Wednesday, 14th June 2023
Sister Joanna Liu
Section One V1-10 The Lord is the End of the Law 律法總結的主
V1-4 ‘Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.’
What is the true knowledge 真知識? Back in the days, those who knew Bible the most are those who were most knowledgeable, but the Bible was the law for them, the Torah, and a knowledge. We all know that Jesus came to complete the law, what does that mean? The laws have a limit there are always grey areas, people are sinful in nature, and there will always gaps in the law. But Jesus came to make it complete. Do we believe that Jesus completed the law? With Jesus, there is no more gap, there is no more limit, it does not mean that we no longer need the law, but we can live freely under the law and there will always be an answer to every question in our lives. If we are willing to seek for the answer wholeheartedly.
V5-8 ‘For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach).’
Here Paul is try to make his argument, that even through those who obeys the law will live, but no one is able to perfectly obey all the laws all their lives, therefore Jesus gives us another way out, which is faith 出於信心的義. That we can be made righteous by faith, and again there is a fine line between being righteous by faith, and not obeying the laws. From my understanding, Christian life is about obeying the laws with faith that comes from the mercy of God, not the other way around, which is to rely on God’s mercy and continue to make mistakes.
V9-10 ‘that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.’
We often hear this verse, and we often proclaim this verse, this is the truth, and I have nothing to say against it. But the question I ask myself is, do I really believe in my heart that Jesus is alive? Of course we all know that He lives, but He is more like a faraway saint than our Lord right next to us.
Section Two V11-13 The Lord is Rich to All 厚待一切的主
V11-13 ‘For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”’
Section Three V14-21 The Decision is Ours選擇在於我們
V14-17 ‘How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’
V18-21 ‘But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.” But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”’