1 Timothy 4:15-16

B4 Be steadfast in your belief

C1 Keep on habitually applying these things.

D1 We need to think. We need to deeply think. We need to be careful.

D2 The Greek word apply is μελετάω meletáō. It is frequently translated as meditate, practice, attend to with the idea of being diligent, and having a plan to follow and follow it. The Christian faith is one of learning truth from the Scriptures, then teaching and living it. We must keep on practicing the faith. Also in Acts 4:25 CSB You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? [The word plot or devise in the same word]

D3 Verses

E1 Psalm 77:12 NET I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds!

E2 Philippians 3:12-14 NLT I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

C2 Give yourself wholly to them.

D1 Robertson writes: [Give yourself is] Present imperative second person singular of ειμ, "keep on in these things.

D2 The things of God are most important to our life today and in the future life.

D3 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

C3 ...progress may be obvious to all.

D1 Progress in the Christian faith comes from the preceding verses.

D2 We should always be growing.

D3 To grow we need spiritual food. 1 Peter 2:1-3 EMTV Therefore having put away all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all slanders, 2 as newborn babes, desire the genuine milk of the word, that by it you may grow, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

D4 We need to be taught. We need to live it. We need to teach others.

C4 Watch yourself and your teaching.

D1 The Greek word for watch is ἐπέχω epéchō. It means to fix your attention. In this case, watch yourself so that you take care of your spiritual health, emotional health, and physical health.

D2 3 John 1:2 EMTV Beloved, concerning all things I pray you to prosper and to be healthy, just as your soul prospers.

D3 Teaching/doctrine is all we believe. It includes God’s character, beliefs, lifestyle, and worldview. We learn this today from the teachings of the Bible especially the New Testament.

C5 Continue in them.

D1 Continue in them

E1 The Greek word for continue is ἐπιμένω epiménō. It means to remain, stay put, not to waver. In this case, from the truth taught by the Lord Jesus and His apostles.

E2 2 Thessalonians 2:15 EMTV So then, brothers, stand fast and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our letter.

E3 Galatians 5:1 NLT So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

D2 Our progress must be something all can observe clearly. It must be in private and public.

C6 ...for in doing this you will deliver both yourself and those hearing you.

D1 Wilbur Pickering remarks: Paul here emphasizes human responsibility. If Timothy goes astray, those who trust him in spiritual matters will also go astray; if he remains firm those who follow him will too. This reminds me of James 3:1. "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment."

D2 Lange writes: For in doing this. The sense of the σωτηρία is positive as well as negative. As to the former, Paul probably meant the saving of Timothy himself, and of those that heard him, from false doctrine and its unhappy effects. But with this is joined the gaining of the salvation promised through the gospel to all that believe, the blessedness of which Timothy and his hearers would thus more and more partake. A twofold and most alluring reward is thus assured to his fidelity.

D3 The salvation mentioned here is not soul salvation. It is salvation/deliverance from the world’s way, worldview, lifestyle, and philosophy. It is deliverance from error.

B5 Applications

C1 There is a Christian life for our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C2 We need to study, teach, and live the Christian faith.

C3 We need to actively think about God’s teachings.

C4 God will give us grace to do these things.

D1 James 4:6 NET But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.

D2 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NET I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

D3 1 Peter 5:10 GW God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while.

C5 Do not quit.

B6 Questions

C1 How is consistency important to the Christian life?

C2 Why do God’s teachings need to be the greatest priority?

C3 What is the Christian life? How is it different from a non-Christian life?

C4 Why do we need God’s grace to live a Christian life?

Devotional Notes Romans 4

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Abraham’s Salvation Is Through Faith Alone

D1 Verse 1 is a continuation of the thought of Romans 3:31.

D2 All Jews had very high respect for Abraham, the Father of the faithful. How was Abraham made right with God? By keeping the Law? No, the Law did not exist for another 400 years. Abraham was made right with God, because he believed God (faith). Circumcision was not a work that justified Abraham either. Some might argue that salvation is faith+works, but Abraham was justified before he was circumcised.

