Category Archives: Jesus

Bible, Death, Eternal Life, Jesus, Life, Scripture, Sin

CONTAGIONS

ROMANS 5:12

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—”

How could we ever forget Covid-19? It was a worldwide epidemic that cost many lives. It doesn’t matter which side of the vaccine mandate you were on, we all knew people who lost their battle with this flu-like disease. It was very contagious and easily passed from person to person. Masks were mandated everywhere. Churches emptied, many of which held online services only. It was a scary time for many.

Paul tells us in today’s verse just how contagious sin is. Because of Adam’s and Eve’s original sin, all mankind was “infected.” The end result of that infection is death. It’s a terminal disease. The only cure is Jesus (we’ll see that later in this chapter). The Greek word translated “spread” is dierchomai. The Topical Lexicon gives this picture. “The entrance of death is pictured as a relentless traveler moving through humanity.”

APPLICATION

The same word is used in Hebrews 4:14 to describe Christ’s movement into the heavens. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession.” Of course, Christ’s passing through the heavens is a lot better than sin passing to us, isn’t it?

The word is even used by Jesus to describe the movements of unclean spirits (demonic spirits). In Matthew 12:43 we read, “‘Now when the unclean spirit comes out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest and does not find it.’” We need to know how to stop this movement, don’t we? Well, we must be born again by the Holy Spirit. Where the Spirit dwells, evil cannot. The Holy Spirit fills us completely. We can be oppressed and fall under the influence of demonic forces, but they can never indwell us again.

Listen, your sin is contagious. Your actions have ripple effects. Fathers, your sins will affect your children. Mothers, your sins will also. We are not held responsible for our father’s or mother’s sins, but we can feel the consequences of them. That is why we must be very careful to guard our hearts and our lives. Let’s pass on the good stuff, not the bad.

Lord, keep me spiritually sanitized from the strains of sin that so easily comes against 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, Helplessness, Jesus, Scripture, Strength, Sufficiency, Weakness

HELPLESS

ROMANS 5:6

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Nothing is more depressing than to be helpless to change a situation that you desire so deeply to see changed. Without going into any detail, my wife and I are in that situation. We have been dealing with something for quite a while now that we are powerless to change. It’s out of our control. Now, we could choose to wallow in our self-pity and get mad or depressed. We have chosen (even though it is very hard) to lay it down at the feet of Jesus and let Him handle it. After all, whatever is over our head is under His feet.

The word Paul uses here translated as “helpless” is asthenés which comes “from a ‘without’ and sthenos, ‘vigor, strength’ – properly, without vigor, living in a state of weakness (depletion).” (HELPS Word-studies). Paul, knowing the futility of the law or the futility of the Gentiles’ gods, says we were all helpless, devoid of the ability to save ourselves. We need a Savior.

APPLICATION

I love the fact that God takes us in our weakness, saves us and then uses us. Look at 1 Corinthians 1:27, “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,” Isn’t that awesome? You see, it’s not about our strength or our ability. You’ve heard it said, “God doesn’t want our ability. He wants our availability.”

Not only does Christ take our weakness, our inability to save ourselves, but He also commands us to help others who are weak. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” As we know the strength of Christ in our own lives, we are to be quick to pass that along to others who are weak and helpless.

My wife and I are expecting our sixth grandchild in a few weeks. She will be born a helpless baby, totally dependent on her parents to feed, clean and protect. She won’t be able to walk for many months. She won’t feed herself for a long time. But as her parents and her grandparents care for her in her weakness, she will be getting stronger. Christ takes us in our spiritual infancy and strengthens us. He does not judge our immaturity. He builds on it. Today thank the Lord for your weakness which necessitates His strength.

Lord, I give You praise that in my weakness, You are my strength.

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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Access, Bible, Faith, Grace, Jesus, Justification, Scripture

FULL ACCESS

ROMANS 5:2

“through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.”

I have stayed in a few Airbnb rentals and have for the most part thoroughly enjoyed them. It so different than staying in a hotel. Sure, you don’t have housekeeping dropping by to make your bed or freshen your towels, but you have a lot more room and privacy. But to get in that Airbnb you have to have either a key or a code. Without that, you will not reap the benefits of your reservation.

Paul tells us we have access to our eternal home in today’s verse. The word translated “introduction” is prosagōgḗ which comes “from prós, ‘with, towards’ and ágō, ‘come’ – properly, come towards (near); have access (approach), with intimate (face-to-face) interaction (note the prefix pros). All three occasions of prosagōgḗ (‘interactive access’) refer to ‘having audience (direct access) with God’ (J. B. Lightfoot, MM).” (HELPS Word-studies)

APPLICATION

Prosagōgḗ is only used two other times, both in Ephesians, where it is translated “access.” Personally, I like that translation better. In Ephesians 2:18 Paul writes, “for through Him (speaking of Jesus) we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” Christ called Himself the door, didn’t He? He opens the door for us to come to the Father. He is the only door to Him. There is no back or side entrance.

