Food (Allergies) and Fellowship

By | January 16, 2025
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We have probably all heard the jokes that every Baptist fellowship involves food. From my experience I’d have a hard time refuting this. Our church actually eats lunch together every Sunday. Most Sundays each family brings their own lunch, but every month that has a fifth Sunday, our church has a potluck. Besides Sundays, we have extra Bible studies, holiday celebrations, and special events that almost always also involve food.

Although I can’t say where this Baptist tendency originates (and perhaps other denominations regularly do this as well), there is certainly a precedent in Scripture. A quick look at a few words makes it clear that food is pretty important in the Bible. The words food, eat, feast, and bread alone can be found about 1500 times in Scripture.

In the Old Testament, the first sin by humans involved eating a fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (cf. Genesis 3:7). After the flood and especially once God gave the Law, there were many laws about what could and could not be eaten. Most notably, God commanded the eating of specific foods together at specific times, often to accompany sacrifices or as part of feasts. The Passover meal was a meal that was eaten to remember God’s passing over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt (cf. Exodus 12). Leviticus 23 delineates 6 other feasts in addition to the Passover feast that Israel was to participate in. These feasts involved food, worship, and the corporate gathering of Israel.

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently ate meals with people, and these times often involved instruction. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, the eating of bread and drinking of the cup, to be done in remembrance of him (cf. Luke 22:14-20). Paul gave further instructions for this corporate meal in which the church was to partake in 1 Corinthians 11. John tells us of a future feast in heaven that the redeemed will experience—the marriage feast of the Lamb (cf. Revelation 19:6-10).

All this to say, food plays an important part in corporate worship and the fellowship of God’s people. It did in Scripture, and it does so today. So, one of the issues we should perhaps consider is the challenge of food allergies.

While food allergies may seem simply like a personal health issue for individuals, it can also impact that individual’s fellowship with other believers in a local assembly.

Have you ever been on a restricted diet and been invited to a pizza party? You bring and eat your own salad while everyone else has pizza and breadsticks. You drink your water and munch on carob nibs while everyone else indulges in pop, cake, and ice cream. You are there, but you feel—simply by your diet restrictions—that you don’t quite fit in.

Now imagine the individuals who never can join in on any of the fellowships involving food. They can come, but they either don’t eat or always have to bring their own food. Or they have to figure out who made what, quiz the cook on the ingredients, and decide whether they want to take the risk to try the food. Perhaps they even can’t partake in the Lord’s Supper due to a wheat allergy (or they have to bring their own cracker if they remember).

If you have never dealt with allergies before, this may sound silly to you. But in all reality, food allergies truly can be somewhat of a hindrance to fellowship in the body of Christ. My youngest daughter (now 8) has dealt with many allergies almost from birth. She has dealt with allergies to wheat, dairy, tree nuts, peanuts, avocado, banana, flax seed, sesame seed, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, and coconut. There is another woman in our (very small) church with almost the same allergies. Others struggle with dairy and/or gluten.

My friend with all the allergies and my young daughter have developed a bond of friendship over sharing very similar and very restrictive food allergies, and this has been an amazing blessing. But these allergies have also restricted fellowship to a certain degree with others.

People are very nervous to invite people with allergies to their homes for meals. This is understandable, but it does affect fellowship. Even going out to a restaurant is often not a possibility for many of these people. Retreats and conferences are often not an option, unless food is brought from home, making the retreat feel more like extra work rather than retreat.

When you have allergies and you do attend an event with food, but are not able to eat what everyone else is eating, it is disappointing to say the least. You feel like you don’t fit in. When someone does go the extra mile to make sure that you have something you can eat—especially if it something everyone else is eating—the love and gratitude felt is overwhelming. You feel like everyone else. The unity is notched up just a bit more, because the person with allergies can fellowship and eat with everyone else, just like everyone else.

Living with allergies has opened my eyes to this important part of fellowship within the church (and society in general). Food has always been one of my “love languages,” and I’m learning that providing food for those with food allergies is a special way to love these individuals and help them enjoy the fullness and unity of fellowship.

