Tag: Romans 5:8

No Partiality

Continuing to break new ground in the early church, the Holy Spirit reveals the next stage of God’s unfolding plan in Acts 10.  This chapter pivots from Saul back to Peter, who has an unusual meeting with a Roman Centurion named Cornelius that heralds a significant shift in the early Church. When the Jewish apostle and the God-fearing Gentile meet face to face, there’s no doubt it’s been divinely ordained. Recognizing God’s hand at work, Peter explains what the Lord has shown him: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34b-35, NIV)

Luke’s narrative continues, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” (Acts 10:44-46, NIV)

“With one simple act, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter shows that in the kingdom of God there is no favoritism—the gospel is for everyone.”1 While we may see this story as a significant turning point in our Church history, it also has relevant application for believers today. Jesus’ brother James writes: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” (James 2:8-9, NIV)

The call to love our neighbors as ourselves appears nine times in Scripture. However, there are moments when we opt out of this command and rationalize our choice to do so. While we may not like admitting it, none of us is without blind spots and unconscious biases. Rather than denying this, we can honor the Lord by asking Him to show us attitudes that dishonor Him and discount others. 

If we’re honest, there are certain people we avoid because of behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles that we dislike, disagree with, or find distasteful. Beyond obvious differences in race, socioeconomic status, or education, we also make more subtle judgements about others.

It’s natural for people to be drawn to those who are similar and to keep their distance from individuals who cause them to feel awkward, threatened, or uncomfortable. But when partiality shows up in those who follow Jesus, we must admit it and invite the Spirit’s guidance on making healthy changes. While it differs from person to person, here are a few examples that come to mind:

-People who hold different political views. That person who proudly supports a candidate, party, or issue that makes your blood boil is still worthy of God’s love. Jesus’ original twelve disciples included two who were polar opposites politically: “Jesus chose Simon the Zealot, a man who likely desired to forcibly remove the Roman government, and He also chose Matthew, a tax collector working for the Roman government. Both Simon and Matthew, though natural enemies, were part of the Twelve.”2 Two men with opposite political stances put aside their differences through a shared love of Jesus. Like them, we must keep our strong opinions in check and love people regardless of their political affiliations.

-People contending with issues that you don’t understand or haven’t experienced. Maybe it’s the parent of a child with a severe disability. Perhaps it’s a parent with a child struggling with sexual identity or gender dysphoria. Maybe it’s someone with an addiction or mental illness. Often people who are anxious, depressed, or in distress don’t have the energy for good social skills. Sometimes we find it easier to avoid those who have struggles that make us uncomfortable rather than listening, showing kindness, and seeking understanding. 

-People who seem shallow or disinterested in spiritual life. Perhaps there’s someone in your circle of acquaintances who prioritizes fun and socializing above all else. Maybe it’s a person who is always the life of the party or seems to lack depth of character. They hide their hurts and needs behind a broad smile, a boisterous laugh, and deflecting humor. When we judge and dismiss them, we’re keeping the Lord from using us to show them His love. 

-People who have made choices we don’t understand. Maybe it’s someone who leaves a spouse. Rather than reaching out to offer support, we hold back with subtle disapproval. Without knowing the story, we’ve already decided they are doing wrong. Instead of showing compassion or seeking understanding, our avoidance compounds feelings of loneliness or rejection they’re already experiencing; we alienate them from the supportive community of faith they need most.

When we’re quick to judge and draw conclusions based on what we see on the outside of another person, we’re displaying partiality. Maybe, like me, you fear that showing support communicates approval of sins. Perhaps you think withholding affection and warmth equates with maintaining high moral standards. Doing this means missing the opportunity to show God’s love when a person is struggling and feeling alone.

Although not everything described above equates with sin, most of us find certain sins more acceptable than others. But it’s important to remember that God sees all sin as worthy of death (Romans 6:23). We magnify other’s shortcomings and forget that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NIV). This makes us prideful, condescending, and judgmental, overlooking Scripture’s assertion that “mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13b, NIV) We must humbly remember “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV) So, we’d be wise to take off the judge’s robes and leave that job to the Lord (Luke 6:37). God’s kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4) so, our passion should be to share His kindness without partiality. He doesn’t show favoritism, so let’s pray for eyes to see those we may be discounting that the Lord is calling us to love.