D3 Salvation is through grace alone by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Verse 3 WEL What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited as righteousness to him.” This is a quote from Genesis 15:6. This is imputation, which is (ISBE): The word "imputation," according to the Scriptural usage, denotes an attributing of something to a person, or a charging of one with anything, or a setting of something to one's account.

D4 Verse 4-8 clearly states that faith is NOT a work. Another translation: Romans 4:4-5 NET Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.

D5 Verse 9-10

E1 Clearly shows that salvation is not just for Jews (a huge problem for 1st century Jews). Salvation is also for Gentiles.

E2 Salvation was credited to Abraham’s account. He did not earn it.

E3 Salvation came before circumcision. Circumcision is not needed for salvation.

E4 Ephesians 4:7-9 WEL So that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace, you are saved through faith and that [is] not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God, 9 Not of works, lest anyone should boast.

D6 Verse 11 shows that circumcision is not required as it is for Jews. To Jews, circumcision is a sign of God's covenant with them. Circumcision to Gentiles, it is a medical procedure. On the other hand, salvation is the very same salvation for Jews and Gentiles. See Acts 10.

D7 Verse 12 teaches that the only Jews who have salvation are those who believe just like Abraham believed.

D8 On verses 13-17, Robertson writes: In these verses (Romans 4:13) Paul employs (Sanday and Headlam) the keywords of his gospel (faith, promise, grace) and arrays them against the current Jewish theology (law, works, merit).

D9 Verse 13, God’s promises to Abraham being heir of the world was not through Mosaic law but through righteousness because of a person’s faith, that is, believing God.

D10 Verse 16, faith shows that salvation is through grace, not works. God gets the credit for salvation. Barclay writes:

To Abraham God made a very great and wonderful promise. He promised that he would become a great nation, and that in him all families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). In truth, the earth would be given to him as his inheritance. Now that promise came to Abraham because of the faith that he showed towards God. It did not come because he piled up merit by doing works of the law. It was the outgoing of God's generous grace in answer to Abraham's absolute faith. The promise, as Paul saw it, was dependent on two things and two things only--the free grace of God and the perfect faith of Abraham.

The Jews were still asking, "How can a man enter into the right relationship with God so that he too may inherit this great promise?" Their answer was, "He must do so by acquiring merit in the sight of God through doing works which the law prescribes." That is to say, he must do it by his own efforts. Paul saw with absolute clearness that this Jewish attitude had completely destroyed the promise. It had done so for this reason--no man can fully keep the law; therefore, if the promise depends on keeping the law, it can never be fulfilled.

D11 Verse 20, compare Romans 1:21 where most humans do not do like Abraham. They gave God no credit or honor for what He has done, is doing, and will do, nor be thankful.

D12 Verse 23, a reason we have the written Scriptures and the Old Testament is for us to have facts and teaching about God and His ways.

D13 Verse 24, we inherit the blessings IF we believe. This shows that the fulfillment of promises is conditional being based on faith.

D14 Verse 24-25

E1 All must believe God’s gospel as delivered by God the Son, Jesus Christ.

F1 We must believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. It was not resuscitation but resurrection.

F2 Delivered (handed over) because of our transgressions ( To commit an offense by violating a law, principle, or duty (Source)).

F3 Jesus’s resurrection proves our justification. We cannot know if Jesus died for His own sins or was an acceptable substitute for ours. If Jesus did not rise, then we are not justified. Jesus did rise, so we are justified! That He was resurrected was witnessed by over 500 brothers and sisters. 1 Corinthians 15:6 NIV After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

F4 Don Stewart How Important Is the Resurrection to Christianity?

F5 Gary Habermas has many articles and books.

E2 These verses show the importance of Jesus Christ's resurrection, death, punishment for our sins, and resurrection, which proves and provides our justification.

C3 Questions

D1 What is the importance of Abraham’s believing God?

D2 Why is believing God successful but keeping the Mosaic Law unsuccessful?

