Father God, thank you for this time that we can spend reading and studying your word, in particular today the book of Romans chapter 3. Thank you for showing us, Father, that we can always trust you and your word. Thank you also for your Holy Spirit in us that helps us to understand your word. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen.
Let God be True
Romans 3:4c,d says,
“let God be true, but every man a liar;"
As we come to understand that all people are sinners, we also understand that men lie. At one time or another, every person has or will lie. Not only that, but man shares other men's lies, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Political propaganda is one example. "Fake or distorted news" is another. But lies are also extremely prevalent in religion including within Christendom. This is why we must also understand that God NEVER lies. His word is also ALWAYS the truth. Of course, we need to rightly divide the scriptures, so that we are not putting ourselves under old Testament law for example, but God and His word is always reliable and truthful.
Knowing this, we have to keep our focus on the truth in God's word rightly divided. If we start to turn to religion, and the traditions and wisdom of men over God's word rightly divided, we can end up believing in all sorts of lies. Believing Gods word over mans wisdom is one way in which we also guard, or keep, our hearts.
Proverbs 4:23
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Our minds and hearts need to be filled with God's truth, by reading, studying, meditating upon and believing God's word rightly divided.
Ephesians 5:19
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Bible alone, also referred to as "Sola scriptura" is absolutely essential to steer clear of false doctrines. Many people in Christendom claim to be Bible alone but really aren't. They still follow after and even exalt their denominational teachings, theological systems, church history, and mens traditions over God's word alone.
We are not to worship or even exalt our pastors or Bible study teachers. We don't worship Paul, but God did send Paul to be our ensample. Paul was a sinner saved by grace through faith alone like we are.
Philippians 3:17: “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
He is also our Apostle for the dispensation of grace and its in His epistles that are written specifically to us today, though we can learn from all of the rest of scripture too which is for our learning.
1 Corinthians 11:1
11 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Romans 15:4
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
We are not to exalt any man or man's wisdom, not even preachers, bible teachers, theologians, apologists, Pope's, priests, nuns, monks, scientists, doctors, academics, philosophers, politicians, actors, psychologists, writers, musicians, artists, etc.
1 Corinthians 3:
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1 Corinthians 3
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
Homework: Find and identify the sections in this chapter.
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