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So he justifies the wicked by faith, as Rom 4:5 indicates, but having been saved by faith apart from works, the wicked change their ways, not in order to be saved, but because they have been saved. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope— the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14 John describes the behavior of those who have been saved, and subsequently been born of God, this way, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God." 1John 3:9 The Bible makes very clear the distinction between how to get saved, which is solely by faith apart from works, versus the evidences that follow having been saved.

Sympathize Rom 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Jesus' friend Lazarus got sick and died, and yet Jesus did not mourn - not until he was among those who were mourning. Then "Jesus wept." John 11:35 And "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses" Heb 4:15a Empathy is a virtue, but beware of conforming to the world. For "the heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked." Jer 17:9 And thus sympathizing with others could lead to a condoning of their sin. But nonetheless, "all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1Pet 3:8 And "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1Cor 12:26 Thus Paul says, "Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?" 2Cor 11:29 And Hebrews instructs us to "remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Heb 13:3 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Bless Those who Curse You Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. This goes beyond the sermon on the mount where Jesus said, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." Mt 5:11 The Christian is not simply to tolerate insult and abuse, but to bless one's persecutor. Paul writes, "We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it" 1Cor 4:12 The challenge is to look with favor upon those who hate you. Jesus set the example in his blessing Saul who had been zealously persecuting Christians in an official capacity. But he blessed Saul, not only bringing him to saving faith, but establishing him as an apostle, giving him a worldwide ministry. Likewise Christians need to beware of getting angry at those who persecute our friends. Jesus was rejected from one village, and when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them." Luke 9:54-56 Beware of taking up arms in the name of defending fellow Christians. Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" John 18:11 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Practice Hospitality Rom 12:13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? Jam 2:15,16 Note that hospitality is not really about entertaining people's fancy. It's primarily about meeting essential needs. Therefore, "when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed" Luke 14:13,14 Also hospitality is not so much about how you treat your friends, but how you treat strangers. Though the rich man who ended up in hell in Luke 16 was hospitable to his own, yet he neglected the poor man. The word "hospitality" used here in Rom 12:13 is "philoxenia" - "philo" meaning "to like", and "xenia" meaning strangers. Thus hospitality is particularly a challenge for Christians who grew up in xenophobic cultures. Such Christians may also find it challenging to practice generosity. Hospitality was also recommended in the case of itinerant evangelists. "Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth." 3John 1:5-8 This is the particular case Jesus was alluding to in Matt 25:35 "I was a stranger and you invited me in" The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Persevere in Hope Rom 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Jam 1:2,3 And besides that "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." Jam 1:12 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1Peter 5:10 For these reason, and because of the hope that we have, we can be joyful despite afflictions and opposing circumstances, for whatever bad things may happen to us, there is good, there is benefit. And "devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Col 4:2 For "we do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Heb 6:12 "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Eph 6:18 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Be Enthusiastic Rom 12:11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord Paul has already spoken of the dangers of having zeal without knowledge. This was not to discourage zealousness, but to apply it properly. For zeal is a good thing as he writes in Galatians, "It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you." Gal 4:18 But such zeal should be based upon proper information with a perspective of serving the Lord. As Paul warns in the book of Galatians, religious zealousness can often be self-serving, simply trying to gain popularity. "Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them." Gal 4:17 In contrast "he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2Cor 5:15 "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure." Heb 6:11 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Be Devoted to One Another Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another— and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb 10:24,25 For how can one be said to be devoted to another unless there is some contact and interaction between the two. So if you're not involved in some sort of Christian fellowship, get to it. Don't look for perfect Christians, but for a place in which you may be allowed to edify other Christians. And may it be said of you, as it was the household of Stephanas, "they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it." 1Cor 16:15 Concerning honor, "it is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor." Pr 25:27 So "let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips." Pr 27:2 Consider giving recognition to others. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Godly Love, Godly Hatred Rom 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Love must be genuine. In contrast are those who love for what they can get out of it, not for other people's benefit. More often than not the expression "I love you" does not express the love Paul is referring to. Rather "I love you" often means being with you makes me feel good, and so when I stop feeling good around you I won't love you anymore. Or the expression is used as a sort of magical incantation to get what you want. While the world relies upon such vain expressions, John writes, "let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:18 Christian love is expressed in deed, even as "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8 So also love for Jesus is expressed in deed. "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me." John 14:21 And to Peter he said "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17 Another misconception people often have is the idea that hatred is incompatible with love. In fact God both hates and loves. These are not incompatible. One cannot have a godly love unless they also have a godly hatred of what is evil. For note that