Thoughts on Christianity

THE PROCESS OF A TEMPTATION: HOW TO MANAGE BAD THOUGHTS

2010-10-31T06:57:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 …for though in the flesh we walk, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not pertaining to the flesh, but pertaining to the natural ability of God towards the tearing down of fortresses; pulling down logics and every high thing lifting itself up against the experiential knowledge of God, and taking captive every thought into the obedience of Christ.

How do you control the thoughts in your mind?

So often we struggle with thoughts that are of a “lacking in character” type, which flood our minds all day long. Perhaps they are thoughts that we will never do because ultimately our conscience would not permit such an action; nonetheless, we struggle with them. Perhaps we would do them if the opportunity presented itself knowing full well that we should not be involved with that type of action. Or perhaps they are thoughts that seem to be impossible to resist. They take over our minds, making us feel guilty and unworthy before God for even allowing such a thing in our minds, not to mention actually doing them.

We need to remember that our battle is not a battle of the flesh; we are not waging war against fleshly enemies. Our enemies are spiritual and affect our way of thinking. When it comes to how we deal with thoughts in our minds we need to realize that the thought is not a sin, or even a trespass. The thought in itself is nothing until we make it something.

In James 1:12 we are told how we are tempted by a desire to do something that lacks in character. First, the lust has to enter your mind, hence, a thought. Then, you have to accept the thought as your own. The thought is the bait. It is the means by which either your sin nature, Satan, or the world system seeks to gain control over your frame of mind. The bait intends to draw you out of your safe place, which is a place where your mind is framed on the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. It does this by getting you to accept the thought and commit in your mind to perform the thought, which is a trespass. A trespass will ultimately result in a sin when the opportunity arises for the act to be committed and is thus followed through.

Because these desires can be so strong, to defend ourselves we tend to fall into trying to put a law up against them to control them, rather than taking the way of escape. I should not be thinking such thoughts! No! I refuse to think this way. Or something along those lines comes up in our mind to combat the thought. It may seem like this is a good way to deal with a bad thought, but the problem is we are setting a “do not” law upon ourselves and not applying the proper defense against the attack. That law will ultimately give the sin nature strength to overcome our mind. We can get so afraid of dealing with a thought that we focus on saying, "no"; rather than processing the thought correctly and bringing it into captivity with who we are in Christ.

The grace from God child trains us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust, in order that we should live with a saving frame of mind while manifesting godliness in this now age, which is the present evil age. We live in a time when the manifestation of character that is unbecoming of any human is not only committed on a normal basis, but seeks to engulf all around it by involving them in the act by either getting them to participate or approve of such ungodly character. Part of this child training is learning how to deal with and properly process thoughts that enter into our minds. Remember, the thought is not a sin, the thought is not even a trespass. It is only the bait that is seeking to get us to bite so that we accept it as our own, which is a trespass against God because we did not take the way of escape, so that ultimately we will perform the act that lacks in character and fulfill the desire.

When a thought comes into our minds, we need to appropriately process the thought. We need to identify what type of thought it is. Is it a good one or a bad one? Sometimes to make the determination we need to develop the thought in our mind and consider the outcome of such an action. Other times there is no doubt that the thought is a bad one. Each thought that enters your mind should be considered and weighed as to its value. There is nothing wrong with this process, it does not make you unrighteous before God, as a matter of fact, by evaluating the thought you are then able to use the means that God has given you to overcome the enemy that is attacking you. If it is a bad thought, the next step is to identify which one of your spiritual enemies is causing the lust. We determine this by the type of desire. The better we know the methods of our enemies the fast we can identify the source of the temptation. At this point, do not say NO! to the thought; rather, take the proper way of escape. If it is a lust from the flesh, set your mind on the thing above. Remind yourself that you are dead to the sin nature and alive to God in Christ, count this to be true, yield your members to righteousness rather than unrighteousness. If the source is from Satan or one of his demons, put on the full armor from God. If the world system is the culprit, recognize that you have been crucified in Christ to the world system. Although you are in the world, you are not of the world. We may use the world, but not abuse it. This will prevent taking our love that is to be directed at the saints and directing it at the world system.

So the next time a bad thought comes into your mind, do not be afraid of it. Process it correctly, apply the proper defense against it and bring it into captivity. God has promised that He will not put on us more than we can handle but with all temptations, He gives us a way of escape so that we can bear up under them.

Colossian 3:1-3; Titus 2:11, 12; Galatians 1:4; Romans 6:1-3, 11, 13, 18; 7:9; Galatians 6:14; 1 John 2:15, 16; John 17:14; 1 Corinthians 7:31; 10:13; Ephesians 6:10-18

Knowing God’s Will for Your Life

2009-09-01T06:51:00.001-07:00

Can we know what God’s will is for our lives? This is a question that has been asked by many Christians. How do I know if something is the will of God for me? God’s will sometimes seems to be vague and hard to perceive; however, when we look into Scripture we find that as Christians we are to know the will of God. Not just to know what it is, but to also understand it. Ephesians 5:17; Colossians 1:9.

We know that God has determined certain things, but what about the day to day things. How do we know what God’s will is each day?

Understanding what the will of God is, is a good place to start. There are two types of “wills” in Scripture. As a matter of fact, we ourselves have two types of wills also. We have a desirous will and a determinate will. Just because we have a desire does not mean we will always fulfill it.

You may have the desire to parachute, but when the times comes you choose, that is determine, not to jump out of the plane, or perhaps not even get into the plane. What if the opportunity never comes around for you to go parachuting?

In Scripture there is the desirous will and the determinate will of both man and God. In Matthew 1:19 Joseph determined that he would not disgrace Mary, his wife to be. In 1 Corinthians 12:11 we are given a Spiritual gift by the determination of the Holy Spirit. Our gift is not something that we choose, or through our desires can change. In our lives, if we determine to be rich we will bring upon ourselves many temptations that are foolish and harmful, 1 Timothy 6:9. (There is nothing wrong with being wealthy, that is not what Scripture is saying here. It is the determination to be rich, which means you have set your mind to fulfill the desire of wealth, but at what cost? any?).

It is by God’s determinate will that we have been brought forth by the Word of Truth, James 1:18.

The determinate will is a desire that we decide to bring to completion.

What does determinate will have to do with our lives and understanding God’s will for our lives? There are things that God has determined will happen. Such as the completion of our salvation; the judgment of Satan; the rule of Christ, etc. And yes, at times His determinate will tells us what He has determined for us, often times in the future. These facts are necessary to know; however, it is His desirous will that tell us what we wants for us now.

You must desire something before you can determine to do it. In Ephesians 1:1 God desires to place Paul as a Apostle. The position that Paul held was by the desirous will of God the Father. Our bounds have been marked off to the placement of sons in Christ Jesus by God’s desirous will, Ephesians 1:5. The position that we have before God is a place where He desired us to be. Jesus came to earth to provide a means by which we are saved through the desirous will of the Father, Hebrews 10:7. Scripture did not come by the desire of men, but rather by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:21.

God has desires for each and everyone one of us. Not only does He has desires, He expects us to know what these desires are and to fulfill them. In salvation God has provided us with everything that we need to live godly, that is, to live our the character of His Son through our lives. This included the ability to know His desirous will, not just what He has determined will happen. We do seek God’s will out of our own strength either, so don’t think that by fasting and prayer you will know God’s will for it is God who makes us fit to do His will, not us, Hebrews 13:21. Even Paul knew this and in His communication with the Father requested that the saints would be filled with the full experiential knowledge of God’s desirous will for them, Colossians 1:9. God also expects us to understand what His desirous will is and not be foolish, Ephesians 5:17. We have a renewed mind in Christ, not a mind that is being renewed which many translations state in error in Romans 12:2. No, we have a mind that is renewed in Christ and by using this mine we can test each situation that comes our way as to whether or not it is the desirous will of God.

That is all good, but how do I determine God’s will for my life? How does He reveal it to me? There is nothing in Scripture that tells me what I am to do, where I am to work, who I am to marry, so how do I know what God’s desirous will is for my life? It is true that there is no section of Scripture that has your name on it and tell you what to do. However, that does not mean that there is no Scripture that tells you what God’s desirous will is for your life.

If you want to know what God wants you do to with your life, you need to start with what Scripture reveals as God’s desirous will for all Christians, for if you are not doing that, how can you possible be living in God’s will?

So what is revealed? The first, and foremost is God’s desire that you present your body as a living sacrifice in Romans 12:1, 2. This is your reasonable service since He purchased your body. A living sacrifice is one that continually serves so long as it lives. He owns your body, you need to recognize that and live accordingly.

We are to ask, for ourselves, according to the will of God. Communication with God is important, and is something that God wants us to do, 1 john 5:14, 15. When we communicate properly, that is, from our position in Christ, whatever we ask for is not going to be against His desirous will. Therefore , we can have confidence that He hears us and we will receive that which we have requested. Don’t think that God is here to grant you all of your wishes, He is not a genie. If you ask and do not receive, you should look at why you are asking. Are you asking so that you can consume it of your own fleshly lusts?

It is God’s desirous will that we suffer in some situation because of a good testimony, 1 peter 4:19. There are times when we will be persecuted because we are doing what is right or reprimanded because we are manifesting the character of Christ (for His name sake). However, these should not be shameful time, for through our suffering we can give a good testimony of who we are in Christ. Don’t forget, we are appointed to suffer for Christ’s name. Suffering for doing good is not something that should be strange to a Christian. Be careful though, do not suffer for doing wrong, for there should be shame in that kind of suffering. And do not think that if you suffer because you have done wrong that you are suffering for Christ. 1 Peter 3:17; 4:14, 15, 16.

Through doing good, we are to muzzle the ignorance of foolish men, 1 Peter 2:15. We are not to use our liberty that is in Christ as a cloak of evil; rather, we are to us it to serve God. Besides, when we suffer for Christ, it is actually a thing of grace, not something that should be taken shamefully, 1 Peter 2:19

God desires what we have a attitude of gratitude in all things, for all things, and for all people, 1 Thessalonians 5:18. This is not to say that you must be happy no matter what comes your way. Only that when you recognize that God is in control of your life and leads you into situation for your benefit, you have be grateful, even when those times are extremely difficult. We are not promised health, wealth, and happiness here on earth. But we are promised that God will never leave us nor forsake us and that He only wants what is the best for us.

It was God’s desirous will that Jesus would deliver us from this present malignantly evil age, Galatians 1:4. Through Christ death, burial, and resurrection we have been delivered, even though we now live in it. This present age is an age where evil (that which lacks in character) spreads. This is an attitude that is not content with doing things that lack in character; rather, it is one that wants you to be involved in those activities and aggressively seeks for you to be apart of its, actions. We have been delivered from it in Christ Jesus and should therefore live a life that is in contrast to it.

Rather than being conformed to a life of legalism, it is God’s will that we are transformed by the renewedness of our minds, Romans 12:2. This transformation is one that shows outwardly what is already inwardly. Rather than putting on an outward appearance of someone that we are not, which any time a Christian attempts to live by any quality of law he or she is doing, we should manifest Christ’s character. (not living by law does not mean not obeying any laws, it is not living a life that through law tries to show God or others how righteous you are through your actions. God has a standard by which we are to live, and that standard is who we are in Christ.)