Here are some very practical tips to show consideration and love for people with food allergies:

  • If you are making food that they might be eating. . .
    • Send them a picture of the recipe.
    • Send a picture of the ingredients of every item in each recipe. You’d be surprised at what “hidden” ingredients may be in foods, spices, mixes. Trust me, all the texts/emails/phone calls are not inconvenient. In fact, the individual will feel much more at ease seeing all the ingredients for herself or himself.
    • Assure guests that you will not be offended in the least if they tell you they can’t eat something or give a suggestion for an alternative ingredient or recipe.
    • Ask your guests for recipe suggestions that they know are safe to eat. You could even go the extra effort to make a special something that is allergy friendly that would really make your guest feel loved.
    • Make sure that you don’t “cross-contaminate.” Depending on the severity of the allergy, an allergen that comes into contact with a safe food may make the safe food unsafe to eat. So, make sure to cut cheese, for example, on a separate cutting board and knife than the vegetables you are cutting. Don’t stir the gluten free pasta with the same spoon as the wheat pasta. Don’t have cheese and lunchmeat or fruit on the same plate (usually those store-bought fruit and cheese trays are not safe for those with dairy allergies).
  • If you are bringing food to an event where there will be people with food allergies:
    • Consider having a separate table/spot that is nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.
    • Ask those who bring these kinds of foods to print out a list of ingredients and carefully label.
    • Make sure at least that serving utensils are not mixed up between allergy safe and other foods.
  • If you would like to invite a friend with allergies to eat out:
    • Ask if there are any restaurants that they know are safe to eat at. Often there are only a handful of meals at a few restaurants that are safe. (For example, for most of Gwen’s life, Chick-fil-A’s grilled nuggets and fries were one of her only fast-food options.)
    • If you are going somewhere where food might be purchased, consider bringing snacks or just skipping altogether so that your friend doesn’t feel left out.
  • Don’t NOT invite friends with allergies over simply because you feel nervous about feeding them. You could even work it out so they bring some of their own food. Just don’t allow the food allergies to inhibit the fellowship.

I hope these suggestions are helpful in loving those you may know with food allergies. As with any trial God gives, we must accept allergies as God’s sovereign plan for some of our lives. But may fellow believers be willing to come alongside those with allergies and help them bear their burdens with joy.

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The Christian’s Code of Conduct: Romans 12:9–21

By | January 16, 2025
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Romans 12:9–21 is characteristically Pauline—a large passage of Scripture that denies the interpreter a neat and tidy outline. Multiple reasons exist for why this passage is hard to organize, but, however organized, it is an excellent passage to give us general guidance in order to live the Christian life. Let’s explore how Paul puts it all together.

First, the variety of verbs is striking. By my count, there are 35 verbs in this passage, and perhaps 38 if you supply three verbs that Paul likely assumes. 31 of these 38 verbs function like commands, and 9 of these 31 definitely so as they are technically imperatives. For the other 22 commands, 17 verbs are technically participles (verbs usually translated with the ending –ing), 2 are infinitives (“to” plus a verb), and 3 are assumed, somehow joining adjectives and nouns (e.g., Rom 12:9, Let love be genuine). Even if we forget all of that technical data, the overall force of the passage should strike us as imperatival, that is, full of commands, which is how most translations put it. With this litany of commands, we see a general picture of how the Christian must live the Christian life. But for a pastor like me, if I followed the commands for my outline, I’m sure no one wants to hear me preach a 31-point sermon!

Another reason interpreters scratch their heads at this passage is its overall structure. As nice as it would be to chop our passage into two sections—one dealing with believers (Rom 12:9–16) and the other with unbelievers (Rom 12:17–21)—is that Rom 12:14 also deals with unbelievers. Why does Paul put this verse about how to relate to unbelievers in the midst of a section that is more about how believers relate to teach other? If anything, the verb “seek” in “seek hospitality” (Rom 12:13b) and “persecute” (Rom 12:14a) are actually one and the same (diōkō), each instance translated according to context. So, commentators suggest that a phenomenon like this could be evidence for a number of memorable sayings by the early church that were sometimes hooked together with similar-sounding words. Whatever the case, perhaps the best way to outline the passage is to call Rom 12:9–16 something like “the Christian’s conduct,” and Rom 12:17–21 “the Christian’s relationship to believers.”

A final note—this passage has a range of topics—love (Rom 12:9–10), zeal (Rom 12:11), attitude and activity in trial (Rom 12:12), generous action to others (Rom 12:13), how to treat hostile unbelievers (Rom 12:14, 17–21), and how to relate to others in any situation (Rom 12:15–16). Perhaps one can distill the 31 verbs into a handful of headings if nothing else.

