Category Archives: Salvation

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, Eternal Life, Forgiveness, Righteousness, Salvation, Scripture

RECKONED

ROMANS 2:26

“So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will his uncircumcision not be regarded as circumcision?” 

Here in the South, the term “reckon” has a whole different meaning than we see biblically. Here we say, “Well, I reckon I can do that,” meaning I think I can do it. It’s often used in the shortened form of “reck’n” when asked if you think something is true or false. But this word is definitely not a slang word in Scripture. Let’s take a look.

The Greek word Paul uses here is logizomai. It has a lot of defining words attributed to it like impute, number, reason, suppose, credited, consider and as in today’s verse, regarded. It is used 41 times in the New Testament with 19 of those occurring in the book of Romans. Paul’s point in today’s verse is that these uncircumcised would be counted among the righteous if they kept the law just as any Jew would if he did.

APPLICATION

In Romans 4, logizomai is used in Paul’s discourse about Abraham. Look at what 4:3 says, “For what does the Scripture say? ‘ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.’” Remember, Abraham was considered or reckoned by God to be righteous BEFORE he was circumcised. He was considered righteous BEFORE the law was given. So, being reckoned as righteous has nothing to do with law keeping or circumcision. It’s about the heart.

What do you reck’n? Are you reckoned as righteous in God’s eyes? If you have given your life to Him, you are. Nothing can change that. God looked you over and, knowing your heart, has reckoned you as righteous. Unlike Abraham, we have the Holy Spirit that seals that in us. No lie from the enemy can disrupt your righteousness in God’s eyes.

While you are reck’ning, think on these verses in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. “17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

God, I give You praise for reckoning me as righteous and for “not counting” my sins against me now.

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, Escape, Gospel, Salvation, Scripture, Warnings

NO ESCAPE

ROMANS 2:3

But do you suppose this, you foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things, and yet does them as well, that you will escape the judgment of God?

I have never had to escape a burning building or a sinking ship, but I did have to escape a pretty serious car wreck back in 1975. Long story made short – an end-over-end flipped Lincoln Continental that had been traveling over 100 mph. All four of us walked away with just scratches and bruises. It was truly a miracle. We had to escape through one little opening that was left when the roof caved in and rested on the front seat.

Paul is describing another kind of escape in today’s verse. This is an escape from judgment. What does he say? He says, “Do you reckon you will escape judgment if you are passing judgment while you are doing the same thing you are judging?” This is a tough verse, but it has to be said. You can’t sit in judgment of others while you are doing the same thing. God will hold you accountable as well.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about ekpheugó which Paul uses  and is translated as “escape.” “The verb thus serves as a sober reminder that neglect of salvation inevitably forfeits escape.” This ties in perfectly with Hebrews 2:3 which says, “how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” There will be no escape for those who refuse Jesus as Savior.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 we find ekpheugó used again, “2 For you yourselves now full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” But we have a warning through the Gospel. We have a way of escape, if we turn to Him.

The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 12:25, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns us from heaven.” The Son of God came and gave us fair warning. All through Scripture we are warned of the danger, the eternal danger of refusing God’s call. You’ve been warned. Are you heeding His warning today?

Father, I give You thanks for calling me and giving me the way of escape from the penalty 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, Excuses, Gospel, Manifested, Revelation, Salvation, Scripture

WITHOUT EXCUSE

ROMANS 1:20

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

There have been a few times in my life when I have been without excuse. One was the time I told my wife to “shut up.” There is never an excuse for that, and I apologized profusely. Another time was forgetting to send a group of children to a children’s camp. No excuse, just forgot the date. I could go on, but I am sure you have your own “without excuse” moments. But there is one moment in your life you do not want to be without excuse. Let’s look at today’s verse.

