THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 4

This chapter of Scripture is very special to me concerning 3 special occasions: my husband’s literal resurrection – entirely the loving compassion and grace of Almighty God, Who is the giver and restorer of life; in 1981, my husband was declared dead after a 25 minutes attempt of failed CPR by TWO different ambulance teams, as well as the homeowner where he died before the ambulances arrived. My husband immediately gave his life to Yeshua following the resurrection. What a happy day!

The other 2 occasions are our grandchildren: Alyna was a true blessing and a living witness of His faithfulness to hear and answer prayers, as my daughter was told at age 16 during a physical exam that she would never have children of her own. But I refused to believe that report, and as soon as we left the doctor’s office I told her as much; and later at home I started praying and getting busy on a baby layette for my future grandchildren ;-) By the time our granddaughter was born 4 years later, I had put together a 100 piece layette of hand knitted, hand crocheted, and a few (less than 10 things) store bought things that caught my eye! In 2002, our daughter had ovarian surgery to remove grapefruit sized cysts that could morph into cancerous growths – 1 ovary was totally removed, and the other had cysts removed and left in to keep her from being thrown into early menopause, being told, that the ovary was worthless as far as pregnancy was concerned: it would, hopefully, stave off the early onset of menopause, but it would not produce viable eggs for pregnancies and would have to be closely monitored for the recurrence of cysts. We all mourned the loss of future children/grandchildren. Then in 2014 our family was shockingly blessed when our daughter got pregnant with and delivered a healthy son/grandson named Azariah! It was a risky pregnancy, but Elohei was faithful to my prayers that went up sooooooo long ago for grandchildren :-D

I am gratefully thankful that my husband, before he passed into glory in December 2018, was given a new lease on life in 2018 and was able to see, hold, and enjoy his grandchildren before he was called home to the Heavenly realm a few weeks ago – and I am as equally grateful and thankful that they got to see, cuddle into his arms, and enjoy him before he was called home. This is Elohim’s legacy to us.

Elohim is faithful to show favor to those who honor Him with their lives.

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 4

As to Abraham, our ancestor after the flesh, what shall we say that he found? For if Abraham was justified by his works, he had something to boast about, yet he could not do so before Elohei. What does Scripture say about him? It says, “Abraham believed Elohei and that was credited to him as justification” (Genesis 15:6).

In case a man works, his pay is not considered a gift but an obligation. But if a man has no good works to his credit but believes Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accepted for justification. David said as much when he described the happiness of the man who is justified by Elohei, apart from his works: “Blessed is the man whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man against whom Adonai will not record any sin” (Psalm 32:1 & 2).

Is this happiness, then, for the circumcised only – or for the uncircumcised as well? In the case of Abraham we have heard that it was his faith that brought his justification. When was he justified? Was it after he had been circumcised, or was it while he was still uncircumcised? It was not after he was circumcised, but before. He received circumcision as a sign, or token, of the justification he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, thus to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised but who nevertheless receive justification. And, likewise, he was made to be the father of those who are not only circumcised, but who are also Believers such as father Abraham was even before he was circumcised.

The promise made to Abraham and his descendants – that they should possess the Earth – was given, not because of their keeping The Law, but because of justification by Faith. For if those who live under The Law are to be heirs, then Faith has no value and the promise means nothing. For where there is law there is wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

It all depends, then, on faith in the promise made as a matter of grace and guaranteed to all of Abraham’s later generations, not only to those who hold to The Law, but also to those who have faith like Abraham’s. He is the father of us all. So it is written, too, “I have made you a father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). This promise was made because he believed Elohei, Who can restore the dead to life and can call into being things that do not exist. So Abraham kept on hoping when hope had failed, for he believed that he was to become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, “So shall your seed be” (Genesis 15:5).

Even when he was about 100 years old, being as good as dead, and even though Sara was far too old to bear children, his faith did not weaken. He did not through unbelief question Elohei’s promise, but remained strong in The Faith, giving glory to Elohei. He was absolutely certain that Elohei was able to do what he had promised to do. Therefore, this faith was counted to him for justification.

But this “counted to him for justification”, was not written for his sake only. These words apply also to us. They will be applied to us if we believe in Him Who raised our Adonai Yeshua Ha’Mashiach from the dead. Ha’Mashiach died for our sins, and he was risen again for our justification.

**ROMANS 3: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-book-of-romans-chapter-3.html

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 3

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 3

What advantage then, is there in being a Jew? And what value was there in circumcision? The benefits were great, in all respects. In the first place, the Word of Elohei was entrusted to the Jews. Granted, that some of them did not accept it in faith. Can their lack of faith nullify Elohim’s faithful promises? No, never! Elohei will prove true, though every man may prove false! Scripture puts it this way, “You are shown to be true in Your words, and when You are being judged You are in the right” (Psalm 51:4).

But what shall we say if our righteousness simply serves to magnify Elohei’s righteousness? Shall we say that it is wrong for Elohim to punish us? No, not at all! How else could Elohim judge the world? But, if a falsehood of mine, placed by the side of Elohim’s truthfulness, brings out His glory, why must I be condemned as a sinner? Why not, then, do evil that good may come? Actually, some have slanderously reported that we have said this, and others have accused us of so doing. The question justly deserves condemnation.

What then? Are we Jews better than the rest? By no means. We have already stated that both Jews and Greeks are all under the curse of sin. For Scripture says, “There is none righteous; no, not one. No one understands; no one searches for Elohei. They have all strayed from the right way; they have all become corrupt. Not a single one practices kindness; no, not one. Their throats are like open graves, they use their tongues to deceive, and behind their lips is the poison of asps. Their mouths are full of curses, and bitterness. They run swiftly to shed blood. Ruin and misery mark their ways. And they know not the way of peace. And no fear of Elohei is kept before their eyes” (Psalms 5:9, 10:7, 14:1-3, 36:1, & 140:3; Proverbs 1:16 & Isaiah 59:7).

We know that whatsoever the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law so that every mouth may be stopped and everyone in the world may realize his guilt before Elohim. No human being can be justified before Him simply by keeping the Law. What the Law does is to show us how sinful we are.

Elohim’s plan of justification has been disclosed without any reference to the Law, though the Law and the prophets do make mention of it. Elohim’s own way of making men righteous is by faith in Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. This justification is for all and upon all who believe, for no other requirement is made. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of Elohei. And all are justified freely, because of His grace through the salvation that is in Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. For Elohim gave Him to us as a means of reconciliation if we would believe that He ransomed us with His blood. Elohim has in this way demonstrated His own justice as well as His forbearance in passing over our former sins, also by showing at the present time that He is a just God and that He justifies everyone who believes in Yeshua.

What then, becomes of our vain human pride? It is outlawed. How? By what fundamental law? By the law of works? No, it is rules out by the law of Faith. We hold, therefore, that a man is justified by Faith, without the works of the Law at all. Is Elohei the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of the Gentiles, too. There is only 1 God. He will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith, and the uncircumcised also on the ground of their faith. Do we, then, by faith nullify the Law? Not at all; rather it strengthens the Law.

**ROMANS 2: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-book-of-romans-chapter-2.html