Whatever one does with this passage’s verbs, structure, and topics, it is a “Christian honor code” well worth one’s time and study and memorization. May God help us all to love one another, Christian or not, and to live honorably before Him each day.

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A Look at the Lists: Spiritual Gifts for Today

By | January 9, 2025
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A spiritual gift is a God-granted ministry to each member of the body of Christ in order to edify its members. There are a variety of gifts (each member with his own gift or combination of gifts), but this variety is united in purpose—to edify the church. They are granted by the Triune God—the Spirit, the Son, and the Father, and that for the common good (cf. 1 Cor 12:4–7).

A look at six New Testament lists introduces us to these gifts:

  • Romans 12:6–8: prophecy, teaching, exhortation, ministry, leadership, giving, and mercy
  • 1 Corinthians 12:8–10: prophecy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues, discerning of spirits, gifts of healing, effecting of miracles, and faith
  • 1 Corinthians 12:28: apostles, prophets, teachers, kinds of tongues, ministry, leadership, gifts of healings, and miracles
  • 1 Corinthians 12:29–30: apostles, prophets, teachers, tongues, interpretation of tongues, gifts of healings, and miracles
  • Ephesians 4:11: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers
  • 1 Peter 4:10–11: speaking and serving gifts

It helps to capture the context of each list:

  • Romans 12 commands us not to think too highly of ourselves due to the gift or gifts that we have but to recognize that any gift is for benefit of others in the body of Christ.
  • 1 Corinthians 12 emphasizes using spiritual gifts to care for one another in the body of Christ and not to focus on one gift to the expense of another. Moreover, gifts should be used in love (1 Cor 13) and with order (1 Cor 14).
  • Ephesians 4 emphasizes the generosity of Christ in giving people as gifts to the church for its edification. (The English gift is the Greek doma in Eph 4:8 while the other chapters above emphasize the gracious nature of God in giving each gift—they stem from grace, charis, and are thus spiritual gifts, charismata.)
  • 1 Peter 4 commands us to serve one another with our gifts for the glory of God.

Some “people gifts” ceased with the apostolic era (apostles and prophets), as did their accompanying miraculous and revelatory gifts. Christ definitively spoke through His apostles (and prophets) as promised (John 16:12–15; Eph 2:20; 3:5), and the miracles that authenticated their newly revealed message ended with them (cf. 2 Cor 12:12; Heb 2:3–4).

Using the previous paragraph to cull through the lists above, the “people gifts” Christ continues to give are evangelists, pastors, and teachers (or, pastors who are teachers). The gifts spread among the body include leadership, teaching, exhortation, giving, ministry, and mercy. As ministry is a general term and these lists were likely not exhaustive, there might be other ways to designate how the Spirit manifests Himself through others for the sake of the body of Christ.

May we all be good stewards who serve others with our gifts, whatever they may be, and that for the glory of God.

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These are a Few of My Favorite {Homeschool} Things: Schedule

By | January 5, 2025
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This entry is part 8 of 8 in the series These are a Few of My Favorite {Homeschool} Things

One of my favorite choices I ever made very early on in our homeschooling was our yearly schedule. We take a break approximately every 5-6 weeks, sometimes as short as 4, but I try never longer than 6. This necessitates starting our school year in mid-to-late-July, but it is definitely worth it on many levels.

Usually by that time in the summer the kids have already had 6-8 weeks of break, and they are getting a little bit (or a lot) bored. Starting school then allows them to have something to keep them busy, but there’s still great weather to do school outside, play outside during breaks, and even go swimming after school.

But the frequent breaks that come throughout the year. . . These are golden! Even my kids agree that they are worth starting school early. Sometimes we organize our breaks around a planned trip (or re-organize for an unplanned trip!). Often we don’t have anything special planned, but both the kids and I are ready for a break from all the work and the study. The kids will break out play-dough for a day or building a robot, and I will get an extra project done around the house (or simply do laundry and feel amazed at how much time I have to get it done!). Every single break, I comment to my husband on how much I love these breaks! We all usually feel refreshed and ready to go for the next chunk of weeks, especially knowing it’s only about 5-6 weeks!

