Category Archives: Jesus

Police officers handcuff and escort several individuals along a sidewalk with police vehicles nearby
Bible, Forgiveness, Holy, Jesus, Redemption, Romans, Scripture, Spared

WILL NOT SPARE YOU

ROMANS 11:21

“for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.”

Have you ever been spared a punishment for something you deserved? We probably all have at some point in our lives. But there are also occasions when we are not spared and have to suffer what comes. If you are hanging out with the wrong crowd and do something that is unlawful, you can expect to not be spared by law enforcement. My wife and I see that all the time on our favorite Police reality show. All the talking in the world won’t get you off. You are now facing the consequences.

Paul warns the Gentiles in today’s verse that they can expect to be treated the same way God treats the unbelieving Jews if they turn from Him. He is not going to spare them either. God is just and holy and cannot simply ignore rebellion. Paul has been telling us that the Jews who rejected Jesus would be dealt with by God. But now he tells the Gentiles the same. The old saying “What is good for the goose is good for the gander” definitely applies here.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes explains this verse well. “If God did not refrain from rejecting the Jews who became unbelievers, assuredly he will not refrain from rejecting you in the same circumstances. It may be supposed that he will be quite as ready to reject the ingrafted branches, as to cast off those which belonged to the parent stock. The situation of the Gentiles is not such as to give them any security over the condition of the rejected Jew.”

In 2 Peter 2:4-5 we see this word for “spare” used twice in a most definitive way. “4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;” Whoa! And you think you should be spared for disobedience? I think not.

We saw the same word used earlier in Romans 8:32 when Paul wrote that God “did not spare His Own Son.” Sin determines God’s response. Because Jesus Who was sinless became as sin for us by taking on all our sins, God could not spare His life. He gave His life as a ransom for us. We were spared judgment because God did not spare Him. Double Whoa! Aren’t you grateful? I sure am. Therefore, live your lives as being worthy of that.

Father God, thank You for sparing me from Your judgment through the blood of Jesus.

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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Plate of freshly baked golden biscuits with steam rising, coffee mug, bowls of butter and jam
Bible, Covenant, Israel, Jesus, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

HOLY LUMP

ROMANS 11:16

“If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well.”

Don’t you just love that word “lump”? When I hear it, I think about the lump of dough my mama would have on the kitchen table when she made homemade biscuits. Boy, were her biscuits good. She would mix up the flour and buttermilk, a little shortening and a couple of eggs. Her biscuits were so fluffy on the inside, but crispy on the outside. Excuse me while I wipe my mouth, lol. Every bit of that lump was good, whether it was used to make a little biscuit or a “cathead” biscuit (look that up).

As Paul looks toward the redemption of his nation Israel, he makes this statement today about their future. He refers back to Abraham and the covenant guidelines of offering to God the first fruits. He uses the terms “lump” and “branches” to describe the people of Israel with the belief that they will be ushered in one day to the kingdom when they surrender to the Lord fully, just as Abraham had covenanted with God at the outset of the nation. Matthew Poole’s Commentary says, “Here is another argument to prove the Jews are not finally rejected, because of the covenant made with their fathers…by lump, and branches, he means the people of the Jews that descended of these holy patriarchs, and spring from them, as branches from a root.”

APPLICATION

Even Peter said these words to his people during his second sermon in Acts 3:25. “It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’” The purpose God had given the Jews was to make his salvation known among the nations. That was done through His Son, Jesus Christ, born a Jew to fulfill this prophecy.

So, how does this apply to us today. Over in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, Paul uses that word for “lump” again. This time pointing out a different thought. “6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.” What does that mean? Just as one good lump can influence the whole, one bad lump can as well.

Are you a good lump or a bad lump? All the molecules of my mama’s biscuit dough came together to produce a truly delicious product. Each molecule did its job without worrying about what the other one was doing. They were all there to make biscuits. (Hungry yet?) We, as followers of Christ, must come together to make disciples who make disciples. Stop worrying about what the Methodists or Baptists or Pentecostals are doing. Just do your part, be the lump!

Thank You, Father, for allowing me to be a part of the whole lump and spread Your message.

