The Stumbling Stone (Romans 9 especially vs 30-31 ESV)

 Curiosity may lead a reader of the letter to the Romans to wonder just to whom this letter was written.  Was it to the Jews?  Was it to the Gentiles?

It may be discovered that the group of Christians in Rome had been mostly of the Gentile variety.  They had been living by the faith that had saved them.  They had been made righteous by that which had not come from following the Halakha (Jewish religious law).  Rather, it had been by faith.  And it was through faith and Holy Spirit's guidance they now lived and led sanctified lives.

At that time Rome had opened up its borders once again to allow Jews who had formerly been expelled by Emperor Claudius around A.D.49.  They began to return roughly around A.D.52.

When returning Christian Jews found the congregation of Gentile believers things got somewhat topsy-turvey.  Confusion about needing to follow the Jewish laws spiked.  Thus, Paul's letter to the Roman believers.

He reminded them that it had been by faith in Jesus Christ that they'd been saved, not by works.  Not by following the Law.  This was part of the stumbling stone and "rock of offense" that needed to be navigated.

Picture someone intentionally placing a stone, not a small one, in the well-worn path hundreds of people filed by everyday, for years and years.  That walkway had been clear, with no serious obstacle for years on end.  Now, suddenly, a stumbling stone appears.

Half asleep morning pedestrians walk by, businessmen and women hurrying, hurrying hurrying by, clutching their briefcases, laptops and coffee, intent on getting to work and almost trip but see the stone last minute, managing to overcome this moring blip.  Even the blindman who traversed this way daily, 'saw it' with his trusty white cane.  He continued unhindered on his way to work.

Then some, at slightly slower pace, engrossed in their phone screens, came along and stumbled over that stone.  Flashes of anger well up, many cursing and kicking that stone.  How dare it be there, distrubing their addictive screen viewings! They finally circumvent the obstruction, and continue on their way in annoyance, huffing, puffing and spluttering.

The Jews of Rome stumbled in much the same way.  It was understandable.  They'd been taught since birth about adhering to all these Laws, as it was the way to righteousness and pleasing God.

But they had accepted Jesus as Savior through faith.  It was difficult though to separate and retrain their minds to give up the Law as a means of being made holy and righteous before God.  It was so very difficult.

Paul graciously leads them through it showing them the stumbling stone.  He could do it because he had gone through all this himself.

Jesus Christ had been the stumbling stone and rock of offense for him and them but now they must be reminded of the very way in which they'd come to Christ in the first place.  It had been through faith and not by works of righteousness.  Right?

It's so true even today, that after many years of thinking one way, having been brought up in one particular culture or another, that it could well clash with God's standards and values of Christian living.

What are the "stumbling stones" for you?  Are they going to trip you up?  We each need to examine them in the light of Scripture and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit if we sincerely want to navigate around the stumbling stones, to live well for Christ.

By God's grace, let's do that.

                                                   ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Romans 9: especially vs 30-31 ESV.

Sing, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, along with Sovereign Grace Music.

The Spirit of Slavery (Romans 8: especially vs 12-16 ESV)

 Fear can make a person a slave.  A slave to whatever or whomever creates the fear within.  Fear that takes hold and controls even our very breath if that were possible.  This can be referred to as

 "the spirit of slavery" (Romans 8:15 ESV).

When a person accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they did NOT receive such a spirit.  It is the Spirit of God and of adoption into God's family we have received.

This Spirit - the Holy Spirit - clicks in our spirit and heart and mind causing us to know and acknowledge God is our father to whom we belong.  We cannot help to cry out to Him,

"Abba!  Father!" (vs 15).

We can be led by this Spirit, knowing then we are "children of God" (vs16).  We have an almighty and powerful Father who has our backs.  We no longer need to have crippling fear nor be slaves to that fear.  With this Spirit of God we can then

 "put to death the deeds of the body" (vs 13 ESV). 

 This frees us to live according to the Spirit rather than be controlled by our fears.

