Romans 6:1-14 (NIV84)
"1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin– 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."
I know I quoted a lot of verses tonight but this whole chapter is really important. In fact, I really wanted to quote the whole thing.
Paul is saying that we don't have an excuse to keep sinning after we are saved. We are no longer slaves to sin. We have been resurrected spiritually, we are now dead to sin and alive to Christ.
We have been made righteous so we can live righteously, not because of what we've done, but because of what Christ did for us.
Romans 6 (as with every chapter) explains it far better than I can. I encourage anyone who is reading this to read Romans 6 because it explains the importance of living for Christ even though forgiveness is freely given.
Anyways, sorry I don't have that much tonight, but thanks for reading anyway.
-JDWayt
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Romans 5
Romans 5:6-11
"6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."
Honestly, I'm super excited about Romans 5. This is where things get even more awesome than they were the past couple days.
Now that Paul has established that our salvation is not through the law but through faith, he begins to talk about the hope we have in Christ. He says that we now are at peace with God. That's a big relief! The law showed us that there wasn't anything we could do to earn salvation. We were eternally separated from God and we were hopeless.
Here is where verse 8 comes in. It's honestly one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible
Jesus Christ came and died for us while we were far from God. Basically we were enemies of God. But he still chose to make a way for us to be with Him for all eternity because He loves us that much. Now we have peace with God, not by anything we did, but by His love for us.
We are saved from the wrath of God because Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross for us.
I had to stop and think about that for a while.
It's hard to think of myself as someone worth dying for, but apparently I am. But what's even more amazing is this: Even at my darkest point, I was still worth dying for.
Well I hope you got just as much, if not, more than I did out of this.
Thanks for reading!
-JDWayt
"6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."
Honestly, I'm super excited about Romans 5. This is where things get even more awesome than they were the past couple days.
Now that Paul has established that our salvation is not through the law but through faith, he begins to talk about the hope we have in Christ. He says that we now are at peace with God. That's a big relief! The law showed us that there wasn't anything we could do to earn salvation. We were eternally separated from God and we were hopeless.
Here is where verse 8 comes in. It's honestly one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible
Jesus Christ came and died for us while we were far from God. Basically we were enemies of God. But he still chose to make a way for us to be with Him for all eternity because He loves us that much. Now we have peace with God, not by anything we did, but by His love for us.
We are saved from the wrath of God because Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross for us.
I had to stop and think about that for a while.
It's hard to think of myself as someone worth dying for, but apparently I am. But what's even more amazing is this: Even at my darkest point, I was still worth dying for.
Well I hope you got just as much, if not, more than I did out of this.
Thanks for reading!
-JDWayt
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Romans 4
Ok so lets get right into it then.
Romans 4:13-15
"13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression."
Here Paul is using an example to make a point and it's the same point he has been making since the first chapter. Abraham wasn't made righteous by the law, he was made righteous by his faith. Paul explains earlier in the chapter that Abraham was considered righteous before he was even given the law of circumcision which was a big deal to the Jews (verses 9-11).
Verse 15 explains that the law doesn't save us, but it shows us that we need to be saved.
So, I'm going to break it down as simple as I can. I know these chapters talk about 'the law'. The law is all the religious stuff that Christians do (or in the context of the time that Paul was writing, the things that the Jews did). Going to church, praise and worship, attending small groups, pretty much any action of faith is considered religious. Now please don't get me wrong, none of those things are bad things. In fact, they are all wonderful things but they aren't what save us. Every religious thing I do is an action that is a result of Christ living in me.
Why do I go to church? Why am I interning at my church? Why did I get baptized? Why am writing blogs about Christianity? All these things are/were done because my faith in Christ has changed my life and has given me both the desire and the ability to live for Him.
Well that's it tonight! Thanks for reading and tune in tomorrow, Romans 5 is going to be awesome.
Happy belated Valentines day!
-JDWayt
Romans 4:13-15
"13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression."
Here Paul is using an example to make a point and it's the same point he has been making since the first chapter. Abraham wasn't made righteous by the law, he was made righteous by his faith. Paul explains earlier in the chapter that Abraham was considered righteous before he was even given the law of circumcision which was a big deal to the Jews (verses 9-11).
Verse 15 explains that the law doesn't save us, but it shows us that we need to be saved.
So, I'm going to break it down as simple as I can. I know these chapters talk about 'the law'. The law is all the religious stuff that Christians do (or in the context of the time that Paul was writing, the things that the Jews did). Going to church, praise and worship, attending small groups, pretty much any action of faith is considered religious. Now please don't get me wrong, none of those things are bad things. In fact, they are all wonderful things but they aren't what save us. Every religious thing I do is an action that is a result of Christ living in me.