I plan my yearly schedule right at the end of the school year/early summer break. I start with Christmas break first and work backwards. I plan on the week of Christmas off, then mark the week before that as week 18. I work backwards until Thanksgiving (so usually there are only 3-4 weeks of school between the two holidays), when we have another break. From the Thanksgiving break, I continue to count backwards, making a break week every 5-6 weeks, depending on any plans I know we may have. I keep doing that until I have a start week, usually mid-to-late-July. Then, I plan my “spring semester,” starting in January with week 19. Usually this semester is a lot easier to plan, as we often have a lot less going on. These breaks are usually pretty consistently 5-6 weeks apart, depending on when I want to end (week 36), usually around the third or fourth week in May.

My daily schedule has definitely morphed the most from year to year. I think it’s really important to be flexible here as the number of kids you have change, their needs and subjects change, and as they age. One year, I had to let my son get his piano practice done early in the day as he was more alert then. That same year, I believe, we chose to do art, and we did it early in the morning. We used to do science and history on alternative days at the end of the day, but I realized it was challenging to pull everyone together. So we switched things up and did them both in the morning right after breakfast when everyone was already still together. As the older kids have started doing some more independent work, our schedules have changed a bit more.

I use a simple spiral notebook, a ruler, and erasable color pens to make my weekly schedule. Each 5-day school week is a two-page spread. I draw 4 vertical lines on each page with my kids’ names on top in their color. I write the dates and subjects on the left in black and write each kid’s assignment under the appropriate name in the appropriate color. I do this weekly, and it really only takes a short amount of time. We check off completed assignments in red. This year, I also write out my 9th grader’s assignments for him, so he can take more ownership of making sure he gets everything done himself.

As important as it is to be flexible, I think it’s important to have at least a general structure to a homeschool day. This way, you and the kids both have a general idea what to expect, and things go as smoothly as possible (most days!).

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These are a Few of My Favorite {Homeschool} Things: Science

By | January 4, 2025
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This entry is part 7 of 8 in the series These are a Few of My Favorite {Homeschool} Things

For the first few years of my older kids’ early elementary days, we used science encyclopedias on animals, plants, etc. or easy chemistry/physics experiments for our studies. We kept it pretty simple and fun. And I believe that was sufficient for those early years.

Once my oldest was entering 5th grade, I did want to switch to more of a curriculum style. I ended up choosing the God’s Design series by Master Books, and I have been very pleased with it. We have used it on a four-year cycle: God’s Design for Life (human anatomy, botany, and zoology), God’s Design for Heaven & Earth (geology, astronomy, and meteorology), God’s Design for Physical World (heat, machines, and technology), and God’s Design for Chemistry & Ecology (atoms, molecules, matter, and ecosystems).

The curriculum is designed for 3rd-8th grade and can be for the most part easily taught to a span of grades/ages. The lessons are short, but there is more information that the older kids can read to get more in depth. They offer a variety of hands-on activities and experiments that can be chosen and easily done. There are printable worksheets, quizzes, and tests.

The material is written from a young earth creation viewpoint and promotes a Christian worldview. I am on my second rotation with the curriculum and have enjoyed using it with my kids, and it has been an effective tool for teaching a solid science curriculum from a creationist viewpoint.

My oldest is in 9th grade, so I chose a new curriculum for him this year.  As he very much enjoyed Algebra I with Shormann Math last year, we thought we would try Shormann’s Dive Biology class. The course is exceptionally priced, and it offers a sibling discount. It is a self-paced online class. The class includes a lab, which can simply be viewed virtually, with the student just filling in the lab manual. Or the student can buy the lab materials (which do cost considerably more) and actually do almost all of the lab work along with the video. I am a big fan of learning by doing, so we went with buying the extra lab materials and specimens (although we pieced ours together to save some money). Whether doing hands on lab or not, a high school science credit is granted.

The class can be used with a biology textbook or (which we do) a compilation of online articles, papers, or videos that Dr. Shormann has the students read each week with the lessons. Along with the reading assignments, there are weekly lectures, worksheets, reviews, and quarterly exams.

My son has very much enjoyed this class. It has been a challenge for him, but it has been good. Dr. Shormann is a Christian and makes his Christian, creationist worldview very clear in his teaching. We are very happy with this choice for high school science.

