THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 2

Before we begin this study, I first want to clarify something … Christians are not to condemn the worldly people, who are carnal by nature and do not know Elohei – or understand the ways of Elohim through grace in Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. But Christians ARE to warn fellow Christians against sinful activity and steer them back to the straight and narrow when they begin to backslide into carnal behaviors again (Luke 17:3; 1 John 4:1; 1 Corinthians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:2; James 7:4).

So, as we read today’s study together, let us remember that there is a big difference between the world and Christians, and that is what Paul is referring to while he writes to the Church. Yeshua NEVER pooh-poohed sinful behaviors and He NEVER told Believers to turn a blind eye to those behaviors. WHAT He DID SAY was to beware of religiosity … religious people condemning those carnal sinners who do not know Elohei or the grace of Elohim through Yeshua. Piously religious people (acting righteous by works according to the Law without accepting Yeshua’s blood atonement/salvation) are sinners without salvation, the same as carnal worldly people without salvation (Matthew 7:5; John 8:1-16; Romans 2:21-22; James 7:4).

Be wise. Be discerning. Be filled with the Ruach Ha'Kodesh so that you judge rightly according to Elohim’s grace and Yeshua’s example.

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 2

“My friend, no matter who you are, you have no excuse for condemning others, for in condemning someone else, you are condemning yourself, for you are guilty of the same misdeeds yourself. We are sure, though, that when Elohei judges in such matters, that judgement will be factual and impartial. When you are condemning another for what you yourself do, do you think that you will escape Elohim’s judgement? How about Elohim’s rich kindness to you? And think of His patience and forbearance toward you. Do you ignore the fact that Elohim’s kindness should lead you to a change of heart?

By your hard and impatient heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when Elohim will reveal the justice of His judgments. For He will award to every man according to his works. He will give everlasting life to those who, by perseverance in doing good, have sought to attain glory, honor, and immorality. But on the contrary, to the self-willed who rebel against the truth but yield to lies, He will give wrath and fury. Also affliction and anguish will be the lot of every human soul who has committed evil – to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. And there will be glory, honor and grace to everyone who has done good – to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For Elohim is impartial and treats everyone alike.

Those who have sinned without knowledge of The Law will perish without reverence to The Law, and those who had The Law and sinned against it will be judged by The Law. For it is not the hearing of The Law that makes a man righteous in Elohim’s sight, but rather it is his obedience to The Law that justifies him. When the Gentiles, who do not have The Law, instinctively do what The Law demands, they are as a law to themselves, even though they do not have The Law. They prove that the demands of The Law are written on their hearts. It is their conscience that speaks to them, arguing a case, either condemning or justifying it. This too, will be considered on the day when Elohim passes judgement on the secret thoughts of men, which, according to the Gospel that I preach, will be through Yeshua Ha’Mashiach.

Well, you are Jew by name and you feel secure in The Law, and you boast of Elohei. And you know His Will, and from your knowledge of The Law you can appreciate the more excellent way. You are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those in the dark. You admonish the foolish, and teach the children, for in The Law you have the framework of knowledge and the essentials of Truth. But listen! Do you who can teach others, also teach yourselves? Do you yourself steal while you preach against stealing? You say that one must not commit adultery … but are you yourself an adulterer? You abhor idolatry, but do you at the same time rob the heathen temples? You boast about The Law, but do you dishonor Elohei when you break it? In fact, the Scriptures themselves declare, “Because you sin, the Name of Elohei is dishonored among the heathen” (Ezekiel 36:20).

Circumcision is truly a good thing if you keep The Law, but of you break The Law your circumcision becomes as uncircumcision. And if an uncircumcised man meets the requirements of The Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? And so those who keep The Law, though not circumcised in their body, can pass judgement on you who have kept the letter of The Law by being circumcised but are otherwise Lawbreakers.

To be a Jew is really not just about the outward appearance. The same holds good for circumcision; it is really not just an outward operation of the body. No, to be a real Jew is to be one from within. And similarly, a real circumcision is of the heart; it is spiritual, not physical. And such a one will get praise from Elohim, even if not from men."

**ROMANS 1: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-book-of-romans-chapter-1.html

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 1

Today’s study extols the virtues and character of Almighty God, AND speaks to the issue of homosexuality. While modern churches today claim there is no condemnation of homosexuality in the Gospels – and many modern churches today openly embrace homosexuals and homosexuality, THAT IS A FALSE TEACHING (Matthew 16:11-12 & 2 Timothy 4:3-4) and a DIFFERENT GOSPEL (1 Timothy 1:3-7).