Abstain from fornication, 1 Thessalonians 4:3. This world presents fornication as something that is not only ok to do, but expected .We are not to be apart of that type of life style. Fornication is a sin that is done against your own body and it is something that should not be named among the saints of God. If you cannot control your desires, marry so that you are not living a life that is contrary to God’s desirous will.

We are to use our Spiritual gifts. God gave you a gift for the edification of the saint. If he did not want you do use it, He would not have given it to you. 1 Corinthians 12:18 states that our gifts are given by the determination of the Holy Spirit. They are given so that as we fellowship with other saints we can use these gifts for edification.

How we serve is also another desire of God. We should not serve others with eservice, rather we should serve as slaves of Christ. Not as though we serve man for man’s glory; rather, we should give ourselves to other Christian and the Lord, Ephesians 6:6,7, and do His will from our hearts.

Knowing what is the riches of the indwelling Christ is also another desire that God has for you, Colossians 1:27. You are in Christ, you have the hope of glory. You should not only know this, but experience it in your every day life. We experience it by learning to feel at ease with who are are in Christ. We need to take our opinion of ourselves and line it up with God’s opinion of us, and live according to His opinion.

It is also God’s desire for us to live the remaining time in His will, not in the lust of men, 1 Peter 4:2. Do not live a life that is consumed by lust; rather, live one that seeks to know and do God’s will for He has made is possible, and desires that you know His will for your life.

Present your body as a living sacrifice

Ask for yourself according to His will

Suffer for a good testimony and do not be ashamed

Muzzle the ignorance of foolish men by doing good

Give thanks in all things

Abstain from Fornication

Be transformed by the renewedness of your mind

Use your Spiritual gift

Give yourself to other Christians and the Lord

Experientially know the riches of Christ in you

Live the remaining time in the will of God, not the lust of men.

These are God’s desires for you. If you are violating any of these you are not fully living the way God desires you to live. These passages specifically speak of God’s desirous will for all Christians. There are other passages that also state how we are to govern the manner of our lives. It all comes down to living according to who you are in Christ. By using the renewed mind that God has given you, and not violating what you already know is God’s will for your life, you can and should know what the will of God is for any an all situation in your life. After all, it is His desire that you fully know His will.

Prophets and Prophecy

2009-07-19T08:47:00.001-07:00

There are many people today that claim to be prophets in one way or another. Whether it is by saying they have received a message from the Lord, God impressed on them something about you, or outright saying they are a prophet, they claim to speak for God.

Throughout our history God has used prophets. They have brought men revelation from God often times regarding the future. According to Deuteronomy chapters 13 and 18 a Prophet was to speak the words given to him by God and none else. If he added to the words, he was to be put to death by the people.

In the Old Testament prophets were needed as a way for God to reveal to man what was expected of him and at times what the future holds. Even in the beginning of the Church prophets where giving revelation from God to the Church. Acts 11:28 gives an example of a prophet revealing that a famine would come.

However, Scripture also reveals in 1 Corinthians 13 that prophecy will cease. Why will prophecy stop? When will it cease? Are there prophets in the Church today?

What is prophecy? Is it equivalent to preaching the Word of God? To fully understand the difference between preaching and prophecy we need to look at the original language that Scripture was written in. In Greek, since we are in the New Testament at this time, used two distinct words for prophecy and preaching. To preach is to herald a message. Proclaiming the Word of God does not include additional revelation. It is speaking about what has already been written. There are multiple Greek words that are used for how the message of the Gospel is presented. The more dominate word, when it comes to the message of Christ, mean to bring good news, or gospelize. Either way, the messenger is bringing a message. As for prophecy, it means to tell before hand. The Greek word is a combination of a preposition which means before and the word for “tell” or “to bring to light by speech”. The purpose of revelation is to present something that will happen in the future that is unknown. As you can see, preaching and prophecy have two different meaning and are used in totally different ways. Therefore, preaching is not the same as prophesying.

Since the purpose of a prophet is to reveal something that will happen in the future, that has not been revealed, when will prophecy cease? According to 1 Corinthians 13:8, 9 it will cease when that which is complete comes. “Love never fails, but whether prophecies, they will be rendered ineffective, or speaking in another language (tongues) they will cease, or the word of knowledge, it will be rendered ineffective” Prophecy ceases, or is done away with become the full revelation has been given. “For now we experientially know in part, and out from a part we prophecy, but when the complete will come, the out from a part will be rendered ineffective.” Once we have the full revelation, there is not need for prophecy. There is nothing left to reveal.

The Church no longer needs prophets because God has given us all the revelation that He has chosen to reveal. We have the completed Bible. God is not adding anything more to it. Only the Church has been given this privilege throughout the history of mankind. Therefore, only during the dispensation of grace, which directly relates to the Church, is there no need for prophets. What will a prophet bring? Remember, prophecy is to bring revelation from God. Now that God has revealed everything, what more is there to bring?

Perhaps some will say that prophecy now brings revelation of what God wants us to do with our lives. However, according to Romans 12:2 to understand what God’s desirous will is for our lives we are to use the renewed mind that we have and test each situation to determine if it is approvable. That is, to determine if it is something that agrees with what we already know is God’s will for our lives. What are the things that we already know? Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, Romans 12:1; Be transformed by the renewedness of your mind, Romans 12:2; Use your Spiritual gift, 1 Corinthians 12:18; Give yourself to the Lord and to other believers, 2 Corinthians 8:5; Serve the Lord, Ephesians 6:6, 7; Be set apart and abstain from fornication, 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Be thankful for and in everything, 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Experientially know the riches of the glory of the indwelling Christ “Christ in you”, Colossians 1:27; Ask for yourself according to His will, 1 John 5:14, 15; Do good in every part of your manner of living, 1 Peter 2:15; Suffer in some circumstances for your consistent testimony, 1 Peter 3:17; 4:19; Live the remaining time in the will of God and not to the flesh, 1 Peter 4:2. By weighing each situation you face in your life against these, you will know if you should be involved or not. You do not need a word from God to know. He has already provided you with all you need to know His will for your life.

What about the future? God has revealed in Scripture what will happen to the saved and unsaved. You, as a Christian, will be seated at the right hand of God. All sinners will stand before the Great White Throne and be judged for their sins. We also know of the end of this dispensation, the rapture, and the tribulation period. Also God has revealed the next dispensation, the millennial kingdom (the dispensation of the fullness of times, Ephesians 1:10).

Paul revealed the entire counsel of God to the Ephesian elders, Acts 20:27. Therefore, within the Bible we have all of the revelation that God is giving. It is the entire revealed Word of God.

Not to mention, God has provided us everything we need to live godly, 1 Peter 1:3. We do not need more revelation, we just need to use what has already been provided for us.

Therefore, anyone claiming to be a prophet from God is, according to Scripture, lying. For God is not giving any more revelation. We now have the complete revelation; therefore, that which was out from a part, is no longer necessary. Prophecy, speaking in another dialect (tongues), and the word of Knowledge have ceased. These where revelatory gifts that have been rendered ineffective because we now posses the entire revealed Word of God.

A Thing of Grace

2009-04-06T22:00:00.001-07:00

In the context of 1 Peter 2:18-25, Peter continues to write concerning the manner of conduct that Jews should have before the Gentiles.

(Note: Peter is directing his comments at Jews who are Christians. This is why we can apply this to our lives without violating Scripture even though we are Gentiles who are Christians. In Christ there is no Jew or Gentile, both races are of the household of God where there is no distinction between races, Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 10:32. So although Peter is referring to how the Jews of the dispersion were to conduct themselves before Gentiles, he is speaking of Christian conduct before unbelievers. All Christians should have a good conduct before those who are not saved.)

It is the will of God that by doing good we should silence the ignorance of foolish men, 1 Peter 2:15. We do this by putting ourselves in subjection to those how have authority over us and by not giving into temptation. In verse 18 Peter states that slaves should be subject to both good and bad masters.

Slavery in the Roman empire was much different than what we have known slavery to be in this day and age. Slavery was not about owning people, but how the society worked. And often times, slaves were treated very well. They were educated, and could even earn their own money. However, if you were a slave, Peter states that you were to put yourself in subjection to both the good or gentile masters and the crooked masters. This is not the same as being an employee today. We are not bound to serve our bosses, we have the choice of leaving and finding another job. However, that does not mean that we should not respect the position those in authority hold or that we will not suffer because we choose to act in a proper way when the boss wants us to do something that is wrong. If a boss is doing something that is crooked, we have the right to leave, these slaves did not; therefore, they needed to put themselves in subjection to their masters regardless of what type they were.

This is actually a thing of Grace because these slaves, if they where under a crooked master, would have to suffer because of what their masters where doing. 1 Peter 2:19 “For this is a thing of Grace, if a man for conscience towards God endure grief, suffering wrongly.”

The word “thankworthy” is the same word for grace. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives us a benefit without consideration of merit.

Wrongfully suffering because we are doing good is something that we do not deserve. This is a thing of Grace. God allows us to join in the suffering of Christ, for He suffered because of the good that He did. And of course since we share in His suffering, we also share in His glory,1 Peter 4:13; Philippians 3:10.

The suffering that Peter is talking about is pain that is caused by an intense desire. It is not suffering persecution or suffering from being under pressure; however, suffering can be caused by persecution or being under pressure. Suffering here is more like, desiring to be quench due to extreme thirst.

These slaves were doing good things that their crooked masters did not want them doing and were therefore being treated harshly because of it. However, if they were sinning, it was not a thing of grace for them to remain under a master that caused them to suffer. They deserved the suffering.

It is the same with us today. If we are treated harshly because of our sins, should we get credit for staying under the suffering that is caused by the harsh treatment?

For what kind of report is there if while sinning and being treated harshly, you remain under it? But if while doing good and suffering you remain under the harsh treatment, this is grace from God, 1 Peter 2:20.

When it comes to Christians, when we continue to do what is good and are treated harshly by others who do not want to do good, by suffering because of our good conduct God shows us grace. Not what you would normally think of as grace is it? Grace is usually something that is thought of as good and peaceful, not suffering for doing good; however, it is.

Now Peter goes into the example that Christ left for us. An example that we should follow. Christ committed no sin, nor was there any deceit found in His mouth while He was slandered and caused to suffer; rather while He was slandered, He did not slander; while He suffered, He did not threaten. but, He committed Himself to the one who righteously judges and as a result bore in His own body our sins upon the tree in order that we, having died to sins, might live unto righteousness, by whose stripes we were healed.

This healing is not physical, although I have heard it stated that way many of times. The context does not allow it to be physical. We are not talking about physical healing here; rather Peter is talking about having died to your sin nature and now able to live unto righteousness. The healing is Spiritual.

Because of what Christ did, we are alive unto God in Christ. This is the healing that Peter is referring to here. We are free from the authority of the sin nature and able to live righteously unto God. Therefore,we should follow Christ’s example and not give into temptation; rather, we should suffer for having a good conduct before all men knowing that when we suffer it is a thing of grace.

(For more information on how we died to sin, and the affect it should have on our lives, look back to some of the older posts where I wrote about the sin nature, our new position, and living spiritually. Sunday, November 4,2007 is on the sin nature)

Suffering for Doing Good

2009-04-03T15:04:00.001-07:00

(I am going to skip forward a little bit in the book of 1 Peter to caught up with were I am at, I will go back and fill in the gaps as I have time.)