Paul says in verse 20 that no one, not even the person who has never heard the Gospel, has an excuse to not believe in God. He says God’s “eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived.” As I have mentioned in a recent blog, God isn’t trying to hide Himself. He wants to be seen by us. He wants us to hear His voice. Even in the deepest, darkest jungles God is revealing Himself.

APPLICATION

HELPS Word studies defines the Greek word translated as “without excuse” this way. “(anapológētos) comes from ‘alpha privative’ (a/‘not’) and apologeomai (‘to defend, excuse’). It ‘occurs in documents from the second century before Christ. Frequently it describes the hopelessness of trying to defend a case in court, while lacking an adequate defense.” The word is only used here and later in Romans 2:1 (which we will see later).

In Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, he writes, “Our Creator’s invisible power and Godhead are so clearly shown in the works he has made, that even idolaters and wicked Gentiles are left without excuse. They foolishly followed idolatry; and rational creatures changed the worship of the glorious Creator, for that of brutes, reptiles, and senseless images. They wandered from God, till all traces of true religion must have been lost, had not the revelation of the gospel prevented it.”

Therefore, we have no excuse for not sharing the Gospel with these lost and eternally dying individuals. That’s why we send missionaries to the remotest parts of the world. I heard recently that approximately 4.5 billion people are lost. Of that 2.25 billion have never heard the Gospel. To put that in perspective, if you lined up that group five people across and three feet apart, they would circle the globe five times. All of them are marching to hell. We are “without excuse.” We must share to as many as quickly as we can.

Lord, give me opportunities today to share the Gospel with someone who needs to hear about salvation through Your Son, 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, Enemies, Persecution, Perseverance, Salvation, Scripture

WINNOWED

PHILIPPIANS 1:28

“and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God.”

Forty years ago, I went on a mission trip to Liberia. I was part of a three person team (a doctor, a nurse and me). We conducted medical clinics in several locations in Southwest Liberia near the coast. I will never forget in one village I watched this young lady thrashing grain and then separating it from the husk by tossing it in a shallow platter, letting the wind blow away the chaff. It was such a neat process and one which she had done many times.

Why am I talking about this? Because the word Paul uses in today’s verse for “alarmed” describes that process of winnowing. Strong’s Lexicon says this, “The Greek verb pturó primarily refers to the agricultural process of winnowing, which involves separating the grain from the chaff using a fan or by tossing it into the air. This term is used metaphorically in the Bible to describe the process of separating the righteous from the wicked or purifying one’s life from sin.” This word is only used here in today’s verse in the New Testament.

APPLICATION

Paul knew persecution of Philippi. Remember back in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas went there, they were attacked and thrown into prison for delivering a slave woman from her demon. They were accused of preaching against their gods. Paul knew these Philippian believers were facing similar persecutions from these pagan idol worshippers as well as the Judaizers who wanted to force Mosaic law on them.

Don’t you love what Paul tells them? He says this persecution will be “a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you.” I am reminded of Deuteronomy 32:35 which says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” Paul knew God was aware of their persecution and would repay the evildoers in due time. He would use this persecution for their salvation as proof of their dedication to Jesus.

Are you being winnowed right now? Do you feel like you are being thrashed like grain? Remember my story. The winds of persecution are blowing away all the chaff in your life. God will see you through this. He will use it to purify you and make you more like Him. Do you trust Him? Let Him take vengeance in His time. He will repay.

Father, remind me when I feel the rods of thrashing against me that You are purifying me for my salvation.

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Bible, Completeness, Confidence, Salvation, Scripture

CONFIDENT OF COMPLETION

PHILIPPIANS 1:6

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.” 

I don’t like to leave a job incomplete. When I mow my lawn, I want to be able to trim and mow it in one day. The thought of leaving part of that job undone would drive me crazy. I think I get that from my dad. He taught me to wash a car. He always said that job wasn’t complete until the tires were washed and shined. He compared it to wearing a nice suit but dirty shoes, He said you wouldn’t do that, so clean the tires. Isn’t it strange the things you remember from your parents?

