Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 4:16-25.

“16  For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

17  (as it is written, “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

18  In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”

19  Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;

20  yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,

21  and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

22  Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

23  Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,

24  but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

25  He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Romans 4:16-25.

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Reformed Doctrine still calls out the Reformation’s “Five Solas”:  “Scripture Alone”, “Christ Alone”, “Grace Alone”, “Faith Alone”, and “Glory to God Alone”. 

Although the word “alone” does not appear in today’s Scripture, today’s Scripture reminds me of these “Five Solas”.  Although no one portion of Scripture exclusively presents and promotes the “Five Solas”, we can certainly consider and meditate upon these “Five Solas” as we read this Scripture for today.

The primary emphasis of this Scripture for today is faith.  Abraham “with respect to the promise of God, … did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith”.  There was nothing that he could do to earn descendants:  “he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb”.  Here is “Faith Alone”.

“For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace”.  Here is “Grace Alone”.

Abraham knew it was by “Grace Alone”:  “giving glory to God”.  Here is “Glory to God Alone”. 

“Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also”.  Here is “Scripture Alone”.

“He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Here is “Christ Alone”.

This devotion presents a very “nutshell” presentation of “The Five Solas”.  A detailed article explaining “The Five Solas” is always available by clicking the tab at the top of my web site.  It was written by Rev. Rodney Kleyn of The Protestant Reformed Churches.

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 4:9-15.

“9  Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also?  For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

10  How then was it credited?  While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised?  Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;

11  and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,

12  and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 4:1-8.

“1  What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?

2  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

3  For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

4  Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.

5  But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

6  just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 3:31.

“Do we then nullify the Law through faith?  May it never be!  On the contrary, we establish the Law.”  Romans 3:31.

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In what sense do “we establish the Law”? 

What does “establish” mean? 

The best definition and meaning to this use of “establish” in today’s Scripture seems to be “to make firm or stable” or “to put on a firm basis”.

Now, what “establish” does not mean is “to make able to do everything”.

The same Paul who wrote the Book of Romans wrote the Book of Galatians about the established role of the Law.  In summary, the Law was never intended to deliver righteousness and life to us.  Rather, the Law was intended to confront us with our sin, our “Total Depravity”, and our absolute need for a Savior.  “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”  Galatians 3:24.

Here is what the context of Galatians 3:19-25 states:  “Why the Law then?  It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.  Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.  Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God?  May it never be!  For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:19-25.

Here is what The Heidelberg Catechism states about this established role of the Law. 

Question 115.  Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?

Answer.  First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ;  likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come.

In summary, according to the above-stated Heidelberg Catechism, the established role of the Law is to teach us to seek the righteousness of Christ.

Let us think of an analogy.  Someone may be established as our third grade teacher.  The fact of such establishment does not mean that our established third grade teacher is also our fourth grade teacher and our principal.

There are many Scriptures which speak of the limited role of the Law, that we are not under the Law, but rather we should consider ourselves dead to the Law.  There are many Scriptures which warn us to not try to use the Law improperly, such as to try to prove our own self-righteousness.

In the above-stated Galatians 3:25, we read:  “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” 

In the very next chapter after today’s Scripture, we read:  “For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;  for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”  Romans 4:13-15.

Romans 6:14
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Galatians 5:18
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”

Romans 7:4
“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

Galatians 3:10
“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;  for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”

There are also other uses of the Law.  As one example, for the non-elect and the wicked, the Law is established to hold them justly accountable to God for punishment. 

But, the Scripture for today is talking about faith, faith in Christ, and the established role of the Law for the elect, those who will have faith in Christ.  And, that established role of the Law is to lead the elect to Christ that they may be justified by faith.

Christ is all we need for all wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, and life.  “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”  1 Corinthians 1:30. 

Christ, by His Spirit, will now lead us, not the Law.  “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 3:18-23.

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 3:27-30.

“27  Where then is boasting?  It is excluded.  By what kind of law?  Of works?  No, but by a law of faith.

28  For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

29  Or is God the God of Jews only?  Is He not the God of Gentiles also?  Yes, of Gentiles also,

30  since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.”  Romans 3:27-30.

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Man has a tendency to boast about his own self-righteousness, that is, his own virtues and ability (wisdom and willpower) to know and obey the Law.  God will not give man reason to boast in himself, only reason to boast in the Lord.  We read in the very first verse of today’s Scripture that “a law of faith” excludes boasting.

There is an amazing amount of Scripture on the topic of boasting.  We read God’s attitude toward man’s boasting in himself in Scripture.  In contrast, we also read God’s attitude toward man boasting in just Him (God).  The amount of these Scriptures helps us better understand the Scripture for today, that God will not give man reason to boast about his own self-righteousness, that is, his own virtues and ability (wisdom and willpower) to know and obey the Law:  “a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law”.  Here are some verses.

1 Samuel 2:3
“Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;  For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.”

Psalm 5:5
“The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;  You hate all who do iniquity.”

Psalm 10:3
“For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD.”

Psalm 20:7
“Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.”

Psalm 34:2
“My soul will make its boast in the LORD;  The humble will hear it and rejoice.”

Psalm 44:8
“In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Your name forever.  Selah.”

Psalm 49:6
“Even those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches?”

Psalm 52:1
“… Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?  The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.”

Psalm 75:4
“I said to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ And to the wicked, ‘ Do not lift up the horn;”

Proverbs 25:14
“Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.”