Peter has been writing about the issues the saints of the dispersions in 64 AD were facing in their new homes. These issues stemmed from temptations that were caused by their new surrounding, cultures, and people that they now had to deal with on a daily basis. People that thought it was strange that the Christians were not involved with the same works of the flesh that they were doing as an every day part of life.

As Christians we should not circum to temptations that cause us to live in a way that is against who we are in Christ; rather, we should live a life that characterizes who we are in Christ, even when it seems that no one else is, that we are the odd ones, or when others are falsely accusing us.

1 Peter 2:12 “having your conduct good among the nations that where as they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they will behold, glorify God in the day of examination. “

In the day when we are examined by those who speak evil of us, our conduct will speak against what they say and through our conduct God will be glorified. For it is the desirous will of God that by doing good we should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Our freedom in Christ should not be used as a cloak to do those things that lack in character. Rather, it should be used to serve God.

Christ set us free from the law, we are not under grace; however, that does not mean we should use grace as a means to continue fulfilling the desires of the flesh; rather we should use it to serve God. 1 Peter 2:16; Romans 6:1-3.

Translation Problems

2009-03-10T06:33:00.001-07:00

Lately I have been studying in 1 Peter. What a wonderful book on expounding the troubles we have from living a Godly life.

When studying Scripture, you often run into textual problems that need to be considered. Most of the time, the evidence is overwhelming for a particular reading, which makes it easy to be confident in the translation; however, there are also times when you run into translation problem. Translation problems tend to cause a lot more problems with people's beliefs because everyone sees them, but unless you are looking at the Greek, you cannot tell there is a problem. One such problem can be found in 1 Peter 1:1. In the three major translations used today (KJV, NASB, NIV) the word "elect" is put in the wrong place. This is not a textual problem it is a translation problem.

In the Greek, 1 Peter 1:1 and 2 read "Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ to the elect strangers of the dispersion according to the foreknowledge of God Father of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia in the sanctification of the Spirit because of obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, may grace and peace be caused to increase to you." However, in each one of the translations I mentioned the word "elect" is moved down the sentence and the foreknowledge of God is applied to it. The NIV even adds an extra "elect" that is not in the original text to ensure their readers apply elect to foreknowledge.

Why the problems? There is no textual problem with elect and its position in the sentence; grammatically it is impossible to apply foreknowledge to elect. (Elect is an adjective for strangers. Foreknowledge is in a prepositional clause that modifies dispersion.) The problem is not the text, rather the theology of the ones who translated it and those who decided to follow the translation rather than the grammar.

Are we elect or are we elect by the foreknowledge of God?

The Christian's Enemies

2009-01-14T06:10:00.000-08:00

There are three enemies in all Christian's lives that seek to affect the Christian's ability to manifest godliness. Each one of these enemies has its own method to distract the mind of the Christian from his or her position in Christ, which ultimately produces actions in his or her life that are contrary to the standard that God has for Christians. Although we are going to concentrate more on one of these enemies, which is Satan, we will take a quick look at them all to remind us of how we defeat them to go on to live a victorious Christian life.

The sin nature is our old nature that comes from the result of Adam's sin and trespass, Romans 5:12-21. This nature produces the works of the flesh, which are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit; the works of the flesh are produced by our Old Nature, Galatians 5:19-21, the fruit of the Spirit is produced through our New Nature by the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22,23.

How to defeat the sin nature – Know, reckon, yield

Experientially knowing this, that our Old man has been co-crucified, in order that the body of the sin nature should be rendered ineffective, no longer to be slaved to the sin nature. Romans 6:6

…consider yourself to be dead to the sin nature, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11
Death is separation, it is not annihilation. When physical death comes, the person does not cease to exist, the soul and spirit are separated from the body. Spiritual death, which was caused by Adam's trespass, caused the spirit of all of mankind to be separated from God. Salvation restores the connection of our spirit to God so that was can receive the things of the Spirit. In this state, we are separated, or dead to, our Old Nature and it no longer rules our lives. Rather, we are slaves to righteousness.

…do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to the sin nature, but present yourself to God as living out from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:13
The world system

Satan designed the world system to control man's sin nature. He created it when Cain slew Able to prevent the sin nature from getting completely out of control. Genesis 4:8; Luke 11:50, 51a. The desires of the world system are the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, 1 John 2:16.

Victory over the world system

To have victory over the world system, we need to stop directing love at the things it offers. This love is the same love that is produced by the Holy Spirit through us when we are living out from our new nature. By misdirecting this love to the desires of the world system, we begin to sacrifice for the things of the world system. To have victory, we need to stop loving the things of the world system, 1 John 2:15-17.

Now, since we have to live in this world system - it controls how we do commerce, our money, our jobs, etc. – we are to use the system, but now abuse it, 1 Corinthians 7:31. Using it, without abusing it, boiled down to no allowing it to control your thoughts and desires. There is nothing wrong with have the latest product, so long as you are not constantly seeking after the latest. One of my own weaknesses is computers. If I have a system that performs everything I need, then there is no need for me to purchase the latest system. I have a dual core system, now there are quad core systems out. Although I love the idea of having a really fast computer, the system I have now is more than sufficient to perform the duties I have for it. Really, if I think about it, the only reason I would get a new system at this time is for the sake of saying I have the new system, which would be abusing the system. Now, when it is time to purchase a new system, I may get the latest system – depending upon what it offers. This would not be abusing the world system. I would then be using the system to provide a need, rather than fulfill a desire for something I do not need, but want just for the sake of having it.

Romans 5:1-11

2008-05-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

Since we began the book of Romans, Paul has addressed the majority of the chapters to the Jews. After beginning with the fact that God separated him unto the Gospel concerning the Son of God [Romans 1:3], which is a Gospel that has the natural ability to save [Romans 1:16], (This gospel is given in its entirety in 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day according to the scriptures.), Paul then turned his attention to the Jews. The Jews that Paul was writing to had a false belief that just because they were Jews, they were righteous before God, regardless of how they acted. This of course was not true, and Paul uses Abraham, the father of the Jews, to prove his point. God did not declare Abraham as righteous because of circumcision, but because he took God at His word [Romans 4:3]. Righteousness comes out from faith, not by works or by any quality of law. Some of the Jews thought that because they had the Mosaic Law they would be found righteous before God; however, the Law was not given so that man could be found righteous before God, rather, it was given so that everyone would be without an excuse and all would become accountable to God[Romans 3:19]. The righteousness of God did not come through circumcision, nor was it found in any quality of law. It came through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came in the flesh, and died for the sins of the whole world. Directing faith at Christ through the Gospel for salvation – Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day – is how we become righteous before God. For it was Christ’s resurrection that proves we are righteous before God through faith [Romans 4:25]. Now Paul turns his attention from the Jews, to those that God declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1-11 “Therefore, having been declared righteous out from faith, we have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ. Also through whom we are in a state of having access by the faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast upon the hope of God’s opinion. And not only this, but we also boast in tribulations, intuitively knowing that tribulations work out patience and patience works out proof, and proof works out hope and the hope will not put to shame, because the love from God is in a state of having been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who He gave to us. For while we were yet weak, in due time Christ died on behalf of the ungodly. For with difficulty on behalf of a righteous man, one will die; even perhaps on behalf of a good man, one may also dare to die. However, God demonstrates His love towards us, for while we were yet sinners Christ died on behalf of us. Therefore, much more having been justified now by His blood shall we be saved from wrath through Him. For since being enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled we shall be saved by his life. And not only, but also we boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now have reconciliation.”

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been declared righteous out from faith, we have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Therefore” always goes back to the preceding context. It was because Christ was delivered over because of the result of our trespasses and God the Father raised Him from the dead, that we have been declared righteous. We offend God before we sin because we first determine to do something that lacks in character. Although this determination is not a sin, for sin is always an act, you must determine to commit an act of lawlessness before you will do it. Since sin is the result of our trespasses, the result of these trespasses was why Christ was handed over for death. In fact, an offense caused our natures to become bent towards doing acts of lawlessness. Now it is often far easier for us to do an act of unrighteousness that an act of righteousness. However, since Christ was delivered over because of our sins – the result of trespasses – through faith, we are justified before God. The result of being justified before God is that we now have peace with God. We have peace with God through Christ only.

Romans 5:2 “also through whom we are in a state of having access by the faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast upon the hope of God’s opinion.”

We now, and always will, have access to this grace wherein we stand by faith. This is a state of having access, we had access from the point of salvation, we have access right now, and we will continue to have access indefinitely. This access is not going away, ever.

The faith that provides this access is taking God at His word regarding the work of His Son. This is not just believing, but believing something specific because faith is always based upon a promise. Our promise is this context is that all who believe that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, who was delivered because of the results of our trespasses and was raised because of our justification, will be saved.

Grace is an attitude of God’s whereby He gives a benefit without consideration of merit. Since we now stand in this grace, in which God is not considering our merit, we can boast in the hope of God’s opinion. Not considering merit is not ignoring sin, grace never overlooks sins; rather, God provided a way for grace to be manifested through Jesus Christ.

It is God’s opinion of us that give us a basis to boast. The basis for hope is always a promise. Faith gives hope substance and makes it a reality in our lives – Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance for things hoped for, the evidence of the not seen accomplished deeds. We have promises: we are righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ and we have peace with God. It is not about what we did, or do, it is about what He did, and continues to do. God’s opinion of one who is in Christ is that they are righteous before Him, not because they are always doing things right, but rather because Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to them. Righteousness is imputed by faith, not earned by works.

We also have peace with God. God is not angry with us. He is not sitting on his thrown waiting to punish us; He is at peace with us.

Romans 5:3 “And not only this, but we also boast in tribulations, intuitively knowing that tribulations work out patience…”

We have more to boast in than just God’s opinion of us regarding righteousness and peace, as if that is not enough. We can also boast in tribulations. How so? Tribulations are times of trouble that are brought about because of persecution. God uses these tribulations to produce patience in us. A tribulation tests our faith and through this testing, produces patience. James 1:2, 3 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into diverse temptations, experientially knowing that the testing for approval of your faith works out patience.” This testing is not to determine if you have enough faith, but rather what the quality of the faith is that you have. Remember, Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen. Faith is not blind; it is based upon a promise. Tribulations bring opportunities to understand your faith through patience. Since faith is taking God at His word, the only way you are going to know if you will take Him at His word is through patience in tribulations. The human will produces patience in circumstances; although, not entirely on its own. The human will needs something to focus on, something the give it hope. Patience is a long holding out, usually with circumstances. Tribulations give us the opportunity to grow in patience.

Romans 5:4 “and patience works out proof, and proof works out hope…”

Patience puts hope to the test not to determine what is bad or wrong with it, but rather to determine what is good. Patience will work out proof that the hope is real, for this proof will in itself work out hope. Since a promise from God is the basis for hope, it is not a matter of if we will receive what God has promised, but when we will receive it. In tribulation with patience a promise from God can be relied upon to take you through the time of trouble. In this case, the promises that God gave us are already in our possession. We are righteous before God, not will be righteous before God. We have peace with God and we have access into this grace wherein we stand through faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:5 “and the hope will not put to shame, because the love from God is in a state of having been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who He gave to us.”

Hope will not put us to shame because the Holy Spirit pours out the love that God has for us in our hearts. The heart of a man is the center, where the spirit, soul, and body come together. Within the heart, reside the determinate will and the person.