Well, God isn’t done with you yet, either. Paul says as much in today’s verse. In fact, Paul said he was “confident of this very thing.” The Greek word for “confident” is peitho from which we get pistis which means “faith.” In the Greek world, the skill of persuasion was highly valued. Paul knew that, so he used his gift of persuasion to convince the Philippians that God was still working on them.

APPLICATION

What was Paul convinced of? That what God had started with them at salvation was going to be completed in full one day, the day of Christ Jesus. The word Paul uses for “will complete” is epiteleó “from the combination of epi (ἐπί), meaning upon or over, and teleó (τελέω), meaning to complete or to finish.” (Strong’s Lexicon).

In 2 Corinthians 7:1, Paul uses this word again. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” We have a part in our completion. We are called to live holy lives. Have you done that today?

Later in the same letter to the Corinthians, we read in 2 Corinthians 8:6, “So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.” Paul asked Titus to complete a task of raising money for the churches in need. It had not been completed. Paul wanted that done. He couldn’t stand unfinished business either.

What are you leaving undone today? Complete it. Ask the Lord to help you do that. Finish the work He has given you to do.

O Lord, complete in me whatever You have for me. Thank You for the complete process of salvation.

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Bible, Circumcision, Covenant, Relationships, Salvation, Scripture

THE TRUE CIRCUMCISION

COLOSSIANS 2:11

“and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ,”

Circumcision isn’t exactly dinner talk, is it? It’s a routine procedure done on most male babies. I do not need to go into detail about what is done. I am sure you know about it. The decision to circumcise a baby boy belongs with the parents. They decide whether or not to allow the doctor to perform the procedure. The baby has no say in the matter. If they did, they would all probably say “no.” lol

Paul is not talking a physical circumcision for believers but is using it as an analogy. The Greek world was well aware of the act of circumcision, even though many of them had not been circumcised. The Jewish ritual of circumcision was an external mark on all male Jewish babies to signify the covenant they had with Jehovah. Jesus fulfilled all our covenant requirements, negating the necessity for a physical circumcision. Instead, our mark of covenant is on our hearts.

APPLICATION

In Romans 2:25-29, Paul gives a more complete discussion of this topic. “25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a violator of the Law, your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision. 26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will his uncircumcision not be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a violator of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 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.”

I know that was a lengthy passage but hang in there. There is nothing we can do outwardly to “cut covenant” with Christ. Our covenant is of the heart. Our surrender and our identification with Christ is internal and eternal. No one can command you to do a specific act to guarantee your salvation. It is strictly through Jesus.

Whether you are male or female, circumcised or uncircumcised, your salvation is totally dependent on your personal relationship with Jesus. Make sure your heart has the mark of spiritual circumcision which Jesus places there upon your salvation. That is the true circumcision.

Father, thank You for circumcising my heart and making me Yours.

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Bible, Redemption, Salvation, Scripture, Witnessing

SEIZE THE DAY

EPHESIANS 5:16

“making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

Just look at the news today! Evil is abounding across our globe. Terrorists are trying to kill innocent people. Human trafficking is a global business. There is still slavery in parts of the world. What are we to do? How do Christians live in such demeaning environments?

Paul tells us in today’s verse. We are to make “the most of your time.” The Greek word he uses for “making the most” is exagorazó. It means “seizing a buying-opportunity, i.e. making the most of the present opportunity (recognizing its future gain).” (HELPS Word Studies). In other words, we don’t have a minute to spare. Every hour is precious eternally. We can’t, as my grandma used to say, lollygag.

APPLICATION

This word exagorazóis only used four times in the New Testament. Paul uses it here and in Galatians 3:13; 4:5 and Colossians 4:5. Let’s take a look at these other passages today. In Galatians 3:13, Paul writes, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: ‘CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE’”. Using the definition above, Christ didn’t waste any time saving us from the Law.

