Author Archives: gonelikeashadowatevening

Bible, Conceit, Eternity, Pride, Scripture, Superior

I’M BETTER THAN YOU

ROMANS 3:9

“What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;”

Don’t you just avoid snobby people? People who think they are better than everyone else can rub you the wrong way. You’ve heard it expressed that they are “looking down their nose” at everyone. Literally, that means they are tilting their head back and raising their chin in physical posture of superiority. The problem with tilting your head back like that is if you get caught in a rainstorm, you can drown, lol.

Paul uses the middle voice of the Greek word proechó, which is only used here in today’s verse. It means “to hold oneself before others.” (Strong’s). Paul never asks a question to which he did not have the answer. He has been discussing the differences between Gentiles and Jews the past two chapters. He knows that both groups have their own sense of superiority over the other, but the truth is neither was superior. Both were doomed for eternal destruction unless they responded to the Lord.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says, “The apostle’s rhetorical question refutes the idea that covenant possession or moral striving places anyone closer to justification apart from faith in Jesus Christ.” In Proverbs 6:17 we are told the Lord hates “haughty eyes.” He hates those who think they are better than others. Now, when I say He hates them, I mean He hates their heart attitude. Of course, He loves them and wants them to come to Him, but He will not tolerate their outlandish attitudes.

The attitude of the Gentiles and Jews still exists today, even in our churches. The Baptists think they are better because of their doctrinal stance on eternal security. The Catholics believe they have the true church. The Church of Christ would argue their church is THE church. One day, when we arrive in heaven, we are going to be surprised at who we find and don’t find there.

How’s your heart attitude today towards others? Are you sitting in judgment over them? Or have you humbled yourself to the point that these issues don’t matter? God needs humbled servants who are willing to do whatever He asks. He may ask you to serve someone you think is unreachable. Remember, you are just the vessel.

Father God, mold and remold me into the vessel You can use to reach whomever You send my way.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Condemnation, Confession, Deserved, Justice, Justified, Scripture, Sin

DESERVED CONDEMNATION

ROMANS 3:8

“And why not say (just as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), ‘Let’s do evil that good may come of it?’ Their condemnation is deserved.”

Man, these past few verses have been a tough grind. You have to back up and reread verses 1-7 of chapter 3. Context is always key. For instance, in today’s verse, if you just took out the phrase “Let’s do evil that good may come of it” you would totally pervert what Paul is teaching here. You have to look at the whole picture.

Then Paul says that those who pervert the truth he and others have been teaching are worthy of condemnation. The word for “condemnation” is kríma which, according to HELPS Word studies, is “(‘the results of a judgment’) dramatically links cause-to-effect. Indeed, every decision (action) we make carries inevitable eternal results.” We have to remember that. Our choices have consequences – every time. It could be a good one or a bad one.

APPLICATION

Paul goes so far as to say, “their condemnation is deserved.” Endikos is the Greek word translated here as “deserved.” Some translations say “just.” That’s probably a closer definition. It’s only used one other time in the New Testament in Hebrews 2:2 (I’m adding 3b to give a fuller context). “2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every violation and act of disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

I quote Psalm 51:1-4 most mornings as I pray. Verse 4 carries the same idea Paul is writing here in Romans 3:8. David wrote in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.” God has the right to judge our sin because He is the antithesis of sin. He is holy and righteous!

Ask yourself today if there is a sin in your life which you have become comfortable with. I can think of something right now in my life. As I write this, I am confessing it as sin and asking the Lord to cleanse me. I don’t want anything to come between the Lord and myself. I pray the same for you.

Forgive me, Lord, for taking salvation for granted and not continuing to stay “confessed up.”

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Blood, Eternity, Forgiveness, Judging, Judgment, Scripture, Sin

WE WILL ALL BE JUDGED

ROMANS 3:7

“But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?”

In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Queen Gertrude in speaking to the Player Queen says, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” The phrase refers to someone’s excessively strong or insincere denial of something, leading others to suspect they might be guilty or hiding something. That phrase popped into my head when I read today’s verse.

Paul is kind of playing the devil’s advocate here and throwing out another ridiculous question. Can our sins ever cause God’s glory to become greater? Paul isn’t insinuating that. He is really showing the folly of such thinking. But he knows that people want to rationalize their sinful decisions. After all, why should we be judged, right? Because we are sinful creatures in need of Savior.

APPLICATION

God’s glory is not enhanced by our sin. His glory is shown by how He responds to this sin by demanding adherence to His commands. You’ve heard it said that God’s ten commandments are not His ten suggestions. They are meant to be followed. When we choose to not follow them, we are subject to the punishment that will follow, sooner or later.

