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.

Made in the Image of God

 What does it mean?  This being made in the image of God, what is it all about?

Well, it's important to know this, to get it into our minds because then it affects our thinking and actions for the good and better of those who understand it.  But we need to go back to God's word to check it out.

In Genesis 1:27 we're told,

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created Him; male and female He created them" (ESV).

Made in the image of God ...

What is an image?

When we look into the mirror we see ourself. It is only an image or picture of ourself, it is not our real self.  Pinch your cheeks now, feel it?  That's you, yourself.  What you see in the mirror or in a selfie is the image of you.

So how is it that we are an image of God?

Some people think we Christians worship and serve three gods.  But I say, no, that's not correct.  We worship and serve only the one true God and Jesus Christ His Son.  Know that God is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  The Almighty, Supreme Being who is God with three persons or maybe it can be understood as 'roles'.

Take your Mother, for instance.  She was first a daughter.  How she relates to her parents is one way.  Then she got married and became a wife.  She relates to her husband in another way that is different from how she relates to her parents.  Then she had you, and perhaps other children too.  Now she is a Mother.  She relates to you, her son or  daughter differently than how she relates to her husband which is again, different to how she relates to her parents.  She is only one person but she has three roles or functions, shall we say.

God the Father is the mastermind to the plan of creation and the plan of salvation.  God the Son, who is Jesus, is the one who implemented the plan. He spoke and the world and all that in it is, appeared.  God the Holy Spirit, hovered over all like a life-giving agent.  He is one Being and each role was initiated differently and accordingly.  

You could perhaps get out a triangular hanger and see the three sides of it as being a representation of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.  If you take one arm away, the hanger will not function well, it will be weak and shaky.  So too, one cannot separate God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  They cannot be separated.

Go boil an egg until it is hard boiled.  You have a whole egg there, right?  Well, remove the shell.  Is the egg still whole?  No.  The shell has been separated away.  Now remove the egg white.  You are left then with the yolk that is separated from the rest.  If you hold up the shell, or the white or the yolk, you no longer have a whole egg.  Correct, or not?  The three parts have been separated and can not be put back together again, like Humpty Dumpty who had had a great fall.  All the pieces cannot be put together again.

But, God, despite His three persons, cannot be separated, at all.  We serve one God.

At creation, God formed human kind last of all and installed them (Adama and Eve) in the beautiful Garden of Eden.  He then told Adam (and Eve), 

"Don't eat of the tree of the knowledged of good and evil because in the day you do you will surely die" (Genesis 2:16 ESV).

But Adam did disobey and he did eat of that tree's fruit.  But he did not instantly die.  We read that he lived to be 930 years old (Genesis 5:5).

So how?  Was God lying?

No.

This is the part we're coming to where we can realize more fully about being made in the image of God, and how valuable we are to Him.

As you know from reading above, God is three in one:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Mankind has three parts too.  They are body, soul and spirit.  This makes them different than the animal kingdom.  Our pets, zoo animals and those in the wild all have only a body and a soul.

The body is easy to understand:  arms, legs, hair, liver, heart, the seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, touch, and the like.   Our soul is the mind, will and emotions.  The will says, "I do not want this or that" or "I want!"  The emotions are sad, happy, tired, angry, depressed and so on.  The mind thinks it all.  Our spirit, on the other hand is the part of the human being that is God-conscious.  That niggling part of us that knows there's God even if we do not wish to admit it.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart ..." (Ecclesastes 3:11 NIV).

'Eternity' in the human heart.  God is the Eternal one.  

None of this was said about the animal kingdom (including the birds, insects, fish, etc).  Nothing about eternity, nor the spirit.

When God formed Adam out of the dust of the earth, we read this about what the Lord God did.  He,

" ... formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature ..." (Genesis 2:7 ESV).

God's 'breath of life' was breathed into Adam.  He had just been a lump of formed clay lying there.  But then the breath of life came and Adam got up and walked around.  He was now a "living creature".

Maybe you can picture this if you blow into a balloon.  That is your breath of life filling the balloon.  Not that we human beings are balloons, of course.  Ha, ha.  But for Adam, God's breath of life was life giving.