We see prosagōgḗ used again in Ephesians 3:12, “in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.” Did you catch that? Paul writes “confident access.” We can approach the throne boldly because of our justification through Jesus. That is worthy of a shout of praise, isn’t it?

We have access by faith into grace. We have access to the Father because of Jesus. And we have confident access through faith in Him. So, why do we tiptoe around acting so unsure of our salvation. You have been given the key. You have the code to unlock the access. You can enter into the place that Jesus has secured for you. It is so much better than an Airbnb. It will never be closed to you. Hallelujah!

Father, I thank You for the access I have to my eternal home through Jesus Christ by Savior and Lord.

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, Faith, Jesus, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Scripture

CREDITED

ROMANS 4:3

“For what does the Scripture say? ‘ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.’”

When I was a young boy, my dad took me to the Credit Union that was part of his workplace, Coats and Clark Thread Mill, in Pelham, Ga. I took in the money I had saved and gave it to my Aunt LaGrande who was the bookkeeper there. In exchange, she gave me this little book that showed my deposit. That little book was my proof of the money that was credited to me. It was mine and no one else. I could come get it whenever I wanted.

I just love today’s verse and the quotation from Genesis 15:6. The full story is found in the previous five verses. After God promises Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, we read that he believed God (Yahweh), and God gave him his little credit union book full of righteousness. Well, that’s not exactly what it says, but close. God credited righteousness to him. His righteousness became Abraham’s because of his faith.

APPLICATION

Barnes says this about today’s verse. “The faith which Abraham exercised was, that his posterity should be like the stars of heaven in number. This promise was made to him when he had no child, and of course when he had no prospect of such a posterity. The reason why it was counted to him for righteousness was, that it was such a strong, direct, and unwavering act of confidence in the promise of God.”

Let me ask you a question today. Has God counted you as righteous? Now, He’s probably not going to build a nation out of your descendants. But through His Son, Jesus, and your faith in Him, He counts you as righteous. It’s not because of anything you’ve done. It’s solely on your faith in Jesus. Just like Abraham had to blindly trust the Lord, we have to step out in faith and believe He will do what He says He will do.

To be counted as righteous is a supreme thing. It means we are right in His eyes. When God looks down from heaven, He doesn’t see our sinful self. He sees the blood of His Son covering those sins. Any righteousness in us is there only because of the righteousness of Christ in us. It is through our faith in Jesus that we are made righteous in the sight of God. Isn’t it time we all start living that way?

Lord, help me walk in the righteousness which You have given me through 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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Bible, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Scripture, Testimony, Witnessing

GOD OF ALL

ROMANS 3:29

“Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,” 

There is a major lie being spread all over the world that every religion has a pathway to God. Sorry to disappoint, but that just isn’t the truth. Jesus clearly said in John 14:6, “‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.’” That leaves out every other religion except the Christian religion. Buddha won’t get you there. Muhammed won’t get you there. Nor will any of the Hindu gods that are worshipped. He is God of all to those who accept His Son.

Paul dispels the idea among the Jews that they had sole claim on God. He was sent as a messenger by God to the Gentiles, even though he was a Jew himself. Paul knew firsthand the danger of this exclusionary thought. For the past two chapters Paul has been presenting both sides – the Jews and the Gentiles, and there is only one conclusion – He is God of both the Jews and the Gentiles if…they turn to Jesus.

APPLICATION

So, how do we apply this verse to our lives today? We must be the proclaimer of this truth to the world. That is why we send Christian missionaries around the world. We know that we have the hope for all mankind. Billions will be lost and spend eternity separated from God if we aren’t obedient to that Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. We’ve been given our marching orders. Are you in line?

But Carl I haven’t been called to go to a foreign country. Okay, if you have not heard that specific call, then God has called you to present the Gospel right where you are. I had a conversation this weekend with a man who was complaining about his work environment. He said everyone he works with are lost and are constantly taking God’s name in vain. They mock him or isolate him if he presents anything spiritual. I told him to expect no different from the lost. But God has placed him in a ripe harvest field. He just needs to be Jesus and love them anyway.

I know, I know. That’s hard. Yes, it is. But just think of the way they treated our Lord. He was scourged and crucified. He was spit on. He was humiliated. But He said on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Can’t we pray that same prayer and love them anyway? I struggle at times doing this. God understands this, but I know He can empower me through His Holy Spirit Who lives within me to love them with His love. Will you join me?

Lord, I have to admit that is hard to love those who curse me and hurl insults, but through Your strength I will love them because You do.