And when those fears begin to raise their ugly heads in our minds and hearts, cry out, "Abba!  Father!"  We remind ourselves to whom we belong, thereby relinguishing the fear and death-giving slavery.  Therefore, we can live.

Let's give all our praise, worship and service to our God and King and Savior Jesus Christ.  We can do so by the empowerment of His Holy Spirit.

Amen.  

So be it.

                                                    ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Romans 8: especially vs 12-16 ESV).

Sing, Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer along with Sovereign Grace Music.

My Mind vs My Flesh (Romans 7:6, 23-25 ESV)

 

Reading through the letter to the Romans feels like one continuous sermon, at least so far.  It is something one has to read slowly and maybe even backtrack to keep the thread of the thoughts before moving forward once again.

It feels like it is difficult to comment upon but it is interesting as it is causing one to use ones' full concentration.  It's a letter one really needs to read through for oneself, too.

It gives life and hope and greater understanding even if one can only grasp tidbits with ones' fingertips.  But thank God we can begin to understand this new way of life through the Holy Spirit helping us to live by the Spirit and to serve the Lord, not by following a set of rules (although they are good rules) but

 "to do so through keeping in step with the Holy Spirit" (see Romans 7:6 ESV).

In this way we can be fed with the meat of the word of God and

 "delight in the law of God, in [our] inner being" ( vs 21).

And do you ever feel wishy-washy or yo-yo like?  First you feel like you can do this Christian life of discipline with the Lord's strength and then you fail?

It's good to know that a stalwart mighty man of God like the Apostle Paul was battling this struggle too.  But it wasn't really that he or we are yo-yo's.  He explained it like this,

" ... but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members" (Romans 7:23 ESV).

Paul despairs some, but then gives God thanks, that through Jesus Christ our Lord we get help.  He acknowledges that he serves,

" ... the law of God with [his] mind, but with [his] flesh [he] serves the law of sin" (Romans 7:25 ESV).

And then we get the breath of fresh air as we skip into Romans 8 ...

We are no longer condemned by this, at least for those of us who are "in Christ Jesus".

We have been set free through the Spirit of life in Christ.  Thus when we keep in step more consciously, as we walk humbly in the fear of the Lord, we are empowered to choose to walk aright, despite the struggle.  May God's Word and His Spirit shape our mind, heart and life.

Lord, help us all.  Amen.

                                              ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Romans 7 especially vs 6, 23-25 ESV.

Sing, Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me, along with City Alight.

Alive in Christ (Romans 6:17-19 & 22 ESV)

 When God formed Adam out of the dust, Adam was still inert.  That is, until God

 "breathed into [Adam's] nostrils the breath of life and man became a living creature" (Genesis 2:7 ESV).

Before that breath of life entered into Adam's nostrils, he was body and soul and spirit.  Yet the spirit was not yet alive.  He only became "a living creature" when God's breath entered into his nostrils.

Mankind is body, soul and spirit.  This is different than the animal kingdom.  Our pets and safari beasts, birds of the air and the fish of the sea have body and soul.  Only mankind, whether male or female are body, soul and spirit.

But the instant Adam sinned, he died.  You may argue - no he didn't.  He lived to be 930 years old (see Genesis 5:5).  I tell you, it was not his body that died that day.  It was his spirit.

Ever since then any human baby in the womb and then born, has a dead spirit in their body and soul.  We all become 

"slaves of sin" (Romans 6:17).  

We cannot help ourselves.

No penance or atoning action on our part can ever make our spirit alive.  We can only be set free from sin and its consequences through our faith in the free gift of God He bought for us through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.

Jesua paid the penalty for our sin.  That sin that caused dead spirits within us.  And praise God, the instant we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells us. The slave chains of sin are broken and fallen off and be become new creatures in Christ.

The Holy Spirit breathes into us the "breath of life" and we become new creatures in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).  Our spirits become alive once again.  No longer are we slaves to sin but 

"have become slaves of God" (see Romans 6:22).

We can now

 "present our members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification"           (Romans 6:19).  

This is because we are now united with Jesus and spiritually reborn - a new creation                    (2 Cor. 5:17).

