Category Archives: Jesus

Bible, Forgiveness, Grace, Jesus, Obedience, Romans, Scripture

FREELY GIVE = FORGIVEN

ROMANS 8:32

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” 

Have you ever had the experience of finding out what you thought you understood really had much deeper meaning? I like to watch suspense movies. I am the one in the crowd who tries to figure out “who did it” long before it is revealed. A lot of the time I guess right, but sometimes I am blown away at the ending. When all is revealed, it is so much easier to understand.

That’s true with today’s verse for me. Sometimes when you are reading the Bible you come across a verse that you think you understand until you dig a little deeper. In the last phrase of today’s verse, Paul writes, “how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”That sounds good on the surface, but there is so much more here. Let’s dig in.

APPLICATION

Let’s look specifically at “freely give.” That’s the Greek word charizomai which comes from the Greek word for “grace.” The  Topical Lexicon describes this verb this way, “The term gathers under one umbrella the concepts of (1) freely bestowing a gift, (2) remitting a debt or penalty, and (3) graciously granting a request. In every occurrence the accent falls on the generosity of the giver, not the worthiness of the recipient.” Isn’t that so much better than simply “freely give”?

The same verb is used over in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11. “10 But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” Charizomai is used three times in verse 10 (the one in italics isn’t in the Greek text). This forgiveness gives us power over the schemes of the devil. How is the possible? Because an unforgiving spirit plays right into his hands. When we forgive like Christ forgave, we are be obedient to Jesus and not our flesh.

We see charizomai used twice in Ephesians 4:32. “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” You and I need to forgive like that. And we do that not for the other person but for ourselves. More importantly, we do it out of obedience to our Lord Who has forgiven us so much. Amen? Amen!

Even though I was unworthy of Your forgiveness, You bestowed it upon me. Help me do the same to 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, Conformity, Image, Jesus, Likeness, Romans, Scripture

CONFORMED TO HIS IMAGE

ROMANS 8:29

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;”

My daughter’s two children, one boy and one girl, reflect the image of their parents. Some days we see more of my daughter in them, and other days, we see our son-in-law more. But inwardly, these two little ones are unique individuals. They may favor their parents in their outward appearance. But only time will tell what their own personalities will reveal.

Hmmm, that might just apply to today’s verse. Let me just say up front that I am NOT going to be talking about predestination today. That is a topic of discussion on another platform, not this one. Today I want to look at how we are “conformed to the image of His Son.” Unfortunately, too many people believe if they just believe in Jesus, that’s all that matters. I would argue that this verse requires more. Let’s take a look.

APPLICATION

The word “conformed” is sýmmorphos and only appears here in Romans 8:29 and in Philippians 3:21. It means, according to HELPS Word-studies “conformed, by sharing the same inner essence–identity (form); showing similar behavior from having the same essential nature.” Did you catch that? It’s not about the outward appearance. It’s an inner likeness. Back to my analogy of my grandchildren. Outwardly they look like their parents, but inwardly they are quite different.

God has determined His desire for each and every follower of Christ is to be like Jesus inwardly. There are a lot of people in the world today who claim outwardly to be a Christian, but their lifestyle and behaviors say something so unlike Jesus. I am sure you can think of examples of that. We are to be just like Jesus inwardly.

Philippians 3:21 says, “who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” Do I need to remind you that God already sees you in that glorified? Remember, He sees time differently than we do. He sees us in our glorified bodies, conformed to His Son’s image. So, why can’t we just agree with Him and be like Jesus?

Conforming to anything requires giving up something. For water to conform to the shape of a vessel, it must give up its free flowing desire. For us to conform to the image of His Son, we must give up all that we think we want to look like. It does not matter what the world thinks. It only matters what He sees in us. Let Him see only Jesus. Let our inward attitude and motives be conformed totally to Jesus’ image, which He has predestined to be His desire for us.