Why do I go to church? Why am I interning at my church? Why did I get baptized? Why am writing blogs about Christianity? All these things are/were done because my faith in Christ has changed my life and has given me both the desire and the ability to live for Him.
Well that's it tonight! Thanks for reading and tune in tomorrow, Romans 5 is going to be awesome.
Happy belated Valentines day!
-JDWayt
Monday, February 13, 2012
Romans 3
Ok so. I didn't post a blog yesterday because I had to be at my church at 8am. I was there until 12:30, had lunch with some friends and then returned at 4 for our college group class called _theQuest. After that I had work from 8pm until midnight. So in other words, I was extremely busy yesterday to say the least. I probably won't blog on Sundays.
Ok now that I'm done making excuses...
I'm only in the third chapter of Romans and I'm already noticing a theme.
Romans 3:21 (NIV84)
"21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished– 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law."
Well, I feel like I could just end this blog right here. Honestly that sums it up perfectly but I'll explain it anyway.
First, plain and simple, we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. There is nothing I have done, nor is there anything I will ever be able to do to earn my salvation through Jesus. Salvation can't be earned by upholding the law.
I remember a time shortly before I accepted Christ. I was doing things to try to get to God. I was lifting my hands in worship, I was attending church, I was even playing guitar for my youth group's worship band. The whole time there was something missing. I felt like I was doing everything in my power to make my way to God...but that was the problem. There was nothing in MY power that could save me.
Shortly after I got saved, there was a song that really got me excited. That song is called 'I Am Free'. My favorite line in that song 'I am free to live for You'. That is how I felt after my moment of salvation.
I was free to live by the law written on my heart.
This brings me to verses 27 through 30 which explain the purpose of the law. The law gives us the ability to recognize that we fall short of the glory of God. The ability to uphold the the law, to live according to His word, is a result of our salvation. So really the ability live more like Christ and uphold the law is a is a gift from God.
So, like Paul says, we can not boast when we uphold the law. When I overcome sin in my life, I can't brag and say that I'm strong willed or whatever because the only reason I can even do that is because I have received that which was freely given.
That's the big thing I learned in this chapter. One of the things in a journal I had a while ago was "Every ounce of good in me is from Jesus Christ". I wrote it on the front page to remind myself that my morals, my "Straight edge" lifestyle, my character were not things I produced, but rather things I had been given.
If I had to sum up this entire blog in one sentence it would be this: By the grace of God, I am free to strive after Him.
Ok now that I'm done making excuses...
I'm only in the third chapter of Romans and I'm already noticing a theme.
Romans 3:21 (NIV84)
"21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished– 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law."
Well, I feel like I could just end this blog right here. Honestly that sums it up perfectly but I'll explain it anyway.
First, plain and simple, we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. There is nothing I have done, nor is there anything I will ever be able to do to earn my salvation through Jesus. Salvation can't be earned by upholding the law.
I remember a time shortly before I accepted Christ. I was doing things to try to get to God. I was lifting my hands in worship, I was attending church, I was even playing guitar for my youth group's worship band. The whole time there was something missing. I felt like I was doing everything in my power to make my way to God...but that was the problem. There was nothing in MY power that could save me.
Shortly after I got saved, there was a song that really got me excited. That song is called 'I Am Free'. My favorite line in that song 'I am free to live for You'. That is how I felt after my moment of salvation.
I was free to live by the law written on my heart.
This brings me to verses 27 through 30 which explain the purpose of the law. The law gives us the ability to recognize that we fall short of the glory of God. The ability to uphold the the law, to live according to His word, is a result of our salvation. So really the ability live more like Christ and uphold the law is a is a gift from God.
So, like Paul says, we can not boast when we uphold the law. When I overcome sin in my life, I can't brag and say that I'm strong willed or whatever because the only reason I can even do that is because I have received that which was freely given.
That's the big thing I learned in this chapter. One of the things in a journal I had a while ago was "Every ounce of good in me is from Jesus Christ". I wrote it on the front page to remind myself that my morals, my "Straight edge" lifestyle, my character were not things I produced, but rather things I had been given.
If I had to sum up this entire blog in one sentence it would be this: By the grace of God, I am free to strive after Him.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Romans 2
Ok so now for Romans 2.
I strongly suggest you read Romans 2 for yourself, it's really good.
Romans 2:13-15 (NIV84)
"13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)"
Ok, so Romans 2 is a great chapter. Right after Paul talks about sin he talks about being judgmental. I find that really interesting. Again he explains that it's not enough for us to hear the law, but to obey it and understand it also.