Why Carl, I’ve been a sinner all my life and God hasn’t stricken me dead yet. That’s right, not yet. But we know that our sins will find us out. We will be held liable for those sins at some point. We see people all around us who seemingly get away with all kinds of sinful behavior. They may not ever face the consequences this side of eternity, but their day is coming. Rest assured, God will not be mocked.

As I write this devotional blog today, the world has been rocked by yet another senseless murder. The man killed loved Jesus and will be seen as a martyr for Christ. Even his last few words were giving testimony to the work Christ had done. And then…the bullet came that took his life. We scream for justice. We scream for retribution. But Christ died for the very man who took Charlie Kirk’s life. Charlie would have been the first to share Jesus with him, if he had only asked. And if by chance this young man turns to Jesus before his death, Charlie will be there to welcome him into heaven.

Sins left unconfessed and uncovered by the blood of Christ will cost you everything. You will lose an eternity with God. But if you confess and turn to Him, all is forgiven, no matter the gravity of the sin. Have you done that?

O Lord, forgive us for judging others when we have no right to do so. You are the one who is worthy to judge all mankind.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Forgiveness, Jesus, Judging, Judgment, Salvation, Scripture

ONLY ONE JUDGE

ROMANS 3:6

“Far from it! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?”

There are only a few absolutes in this world. One is “There is a God,” and another is “You’re not Him.” You may have heard that before. In this day of more and more “graying,” people refuse the black and white decisions. You tend to justify just about anything. We blame criminal behavior on poverty or skin color. We excuse anti-authority behavior on the zeal of youth. Sorry, my friend. Our world is a world of absolutes.

There was never any question in Paul’s mind about who would judge the world. Of course, God would. He was the only judge who had that right. Albert Barnes makes these comments about this verse. “It may be remarked, however, that God will judge offences, not from what he may do in overruling them, but from the nature of the crime itself. The question is not, what good God may bring out of it, but what does the crime itself deserve? what is the character of the offender? what was his intention?”

You see, our choices do have consequences, quite often eternal ones.

APPLICATION

The concept of God’s right to judge mankind is written throughout Scripture. In Genesis 18:25b we read, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” If God is anything, He is a just judge. He rules every action equally. You may have heard it explained this way. God looks down on our sin as you might look down on a large city from above. From a great height it is not possible to tell which building is the tallest. All you see are the rooftops. God sees our sins that way. In His eyes sin is sin. All sin must be judged.

In Ecclesiastes 12:14 we are told, “For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” Same truth! Every act will be brought to judgment. And in

Ecclesiastes 11:9c Solomon gets more direct. “Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.” There is no escaping God’s judgment for our sins unless…

The Great Judge provided the way of escape. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for all our sin. God judged His Son on that cross, demanding holy blood be spilled to cover us for eternity. God does have the right to judge, but He also loves us enough to give us a way out. Have you chosen that gift? Judgment will come. If you are in the family of God through Jesus, your judgment has been settled.

Father, thank You for being the only Judge Who can judge mankind and thank You for providing a way of escape.


If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Confession, Righteousness, Scripture, Testimony, Unrighteousness

OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS

ROMANS 3:5

“But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking from a human viewpoint.)”

We will never fully understand the righteousness of God this side of eternity. How can a God, a righteous God put up with our unrighteousness? Well, He can’t. The question posed by Paul in today’s verse is really meant to show us the folly of this kind of thinking. Paul even admits he is talking from a human viewpoint.

The thought that Paul is throwing out here is this. If our sins give God the opportunity to show His righteousness, how can He punish our sin? That is obviously what Paul was hearing from some. Yea, I sin, but God still loves me and it gives Him the chance to forgive me. How stupid! God can never condone sin, nor can He overlook it. Sin requires confession and repentance. God can only be righteous.

APPLICATION

This is a difficult verse. We know as followers of Christ that our sin has to be confessed. We know that God demands repentance in order to bestow forgiveness. But this verse, taken by itself, might seem to imply that our sins give God more opportunities to show His righteousness. The second question in this verse is one we all would agree to. “The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is he?” Of course, that answer is NO.

 I am thinking of 1 John 1:9-10. “9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” You see His righteous acts toward us follow our confession. Don’t ever be confused by that. Unrighteousness + confession = righteousness.

Our goal should be to not sin. We should not be sinning and excusing our behaviors. We will see Romans 6:1 later, but it fits so well with today’s verse. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” Paul goes on in 6:2 to say, “May it never be!” That should be our attitude towards sin. May it never be!

Lord, sometimes difficult verses have simple meanings. Thank You for forgiving our confessed sins.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Lies, Scripture, True, Truth

GOD IS TRUE

ROMANS 3:4

“Far from it! Rather, God must prove to be true, though every person be found a liar, as it is written: ‘SO THAT YOU ARE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.’”

Telling fibs as a child gets you in trouble. We may think it’s cute, but if we don’t correct this behavior, we will be growing up adults who lie. Telling the truth is so much easier, isn’t it? We don’t have to keep up with what we said to who. Just tell the truth. Today’s verse tells us that God is true, that He is a truth teller. Shouldn’t we follow His example.

The Greek actually reads here, “However, let God be true.” Of course, He is. Paul is saying that no matter what anyone else says, God will always be true. The verb “to be” is ginomai. Vincent says, “Gínomai means to come into being or manifestation implying motion, movement, or growth (at 2 Pet 1:4). Thus, it is used for God’s actions as emerging from eternity and becoming (showing themselves) in time (physical space).”

APPLICATION

So, what is this truth. In John 7:18 John writes, “The one who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Because God is God, He can only speak truth. The thought of saying anything other than the truth has never and will never enter the mind of God. If He is speaking to us, you can bet He is telling us the truth.

Therein lies the problem. We don’t want the truth. The truth exposes our lies. The truth will expose our sins. Far too many people of influence have been exposed lately regarding living another life. They have hidden the truth. Can you imagine living that way, fearful any day that the truth will come out? Whether it comes out now or later, it will be known.

We can rest in the fact that God is true. Everything about Him is true. When He says He loves you, He really does. When He said He is preparing a place for His followers, He is. When He said He will come again, you can believe it’s true. Just rest in His truth, knowing He will never ever lie to you. That should comfort your heart today.

Lord, thank You for always being true. Expose my lies so I can confess those and make things right with you.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Belief, Bible, Existence, God's Will, Power, Scripture

DO YOU BELIEVE?

ROMANS 3:3

“What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?”

One great response to someone who says, “I don’t believe in God” is “Well, He believes in you.” You see, our belief in the Creator of the universe does not change the fact of His existence. God is God – period. He wants us to believe in Him, but He doesn’t need us to believe in Him to accomplish what He wants to do here on earth. If our unbelief could thwart God’s Will, He would not be a very powerful God, would He?

Paul points out in today’s verse the fact that some do not believe in God, but that their unbelief doesn’t “nullify” God’s faithfulness to us. That word “nullify” is the Greek word katargeó. It means to render entirely idle or useless. Paul is saying that what we believe or don’t believe about God does not make Him any less powerful.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says, “The verb carries the sense of causing something to lose its operative power: to render idle, inoperative, useless, or to bring to nothing.” What kind of God would He be if our belief or unbelief determined His power? I am reminded of God’s discourse with Job at the end of that book. In Job 38 God begins to question Job. You can read chapters 38-41 to get the full discourse. Look at 38:2-4 and see just a little. “2 ‘Who is this who darkens the divine plan by words without knowledge? 3 Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man, and I shall ask you, and you inform Me! 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,’”

We have no right to question God’s existence. We may not understand a lot about God, but all we have to do to fix that is ask Him. Do you think God is playing with us? Do you think He wants to keep us in the dark about Who He is? Of course, not. He wants us to know Him fully. Our doubts and unbelief limit our knowledge of Him.

Ask the Lord today to show you more of Himself, if you’re ready for that. God desires to reveal more and more of Himself to you. All you have to do is come to Him and seek Him. Matthew 7:7 tells us, “‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.’” Jesus meant that when He said it, and it still holds true today. Believe and see!

Lord, show me more of You so that I show others.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Commands, Guard, Law, Scripture, Witnessing, Words

ENTRUSTED

ROMANS 3:2

“Great in every respect. First, that they were entrusted with the actual words of God.”

Have you ever been given something for safekeeping? Perhaps a friend asked you to hold on to something for them for a while and protect it. We see this idea a lot in movies when one character is given a treasure which others are trying to snatch from them. They fight to protect what has been entrusted to them. That’s a close analogy to today’s verse.

Paul answers his own questions asked in the previous verse. Remember those? What advantage or benefit did the Jew have over the Gentiles? And Paul answers literally, “Much in every way!” Why can he say that? He answers in the next sentence. Because God had entrusted them with His words. No other people had been given God’s words like the Jewish nation. God had cut covenant with Abraham and then gave Moses the ten commandments and the rules that followed. God had spoken directly to the Jews for generations through their prophets and judges.

