Old Testament and Romans salvation study

 

            Here is a salvation study which encompasses scripture from both the Old Testament and also the epistle to the Romans, which itself has powerful salvation messages. These scriptures powerfully illustrate the fall of man, the commandments and God’s attempts to reconcile man, which would see Him sending Jesus to die on the cross and satisfy a perfect and holy God’s rightful and just wrath directed rightly towards a sinful and evil man by having Jesus- God in the flesh- pay the price instead of man. God’s love towards us is that great.

I am starting this teaching with the last six verses in Genesis chapter 1 where God declares let us make man in our own image with the trinity which they do and are given authority over other things, and even said it was very good.

(Genesis 1:26)  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

 

(Genesis 1:27)  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

(Genesis 1:28)  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

 

(Genesis 1:29)  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

 

(Genesis 1:30)  And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

 

(Genesis 1:31)  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

 

Then these verses in Genesis chapter 2 describe the actual creation and early life of man and woman and a garden in which He placed man, including every tree but also the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which will play in man’s fall. They were naked but not ashamed of it either.

(Genesis 2:7)  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

(Genesis 2:8)  And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

 

(Genesis 2:9)  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

 

In these 11 verses of Genesis chapter 2, God gives man the freedom to eat of every tree except the tree of knowledge of good and evil, threatening death if he does. He then makes Adam a wife, Eve and Adam goes on to name everything

(Genesis 2:15)  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

 

(Genesis 2:16)  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

 

(Genesis 2:17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

 

(Genesis 2:18)  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

 

(Genesis 2:19)  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

 

(Genesis 2:20)  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

 

(Genesis 2:21)  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

 

(Genesis 2:22)  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

 

(Genesis 2:23)  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

 

(Genesis 2:24)  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 

(Genesis 2:25)  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

 

I am continuing this teaching with the fall of man, which is in Genesis 3 where Adam and Eve succumb to temptation by eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil- they could have eaten of all the other trees but Satan tricks them. They get kicked out of the garden as a result and mankind ends up inheriting sin because of this one act of disobedience.

(Genesis 3:1)  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

 

(Genesis 3:2)  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

 

(Genesis 3:3)  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

 

(Genesis 3:4)  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

 

(Genesis 3:5)  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

 

(Genesis 3:6)  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

 

(Genesis 3:7)  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

 

(Genesis 3:8)  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

 

(Genesis 3:9)  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

 

(Genesis 3:10)  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

 

(Genesis 3:11)  And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

 

(Genesis 3:12)  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

 

(Genesis 3:13)  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

 

(Genesis 3:14)  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

 

(Genesis 3:15)  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

(Genesis 3:16)  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

 

(Genesis 3:17)  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

 

(Genesis 3:18)  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

 

(Genesis 3:19)  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

 

(Genesis 3:20)  And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

 

(Genesis 3:21)  Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

 

(Genesis 3:22)  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

 

(Genesis 3:23)  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

 

(Genesis 3:24)  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

 

God then eventually gave these , the Ten Commandments to Moses and here they are as stated in Exodus chapter 20:

(Exodus 20:1)  And God spake all these words, saying,

 

(Exodus 20:2)  I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

 

(Exodus 20:3)  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

 

(Exodus 20:4)  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

 

(Exodus 20:5)  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

 

(Exodus 20:6)  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

 

(Exodus 20:7)  Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

 

(Exodus 20:8)  Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

 

(Exodus 20:9)  Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

 

(Exodus 20:10)  But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

 

(Exodus 20:11)  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

 

(Exodus 20:12)  Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

 

(Exodus 20:13)  Thou shalt not kill.

 

(Exodus 20:14)  Thou shalt not commit adultery.

 

(Exodus 20:15)  Thou shalt not steal.

 

(Exodus 20:16)  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

 

(Exodus 20:17)  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

 

Next God gave Moses promises for Israel for today of blessings for obedience to Him and His word and will, but also many curses and punishments for disobedience to God which are listed here in Deuteronomy chapter 28. Though Jesus took many of these Himself it is still very unwise to be disobedient to God and this passage is meant as a warning to discourage disobedience and rebellion as well as promises to encourage our obedience to God’s will.