Proverbs 27:1
“Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

Isaiah 10:15
“Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it?  Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it?  That would be like a club wielding those who lift it, Or like a rod lifting him who is not wood.”

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Jeremiah 48:30
“I know his fury,” declares the LORD, “But it is futile;  His idle boasts have accomplished nothing.”

“And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil;  full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;  and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”  Romans 1:28-32.

Romans 2:23
“You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?”

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.  For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  Romans 4:2-3.

Romans 15:17
“Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.”

1 Corinthians 3:21
“So then let no one boast in men.  For all things belong to you,”

1 Corinthians 4:7
“For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”

1 Corinthians 5:6
“Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?”

1 Corinthians 9:16
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion;  for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.”

2 Corinthians 10:17
But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.

2 Corinthians 12:9
“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

Galatians 5:26
“Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

Galatians 6:14
“But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9.

2 Timothy 3:2
“For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,”

James 3:5
“So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!”

James 4:16
“But as it is, you boast in your arrogance;  all such boasting is evil.”

1 John 2:16
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

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In conclusion, the following verses in I Corinthians Chapter 1 summarize God’s action toward boasting.  

“For it is written,
   “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”  I Corinthians 1:19.

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”  I Corinthians 1:21.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  I Corinthians 1:26-31.

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 3:21-26.

“21  But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

22  even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;  for there is no distinction;

23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24  being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

25  whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.  This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

26  for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  Romans 3:21-26.

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“The righteousness of God” is the subject of today’s Scripture and this devotion:  “His righteousness”.  We tend to rush into thinking about our righteousness which is the subject of much of the following Scripture in the Books of Romans, and yes, it is credited to us, but let us first meditate on “the righteousness of God”.

First, we read that “the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets”.  Who can list all the righteous acts of God?  But, we can conclude:  “Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;  Your judgments are like a great deep.  O LORD, You preserve man and beast.”  Psalm 36:6.

Our righteousness was certainly not manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets”.  Just the opposite, the preceding Scripture of Romans 3:10-18 details “Total Depravity” of man, and the next two verses conclude:  “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;   because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight;  for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”  The Law and the Prophets manifest the unrighteousness of man. 

Second, “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe”, reminds of Scripture like Numbers 21:7-9.  “So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you;  intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people.  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard;  and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.”  And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.”

Third, “This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed” reminds us of  Passover such as in Exodus 12:11-13.  “Now you shall eat it in this manner:  with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the LORD’S Passover.  For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD.  The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live;  and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” 

Fourth, “for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” reminds us of the justice of God.  God did not just overlook or forgive sins without paying the price of that gift of justification;  that would not be just.  The just and very costly price of that gift of justification was the blood of His beloved Son Jesus Christ.

“The righteousness of God” is “His righteousness”.  “Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 3:19-20.

“19  Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;

20  because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight;  for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”  Romans 3:19-20.

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The Scripture that follows today’s Scripture goes to great length and detail to teach that justification comes by faith, not by the works of the Law.  “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”  Romans 3:28.  But, before it does, today’s Scripture first emphasizes:  “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight”.  

Man has a natural tendency to want to prove his own self-righteousness through his own virtues and the strength of his own willpower to obey the Law.  We see it in the church at Galatia, and we see it today in our own churches.  Paul admonished the Galatians:  “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?  This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:1-5.

Like today’s Scripture, Paul emphasized “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight” in the Book of Galatians.  Paul figuratively pounds the table in emphasizing this point.  “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;  for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”  Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident;  for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”  However, the Law is not of faith;  on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”  Galatians 3:10-12. 

So, today, before we rush into the rest of Romans that emphasizes justification by faith, let us pause and consider that “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight”. 

How is that going to affect the way you live?

Are you going to work harder or believe more?

Are you going to focus more on self-improvement or God’s improvement of you?

Are you going to be more concerned about your own virtues or God’s attributes? 

Are you going to be more glad about what you have done or what God has done?

Are you going to focus more on yourself or God?

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 3:9-18.

“9   What then?  Are we better than they?  Not at all;  for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;

10  as it is written,
   “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 3:1-8.

“1  Then what advantage has the Jew?  Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

2  Great in every respect.  First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

3  What then?  If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?

4  May it never be!  Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written,
“THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS,
AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.”

5  But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say?  The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He?  (I am speaking in human terms.)

6  May it never be!  For otherwise, how will God judge the world?

7  But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?

8  And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”?  Their condemnation is just.”  Romans 3:1-8.

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There is no Plan B.  God did not set up Plan A in which God provided creation, the Law, and all the other oracles of God, and then man nullified that plan by still refusing to believe in God, so God had to then proceed with Plan B.  There has only been one plan and perfect execution of that plan.

Consider Isaiah 46: 9-11:
“Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure‘;
Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”

“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.  What I am saying is this:  the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.  For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise;  but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.”  Galatians 3:16-18.

Even going back to Adam, in His statement to the serpent, God promised a Savior:  “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed;  He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”  Genesis 3:15.

“The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.”  Proverbs 16:4.

As today’s Scripture states:  “… our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God … “.  Romans 3:5. 

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8.

“…  In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  …”  Ephesians 1:8-10.

Plan A, the one and only plan, has been established by God to demonstrate God’s lovingkindness, justice and righteousness.  ““Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 2:17-29.

“17  But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God,

18  and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,

19  and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,

20  a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,

21  you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?  You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?

22  You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?  You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

23  You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?

24  For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written.