in God's primary demonstration of love he did not compromise his hatred of sin, "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:14 And despite his love for people, he will nonetheless condemn the majority to satisfy his judicial nature and holiness. "You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors." Ps 5:4-6 "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." Pr 8:13 So "let those who love the LORD hate evil" Ps 97:10a The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Godly Love, Godly Hatred Rom 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Love must be genuine. In contrast are those who love for what they can get out of it, not for other people's benefit. More often than not the expression "I love you" does not express the love Paul is referring to. Rather "I love you" often means being with you makes me feel good, and so when I stop feeling good around you I won't love you anymore. Or the expression is used as a sort of magical incantation to get what you want. While the world relies upon such vain expressions, John writes, "let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:18 Christian love is expressed in deed, even as "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8 So also love for Jesus is expressed in deed. "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me." John 14:21 And to Peter he said "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17 Another misconception people often have is the idea that hatred is incompatible with love. In fact God both hates and loves. These are not incompatible. One cannot have a godly love unless they also have a godly hatred of what is evil. For note that in God's primary demonstration of love he did not compromise his hatred of sin, "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:14 And despite his love for people, he will nonetheless condemn the majority to satisfy his judicial nature and holiness. "You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors." Ps 5:4-6 "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." Pr 8:13 So "let those who love the LORD hate evil" Ps 97:10a The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Yet More Gifts Rom 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. "Encouraging" is more literally "exhortation", which encompasses both encouraging, warning, beseeching. We see for example Peter exercising this in Acts 2:40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." Likewise Paul used this word in verse 1 of this chapter. "Contributing" refers to practicing generosity. Some have greater faith and resources in this matter than others. For example of the rich Paul instructs Timothy, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." 1Tim 6:17,18. If you're well off, God may have given you the gift of generosity. So practice it! Leadership may be referring to the gift of administration spoken of in 1Cor 12:28. This is an organizer. A CEO type of person who can both identify the giftedness and resources of others and desires to organize them efficiently. Nice gift for a church administrator. But let them not be lazy but govern diligently. For delegation can be an excuse for laziness. The one with the gift of mercy is focused on the person's emotional state, which is why it speaks of doing so cheerfully. The merciful primarily deal with emotionally hurt people, which can be depressing, and consequently the merciful must take heed not to become so wrapped up in that person's emotional state as to bring oneself down, else it's an unending spiral downwards. (That's the downside of empathy). But rather to cheer the person up. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Serving and Teaching Rom 12:7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach These gifts of service and teaching are also mentioned here: "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues." 1Cor 12:28 As I mentioned previously, prophecy and teaching are a couple of the most essential roles among the body of Christ, prophesying focuses on convicting the person of applications, and teaching focuses on explaining the scriptures. (For example you may have noted that I enjoy explaining things to death) But let those who teach or who want to teach take warning. For some "want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm." 1Tim 1:7 and in fact "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Jam 3:1 And those who seek to be taught should likewise take heed. For there are those who in order "to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Tim 4:3,4 Those with the gift of service focus on meeting practical needs. For example there were some women who cared for Jesus during his ministry. And when he was crucified, "some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs." Mk 15:40,41 For Paul it was Epaphroditus who was commended as, "my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs." Php 2:25 Christ himself set the example of service, for the "Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mt 20:28 And the apostle Paul also encouraged the Ephesian elders to relinquish their right to get paid, and opt rather to contribute. "You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions." Acts 20:34 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

A Diversity of Gifts Rom 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. While we are to have unity with regards to truth and attitude, it is God's will that we be diverse with respect to ministry. For "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:" 1Cor 12:4-7 and "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms." 1Pet 4:10 In contrast the worldly get it backwards, demanding diversity where there should be unity, and unity where their should be diversity. And "The same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." 1Cor 12: 11 Every believer has spiritual gifts and consequently has the responsibility to use them in service to God. If you want to identify your spiritual gift or gifts, then go and serve God, do some sort of ministry, and you'll discover what you're gifted at. With regards to prophecying, there are some different opinions as to what constitutes prophecying in the New Testament sense. But in any case it is spoken of in 1Corinthians as a very significant gift. "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." 1Cor 14:1 That chapter also indicates that some gifts are more essential and edifying than others. For example he says, "He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues" 1Cor 14:5b, the reason being because prophecy more effectively edifies the Church. Prophecying, along with teaching, are also two gifts which not only express what the person does, but also describes one of the essential roles or positions in the Church. "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers" Eph 4:11 You can get a taste for the exercise of such a role in 1Cor 14:29-31 "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged." Note that their words are not to be taken as infallible, but to be scrutinized, weighed carefully. And not only with regards to truth, but also with regards to application, which I think is an essential part of the prophecy. In fact I think that prophecying in this sense is speaking out scriptural applications. There's a shade of difference in Teaching, in that teaching emphasizes explanation, and thus the teacher's goal is to bring revelation through explanation while the prophet's goal is convict the heart with regards to some application of a scriptural principle. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Members of One Body Rom 12:4,5 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Thus Paul likewise wrote in 1Cor 12:12-14 "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free— and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many." Now we often talk of the Christian community being a family, and indeed we are spoken of as being the family of God. But the illustration here is even more intimate, being members of the same body. Here he speaks of each member belonging to the others and consequently everyone child of God influences every other child of God. So if you're screwing up, that harms me and everyone else. And if you're living a spiritual healthy Christian life, that benefits me and everyone else. But contrary to much of the history of institutional Christianity, not only must each member do its part, as Paul writes, "we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Eph 4:15,16, but also each member must be allowed, indeed encouraged, to do its part, exercising the particular giftedness which God has granted. For much of the history of institutionalized Christianity is simply a history of an audience watching a few players do the work, and the few players not allowing the audience to participate. Consequently the body of Christ has largely been asleep through the centuries, gagged and bound by the birds that nest in its branches. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Reckon Yourself with Humility Rom 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has distributed to you. Humility is the most essential of all virtues. For all other virtues are dependent upon this one. But humility is not to be confused with unconfidence or having a poor self-image. Rather it's having realistic - sober - view of oneself in the light of what the Bible says. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Php 2:4-8 But what does the last phrase "in accordance with the measure of faith God has distributed to you" mean? He's not talking about saving faith as that's not a matter of measure, and the Greek word for "distributed" is "merizo" which means to divide. What he's talking about is the distribution of spiritual gifts as he will elaborate upon in verses 6-8 For "we have different gifts, according to the grace given us." Rom 12:6a Notice also 1Cor 12:9 in the middle of a list of spiritual gifts it says, "To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit". Once again, "faith" certainly cannot refer to saving faith in such a context seeing as it implies not all those born of God have that gift, and yet to be a child of God and receive the Holy Spirit one must have saving faith to begin with. So there's a difference sense in which "faith" is used with respect to spiritual gifts than with respect to a requirement for salvation. And therefore also he is saying that we need to value ourselves in accordance with the spiritual gifts God has distributed to us, and likewise we need to value other Christians, who though different from us, have spiritual gifts essential to edifying the body of Christ. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Be a Non-Conformist Rom 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will." The first step in not conforming to the pattern of this world is identifying the distinction between the pattern of the world with the pattern of the Christian life taught in the Bible. Among other things it's going to involve making judgements based upon what the Bible says. What are the primary challenges today that Christians face with regards to this matter? While that's a matter of perspective, what got Paul most upset about the Corinthians was their disregard for what the Bible says concerning sexual immorality, as we read in 1Corinthians chapter 5. "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: " 1Cor 5:1 Likewise today there are many churches and consequently many Christians who disregard what the Bible says about sexual immorality, or more generally they disregard the very nature of the Biblical relationship between men and women, largely the result of the influence of feminism over the decades. For example while Jesus said, "at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female." Mark 10:6, there are Christians today who claim that God made them homosexual or transgender or other such foolishness. "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1Cor 6:9,10 And there are those who despite what Jesus said, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." Mk 10:11b,12 (for "a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives." 1Cor 7:39a), will nonetheless willfully commit adultery in such a manner, let alone the fornicating Christians who don't even bother getting married. But perhaps the most insidious of all within the church is the disregard of what the Bible says concerning the subordinate role of women. For " I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man" 1Cor 11:3, for which reason Paul says, "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." 1Tim 2:11,12 These are some significant areas in which Christians have the opportunity to distinguish themselves from the world. But there are many more categories - money, purpose in life, view towards suffering, hope in the resurrection, and so forth. The world constantly tries to mold us into its image. It tries to shape our values, our morals, and our perspective on life. Those who don't conform to peer pressure are threatened with dishonor, contempt, hostility, loss of relationships and loss of security. But as Jesus said of his disciples "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." John 17:16. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

First, just to mention it. Evolution is not the explanation for abiogenesis. That is, there is no evolutionary explanation of the development of the first cell. Evolutionary explanations are only introduced when replication is a fact. As for explaining the develop of complex creatures and organisms, the atheistic naturalists simply makes the proposition that such occurred over long period of time by the mechanisms of mutation and replication in conjunction with environmental factors as fitness or survivability and such. They have no actual statistics or probability to prove it. But what they do have is evidence that it occurred, but they cannot really prove how it occurred. Like they cannot disprove that divine intervention was one of the factors. As for the car issue, Dawkins would merely point out that the car is not self-replicating. However I would propose this. What is you landed on a planet and found a factory run by robots which manufacturer robots. Would the atheistic naturalist propose that such came about by "evolution" seeing as replication is involved and the factor could make mistakes and such? Probably they would be laughed at as fools. Likewise regarding biology.