  • 1. Acts Part One: The Gospel Goes Out, The Village Church, 2019, 92.
  • 2. https://www.gotquestions.org/Zealots-Bible.html

Was this forwarded to you? Want to receive new posts automatically in your inbox? Go to www.marybethmccullum.com, enter your e-mail address and click “subscribe.”

What Would You Say?

My college roommates and I have an annual tradition of meeting for a weekend away together. Over time, we’ve embraced certain rituals like enjoying leisurely meals and staying up late talking. Another tradition we love is choosing a favorite item to bring and share as a gift to the others. Last year I couldn’t wait to give them a book that impacted me significantly. As they scanned the table of contents, I was giddy sharing about all the ways I’d benefited from what I learned.

Maybe you’ve experienced a similar dynamic. When you find something beneficial to you, you’re enthusiastic about passing it along to others. Why is it, though, that we don’t always have the same exuberance when it comes to telling people about the good news of Jesus? There are many explanations, but I think one is that we just don’t know what to say.

In her Bible study 20/20. Seen. Chosen. Sent., Christine Caine highlights this by asking, “Could you walk someone through the truth of the gospel?” (page 151) She goes on to explain, “If the sole purpose of salvation is to go to heaven when we die, then wouldn’t it be more merciful of Jesus if, after He saved us, He took us home immediately? But we have a purpose to fulfill here on earth. We are the sent ones commissioned to go into all the world and proclaim His good news.” (page 152)

Her words echo Jesus’ teaching known as the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 18:19-20, NIV)

This reminds me of a young businessman named Bill Bright who heard the message of the gospel and began a personal relationship with Jesus. As his faith grew, he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. Jesus’ words in the Great Commission compelled Bright to tell the good news to anyone who would listen. Eventually, he dedicated his life to sharing the gospel and to training others to do the same by founding Campus Crusade for Christ International in 1951. Now known simply as “Cru,” the ministry focuses on sharing the good news about Jesus on college campuses around the world.

Soon after founding Cru, Bill Bright realized that many believers were unable to communicate the gospel succinctly. So, using skills he’d acquired in the business world, he set out to write a clear and simple explanation of the good news that others could learn to share. As a lover of science, Bright decided to make a comparison between physical laws that govern the universe (such as the law of gravity), and spiritual laws that govern our relationship with God. He created a simple document called The Four Spiritual Laws that helped to communicate the gospel to non-believers. It also gave Christians a roadmap for sharing the good news of Jesus with others. If you’ve ever struggled to find the right words for sharing the hope of Jesus, Bright’s tool might be helpful for you to learn. Here’s an overview of it:

Law 1: God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10b

Law 2: People are sinful and separated from God. Therefore, we can’t experience God’s love and plan for our lives.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Law 3: Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin. Through Him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life.

-He died in our place, paying the penalty for our sin: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

-He rose from death: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-6

-He is the only way to God: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6

Law 4: We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” John 1:12

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Every person can receive Christ by faith by saying a simple prayer like this:

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You and my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

Bill Bright’s passion led him to share the gospel, disciple, and train thousands of people. Today, Cru has ministries in 5300 locations on college campuses in addition to ministries reaching a variety of other people groups worldwide.

Will you follow Bill Bright’s example and learn to share the gospel so you can participate in fulfilling the Great Commission? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower and lead you to others who are hungry for the hope found in Jesus.

For a deeper dive into understanding the Four Spiritual Laws, check out these four posts in my “Faith Foundations” series:  

God Loves You

The Problem of Sin

Jesus is the Only Way

Accept Jesus Personally

For more information on Cru visit their website.

For more inspiration, check out Bill Bright’s biography Amazing Faith

Christine Caine, 20/20. Seen. Chosen. Sent., Lifeway Press, 2019.

One Way

Neatly pressed tablecloths rustled as we walked past them on the way to our table. Starched napkins stood at attention flanked by place settings arranged with perfect symmetry. The hostess smiled as she showed us to our seats and handed us menus. A wall of windows nearby gave us a perfect view of the pristine beach where the club’s lounge chairs and umbrellas were stationed in neat rows. Beyond them, the Pacific Ocean gleamed as the sun sank low on the horizon. Although I’d seen the exclusive beach club from a distance many times, I’d never had the privilege of stepping inside it before. I felt honored to be there.