We see in Galatians 4:4-5 “4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters.” God knew the exact time to redeem us. He sent His Son, Jesus, because He saw the future gain – our salvation and eternity with our Creator.

And finally, in Colossians 4:5 we see it used similarly as today’s verse. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” In this verse, we are told how to behave, how to live toward outsiders or unbelievers. Listen, the world has been evil since the fall of man in the garden. We shouldn’t expect anything different. But we can live differently. To borrow an old Latin term Carpe Diem, seize the day. Make the most of your time for the sake of Christ.

Lord, help me make the most of my days so that I can be a light in a dark world.

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Bible, Clothing, New, Regeneration, Salvation, Scripture

THE TAILOR

EPHESIANS 4:24

“and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

A couple of years ago, while I was in Kenya teaching at a Pastors’ conference, I was given the opportunity to go to a local clothes manufacturer and have a tailored African suit made for me. We went into the office where a tailor took my measurements. He measured my chest, waist (which was and still is too big, lol), arms and inseam. Within a few days, I was presented with a beautiful African suit which I wear proudly.

Paul describes God’s tailoring efforts on us in today’s verse. He says our “new self” has been tailored “in the likeness of God.” Actually, the Greek just reads “according to God.” The idea Paul is trying to get across is it is God who has given us this new self which “has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” This new self is given to us by God so that we can walk righteously and holy, just like He is.

APPLICATION

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” The same Greek word for “new” is used here as in today’s verse. It means to be qualitatively new, to be fresh. I have to tell you – the African suit I have is definitely fresh, lol. I did not have another suit like that.

The same word is used to describe the new wineskins in Mark 2:22. Listen, it’s this simple. Jesus makes all things new when He comes into your life. In referring to this “new self,” Albert Barnes says this, “The change is so great, that there is no impropriety in speaking of one who has experienced it as ‘a new man.’ He has new feelings, principles, and desires. He has laid aside his old principles and practices, and, in everything that pertains to moral character, he is new.”

Is that you? Can others describe you as “new.” If you have ever seen someone who has been truly renewed spiritually, you know exactly what I am talking about. They are the same outwardly, but inwardly they are a new person. Only Christ can do that. He will continually renew us day by day until that glorious day when we see Him face to face and are changed into a perfect, glorified spirit to live with Him forever. Halleljuah!

Thank You for my renewal. Thank You for making me brand new.

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Ascension, Bible, Heaven, Promises, Redemption, Salvation, Scripture

WHERE DID HE GO?

EPHESIANS 4:9

“(Now this expression, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?”

There is a town in Tennessee called Mountain City. It is appropriately named and is in a beautiful area of the state. The Great Smokey Mountains are breathtaking. This town is most easily accessed by going up from Tennessee into North Carolina and then back to Tennessee. So, you have to go up in order to go down.

Today’s verse has been interpreted in a number of ways. I am not going to go into all those ideas. I agree with those who say Paul was simply saying Jesus went back to heaven after having come down to earth. He ascended and had previously descended. Those two words, “ascended” an “descended,” simply mean what they say.

APPLICATION

But what does that mean for us today? Simply put – Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth for our salvation and once that was done, He returned to prepare a place for us. Go back to Luke 2. What’s that about? It’s about the birth of Lord. He was born in a stable, a very humble place. His birth was first proclaimed to shepherds, a very lowly occupation. Jesus came down in the form of a baby to reach everyone, even the lowest of the low.

And praise God – He accomplished His mission and ascended on high. Acts 1:9-11 give us a picture of this ascension. “9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, 11 and they said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’”

Are you star gazing waiting on Jesus to return or are you serving Him faithfully as you wait? These angels told us that He is coming back. We don’t know when, but He is coming. How will He find you walking with Him? Jesus came down with purpose and returned with purpose. We need to live our lives every day with the same kind of divine purpose.

O Lord, thank You for sending Jesus down to us to rescue and for returning to prepare our heavenly home.

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