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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Woman hiking on a mountain trail with anatomical heart graphic on her jacket
Bible, Hard, Heart, Israel, Jesus, Refusal, Romans, Scripture

HARDENED BY REFUSAL

ROMANS 11:7

“What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;”

Have you ever known a hard person? You know, someone who is colder than ice. They refuse any emotional connections. They see themselves above others. I could go on, but you get the drift. I often wonder what caused them to be that way. Was it their childhood? Was it a traumatic event in their past? For whatever reason, they have hardened their heart to others, even the love of God.

Paul says in today’s verse that some of the Jews had become hardened. The Greek word translated as “hardened” is pōróō. HELPS Word-studies says this about that word, “(from pōros, a kind of marble) – properly, made of stone; (figuratively) insensible; dull, unperceptive as a rock; calloused (hardened); i.e. unresponsive (dense), completely lacking sensitivity or spiritual perception. pōróō (from pōros, a kind of marble) – properly, made of stone; (figuratively) insensible; dull, unperceptive as a rock; calloused (hardened); i.e. unresponsive (dense), completely lacking sensitivity or spiritual perception.” I wanted to include that whole definition so you could get the full picture.

APPLICATION

I was amazed to see this word used to describe the disciples when they saw Jesus walk on the water. In Mark 6:51-52 it says, “51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” Wow! Wasn’t aware of that, were you? I guess I just missed that before. Even the disciples were hardened in their hearts at this point.

Two chapters later in Mark 8:17, we see Jesus call them hardened again. “And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, ‘Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet comprehend or understand? Do you still have your heart hardened?’” Ouch, double ouch! If the disciples who walked with Jesus were hardened in their hearts, aren’t we just as susceptible?

In 2 Corinthians 3:14 pōróō is used to describe those who have refused to respond to Jesus. “But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.” Do you see it now? But praise be to God Who has lifted the veil from over our eyes when we give our heart and soul to Jesus. He softens that old hard heart. Even the hard hearted person can have theirs softened if they will only yield to the Master.

Thank You, Father, for taking my old hard heart and making it pliable and moldable in Your hands.

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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Antique balance scale with heavy stones on one side and glowing feathers on the other, beside a decorative box labeled Grace
Bible, Grace, Jesus, Romans, Salvation, Scripture, Works

ONLY GRACE

ROMANS 11:6

“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace.”

Let me remind you what grace is. Grace is getting something you don’t deserve. So, anytime someone gives you something you don’t deserve, you are receiving grace. That’s different than mercy. Mercy is not getting what you do deserve – like hell. God’s mercy is extended to me because of His grace towards me through His Son, Jesus Christ. You really need to know the difference in those two. Aren’t you glad you have His grace and His mercy?

Paul is continuing his teaching on the importance of justification by grace and grace alone. The Jews were adamant that only through their obedience to the law could they be justified. Paul knew all too well the futility of that thinking. Remember, Paul was Jewish and had been a Pharisee. He knew the difference in grace and works firsthand. That is why he spent so much time on this topic in his letters. He wants everyone to understand the free grace that is offered to anyone who turns to Jesus.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes says this about today’s verse. “And from this it follows that salvation cannot be partly by grace and partly by works. It is not because people can advance any claims to the favor of God; but from his mere unmerited grace. He that is not willing to obtain eternal life in that way, cannot obtain it at all.” I am reminded of Galatians 2:21. “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Paul writes a similar statement in Ephesians 2:8-9. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Only God’s grace is sufficient to pay the price for our sins. That grace was made manifest in His Son, Jesus Christ. What else do you need? Nothing! Nothing else can help you. No one can pay the price for your sins, except Jesus. There’s nothing you can do, no matter how holy you try to live, to earn that grace. It’s a free gift from God based on your decision to follow His Son.

I have six grandchildren which I would give my life for if asked. If there was something I could do to earn them their salvation, I would do it. But there’s nothing I can do. They each have to make that personal decision to follow Jesus or not. And based on that decision they will or will not be with me and their Mimi/Nana in heaven. I pray every day for them to know Christ personally and follow Him. I know God desires to see them come to Him. I pray they are listening. Are you?