Spiritual Worship Rom 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God— this is your spiritual act of worship. No other chapter in the Bible contains such an extensive listing of characteristics of the Christian life. This is the most intensely application oriented chapter in the whole New Testament. But you will notice in this chapter that the primary focus is upon attitudes which work themselves out into applications, rather than simply regulations. Concerning this first subject of worship, the spiritual act of worship incorporates far more than merely singing hymns. Rather, the spiritual act of worship incorporates all that you do as a Christian in service to the LORD. In particular in speaking of your "bodies" I infer first of all he isn't talking about the Church as a community. For where the Bible speaks of the Church the "body" of Christ it emphasizes the singular whereas Paul uses the plural here. ("we who are many form one body" Rom 12:5 and "There is one body and one Spirit" Eph 4:4a) But here Paul is referring to each Christian's physical body. That is, spiritual worship is taking action on your faith. We are called to a life of service. For "he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them" 2Cor 5:15a Under the Law, not just any sacrifice was acceptable to God. The lamb had to be among the firstborn, male, unblemished, which by analogy means that God is not pleased with just any sacrifice we make. Quality counts. Attitude counts. Jesus said, "if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Mt 10:42b But if we're only offering lukewarm water, Jesus said, "because you are lukewarm— neither hot nor cold— I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Rev 3:16 What quality of service are you offering the LORD? And then there's quantity of service. "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2Cor 9:6 ("Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Heb 13:16) Are you excusing yourself from doing ministry by filling your life with unnecessary things and activities. "No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs— he wants to please his commanding officer." 2Tim 2:4 I pray "that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God" Col 1:10 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Knowing God Rom 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" (Is 40:13) "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" (Job 41:11) For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. God shows wisdom in utilizing people's natural sinful tendencies - that which we call "human nature" - to effect His good purposes. He orchestrated Christ's death in this manner, playing upon the pride of the religious elite to bring about the sacrifice of the Lamb, innocent, without blemish or defect, yet rejected by the elders and chief priests. "We speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." 1Cor 2:7,8 Secondly regarding the propagation of the gospel, even the apostles early on were reluctant to go to the Gentiles, due to their prejudice. Yet because of the persecution against them by their countrymen the gospel was spread to the Gentiles. (Acts 11:19-22) God utilized the unbelief of the Jews to get His people to propagate the gospel to the Gentiles, and even chose Paul, a most unlikely candidate, as His apostle to the Gentiles. As for knowing the mind of the Lord, Paul also writes, "As it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him' — but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. ... 'For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.'" 1Cor 2:9-12,16 As for God repaying us, while God is gracious and has made promises concerning rewards for services rendered based on His graciousness, He was not under obligation to make such promises. Thus it says, "When you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty." Luke 17:10 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

What Goes Around Comes Around Rom 11:30-32 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. While the Bible originated with the Jews, it was propagated worldwide largely through Gentiles as it is today. And we can see even in Paul's ministry the rejection of the gospel by the Jews led to an emphasis in his ministry upon Gentiles. "Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles." Acts 13:46 But consequently this same propagation comes full circle back to Jews who are challenged by their own scriptures to believe in Jesus which would result in them be saved from God's wrath. God uses incentives to motivate people to do what is ultimately in their best interest, even playing with the human sinful nature for our own benefit. Paul talked about the Gentiles provoking his unbelieving brethren to jealousy. You would think jealousy a bad thing. But as Joseph said to his brothers, as one might say to the sinful nature, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Gen 50:20 Consider also that God had previously orchestrated the scenario that led to Christ's crucifixion, playing upon the pride and jealousy of the religious elite to accomplish His ends. For a similar reason Paul speaks optimistically about a what seems a hopeless situation. So if you are distressed by a hopeless situation, remember that God characteristically can make the outcome good. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Enemies and yet "Elect" Rom 11:28,29 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Everyone who is an unbeliever is reckoned an enemy, including all of us who presently believe prior to us coming to faith. "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies" Col 1:21a But God loves his enemies. "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8 But how does this differ in the case of Jews? What does it mean that concerning "election", the Jews are loved? And what gifts and calling is he alluding to? At the beginning of Romans 9 and Romans 10 Paul expresses his sorrow at the fact that the vast majority of his fellow Jews were unsaved. Yet notice he also affirms their value. "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen." Rom 9:4,5 And what is the primary advantage to being Jewish? "What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God." Rom 3:1,2 It was not that they were elect to be saved, but rather they were elected to carry to the Word of God down. It was through the Jews that we received not only the Old Testament, but the New as well seeing as most, if not all, the authors of the New Testament were Jews as well as for the Old. Thus their primary calling was to be instruments through which the Word of God has been brought to us. How does this fact bring mercy to them? That's next. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Will Israel be Saved? Rom 11:25-27 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins." (Is 59:20,21; 27:9) People who become very religious characteristically tend towards a proud elitist attitude. Who did Jesus most commonly characterize as proud but the religious elite. And who were the primary individuals planning Jesus' death but the religious elite. So also throughout the history of post-Biblical institutional Christianity. The very religious tend to be very conceited. And just as the Eleven and other Jewish Christians had been prejudice against Gentiles, so also Christianity having been established among the Gentiles, the Gentiles tend to disregard the Jews. There will come a time when all Israel at that given time will be saved - not all of Israel of all times, but the Israel which exists at the end. Can Jews be saved apart from faith in Christ? Does God at some point lift His requirement of faith? No. It should be obvious from this and other chapters in Romans that to be saved under the New Covenant a person must believe in Jesus. Rather what Paul is saying that there will come a time when the Jews as a nation will come to believe in Christ. "On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son." Zec 12:9,10 And so it also says of Christ's return, "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen." Rev 1:7 And as with all who put their faith in Christ, the Lord covenants, "I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Heb 8:12 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

God, Kind and Stern Rom 11:22-24 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! Elsewhere Paul writes, "Now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel." Col 1:22-23a For "anyone who does not listen to Christ will be completely cut off from among his people." Acts 3:23 And likewise though one hears and disbelieves the gospel, they may yet be saved if they don't persist in their unbelief, Paul himself being the chief example of such. So "watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1Tim 4:16 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Standing by Faith Rom 11:19-21 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. God does not break off or graft in people arbitrarily, but rather based upon their faith. Even those grafted in Paul says, "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." 1Cor 15:1,2 And Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit." John 15:1,2 Therefore, while I affirm the Bible teaches eternal security, one's assurance of salvation is to be proportional to the degree to which one behaves as a child of God should. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Hebrew Christians Rom 11:16-18 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. That is there is nothing inherently unholy about being Jewish. Judaism, in its Biblical form is compatible with Biblical Christianity. As a counter example consider Islam. Islam is incompatible with Biblical Christianity. But, as in the case of Paul, one can be both a Jew and a Christian. Furthermore Judaism is the root of Christianity, Christ himself being incarnate as a Jew, Christianity being "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Eph 2:20 The branches broken off are the unbelieving Jews. The wild branch are non-Jews who have rejected their root faith - be it Islam, Hinduism or whatever, opting rather for Biblical Christianity which is rooted in Judaism. Therefore let not Christians devalue Judaism unnecessarily, for "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" 2Tim 3:16 The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

Paul Provoking Jews to Envy Rom 11:13-15 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? In fact Paul was not the apostle exclusively to the Gentiles. For he had been commission by the Lord, "This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." Acts 9:15 Thus he said, "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus." Acts 20:21 But in Galatians 2:9 Paul speaks of a meeting he had with the other apostles in which they relinquished their responsibility towards Gentiles, limiting themselves exclusively to Jews while deferring to Paul to minister to Gentiles. Thus both the Lord and the rest of the apostles affirmed Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles. He often affirms his authority in this matter to give further weight to his message. As noted throughout these chapters Paul affirms his concern for the Jews, his brothers. For let us remember that Paul was a Jew. And notice that contrary to a fatalistic viewpoint, Paul considers it possible through his influence to save some of his lost brothers among the Jews. Yes there is a possibility that you can influence others, provoking them into the faith, even though it may seem right now that they are dead to the things of God. The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources