WEBVTT 00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:04.160 Welcome to the program Study in the Chapel. 00:00:04.559 --> 00:00:07.599 God's Word is supreme in chapel ministries. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:12.400 We consider it absolutely essential to a proper relationship with God. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:17.760 We study it, we love it, we rely on it every minute of every day. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:33.759 The following program is an edited recording of the regular Bible studies we hold, and we decided to share these with you in the hope that you too will be able to find inspiration, encouragement, and ultimately salvation through discovering Christ in Scripture. 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:37.600 Our intention is to travel all the way through the Bible. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:42.719 It will be a challenging journey, but one that will undoubtedly bring you to a decision. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:48.240 Through this study, you will be faced with either believing or rejecting what God has said to us. 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:54.320 It is our intention to provide you with enough knowledge to make an informed decision about God and his word. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:01:04.879 We strongly encourage you to listen intently and diligently, because though at the moment you may not realize it, these things are truly a matter of life and death. 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:09.359 In fact, these are matters of eternal life and eternal death. 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:11.599 Never treat what God has said lightly. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.400 There is truly nothing more important to you. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:19.120 Now join us as we seek God's will through his inspired word. 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:42.400 What we're trying to do is hear what God has to say to us regarding our lives and our place in his plan of redemption. 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:45.280 That's the purpose of your salvation. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:49.359 If you've been saved, God saved you for a reason. 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:58.319 And Scripture is the best place for you to learn how to apply your life to helping God bring in the kingdom. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:01.920 We are currently in the letter to the Romans. 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:06.159 We've been at it for a while, but we're still only in the second chapter. 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:10.879 There are lots and lots of things to learn in this book of the Bible. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:27.759 It happens to be one of the most important, especially for us Christians, but also for Jewish people, Jewish people that are sort of on the fence as to whether Christ was the Messiah or not should read the letter to the Romans because Paul has a lot to say to that type. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:32.479 Those that have been saved, Jews that have been saved, and those who are thinking about it. 00:02:32.639 --> 00:02:35.599 So this is an important book for them as well. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:41.199 So let's start out by reading the verses that we've covered so far. 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:43.919 We are in the letter to the Romans. 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:47.120 As I said, I am reading out of the King James. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:50.240 Please follow along with your own Bible. 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:54.240 If you didn't bring a Bible with you, please follow along on the screen. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:55.680 Romans 2.1. 00:02:56.240 --> 00:03:02.000 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest. 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:09.039 For wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thyself, for thou that judgest doest the same things. 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:10.159 Verse 2. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:17.439 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:20.400 This is the way God does things. 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:25.840 He judges all who commit, the letter there says such things. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:30.719 That means the things that Paul was speaking of in the first chapter. 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:32.960 That's what Paul's referencing here. 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:36.319 But that also means God judges all things. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:43.840 God judges all things, and he does so judges all sin, and he does so according to truth only. 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:47.439 On no other basis does God judge. 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:48.560 Verse 3. 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:57.680 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judges them which do things and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:07.599 Do you somehow think that you can sit around and watch God's justice unfold and you yourself not being subject to it? 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:11.680 You're not exempt from God's judgment, no matter who you are. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:24.959 Verse 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:44.560 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds. 00:04:45.120 --> 00:05:07.439 Now, these last two verses that I read would likely have triggered, when Paul wrote them, and someone read to those Jews, it likely would have triggered very ominous reaction in their hearts, especially the Jews who knew their Bible, and they almost all knew their Bible in those days. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:27.120 Verse 5, but after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render, God will render to every man according to his deeds. 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:45.519 This is conjuring up thoughts of one of the Bible's most intriguing and most mysterious events, and one that will demonstrate once and for all God's view of our personal righteousness. 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:53.040 What Paul is referring to was very well known to the Jew and actually most of us. 00:05:53.519 --> 00:06:02.800 Paul was talking about Judgment Day, often referred to in the Bible as the day of the Lord or the last day. 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:05.759 This is what comes at the end. 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:08.560 I don't need to explain that to you. 