(Deuteronomy 28:1)  And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:2)  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:3)  Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:4)  Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:5)  Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:6)  Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:7)  The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:8)  The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:9)  The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:10)  And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:11)  And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:12)  The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:13)  And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:14)  And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:15)  But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:16)  Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:17)  Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:18)  Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:19)  Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:20)  The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:21)  The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:22)  The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:23)  And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:24)  The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:25)  The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:26)  And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:27)  The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:28)  The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:29)  And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:30)  Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:31)  Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:32)  Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:33)  The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:34)  So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:35)  The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:36)  The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:37)  And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:38)  Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:39)  Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:40)  Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:41)  Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:42)  All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:43)  The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:44)  He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:45)  Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:46)  And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:47)  Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

 

(Deuteronomy 28:48)  Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:49)  The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

 

(Deuteronomy 28:50)  A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:51)  And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:52)  And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:53)  And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:54)  So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:55)  So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:56)  The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,

 

(Deuteronomy 28:57)  And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:58)  If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;

 

(Deuteronomy 28:59)  Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:60)  Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:61)  Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:62)  And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:63)  And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:64)  And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:65)  And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:66)  And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:

 

(Deuteronomy 28:67)  In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

 

(Deuteronomy 28:68)  And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.

 

In verse 10 above it does say it is written none is righteous. Here are the verses from Psalms 14 and 53,  which say that none is righteous and are nearly identical to one another so I am putting both of them in this teaching to really drive home the point of God’s word about none being righteous, not even one. This all is a result of the fall, described in Genesis chapter 3, above.

(Psalm 14:1)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

 

(Psalm 14:2)  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

 

(Psalm 14:3)  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

(Psalm 14:4)  Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

 

(Psalm 53:1)  To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

 

(Psalm 53:2)  God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

 

(Psalm 53:3)  Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

(Psalm 53:4)  Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

 

I am now going on to some proverbs to give warning and encourage repentance for things. Here is a powerful message in Proverbs chapter 1 encouraging repentance and stating the consequences for not repenting:

(Proverbs 1:20)  Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

 

(Proverbs 1:21)  She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

 

(Proverbs 1:22)  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

 

(Proverbs 1:23)  Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

 

(Proverbs 1:24)  Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

 

(Proverbs 1:25)  But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

 

(Proverbs 1:26)  I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

 

(Proverbs 1:27)  When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

 

(Proverbs 1:28)  Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

 

(Proverbs 1:29)  For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

 

(Proverbs 1:30)  They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

 

(Proverbs 1:31)  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

 

(Proverbs 1:32)  For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

 

(Proverbs 1:33)  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

 

Here are two identical proverbs which show essentially the folly of following our own way and not the Lord’s for what we think is right leads to death.

(Proverbs 14:12)  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

(Proverbs 16:25)  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

Note the repletion and take heed, as repletion stresses a point made

(Proverbs 21:16)  The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

 

(Proverbs 27:20)  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

 

Here is a promise to us for HE DOES want to forgive us

(Isaiah 1:18)  "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool

 

The problem is the condition of heart in the lost

(Jeremiah 17:9)  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

 

In chapter 18 of Ezekiel  the Lord here also implores all to repent for he takes no pleasure in the death of anyone but also sharply warns against falling away from the Lord too.

(Ezekiel 18:1)  The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,

 

(Ezekiel 18:2)  What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

 

(Ezekiel 18:3)  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.

 

(Ezekiel 18:4)  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:5)  But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,

 

(Ezekiel 18:6)  And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,

 

(Ezekiel 18:7)  And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;

 

(Ezekiel 18:8)  He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,

 

(Ezekiel 18:9)  Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.

 

(Ezekiel 18:10)  If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,

 

(Ezekiel 18:11)  And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,

 

(Ezekiel 18:12)  Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,

 

(Ezekiel 18:13)  Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

 

(Ezekiel 18:14)  Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,

 

(Ezekiel 18:15)  That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,

 

(Ezekiel 18:16)  Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

 

(Ezekiel 18:17)  That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

 

(Ezekiel 18:18)  As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.