At the time, I was in college and had been invited to a birthday dinner for a friend whose parents belonged to the club. Because of her, I’d been allowed access to all of the amenities enjoyed by the members. As her guest, the staff treated me warmly and attentively.  I felt welcomed, included, and accepted, at least for the night.  I knew full well that if I’d returned the next evening on my own, I wouldn’t have been allowed past the front door.

Have you ever had a glimpse into an exclusive place that you knew you couldn’t gain access to on your own? Ever known that your only way to get acceptance was riding on the coat tails of someone with more clout than you?

Well, if you know how that feels, then I have good news for you: God made it possible for you to gain access to the one place that is more exclusive than any other.  It is a place reserved only for those who are perfect, holy and sinless. Anyone without these qualifications would simply be destroyed. Where is this place, you ask? It is in the presence of God for eternity.

Romans 5:8 explains our pitiful state and God’s solution to it: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  And Jesus says it clearly in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Lysa TerKuerst explains, “There is an exclusivity to this phrase, similar to John 10:7-9 where Jesus refers to Himself as the Sheep Gate. Jesus doesn’t come to show a ‘better’ way. There is no other way. There is one way, and that way is simply and solely through Christ.” (Finding I Am, p. 124)

In our pluralistic society, saying there is only one way to connect with God is outlandish and even offensive to some people.  The irony, however, is that God’s grace makes the Christian faith more inclusive than any other religion.  God knew His standard of perfection could never be reached by sinful humans. No matter how “good” we try to be, we will never be good enough to “earn” a place in heaven.  In human terms, this makes God’s “club” the most exclusive ever, with no one being allowed entrance. And yet, because of His desire to be in relationship with us, God made a way into His exclusive “club” through His Son, Jesus. For anyone seeking a direct relationship with God and hoping for eternal life in His presence, Jesus is the only conduit.  All we have to do is admit we need Him to save us from our sins. This is God’s grace, His free gift to us. Anything “good” we do after we accept Christ is simply an expression of our gratitude, not an act done to earn God’s love or to rack up spiritual brownie points.

Thinking back to that night I was a guest at the beach club, I smile as I remember the name of the friend who took me there: Grace. Just as my relationship with her enabled me to experience the pleasure and privilege of her parents’ exclusive club, a relationship with Jesus enables us to receive the joy and honor of knowing His Father.  This happens through God’s grace; His unmerited favor that we don’t deserve. Anyone that comes to God through His son receives grace, forgiveness of sins and acceptance into His family. He is indeed, the one true God who made a way to be inclusive despite His exclusivity.

The song “One True God” by Steven Curtis Chapman elaborates on this idea and uses some key phrases from Scripture to show Jesus as the one true path to salvation.

Lysa TerKeurst, Finding I Am: How Jesus Fully Satisfies the Cry of Your Heart, Lifeway Press, 2016 & 2017.

Faith Foundation #6: Inclusive Exclusivity

Neatly pressed tablecloths rustled as we walked past them on the way to our table. Starched napkins stood at attention flanked by place settings arranged with perfect symmetry. The hostess smiled as she showed us to our seats and handed us menus. A wall of windows nearby gave us a perfect view of the pristine beach where the club’s lounge chairs and umbrellas were stationed in neat rows. Beyond them, the Pacific Ocean gleamed as the sun sank low on the horizon. Although I’d seen the exclusive beach club from a distance many times, I’d never had the privilege of stepping inside it before. I felt honored to be there.

At the time, I was in college and had been invited to a birthday dinner for a friend whose parents belonged to the club. Because of her, I’d been allowed access to all of the amenities enjoyed by the members. As her guest, the staff treated me warmly and attentively.  I felt welcomed, included, and accepted, at least for the night.  I knew full well that if I’d returned the next evening on my own, I wouldn’t have been allowed past the front door.

Have you ever had a glimpse into an exclusive place that you knew you couldn’t gain access to on your own? Ever known that your only way to get acceptance was riding on the coat tails of someone with more clout than you?