The heart of a man:

· Has the ability to think, Matthew 9:4 “and Jesus, intuitively knowing their thoughts said, why do you think evil in your hearts?”

· Has the ability to rejoice, Acts 2:26 “Because of this my heart was caused to rejoice….”

· Can be filled with sorrow, John 16:6 “but because of said this to you, your hearts are filled with sorrow”

· Obedience can come from the heart, Romans 6:17, “…but out from the heart you obeyed that form of doctrine that was delivered to you.”

· Can be deceived, Romans 16:18, “….and through smooth and flattering speech they thoroughly deceive the hears of the unsuspecting” [unsuspecting, innocent, harmless]

· Possess the determinate will, 1 Corinthians 4:5 “…and will manifest the determinations of the heart…” All three parts of a man express desires. The desires of the body relate to physical things for its well being and comfort; the desires of the soul relate to emotions; the desires of the mind relate to logics. However, what we actually do has to be determined. We choose from the desires that we have the ones we will do.

As far as the location of the heart, it is not in your chest, but rather in your head. It is here, within the heart – the center of our being, that all we do is determined. This is where the Holy Spirit poured out the love of God with the result that His love abides in us.

The love that the Holy Spirit poured out in our hearts is a type of love that seeks the best for the one being loved. This truly is God’s love. We can show this type of love in our lives also, but only because we now have the Holy Spirit, who, when we are framing our minds on the things above – our position and possessions in Christ- and governing the manner of our life according to those things, will manifest Christ’s character in us, Galatians 5:22,23. One of the aspects of this character is this same type of love. This love is supposed to be directed at other believers, John 13:34, 1 John 4:11, which is how we show God our love for Him, 1 John 4:12.

Romans 5:6 “For while we were yet weak, in due time Christ died on behalf of the ungodly.”

While we were weak, feeble, had no strength, Christ died on behalf of the ungodly. Ungodly means not manifesting the life of God. Paul has already addressed that fact that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory or opinion of God. There were no righteous ones, not one. Christ’s death was not an un-timely death; rather it happened at the correct time. The Son of God came to be found in the outward form of a man at the exact time appointed by God, Philippians 2:7. The prophets spoke of this time, and many signs where presented for the Jews to identify His coming. Although Jesus came to fulfill the prophecy of a Messiah to the Jews, it was through His death that He became Christ – the risen and glorified one, Acts 2:26. Jesus’ death did many things: It showed the spirit beings that God had been acting right in regard to man’s sin in the past, Romans 4:25; It was a satisfaction for the sin of the whole world, 1 John 2:2; It reconciled man to God, 2 Corinthians 5:18; And it provided salvation for all those who direct a God given faith at Christ through the Gospel for salvation, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4. This was all done without any effort from mankind, for we did not possess that ability to do it.

Romans 5:7 “For with difficulty on behalf of a righteous man, one will die; Even perhaps on behalf of a good man, one may also dare to die…”

For whom would you die? Certainly not one who is wicked, ungodly, unmerciful, cruel, and wants nothing to do with you. Laying your life down for another is not an easy thing to do; however, there are some whom we greatly care for that we would do so.

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His love towards us, for while we were yet sinners Christ died on behalf of us.”

God demonstrated His love towards us by way of comparison. The word translated “demonstrate” means to put together by way of comparison or combination; hence, to show, prove, establish, or exhibit. This comparison is the fact that while we were still sinners Christ dies on our behalf. What man would die for one who has totally rejected him?

Romans 5:9 “therefore much more having been justified now by His blood shall we be saved from wrath through Him”

We are not appointed to any quality of wrath, 1 Thessalonians 5:9. Christ’s blood has justified us before God, which means, we will not face God’s wrath. Whether it is the Great Tribulation where God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth, or judgment for our sins. Since we are justified through the blood of Christ, we are also saved from the wrath of God.

Wrath is the outward manifestation of anger. There are different ways that God manifests His wrath towards mankind. Some that we may not even think are a manifestation at all. Like, how it is manifested in Romans Chapter 1 where God’s wrath is revealed by allowing mankind to continue in its rejection of God and perversion of mind and body. At first, it seems as those who do wrong, pervert who God is, and their bodies are not punished for their wicked ways. However, this is not true, God is allowing them to fill up to the full His wrath that will come upon them.

Soon, God will manifest His wrath in a very visible way in the time known as the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation happens shortly after the rapture. The rapture is the snatching away of the Church from earth, 2 Thessalonians 2:3. All who are in Christ, both those having died and those still living, will be caught up to meet Him in the sky, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. Christ saved us from this wrath, for we are not appointed unto any quality of wrath, 1 Thessalonians 5:9.

God will not allow you as a Christian to be condemned with the world, so he chastens or child trains, you when you continue to sin, 1 Corinthians 11:32; Hebrews 12:6, 7. This is a manifestation of God’s love towards us. Remember, the type of love that is poured out in our hearts is a love that seeks the best for the one loved. Since we are now justified before God, we will not face any of God’s wrath.

Romans 5:10 “for since being enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled we shall be saved by his life.”

Reconciliation is the act of bringing two or more parties that disagree into an agreement. The death of Christ brought about this reconciliation because it satisfied God. It paid the penalty for our sins. And now, since Christ has been raised from the dead because of our justification, we are now reconciled to God.

Romans 5:11 “and not only, but also we boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now have reconciliation.”

God did all this work, therefore, our boast is in God through Jesus Christ. For it is only through Jesus Christ that we have access to this grace wherein we stand.

Justification comes by faith; it always has come by faith. Abraham believed and God counted it to him as righteousness. The promises that God gave to Abraham and his seed were not based upon them keeping the Law, but rather, by taking God at His word. Even under Law, the Jews still had to believe that God was in the temple to be saved. The Law in itself would not save them. In fact, God did not give the Law for salvation, it was given to shut every mouth and make all accountable before God. Christians do not have the promises of Abraham, nor are we included in the inheritance of the Jews; however, our salvation also comes out from faith. We direct faith at Jesus Christ through the Gospel for salvation. By taking God at His word, He reckons that faith to as for righteousness.

We did not earn the right to be saved, we could not earn the right to be saved. We had no strength and were lost in our sins. Our salvation comes because God did something no one else would do, He sent His Son to pay our penalty at a time when we in no way deserved to be saved.

However, now that we are saved, we can have confidence in the promises that God has given us. By taking God at His word, these promises bring hope, and hope does not put us to shame. Even when times of trouble come, no matter how hard they are, because the promises that we have are real, the only thing tribulations are going to bring is a deeper conviction in the promises, for they will in themselves put the promises to the test to determine what is good in them, which will strengthen our hope. Tribulations work out patience, patience works out proof (approval), proof works out hope. Hope, because the promises are real. Because of that, we can boast, not only in God’s opinion of us, but also even in tribulations.

In Christ Jesus, we are now righteous before God, not by our own works, rather, because God has imputed Christ’s righteousness to us. Since we now have this righteousness, shouldn’t we govern the manner of our lives accordingly?

Verse by Verse through Romans

2008-03-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

Romans

Paul, while in Corinth, wrote the book of Romans in A.D. 57-58. Corinth was a city in Greece that Paul visited on his Second missionary journey, Acts 18:1. At the time Paul wrote the book of Romans, he had not visited Rome, Romans 1:13. It is not known how the Church in Rome began; however, we know that the Church was mixed with both Jews and Gentiles. Although Romans deals with the law, and Jewish traditions, and their issues with righteousness, it is not a book about Judaism, but rather one that is about the contrast between Law and Grace. However, because Paul is addressing three people groups, Jews, Gentiles, and the Church of God, it is important not to violate context and divide the book properly.

Romans 1:1-7

Paul, bondservant of Jesus Christ, called apostle, having been set apart unto the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in holy (set apart) writings concerning His Son, the one having been born out from the seed of David according to the flesh and marked of as the Son of God in natural ability, according to the Spirit of Holiness out from the resurrection of the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom we have received grace and apostleship unto the obedience of the faith in all the nations concerning his name, in whom are you also called of Jesus Christ, to all the ones in Rome, beloved of God, called saints, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul was a Jew, known as Saul, before his conversion to Christianity. Not just any Jew, but rather, you could call him, a Hebrew of Hebrews. Born of the tribe of Benjamin; according to the law, a Pharisee; circumcised on the eight day; zealous about Judaism; and blameless according to the law, Philippians 3:4-6 (though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.). He was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, a highly respected Jew among the people, Acts 5:34; 22:3 (Acts 5:34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. Acts 22:3 I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.). He was a learned man, taught according to the law and was in line to become Gamaliel’s replacement.

Because Paul’s parents were citizens of the city of Tarsus, he was by birth a Romans citizen. Several times, Paul used his Roman citizenship to get him out of trouble. In Philippi, after being beaten and thrown into prison with Silas, Paul uses his Romans citizenship to not only get out of jail, but to also shame the magistrates of the city because there were not allowed to beat a Roman citizen without a trial, Acts 16:12-40. (Acts 16:12-40 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. ¹³ And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. ¹⁴ Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. ¹⁵ And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us. ¹⁶ ¶ Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation." ¹⁸ And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. ¹⁹ ¶ But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. ²⁰ And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; ²¹ "and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe." ²² Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. ²³ And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. ²⁴ Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. ²⁵ But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. ²⁷ And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. ²⁸ But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." ²⁹ Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" ³¹ So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." ³² Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴ Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. ³⁵ And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go." ³⁶ So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace." ³⁷ But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out." ³⁸ And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. ³⁹ Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. ⁴⁰ So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. )

Paul also used his Romans citizenship in Jerusalem, when he was about to be scoured by the Roman guard, he informs a guard that he is a Roman citizen. Since it is unlawful for a Roman citizen to be bound and beaten without a trial, Paul is spared the beating, Acts 21:27-22:30. However, he still had to face the charges brought against him by the Jews. This eventually leads Paul to Rome, because he appeals to Caesar. It is the right of Roman citizens to have their case heard before Caesar. (Acts 21:27 - 23:1 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, ²⁸ crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." ²⁹ (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) ³⁰ And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. ³¹ Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. ³² He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³ Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. ³⁴ And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks. ³⁵ When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. ³⁶ For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him!" ³⁷ Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, "May I speak to you?" He replied, "Can you speak Greek? ³⁸ "Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?" ³⁹ But Paul said, "I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people." ⁴⁰ So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, ^NKJActs 22:1 "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now." ² And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: ³ "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. ⁴ "I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, ⁵ "as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished. ⁶ "Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. ⁷ "And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' ⁸ "So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' ⁹ "And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. ¹⁰ "So I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.' ¹¹ "And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. ¹² "Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, ¹³ "came to me; and he stood and said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that same hour I looked up at him. ¹⁴ "Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. ¹⁵ 'For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' ¹⁷ "Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance ¹⁸ "and saw Him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.' ¹⁹ "So I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. ²⁰ 'And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.' ²¹ "Then He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.' " ²² And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!" ²³ Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, ²⁴ the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. ²⁵ And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?" ²⁶ When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, "Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman." ²⁷ Then the commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" He said, "Yes." ²⁸ The commander answered, "With a large sum I obtained this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." ²⁹ Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. ³⁰ The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.)