Lord, thank You for the gift of grace that requires nothing from me except believing in and following 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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Multiple raised hands of different skin tones reaching up towards a colorful sunset sky
Bible, Gospel, Hand, Isaiah, Jesus, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

OUTSTRETCHED HANDS

ROMANS 10:21

“But as for Israel, He says, ‘I HAVE SPREAD OUT MY HANDS ALL DAY LONG TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.’”

We come to the end of chapter 10 of Romans with today’s verse. Once again, Paul turns to Isaiah 65, this time from verse 2 which says, “‘I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,’” But let me encourage you to take a minute and go to Isaiah 65 and read verses 1-7 to get the full picture of what the Lord is saying.

But look closely at what the Lord spoke to Isaiah about the Jewish nation. Even though they were disobedient and obstinate, He still says, “I have spread out My hands all day long.” God still was entreating them to return to Him. He loved His chosen people. He still wants to see them redeemed. Paul is telling us in today’s verse that this is still true in his day. God sent His Son to His children first, who spurned and rejected Him. Still, He desires to see them saved.

APPLICATION

Barnes sums up the past several verses with these observations:

  • The pagan world is in danger without the gospel.
  • The provisions of the gospel are ample for them.
  • The command of Jesus Christ remains still the same, to preach the gospel to every creature.
  • If the gospel is to be preached everywhere, people must be sent forth into the vast field.
  • The church should be training young men for the ministry.
  • God will withdraw His favors from those nations that are disobedient and rebellious.

What are we to do with this? We must be about our Father’s business of reaching the lost for Christ. There’s not a moment to spare. His return is imminent. It could happen today. And there are billions who will face the fiery flames of hell if they do not bow the knee to Jesus.

The image of outstretched hands is one we can see clearly in the cross. Jesus stretched out His hands and died for us. He allowed His hands to be pierced with the nails of the cross on our behalf. And when we turn to Him, those drops of blood cover us. We must share that with others as often as we can. Stretch out your hands today and share the good news of God’s redemption plan for the world.

Father, I praise You for giving Your Own Son Who stretched out His hands for 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, Family, Jesus, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

A NEW FAMILY LINE

ROMANS 9:24

“namely us, whom He also called, not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles,”

When I look at my grandchildren, I am amazed how the Lord takes different family trees and combines them. For instance, my wife comes from the Barker tree, and I come from the Willis tree. My children have both trees within them. Then when they had their own children they come from the Willis tree, Barker tree and the trees of their spouse’s family. Now, we are getting more like a bush, right? Lol.

God has expanded His family to include all mankind, not just the Jewish nation. Barnes says it well. He says, “Christians, selected from both Jews and Gentiles. This proves that he did not refer to nations primarily, but to individuals chosen out of nations. Two things are established here.

(1) that the grace of God was not confined to the Jewish people, as they supposed, so that it could be conferred on no others.

(2) that God was not bound to confer grace on all the descendants of Abraham, as he bestowed it on those selected from the mass, according to his own will, and not of necessity ‘on the mass’ itself.”

APPLICATION

Paul goes into more detail about this in Romans 11. Look at what he writes in 11:17-18. “17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.” God didn’t disregard the Jewish nation. They are still His chosen people, but we have been “grafted” into that tree.

I am sure that God has His plan for the Jewish nation to this day. How He does that is beyond my knowledge, but I believe He will redeem His people one day when they bow to their Messiah, Jesus Christ. Until that day, we must continue to hold fast to that tree in which we have been grafted. We must pray for the peace of Israel. I am not getting political. I’m just stating what His Word says.

God’s family was designed to include all who call on His name. That includes all nations. Some people believe that America has been blessed because it was founded on Christian principles. Sadly, we see our country drifting further from that truth. Our responsibility as followers of Jesus is to proclaim His Gospel to all. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) tells us to go to all nations. Are you doing that? I don’t mean are you traveling all over the world. But are you reaching across the street? Are you telling the Good News? Let’s invite everyone we meet to get in this family tree. There’s one way – Jesus. He will graft them in.

Father, I am thankful that You grafted me into Your family tree.

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, 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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