We have been set free from sin.  We are new in Christ.  Our spirits are alive.  Now we must show the fruit of this, living sanctified lives.  The Holy Spirit and God's Word providing the guidance as our souls (the mind, will and emotions) choose to do what's right in God's eyes.

                                                 ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Romans 6:17-19 and 22 ESV).

Sing, Alive In Christ, along with Reawaken.

True Power (Romans 5:6-11 ESV)

 Power is often shown off in plays that attempt to boost the ego and of the one displaying their body built bodies, or the beauty on their faces and the like.  People vainly try to show how strong they are and they dont' need anyone's help.   They get rather defensive to preserve the illusion.

We don't like others to see our weaknesses and limitations.  Some people's are more obvious, like a person on crutches or sitting in a wheelchair.  I mean NO offense to anyone in such situations.

I'm just saying, even supposedly "able bodied" folks desparately want to cover any flaws.  But we are all human beings and therefore we are weak.  We have been weak since Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden.

Once we can acknowledge our weaknesses, flaws, and sinfulness, that's exactly when we can get the help we so desparately need. Did you know it?

"For while we were still weak (or without strength [KJV]), at the right time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6 ESV)

Did you get that?

" ... while we were still weak ..."

This is when Christ scooped in and fulfilled His act of being able to justify us, to die for our sin, weaknesses and limitations.  He did so to give us His strength and righteousness.  He is our true 'power source,' if you will.

We were sinners and ungodly and without strength. 

 "But God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 ESV).

If you read through the whole chapter 5 of Romans, you'll see short phrases that read, "much more," or "much more than" and even the single word, "abounded."

"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (see v. 20).

These superlatives acknowledge we are weak but that our Almighty God who is always strong, sent us the One, His only begotten Son, Jesus, to give us His strength.  When through faith in Christ and His death, we accept this gift, we then become empowered through His Holy Spirit who then indwells us.

He gives us His strength to lean on.  We don't have to go it alone.

"Much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God" (v. 9).

"...much more, now that we are reconciled, shall wbe saved by His life" (V. 10).

"...much more than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ ..."        (v. 11).

Let's be glad and rejoice "much more" that we, by God's grace, can be made strong.  This is true power and it is measureless and never gets exhausted.

All glory be to God.

                                                 ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Romans 5:6-11 ESV.

Sing, Lord, My Rock, My Redeemer, along with Sovereign Grace Music.

Unwavering Faith (Romans 4:13-25 ESV)

 

About Abraham ...

"He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body ... No unbelief made him waver ... but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced ... his faith was "counted to him (imputed KJV) as righteousness" (Romans 4:19-20 ESV).

When you look at some of the verbs there, it emphasizes how solid Abraham's faith had been. 

 "He did not weaken" 

followed by 

"no unbelief made him waver,"

 then 

"he grew strong in faith". 

 

How did he do that?  By 

"giving glory to God."  

He was fully convinced God would keep His promise to Him, despite all the impossible odds against an heir being apparent.  What's more is that this heir was not just Isaac his son, but through him and his faith, would come the

 "heir of the world" (vs. 13)!  

How profound is that!

No challenge is too great for God!  

"With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19"26).

When we see our health weaken, when we have obvious limitations in any other capacity, we too can be fully convinced that God keeps His promises.

The promise God made to Abraham was that he'd have a son by Sarah.  Both were in their old age.  Sarah had been barren even in her younger child-bearing years and now you expect her to bear a child!?  Incredulous.

But Abraham believed God.  It was

 "counted/imputed to him as righteousness" (see vs 22).

The emphasis is on Abraham's belief.  That is, versus unbelief.  Will we believe God and His promises?  Will we grow strong in our faith in Jesus despite all odds, even by giving glory to God when things look bleak otherwise?

Let us believe 

"in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord.  He lived and died for our tresspasses and raised for our justification" ( vs 23-25).

Believe in this salvation that it is by faith not by whatever good deeds and works we may be doing as penance or in hope to achieve getting into God's good books.