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:21.759 You know what I mean when I say judgment day, but what you may not know is that there are actually two judgments, one for the condemned and one for the saved. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:24.399 Now we don't have time for details. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:27.839 This is not our topic for today. 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:38.959 I want to talk about these quickly because there are people that do vaguely know what this means, and I don't want anyone to think I'm skipping over an important point. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:49.199 But the judgments that I am referring to, these judgments I'm referring to, will happen at the end of this dispensation. 00:06:49.759 --> 00:07:00.399 And there's one for the condemned, there's a judgment for the condemned, and it's called the white throne judgment, and there's a judgment for the saved that's called the Bima. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:07.040 As I said, I'm not going to give you a lot of details, but I will give you a few of the scriptures. 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:16.959 As you can imagine, the white throne judgment is where those who have never put their trust in Christ will be thrown into hell. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:20.560 Here's how, yes, there's a hell, and yes, there's a devil. 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:22.720 Don't let anyone fool you. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:29.680 Don't let the liberal church try to talk you out of that very frightening possibility. 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:35.519 Here is how the white throne judgment is described in Revelation 21. 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:37.439 I'm reading verse eight. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:59.360 But the fearful, that just means the cowardly, but the cowardly and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:05.040 And then there is the Bima, also known as the judgment seat of Christ. 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:15.040 It's described by our Lord Himself, also found in the book of Revelation, this time, chapter 22, verse 12. 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:25.519 And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:29.519 Now the word quickly there really means rapidly. 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:33.919 When Jesus has something to do, he doesn't dawdle. 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:40.879 At this point, he'll have been waiting for a very long time to complete his earthly work. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:47.600 So when the right moment comes, you can be sure it's going to happen with great speed. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:53.519 Paul also described the Bima over in 2 Corinthians 5.10. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:56.639 I don't think it gets any clearer than this. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:05.120 Remember, this is the judgment of the believers, sometime referred to as the Bima, 2 Corinthians 5.10. 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:20.240 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in the body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:29.600 Now, as I said, sometimes, sometime later, we will go over this again, but for now I want to stick with what we've been talking about here. 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:35.759 God will render to every man according to his deeds. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:37.759 Why, you may ask? 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:42.080 Because his justice demands that he do so. 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:49.039 Listen, had not sin entered into our race, none of this would become necessary. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:53.919 There would have been no judgment because there would have been no sin. 00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:56.799 But God didn't change. 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:57.679 We did. 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:02.720 This is what Paul is reminding these Roman Christians about. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:09.279 God is going to render to every man according to his deeds. 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:13.759 Now, the Greek word that Paul is using is very specific. 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:21.039 Yes, it means every man, everyone, but it also means each one. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:29.039 That's the spirit of this word's use here, each one, meaning separately, meaning individually. 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:33.120 This is an individual judgment. 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:44.159 Now, the reason Paul is putting this here is because he is still dealing with those who think they can somehow claim an exemption. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:53.919 Just because you're Jewish doesn't mean you're going to share in some overall judgment belonging only to the Jewish people. 00:10:54.159 --> 00:11:19.919 Just because your granny was a Christian and your parents are Christian, and you were raised in a home with Christian values, and your parents were members of the church board and active in supporting the missions doesn't mean you're going to somehow be placed under their future blessings simply because of your proximity and connection. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:28.559 You, me, each one of us will have rendered to us according to our deeds. 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:31.679 This is incredibly important. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:34.240 Please do not miss this. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:39.919 What happens to you, listen, is your responsibility. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:44.720 God is going to render to you what you deserve. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:48.320 Let me just put this in here quickly. 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:51.600 This is why you need a redeemer. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:54.000 You need a redeemer. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:12:01.039 Paul is talking about overall judgment, and I'm going to say this again later, but I can't help but to say it now. 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:06.879 Paul is talking about overall judgment, whether Christ is involved or not. 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:11.919 If Christ were not involved, this is how God does things. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:16.639 He's always going to judge according to truth. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:22.159 But when you get saved, then you get judged by Jesus' deeds. 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:27.279 That's why you don't need a redeemer, because God's going to judge you one way or another. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:30.559 Either it's going to be by your deeds or by his. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:36.639 When you are in Christ, God will judge his deeds for you. 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:39.519 And he was perfect. 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:51.679 Anyhow, verse 7 to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor in immortality, eternal life. 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:57.120 Now let me skip down real quick for a second to verse 10. 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:59.200 It's related to verse 7. 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:08.720 But glory, honor, and peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:17.919 Here is where so much squirming gets done among Protestant evangelical fundamentalists. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:28.639 Listen, most of us evangelicals, we fundamentalists, we don't have any problem listening in on the other verses in this section. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:35.519 You know, the ugly side, the indignation and wrath, the tribulation and anguish, all that. 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:37.919 Yeah, we're on board with that. 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:42.799 All that negative stuff that those bad guys are going to get. 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:51.440 But, you know, we we really have a hard time sitting still when we hear about what happens to the good guy. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:14:11.200 This glory, honor, peace to every man that worketh good, eternal life to those who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality that makes us uncomfortable. 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:17.279 We sola fide types start to fidget a bit here. 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:22.879 By faith alone is our mission statement for crying out loud. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:29.120 It here looks like God says he's gonna reward those that do good. 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:32.399 That makes us squishy, you know? 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:35.279 Well, why should it? 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:42.320 What the heck is wrong with God giving those things to those types of people? 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:44.799 Why wouldn't God do that? 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:48.000 I mean, wouldn't that be a just thing to do? 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:50.799 That's what we're talking about here, isn't it? 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:54.080 We're talking about God's justice. 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:59.759 Paul is telling us how God handles judgment, right? 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:12.639 Well, isn't the right thing to do to give one, isn't it the right thing to do to give wonderful things to those who work hard at and succeed at doing good things? 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:18.960 A just God wouldn't be someone who simply goes around punishing everyone, right? 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:25.919 A just person would also be the kind of person that rewards good. 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:30.480 And that's exactly what he's being described as here. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:36.080 Ah, yes, John, but then why did Jesus have to die on the cross? 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:46.399 Because the problem is no one can achieve the glory and honor and peace, let alone the eternal life anymore. 00:15:46.720 --> 00:16:00.559 Ever since sin entered into the human race, not one person has been able to achieve what's necessary for those gifts, except for Jesus, of course. 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:06.159 By original design, I believe this wouldn't have been a problem. 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:10.639 God would have been handing out good gifts all over the place. 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:14.159 After all, we're made in his image. 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:21.200 By design, we could have easily merited such responses from God. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:25.360 But then sin came in and ruined all that. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:27.440 Remember, I said this earlier. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:30.320 God doesn't change, we do. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:33.039 Our situation has changed. 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:34.320 God has not. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.600 So he sent his son. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:51.120 Jesus had to die to restore our place with God. 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:54.320 But pay attention to the context. 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:58.399 This is not what Paul is talking about at the moment. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:04.240 He's not talking about how God made up for our shortfallings. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:08.559 He's just talking about God's justice. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:17.359 He's explaining how God deals with the deeds of mankind, all things being equal. 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:25.200 Paul is talking about what God renders to every man according to his deeds. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:27.759 Fundamentalists, stop squirming. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:33.680 Read what Paul is saying, study all of what the Bible has to say. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:40.240 See what's written here and then balance it against what he says everywhere else. 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:46.319 That's the only proper way to study any section of the Bible. 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:53.519 This is why Peter said, no prophecy of the scripture is of private interpretation. 00:17:53.680 --> 00:18:01.279 That means you cannot isolate any portion of scripture and interpret it on its own. 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:07.359 All scripture has to be interpreted in light of all other scripture. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:12.400 And when you do that here, your discomfort goes away. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:18.799 So having said all that, let's go back and look at some specifics. 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:25.200 What we've been doing for several weeks is sort of laying down general principles. 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:34.160 The things we've been teaching on have more or less broad concepts related to these early chapter two verses. 