Frank's Bible Blog

Romans 9-- Faith Not Family

Universally and throughout time, there has always been only one way to come to God, and that is through faith.  In Old Testament time, people exercised their faith by looking forward to God's ultimate, perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ.  They made sacrifices to demonstrate that faith.  Even then, however, it wasn't the act of the sacrifice but rather the heart of faith that made them right before God.  Today, we look back on Christ's sacrifice and through faith appropriate it for our lives.  As Paul launches into this section of Romans, which includes chapters 9-11, he states that he would do anything to see his countrymen, Israel, saved.  He desperately wants them to understand that faith in Christ is required of all people, even God's chosen people.  It may not seem fair that God would allow those who aren't his people (Gentiles) the same privileges of those who are called by His name, but that is God's choice.  He is God and His decisions are right even if we don't understand them all.  The bottom line, says Paul, is that it is your faith, not your family of origin, that determines your relationship with God.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Romans 8-- Christianity in a Nutshell

If all we knew about the Christian life was what is in Romans 8, we would have plenty to ponder!  This chapter probably gives the greatest overview of the Christian life of any single chapter in the Bible.  It contains one of the most quoted verses of the New Testament (v.28) and my personal life verses (35-39).  Notice what happens when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.   We go from death to life (vv1-11), from slaves to sons (and daughters!) with a loving Heavenly Father (vv12-17).  We get hope that lasts a lifetime (vv18-25) and immediate access through prayer to the creator of all things (vv26-27).  God gives our life purpose, direction and an ultimate plan (vv28-30).  Most of all, we get God on our side with a commitment that no matter where we go or what we face in this life, He will be right there with us guiding us through even the darkest days (vv31-39).  If you have committed your life to Christ, will you pause right now and thank God for your salvation and all that comes with it?  If you haven't made that commitment, there is no better time then right now to begin experiencing all that God has available to you as His child.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Romans 7-- The Enemy Within

Cartoonist Walt Kelly said it best with his famous quote "We have seen the enemy and they are us."  That certainly is true when it comes to living a righteous life before God.  We are our own worst enemy.  We can say that "the Devil made me do it," but the reality, as Paul points out in Romans 7, is that sin comes from within.  The law, or commands of God, are there to help us define sin and see it for what it is--a violation of God's character and requirements.  That enemy within, sin, keeps people captive.  We can desire to do better.  We can know intellectually that what we are doing is wrong and even devastating to our lives and others, yet we keep on doing it.  Why?  Because we cannot defeat sin with will-power alone.  As verse 25 says, however, there is hope.  Victory comes when we access the One and only One who can defeat sin, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Romans 6-- Alcatraz or Freedom?

It was a cold and rainy day as my wife and I made our way by ferry boat from San Francisco to Alcatraz Island.  The winds were blowing and the sea was rough as we docked to tour the infamous island--the place where for years America's worst criminals were kept.  We made our way up the steep hill from the dock and eventually found ourselves in the prison block.  We could easily imagine what it was like for a new prisoner to make that walk, move through processing where he is striped of anything he has left, and then be placed alone in a small room before the bar door slammed shut.  For many, this is where they would spend the rest of their lives--locked away and missing the joys, excitement and experiences that a free life offers.  But imagine if a day came when the prison guard threw open the door and announced that you had been set free.  You can take the next boat off the island and never have to come back.  You are now free for a life of meaning and purpose.  You are free to experience all that life can provide.  But what if you turned down freedom's offer?  What if you slammed the bars shut on yourself?  What if you threw away your ticket out and forsook real living?  In Romans 6, this is exactly the scene that Paul describes.  We are set free from the bondage--the prison cell--of sin.  Free to experience a new life and all that God can offer.  We are alive again!  But unfortunately, some choose to remain "on the rock."  Even though Christ has set them free, they choose to remain slave to sin.  Don't let sin rob you of a life of true joy.  Don't let it steal away your ability to reach significance and have an impact.  The prison door has been opened through Christ.  It is time to step out and never look back.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Romans 5-- The Grace Factor

Grace is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as "a favor rendered by one who need not do so."  Additional definitions given are "divine love and protection bestowed freely on people.  The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God. An excellence or power granted by God."  Romans 5 introduces us to the concept of grace--God's favor rendered to people like you and me who don't deserve it, but are able to access it by faith through Christ's atonement for our sins.  Notice what grace does for us.  It gives us something to stand on and hope in (v2).  It reconciles us to God (v11).  It justifies us before God (v16).  It gives us eternal life (v20).  God gives us an abundance of grace--not just a minuscule amount.  Even in the most depraved situations, grace can abound.  If you have received and live in God's grace, how are you demonstrating grace to those around you?  What favors are you doing for others just because you can, not because you have to or because the person deserves it?
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Romans 4-- The Tale of Two Abrahams