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A Life of Worship to God (Romans 12:1–2)

By | January 2, 2025
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Romans 12:1–2 is a fun text to study. It’s easy to notice three imperatives that guide the passage (present, do not be conformed, be transformed) and also two sets of three descriptors—one for “sacrifice” (living, holy, acceptable) and the other for “the will of God” (good, acceptable, perfect). In short, this passage teaches us to present ourselves to God on the basis of His mercy, a life of worship to Him (Romans 12:1). This presentation involves not being conformed to this present and passing age but being transformed from the inside out in order to discern the will of God, that is, whatever He considers good, acceptable, and perfect (Romans 12:2).

It’s also a fun text to show how a couple of the Greek words carry over into English. “Conformed” is from suschēmatizō, which sounds like our English schematic. “Transformed” is from metamorphoō, which sounds like our English metamorphosis. You can even kind of capture an idea of the passage by saying something like, “Don’t be shaped by the schematic (do not be conformed) of this present age, but let your mind undergo a metamorphosis (be transformed) as guided by the Bible.”

Additionally, it’s a text that points us to the gospel. “Therefore” with “by the mercies of God” points us back to Romans 1–11 in which we see how God mercifully sent His Son Jesus Christ to provide our salvation from sin and its consequent judgment.

Yet more, it’s a text that captures the essence of the Christian life—giving one’s whole person to God, a commitment joined to our faith in Christ (present your bodies as a living sacrifice).

Within the book of Romans as a whole, these two verses are an important hinge between Romans 1–11 and most of Romans 12–15. Just as “therefore” looks back to the previous chapters, so also does the command to commit ourselves to God prepare us for the topics to follow. As one gives all of who he is to God, he will better use his spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3–8), interact with others (Romans 12:9–21), submit to the government (Romans 13:1–7), love others (Romans 13:8–14), and make choices that lovingly consider his fellow Christian’s conscience (Romans 14:1–15:13). As one obeys Romans 12:1–2, Romans 12:3–15:13 instructs him further how to do so.

Finally, it’s a text that touches upon “the will of God,” a variously understood topic. Whatever one may say about this topic in general, this text teaches us that as we are transformed by the renewal of our mind (informed by Scripture and illuminated by the Spirit), we will be better able to discern and choose what God wants us to do and how to obey the instructions that follow this passage in Romans.

In summary, present yourselves to God for whatever He has for you to do. Do not be conformed this present age, but be transformed in your mind. As you are alive unto God, living a holy and acceptable life, so also you will discern and do whatever His will may be.

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How to Thrive in 2025: The Hands of Men and the Hand of God (Proverbs 27:23–27)

By | December 26, 2024
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The wisdom of God’s Word encourages us to prosper on earth but not as an end unto itself. This world and its goods are passing away, but we are to be faithful with what we have until we win our heavenly rest. Our eyes will see Christ, and our true treasure in heaven will finally be ours. Until then, we do what we can for our welfare and for others as God provides.

Thoughts like these are found in Proverbs 27:23–27, a passage that instructs us how to think and plan for a new year. Its main idea is something like, “Take care of your business, and it will take care of you.” But take note—in addition to the clarifications above, this passage is proverbial and not a promise, as God’s providence sometimes brings surprises to our lives. Nonetheless, its wisdom should still be heeded.

Our passage’s author, Solomon, knew a great deal about earthly success. Granted, when God asked what he wanted, he was given wisdom by God and then riches and honor as a bonus (1 Kings 3). At the same time, he did ask for wisdom and thus managed Israel well and knew wealth like no other king. Scripture summarizes: “King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom” (1 Kings 10:23). As for his people, “Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy” (1 Kings 4:20).

Though this passage is largely agrarian and pastoral (in the classic sense of the word—minding livestock), its principles apparently applied to the crown (Proverbs 27:24). From one king to the next (cf. Proverbs 1:1; 25:1), this passage instructed the officers of the land (cf. Proverbs 1:8; 25:1). It is also Scripture for us today (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16–17), whatever size our household may be.

For all of this introduction, the passage is relatively simple to understand. Giving headings to each section of verses, we could say first of all…

The Lord requires us to be faithful in the things of life (27:23–24).

Our passage begins with parallel commands to “know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds” (Prov 27:23). Solomon’s wealth extended to cattle (cf. 1 Kings 4:22–23, 26; 8:5; 9:62; 10:22, 25–26), much like Jacob, whose herding heeded these commands (cf. Gen 31:38–42). In principle, whatever the Lord has put in our care, “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Cor 4:2).