Obeying the law is important. But we don't obey the law by following a to-do list. That's what the religious people in Jesus' day did. They made up many ridiculous laws that made them look like they were better than everyone else. In reality their hearts were more corrupt than the ones they condemned.
The reason we should follow the law is because we want to please God. That's why Paul says that even the Gentiles who didn't know the law still obeyed it. Why? Because they knew it in their hearts.
Ever since I accepted Christ I've begun to follow the law more. I follow it more because It's become easier to recognize it. Also, there is something in me that desires to please God.
God isn't pleased every time I walk out of a store without stealing anything. However, God is pleased when I walk into a store, find $100 and turn it in or find the rightful owner. This is because I have chosen righteousness over selfishness.
I guess I can quit rambling and explain it all simply.
God doesn't desire words, or actions without understanding. We can't judge based on words or actions because everything God desires is based on the condition of our hearts. So in everything I do, I should do it to please Him, because He is the only one who can see my motives. And in the end, His judgement is the only one that matters.
Again, this is a great chapter, and I had trouble deciding what to share.
Anyways, thanks for reading!
-JDWayt
I strongly suggest you read Romans 2 for yourself, it's really good.
Romans 2:13-15 (NIV84)
"13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)"
Ok, so Romans 2 is a great chapter. Right after Paul talks about sin he talks about being judgmental. I find that really interesting. Again he explains that it's not enough for us to hear the law, but to obey it and understand it also.
Obeying the law is important. But we don't obey the law by following a to-do list. That's what the religious people in Jesus' day did. They made up many ridiculous laws that made them look like they were better than everyone else. In reality their hearts were more corrupt than the ones they condemned.
The reason we should follow the law is because we want to please God. That's why Paul says that even the Gentiles who didn't know the law still obeyed it. Why? Because they knew it in their hearts.
Ever since I accepted Christ I've begun to follow the law more. I follow it more because It's become easier to recognize it. Also, there is something in me that desires to please God.
God isn't pleased every time I walk out of a store without stealing anything. However, God is pleased when I walk into a store, find $100 and turn it in or find the rightful owner. This is because I have chosen righteousness over selfishness.
I guess I can quit rambling and explain it all simply.
God doesn't desire words, or actions without understanding. We can't judge based on words or actions because everything God desires is based on the condition of our hearts. So in everything I do, I should do it to please Him, because He is the only one who can see my motives. And in the end, His judgement is the only one that matters.
Again, this is a great chapter, and I had trouble deciding what to share.
Anyways, thanks for reading!
-JDWayt
Friday, February 10, 2012
Romans 1
Ok so here it goes! Daily blog number one!
I guess I'll start with an introduction as to why I'm doing this again. I did a daily blog back in January/ February of last year and I quit because I would read my Bible and then blog right before I went to bed. More often than not, I would fall asleep while blogging, so I quit. But I went back and read them the other night and I realized that it stretched me spiritually more than I had realized.
Another reason why I started blogging again is "that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” (Romans 1:12). I think it's important to share what we learn in The Word. Like Paul said, that we would be MUTUALLY encouraged. Not only do I want to share what I've gotten, but I also want to learn from what other people have say. (Which is why I chose Blogspot. Tumblr and WordPress don't have a comment feature.) Anytime we learn from each other, we not only become wiser, but we also build unity between others of like faith.
And of course the third and most important reason is to bring glory to God. I don't want to blog to uplift myself or make myself out to be a religious jerk. I just want to share what God has revealed to me as I go through this portion of the Bible.
Ok, so now I'll explain why I'm going through Romans. The first obvious reason is that I just finished reading through Acts again yesterday. But a bigger reason is that Romans is considered a very basic yet fundamental book of the Bible. I want to get a glimpse of fundamental Christianity, before it became a part of American culture. That's what I loved about Acts, seeing the church in a very raw form. A church that was neither contemporary nor traditional. A church that wasn't a building but a belief. Romans is the same with doctrine, it's basic Christianity untainted by politics and culture.
Well...now that I'm done with my introduction, we can move on to Romans 1.
What I did before was meditate on a particular verse or group of verses.
“Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:32
Paul was talking about how humanity has become more sinful. He was also saying that the people knew God's laws yet they continued to be a part of the world. Paul's says later in Romans that we are to be separate from the world. From the beginning Paul explains that knowing Christ is different from following him. Knowing about Jesus isn't enough. Our salvation requires us to strive to be more like Him on a daily basis.
I guess sometimes I feel like I'm ok just knowing Jesus but in reality its about striving to be more like Him. I guess I need to learn to not be content with just learning more stuff.
Anyways, I wish I had more but that's it.
Thanks for reading
-JD Wayt.
