by John Carpenter | Jul 26, 2026 | Devotional
“Know ye not, brethren – for I speak to them that know the Law – how that the Law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” [Ro.7:1] (Because of what is accurately described from Ro.3:19)
“Seeing (or, “understanding”) it is One (or, that You are One and the same) God – which shall Justify – the Circumcision – out of Faith – and the un-Circumcision – through Faith: (31) Do we then make void the Law – through Faith? God forbid! We Establish the Law!” [Ro.3:30-31]
“Being Justified freely by His grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus – (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; (26) to Declare – I say – at this time – His Righteousness – that He might be Just – and the Justifier – of him which believeth in Jesus.” [Ro.3:24-26]
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded! Through what Law(?) – of works(?) – Nay – but through the Law of Faith! (28) Therefore we reckon a man to be Justified – apart from – works of Law! (29) Is God – only the God of the Jews(?) – and not also of the Gentiles? Yes – also of the Gentiles!” [Ro.3:27-29]
We are ready to examine – even further – the True Believing Sinner Child of God’s Relationship to the “Holy, Just and Good Law of God” [see Ro.7:12]. This is relevant unto all of us who have been awakened and quickened by the Holy Spirit in our having being Born from Above! This has happened – and yet we are still making our journey – our pilgrimage – through this present sinful age – right into the heavenly Holy Presence of our Lord and Savior — the Lord Jesus Christ! What a paradox this truly is!
We are still in our sinful and fallen bodies – and yet we are Saved-by-Grace sinners who have Received from the Holy Spirit of God an understanding that we are His Elect – His Chosen Ones unto His Eternal Salvation. And, we have been Justified (or, made to be clothed with the – Righteousness of Christ Jesus) – and right now – while we are still walking every day that we are in this fallen-in-sin world – in the bodies that we presently exist in – we travel through this sinful world proclaiming the Truth of the Gospel of the Glory – ONLY – of the Lord Jesus Christ! It is He who is the Only Sovereign Savior Substitute that there ever Was – or Is – or Ever Will Be! Praise His Wonderful Saving Name!
The third set of texts from Ro.3:24-26 – above — communicates this Truth quite plainly. It says that we are in a state of “Being Justified” (i.e. being declared Righteous – by Holy God, Himself).
While we are still existing – in our flesh – as we go through this world – we are still nothing but sinners! This is true even though we have been awakened by the Spirit of God to know and believe and understand this Gospel Truth!
How in the world did this reality come to pass?!
The Scriptures go on to explain that this reality came to pass – NOT by Our Receiving and Keeping the “Holy, Just and Good Law of God” the best way that we can. No way! Our Perfect Holy God requires His same Perfection – from us as well! After all – We are His children! Ro.3:24 simply and accurately says “Being Justified Freely by His Grace – through the Redemption – that is — In Christ Jesus”. So then, it is NOT by Anything that we do – But – it is by Everything that the Lord Jesus Christ has already Done – that brings to pass the reality of our Eternal Salvation! Praise His wholly wonderful – Holy, Holy, Holy Name!!