D3 Which was first—believing God or circumcision?

D4 What is the importance of Jesus’s resurrection?

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Thank you, O Lord, for all your works and dealings with others.

Devotional Notes Romans 3

B1 What does this mean?

C1 The Advantage of the Jew

D1 God gave His message through the Jews. Jesus is a Jew, too.

D2 Jewish unbelief will not stop God's plans.

D4 God is correct and righteous to judge and sentence Law breakers.

C2 All People Are Sinners and Cannot Seek God

D1 No one righteous. Does this mean Jesus sinned?

E1 No.

E2 The plain, normal sense understands this passage is a quote from the Old Testament.

F1 Robertson writes: [Verses 10-12 come from] Psalm 14:1-3; first half of 13 as far as εδολιουσαν from Psalm 5:9, the second half from Psalm 140:3; verse 14 from Psalm 10:7; 15-17 from an abridgment of Isaiah 59:7f.; verse 18 from Psalm 35:1.

E3 Jesus had not yet been born of the Virgin, so the quote of everyone being a sinner is correct.

E4 Jesus has finished His earthly ministry by the time Paul wrote this letter, so we understand that all humans are sinners in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds EXCEPT Jesus Christ. See 1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 1 John 3:5, etc.

E5 Sin's effects are thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E6 Sin has consequences.

E7 Verse 19, since the Jew is guilty because of the Law, now all are guilty because of the Law.

C2 Salvation Not Through the Law but Through Faith

D1 The Law and keeping it does not bring forgiveness of sins, salvation, and fellowship with God.

D2 Believing God does.

D3 Jesus is Savior of Jew and Gentile.

D4 Salvation is the same. It is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

D5 Jesus's work on the cross was public.

D6 This death of Jesus is proof that Jesus suffered for our sins if we meet His conditions.

C3 Questions

D1 What advantages of Jews are listed?

D2 How can God be considered holy if sin and evil is in the universe?

D3 Is God’s grace so great that we can sin more to receive more grace? Explain.

D4 Why can’t keeping Mosaic Law bring salvation?

D5 What is the purpose of the Mosaic Law?

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Thank you for your theology, O Lord.

1 Timothy 4:11-14

B3 More pastoral advice.

C1 Paul is speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so all these words are not suggestions, they are required.

C2 Pass along and teach these things.

D1 The Greek word commanding is παραγγέλλω paraggellō. It means to transmit as pass on/pass along a message. Mainly, it is the message of this letter and/or specifically verses 1-10.

D2 A very important message indeed. It is the message of salvation. It is the message of God’s kingdom teachings as God’s rules, worldview, lifestyle, etc.

D3 Whatever we teach and emphasize MUST be believed and lived by us. We cannot be someone who teaches one thing but lives differently. God will judge the hypocrite.

D4 God’s method: 2 Timothy 2:25 NLT Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth.

C3 All Christians need to be an example.

D1 Jesus is our example. He is also the one we are to imitate.

D2 John 13:14-15 GNB  I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.

D3 1 Peter 2:21 GNB It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps.

D4 We are to be examples to the unsaved in these things: in word, behavior, love, attitude, faith, and purity.

C4 Let no one despise your young age. It is not age that matters but maturity. See Pickering in his notes: As a professor of mine once said, "Your youth is not the problem; it's the immaturity that goes with it."

C5 Consistently apply yourself in reading [of Scripture], exhortation, and to teaching.

D1 Publicly and privately.

E1 We need spiritual food (Scripture), encouragement and motivation (exhortation), and to teach others.

E2 We need to read, think about what we read (the Bible term of meditate, that is, thinking through and deeply), teach what we read, and live what we read.

F1 Joshua 1:8 GW Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day so that you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed.

F2 Psalms 1:2 ESV but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

F3 See also Psalm 19, Psalm 119, and Proverbs 1:1-7.

D2 We are to encourage and motivate others to do the same.

D3 We teach by speaking, doing, correcting, etc.

C6 We receive gifts from the Holy Spirit.

