Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Having shown from the life of Abraham, as an example set forth to those who saw circumcision as the great dividing line between those who have found favor with the Lord and those who have not, that Abraham is not example of the necessity of circumcision to be counted righteous, but rather faith, and so circumcision as an act of obedience which follows. Abraham believed, and that was what was credited to him as righteousness -Gen. 15-6-. This belief or faith was in the promise of God, faith not being itself the first good work, but rather a resting in and receiving the righteousness that comes through the promised Messiah. The Messiah's working, His atoning work of giving his own flesh and blood in place of ours - that is what makes a man worthy before the Throne.

As we move between the third and fourth chapters of Romans, we must take care to note the theme that connects, in particular, 3-27-31 and 4-1-8. In the last part of chapter 3 Paul affirms that the righteousness which comes by faith does not nullify the commands of the law, but rather confirms them. Fatih and law are not at odds with one another, but that righteousness - being counted as holy before God is granted not by working but believing. Faith being the sole instrument of justification, and not works shows then that all people, by they Jew or Gentile, all receive righteousness in the same way - faith, receiving and resting upon the righteousness of Christ. The theme that connects chapters three and four is not faith and law, but rather that all people are justified by faith - both Abraham and David -4-1-8- being examples of this. --Abraham, the very covenant fountainhead of the Jewish people was counted righteous not by circumcision, but by believing God and that belief or faith was counted to Him as rig

We, all of us, live in an age where there are so shortage of self-professed or corporately baptized experts in all manner areas of -wisdom, insight and understanding.- There are no shortage of counselors to turn to, either on the book shelf, the TV set or on the internet. Of course we have seen what the end of heeding the experts advice is, or at least we are told what might happen to us if we fail to heed the advice of experts. All around us are counselors who come saying they wish to help but instead of comfort or freedom, they bring rather enslavement to an idea or even to themselves and in doing so we find another empty cistern that cannot hold water. There is but one counselor who can set us free, that Wonderful Counselor born unto men to see them free not just from any problem, but the great problem of sin and death.

Paul, having provided a robust case for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and its necessity in being reconciled to the Creator of all mankind, having leveled the playing field with regards to the acceptability of our efforts to answer for our sin and rejection of the Lord, he turns to apply the Gospel to one's opinion of himself in light of the grace of God, and in light of the inability of our own flesh. Faith, is that which is the alone instrument of justification, and that lively resting upon nothing except the Righteousness of Christ, that is His sacrificial death which atones for the sins of men. Paul sought to move men, to shove out of a state of self-righteous stupor, of rebellion, and pride and the only way this can happen is through a rhetoric that leaves us cold with regard to our own abilities, and warmed to the offer of Divine help and salvation.

-But now-- Paul having outlined the ineffective pursuits of both Gentile and Jew alike, being under the law, unable to escape the legal system wherein all men are pronounced guilty before God, speaks of the One revealed who can actually take away the sins of men. Jesus Christ, whom God set forth as a propitiation, not only by decree but in His providence, a free gift to those most underserving so that He bring fulfill the promise so long ago that the Messiah would cancel sin and destroy the power of the Devil. This was a demonstration of God's righteousness, a demonstration that provides what it promises, a saving provision of a perfect Sacrifice for sins. Christ having purchased redemption, by His blood, has sat down upon the Throne of heaven and earth and even now ministers His justifying work for those who belief in Him.

All the world is infused with the mighty, sweet, life-giving word of God, as He spoke and through the Word of His power He made all that is seen and unseen. Creation is filled down to every last atom and up to every nebula with the beautiful artistry of the Lord who is Himself the source of all wisdom and splendor. The world and all that has been made owes its majesty to the One who created, and in the same way the redeemed owe their lives to the One who redeemed them, and it is incumbent upon us to read and take in the accounts in Scripture where the glory of this redeeming work is captured in the words that move our hearts and so too our mouths to worship, to express gratitude, to rejoice in the Lord our Maker and Redeemer, even as He rejoices over us. Because the Lord rejoices in redemption and restoration we are brought near and can hear His voice as delights in those whom He has saved.

Throughout the history of mankind from the moment they were placed in the Garden, to today, the history of this earth is decidedly a history of God establishing His rule among men through creation and redemption. You cannot study history without an eye to God's Sovereign rule among men. You cannot understand where we have come from and where we are going without understanding that what has been and will be is the result of the Kingdom of God coming to earth in an ever increasing fashion. How God has manifested His faithfulness has at times seemed small, at times just one family, yet there has always been a family, a nation, a people united to Christ Jesus, a people who the Lord calls His -remnant.- This evening I want to cover this all important concept we find throughout the course of Scripture, its connection to Zephaniah, and to the Church today.