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jun 20, 2026 | Devotional
“Know ye not, brethren – for I speak to them that know the Law – how that the Law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” [Ro.7:1]
“Seeing – it is one (or, that you are One and the same) God – which shall Justify the Circumcision out of Faith – and the unCircumcision through Faith: (31) Do we then make void the Law through Faith? God forbid! We Establish the Law!” [Ro.3:30-31]
“Being Justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus – (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; (26) to Declare – I say – at this time – His Righteousness – that He might be Just – and the Justifier – of him which believeth in Jesus.” [Ro.3:24-26]
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded! Through what Law(?) – of works(?) – Nay – but through the Law of Faith! (28) Therefore we reckon a man to be Justified – apart from – works of Law! (29) Is God – only the God of the Jews(?) – and not also of the Gentiles? Yes – also of the Gentiles.” [Ro.3:27-29]
Having learned through the first scriptural context above – that being among the ones in this world that “know the Law” – we — through that reality — also know that we truly are sinners – in need of our Lord Jesus Christ! Indeed – we are sinners in desperate need of an Eternal Savior/Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, when we live out our time of being a sinner – in this world – and will immediately enter into God’s Holy Presence at our Judgment – i.e. the Judgment of our immortal Souls [See: 2Cor. 5:10] – we will desperately need an Eternal Means to be Eternally Justified (or, Declared to be Eternally Righteous) before God – and His Eternally Just and Holy Law! This is the only way that we can be Eternally Saved! This is what points all sinners – specifically to Jesus Christ. We Call upon His Name – for Him to be our Savior! [See: Ro.10:13]
This brings us directly into the Scriptural Context of the second set of scriptures. This next text describes for us the inescapable reality of God’s Gracious Provision for the Eternal Salvation of every single one — of His heavenly Family. God’s family will be made up by someone from all the family – throughout the history of fallen-in-sin humanity [See: Gen.12:3; 28:14]! And, truly – “Salvation is of the Lord” [See: Jon.2:9]. And this is absolutely true – whether we mean Jew or Gentile! If it’s not all Christ – it’s all wrong!
Consider this second scriptural context – “Seeing [or, Understanding] One God – which shall Justify [or, declare to be Eternally Righteous] the Circumcision – by [or, out of] Faith [that’s the Faith of Jesus Christ [See: Gal.2:16] – and Un–Circumcision – through the Faith.” [That’s through the Faith of Jesus Christ]. Note: It was common in the days of the Apostle Paul to refer to the Jew as — the Circumcision – and the Gentile — as the Uncircumcision. The point is – it doesn’t matter what your ethnicity is – any sinner before Holy God will need His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ – in order to be Eternally Justified before God – and thereby – through, Jesus our Eternal Propitiation – we are Eternally Saved! Praise His Wonderful and Marvelous Name!
We will delve more deeply into this understanding as we continue to examine this great theme.
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | May 26, 2026 | Devotional
“Know ye not, brethren – for I speak to them that know the Law – how that the Law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” [Ro.7:1]
“Seeing – it is one (or, that you are One and the same) God – which shall Justify the Circumcision out of Faith – and the unCircumcision through Faith: (31) Do we then make void the Law through Faith? God forbid! We Establish the Law!” [Ro.3:30-31]
“Being Justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus – (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; (26) to Declare – I say – at this time – His Righteousness – that He might be Just – and the Justifier – of him which believeth in Jesus.” [Ro.3:24-26]
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded! Through what Law(?) – of works(?) – Nay – but through the Law of Faith! (28) Therefore we reckon a man to be Justified – apart from – works of Law! (29) Is God – only the God of the Jews(?) – and not also of the Gentiles? Yes – also of the Gentiles!” [Ro.3:27-29]
From what is being stated in these four contextual sections of the holy scriptures – we will embark on making comments that ultimately will describe the True Believer’s Relationship – in this world – with the — “Holy, Just and Good Law of God”. [see Ro.7:12]
The first Text out of Ro.7:1 clearly relates the Gospel Truth – that we do not “own the Law of God” – but “the Law of God does own – all of us”! The Law –and what it reveals in our lives – has Sovereign Dominion over us from the Womb to the Tomb! For example, Ps.51:5 declares “Behold, I was shapen in Iniquity – and in Sin did my mother conceive me.” And from Is.48:8 the Bible says that all of us are “called a Transgressor from the womb”. Also, from Job 14:4 – the Word of God plainly asks — and then it answers – “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one!”
It is this Truth — we come into this world completely sinful – that underscores the Spiritual Significance of this whole subject matter. This is true because we are all sinners. Ro.3:23 dogmatically declares: “For all have sinned – and come short of the glory of God! And guess what! How do we Know this Truth? Ro.3:19-20 gives us the Answer — in this precise manner: “Now we Know that what things soever the Law saith – it saith to them who are – Under the Law – that every mouth may be stopped – and all the world may become guilty before God. (20) Therefore – by the deeds of the Law there shall No Flesh be Justified in His Sight – for by the Law – is the Knowledge of Sin.”