Well, if you know how that feels, then I have good news for you: God made it possible for you to gain access to the one place that is more exclusive than any other.  It is a place reserved only for those who are perfect, holy and sinless. Anyone without these qualifications would simply be destroyed. Where is this place, you ask? It is in the presence of God for eternity.

If you’ve been following along, you may remember that the last few posts in my Faith Foundations series have been discussing four key truths that are crucial to understand in the Christian faith. Here’s a quick review:

  • Truth #1 God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
  • Truth #2 There is a problem, sin separates us from God.

Today’s post explains Truth #3: Jesus Christ is the only way we can have eternal life and experience God’s love.

Romans 5:8 explains our pitiful state and God’s solution to it: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  And Jesus says it clearly in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

In our pluralistic society, saying there is only one way to connect with God is outlandish and even offensive to some people.  The irony, however, is that God’s grace makes the Christian faith more inclusive than any other religion.  God knew His standard of perfection could never be reached by sinful humans. No matter how “good” we try to be, we will never be good enough to “earn” a place in heaven.  In human terms, this makes God’s “club” the most exclusive ever, with no one being allowed entrance. And yet, because of His desire to be in relationship with us, God made a way into His exclusive “club” through His Son, Jesus. For anyone seeking a direct relationship with God and hoping for eternal life in His presence, Jesus is the only conduit.  All we have to do is admit we need Jesus to save us from our sins. This is God’s grace, His free gift to us. Anything “good” we do after we accept Christ is simply an expression of our gratitude, not an act done to earn God’s love or to rack up spiritual brownie points.

Thinking back to that night I was a guest at the beach club, I smile as I remember the name of the friend who took me there: Grace. Just as my relationship with her enabled me to experience the pleasure and privilege of her parents’ exclusive club, a relationship with Jesus enables us to receive the joy and honor of knowing His Father.  Anyone that comes to God through His son receives grace, forgiveness and acceptance. He is indeed, the one true God who made a way to be inclusive despite His exclusivity.

The song “One True God” by Steven Curtis Chapman elaborates on this idea and uses some key phrases from Scripture to show Jesus as the one true path to salvation.

For further reading on this topic, consider one of the following:

  •  The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
  •  More Than a Carpenter by Josh and Sean McDowell

Photo courtesy of www.pixabay.com, Scriptures from the NIV translation

The Prequel to Easter

Our first exposure to the Christian faith focuses on the fact that Jesus died for our sins. But without context, we may not understand why we even need a savior. If we don’t understand the significance of all that came before it, the story is not complete. To understand the deep meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we must go all the way back to Genesis to examine the “prequel.”

IMG_7648

Who doesn’t love a good prequel? Imagine you’ve savored every page of an amazing story and are sad when you come to the end. To your surprise, you discover the author has subsequently published a prequel that gives the whole backstory. While you read, you’re delighted to find that it brings greater meaning to the events in the original story.

As a child, I fell in love with The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. They were introduced to me in their original order, which started with Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter first stumbling into the magical land of Narnia in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It was not until book six in the series, The Magician’s Nephew that I discovered how Narnia had been created, where the evil white witch came from and how a lamppost ended up in the middle of the forest in Narnia. These details had context and meaning for me because I’d already become captivated with the setting and characters in earlier books.

For many Christians, the New Testament is like reading a great story that happens near the end of a series. We often hear about Jesus before we learn anything else. Our first exposure to the Christian faith focuses on the crucial fact that Jesus died for our sins. But without context, we may not understand why we even need a savior. If we don’t understand the significance of all that came before it, the story is not complete. To understand the deep meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we must go all the way back to Genesis to examine the “prequel.”

To start, we need to understand the concept of a covenant, which defined simply is “a binding relationship based on a promise.” Pastor and author Tyler Scott explains: “In order to fully appreciate the meaning of this new covenant [made by Jesus in the New Testament], we need to understand what the old covenant meant. The old covenant first began to take shape in Genesis 2. There, God makes a covenant with Adam in language that is strong, clear and definitive:”

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die’.” (Genesis 2:15-17 NIV)

Scott continues: ‘This is covenant language. God says, in effect, ‘I will give you this, if you keep the conditions of this covenant, I will do these things for you—but if you violate the conditions of this covenant, you will suffer certain consequences.’ That’s God’s covenant with Adam in Genesis 2…From the covenant with Adam and Eve, we move through the Old Testament and we see God making different types of covenants…and each of these Old Testament covenants anticipates the ultimate covenant, the new covenant, as it would be established and secured through the blood of Jesus Christ.” (The Marriage Ref pages 26-27)