A word of caution follows our two commands, explaining why we should be attentive to one’s affairs. In the first line, “riches do not last forever,” and a rhetorical no answers the parallel question, “Does a crown endure to all generations?” (Prov 27:24). Though God had promised David a descendant on his throne forever, the kings were still to maintain what God had put in their charge. Or perhaps Solomon knew that his own, singular crown would be given to another at his death, so his instruction could be understood as maintaining the kingdom’s resources from one generation to the next. Either way, in a less-than-perfect world, nothing lasts forever. We must work to maintain what we have and, as God is gracious, increase it all the more.

This brings us to our next section of verses, giving us positive motivation to be good stewards of what we have… 

The Lord desires us to be fruitful in the things of life (27:25–27).

Elaborating on the scene in Proverbs 27:23–24, we go from “when the grass is gone” to when “the new growth appears” to the time when “the vegetation of the mountains is gathered” (Prov 27:25). Implied is that workers harvest grass and hay to feed the livestock, or even that the livestock are brought to the fields. This hard, consistent work pays off. For daily needs, “the lambs will provide your clothing,” and, planning for the future, “the goats [will provide] the price of a field” (Prov 27:26). Moreover, “There will be enough goat’s milk for your food… your household and maintenance for your girls” (Prov 27:27). This formidable, industrious household provides for its own and even its workers. Its rulers are generous to those in their care, and they hoard no stores for their sole enjoyment (cf. Luke 12:13–21). 

Assumed in the context of the OT as a whole is the regular sacrifices and offerings by the king to God, benefitting the temple and its priests. Considering this final note, God apparently desires to bless the faithful steward with fruitfulness for His own worship, for the care of the steward, and for those in the steward’s care. The Lord uses His people similarly to provide for His church today. Generally speaking (again, these are proverbs for us today), God desires to bless our faithfulness with fruitfulness to care for ourselves, for others, and His church. Fruit may not always be in dollars and things, but a faithful life is generally a happy one as one does all things “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him” (Col 3:17). 

Final Thoughts 

We could apply this passage in a myriad of ways. What has the Lord given you? Property? Possessions? People in your care? What are your short and long-term objectives for your welfare and for others? And, as good as these things may be, and whatever you have in life, do you hold these things with a loose hand, ready to share, knowing that we might just forget them all when we see our Savior’s face? Not only that, but He will have greater work for us to do. We will one day be “servants” in the New Creation who somehow work together to “bring… glory and honor” to the Throne in the New Jerusalem as we worship our King forever (Rev 21:26; 22:3).

So, take what God has given you, and make the most of what you have—for Him, for yourself, and for others. May He bless your faithfulness with fruitfulness as you live for Him in 2025. As John prayed for Gaius, “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you” (3 John 2), both now and in time to come.

Happy New Year!

 

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When Christ Came into the World (Hebrews 10:5–10)

By | December 18, 2024
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Christmas Day comes once a year, and for Christians, this day means something more than traditions and gifts, as wonderful as those things can be. Christmas reminds us of the birth and thus in incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He became flesh to die for you and me. Hebrews 10:5–10 reminds us of these truths.

Hebrews 10:5–10 (ESV)

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,
as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”

8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Christ came into the world (Hebrews 10:5a).

The Gospels add detail to our Christmas clause, “when Christ came into the world” (Heb 10:5). Matthew 1–2 recalls His royal genealogy, His worship by the wise men, and His divine protection from the murderous Herod. Mark leaves out the birth of Jesus but knows He was “the son of Mary” (Mark 6:3). Luke 1–2 interweaves birth narratives of John and Jesus, complete with extended praises from key characters. John takes us back to eternity past— the Word who was with God is Christ, the Light who came into the world, the Word who became flesh, and the Son who makes the Father known (John 1:1–18).

Christ came to die for us (Hebrews 10:5b–10; cf. Psalm 40:6–8).

The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 40:6–8 as the words of Christ to identify the purpose of His coming. Christ knew that the one thing most important was a commitment of the whole person to the Father’s will as written in His Word—more important than sacrifices and offerings (Heb 10:5–7). So, as Hebrews 10:8–10 explains, the Father did not desire sacrifices and offerings from His Son because the Son would offer His own body for our sins. By faith in Him, we find a once-for-all cleansing from sin that sets us apart unto God forever. 

