Category: Spiritual

Matthew 27:1-5

Among the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day there was common unbelief and rejection of Jesus because He claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God, Who would ultimately fulfill our need for salvation. This teaching did not sit well with the Jewish leaders; they felt that their position and authority were under attack. In chapter 26 Jesus has been betrayed and arrested; the religious leaders held a sham overnight trial, making a mockery of Jesus, and Peter denied Him three times. 

The overnight trial was wrong so when morning came all the religious leaders, acting hastily, conspired against Jesus to put Him to death (v.1). They bound Him and handed Him over to Pontius Pilate the governor (v.2). The one who betrayed Jesus was Judas Iscariot, one of His twelve disciples (Matt. 26:14). Judas, realizing that Jesus had been condemned to death, regretted his actions and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders (v.3), saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it” (v.4)! Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed and went and hanged himself (v.5).

What a change of attitude these religious leaders had! They plotted with Judas to betray Jesus and now showed no concern for his confession of feeling guilty for the actions he took. Brothers and Sisters, there are consequences of sin; Judas couldn’t forgive himself so, he hung himself. Scripture warns us that we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices; he will take advantage of us (2 Cor. 2:11 paraphrased).

Lift your voice and give God glory for His Resurrection in your life!

Romans 5:6-8 NKJV

Previously (v.5), Paul said that God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is this gift that builds us hope for tomorrow and hope which helps us go through the daily trials of life and never shames us. 

Paul continued, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (v.6). God is always purposeful and does things decently and in order. Because of the fall of man, sin entered the world and delivered the death sentence to mankind. Scripture declares: “For the wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23a). However, God began the gradual revealing of His plan of salvation from Genesis to Revelation. So, while we were still in our sinful condition and powerless to save ourselves, the God of grace, Who is always on time, in His appointed time sent His Son to die for our sins. 

How abundantly gracious and kind God has been to us! The apostle said that it would be very rare for a person to willingly give their life for a righteous man; yet perhaps for a good man, that is, one who is kind and selfless, some would even be courageous enough to die (v.7).“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (v.8). Yes, at God’s appointed time Jesus Christ paid the ultimate, selfless sacrifice in our place. 

Lift your voice and shout “Glory!”

Romans 5:2-5 NKJV

Here, Paul tells us that we not only delight in the anticipation of God’s glory, “but we also glory in tribulations……” (v.3a).” On one occasion Jesus told His disciples that the things He told them were so that they may have peace in Him. He said that in the world you will have tribulation; but He encouraged them to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world(John 16:33). Jesus also said that those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake are blessed, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:10). Remember, God is purposeful, and any struggles we have God allows them in order to test our faith. James said, “count it all joy.” 

Yes, you will have tribulations, but as children of God, having been justified by faith, you have the blessed assurance of “knowing that tribulation produces perseverance” (v.3b); “and perseverance, grows character; and character produces, hope” (v.4).  “Now hope does not disappoint; it does not shame you because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (v.5). Therefore, we should never waver in our trust forthe God Whose love has given us eternal hope and the comfort of the Holy Spirit that helps us through trials. My Brothers and Sisters, God’s grace in which we stand through faith in Christ Jesus has given us the strength to endure our trials and come out victorious. 

Lift your voice and give God glory!

Romans 5:2

We continue with Paul’s argument, explaining justification by faith. Being justified by faith, we are created in Christ Jesus to be fruitful. God has ordained good works beforehand that we should walk in them. Scripture states that faith is a necessity in the lives of believers: “without faith it is impossible to please God …” (Heb. 11:6 AMP). 

Therefore, being justified by faith, we not only have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ, but we have access by faith, into this grace in which we stand… (v.2a). How blessed are we, being privileged to enter into our Father’s presence. Safe in His presence, we have the gift of His undying love and ongoing favor! “This grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God,” (v.2b) puts believers in the unique position that only those who trust Him and obey His commands can occupy. In our relationship with God, we have the assurance that by faiththrough our Lord Jesus Christ, He will lead us through the good and the bad. 

Believers endure tough times through Christ because we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Believers rejoice in the confident expectation that God’s glory will manifest in their lives. They want to be more like Jesus. Therefore, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind …” (Rom. 12:2a). While we were God’s enemies, He reconciled us to Him through the death of His Son that we might be saved (v.10). Today, rejoice and celebrate God the Father.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Romans 5:1

Here at the beginning of this passage, Apostle Paul continued his argument, setting forth an explanation of justification, the last word of 4:25. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (v.1), through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (v.2). 

According to Vine’s Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words justified comes from the Greek word “dikaioo,” meaning to declare righteous or not guilty. When a sinner repents and is forgiven of his / her sins, God declares them justified by their faith. In other words, God declares that repentant men, no matter how depraved they once were, are free from guilt. He acquits them of sin, making them acceptable to Him and counts them righteous “in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (6:11).

Being that believers have been justified by faith, Paul said, for that reason, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have harmony with Him. “Peace with God means that our problem with sin has been settled by the blood of Christ” (Wiersbe). We are no longer His enemies; we are in relationship with Him; therefore, we are now His friends. In order for us to be reconciled to Him, He took away man’s hostility toward Him through the death of His Son (v.10). Thank God for giving us faith, making us justified, and giving us peace through His SonJesus Christ. 

Lift your voice and give God glory!