D1 All believers have a gift.

E1 The gift is given so we can serve God faithfully and be successful at it.

E2 The gift is given so we can be joyful and content in exercising that gift.

D2 We must develop this gift by the exercises from verse 13.

D3 God has delegated this to us.

D4 Let us be faithful.

D5 It is possible to neglect our gift. God knows.

C7 Questions

D1 Just based on this Scripture, what are some ways to attain spiritual maturity?

D2 What is the importance of being an example (pleasing to God) in everything we do?

D3 We all have a gift to serve God. Serve God when you see a need and can fulfill it. Why do some not serve God, use the gift God has given, and meet a need if we are able?

Devotional Notes Romans 2

B1 What does this mean?

C1 God’s Judgment Is Righteous

D1 We must be careful when passing judgment. We must be aware that we often are guilty of the same sin. We must test. We cannot tolerate everything people do. JFB commentary has: The Jew under like condemnation with the Gentile. From those without, the apostle now turns to those within the pale of revealed religion, the self-righteous Jews, who looked down upon the uncovenanted heathen as beyond the pale of God’s mercies, within which they deemed themselves secure, however inconsistent their life may be. Alas! what multitudes wrap themselves up in like fatal confidence, who occupy the corresponding position in the Christian Church!

D2 Judging, etc. must be according to truth, that is, reality. It also must agree with Scripture, which is the only source of 100% truth.

D3 Verse 4, God's goodness towards us is so that we will repent and believe in Jesus. This goodness is expressed by God's kindness, forbearance, and longsuffering.

D4 If one does not repent, then it often to even greater sin, and greater sin leads to an increase in God's wrath.

D5 Verses 5-11 shows that choices and actions lead to consequences of relationship with God. God's judges all fairly. A Jew may think he is better than all, but this is not true. A Jew gets judged according to the same standards as non-Jews.

D6 Verses 14-15 show Jews have a written law and non-Jews have an unwritten law. All know that lying is wrong, murder is wrong, etc.

C2 The Spiritual Problem of the Jew

D1 A religious Jew has many advantages, but advantages bring greater responsibility.

D2 Ignorance is not an excuse, for all will be judged.

D3 Verses 28-29 show who is a true Jew. It is a heart matter, not just physical and DNA matter.

C3 Questions

D1 Is it wrong to judge? When is it wrong or right?

D2 By whose standard do we use to judge? Why?

D3 What is God’s judgment based on?

D4 How do people become stubborn?

D5 Why is self-seeking and rejecting truth dangerous?

D6 Does God show favoritism? How are we to understand each individual?

B2 How do I apply this to my life? The importance of truth.

Devotional Notes Romans 1

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Salutation & Purpose

D1 Paul is an Apostle chosen and commissioned by Jesus Christ.

D2 Jesus Christ meets all the OT prophecy identifiers of Messiah especially so by His resurrection.

D3 Paul is to preach, and people are to repent.

C2Paul’s Desire to See the Believers in Rome

D1 Does Gospel (Good News) of or about His Son (God's Son, Jesus)? Most likely of, for it is the Good News that Jesus preached.

D2 Paul's purpose in desiring to visit them is to grow both his and their faith.

D3 Note Paul's evangelistic desire.

C3 Paul States His Boldness in the Good News

D1 Salvation is given to the one who believes that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and His message.

D2 It is an ability brought by God's grace alone in opening our hearts and minds to be freed in order to believe.

C4 The Downward Path of Sinful Humanity

D1 All are sinners by nature. This has been passed down from Adam.

D2 God initiates salvation by giving grace to understand the Gospel. He frees our will. With our will being freed, we need to believe. The decision is ours.

D3 Most refuse to believe, so they continue their descent into sin and incurring a greater punishment.

D4 Note how people suppress the truth. It is “in unrighteousness,” that is, they show their suppression of truth by doing unrighteousness.

D5 God reveals His character. People understand these truths. Most reject them.

D6 Verse 21, people refuse to give God the credit for what He has done and is doing. They also are not thankful for what He has done and is doing.