Genesis 3 describes Satan in the form of a serpent tempting Adam and Eve to break their covenant with God, and ultimately bringing sin into the world. He plants seeds of doubt about God’s goodness. He influences them to be ungrateful for all that God has given them and to think He is holding out on them by not letting them eat from two of the trees in the garden.   Verse 15 describes the enmity between humans and snakes. “The offspring of the woman would eventually crush the serpent’s head, a promise fulfilled in Christ’s victory over Satan—a victory in which all believers will share.”   (Zondervan NIV Study Bible notes)

The choice Adam and Eve made had a ripple effect that changed the world for all time. The consequences of their choice changed the relationship between God and humans and forever altered the course of human history

Author and apologist Josh McDowell explains: “The Bible indicates that God created man and woman so he could share his love and glory with them. But Adam and Eve chose to rebel and go their own way. They left God’s love and protection contaminating themselves with that self-willed, grasping, prideful nature we call sin… God dearly loved Adam and Eve– even after they spurned Him—he wanted to reach out to them and save them from the deadly path they had chosen. But God faced a dilemma. Because God is not only loving but also holy, righteous, and just, sin cannot survive in his presence. His very holy, just, and righteous nature would destroy the sinful couple. “ (Josh McDowell, More than a Carpenter p. 153)

Romans 6:23 makes this concept clear: “The wages of sin is death.” God’s holiness cannot coexist with sin. His holiness is like a fire that burns anything unholy in its presence.

God had a problem to solve when Adam and Eve chose to sin. Although He loved them, their choice to sin separated them from Him. “The Godhead—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—made an astounding decision. Jesus, God the Son, would take upon himself human flesh.” (Josh McDowell, More than a Carpenter p. 153)

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV)

“Because He was not only finite man but also infinite God, he had the infinite capacity to take on himself the sins of the world. When Jesus was executed on the cross more than two thousand years ago, God accepted his death as a substitute for ours. The just and righteous nature of God was satisfied. Justice was done; a penalty was paid. So at that point God’s love nature was set free from the constrictions of justice, and He could accept us again and offer us what we had lost in Eden—that original relationship in which we could experience his love and glory.” (Josh McDowell, More than a Carpenter p. 154)

“When Jesus died on the cross, he died not only for us, but he also died to meet the holy and just requirements intrinsic in the basic nature of God. The contamination was removed so we could stand clean in his presence.” (Josh McDowell, More than a Carpenter p. 155)

“When God looks at us, in spite of his tremendous love for us, he has to bring down the gavel and say death because He is a righteous and just God. And yet, because he is also a loving God, he was willing to come down off his throne in the form of the man Jesus Christ and pay the price for us, which was his death on the cross.” (Josh McDowell, More than a Carpenter p.156)

“But God demonstrates his own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV)

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, NIV)

Jesus made right what Adam and Eve had made wrong. Anyone who accepts the sacrifice He made can be reconciled with God.

“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:18-19, NIV)

Understanding the prequel to Jesus’ death and resurrection makes it so much more meaningful to me. In the next few weeks I’ll wrap up our discussion of Why Do You Believe That? Then, in future posts, I’ll examine some of the other Old Testament covenants that pointed the way to Jesus. I hope reading the “prequels” will bring you a deeper understanding for what Jesus did for us. At the same time, I hope your appreciation for Scripture will grow as you see the many ways the Old and New Testaments weave together to make a complete story showing God’s incredible love for us.

(Side note: If you’ve never read the C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia go and get them from a library or bookstore and start reading!)

Click on the link to hear Kari Jobe’s song “Forever.” It’s a great reminder of what Jesus accomplished for us through His death and resurrection.

References:

Lewis, C.S.; The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe & The Magician’s Nephew; HarperCollins; 2010.

McDowell, Josh & Sean; More Than a Carpenter; Tyndale House; 1977, 2005, 2009.

Scott, Tyler; The Marriage Ref: God’s Blueprint for a Happy, Healthy, Enduring Marriage; Condeo Press; 2011.

NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 2008