 

(Ezekiel 18:19)  Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.

 

(Ezekiel 18:20)  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

 

(Ezekiel 18:21)  But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:22)  All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

 

(Ezekiel 18:23)  Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

 

(Ezekiel 18:24)  But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:25)  Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

 

(Ezekiel 18:26)  When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:27)  Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

 

(Ezekiel 18:28)  Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

 

(Ezekiel 18:29)  Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?

 

(Ezekiel 18:30)  "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.

 

(Ezekiel 18:31)  Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?

 

(Ezekiel 18:32)  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live."

 

He promises a new heart to us, too to replace the old deceitful one that is in the unregenerate man.

(Ezekiel 11:19)  And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,

 

(Ezekiel 11:20)  that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

 

This further promise of a new heart is made in Ezekiel 36

 (Ezekiel 36:25)  I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your

uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

 

(Ezekiel 36:26)  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

 

(Ezekiel 36:27)  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

 

Here is the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming Jesus who would come to die for all of our sins, to grant us eternal life, which is in Isaiah chapter 53, which I am including the entire chapter.

(Isaiah 53:1)  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

 

(Isaiah 53:2)  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

 

(Isaiah 53:3)  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 

(Isaiah 53:4)  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 

(Isaiah 53:5)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

 

(Isaiah 53:6)  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

(Isaiah 53:7)  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

(Isaiah 53:8)  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

 

(Isaiah 53:9)  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

 

(Isaiah 53:10)  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

 

(Isaiah 53:11)  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

 

(Isaiah 53:12)  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

 

Here to continue this study is a group of verses from the book of Romans which are salvation related and post salvation which express the purposes of Jesus to save us and why we need this free gift from God that He so lovingly provided us by the death of Jesus on the cross, atoning for our sins and which also placed the rage which so rightly on us on Jesus instead for our own sins against a most Holy God.

I am starting this part of the teaching and study with the verses that speak of the gentile period and how they are able to be grafted in for salvation again but Israel shall be saved no partiality either with God

(Romans 11:11)  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

 

(Romans 11:12)  Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

 

(Romans 11:13)  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

 

(Romans 11:14)  If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

 

(Romans 11:15)  For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

 

(Romans 11:16)  For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

 

(Romans 11:17)  And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

 

(Romans 11:18)  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

 

(Romans 11:19)  Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

 

(Romans 11:20)  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

 

(Romans 11:21)  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

 

(Romans 11:22)  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

 

(Romans 11:23)  And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

 

(Romans 11:24)  For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

 

(Romans 11:25)  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

 

(Romans 11:26)  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

 

I am also adding this passage in Romans chapter 1 stating well my own feelings that I am not ashamed of the gospel and want to see the message of salvation shared so people can accept the same by faith so that people can know and be without excuse

(Romans 1:13)  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

 

(Romans 1:14)  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

 

(Romans 1:15)  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

 

(Romans 1:16)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

(Romans 1:17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 

(Romans 1:18)  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

 

(Romans 1:19)  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

 

(Romans 1:20)  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 

I am continuing this  teaching with the passage in Romans 3 which states how nobody does righteously not even one person at all.

 

(Romans 3:9)  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

 

(Romans 3:10)  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

 

(Romans 3:11)  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

 

(Romans 3:12)  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

This next passage, also from Romans chapter 3 later on says while all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory they are then justified through grace and what Jesus did for them at the cross and this is through faith and it excludes boasting

(Romans 3:21)  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

 

(Romans 3:22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

 

(Romans 3:23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

(Romans 3:24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

 

(Romans 3:25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

 

(Romans 3:26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 

(Romans 3:27)  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

 

(Romans 3:28)  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

 

(Romans 3:29)  Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

 

(Romans 3:30)  Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

 

(Romans 3:31)  Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

 

The last 4 verses of Romans 4 also state how that righteousness is imputed to us for believing  in Jesus death for us and God who raised Him

(Romans 4:22)  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

 

(Romans 4:23)  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

 

(Romans 4:24)  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

 

(Romans 4:25)  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

 