As Saul, Paul persecuted the Church “beyond measure,” Galatians 1:13-14 (For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.). He caused the death of Christians, and them bound and thrown in prison, and being zealous in his religion, excelled above all his contemporaries, Acts 22:3, 4 (I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. ⁴ "I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,). God stopped this when Saul was on the Damascus road. Saul received a letter from the High Priest, granting him permission to go to Damascus, bind any Christians he found, and return them to Jerusalem for punishment. Christ directly spoke with Saul on the road to Damascus, at which time Saul became blind and was lead to Damascus by the men with him, Acts 9:1-19 (Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" ⁵ And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." ⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." ⁷ And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. ¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." ¹¹ So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² "And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight." ¹³ Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ "And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." ¹⁷ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ¹⁸ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. ¹⁹ So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.). Paul’s conversion is one of a kind in scripture. There is no indication that this is a normal, or even special, way that God saves some people. And Paul still believed that Christ died for his sin, was buried, and rose again on the third day, just as all who become Christians must believe, to be saved, 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 (For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,). Although Acts does not specifically state that Paul believed this, as you read Paul’s writings, it become very clear that he did indeed believe the very gospel (good news) that he was teaching.

Paul had a confrontation with Christ that no other Christian had or will have because of the position that Christ appointed Paul. He was appointed as the steward of the dispensation of grace and was taught for three years direct by Christ in the wilderness before returning to Damascus, Galatians 1:11-17 (But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. ¹² For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³ For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, ¹⁶ to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.); Ephesians 3:2 (if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,); Colossians 1:25 (of which I became a minister according to the dispensation from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,).

Apostle means an ambassador, or envoy; one that is sent forth with orders. As an apostle to the Church, Paul was not one of the 12 apostles with Jesus. Although some of the 12 apostle became apostles to the Church, originally they were apostles to the Jews. After Jesus’ death, they were no longer being sent forth to the Jews. As an apostle to the Church and the steward of this dispensation, Paul had authority over the church. He administered the rules of the household: he taught the church the doctrine that it needed to adhere to and levied out punishment to those saints who refused to correct their errors. He appointed bishops of the churches, and began new churches. It was through Paul that Christ revealed the gospel for Christian living.

This is the man that is writing the book of Romans. A Jew, zealous for his religion, a Pharisee, persecutor of the church, murder of Christians, saved by grace, appointed the stewardship of the dispensation of grace, taught by Christ not only the gospel for salvation, but also the gospel for Christian living, rejected by the Jews, persecuted by Gentiles, bearing the wounds in his own flesh. This is Paul, the apostle.

He was separated or “set apart” unto the Gospel of God. The word gospel means “good news.” There is more than one gospel in Scripture. There is the gospel, or “good news” of salvation; how to be saved, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4. There is also the gospel of the Christ; through this gospel, we learn how to live as Christians, Romans 2:16; Romans 15:19. There was the gospel of the kingdom that Jesus taught while on earth, Matthew 4:23; The Messiah has come. There is the gospel regarding Jesus Christ the Son of God, Mark 1:1; the good news about Jesus’ life on earth. There is the gospel of the Kingdom of God, Mark 1:14; this gospel relates to salvation. All who are saved, in all dispensations, are a part of the Kingdom of God. And there is the gospel of the grace of God, Acts 20:24; this is the good news that informs us of God’s attitude towards us who are in the dispensation of grace. Grace is an attitude whereby God gives us a benefit, without consideration of merit. This is just six of the gospels in Scripture, there are more. Since there are so many Gospels, how do we know which is referred to here? Context. In verse 2, this gospel is the one that God promised before hand through His prophets in the Scriptures. In verse 3, this gospel is concerning God Son, Jesus Christ, the one who was born out from the seed of David according to the flesh. The one who was declared the Son of God in natural ability, by the resurrection out from among dead men. By whom we have received grace and apostleship.

This is the gospel for salvation. The gospel that tells us of Christ’s death for our sins, burial, and resurrection out from among dead men. Through the resurrection of Christ out from among dead men, It was proven that He is the Son of God. His resurrection also proves that we are righteous before God, Romans 4:25. It is through this gospel that we have obtained grace. And, as we will see shortly, this gospel has a natural ability. This is the Gospel Paul is referring to, that he was set apart unto.

Paul is addressing this letter to all the saints that are in Rome. Since these saints are of the dispensation of a grace, most of what Paul writes about will be applicable to the saints today. However, we still cannot violate context. Within the book of Romans, Paul deals with the law, grace, the issue the Jews are having with righteousness, the gentiles, and parts of the Christian life.

The Roles of Authority within the Local Church

2008-02-04T05:41:00.001-08:00

What is the role of individuals within the local church? Does the pastor have full authority over ministry activities, finances, staff, and the facility? Should a church have an board of elders? What about women in the local church, do they have a role within the government of the local church? The authority of individuals within the local church is important to understand because when this authority gets out of balance, people gain or usurp authority that they do not have the right to posses. When the authority within the church is in balance, then the church can grow, and the church can glorify God through its ministries, members, and staff. Today, we are going to look at what the positions that hold authority within the local church are, who can hold those positions, how women serve in the government of the local church, and how authority functions in a balanced church.

It is very clear from Scripture that there is only one head of the Church. He is the one that has final say over everything that happens within the church body. He not only has authority over the ministries within the church, but also over who can become a member of the church. It is upon his word alone that the local church should act. Who holds such authority within the Church? Well…God. Christ Jesus is the head of the Church, Ephesians 1:22 “and he has put all things under his feet, and he has given him to be the head over all the assembly (Church).” Colossians 1:18 “and he is the head of the body; they assembly, who is the beginning, the first born out from the dead, in order that he should become first in all things.” God the father chooses who becomes a member of the church, Ephesians 1:4 “according as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the universe, that we should be holy (set a part) and blameless before him in love.” And the Holy Spirit places members into the body of the Christ and governs the activities of the Church, 1 Corinthians 12:1-7 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the dumb idols, however you were led. ³ Therefore I make known to you, that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. ⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. ⁶ And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. ⁷ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. However, if you go to a local Church, you will not find the Godhead answering phones, doing the accounting, cleaning the building, or preparing ministries. For these tasks, the Holy Spirit has given a special gift to each member of the body. This gift is for the edification of the members of the church and governs a large part of the role the individual plays within the local church.

Not only does the universal Church function as a body, the local church also functions in the same way. Each member has a specific role within the local church. However, within the local church, in order for it to function properly, it has to have a ranking of authority. The church needs pastors, administrators, evangelists, teachers, and other positions of authority. Each one of these roles plays a vital part within the church government, Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13; Ephesians 4:11, 12. Since the Holy Spirit provides us with only one Spiritual gift, no one should hold more than one position of authority within the local church, 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. This is not to say that no one should be involved in more than one area of the church. Rather, that no one should have two votes, or more authority than anyone else has. Moreover, since Christ is the head of the church, none of these roles has absolute authority over the local church. The ultimate authority within the local church should be the Holy Spirit, and when the body is spiritual, (framing their minds of the things above, and living according to God’s opinion of them – The saint’s position before God and possessions in Christ.) the members of the church will all be in one accord with what God’s will is for the church. However, as I said before, there still needs to be a hierarchy of authority within the local church so the day to day tasks are completed. So what is this hierarchy of authority? Should “elders” rule over the church? Should there be a senior pastor who rules over the church?

On the top level of authority, are the members of the local church, Acts 6:1-5. The remaining positions of authority are subject to the will of the congregation; however, none of these positions has the biblical right to usurp the authority of the members. The members have the authority to chose who will serve and in what capacity they will serve within the local church. If a church decides to elect a board of elders, that is the congregations right; however, the elders are accountable to the congregation, not above them.

Where do the ones with the Spiritual gifts to govern the church come into play? Well, let us look at their roles within the church so we can understand what realm of authority they should have. We will begin with the spiritual gift that is most visible within the local church, the pastor. One with the gift of pastor even teacher, has a gift that is used to lead the church in the realm of how to live the Christian life. (Ephesians 4:11 the words “pastor” and “teacher” are synonymous with each other in the Greek’s grammatical structure. One who is a shepherd, is also a teacher.) He is the shepherd of the flock, Acts 20:28. A shepherd is not one who drives the flock, but rather leads the flock by example. Anyone holding the position of a pastor within the local church must meet the standards set by scripture for the position, 1 Timothy 3:1-7. This position does not hold authority over the members of the church, 1 Peter 5:1-3 “…neither lording it over the inheritance but becoming an example for the flock.”

Before we move on to the next spiritual gift, I want to go back to the subject of an elder’s board. Many churches today have what they call an “elder’s board” that ultimately rules over the church. Is this biblical? Scripturally, there is no prohibition to having multiple elders within in a church. However, the word “elder” is synonymous with the word “overseer” in scripture. In Acts 20:17 Paul calls for the elders of the Ephesians churches. It is these same elders that Paul calls overseers (or bishops) and warns in verse 28 to take heed to themselves, and the flock and to feed the assembly. In 1 Timothy 3:2- 7 and Titus 1:6-9, the requirement for the character of an overseer are stated. If the church is going to have a board of elders, each member must meet these requirements. In order for each member to qualify, each one would also have to possess the Spiritual gift of pastor even teacher to meet the requirements. Titus 1:9, an elder must hold fast the doctrine that is to be learned and practice, so that he is able to exhort in sound doctrine, which is to be learned but not practiced and reprove those who oppose proper doctrine (Those who take Old Testament doctrine and say it is for the practice of New Testament saints). This falls into the realm of what a pastor does. The pastor, through the study and practice of the Word of God, gains insight from the Holy Spirit into the doctrine of the faith – the doctrine by which Christians are to live. He passes this doctrine on to the congregation by being an example. Also, through studying and practice, the pastor learns to rightly divide the doctrines in the Scriptures from those that are to be practiced and those that are to be learned, but no practiced. Although Scripture does not prohibit multiple elders “overseers” within a church, since a pastor “overseer” is not to use his position to rule over the church, the board of “elders” cannot be used to rule over the church. There is nothing Scripturally wrong with an elder board, so long as each member qualifies according to Scripture and each member is subject to the authority of the congregation.

The next position within the church is a deacon. Deacons are appointed by the local assembly to manage the daily duties of the church, while the pastor(s) concentrate on the studying, preaching, and guiding of the flock, Acts 6:1-6. Anyone holding this position must also meet the qualifications that the Scriptures have set, 1 Timothy 3:8-12. The local assembly governs the level of authority that the deacons hold. The only area in which the deacons have no authority is over what the pastor teaches. If the pastor is teaching heresy, they have the rights, as members of the congregation, to present the issue before the congregation so they can correct it. Since the pastor is the shepherd, God is going to instruct the pastor on what He wants delivered and shown by example to the flock through the guiding of the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit puts spiritual things together with spiritual words when the pastor is studying God’s Word, 1 Corinthians 2:13. Therefore, a deacon does not have the authority to instruct a pastor in what to teach.