When the Word of God’s Holy Scriptures says this – it literally means — that it is God’s Law that has it’s Sovereign Dominion over all of us – and it declares its indisputable evidence that we are all – without a doubt — nothing but Spiritually Guilty Sinners! This is the Grave Reality that describes our Relationship with God’s Holy Just and Good Law – and we need to be Justified – or Declared to be Righteous – by none other than Holy Just and Good God! This Must be the case – or else we – with all our sins – are facing God’s Eternal Judgment. Amen. — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Apr 17, 2026 | Devotional
“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the righteousness of Faith. (14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that the Promise – might be sure to – to all the Seed; not to that — only – which is of the Law – but to that – also – which is of the Faith of Abraham – who is the Father of us all! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a Father of many nations – before Him – whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He had Promised – He was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
Since January we have been looking at these texts which focus on God’s promise unto Abraham, Sarah – and their Seed. We have concluded that – according to the Bible – God’s Promise unto Abraham (including Sarah and their Seed, Isaac) – where the history of this fallen world is concerned – is the Gospel Promise of the Glory, only, of our Lord Jesus Christ – the only Sovereign Savior Substitute – that there ever was – is – or ever will be. And, this “Promise of the Gospel of God” – unto His chosen one Abraham – constitutes God’s declaration and report of God’s Gospel of Eternal Salvation – unto all His Elect! This is what is referred to from Ge.12:1-3 where it is recorded what God spoke directly to Abram – when He said unto him:
“Get thee out of thy country – and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house – unto a land that I will show thee (2) And I will make thee a Great Nation – and I will Bless thee and make thy name Great and thou shalt be a Blessing.(3) And I will Bless them that bless thee – and curse him that curseth thee – and in thee shall All Families of the Earth be Blessed!”
This Gospel Truth is made clear and plain from the Word of God – in the apostle Paul’s epistle unto the Galatians in the New Testament. (See Ga.3:8> “And the scripture foreseeing that God – would Justify the Heathen through Faith – Preached before – the Gospel unto Abraham – saying – in thee shall All Nations Be Blessed!”) Paul – inspired by the Holy Spirit – correlates this statement concerning God as the one proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ unto Abraham – in His telling him that He (God) was going to Bless him and spiritually impact every Family in all the Nations of fallen and sinful earth!
Now we know from history that God did not mean everybody in all the earth – but “Somebody” from every Family in fallen earth’s history! This points directly to the Biblical Doctrine of God’s personal Election unto Eternal Salvation! This makes the Bible (earthly) story – of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac – a phenomenal and spiritually significant paradigm of the whole History of Redemption! This gives us a description of the Entire Elect Family of God – whom the Father gave unto His Only Begotten Son – and then sent Him into this world to Save them (see 1Ti.1:15). And as being God’s Eternal Lamb – Slain from the Foundation of this sinful fallen world (see Re.13:8) – He then Sealed All Their Eternal Salvation (see 2Ti.2:19) through His Resurrection from among the sinful dead! Which Resurrection we have just celebrated just this last Sunday – Praise the Name of Our Risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
And, just think of it – all of us who have been drawn to Christ – He Will Raise Up Us – Also! Amen!
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Mar 16, 2026 | Devotional
“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the Righteousness of Faith. (14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that the Promise – might be sure to – to all the Seed; not to that — only – which is of the Law – but to that – also – which is of the Faith of Abraham – who is the Father of us all! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a Father of many nations – before Him – whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He (God) had Promised – He (God) was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
Last month we made some brief comments on Ro.4:13 – the context of which truly describes and defines God’s “Promise” unto Abraham – and his “Seed”. This text plainly reveals that our Sovereign Lord God is the One who makes His “Promise” unto Abraham (and Sara) and his (Earthly and Spiritual) “Seed”! It is, also, “This Gospel Truth Event” which the Holy Spirit uses to — inspire the Apostle Paul when he declares unto the pagan and demon worshipping Galatians – that when God Promised Abraham and his “Seed” – that the Galatians, too, were included among the “Seed of Abraham”! Why? because they, also, truly believed in God through his preaching! It is through the Righteousness of Faith that describes and defines Who really are Abraham’s Seed!
