Terry Storch

Writing about life, leadership, faith, and anything else I find interesting.

Unlimited Debt Forgiveness

 

Redemption noun

the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.

Paul has laid out so far in Romans 1-3 that we have a debt to pay, and it is impossible to pay. Maybe something similar to coming out of college and post-grad work with $250,000 in debt, and you get a $10/hr job...and live in NYC. Impossible! The only hope is in redemption, an exchange, clearing, and forgiving of the debt we carry. 

Paul takes us on this journey and takes us to Jesus, our hope, our redeemer, and our savior. But, before he dives in, he throws out this fascinating verse;

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wow, such a cool discovery this morning! Paul is making it clear and known that the Old Testament revealed Christ and pointed to Jesus. This would of been a massive awakening to the Jews. I thought this verse was awesome. Anyway, back on track. 

Paul drives his point home one more time;

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” -‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The debt is too much for us to carry. But, here is the turn. Here is the redeemer that has come to clear our debt.

“and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” - Romans‬ ‭3:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Gospel, the good news of Jesus and his grace that brings righteousness. His Grace makes us right with God! And, to push this further, Paul brings in some Old Testament connections here with the sacrifice of atonement and the shedding of blood. But it, not the animals being sacrificed, God presented his one and only Son, Jesus - The Christ. 

“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:25-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The atmosphere and weight of Romans just shifted. Jesus has been presented and our debt has been paid in full. A final thought here that I had this morning is in light of our current political environment. Last night was the Iowa caucus, and the democrats are working towards a candidate to run against Trump. I will not take this into those political land minds, but let me take us to the passion many young Americans have around free college, and debt forgiveness for college loans. This is a super hot topic, and as I read today this is ultimately redemption. A massive group of Americans are calling out and standing for a candidate that they believe will bring them redemption, and forgiveness of a debt. Deep down, in their hearts and conscience they understand the law (remember our verse yesterday)

“They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Christ and the Gospel is the only solution for true redemption. America may be rallying around a political candidate, praying for a new solution, a path forward and needing redemption...but the true atonement that is needed is the grace that is only offered by Jesus, the Christ. 

other writing
John 20 - The Gospel

John 20 - The Gospel

The Gospel, the Good News! Jesus, Son of God, was born of Mary, lived as the Son of Man, died, and rose to life to rescue the world and bring about a new life. The central message of the gospel. Jesus, the centerpiece! John 19 & 20 cover the brutal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

In this scene, I can not imagine how the disciples felt. John describes them as overjoyed...but those words just fall short of what I can imagine this moment was like.

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

The day of Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled 28 Old Testament prophecies. Scripture was fulfilled! Beyond that, trying to wrap my mind around what happened this day, on the cross, and fully grabbing the magnitude of the cross is mind-boggling.

Sure, we can dumb this down or simplify it to a place where I just don’t believe it is anywhere near accurate. We can get into penal substitution and argue over was God full of love or was God full of wrath and hate that he killed his son. To me, John 3:16 is pretty clear on the love part.

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

In John 18, we come to the great betrayal. Judas came with the soldiers, officials, and chief priest and Pharisees. We know the scene. But this morning, I saw something I don’t remember reading and surly don’t remember learning about.

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 is Jesus looking heavenward and praying to God the Father. So much beauty and mystery in this prayer. One thing that jumps out to me is that Jesus, fully God, and fully man prayed. Jesus is God fully. Why did he need to pray, He was One with the Father, He was God...and yet he prayed. This is so powerful;

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

By the end of John 16, Jesus had done countless miracles, preached some amazing sermons, transformed so many lives, and developed a close and personal relationship with his disciples. So, when reading these verses, I am just utterly confused on so many levels.

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

Jesus’ time on earth is quickly coming to a close, and he finishes up his last sermon or teaching to his disciples as they walk to Gethsemane. This final teaching was a heavy one that no doubt left his disciples with a heavy heart. Jesus said it this way;

“...None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus goes on to say;

John 15 - Constant Growth

John 15 - Constant Growth

We were built for growth, constant growth. From birth, all the way until our death, we were designed by God for constant growth. The problem is, we often can find ourselves stuck in a belief, a phase, or a part of life where we stop growing.

One of the most brilliant investors embodies this understanding. Charlie Munger, at 96 years old, is still learning and growing as a person. I love this quote:

“Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than being brilliant.”
- Charlie Munger

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 opens with Jesus, saying, Don’t let your hearts be troubled. And the chapter closed down with Jesus saying Don’t be troubled or afraid.

A message that needs to resonate with our spirit and our inner self. This was such a good reminder, reading through John 14 over and over. This passage lifted off the screen.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

The world today seems so volatile and chaotic. Everywhere you look, whatever we read and see on TV just seems to be troubling. Last night, I noticed my lovely wife Tweeted this;

“I can’t be the only one who watches the news and is simply embarrassed right now, right? (Dear Jesus, we tap out. Come on back.)”

I find this first humorous, but then I also find it sad. It’s true, watching the news as a Christ-follower is pretty embarrassing. In John 14, we see Jesus…

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

Summarizing John, chapter 13, looks like this. The Lords Supper takes place. Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus calls out Judas, and Satan enters him. Night comes, Judas leaves, and Jesus says he must go, and where I am going, you can not come. To cap it all off, Jesus also calls out Simon Peter and tells him that he will deny and completely disown Jesus three times. Whoa, a really full chapter, and historical day.

Nestled in the wrap up of the day is the parting message Jesus leaves his disciples, a message Jesus is sharing with us right now.

 
thoughtsTerry Storch