Rules Entice Us To Rebel But We Still Need Them!

Birds seem so free from rules and laws as they soar!

Often parents create rules for their children to teach valuable lessons. Thus, my parents enforced strict rules and expectations for us. Since we were raised with spankings as a consequence, we did not disobey very often. Today, rules can entice disobedience. When we watch movies or a series, characters often disobey the rules.

Are rules necessary if they can lead to disobedience?

In Romans 3, Paul begins questioning what advantage does a Jew have or is there value in a circumcision. Even though God entrusted the Jews with His Word and they failed to obey, does this conflict with God’s faithfulness? Culturally, people closely identified themselves as Jews or Gentiles.

In Romans 3:5-8, Paul asks if God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on man who is unrighteous. Is it fair for God to judge the world? If our sin shows God’s righteousness, then why should we be condemned as a sinner?

In Romans 3:9, Paul concludes that the Jews are not better off even though God gave them His Law initially. Jews and Greeks are all under sin. In verses 9 to 18, Paul mention there is none righteous. Everyone does not understand or seeks God. All mankind are not perfect and our words can deceive and curse. Also, man does evil and can shed the blood of others. Lastly, man does not have peace and does not fear God.

Why did God give the Jews the Law or the 10 commandments?

 For by works of the law no human being^[c] will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20

Therefore, God gave the Law to all mankind to show us we cannot live up to these rules. Hence we acquire knowledge of sin by our failure to obey. No matter how hard we try, we will fail to be righteous since it is easier to sin and disobey.

Moreover, God’s righteousness is seen apart from the law. When Christ lived on Earth, He showed God’s righteousness in His life. He also provided God’s righteousness to all who believe and put their faith in Jesus Christ.

Then, Christ provided man redemption as a gift to be accepted. This redemption is possible with Christ’s propitiation by His blood to be received by faith. Thus, Christ’s blood allows God to pass over our sins. Additionally, God shows His righteousness in His gift of salvation by giving us redemption through Christ.

Lastly we are justified by faith apart from the works of the law. No one can abide by the law. We all will fail since we are sinners. Also God is not just the God of the Jews but also the God of the Gentiles. We can still uphold the law. Even when we fail in following the law, God allows us to be justified by our faith in Christ.

What do we learn from the 10 commandments or the Law –

• All people fail and sin – No distinction of people for Jews and Gentiles
• God is faithful even though man is not
• None is righteous – No one understands or seeks God
• The Law shows our failure and gives us the knowledge of our sins
• The Law shows the righteousness of God
• Grace is God’s gift to be justified without our sin
• Christ is our propitiation by his blood when we receive Him in faith
• We uphold the Law to see our failings and to act in faith

Frankly, we all get tired of rules. Sometimes, we choose to ignore certain rules.

Why do we need rules? To show our failure to obey rules even though the rules may be good for us. For example, it is a fact too many sweets and sugary foods are not good for health. How many of us are disciplined to stop eating desserts and candy? I need to eat a little bit of chocolate every day.

God gave us the Law or rules knowing we would break the rules.

Then God gave us His Righteousness and Redemption with Christ as the propitiation for our sins (shedding His blood to appease God’s wrath of man’s sin), and we are justified by faith.

Instead of identifying as a Jew or a Gentile, recognize our identity is in Christ when we are justified by faith.

Contemplate belonging to the Body of Christ and recognize the blessings and benefits!

How to have Pretty feet?

Oat Belgium Waffle Omelet and Avocado Sandwich

 

My Zeal was to make Oat Belgium Banana Waffle – You cannot tell this was made with Oats!

And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15

Congrats to you all who completed your finals at school. Students have been stressed with online schooling. It has been difficult not to physically be with friends. It has been hard for teachers to create online tests and make them “cheat” proof. For those who are studying for upcoming finals, please continue to study and do your best. Remember your agonizing hard work will be complete soon. Distance learning has been difficult for everyone.

When finals are done, there is finally time for students to relax and have fun! But fun has been redefined with the pandemic. There are Tik Tok dances to try. Fun music videos to create with friends. We can try to learn new hobbies. We can experiment with new recipes and learn to create delicious food.