Father, let me look just like Jesus on the inside. Give me His heart for 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, Family, Father, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Romans, Scripture, Son

TEAMMATES

ROMANS 8:16

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,”

Two is always stronger than one. The combined strength of two individuals has proven to be stronger than the sum of each person’s individual strength. We call that synergy. I have worked with team for most, if not all, of my ministry career. Some teams were stronger than others. Do you know why? Because in those weaker teams we had some members who didn’t give their all. You have heard it said a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So true.

Paul reminds us in today’s verse that we are not on this journey alone. The Spirit is front and center in our lives. It is He Who empowers us to live our lives for Christ. It is He through Christ Who guides our thoughts and minds. And it is He Who, if we will allow Him, will keep us from those sinful behaviors that so easily entangle us. We are a team, a heavenly team.

APPLICATION

It’s interesting to me that the only three times the Greek verb summartureó is used in the New Testament, they are used by Paul in this letter to the Romans (2:15; 8:16; 9:1). Check out this one commentary’s remarks on this phrase. “The testimony of our own spirit is borne in that cry of conscious sonship, ‘Abba, Father’; but we are not therein alone; for the Holy Ghost within us, yea, even in that very cry which it is His to draw forth, sets His own distinct seal to ours; and thus, ‘in the mouth of two witnesses’ the thing is established. (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary)

It is always good to have corroborating witnesses to prove a point. Here we have our spirit and God’s Spirit agreeing that we are children of God. Now, it would be one thing for us to say that on our own. I could claim to be the President of the United States. That claim wouldn’t go very far. If, however, that claim was backed up by the Supreme Court, I may very well be the President (don’t worry, I’m not, lol). Agreement with others carries weight.

This is why we should never, never doubt our sonship with the Father. The Spirit of God says we are. All we have to do is agree with Him. He knows it’s true. Jesus knows it’s true. The Father knows it’s true. Celebrate the fact that you are one with them. As Jesus said, “I am in you.” Believe that and receive it. What a promise. I am given the privilege to call on my Father in heaven whenever I need Him. And He hears. 1 John 5:14 says, “And we have this confidence before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Praise the Lord.

I am forever grateful, Lord, that You have given me the Holy Spirit to corroborate my testimony of being Your son.

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, Family, Father, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Relationships, Romans, Scripture

ABBA! FATHER!

Yesterday when I visited my daughter’s home, my little 18 month old grandson saw me when I came in the back door and came running. He is not calling my name yet, but his excitement and energy coming to me screamed, “Papa, Papa!” I can’t wait to hear him say that to me. And when he got to me, he practically dove into my arms. Here’s a pic to prove it (pardon the Band-Aid on the nose).

Paul’s use of “Abba! Father!” in today’s verse isn’t just a flippant use of Hebrew and Greek. No, this use of two words from two different languages was intentional and meant to convey a deep personal relationship. The phrase is used two other times in the New Testament which we will look at. Think of my illustration above. That’s the picture I want you to have in your mind when you hear “Abba! Father!”

APPLICATION

In Mark 14:36 we find Jesus using that phrase when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying. “And He was saying, ‘Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.’” Jesus was crying out to His Heavenly Father during a time of deep pain and torment. He knew He was destined for this moment, but in this moment, He turns to the most intimate relationship He had, His Father. We must do the same.

Paul writes in Galatians 4:6, “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba! Father!’” Here in this usage of the phrase, it is the Spirit crying out to the Father for us. Again, The Spirit and the Father are intimately connected. The Spirit only speaks what the Father tells Him to speak. He only moves as the Father tells Him. Shouldn’t we be the same?

Abba! Father! Daddy, daddy! Hear my cry! That is what we are saying when we use those words. We need to realize that the closet relationship we should have as followers of Christ is with the Father through the Spirit because of the Son. It’s a family thing. Remember, we are sons and daughters of the King. We have the right to call out “Abba! Father!” and to know He hears us. Amen!

I cry out to You today, Abba Father. Hear my cry!