I guess I'll start with an introduction as to why I'm doing this again. I did a daily blog back in January/ February of last year and I quit because I would read my Bible and then blog right before I went to bed. More often than not, I would fall asleep while blogging, so I quit. But I went back and read them the other night and I realized that it stretched me spiritually more than I had realized.
Another reason why I started blogging again is "that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” (Romans 1:12). I think it's important to share what we learn in The Word. Like Paul said, that we would be MUTUALLY encouraged. Not only do I want to share what I've gotten, but I also want to learn from what other people have say. (Which is why I chose Blogspot. Tumblr and WordPress don't have a comment feature.) Anytime we learn from each other, we not only become wiser, but we also build unity between others of like faith.
And of course the third and most important reason is to bring glory to God. I don't want to blog to uplift myself or make myself out to be a religious jerk. I just want to share what God has revealed to me as I go through this portion of the Bible.
Ok, so now I'll explain why I'm going through Romans. The first obvious reason is that I just finished reading through Acts again yesterday. But a bigger reason is that Romans is considered a very basic yet fundamental book of the Bible. I want to get a glimpse of fundamental Christianity, before it became a part of American culture. That's what I loved about Acts, seeing the church in a very raw form. A church that was neither contemporary nor traditional. A church that wasn't a building but a belief. Romans is the same with doctrine, it's basic Christianity untainted by politics and culture.
Well...now that I'm done with my introduction, we can move on to Romans 1.
What I did before was meditate on a particular verse or group of verses.
“Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:32
Paul was talking about how humanity has become more sinful. He was also saying that the people knew God's laws yet they continued to be a part of the world. Paul's says later in Romans that we are to be separate from the world. From the beginning Paul explains that knowing Christ is different from following him. Knowing about Jesus isn't enough. Our salvation requires us to strive to be more like Him on a daily basis.
I guess sometimes I feel like I'm ok just knowing Jesus but in reality its about striving to be more like Him. I guess I need to learn to not be content with just learning more stuff.
Anyways, I wish I had more but that's it.
Thanks for reading
-JD Wayt.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Well I guess I'll get started now
You know what they say, “There's no time like the present”.
So I guess I'll start with this, in 2011 I saw many ups and downs in my walk with God. I've seen some of my biggest accomplishments and also some of my biggest failures. And me being the kind of person that I am, I focused a lot on my failures.
I feel like I've completely ruined any chance of being a witness to anybody because I kept my mouth shut and went with the crowd.
And I remember thinking “God, it would be so much easier to be a light if I was perfect.”. But I know if I was perfect, no one would be able to relate to me. I've heard it said before "A wise man learns from his mistakes, an even wiser man learns from the mistakes of others”.
Maybe I'm not the wisest man on earth, and maybe every mistake I learn from will be my own, but I can promise one thing. I'm learning.
If there is one thing I've learned it's that my failures, weakness, struggles or whatever are NEVER bigger than God.
Jesus died on the cross for ALL my sins, and nothing I can do will disqualify me from what he has called me to do.
If there is one thing I can preach with clear conscience it's this: The overwhelming, unrelenting, love of Jesus Christ is stronger than any sin. Christ will never give up on me.
It's times like this I remember
He loves me
He will always love me
He will love me when no one else will love me
and He will love me, even when I don't love myself.
I'm going to start blogging a daily bible study like I did before, starting with the book of Romans.
I'm excited for what God has planned in 2012!
Thanks for reading!
-JDWayt
So I guess I'll start with this, in 2011 I saw many ups and downs in my walk with God. I've seen some of my biggest accomplishments and also some of my biggest failures. And me being the kind of person that I am, I focused a lot on my failures.
I feel like I've completely ruined any chance of being a witness to anybody because I kept my mouth shut and went with the crowd.
And I remember thinking “God, it would be so much easier to be a light if I was perfect.”. But I know if I was perfect, no one would be able to relate to me. I've heard it said before "A wise man learns from his mistakes, an even wiser man learns from the mistakes of others”.
Maybe I'm not the wisest man on earth, and maybe every mistake I learn from will be my own, but I can promise one thing. I'm learning.
If there is one thing I've learned it's that my failures, weakness, struggles or whatever are NEVER bigger than God.
Jesus died on the cross for ALL my sins, and nothing I can do will disqualify me from what he has called me to do.
If there is one thing I can preach with clear conscience it's this: The overwhelming, unrelenting, love of Jesus Christ is stronger than any sin. Christ will never give up on me.
It's times like this I remember
He loves me
He will always love me
He will love me when no one else will love me
and He will love me, even when I don't love myself.
I'm going to start blogging a daily bible study like I did before, starting with the book of Romans.
I'm excited for what God has planned in 2012!
Thanks for reading!
-JDWayt
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