This next passage of scripture which contains the last seven verses from Romans chapter 6 speaks of us being freed from sin to live righteous and as servants of God for the wages of sin are death (hell) but God’s gift is eternal life by Jesus

(Romans 6:17)  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

 

(Romans 6:18)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

 

(Romans 6:19)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

 

(Romans 6:20)  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

 

(Romans 6:21)  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

 

(Romans 6:22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

 

(Romans 6:23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

While we were yet weak and in sin God in love sent Jesus to die for us as stated in this passage in Romans chapter 5 as while one mad us all sinners through disobedience one’s obedience also brought all back to righteousness and also reminds us through the offense one many are sinners but through the obedience of one many more were made righteous

 

(Romans 5:6)  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

(Romans 5:7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

 

(Romans 5:8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

(Romans 5:9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

(Romans 5:10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

 

(Romans 5:11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

 

(Romans 5:12)  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned

 

(Romans 5:13)  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

 

(Romans 5:14)  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

 

 (Romans 5:15)  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

 

(Romans 5:16)  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

 

(Romans 5:17)  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

 

(Romans 5:18)  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

 

(Romans 5:19)  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

 

The next passage here from Romans chapter 10 explains that the word is near us, how to be saved by confessing Jesus as Lord by mouth and believing that God raised Him from the dead and of the virtues of those who preach the gospel for faith comes by hearing the word of God.

(Romans 10:8)  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

 

(Romans 10:9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

(Romans 10:10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

(Romans 10:11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

 

(Romans 10:12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

 

(Romans 10:13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

(Romans 10:14)  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

 

(Romans 10:15)  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

 

(Romans 10:16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

 

(Romans 10:17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

Here in these first five verses of Romans 5 we now have peace with God being reconciled by Jesus justified by our faith

(Romans 5:1)  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

(Romans 5:2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

(Romans 5:3)  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

 

(Romans 5:4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

 

(Romans 5:5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

Paul reminds us in the first two verses of Romans 8 that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus

(Romans 8:1)  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

 

(Romans 8:2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 

(Romans 8:31)  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

 

(Romans 8:32)  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

 

(Romans 8:33)  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

 

(Romans 8:34)  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

 

(Romans 8:35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 

(Romans 8:36)  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

 

(Romans 8:37)  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 

(Romans 8:38)  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

 

(Romans 8:39)  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Finally in Romans 12 we are now to present our bodies as a living sacrifice and are not to be conformed by the word but transformed by the renewing of our mind. We also are now all part of one body and are encouraged to be diligent in giftings from God and loving to one another and not seeking revenge or retaliate but love our enemies and do good. The whole chapter is included for its powerful encourgements and advice for new believers.

(Romans 12:1)  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

(Romans 12:2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

(Romans 12:3)  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

(Romans 12:4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

 

(Romans 12:5)  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

 

(Romans 12:6)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

 

(Romans 12:7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

 

(Romans 12:8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

 

(Romans 12:9)  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

 

(Romans 12:10)  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

 

(Romans 12:11)  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

 

(Romans 12:12)  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

 

(Romans 12:13)  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

 

(Romans 12:14)  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

 

(Romans 12:15)  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

 

(Romans 12:16)  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

 

(Romans 12:17)  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

 

(Romans 12:18)  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 

(Romans 12:19)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

 

(Romans 12:20)  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

 

(Romans 12:21)  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

The passages in this teaching above are there to show our need of a savior. As it is written God did love the world enough to send His only begotten Son- Jesus to die for our sins on the cross though He was nearly stoned in the gospel of John on two occasions. Jesus makes powerful points in these chapters about how He is indeed the one to take away the sins and also bring everlasting (eternal ) Life to all to all those who believe in Him. This was all done so the sins of man, which had separated man from God could be atoned for, which Jesus did by dying o0n the cross, and the love relationship with God then is thus restored. There is nothing like a love relationship with God at all, nothing can even come remotely close to it. I am now including a prayer which you can pray and then invite Jesus in your heart to begin this wonderful relationship to which nothing can compare. Please pray this prayer with me now.

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

 

God bless you and yours