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, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Jesus, Resurrection, Romans, Scripture

RESURRECTED BODY     

ROMANS 8:11

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

One day this old mortal body of mine will give out. I’ve always told people that my heart only has so many good heartbeats, so I don’t want to waste any of them exercising. Lol. Seriously, I know my physical body is getting older. I simply can’t do what I used could do. I know my limitations physically. There is nothing I can do to stop the fact that I will die one day. That doesn’t bother me because I am ready to meet my Lord.

Why all the doom and gloom? Well, I don’t mean it to sound that way. Paul’s verse today speaks of the Spirit resurrecting Jesus from the dead. That’s great news, right? The even better news is that the same Spirit Who dwells within us will not only resurrect our mortal bodies one day, but He gives life to us right now. My body got a spiritual recharging when I received the Spirit of Christ through salvation.

APPLICATION

There are two very different schools of thought on this verse. Some say it refers to our resurrected bodies when Christ raptures the church. Our mortal bodies will be changed in an instant. Paul refers to this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. “16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” I’m ready for that, are you?

The other thought on this verse doesn’t ignore that, but they think this verse is mainly referring to the supernatural life-giving change that takes place in our mortal bodies now. Since God sees us not only as we are but also as we will be (glorified), we even now live in resurrected bodies. Sure, these mortal bodies are still subject to sin and death, but our spirit is unified with the Spirit of Christ who raised Jesus from the dead. That’s real power.

The Greek word for “mortal” is only used six times in the New Testament. The word is thnétos which means “liable to die.” This physical body will succumb to the grave at some point unless Jesus returns before then. Paul uses this word in 2 Corinthians 4:11 which gives us a view of this thought our resurrection exists also now. “For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.” We must allow the life of Jesus to be revealed now if we are followers of Jesus. Live a resurrected life today.

Thank You, Lord, for the power of Your resurrection in my life today.

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, Gratitude, Jesus, Romans, Scripture, Thanksgiving

THANKS

ROMANS 7:25

“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.”

Coming to the end of a long fought battle would cause anyone to exclaim, “Thank God that’s over.” Have you ever been there? I can recall a few times like that in my life. Some of those battles were physical and others were emotional while still others were spiritual. Each time the end came I was thankful for having survived and in some cases thrived. I wish I could say I always gave God thanks, but that would not be true. I think I could learn a thing or two from Pauls’ verse today.

In the conclusive verse of this long passage we just looked at (verses 14-25), Paul gives God thanks for it all. Barnes sums it up this way, “There is a way of rescue, and I trace it altogether to his mercy in the Lord Jesus Christ. What conscience could not do, what the Law could not do, what unaided human strength could not do, has been accomplished by the plan of the gospel; and complete deliverance can be expected there, and there alone. This is the point to which all his reasoning had tended;” What can you add to that?

APPLICATION

I want to encourage you today to do exactly what Paul has done. Through all the struggles he has expressed in these verses, he gives God thanks. But look carefully. He says, “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” That is where all praise belongs. Jesus is the One Who gets us through every battle we face. It does not matter if it’s spiritual (like the one Paul has been describing between the flesh and the spirit) or physical. Jesus deserves all the praise.

The word used by Paul for “thanks” is the Greek word charis. It’s the same word that is translated as “grace.” Isn’t it because of God’s grace that we can give thanks? Paul knew that. It was grace that he experienced all those years previously on the Damascus road? The Lord Jesus chose to show Paul grace when He stopped him cold on that road and struck him blind so that He could open his eyes.

Take a minute right now to give God thanks for all He has done for you. Name them. Lift your hands in praise. Sing a song of praise to Him. Thank Him for His grace in your life. Thank Him for your health. Thank Him for the promise of eternal life with Him in glory. Thank Him for… Aren’t your grateful? I know I sure am.

Thank You, thank You, thank You! I give You praise for delivering me from the bondage of sin.

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, Good, Goodness, Jesus, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Scripture

NOTHING GOOD IN ME!