God made us special, differently from the animal kingdom.  I believe this shows us that we have value in God's eyes.  We are very important to to Him.  In fact He calls us His jewels or treasured possessions (see Malachi 3:17 KJV/ESV).

It is important to realize this because, every single baby in its mother's womb is also precious.  These babies have also been made in the image of God, whether or not it has been born.

Born or unborn, both are precious in God's sight because the human being has been made in the image of God.  Each human life needs to be protected.

So how does this make you feel?

You are of value to God.  Even when other people put you down and make you feel as small as an ant or cockroach to squish you under their feet, know in your heart and mind that you are NOT that.  Cling tightly on to this knowledge.  You are God's treasured possession!

To continue the story ...

Adam had his body, soul and then spirit.  His spirit was innocent.  He had not yet sinned.  He could sin or he could choose not to sin, though.  He was still innocent.  But he disobeyed God and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Adam sinned.  Instantly, his spirit died.  

It is like someone took a pin and popped the balloon.  

His spirit did not leave but it died.  Every single baby born after this was was born with a dead spirit. 

And this is where Jesus comes in again.  God's mastermind plan of salvation was carried out by Jesus.  He came to earth, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, was resurrected and then ascending into Heaven.  He is alive.

Any and all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are then indwelt by His Holy Spirit.  This is like getting that breath of life breathed into our nostrils.  Our spirit is revived and we become new creatures in Christ - alive in Christ.   Jesus did this for us.  He did not die for animals, but for human beings.

He has given us forgiveness of sins, eternal life, our spirits made alive.  Now we can glorify God in the right way.  We can build our relationship with Him and make it strong because His Holy Spirit helps us to live to please Jesus, and to reflect God's holiness.  

Why?

Because we have been made in the image of God.

It's important to know this and to believe it.  

May every last person who reads this realize it.

I ask it in Jesus' name, amen.

                                                 ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Genesis 1:27, 2:16, 5:5, 2:7 ESV, and Betsy Fletcher's explanations for children video.

Sing, In the Image of God,  along with Perkantas Jakarta.

God's Kindness (Romans 2:1-11 ESV, esp vs 4)

 

If only we would allow God's kindness and goodness, His forbearance and His patience to seep into our souls.  If only ... His kindness might lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4 ESV).

We cannot presume upon them.  We need to have a holy life.  We need lives that do not insist on doing wrong, especially all that list of them as we read in Romans 1.  When we know what's right and pleasing to the Lord but keep

 "hard and impenitent hearts" (vs 5), 

 insisting we can slander, envy, be deceitful, and use our bodies in ways they were not designed to be used, (read more about the ungodly and unrighteous way of living from Romans 1:18, 28-32) there will be not change for good in our lives.  And definitely do not say, 

"everyone else is doing it!  So why not me?"

If we purport to be followers of Jesus Christ we need to honor God with our lives.  The Apostle Paul was telling the Roman letter recipients thoroughly of these things.

When we know to do right but do not do it, it damages our souls.  Let's yearn for and after God's kindness so we will be led to repentance and find honor and peace from Him.

As Billy Graham has been attributed with having said,

"God won't trespass on your will but He will warn you in many ways about your way."

May we seek repentance and to do what's right in God's eyes because we have been led to this point by His goodness and kindness.  He is patiently waiting for us. 

Lord, teach us Your ways and to follow in Your footsteps until You call us Home.

                                               ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Romans 2:1-11 esp vs 4 ESV.

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

                                              

Lord's Day Devotion - "Welcome Home" Light

 Lighthouses are beautiful and picturesque, standing straight and tall, and often alone.  They don't let vanity go to their heads though.  Lighthouses let their lights shine out so those at sea may see.

That is their function and purpose so that hopefully, passing ships are not wrecked on reefs, rocks and the like.  We could also say, they are "welcoming home" beacons.

Jesus called Himself the Light of the world.  He said:

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12 ESV).

He is our Lighthouse.  He is the whole world's Lighthouse.  If only all would be guided by Him to come safely ashore to receive His offer of salvation.

Many of us have.

In turn now, He has purposed us, His followers, to be the light of the world so that our generations will

 "not walk in darkness but have the light of life."

He says in Matthew 5:16,

"... let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16 ESV).

