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For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “But the righteous one will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 To be ashamed of something is to be embarrassed by it. Even more so, when we are ashamed to do something it is out of reluctancy, or hesitancy. The apostle Paul was not ashamed of the good news from God, because his perspective of God was too high to be embarrassed. Paul considered God, the first cause of all things, the sustainer of all things, and the purpose of all creation, including salvation (Rom. 11:36). Therefore, when Paul speaks of salvation, it begins and ends with God.

I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. Romans 1:13-15 The spreading of the gospel of God should always include a follow-up. When God empowers His chosen to stand-up in the cause of Christ, we are obligated through our obedience in faith to continue teaching, and promoting their discipleship.

Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2 In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be leader over My people Israel.’” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel, in accordance with the word of the Lord through Samuel. 1 Chronicles 11:1-3 David’s army is now victorious from a long, civil war against forces still loyal to Saul. The Northern Tribes have now united with the Southern Tribes to be counted as “all Israel” under one King, David, who was anointed by God. Likewise, Christians today are united by One King, anointed by God; Jesus Christ. We are united regardless of geography, race, wealth, gender, or social status, while holding the truths of scripture alone to be without equal, and supreme to any other source this side of glory.

Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from the Philistines but fell fatally wounded on Mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines also overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul…6 So Saul died with his three sons, and all those of his house died together. 1 Chronicles 10:1-2, 6 The main theme of Chapter 10 is to introduce the story of David. However, this chapter also brings to the forefront the importance of what God makes known to man, a point of great significance today. Saul had resources available to access the truth from God, specifically through the prophet Samuel. Yet, Saul chose to use other means, as he did with the witch from Endor, resulting in His death, along with His family. We have resources today as well. We have the inspired word of scripture as sufficient for all things of God. We have the Word made flesh in the Christ, Jesus, and His ministry of the gospel. And we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within all who believe. Yet, we like Saul are often tempted to draw upon other secular means of knowing God’s truths, a perilous road to travel to be sure.

Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, 4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 1 Chronicles 1:1-3 These are the first three verses of nine chapters, providing an account of the register of Hebrew kinship. Most readers of scripture, casually breeze by these chapters as irrelevant to the contemporary Christian, and to be blunt; often considered wasted space. However, this detailed list of ancestry, illustrates the infinite nature of God, through His love and patience, resting secure at the heart of the gospel.

To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 The only way to have peace in this life is from the fullness of our sovereign God; Father, Son, and Spirit. However, His grace must be poured out first. A special grace, specific to all He has separated unto Himself. Not the common grace of divine provision, where He causes the sun to rise equally on the good and the evil (Matt. 4:45), but the special grace infused by the Spirit. The Spirit who indwells in every believer, convicting them of sin and of faith, teaching them, and empowering them in the cause of Christ.

To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 What a joyful position, to beloved of God. The hardest, most deserted heart is forever changed by this assurance.

To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 The Greek word Paul uses for “saints” implies a symbolism of someone holy, and separated unto God, as were the Old Testament Israelites. As all who are disciples of Christ, share the promises, and blessings afforded to Israel by God, we too share the title of saint, because God has set us apart, both Jew and Gentile to be His people.

Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:5-6 As Christians we often assume a position concerning obedience of faith, to either one extreme or the other. We will either anoint the two terms as inseparable, or forever separated, neither of which does justice to the text. They should not be separated in fear of one negating the other, as with faith, and works, nor should they be considered inseparable, as God’s grace is a passive outpouring of blessing, void of all human involvement. Rather, obedience and faith provide balance in the cause of Christ. The initiation of our salvation is by grace alone, and through faith alone, which are indeed passive for us, yet we do not remain so. Our Christian lives in sanctification are perpetual, constantly moving in response to God’s will.

John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” Luke 3:16-17 Fire is often the Lord’s chosen instrument of Holy glorification, while at the other times, an instrument of divine destruction. Consequently, the holy fire comes with either intent, the result fully determined by the heart of the one it comes into contact. One will submit in all humility, the other will become hard of heart. One will cry out with joy, the other will shrink in terror. One will see the divine glory of God, while another will view the utter darkness of hell. Rest assured all will taste the burning coal on their lips as Isaiah did, but not all will be cleansed.

John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” Luke 3:16-17 Fire is often the Lord’s chosen instrument of Holy glorification, while at the other times, an instrument of divine destruction. Consequently, the holy fire comes with either intent, the result fully determined by the heart of the one it comes into contact. One will submit in all humility, the other will become hard of heart. One will cry out with joy, the other will shrink in terror. One will see the divine glory of God, while another will view the utter darkness of hell. Rest assured all will taste the burning coal on their lips as Isaiah did, but not all will be cleansed.

Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Leviticus 10:1-2 The setting here, is the consecration of priests, specifically the son’s of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu. During the process, they “offered strange fire before the Lord…” The Hebrew word used in the text for “strange” is Zuwr (Zoor), meaning to turn aside or go astray. As it were, the boys had taken it upon themselves to offer a fire different from what the Lord had commanded. Hence, their offense against God was one of arrogance, and ego, as they presumed their offering would be accepted, even though it was contrary to God’s command. The significance of this example amplifies the importance of our own obedience, and even more so the needed atonement for our own presumptions.