I’ve been trying to create foods I am craving. I want to have a healthier version, so I do not feel guilty eating. So I’ve been trying to make gluten free versions with Quaker Oats! I have some flour at home but did not want to endlessly search for more. I did not want the 25 lb bag of flour from Costco which is a really good deal. So I have been grinding up oats in my food processor or blender to make oat flour. I discovered a pretty good oat banana Belgium waffle recipe. I made a moist banana bread which I gave to some family members. I even made wheat dumplings.

Surprisingly, I would not have tried these recipes if we did not have this stay at home experience.

What are you zealous about since being at home?

In Romans 10, Paul recognized the Jews had a zeal for God. It was a zeal not based on reality. The Jews sought to establish their own righteousness on their own terms. They were so hung up on following the Law, it became more of an obsession to perform without the heart attitude.

For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.  Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.  Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 10:2-4

The Jews did not recognize no matter how hard they tried they could not be totally successful to perform all the aspects of the Law. They did not understand their hearts needed to submit to God’s righteousness. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross allows those who believe to become righteous by faith not by works or performance.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13

Paul admonished everyone – Jew or Gentile to declare Jesus is Lord and to believe with their heart that Christ is resurrected. Our faith and declaration of this truth will save us from our sins. Paul proclaimed Christ died for both the Jew and Gentile. This salvation is available for everyone.

Being a Christian is an exciting adventure. We should be zealous to serve others because of the abundant blessings God provides. Did God answer your prayers for help with finals? How has God provided for you? Shouldn’t we want to share this blessing with others?

How can we have pretty feet? This is not a post where we provide instructions for a pedicure to improve the look of our feet. We will have beautiful feet bringing the Good News of Christ’s sacrifice and salvation to others. During the New Testament times, they had to walk everywhere.

We may not be able to walk freely to be at school, the shopping mall or at church. But we can share our story of getting saved. People are hurting now in this pandemic. Do you know someone who is sick? Or maybe you know someone who has a loved one who has Covid. Perhaps there is someone who is discouraged or troubled you can contact.

In our modern world, there are various mediums we can use to share our stories. With our extra time, can we find a creative way to share our salvation story? Christ’s salvation is still available for all. There is no distinction of race, culture, economic state or age. But we need to show how our lives are different because of Christ. Can we show and share this?

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1

Paul’s desire was for the Israelites to be saved from their sins with the promise of eternity with Christ.

What are you feeling zealous about? Who are you concerned and praying for to experience salvation?

How will each of us share our salvation experience, and how Christ is changing us?

We do not even need to use our pretty feet to share.

Questions to Ponder and maybe share in this blog’s comments?

What new thing did you try during this pandemic?

How can you share God’s recent blessings to you?

Why Yield?

Don’t allow SIN to be an ugly growth you carry around. See how this humogous fungus/toadstool is growing on this tree. It is attached for life. Don’t allow our sin to be attached for this life.

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.  Romans 6:18

From Donna

Driving in the Bay Area means living with drivers who cut you off.  How many times I have had to yield and give up my right to proceed.  I may have the right of way, but the other driver is in haste to proceed.

Living a life yielded to God means giving over to God our right of way.

How do I yield?

• Resist Satan
• Present ourselves as an instrument of righteousness – a tool to do good
• Recognize sin no longer reigns and has no power over us.  We are free and alive!

Why are we to yield to God?

• Favor – We have found favor in God’s eyes
• Freedom – Donna’s daughter was in China to teach.  She had no freedom on the internet.  She could not browse freely as when she was in the United States.  When we are slaves to sin, we are carrying extra baggage, and it is heavy.  Being slaves of righteousness gives freedom from a heavy burden of sin.
• Fruit – We can reap good fruit we reap when sow unto righteousness.

When Nancy Reagan visited a school for her drug campaign, a little girls asked what to do if someone wants her to take drugs.  Mrs. Reagan’s reply was to “Just say no”!  Let us also say no to sin and yield to God’s righteous way of living.