We may often feel 'alone' in our shine-ing but we can still be as resolute as a lighthouse, welcoming others home to the safe arms of Jesus.  We can stand straight and tall for the Lord, remembering our function and purpose so that we give God glory and draw others to Christ Jesus - The Light of the World.

Let's remember Jesus our Savior, our Light, as we partake of the broken bread this Lord's Day and drink of the  cup of wine in rmemberance of his death and resurrection for us, and His having been our Light that brought us out of darkness.

Praise You Jesus, for showing up the safe route by being Light for us.  Thank You.  Amen.

                                                 ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 5:16 and John 8:12 ESV.

Sing, The Light of the World is Jesus, along with N Crew.

In the Same Breath (Romans 1:28-32 ESV)

 " ... to do what ought not to be done  ... though they know God's righteous decree ..." (Romans 1:28 & 32 ESV).

More and more I've seen and experienced this.  And I believe that many of us will be able to acknowledge that even in our own hearts there are roots of this.  We know in our heads what's right in God's eyes but we cast it aside to do what we ought not.

And it's easy to point at others because of the pronouns used in these verses:  "they," "they," and "they," multiple times.  So this does not include "me," right?  Ha, ha.  We need to think again.

It is good to examine ourselves in God's mirror.  He equates several ugly things in one sentence.  Read verses 29 and 30.

To name some of those 'ugly' things there's:   covetousness, envy and gossip that don't seem quite so bad as murder and maliciousness.  Do they?

Yet God says them all in one breath.  Many of the so-called, in our sight, "lesser evils" may well be the kindling and spark that set off a chain reaction lighting fire to the others.

When we allow our minds to become "debased," not acknowledging God and the ways we have been taught - perhaps since birth if one so happens to have been raised in a Christian family -  then God

 "gives the person up" 

to his own desires.

God doesn't force anyone.

We get to choose and if it's the wayward way, away from God's standards and values, then He will let the person go.  That's what they wanted.

Until ...until there's repentance.  There is still hope of reconciliation although one may still have to bear some of the consequences of our own bad earlier choices.

The verses at the outset of this article are what really concern me.  Because those of us who have lived in the Christian community since birth and/or have been Christians for decades, we know a lot about God, Jesus and living the 'right' way according to His standards and values.  It's A LOT of knowledge.

But do we have understanding?  Do we have it in our heart?  Do we live it?  This is what I ask myself.

And if I gossip, become haughty or boastful, I have to remember that in the same breath, God equates insolence and murder, heartless and the ruthless people.

It is a serious thought.  Let's humbly confess to our Lord and Savior, the areas we need to sincerely address.  Come before Him on our knees, in contrite repentance.  If we confess, He'll forgive (see 1 John 1:9).

"In all our ways, let's acknowledge Him,"

and keep close to Him, walking in His ways, not to be meaninglessly rote, but from sincerity of heart (see Proverbs 3:6)

Lord, we, Your followers, know that Your Holy Spirit indwells us and that we are God's temple of Your Holy Spirit.  Help us to be more conscious of His presence in and with us, so that we live aright and please You.  I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, Amen.

                                                    ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Romans 1:28-32 ESV and 1 Corhinthians 3:16 ESV.

Sing, What Your Are, Speaks So Loud, along with Selah Music.

HAIKU - Sinners To Saints (Romans 1:1-15 ESV)

 He wrote it in a 

letter.  Gentle splashes of

faith encouraged.  Splash!

Called to belong to 

Jesus Christ.  You are His and 

He is yours.  For sure!

He chose us.  We chose

Him.  We belong to Jesus.

Splash!  Chosen, in Christ.

Loved by God.  Called to

be saints.  Saved by grace.  Our stand-

-ing in God's sight.  Splash!

Sinners to saints, by faith

in Jesus Christ.  Now build and

Establish that faith.

Rooted.  Grounded.  Faith

built.  Grown gently or by storm.

Strengthened, wave by wave.

Splash!  Time for fruit.

Faith plus works, produced in time,

Unfaltering walk.

Gentle splashes.  Walk

it.  Talk it.  Write it.  Mail it.

Intentional splash. 

       ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Romans 1:1-15 ESV.

Sing, By Faith, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Gentle Splashes (Romans 1 ESV)

 

It is exceptionally delightful to receive snail mail.  It is something we can have and hold in our hands but this form of communication is becoming more and more obsolete.  However, when we do receive such correspondance we get a realization that our friend has put extra effort into connecting with us as a deliberate and intentional act of communication.  It is wonderful!

And it costs more in time, energy and money to buy pen, paper, envelop and a stamp, and then to drive or walk to the post office to mail it.  This is in contrast to email, and digital text messaging and the like.

When I read the opening salutation the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, all the above flashed through my mind.  He didn't write nonsense either.  It was a continuous cascade of care that came in splashes or pherhaps, waves; the next one and the next one slightly stronger, yet still gentle.  I suppose you could call them, "gentle splashes".

He told them they were,

"called to belong to Jesus Christ" (v.6).

That in itself would be like being picked first for a team to play village baseball, or soccor.  It makes you feel great.  Paul reminds them of which team they belonged - the best team - Jesus Christ's.

You are called too.  We just have to choose to belong as the Roman believers had chosen.

Paul also said they were

 "loved by God"

and were

 "called to be saints".  

These descriptions are endearing.  They remind us of our standing in God's eyes.

We were sinners, saved by grace, and now we can call ourselves "saints".  We are saints, having been saved by grace.  We can stand up straight and declare it because we are

 "loved by God."

Then, this letter didn't arrive to bash the Roman believers on the head.  No.

I picture Paul standing up in a manner to bless them, arms outstretched, like Aaron the High Priest of yore, to bless the Israelites.  Only now I see Paul doing so over these believers, in writing.  And he says,

"Grace to you ..." (vs 7).

He adds,

"and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (vs 7).

Grace, getting more than we deserve and the peace of God, which passes all understanding cocooning them.

Then he thanks God for these Roman believers, for their faith.  Their faith was not hid in a corner either.  It was 

"spoken of throughout the whole world" (v. 8 KJV).

This would be like the caliber of Billy Graham's faith.  Even some non-Christians know his name.  Graham's faith and testimony was tried and true.

When was the last time you have heard of such a person?  But I don't think we have to have world-wide reknown in order to call it faith.  Each of us in our own niche, personally and even in our usual environment and with our contacts, it would be a wonderful, Christian resume though to be known for our faith in Jesus Christ.  We'd be like a living letter to all.

Paul was confident in recognizing these believers' faith.  Further to this but not contingent upon, is that he

 "mentioned them always in his prayers" (vs 9 KJV).

He wanted to see them.  He hoped to see them.  He "longed" to see them (see vs 11).  But not just for the fellowship.  He wanted to continue to build them up in their most holy faith.  

It's good if our intent and influence can do this for others.  Are you a mentor for anyone?  It's wonderful to be able to catch up with those we mentor but to make our meetings have extra 'nourishment,' we intentionally do as Paul wished to do for the Roman saints.  He wrote,

"For I long to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established" (v11) in ther mutual faith (KJV).

To be "established" and "strengthened" is a necessasry construct.  We may or may not have world reknown faith, but if it falters at a breath of wind breezing by, how strong is that faith?  We will not be able to withstand the typhoons of life.  We need to build our faith to an unshakeable degree and this often comes at the point of adversity.  Will we still cling on to the Lord?

Paul's concern for these saints is then noted by his words.  hHe wanted them established, not just so the world would brag about it.  No, he wanted them to have

 "fruit among them" (vs 13 KJV).

Because, as you see,

"Faith without works is dead" (James 2:14-26).

So we too need all of these:  faith, established and strengthened faith, and fruit.  We need to grow in our Christian living.  Deeper roots, greater nourishment from the Scriptures and congregating with other saints to help build each other up.  Then to produce fruit due to our unfaltering faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul had not been talking off the top of his head either, and these Roman saints knew it.  If we have been reading through the book of Acts before starting in Romans, we will realize this too.  Paul walked the talk.

May we each be so encourage to follow suit.  It is by God's grace we stand.  Let us walk by faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:7).  Let's be a letter written and known among men.   May we each know gentle splashes of care by other believers in Christ too.  May we also show our care of other and write them a letter, signed, sealed, stamped and posted.

So be it, Lord.

                                                   ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Romans 1:1-15 ESV/KJV.

Sing, We Walk By Faith, along with Marty Haugen.