APPLICATION

The key word in today’s verse is “entrusted.” It is the very commonly used word pisteuó, which is the word we translate as “believe” or “have faith.” The word here is in the Aorist Indicative Passive. What does that mean? One source said, “When you see an aorist indicative passive verb, you can understand it as conveying a past, completed action that was done to the subject.” The Jews were given God’s words in the past. That’s a fact. There’s no doubt about it.

The question arises then how they kept it, how they protected it. Psalm 119 is a great chapter to learn more about God’s word. Almost every verse of the 176 verses mentions God’s commands or precepts. Here are just three verses from Psalm 119, to show you what I mean. “4 You have ordained Your precepts, that we are to keep them diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes! 6 Then I will not be ashamed when I look at all Your commandments.”

Are you keeping God’s words safe by obeying and sharing? Nothing keeps God’s words safer than by sharing them with others. That may not make logical sense, but it’s the way God has passed on His words to generations, person by person. There are still billions of people out there who have not experienced the saving power of God’s words. Will you be the one who takes it?

Lord God, use me to keep and share Your Word!

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Adv, Advantage, Benefit, Bible, Covenant, Faithfulness, Promises, Scripture

HAVING THE UPPERHAND

ROMANS 3:1

“Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?” 

Membership has its privileges. I fly most often with one airline. As part of my membership program with them, I can access their lounges around the world when I have a long layover. Some of those lounges are awesome, complete with massaging chairs and free food and drinks. That can really help the time pass more comfortably. I almost (I said almost) feel sorry for those who can’t get in there, lol.

Paul has just finished a long discussion with the Jews in chapter two and he starts out chapter three (I realize there were no chapters in the original) asking two questions about the Jews’ advantage and benefit over the Gentiles. He is really pointing towards the covenant that God had made with the Jews to be with them and love them. They most definitely had seen God’s faithfulness to them over the centuries. But now?

APPLICATION

There are two words in today’s verse that bear a look. The first one is translated “advantage” and is the Greek word perissos. It can have a lot of meanings including exceeding abundantly above, beyond measure and superfluous. It’s actually the word used in John 10:10 where Jesus says, “‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.’” So, is Paul asking what abundance the Jew has over the Gentile?

The second word to look at is ópheleia which is translated “benefit.” It’s only used here and in Jude 1:16 where it says, “These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.” The word has the idea of profit or usefulness. Is Paul asking here if it profits the Jew to be Jewish compared to being a Gentile?

Let me answer these two questions by pointing you to Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” There’s your answer! We “are all one in Christ Jesus.” Our upper hand is Jesus. He is all that matters. Won’t you open that “lounge door” for others today and show them Who can give them an eternal membership?

I am so thankful, Lord, that You have welcomed me into Your eternal lounge.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Flattery, Obedience, Praise, Scripture, Servant, Service

PRAISE FROM GOD

ROMANS 2:29

“But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.”

Oh, to receive praise from the Lord! Doesn’t the last part of that verse just thrill you? Sadly, many of us prefer the applause of man. We had rather have our names up in lights and be the keynote speaker at a conference than quietly receive praise from God. Let me tell you, the praise of men is fleeting. One minute you’re the cat’s meow and the next you’re yesterday’s headline. You have to set your priorities.

Paul wraps up a discourse that he has had since verse 17 dealing with the Jews. I really love how he ends this with mentioning the praise from God. Most of the Jews preferred men’s praise. They wanted to be recognized and honored. Paul, being a former Pharisee, could relate to that. I am sure many a Jew showed him earthly honor as a Pharisee. But oh, how empty it was.

APPLICATION

1 Samuel 16:7 tells us, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” As Samuel looked for the next king of Israel, he naturally assumed it would be Eliab, Jesse’s oldest. But the Lord quickly said these words to him. Don’t assume because something looks like the right thing that it is the right thing. We have to seek the Lord’s mind on these things.

I have had the honor of leading some great organizations in my ministry years. As part of my role, I have been recognized for my leadership and dedication. I even received plaques and certificates saying so. Guess where those plaques are now – in the garbage. I moved them from place to place and hung them for years on my office walls. But a few years back the Lord told me to discard them. They meant nothing eternally.

There is nothing wrong with praising others. In fact, we should do that when we see them doing something that honors our Lord. We should praise our children for doing good. But the ultimate praiseworthy statements come from God. We want Him to look at us and be pleased. As His child, He loves us no matter what, but we all desire to hear Him say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

O Lord, I want to honor You by serving You. I long to hear You whisper praise over me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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