D7 Note that the punishment for sin is God allowing them to sin even more.

C5 Questions

D1 What are some proofs that Jesus is the promised Messiah?

D2 Is Christianity reasonable? Why?

D3 Why is the resurrection so important?

D4 How does “everyone know God?”

D5 Why does God punish sin by allowing a person to sin more?

D6 Does anyone HAVE TO sin?

D7 What is the solution?

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Repent and believe.

1 Timothy 4:6-10

B2 Remind brethren

C1 These instructions are primarily for the pastors/leaders but should be applied to all brothers and sisters. Most pastors/leaders do not.

D1 Timothy must remind them, that is, bring them up occasionally to refresh their memory.

D2 Good teachers do not teach something one time. They review it from time to time as necessary.

D3 Timothy must nourish himself as well. We need to be nourished in

E1 Words of faith, that is,

F1 Matthew 4:4 NLT But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

F2 Psalm 1:1-3 NLT Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

E2 Good teaching

F1 Luke 24:27 NLT Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

F2 God is the Teacher of all teachers, the greatest, the best. This verse prophesies but the character trait is reality: Isaiah 2:3 NLT People from many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob's God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the LORD's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.

E3 Consistently

F1 Hebrews 13:8 NLT Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

F2 Malachi 3:6 NLT I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

F3 Attitude—I need to do this. I will do this.

F4 Dedication—I will do this every day.

F5 Habit—I will do this as a habit without fail, except in an emergency.

F6 Help—I will seek God’s help and wisdom.

F7 Others—I will teach and be taught by others.

F8 Expect—I expect God to teach me through Scriptures.

F9 Application—I will live what I’m taught.

E4 Barclay writes: It tells us how to face the task of teaching. Timothy is told that he must feed his life on the words of faith. No man can give out without taking in. He who would teach must be continually learning. It is the reverse of the truth that when a man becomes a teacher he ceases to be a learner; he must daily know Jesus Christ better before he can bring him to others.

C2 In doing so, we are being pleasing servants of the Lord Jesus.

D1 We remind ourselves and our fellow believers of these things. W

D2 We must not do the things of verse 7.

D3 The method is to remind ourselves through Bible reading, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship (with God and believers).

D4 We have to be open and listen when our fellow believers remind us.

C3 We have to be nourished in the faith. This is knowing the Gospel and Biblical doctrine.

C4 We have to follow them carefully. We do not follow them to be saved or to be better Christians than someone else. We do follow them because we want to be good servants of Jesus Christ.

C5 We are not to follow crude myths or old wives’ stories. These are not doctrine. They are religious myths and stories. None of them are something Christians need to believe.

C6 We need to be in training for living a godly life.

D1 We must know the Bible.

D2 We must know what we believe.

D3 We must know how to live a Christian life.

D4 We must be able to answer questions challenging our faith (apologetics).

C7 Physical exercise is OK but will not enhance our faith. Some of the same points of being a better athlete can be applied to learning God’s ways.

C8 We need to be ready for living tomorrow with God’s standards stronger in us then today.

C9 Believing that Jesus is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe is offensive to many people. The Gospel is offensive. Jesus is offensive. A Christian life is offensive to many. God’s standards are offensive to many. See also 1 John 4:14, Isaiah 45:22, 1 Timothy 2:4, Acts 2:21, 2 Peter 3:9.

B3 Applications

C1 Christians are different. Saving faith is different. Jesus is different. Jesus suffered, so will we.

C2 God gives us grace and strength for whatever we face.

C3 We need to be taught and to teach each other.

C4 We need to encourage each other in the faith.

C5 We need to pray for each other.

B4 Questions

C1 What is the relationship between being a great athlete and a great Christian?

C2 Why does the pastor/leader have to learn and teach?

C3 What is the importance of consistency in the Christian faith?

C4 Why do we have to emphasize knowing the Bible, knowing what we believe, knowing what the Christian life and worldview is, and knowing how to defend the faith (apologetics)?