The Battle of Works vs. Grace

The greatest battle in Christianity is works vs. grace, or as is described in Romans 10:1-13, law vs. faith. Paul’s focus in chapter 10 is the means by which mankind may receive the righteousness of God. In this passage, Paul defends faith over works from the Old Testament as well as from the person and work of Jesus. If Paul is right, and he is, there is only one way to become righteous before God and it is all about God, not about mankind’s futile attempts to earn righteousness. Once we grasp the decisive nature of Christ’s saving work, writes Dr. Leon Morris, we see the irrelevance of all legalism.’

Make time to study Romans 10:1-13 at crimsonministries.org under the Books of the Bible tab. The importance of knowing how one may receive the righteousness of God is too important to get wrong. There is heaven to gain and hell to lose.

Our God of Wrath and Mercy!

There is much to consider when studying Romans 9:19-33. It is a sobering thought that wrath from God is poured out on some but mercy is lavished on others. Consider the quote from Grant Osborne, Wrath and mercy are interdependent, for the outpouring of wrath is often the vehicle of divine mercy in bringing his people to their knees so that they return to him.

I encourage every Christian to glory in the grace of God received through the finished work of Jesus Christ. I would be remiss if we didn’t pray for revival in this time of great darkness in our world. May we not rest only in God’s grace but pray that we would be clean vessels through whom God would draw many away from His wrath and into His grace.

Romans 9:19-33 may be found at crimsonministries.org under the Books of the Bible tab.

Thank God He is Sovereign!

Romans 9:6-18 is testimony to the sovereignty of God. It is difficult to understand the relationship between the sovereignty of God and the freewill of man. It is good to know that our lack of understanding the workings of God should not weaken our faith. God is sovereign and good and my trust is in Him, not my full understanding of Him.

God's election is a comfort for those who have been touched by His grace through His Son. Thomas Constable wrote, God cannot be unjust because He is God. Warren Wiersbe wisely stated, It is unthinkable that the holy God should ever commit an unrighteous act. Election is always totally a matter of grace. If God acted only on the basis of righteousness, nobody would ever be saved.

Join me as we study election in Romans 9:6-18. Find the lesson at crimsonministries.org under the Books of the Bible tab.