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:40.319 Now let's go back and hit the details and we'll start at verse six. 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:46.079 God will render to every man according to his deeds. 00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:53.119 And what follows is a snapshot of what the justice of God looks like. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:19:07.200 Paul is about to explain how God judges according to truth, not according to one's lineage or place of birth or any other external impersonal circumstance. 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:10.799 This is how God judges. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:14.160 Now, let me repeat what I said before. 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:18.079 This is not a list to be checked off. 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:31.279 These so-called deeds are simply examples of outward manifestations of the way one views themselves and the world around them. 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:37.119 These are the results of a certain attitude toward God and man. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:43.119 These are the outcomes of a heart fixed in a certain direction. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:47.279 But these aren't the only possibilities. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:54.160 These are just what Paul decided were representative of the things God judges. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:20:01.200 But he didn't want us, Paul did not want us to think this is an exhaustive list. 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:16.880 Nonetheless, here we go, verse seven to them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seeking do in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:37.519 For those whose attitude is one of a persistent, diligent pursuit of living a life with an upward look, constantly choosing to do the right thing, an unchanging desire for that which is good and holy. 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:46.480 Someone who doesn't let the world system shape and mold how they relate to their circumstances. 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:49.359 That's what Paul is describing here. 00:20:49.759 --> 00:21:04.240 Someone who overcomes the headwinds of a cursed world and reaches for those things that God would approve of on a constant basis, a continuing basis. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:06.960 It's what the heart is centered on. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:10.799 That's what kind of person is being described here. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:19.920 Being on the side of justice and goodness and mercy is the constant tenor of their walk through life. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:30.400 According to Albert Barnes, the words glory and honor and immortality denote the happiness of the heavenly world. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:33.279 Doesn't that make you smile to think about? 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:39.759 Those whose eyes are not fixed on this world, but rather the next. 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:44.000 This is how those sorts of people go through life. 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:48.640 Now let me read this next part from Albert Barnes' commentary. 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.000 I don't want to summarize it. 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.440 I want to use his words. 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:59.759 Quote The word glory denotes properly praise for anything distinguished for beauty. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:05.279 Ornament, majesty, splendor as of the sun, etc. 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:17.359 And then it is used to denote the highest happiness or felicity as expressing everything that shall be splendid, rich, and grand. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:29.359 Glory and honor and immortality are not the characteristics of earthbound things, of worldly things. 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:36.000 When you have heaven on the mind, this is what you're thinking about. 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.839 Barnes continues. 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:53.759 The word honor in the original implies rather the idea of reward or just retribution, the honor and reward which shall be conferred in heaven on the friends of God. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:59.519 It stands opposed to contempt, poverty, and want among people. 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:05.839 Here they are despised by people, there they shall be honored by God. 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:15.839 God rewards the expressions of the heart, not cold, thoughtless works. 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:23.839 Listen, it's not all that tough to go out there and find a list of good deeds and perform them. 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:27.279 But where is your heart on these matters? 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:31.839 What's the motivation for your philanthropy? 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:49.440 You know, the English countryside is dotted all over the place with ancient tiny and not so tiny churches and chapels funded way back when by the local rich guy. 00:23:49.680 --> 00:24:12.480 Very often wealthy men with guilty consciences would plunk down huge sums to the local parish, not in an effort to help the gospel, but instead in an attempt to silence the accusing voices in their heads over their cruel, immoral, and godless behaviors. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:18.720 Of course, the local clergy didn't discourage such behavior. 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:24.319 They didn't offer to substitute some form of spiritual help. 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:34.480 They didn't propose a few Christian counseling sessions, and they didn't do any of that because that wouldn't have been in their best interest. 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:38.400 They weren't all that interested in spreading the gospel either. 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:49.359 They'd simply take the bribe as the means to get the sinner back on the straight and arrow, at least in their minds, and then take that and build a church with it. 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:57.440 Of course, they didn't they didn't call it a bribe, they preferred the word offering. 00:24:57.839 --> 00:25:04.480 But I think we all know better what motivates your philanthropy. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:17.200 Verse 7 to them who by patient continuance and well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:28.400 Immortality is mentioned here in verse seven, but what's meant are those things that aren't subject to corruption, things that don't decay. 