ROMANS 7:18

“For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”

My dad was a good man all his life. His reputation in my hometown was unscathed. People respected him. The people he supervised at the textile mill may have not always appreciated his manner of supervision, but they still would tell you what a good man my dad was. However, that goodness in him would play not part of his spiritual journey. Good just doesn’t cut it when it comes to God.

Paul says as much in today’s verse. That first phrase, “For I know that good does not dwell in me,” could be translated as “there ain’t nothing good in me.” Paul would be the first to tell you how wicked his flesh was. I will never forget my brother-in-law’s testimony about his salvation. He had been in ministry about eight years before he actually came to Christ. He said when he finally realized the depravity of his flesh, he cried until his nose bled. After that encounter with the exposure of his sin, he was a changed man.

APPLICATION

I have often said that there is nothing good in me except Jesus. If I ever receive any praise for something I’ve done in the ministry, I am quick to point to Jesus. It’s only because of Him that I am able to do the things I do. I am just like Paul when he says he wishes to do good but just doesn’t. That’s the crux of this verse. Good intentions do not equate to righteousness. That is only possible through the blood of Jesus.

Barnes says this verse “could not be possibly a stronger expression of belief of the doctrine of total depravity.” We are born sinners. We didn’t do anything to inherit that depravity except being born after Adam. The perfection of creation ended in that garden and the results permeate all through the centuries. Any goodness we possess will not get us through the gates of heaven. Only the “goodness” of our Savior (His blood, His sacrifice, His death, His resurrection).

The word used by Paul for “good” is “agathós. This word “describes what originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life, through faith.” (HELPS Word-studies) Paul knew this. He knew the good He desired to do was only possible because of God’s agathós. And we are the same, beloved. Don’t try to “outdo” God. It can’t be done. You can’t pray enough, serve enough, give enough or study enough. He imparts His agathós in you when you receive His Son. So, let me ask you. Do you possess this agathós?

Father, I agree with Paul today that there is no good in me except what You have put in 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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Bible, Christ, Death, Eternal Life, Eternity, Gifts, Jesus, Scripture, Sin, Wages

WAGES VS GIFTS

ROMANS 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Here we are again with another one of my Every Man A Warrior memory verses. We teach this verse to men to train them to share the gospel. Google “The Bridge Illustration” and you will find numerous examples. We use this verse because it spells out the Gospel so simply for anyone at any age. I actually have an App on my phone called “ShareYourFaith” which uses the Bridge Illustration also. Check it out.

Paul brings us to the end of chapter 6 (of course, there were no chapters in his letters) with this familiar verse. I want us to look at the key words of this verse today – wages, sin, death, gift, eternal life, Christ Jesus. And the biggest word in the verse is right in the middle – but. That word changes everything. Everything said in the first half of the verse is trumped by what is said in the second. But…a little word with big implications.

APPLICATION

“…the wages of sin is death,… We earn death (our wages) because of our sin. Since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, man has been held liable for their sins. The punishment for Adam’s disobedience was death, first a physical death. Then, if that sin was not atoned for, a spiritual death. Since Adam mankind has suffered these deaths. There is no way of escaping this punishment in and of ourselves. We cannot earn back our physical or spiritual life.

BUT… God had a plan from the foundation of the world. He knew what would happen in the garden. If He had not known, He would not be much of a God. And even though He knew the choice Eve and then Adam would make, He did not intervene to stop them. They had to decide on their own to obey Him. If He forced their obedience, they would rebel against that. You see, Jesus was not God’s plan B. He was always the plan.

“…the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” As Paul Harvey used to say, “Now, the rest of the story.” God gives us a gift. It cost us nothing. It’s free. We just have to accept it. What is that gift? Eternal life with Jesus. Hold on, Carl. What’s the catch? No catch. You see, that’s what causes so many to stumble. They are looking for the hook in this gift. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you (John 3:16). If you haven’t accepted that gift yet, do it today. If you have, give Him praise for this inexhaustible gift that has brought billions of people into His kingdom. There is always room for one more.

