Depend on God's Plan

Read Romans 3:1-8
Theme:All men's guilt as sinners.
Title in NIV: God can be depended on totally.

Paul says there are advantages for being a Jew. They are entrusted with the very words of God. In Deuteronomy 4:8 Moses says, "And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?" In Romans 9:4-5, Paul says about the Jews, "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen." Sad that they reject the very One the word of God is about.

Verse 3 says, "What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all!" Think of this example. What if you went to a restaurant and ate a big meal. When it was time to pay you showed the manager your empty wallet. Does that mean the meal does not cost XX amount of dollars. NO. Just because people do not have faith does not mean God is any less faithful. Just like meals do not cost less if you have less money in your wallet. What a system that would be and how much it would be abused. (Taxes come to mind. I've heard 47% of Americans don't even pay taxes-- oh, never mind)

Verse 5 says that our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly. Is God unjust in bringing his wrath on us? No. I have to remind myself that I still have the choice to be unrighteous. I think of this example: I have a family member that denies Christ as her Savior. Because of her attitude and belief, I have prayed more and studied more to prove her wrong. In the process I have learned so much about God and really developed and deepened my relationship with Him. If I had not had her in my life, I would not have had such a strong urge to learn and study and defend my God. I thank God for my relative. Because of her, I have grown in the Lord. I pray for her heart, mind and soul to be touched by the Lord. So, her unrighteousness has propelled most of our family toward God on her behalf and strengthens us. I hope that makes sense.

God "wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1Timothy 2:4) To do this he may harden ones heart to allow all around to seek him.(That is what I see in our family) Exodus 34:6 says, "The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." God lavishes grace on us (Eph 1:8). God is rich in mercy (Eph 2:4).

If you believe that God is all those characteristics I just mentioned, than you can believe that God is totally dependable. Choose to depend on God in the good time and the bad times and depend on His plan for you.

Thanks for taking this journey with me.