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:34.319 Again, only that which comes from God can fall into this category. 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:46.880 The things of God are to be pursued, and when we do that, we're seeking after that which will remain intact and unchanged forever. 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:52.960 A man who thinks on these things has a heart like God's. 00:25:53.359 --> 00:26:15.839 Verses eight and nine, though, show us the contrast unto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:19.119 Now, let me take a moment here. 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:28.079 I'll start out by saying that the King James, I just read from the King James edition of the Bible. 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:40.319 And here, in my opinion, the King James is a bit inaccurate in its translation of the original statement, but it's a subtle inaccuracy. 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:44.640 You wouldn't even notice it unless you took a closer look. 00:26:44.799 --> 00:27:00.720 It takes a little detective work, but if you put in the time, you might be able to see that originally Paul was saying something different than what we read in this English language translation of the Bible. 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:04.640 That's why I'm pausing here for just a tick. 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:15.759 But we but before we get into the analysis, I want to take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of studying your Bible. 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:25.039 There are, listen to me, there are plenty of people who'll almost brag about how much and how often they read their Bible. 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:38.319 And of course, I'm not against reading your Bible, but if you're just going to read it and not try to understand it, then maybe I shouldn't say this, but I'm going to. 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:50.240 If all you're interested in is reading your Bible and you don't care to take it to the next step and learn your Bible, then I say don't bother. 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:52.319 Can't believe he said that. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:28:02.240 Listen, a lazy approach to Scripture will cause at best misunderstanding and at worst heresy. 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:07.440 The Bible, listen to me, is not subject to interpretation. 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:12.880 We're not to open this book and assign our own meaning to it. 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:18.640 And that's the temptation when we don't take it seriously enough to understand it. 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:27.839 Listen, Christianity is not a philosophy open to modification, evolution, and accommodation. 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:38.640 The Bible isn't a book of poetry written by authors who welcome your personal analysis and application of the meaning. 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:46.160 The Bible says of itself, Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:56.000 The inference is that what God has said is, listen to me, firmly fixed in an eternal place. 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:58.640 Heaven is an eternal place. 00:28:58.880 --> 00:29:02.240 Everything that is in heaven is permanent. 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:06.160 It's one of the reasons I most look forward to it. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:10.880 There, nothing changes, nothing decays. 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:17.759 And since that's where God's word is settled, it itself is eternal. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:25.759 Joseph Benson says this verse can be translated: Thy word, O Lord, is forever. 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:40.960 And God's word says, He will render to every man according to his deeds, to them who by patient continuance and well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:58.640 But unto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentile. 00:29:58.799 --> 00:30:04.240 Listen, these are statements firmly fixed in heaven. 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:10.240 Verses eight and nine contain warnings that are firmly fixed in heaven. 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:16.799 And because of that, I would say it's in our best interest to take it seriously. 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:20.319 Forget trying to put our meaning on this. 00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:23.279 I'm not worried about my wrath on me. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:26.160 I'm worried about God's wrath on me. 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:33.200 So I better grasp this as he intended if I expect to avoid that wrath. 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:36.160 I don't want indignation and wrath. 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:39.599 I don't want tribulation and anguish. 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:47.200 I think I'm going to probably have to hold off on my analysis of the translation. 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:52.799 I never got to my point regarding that translation, but I think we're out of time. 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:54.960 So we will pick it up right there. 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:58.079 We'll pursue that right at that point next time. 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.519 So see you then. 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:04.640 We hope this study has blessed you. 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:14.720 God's word is a great treasure, and it's our belief that a thorough, purposeful study of it will bring all of God's children to an understanding of his eternal plan of redemption. 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:18.559 It is our prayer that this will be so for all of our listeners. 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:20.720 Please join us again soon. 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:25.359 New content is being added all the time, so make sure you check back often. 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:36.720 For more information on Chapel Ministries, including our YouTube channel and podcasts, please visit www.chapelontheweb.com. 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:44.319 And if God has laid it upon your heart to share materially with us, we encourage you to follow the links to our secure giving page. 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:53.200 Please note, Chapel Ministries is not an IRS registered nonprofit organization, and your donations to this program are not tax deductible. 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:59.359 It's our hope that you do not rely on taxing authorities to decide for you who is worthy of your generosity.