This world doesn’t know how to accept free gifts. Thank You for giving so freely so I can live 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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Bible, Grace, Jesus, Law, Masters, Scripture, Slaves

UNDERGRACE

ROMANS 6:14

“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace.”

There’s a hymn written in 1718 that sums up today’s verse well. It is entitled “Christ Receiveth Sinful Men.” The third verse is particularly relevant. It says:

Now my heart condemns me not,

Pure before the law I stand;

He Who cleansed me from all spot,

Satisfied its last demand.

In today’s verse, Paul summarizes once again all the previous verses. Justification is not by works but is only by grace. The little preposition hypo is used here. It means be under something. Often that means to be under the authority of someone or something. In this case, under the authority of the Law or of grace. Paul, being a former Pharisee, knew the futility of trying to appease the Law. You know he was so thankful for grace in his life.

APPLICATION

Paul uses another word that is interesting. In past verses he used a different word to convey the idea of sin reigning over us. In today’s verse he uses kyrieúō which comes from kýrios meaning “Lord.” He used this same word back in 6:9 and will use it again in Romans 7:1 and 14:9. I particularly like how 14:9 uses it in reference to the Lord Jesus. “For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”

The Law is not Lord. Jesus is. The Law does not rule over us. Jesus does. The Law does not dictate how we live. Jesus does. Why won’t we, as followers of Christ, yield ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus and allow His grace to over us? We chase after sin to try to get some kind of fulfillment but are only left with emptiness and grief. Jesus can fill all our needs if we will allow Him.

If you’re like me, you don’t like to be told what to do. I have always been pretty self-confident and made my own decisions. I often had to make decisions that affected others whom I supervised. But I have learned not to lord it over them. I must show grace. I must emulate the example set for me by Jesus. He will lead us only if we follow. He won’t push or shove us into grace. We must come willingly under His lordship. Will you?

Lord Jesus, I recognize and accept Your lordship over my life. Help me to live under grace each day.

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, Cross, Death, Eternal Life, Jesus, Life, Promises, Scripture

DIED ONCE FOR ALL

ROMANS 6:9

“knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.”

As a lifelong Baptist I have heard the whole debate about crosses verses crucifixes. A lot of my Baptist friends will argue that since Christ is alive and was resurrected, we should not have a symbol of Him remaining on the cross. My Catholic friends see the crucifix as a reminder of the sacrifice of Christ on that cross. They know He is alive and resurrected. Honestly, I don’t have a problem with the crucifix. To me it’s no different than watching a movie about the crucifixion each year. Let’s just agree to celebrate His sacrifice. Amen?

Paul knew that Christ had been raised from the dead. He had spoken to Him on that road to Emmaus. He knew Jesus’ shed His divine blood once for all mankind. He knew He had defeated death and the grave. Today’s verse is a reminder to us all of the supreme sacrifice and our promise of eternal life with Him one day. Understand this – for a follower of Christ the dominion of death has expired.

APPLICATION

Two of the verbs in today’s verse need to be explained. “Is…to die again” is in the Present Indicative Active. That verb tense is an ongoing action of the verb. Paul is saying that Christ is no longer dying constantly. He is not suffering for us now. He is advocating for us. He’s at the right hand of the Father. He died ONCE for all.

The other verb to look at is translated as “is..master.” It literally reads in the Greek “no longer rules over.” It’s the Greek word kurieuó and is also in the Present Indicative Active. Strong’s defines it as “have dominion over, exercise lordship over.” Death is not ruling over Jesus. Just the opposite, in fact. He defeated death. When He was resurrected, death saw its last day of dominion over mankind. Those who follow Jesus walk in that victory.

Where are you today in regard to Christ’s death and resurrection? I pray you have made that decision to follow Him. If you have, walk in that victory that is yours through Jesus. There is absolutely no reason to feel defeated. Trust Him to show you each day how to handle those situations that test you. He wants to see you living victoriously, not defeated. Remember, He died and arose again for you. This is an eternal promise from the Father.

O God, I praise You that I have victory of sin and the grave because of Jesus’ shed blood and His victory over death.

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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