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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Atonement, Bible, Blood, Jesus, Sacrifice, Scripture

OUR PROPITIATION

ROMANS 3:25

“whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished;” 

Don’t you just love words that make you go, “Hmmm”? We’ve got one today. This Greek word only occurs in today’s verse and in Hebrews 9:5. We’ll take a look at that verse also. Here’s another word for you – supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Sound familiar? It’s from a 1964 film “Mary Poppins” and “is often defined as a nonsensical word to express excitement or a fantastic feeling.” (AI Overview) That has absolutely nothing to do with our verse today. Just thought I would throw it in, lol.

Paul uses the Greek word hilastérion which “retains a sharp focus on the single theme of atonement accomplished once for all.” (Topical Lexicon) We see it used in Hebrews 9:5 to refer to the mercy seat on the golden ark. “and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.” Of course, we know that is where the High Priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice. It was there that God received the sacrifice.

APPLICATION

For us, though, in today’s verse it refers to Jesus Who gave His life to atone for our sins once for all. His sacrifice did not need to be repeated, as was the case in the Old Testament sacrifices. No, His blood on Calvary was the final blood sacrifice needed. It would forever appease the wrath of God towards anyone who would receive it.

The next time someone mentions propitiation, you can say, “Oh yeah, that’s Jesus.” That’s the simple answer for anyone asking. One death for all. One sacrifice for all sin. All we have to do is confess and believe. All we have to do is follow Him. It’s not rocket science. It’s not a difficult decision. Just step out and trust His promise.

So, ask yourself if you’ve done that. Ask yourself if you are sure your sins are covered under Christ’s blood. I know mine are – past, present and future. I am eternally sealed with His Spirit because I trusted in His blood sacrifice, His atoning death for me. What a peace that brings. Do you have that peace? It’s waiting for you.

O Lord, I praise You for the sacrifice of Your only Son as the propitiation for my 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, Forgiveness, Gospel, Jesus, Righteousness, Salvation, Scripture

FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE

ROMANS 3:22

“but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction,”

When I read today’s verse, my mind immediately goes to John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” EVERYONE! I can just hear Billy Graham reading this verse and sharing the simplicity of the Gospel with the crowds. God doesn’t expect us to get all cleaned up before we come to Him. He takes us just as we are. He does the cleaning.

Paul continues his thought from verse 21 (see yesterday’s blog) when he talks about the key element of God’s righteousness which is revealed to us. It only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. No amount of law keeping or sheep slaughtered will accomplish it. His life was freely given so that we could receive the free gift of grace. And this, Paul says, does not discriminate. He says, “there is no distinction.” That Greek word is diastole, and it means a variation, difference or separation. We all have access to this righteousness in Christ.

APPLICATION

I love this description of this verse given by a scholar. “And so, dear friends, I have to come to you now with this message. No matter what a man is, how far he has gone, how sinful he has been, how long he has stayed away from the sweetness and grace of that great sacrifice on the Cross, that death was for him. The power of Christ’s sacrifice makes possible the forgiveness of all the sins of all the world, past, present, and to come. The worth of that sacrifice, which was made by the willing surrender of the Incarnate Son of God to the death of the Cross, is sufficient for the ransom price of all the sins of all men.” (McLaren’s Expositions)

Later in Romans 10-9-10, Paul writes, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Confession and belief, of course, involves repentance and obedience.

God intended for us all to be saved. He even says so in His word. In 1 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul writes to Timothy, “3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” So, if it is God’s will that all be saved, shouldn’t it be ours as well? Share the Gospel with someone today. You may just change the course of their life for eternity.

Father, thank You that someone took the time to share with me long ago. Help me share with 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, Blood, Confession, Jesus, Scripture, Sin

WE KNOW OUR SINS

ROMANS 3:20

“because by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin.”

No one has to tell me about my sins. I am far too aware of them. My late brother-in-law, Dr. Wayne Barber, used to say the older he got and the closer he got to heaven, the more aware he was of his own sin. You see, the closer we get to Jesus, the brighter the light is that exposes our wickedness. I think that may be part of what Paul was hinting at in today’s verse.

Paul has laid out in chapters 2 and 3 of Romans the futility of our efforts in justifying ourselves. Not even keeping the law will do that, if that was even possible. But I really like the last phrase of today’s verse. It is translated “for through the Law comes knowledge of sin.” The Greek literally says, “for through law knowledge of sin.” The law does us a favor by pointing out our sins. The Old Testament points us towards our need for a Savior. That is fulfilled in Jesus through Whom we are justified.

APPLICATION

I am reminded of Galatians 2:21. There, Paul says, “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” The law was important, but it wasn’t God’s Plan A which failed. No! God gave us the law to point out that we cannot keep it. We need someone greater than ourselves to keep it perfectly, to fulfill it. That’ why He sent Jesus.