Today’s Bible Study ties in beautifully with yesterday’s Blog Post: (http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/01/different-vs-false.html)

Many New Covenant (New Testament) passages very clearly make mention of homosexuals, the practice of homosexuality, and the outcomes of such a CHOSEN lifestyle: this first chapter of the Book of Romans is one such passage (vv. 24 thru 32).

Be wise Christians! READ the Scriptures for yourself – do not rely on what someone tells you one way or the other: Elohei’s holy Word will never lead you astray … regardless of what an organized church (a place – dwelling, as in building – of worship as opposed to the Body of Christ … individual Believers … which is the real “Church”) embraces or what a person in church leadership says. An organized church is a business; the Body of Christ are individual Ambassadors of Yeshua and His message of salvation. Do not be deceived and led astray.

Many people claim to be Christians, but the ONLY ONES WHO ARE Christians are those that OBEY Elohei’s holy Word. He shows us His love by giving us guidelines for a holy and righteous life; Christians show Him their love by obeying His guidelines. There is no other way. Self-love is not His kind love …

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 1

My name is Paul. I am a servant of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, was called to be an apostle, and set apart to preach Elohim’s Gospel. This Gospel Elohim promised long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures. It tells about His Son, Who in the flesh descended from David. Through His resurrection from the dead, the Ruach Ha’Kodesh has declared Him to be the Son of Elohim in power, and this Yeshua is our Lord. Through Him we have not only received grace, but also apostleship to preach obedience and faith in His Name to all peoples. This also includes you who have been called to belong to Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. So to all of you in Rome, Elohim’s beloved, called to be saints: grace be to you and peace from Elohim, our Abba and Adonai Yeshua Ha’Mashiach!

In the first place, I want you to know that I thank Elohim through Yeshua Ha’Mashiach for all of you, because the whole world is getting to know about your faith. I serve Elohim by preaching the Gospel about His Son with my whole heart, and He is my witness that I never cease to make mention of you. In my prayers I always ask that sometime, somehow, Elohim willing, I may be permitted to come see you. I do long to meet you, hoping that I may have some spiritual gift to share with you to strengthen you. I mean, of course, that both of you and I can obtain mutual comfort and strength by sharing each other’s faith.

In the next place, I want you to know, brethren, that I have often planned to visit you – though so far I have always been hindered – in order that I might claim some fruit among you also, as I can among other Gentiles elsewhere. I owe a debt both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the learned and the illiterate. So, for my part, I am sincerely eager to preach the Gospel, also to you who are at Rome.

No, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, for it is Elohei’s power to save everyone who believes – to the Jew first, and then also to the Greek. In it is shown Elohim’s plan to justify us. It is by faith, first and last. As the Scripture says, “The just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).

Elohei has revealed Himself in His anger against all the impiety and injustice of men who by their wicked ways suppress the truth. Indeed, what can be known about Elohei has been made plain to them, for Elohei Himself has made it plain. Men have no excuse at all, for ever since the world was made, Elohei’s invisible attributes, such as His eternal power and divinity, have been clearly observable and understandable through the things He has made.

And although men knew that Elohei exists, yet they did not acknowledge Him as such, nor did they give Him thanks. Rather, they busied themselves with silly speculations about Him, and their stupid minds groped about in the dark. To be sure, they claimed to be wise, but they were fools. So they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for images of the likeness of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed beasts and reptiles. That is why Elohei gave them over to impurity, letting them follow the desires of their hearts and to degrade their own bodies among themselves. They claimed that Elohei’s Word was a lie, and they worshipped and serves creation rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever. Amen!

Elohei therefore abandoned them to degrading passions. Even women exchanged their functions for practices contrary to nature. And men likewise, forsaking the natural use of the woman, burned in lustful passion for one another, males with males practicing shameful vice and bringing upon themselves the consequences of their misdeeds. They did not in their thinking want to recognize Elohei anymore; therefore Elohei gave them over to a mind that was degenerate: that loved to do what was wrong. They were full of every sort of wickedness, immorality, unrighteousness, covetousness and malice; also full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and ill-nature; gossips and slanderers, haters of Elohei, insolent, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents; likewise foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless, and merciless. And although they are aware that Elohei has decreed that all who do these things deserve to die … yet they not only do them, but they also approve when others do them.

**ACTS 28: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-gospel-according-to-acts-chapter-28.html