Both the position of pastor (elder, overseer, or bishop – these terms are synonymous in Scripture.) and deacon can only be held by males because part of the Scriptural qualifications require them to be a one-woman type of man. This means they can only have one wife at a time, 1 Timothy 3:2, 12. (Although this may be an odd requirement for our culture, to understand why this is a requirement, we need to understand the culture and background to which it was written. In the time in which Paul is writing, having multiply wives was part of the culture. However, because the husband and wife are now a representation of Christ and the church, God requires that a man only have one wife at a time. Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, be submission for a benefit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.) The only other position of authority within the churches government that is restricted is the teaching of males. Although a woman is allowed to teach, she is not allowed to teach men within the local church setting on matters of the Christian life, 1 Timothy 2:12 (in context, Paul is writing about the Christian life.) A woman is not to teach because of what happened with Adam and Eve. Eve was thoroughly deceived, but Adam was not deceived, 1 Timothy 2:13, 14. For those of you who are thinking that this makes the man better than, or above the woman, think again. It was the sin of the man that brought death into the world, not the woman, Romans 5:12. Although both are guilty, Eve transgressed the law because she was deceived. Adam out right broke the law, knowing full well what he was doing. So I would ask, who is better, the one thoroughly deceived or the one who is not deceived but chooses to sin anyway? Remember, in Christ we are all equal, Galatians 3:28. Our position within the local body of the church does not put us in a position that is less than or greater than others. We are all equal in Christ. However, we have differing responsibilities within the local church. These responsibilities do not make us unequal; we are all one in Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:12.

As far as other positions of authority within the local church go, it is completely up to the local assembly to create and give authority to positions they deem necessary. Each local assembly governs its own matters and has the freedom to appoint members to positions of authority. - A good example of the individuality of the local assembly is found by comparing the church in Corinth to other churches. In the Corinthian churches, women were required to wear a head covering. This head covering showed that she was under the authority of a husband, within their culture. However, Paul specifically states that the other churches did not have this requirement or custom, 1 Corinthians 11:16. Why did the church in Corinth have this custom if the other churches did not? Within their culture if a woman did not cover her head, the people considered her to be a prostitute. This was a cultural thing that only affected those saints in Corinth. - If a local church determines to elect a woman to oversee the finances, the facility, outreach, children’s ministries, or any other position, so longs as she is not a pastor, deacon, or one who is teaching men, they are free to do so, without violating scripture. Rather than being a pastor, deacon, or teacher of men, her responsibilities are within the home; however, she is not limited to serve in any other capacity within the government of the local church. She may even hold a position of authority within the church that exceeds the authority of the pastor. (Not in the realm of what the pastor teaches; however, she could be appointed to control the finances, or use of the building, etc.)

Within the local church, there is no one that holds absolute authority. It is the responsibility of the pastor to feed the flock by example, not rule over them. It is the responsibility of the deacons to ensure the pastor has time to study and tend to the flock, by tending to the daily responsibilities of the church and members. It is the responsibility of the local church to determine who the pastors are, who the deacons are, when they meet for services, when the Lordian table is served, what ministries they do, and whom they appoint to different position of authority within the local church. When the church is functioning in this manner, the gift that the Holy Spirit gave to each member of the assembly will work towards the edification of the saints.

The active gifts today are: evangelist, administration, helps, mercy, pastor/teacher, teacher, giving, exhortation, faith, and organization. Ephesians 4:11; Romans 12:7, 8; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28; 13 :2. When these gifts work together, the church functions as a body. Each member serving his or her part to edify the whole, 1 Corinthians 12:14-27. It is only when a local church is functioning as members of one body, where all are equal, that it can truly glorify God through its actions.

Communion

Communion was instituted by Christ before his death, for a reminder to the church that through His death, burial, and resurrection the church is one body, and under a new covenant.

The bread is a representation of the body of Christ. Within this body, we are all equal. There is no difference between male or female, there is not racial or social distinctions. Galatians 3:28 “there is not Jew nor Greek, there is not slave nor free, there is not male and female, for all of us are one in Christ Jesus.”

Within the body are many members, but we are all still part of one body. And we are all equal within the body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

…Is not the bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17

1 Corinthians 11:23-24 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; ²⁴ and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

Let us partake.

Not only did Christ institute the breaking of bread to represent the oneness we all share within the body of Christ, He also took a cup. This cup represents the new covenant that was made by the shedding of his blood.

Hebrews 9:11-15 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; ¹² and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? ¹⁵ And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant…

This new covenant is built upon better promises. Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

1 Corinthians 10:16, Is not the cup of blessing which we bless the sharing in the blood of Christ?

1 Corinthians 11:25, In the same manner, he took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant by my blood, do this as often as you drink in remembrance of me.

Let us partake.

Let us go in peace, with an unruffledness of mind, and enjoy the wonderful salvation that God has provided for us.

The Armor from God

2007-12-29T08:57:00.001-08:00

The only defense a Christian has against an attack from Satan or a demon is the armor that God provides. This armor has the ability to quench any attack from Satan or one of his demons. The next section of the Christian life that we are going to discuss is our second enemy; Satan. Although an attack my come from Satan or a demon, the manner and methods of the attack are the same; therefore, the defense is the same.

There are many different opinions about how to defeat an attack when it comes from Satan or a demon. Because many of these methods come from mythology, superstitious awe, and the miss-use of scripture, it can be rather confusing to determine how to defend yourself against an attack. Rather than dealing with mythology, superstitious awe, or the miss-uses of scriptures, I am going to go to the Scriptures and expound on what is written about demons, Satan, and how Christians can defend themselves against an attack.

In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul writes concerning the armor from God. The purpose for this armor is so that a Christian can stand against Satan's fiery darts. "Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against the methodology of the devil."

Satan cannot touch a Christian, "We intuitively know that all the ones born out from God do not habitually sin, but the one born out from God guards himself, and the evil one does not touch him." 1 John 5:18; therefore, his attack is not physical. In fact, within the instructions on the armor from God in Ephesians, Paul specifically states that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness, (Ephesians 6:12). This is not a physical battle and we are not soldiers in the army of God. This battle rages on within our minds.

Satan designs his methods of attack to sway the way we are thinking so that we begin to do what Satan desires for us to do as though it is our own desire. It is therefore, very important that we begin by properly framing our minds. Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be empowered in the Lord and in the might of his strength." The defense against Satan and demons begins from our position in Christ; Christ’s strength empowers us to be able to defend against Satan’s methods of attack. We do not have authority over Satan. He is a greater creature than we are. Our defense solely rests upon who we are in Christ.

Who is Satan?

Satan was once known as Lucifer, the greatest of God's creations. Lucifer, a cherub, ruled over all other spirit beings from earth before the creation of man. It was only after Lucifer's fall that he came to be known as Satan - which means the adversary.

You may get more information, and scriptures about who Satan is on my other blog at oldtestamenttruth.blogspot.com.

How we frame our mind directly affects our actions." for those who are (walking) according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh; but the ones (walking) according to the Spirit, (set their minds) on the things of the Spirit. For the mind framed on the flesh is death; but the mind framed on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:5, 6. When we frame our mind on the Spirit, it is impossible for Satan to win an attack, unless we chose to no use the armor from God. Although Satan cannot use our sin nature against us, when we frame our minds on the desire of the flesh, we are easy prey for Satan. The reason for this is how the armor works and what it relates too. Satan designs his methodologies to get us to act independent from God, which ultimately leads us into sin. This was Satan's sin, when he was Lucifer, the anointed Cherub, ruling in the mountain of God. Ezekiel 28:14 "You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I set you on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire." Isaiah 14:12-14 "How you have fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how you are cut down to the ground, who did weaken the nations! For you said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." Lucifer was not content with where God placed Lucifer’s throne. He wanted to be in the third heaven, above the stars of God, so that he could be like God. When we frame our mind on the desires of the flesh, we are already acting independent from God. We have done the hard part of Satan’s work for him.

We are acting independent from God because we are no longer reckoning ourselves to be in Christ. Remember, in Christ we are dead to the sin nature, Romans 6:11. The desires of the sin nature no longer rule over us, Romans 6:18. When we focus our thoughts on the desires of the sin nature, and determine to fulfill them, we are acting as though we are not in Christ, our mind is set against God, and we are not able to please God. We are then open to attack from Satan because we are not in a mindset that will detect an attack from Satan. Remember, we only have a defense against an attack from Satan when we are living from our position in Christ.

Acting independently from God is the main purpose of an attack from Satan; however, he is not always going to suggest that you do something your way, rather than God’s way. He uses other methods to sway you. Bitterness, disappointment, discouragement, an unforgiving spirit, stealing, doubt, pride, idleness, busybody, lying, filthy speech, tattling, and spiritual cowardice are all methods that Satan may use to get you to act independently from God.

In order to apply the proper defense against an attack, we are to clothe ourselves with the whole armor from God, ("Clothe yourself with the full armor from God to be able to stand against the methodologies of the slanderer," Ephesians 6:11) not just with the part that defends against the method Satan is presently using, he can easily switch methods. We are responsible for putting on the armor from God. God has provided us a defense against Satan’s methods; however, if we do not apply it, we will be defeated. The design of each piece of the armor is to defend against specific attacks; therefore, failure to put on the whole armor will leave you vulnerable.

Next, we will go into each piece of armor to understand how it is used.

A Christmas Message - One Expression of Love

2007-12-22T18:34:00.001-08:00

Did you know that there was a time when all of mankind walked with God? There was a time where death did not exist, man was innocent, the earth was without thorns and thistles, and peace ruled over all creatures, big and small. How did mankind go from a state of peace to what we see today? Death has become an everyday part of life, which eventually affects everyone, man is corrupt in all his ways and rejects God, the earth is full of thorns, thistles, decay, and even the creatures of the earth kill each other, big and small. What happened to bring about such a change in this once perfect creation? Today we are going to talk about the fall of man, the condition of mankind as a result of the fall, how mankind tends to approach God, and why we need a savior - I know this does not sound like much of a Christmas message; however, Christmas is about the giving of a special gift to mankind, by which mankind could be saved from its corruption. Understanding what happened to mankind will shed light on why the giving of this gift is so important.

In my blog on the Old Testament, I have been writing about creation. In the beginning of Genesis, we find mankind in a state of innocence and peace. Genesis 1:26-31 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creeps upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."

Mankind is in a wonderful garden, with everything needed to sustain life. Within this garden are two special trees, the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The only rule that mankind must live by in this garden is to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Genesis 2:17. The penalty for eating from this one tree was death. Actually, God was a bit more emphatic with His warning, " But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you will not eat from it for in the day you eat from it dying you will die."

When God created Adam, He also created Eve. Eve was formed from the side of Adam to be his helpmeet, Genesis 2:18; 21-24. She was, and still is, man's perfect counterpart. Adam was responsible to pass on the law that God gave him to Eve, and he did; however, Adam added to the law. He added, do not touch, Genesis 3:2, 3. This seems like a harmless addition; however, it could have very well assisted the Serpent in deceiving Eve.

In the fall of mankind, Satan, through the serpent- a very shrewd creature, deceived Eve. He addressed Eve, rather than Adam, and asks a simple question, "Did God say..." Now you may think that because Eve was deceived, surely God would understand; however, it was not Eve's eating of the fruit that brought about the fall of mankind, but rather Adam's. You see, Eve was thoroughly deceived by the serpent and transgressed that law. Adam, on the other hand, was not deceived. 1 Timothy 2:14 "and Adam was not deceived, but the woman being thoroughly deceived was in transgression." Eve transgressed, or broke, the law. Adam sinned. Adam knew full well what he was doing, and chose to disobey God. The result of Adam's sin brought about a change, not only in man, but also in creation. God warned Adam that if he ate from the tree, dying he would die.

Romans 5:12-14 "Wherefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin, the death, and thus unto all men death came, for all have sinned- for until law, sin was in the world, but sin was not counted when there was no law; nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses even upon those who did not sin in the likeness of Adams transgression..."