This is what the Word of God says: “Even as Abraham believed God, – and it was accounted to him for Righteousness. (7) Know ye therefore – that they which are of Faith – THEY – are the Sons of Abraham. (8) And the Scripture foreseeing [or, more literally: God’s Word Foreknowing] that God – would Justify the Heathen through Faith [i.e. God would Justify the Heathen – meaning lit. His elect unto eternal Salvation – even – God’s Elect from out of all heathen nations] Just like He did with Abraham — him being a pagan Chaldean. It is God – who Preached before [i.e. Preached in advance] the Gospel – unto Abraham – saying – In thee shall all nations be Blessed. (9) So then – that which be of Faith [i.e. “of the Faith of Jesus Christ”; see Gal.2:16] – are Blessed with faithful Abraham.” [Gal.3:6-9]
And, hence, there is more than one Righteous conclusion to be made from the overall context of the Ro.4:13-17 and 20-21 texts. Each conclusion that can be drawn — directs all our thoughts directly to the Person and the Eternally Accomplished Work of Christ, our Savior! First of all – Everything that God Promised to Abraham – Abraham “Believed”– Not that he could perform and fulfill God’s Promise – but that Only God, Himself – would be able to perform and fulfill – His own Word of Promise! And, this Eternal Salvation Truth – is the very foundation of a true living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ while we are still here throughout our entire walk through this sinful age! If our Salvation is not – ALL Christ – then it is ALL wrong!
Before we leave this all important Context – we will bring forward more pure Truth Points of the Gospel of Glory, only, of the Lord Jesus. Praise the Saving Name of the Lord!
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Feb 17, 2026 | Devotional
“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the righteousness of Faith. (14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that the Promise – might be sure – to all the Seed; not to that — only – which is of the Law – but to that – also – which is of the Faith of Abraham – who is the Father of us all! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a Father of many nations – before Him – whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He had Promised – He was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
These texts were a large part of the context of our January Prayer/Newsletter. We hope to expand on the fact that the “Promise” is the same as what is being referred to from He.10:23. However, from what is being descriptively declared in the texts above from Ro.4 – the “Promise” is contextually being declared and examined in view of God as – “the Promiser” – instead of Abraham — the one unto whom “the Promise” was given! It is This fact that makes all the difference in the world! And, in addition, through what means “the Promise of God” was being given unto Abraham! Was the “Promise of God” being delivered unto Abraham “through the Law” (?) or “through the Righteousness of Faith”(?). The answer to that is obvious since God would not give His Law until over 400 years later. This descriptively declares that the “Promise of God” was given to Abraham “through the Righteousness of Faith”.
Now then – what exactly does all this really mean? Or, more pointedly – to “Whom” does this phrase really give attention to? We must look a little closer at what Ro.4:13-17 says about God’s Promise to His chosen one – Abraham – whom He “alone” (Is. 51:2) called out of the sinful, pagan environment of Ur of the Chaldees. This great text says of God’s Promise unto Abraham (and his seed) – that it would NOT be fulfilled “through the Law”. No! He told Abraham that His Promise would be fulfilled through a means that was not noticeably even in existence in Abraham’s present sinful, pagan world! God – revealed Himself unto Abraham – and told him to get out of his country – and away from even his kin – and even away from his father’s household! God “Promised” Abram that his family would be made into a “Great Nation”! And, that He would be blessed and that his name would be blessed – and that he would be God’s blessing unto all the families of (sinful, fallen) earth! [See Ge.12:2-3] Indeed, God’s Promised Blessing unto Abraham and his seed would come to pass – NOT through the Law – But through the Righteousness of Faith!
So then, the direction of the communication from Ro.4 – to which — God’s Written Word is taking us – is directly unto Christ Jesus, the Lord! He is forever our heavenly Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous. It is through Him and His eternal wonderful accomplished work – that through Him — as our Kinsman Redeemer – that we have been forever Declared Righteous – and – Forever Saved!
We will continue to look more into this matter – until next time… — John Carpenter