Do you ever have trouble when you are praying thinking of a sin you have committed that day? Honestly, there have been few times (and I repeat a FEW times) that I have. But when I voice that to God, He is quick to point them out. He knows our secret sins, those things we keep tucked back in the corner of our minds that left unconfessed grow into thoughts which become actions which become sin. And we know where sin leads, don’t we?

I read yesterday about a pastor in another state that was arrested for child exploitation. While denying any physical contact with a child, he used AI to create child pornography. This thought became an action which resulted in sin. The same is true for us all. I am not pointing fingers at this man. You’ve heard it said, “Save but by the grace of God, there go I.” We are all one slippery slope away from spiritual failure. Confess your known sins today and ask the Lord to reveal any unknown sin in your life. He has the solution for your sin – Jesus’ shed blood on Calvary.

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but 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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Bible, Calmness, Forgiveness, Jesus, Peace, Scripture

KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE; NO GOD, NO PEACE

ROMANS 3:17

“AND THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN THE WAY OF PEACE.”

Knowing true peace is so…well…peaceful. I am not sure how exactly to explain it. When I am in a deer stand in the woods waiting for a deer, I experience true peace. Hearing the woods come alive as the sun rises or goes to sleep as the sun begins to set, I have this overwhelming calmness. Sure, my heart is beating faster watching for the movement in the woods, but I am really at peace with God and man out there.

Paul again quotes from Isaiah as he starts to wrap up these several verses of Old Testament quotations. Here he quotes Isaiah 59:8 which reads, “They do not know the way of peace, and there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever walks on them does not know peace.” As my title today says, KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE; NO GOD, NO PEACE!

APPLICATION

Here is a great explanation of our need for peace based on this verse. “men are naturally ignorant of the way of peace with God; of the first step which God took towards it; of the council and covenant of peace, in which the scheme of it was drawn, and the method fixed; of Christ the peacemaker, and of the way in which he has made it; and of the Gospel, which reveals and publishes it.” (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)

We need peace. Jesus gave us His peace. In John 14:27 He said, “‘Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” Did you hear that? Do not be troubled or fearful. Why? Because we have His peace. Do you think Jesus was ever troubled or fearful? I don’t think so. Nor should we. If we are consistently walking with the Prince of Peace, we will forever be in His peace.

Jesus also told us in Matthew 5:9, “‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.’” Do you want to be known as a peacemaker, unlike those spoken of by Paul in today’s verse? Then you must have His peace. When you have the peace of God, you will be at peace with God. There’s an old song that says, “There’ll be peace like a river, peace like a river; there’ll be peace like a river in my soul.” Peace will flow through your life when you accept His peace and live for Him.

Lord God, I want to be at peace with You and all men. Give me more and more of Your peace as I continue to surrender my will to Yours.

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, Jesus, Righteousness, Salvation, Scripture, Unrighteousness

NONE ARE RIGHTEOUS

ROMANS 3:10

 “as it is written: ‘THERE IS NO RIGHTEOUS PERSON, NOT EVEN ONE;…’”

We begin with today’s verse a series of quotations from the Old Testament from which Paul is pointing out that Jews are just as guilty as the Gentiles. These passages seem to be taken from the Septuagint (LXX) which is the Greek Old Testament. Meyer’s NT Commentary says, “The arrangement is such that testimony is adduced for—1st, the state of sin generally (Romans 3:10-12); 2nd, the practice of sin in word (Romans 3:13-14) and deed (Romans 3:15-17); and 3rd, the sinful source of the whole (Romans 3:18).” Let’s jump into it.

Paul is quoting Psalm 14:1-3 which he continues in 3:11-12. Psalm 14:1-3 reads, “1 The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts; There is no one who does good. 2 The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of mankind to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, together they are corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” We’ll break these down over the next couple of days.

APPLICATION

How does this quotation from Psalm 143 apply to us? Well, we are just as unrighteous outside of Christ. It seems I hear more and more people denying God or worse yet, blaspheming our holy God. David says it clearly, they are a “fool” who says there is no God. As a follower of Christ, I can give you time after time where God has proved Himself to me. But you have to be looking.

You see, the Jews thought just because they were Jews, they were okay. I have met several Jews who had no spiritual life at all. They were Jewish by blood, but they did not practice their faith. They will call on “Hashem” when they want something or in desperation, but the idea of a daily walk with Jehovah is foreign to them.

We are told in today’s verse that “not even one” person is righteous. The Greek oude is translated as “not even” which is used to expound on the statement before it, “There is no righteous person.” In other words, absolutely no one, nada. That “no one” includes me and you. But thanks be to God that He imputed the righteousness of Christ on us at salvation. Praise Him today!

Lord, I give You praise that You have made me righteous, not according to anything I have done but solely through the righteousness 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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