Adam stood as a representative of all mankind and therefore passed on the result of his sin to all mankind. Now, physical death reigns in the world and is passed on to all generations, even those who did not sin after the likeness of Adam's sin. Unfortunately, physical death is not the only thing that Adam passed on. Adam's sin cause death to come upon all; however, before Adam sinned, he trespassed. (a trespass happens when we determine to fulfill a desire that lacks in character. Trespass is not a sin, rather, it is a result of the determination to commit a sin. James 1:14,15 but every man is solicited by that which lacks in character (tempted)when he is drawn away and baited by his own desire. Then when lust has conceived, it births sin. And when sin is finished, it brings forth death. ) The result of Adam's trespass was spiritual death. (Death is separation, not annihilation. Physical death is the separation of the spirit and soul from the body. Spiritual death is the separation of the spirit with God.) What does all this mean? All mankind has inherited the results of Adam's trespass and sin. Therefore, all of mankind is condemned in Adam. "And not according as through one man's sin, the gift, for on the one hand judgment out from one into condemnation..." Romans 5:16. (Condemned is being in a state of having judgment already passed and awaiting punishment.) Not only does all of mankind face physical death, because mankind is spiritual dead the ability to receive the things of the Spirit is also gone. 1 Corinthians 2:14 " but the soulish man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he does not have the ability to experientially know them because they are spiritually discerned."

Man is in a state of separation from God, no longer having the ability to receive the things of the Spirit, and physically dying. Man also continually rejects God and His ways. Romans 1:19-32 speaks of a time when all men know God and knew the judgment of God. This time was just after the flood, when only a few remained. You would think that after seeing the world flooded because of judgment that you might pay a bit more attention to following God. However, all of mankind rejected God again. It began with not glorifying God. They did not attribute to God all that He was, nor were they thankful. Rather, they became useless in their imaginations and their hearts were darkened. (The heart of a man is the center, where the body, soul, and spirit intersect. This is where the person and determinate will reside.) Mankind continued on this path of rejection until God became, to them, equal with the creatures of the earth and they fulfilled the desires of their sin nature at will, knowing full well that it would bring judgment upon them.

Even though mankind was rejecting God, God still chose one man and gave him and his seed a promise. However, rather than taking God at His word, when it was time for the nation of Israel to receive the promise, they rejected it and asked for law. Exodus 19:8. They wanted a way to show God how righteous they could be. (The Jewish nation is a representation of all of mankind. What they did, would have been done by any of us in their shoes.)

The end result of mankind's actions throughout history resulted in the situation we see today. So much crime, destruction, and hopelessness exist today. All of this is a result of the choices humans have made throughout history and continue to make. Now we live in a world without hope. There is no hope, because there is not one that is able to save mankind. All have fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. No one has lived up to God's opinion of him or her. We have all gone astray. All are condemned and awaiting punishment. We can not even pay for our own sins, much less the sins of the entire world. Mankind needs a savior.

A single expression of God's love changed all of this. Some two thousand years ago, God expressed His love towards the world. God gave us His son. "For God so loved the world that He gave his unique, one of kind son, in order that all the ones believing in him should not perish but have eternal life," John 3:16. The second person of the Godhead came to be found in the likeness of a man and submitted himself to death so that we could be free, Philippians 2:5-8 "Let this frame of mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus, who existing in the outward form of God, did not think to be equal with God a things to be grasped, but emptied Himself, being found in the outward form of a servant, coming to be in the likeness of man and being found in the appearance of man, He humbled Himself, becoming subject unto death, even a cross death." The result of this one expression of love forever changed the lives not only of those who believe.

Born of a virgin, born under the law, rejected by His very own people, becoming the savior of the world. Just as God had told the prophets thousands of years before, God the Son came in the flesh. In the genealogy given in Matthew beginning with Abraham, Christ came out from Mary, a descendant of the king David. Mary, at the time of her pregnancy with Christ, had not known a man. Rather, the Holy Spirit came upon her and she was found with Child. A child that would save the world. Luke 1:26-35 Now in the sixth month ( of Elizabeth's pregnancy with John the Baptist) the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy thing shall be called the Son of God. Jesus was born to a virgin, so the condemnation that was upon mankind did not pass unto Him. For it is through the seed of a male that the condemnation is passed on to the next generation.

Jesus was also born under the law, Luke 2:21-24 And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every first-born male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord "), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Jesus was born to fulfill the promise of a savior for the Jewish people. He came to fulfill God's word and rule over them. Luke 1:33 "and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." During Jesus' earthly ministry the Jews came first, even though at times He did give to the Gentiles. Mark 7:26-29 Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And He was saying to her, "Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 28 But she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs." 29 And He said to her, "Because of this answer go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter." Jesus came unto his own, but they rejected Him. John 1:11 "into his own things he came, but his own people did not receive him." However, this time, God used this rejection to bring about salvation for all.

During this time of the year we have set aside a special time to remember the gift that God so graciously gave us; the birth of our Lord. It was this gift that made it possible for us to be spiritual alive. For all who receive him, their spirits are united with God's spirit and they share in a quality of the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthian 2:16 "for who knows that mind of the Lord? The one being knit together with him. For we have a quality of the mind of Christ." Christians are no longer spiritual separated from God. Rather, they are joined with him and share intimately with His Son.

Because of this gift we have a new nature, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore since anyone is in Christ; a new creation, the old things have passed away, all things have become new.

Because of this gift we partake in the Divine nature, 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Because of this gift we are able to live out God's life through ours, 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (godliness is living out God's quality of life.)

Because of this gift we have hope. Therefore, as we take the time this week to remember Christ's birth and the gracious love from God, let us also remember the results of this gift in our lives. Through our own actions, mankind has brought about death and destruction. Through our own action, mankind has fully rejected God. Through one act from God, all of mankind can be saved.

For those of you who are not saved - The celebration of the birth of Christ is so precious because it is through his birth that salvation entered the world. Salvation comes by expressing faith at Christ through the Gospel for salvation. Faith is taking God at His word and is based upon a promise. The promise is, Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again on the third day according to the Scripture, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4. Believe and you will be saved!

For those of us who are already saved. Let us remind ourselves that through this gift from God, we received salvation. Not a stagnate salvation, but one that is alive. We are not waiting for eternal life so that we may live out God's quality life through ours, we already posses it. Let us work out this salvation that God gave us, by using it in every day of our life.

There was a time when all of mankind walked with God, but through one man's actions we were separated from God. Now there is a time when those who receive Christ are intimately joined with God through Christ, all because of one expression of God's love.

May you all enjoy this Christmas season and especially the gift that God so graciously gave us.

Walking By The Spirit

2007-12-13T11:35:00.001-08:00

What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? Romans 8:4 "...in order that the righteousness of the law should be fulfilled in us, those who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

We are not under the Mosaic Law, so we can not use any part of the law to govern our lives. As a matter of fact, we are not under any quality of law when it comes to our approach to or position before God; therefore, fulfilling the law of righteousness cannot be done by living according to the Ten Commandments or any other law we may create. The law of righteousness is fulfilled when we walk by the Spirit.

How we act in our daily lives is directly affect by how we are framing our minds. If we are framing our minds on fulfilling the desires of the flesh, we will not be able to fulfill the law of righteousness because we will produce the works of the flesh, which are contrary to the law of righteousness.

The word for "walk" used in Romans 8:4 is the basic Greek word for walking. It is used in Matthew 4:18 of Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee. In Matthew 9:5 Jesus used this word when asking the scribes when they questioned His healing of a lame man whether it is easier to say, you sins are forgiven you, or stand up and walk. The meaning of the word "walk" goes beyond simply meaning "to walk" to define how a person governs his or her life. In Acts 21:21 "walk" is used for one who follows the Mosaic customs. Or in this case, that the gentiles are not following the customs.

Walking by the Spirit refers to how you are governing your life; what manner of life you live. What is your mind framed on? Are you always seeking to fulfill the desires of your flesh, or do you seek the desires of the Spirit? The desires of the flesh relate to that which is unrighteous: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, religious superstitious awe, enmities, strife, zeal, inner burning anger, disputes, dissensions, heresy, envy, murder, drunkenness, reveling, and such like. The desires of the Spirit relate to what is righteous: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

When we are governing our lives in the customs and manners of the flesh, we are not able to please God. We are not able to please Him because a mind that is framed on the desires of the flesh has set itself against God, Romans 8:7. However, we are no longer of the flesh. "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh, for if we continue to live after the flesh, we are about to die, but if we put to death the practices of the body by the Spirit, we will live. For as many as are lead by the Spirit are the sons of God." Romans 8:12-14.

The Holy Spirit is going to lead us through the desires that relate to our new nature. God does not speak to people today, there is no need for Him to because we have the full revelation. (1 Corinthians 13:8-13. The things we know in part is referring to prophecy. Paul did not possess the entire revelation at the time he wrote to the Corinthians. Scripture was still being written. But now that we have the full revelation the Spiritual gifts that related to prophecy ceased. There were no longer needed. These gift are: prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, healing, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, working of miracles, and discerning of spirits. All of these gifts were use in the giving of the revelation, either to reveal it, or to validate it.) God has provided us with all we need to live godly, we just need to use it. As we take God at His word, and begin to apply it to our lives, the Holy Spirit will begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

"But I say, walk by the Spirit and and you will in no way fulfill the desires of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. For these are contrary to one another in order that you should not do the things you desire. But if you are lead by the Spirit, you are not under any quality of law." Galatians 5:16-18.

We do not need a law anymore. Christians do not have a set of laws that tell them what not to do, like the Mosaic Law. Rather we are lead by the Spirit, through the desires of our new nature, which is not a slave to the sin nature, but rather dead to the sin nature and alive unto God. We are now slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:18.

By setting our minds on things above, Colossians 3:1,2, our actions will begin to line up with who we are in Christ. Remember from Romans chapter eight, how you frame your mind directly affects your actions. So we are lead by the Spirit when our minds are framed on our position in Christ.

In our position in Christ, we have a renewed mind. Romans 12:1,2 "I encourage you, brethren, through the tenders mercies of God, present your bodies as a living holy sacrifice, well-pleasing to God, which is your logical spiritual service. And stop being outwardly conformed to this (legal) age, but be transformed by the renewedness of your mind unto the testing for approval that is the desire will of God for you, the good and well-pleasing, and complete. "

We are to stop being conformed to the legal age and be transformed by our renewed mind. We can know God's desire will for our lives by using what He has already given us. In our position in Christ, we have the ability to receive the things of the Spirit because we share a quality of mind with Christ. "For who has the mind of the Lord, the one being knit together with him? Now we have a quality of the mind of Christ" Since we have a new mind in Christ, we do not have any need for God to lead us by giving us specific instruction. Rather, we can know what God's desirous will is for our lives because of the relationship we now have with God through Christ.

We are lead by the Spirit, not by the letter of the law, so let us walk by the Spirit. Stop using law and start governing your life according to who you are in Christ.

The Law of the Spirit

2007-11-29T06:52:00.001-08:00

Since Christians are not under any quality of law, how are Christians supposed to govern their lives? What influences their actions?

Even though we have struggles with our sin nature, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1 "Therefore now there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus." There is no condemnation because we are not under the Law.

