sin and death but Jesus Christ brought righteousness and life.
This paragraph is the crux of the Gospel.
Jesus was God’s “plan A” all along. By the way, there is no “plan B”.
Man desperately needs a savior.
Never lose the wonder of the cross.
What a great passage to point seekers to!
Thank you Jesus for providing peace with God!
It is because of God’s goodness that he saves sinners.
Regardless of cultural/religious background, the idea of unmerited salvation was a new concept.
The more you study the nature and character of God from the scriptures the picture just keeps getting clearer- God is infinitely good and his love is like no other.
We are helpless and fully deserving of God’s wrath, but still God has not abandoned us in our guilt.
Always be amazed at God’s great love.
The “sticking point” for so many believing in God’s salvation is the “unmerited” part man brings.
Father, thank you for your great love. Help me depend on it like oxygen.
Salvation of the Jewish heroes did not come by works, but by faith.
Law keeping Jews of this time loved to brag about their pedigree as “sons of Abraham”. Paul is dismantling this.
A relationship with God is not passed on genetically.
Men are happy enough to brag when they check off a few kept rules, but a life of faith is so much more than that.
Acting on what I do know, putting my faith into practice, is very important.
There are still people who misplace their faith in works or their pedigree.
Father God, thank you for reaching out to be with your great salvation!
All are guilty under the law, but faith in Christ can intervene.
Paul’s consistent pounding of “Judaism is not enough” demands to be noticed.
Jesus’ sacrifice is enough for anyone who admits their guilt and turns to him for salvation.
What does everyone in the world have in common? All are guilty of sin.
Be thankful for Christ’s provision or paying for sins.
Misplaced faith will not help. The object of faith should be the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Jesus, thank you for your great salvation!