That is not how God works.

"By grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV).

Furthermore, Abraham lived by faith and then showed it by his works (vs 4).  His spirit knew within him how he needed to live and whom he needed and could trust.  In so doing he became

 "the father of all who believe ..." (vs 11).

May we each be encouraged to have unwavering faith in our loving, heavenly Father God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Cling on to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of such a man of solid faith as Abraham.  May we too grow in grace and in faith by giving you glory and honor; living our lives to please You, serving You with our whole hearts, and that trust in You and Your promises that You will bring us Home to Yourself in Your good timing.  May we ever be faithful and cling to Jesus all the days of our lives until Jesus comes.  Perhaps today.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

                                                      ~  ERC  April  2026  ~

Based on Romans 4:13-25 ESV.

Sing, My Hope is Built On Nothing Less, along with Sovereign Grace Music.

Reaching Out to You (Romans 3:1-8, 21-31 ESV)

 Growing up in a Christian family will have its advantages.  The offspring learn from early age, all the deportment of a Christain.  If they abide by it, they do have better shelter from harmful things. That's generally speaking.  Some Christian families may not behave as Christian as you might think they should, however.

But, again, that's all generally speaking, and the children know it all in their heads.  It certainly doesn't mean they have it all in their hearts.  So some of them kick against it in resistance and rebellion.  

Then they may feel guilt for this reaction and become angry and even bitter and so turn away from their roots.  Even so, I believe that generally speaking, much of what was taught, does stick and govern their lives in unaccountable ways, even subconsciously.  I know.  I was one of them.  At times, that resistance can still flair up.

These thoughts struck me as being parallel in many ways in which Paul describes the advantages the Jews had over the Gentiles, in Romans 3.  The Jews claimed the oracle of God for themselves, as if they'd had a monopoly on them.  But they did not know that they were the 'trustees' - if you will - of The Law and the Prophets (Old Testament).  And even though they were not necessarily following it all from the heart or the head, they were not willing to share it with others.  They got violent at even slight mentions of any such thing happening (read the book of Acts for more details of this).

Paul is addressing some of this and trying to get his audience to undersand.  Justification can come not just through the law but more importantly through faith.

"All have sinned" (vs 23), 

not just the Jews and not just the Gentiles.  All.  All mankind,

"fall short of the glory of God" (vs 23).

Therefore, all,

"are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus ..." (vs 24).

Yes, it came to the Jews first, but God meant His gift of salvation for all, for the "whosoever will" (see John 3:16), who would believe in Jesus, by faith (vs 28).

So whether we have grown up in a Chriustian family or not in today's world, it is still, "by faith" that we enter into God's family through Jesus.

It still has to come voluntarily from the will and heart of a person.  It is not by religiously following a creed or set of laws but through faith in Jesus Christ and His offer of salvation.

Those of us who have grown up in Christian families ... let's not throw out the baby with the bath water.  We may have observed many inconsistancies and hyporcrisy in our own family or among the church people you've met.  There's something called, "progressive sanctification" that each and every believer in Jesus Christ needs to be responsibly and pro-actively aware.  If we are not living by faith, if we are not walking in step with the Holy Spirit, living a disciplined Christian life, there will be those who do not live to please the Lord.  The product of that is the hypocrisy you've endured and even felt disgusted and disgruntled by.  This is sad fact.

We need to search our own hearts and lives and see where we are out of line.  Let's not throw out everything we've been brought up immersed in, let's break free of those bonds though that don't add up. Set our own course accordingly and live to please the Lord by the power of His might and Holy Spirit empowerment.

I reach out especially to those who have grown up in Christian families and have been almost totally immersed in a Christian community all their lives.  It can be tough finding our way then through non-Christian territory.  But I'd encourage you to spend time with the Lord and listen for His voice.  He'll steer us right when we heed His guidance.  

May our Lord be near and dear to you.  I ask in Jesus' name, amen.

                                            ~  ERC  April 2026   ~

Based on Romans 3:1-8, 21-31 ESV.

Sing, Christus Victor, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.