Christ came to take us to God (Hebrews 10:19–25).

Hebrews 10:11–18 explains further the glories of Christ as our High Priest, ending with a handful of imperatives for the whole passage up to this point.

  • First, we must draw near to God in worship through Christ because of the salvation He wrought for us (Hebrews 10:19–22).
  • Second, we must hold fast our confession of Him, and we can because God holds our salvation secure (Hebrews 10:23).
  • Third, we must edify and encourage one another in the faith, and urgently so as the day of our Lord’s return is closer than before (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Christ came into the world to die for us, but He came to take us to God. He was a Baby in a manger, but also the Man who hung on a cross. He died, but the Father raised Him up and brought Him to His throne.

Believe in Christ, draw near to God through Him, hold fast your confession in Him, and encourage others who do the same. He is coming again one day!

Merry Christmas!

 

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Romans 9-11: All Posts

By | December 12, 2024
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For anyone who wants to go back and read my summaries on all of Romans 9-11, click the links below. Enjoy!

God’s Faithfulness, Election, and Israel (Romans 9:1–13)
The God of Sovereign Justice (Romans 9:14–24)
Prepared for Glory or Destruction: By Whom, When, and How? (Romans 9:22–23)
Righteousness: Accomplished in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:1–4)
The Righteousness of Christ: Closer Than You Think (Romans 10:5–13)
Send, Preach, Hear, Believe, and Call on Jesus Christ (Romans 10:14–21)
The Remnant and the Rest of Israel (Romans 11:1–10)
Dough and Lump, Root and Branches: Paul’s Illustrations in Romans 11:16–24
The Fullness of God’s Salvation (Romans 11:25–27)
The Summary and Finale of Romans 9–11 (Romans 11:28–36)

The Summary and Finale of Romans 9–11 (Romans 11:28–36)

By | December 12, 2024
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Romans 11:28–32 closes Romans 11:11–32 and all of Romans 9–11 with a summary of God’s present and future dealings with Israel.

Romans 11:28 describes God’s present posture towards Israel. On the one hand, He is at enmity with Israel. God has hardened Israel, and she has rejected Christ and the gospel. This enmity is “for your sake” in the sense that God now extends saving grace to us as Gentiles (cf. Rom 10:19; 11:11, 14). On the other hand, God chose Israel (election) and thus loves Israel “for the sake of” the promises that He made to Israel’s “forefathers”—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Romans 11:29 provides the reason that this love continues and extends to Israel’s future salvation (cf. Rom 11:12, 15, 16, 24, 26): the gifts of Israel’s privileges (cf. Rom 9:4–5) and the calling that stems from God’s promises cannot be revoked.

Framing God’s plan of salvation in terms of mercy and disobedience, Paul explains one last time how the timeline of Israel’s salvation works out in Romans 11:30–31. Just as we as Gentiles have gone from disobeying God to receiving His mercy, so Israel is doing the same—Israel is presently disobedient while we are receiving mercy, a mercy that she will receive in time to come. One way or the other, in one time or another, Romans 11:32 concisely describes the saving activity of God: “God has consigned all” groups, Israel or Gentiles, “to disobedience,” for this purpose—“that He might have mercy on all.”

With a final flourish, Old Testament quotations and all, Paul highlights the omniscience of God in a superlative fashion in Romans 11:33–36. Paul exclaims, “Oh!” when considering the magnitude of God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge concerning the outworking of His salvation (Rom 11:33a). Similarly, Paul’s “How” acknowledges the “unsearchable” and “inscrutable” nature of God’s omniscience in carrying out this salvation (Rom 11:33b).

Looking at God’s omniscience from man’s perspective, Isaiah 40:13 and Job 41:11 declare that there are no thoughts or counsel to offer God that would obligate Him to us (Rom 11:34–35). God alone possesses the infinite knowledge and wisdom necessary to dispense the riches of salvation. Moreover, He alone can do this as the Creator and Sustainer of all things (Rom 11:36a). He brought all things into existence and sustains them by His power. He even guides them by His omniscient wisdom for the sake of His own glory—things including the salvation of Israel and the Gentiles.

In keeping with these thoughts, we can merely echo with humble and worshipful hearts Paul’s concluding words: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” (Rom 11:36).

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