Abraham Lincoln is legendary in American history.  Supposedly, more has been written about him than any other person in all history--except for Christ.  Politicians and preachers alike reference him, and his Illinois museum draws thousands of annual visitors--even though he has been dead for a long time.  Even more revered in Jewish life is Abraham (the original one!).  As father to the Jewish nation, he has longed been looked up to--and rightly so.  Paul captures that admiration in Romans 4 to illustrate his teaching of Romans 3--that no one is made righteous before God except by faith, not even Father Abraham.  His faith came before his works--which for the Jews meant circumcision.  Does God want good works from us today?  Absolutely.  But good works are only truly good after we have exercised faith in Jesus Christ.  They become an expression of love and obedience to God, not items to earn God's favor and forgiveness.  Are you trusting in what you have done for salvation or are you trusting only in what Christ has done?  One will leave you empty and outside of God's forgiveness.  The other brings joy and the assurance of eternal life.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Romans 3-- God is Not an American

Several years ago, I was in a little town in the Australian Outback sharing Christ with people I met on the street.  I told an Aboriginal man that God loves him.  "God doesn't love me.  Your God is an American god," he replied.  "No," I responded gently, "God is not an American god.  He is not an Australian god.  He is GOD.  He is above all nationalities, and He does love you."  Many people wrongly assume that because of their nationality, heritage or traditions they are righteous before God.  Romans 3 makes it clear that is not true.  Being an American doesn't make you a Christian.  Neither does being born into a Jewish family, or any other family for that matter, make you right before God.  Righteousness comes by placing our faith and trust in Christ who died, was buried and rose from the dead to pay for our sin.  Our families and traditions can point us toward God, but it is our personal decision to accept Christ as the only means of salvation that makes us right in God's eyes.  Have you made that decision for yourself?
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Romans 2-- You Can Talk It but...

There is a TV show that has ordinary "Joes" who think they are great athletes face off against professional (although usually retired) athletes.  It's funny to see the "Joes" talking about themselves prior to the start--how great they are, and how they are going to take it to the pros.  As you can imagine, the "Joes" don't fare very well.  They could talk a good game, but when faced with reality, they can't deliver.  That is what Paul lays out for us in Romans 2.  There are people who talk about how good they are, clinging to their heritage or showing themselves better than those around them.  But when compared to the ultimate "pro"--the righteous creator of the universe--there is no comparison.  God doesn't show partiality.  He knows and will judge even our greatest secrets.  He won't compare you to your co-worker or examine the strengths of your philosophical system.  He will look at one thing--have your appropriate His righteousness found only through His Son Jesus Christ.  Yes, we can talk a good game but talking won't get us to Heaven.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Romans 1-- Choosing Sides

There is a chain of mountains that cuts across North America known as the Continental Divide.  Rain falling on the west side of the Divide ends up in the Pacific Ocean.  Precipitation hitting east will eventually land in either the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean.  There is a greater divide--a universal divide--outlined in Romans 1.  It is the divide between basic world views.  Everyone lands on one side of the divide or the other.  There are no exceptions.  One side is where people know "God but neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him" (v21).  The other side knows and acknowledges God for who He is.  One side is man-centered (it is all about me, if it feels good do it).  One is God centered--it is all about God, His righteousness, and being like Him.  Judging by your actions, which side of the universal divide are you on?
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.

Genesis 50--Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Have you thought about your legacy? Have you thought about the impact you will have even after you are gone? Most people never think about their legacy until it is too late to do anything about it. It is unfortunate that many people squander much of their lives when they could be living in such a way that glorifies God and impacts the next generation. In Genesis 50 we are told about the end of two men's lives--two men who made a difference in their world. Two men who left a lasting legacy. They were Jacob and his son Joseph. Jacob had moved his entire family and all they had to Egypt, at the request of his son Joseph who had become second in charge of the country. Verse 3 tells us that when Jacob died the Egyptians mourned for him 70 days. Jacob's body was moved to his homeland of Canaan for burial and it was accompanied by "chariots and horsemen, and it was a very great gathering," (v9). On the way to bury him the group stopped and mourned for seven more days, causing the people there to proclaim "this is a deep mourning of the Egyptians" (v11). Jacob wasn't an Egyptian, but because of his influence and the influential life of Joseph, even the Egyptians were impacted. Jacob lived 147 years. His son Joseph's life was characterized by forgiveness and perspective, which we see again right after his father's death. His brothers, fearful that Joseph would seek revenge for the way they had mistreated him, begged his forgiveness (vv17-18). Joseph had already forgiven them because he realized "you meant evil against me; but God meant if for good...in order to save many people" (v20). Joseph died at 110 (v22) having saved not only his family from destruction but countless others as well. "One day," he told his family just before his death, "God will take you back to our homeland, the land of Canaan. And when you do, take my bones with you." Joseph's life impacted their past, their present, and even their future. Jacob and Joseph--what a beautiful legacy and what a great example they are to all of us. Pause for a moment and think about your own legacy. What kind of a legacy will you leave?
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at http://www.maxpoint.org/maxpoint/message_board.