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set up free from the law of the sin nature and the death," Romans 8:2

Understanding the word "law": In the English language we use the same word to describe multiple concepts. Law can refer to the rules that govern over people or it can refer to something that happens naturally. The laws of our City, State, or Government control what we are allowed to do in our daily lives. The laws of nature are not laws that control us, but rather things that happen naturally. When we use the word "law" for the laws of nature, the concept of law would fall more under the word "principles". The same difference exists between any law that governs our action before God, and the law of the Spirit. The law of the Spirit is not a set of rules that we live by, rather, it related to our actions when we walk by the Spirit; the natural result of that walk.

The Christian life is not governed by a set of rules, rather, it is governed by who the Christian has become in Christ.

The law of the Spirit has set us free from the law of the sin nature and death. The Mosaic law could not set us free from the sin nature. "For what the law did not have the natural ability to do, in that it was weak because of the flesh, God send is Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, He condemned the sin nature in the flesh in order that the righteousness of the law should be fulfilled in us, the ones not walking according to the flesh but walking according to the Spirit," Romans 8:3, 4.

The Mosaic law did not have the ability to overcome the sin nature. It was God's Own Son that condemned the sin nature by coming in the likeness of sinful flesh. Now, because we are in Christ, we are free from the sin nature and can fulfill the law of righteousness.

We can fulfill the law of righteousness because of who we are in Christ. Rather than being slaves to the sin nature, In Christ we have been set free from the sin nature and are presently slaves to righteousness.

However, as Paul stated in Romans 7, the sin nature has not been annihilated. We therefore serve God with our mind, but the law of the sin nature with our flesh.

What does this mean? when we are framing our minds of the things of the Spirit, we are able to fulfill, or live out, the law of Righteousness. However, if we are framing our minds on the desires of the flesh, we will produce the works of the flesh, rather than works of righteousness.

"For those who are according to the flesh, set their reflective thinking on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, set their reflective thinking on the things of the Spirit," Romans 8:5

What you frame your mind upon greatly affects the actions you produce.

The terms "framing your mind" and "reflective thinking" are describing the same concept. How do you perceive yourself? What is your opinion of yourself? Does your opinion of who you are line up with God's opinion of who you are? The Christians life begins in the mind because, as you will see also in the remainder of this chapter, what you are thinking on, affects everything you perform.

"For the carnally framed mind is death, but the Spiritually framed mind is life and peace, because the carnally framed mind is hostile towards God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor is it able to be subject to the law of God" Romans 8:6, 7

A mind that is framed on the desires of the flesh will not be in subjection to the law of God. The law described here goes back to the law of the Spirit, which is fulfilled in us when we walk by the Spirit. When are minds are framed on the desires of the flesh, these desires do not coincide with the law of righteousness. The result is, we constantly struggle with desiring to do what is righteous, but always doing what is wrong. When our mind is framed on the desires of the flesh, we can not keep the law of God.

"So then, they that are in the flesh do not have the ability to please God," Romans 8:8.

Framing your mind on the things of the flesh leads to a life that is not pleasing to God.

"But you are in in the flesh, but in the Spirit, If the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:9

We are not in the flesh, so we should not act like we are in the flesh. Are you saved? Did you believe the gospel for salvation? Christ died for you sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. The "if" in Romans 8:9 does not question whether you have the Spirit of God, but refers to the fact that you have the Spirit. If the Spirit of God dwells in you, then you are not in the flesh, you have been freed from the sin nature. If you are saved, then the Spirit dwells in you. "Done you know that you are the Holy of Holies of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16

Since we are not in the flesh, let us walk by the Spirit.

Framing Your Mind

2007-11-25T08:03:00.001-08:00

Framing your mind refers to how you think about yourself. Your hopes, your desires, your opinion of yourself, all relate to how you frame your mind. When your mind is framed a certain way, your thoughts don't go beyond that frame.

For example : When you are setting your mind on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, your frame of mind relates to who you are in Christ. By focusing your thoughts on who you are in Christ, and taking God at His word, you will begin to change your opinion of yourself to line up with God's opinion of you.

Lining up your opinion of yourself with God's opinion of you is very important. How else will you approach God correctly? If God says you are righteous in Christ, but you consider yourself to be a terrible sinner before God. How can you approach Him with confidence?

Not only how you approach God is affected by your frame of mind, but your actions are also affected by how you frame your mind.

In Romans chapter seven, Paul expressed his frustration with the sin nature when he attempted to control it through law. The law was not designed to control the sin nature; rather, it was given to show how sinful our sin nature could become, Romans 7:7-13. Through Paul's experience with trying to control the sin nature by law, and the frustration that followed, Paul came to the conclusion that with the mind he serves the Law of God but with the flesh the law of the sin nature, Romans 7:25.

Although we struggle with the sin nature, we always need to remember who we are in Christ. God has provided a way for us to overcome our sin nature, we just need to use it. However, as we learn, we will mess up. Our mistakes do not affect our position before God, nor do they change His opinion of us. Always remember, in Christ there is no condemnation. (Grace is not a license to sin, so we should not think that we can do anything we want to do. God will not allow us to be condemned with the world. Continuing in sin will bring chastening, Hebrews 12:6. Chastening does not change God's opinion of us, rather it shows His opinion is true. He will not allow us to be condemned with this world. Do not be discouraged by chastening, if we are being chastened it is because we are not framing our mind correctly and therefore we are producing the works of the flesh in our lives. Rather than being discourage, we should listen, obey, and frame our mind on the things above so we will stop doing whatever is causing the chastening. God loves us to much to allow us to continue acting like the devil's kid.)

Roman 8:1 "Now therefore, there is not any condemnation in Christ Jesus." Condemnation is a judgement that has already been passed, but the penalty has not been applied. There is no judgement hanging over anyone who is in Christ.

Because we serve the law of God with our mind, how we frame our mind is going to directly affect whether or not we are serving God or the sin nature.

Side Note: In Romans 8:1 some translations have "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." This phrase was added by a scribe when copying the book of Romans. There is substantial evidence that this phrase should be crossed out. Also when you look at other scripture, this phrase does not line up. Whether or not you are condemned does not depend upon your actions, but rather upon who you are in Christ. In Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. How you walk, or govern your life, affects whether or not you are fulfilling the righteousness of the principle of the Spirit, Romans 8:4. The scribe that added "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" took it from verse 4.

There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus because in Christ we are free from the law of the sin nature.

Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of the sin nature and the death."

If we still served God with our flesh, we would still be under condemnation. Condemnation came because of Adam's sin, Romans 5:18. However, Christians are no longer in Adam and therefore are no longer condemned. Rather, we are free to walk in newness of life unto God.

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 5

2007-11-19T06:28:00.001-08:00

"Then, I find the law, in me to desire to do good, that lacking in character is in me." Romans 7:21

Paul is struggling between two principles within himself. He desires to do that which is good, but the desire to do the things that lack in character is also always present with him .

"For I rejoice in the law of God after the inner man. But I see another, of a different kind, of law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and taking me captive to the law of the sin nature, which is in my members. O wretched man that I am. Who will rescue me out of this body of death?" Romans 7:22-24.

What a situation! Paul desires to do that which is good, but every time he attempts it, the desire to do that which lacks in character overwhelms him. This is what happens every time a Christian attempts to live under the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic law is not bad, it was not designed to control the sin nature; rather, it was designed to show how sinful the sin nature within us can be.

So then, what does a Christian do?

"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord, so then I myself, on the one hand, with the mind serve a quality of law from God, but on the other hand, I serve the law of sin with my flesh." Romans 7:25.

How we serve God begins within our mind. It is no longer a thing of the flesh. Remember what Paul said back in Chapter 6 about how you deal with the sin nature? " Thusly, you reckon yourselves to be dead to the sin nature but alive unto God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:11. It begins with the mind.

How you frame your mind, directly affects your actions. The conflict that Paul has been writing about relates to how you frame your mind. Are you considering yourself to be what God considers you to be? Does your opinion of yourself line up with God's opinion of you?

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 4

2007-11-16T06:11:00.001-08:00

The law pertains to the logics, where the flesh pertains to the sin nature. This produces a huge conflict. You know what you should do, but cannot perform it.

Romans 7:15 - 24

For that which I work out, I do not experientially know, for not that which I desire, this I practice, but that which I hate, this I do.

Paul is describing a conflict that happens to all Christians when they try to use law to control the sin nature. The sin nature is energized by that law and uses it to work out its desires, rather than being controlled so the Christian can live unto God.

For that which I (the old nature) work out, I (the new nature) do not experientially know. For not that which I (the new nature) desire, this I (the old nature) practice, but that which I (the new nature) hate, this I (the old nature) do.

But since that which I (the new nature) do not desire, this I (the old nature) practice, I agree that the law is good.

The law is good. By the very act of desiring to live by the law is an acknowledgement that the law is good. However, as you can see, that does not mean you can live by the law.

But now it is no longer I (the new nature) that works this out, but the sin nature that dwells in me.

What a conflict! One that all of us have shared. Desiring to do what is right, but always doing what is wrong.

The problem does not stem from the new nature, but rather from the old nature.

Remember, the new nature is not a slave to the sin nature. Our new nature is a slave to righteousness. Romans 6:18.

Although the sin nature, which is a part of our old nature, is rendered ineffective in Christ, Romans 6:6, it was not annihilated. Law will cause the sin nature to revive because in Christ you are not under any quality of law. Which means, if you are trying to live by law, you are not living from your position in Christ, and therefore, the sin nature is no longer rendered ineffective, but rather, comes alive and puts you back under slavery so that you cannot do the things that you desire to do and do the things that you do not desire.

For I intuitively know that no good dwells in me - that is in my flesh. For the desire is present with me, but working out the good I do not find. For I do not do the good that I desire to do, but that which lacks in character, that I do not desire, this I practice. But since, that which I do not desire , this I do, it is not I that works this out, but the sin nature that dwells in me.

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 3

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What did the sin nature separate Paul from? Back in chapter 5 of Romans, Paul wrote about the change in position for those who are in Christ. In chapter 6, Paul discusses how to handle our old nature, which is a result of being in Adam. Now that we are in Christ, we are no longer slaves to the sin nature. The sin nature has been rendered ineffective in our position in Christ, but has not been annihilated, Roman 6:6. Now, in chapter 7, Paul writes about the reaction of the sin nature to law. When law is put on the sin nature, it revives. The sin nature puts you back under slavery. Romans 6:16 " Don't you know that to whom you present yourself servants unto obedience, servants you are whom you obey. Whether the sin nature unto death, or obedience unto righteousness."

Therefore, the death Paul experienced was a separation from his resurrection life. He was no longer living from his position in Christ and yielding his member to righteousness; rather, he was acting as through he was dead to his position in Christ and alive to the sin nature.

Remember, we do not battle the sin nature. Romans 6:11 "Likewise you also count yourself to be dead to the sin nature, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." When we take God at His word, and count ourselves to be dead to the sin nature, but alive unto God, how we govern our lives is guided by the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is guiding us, we will in no way fulfill the desires of the sin nature, Galatians 5:16. However, when we put a law on the sin nature, we are no longer being guided by the Holy Spirit, Who will battle the sin nature for us; rather, we are relying on that law to control the sin nature.

In Romans chapter 7 Paul is explaining what happened when he put a law on the sin nature. Rather than controlling the sin nature, the law energized the sin nature, and through the law, the sin nature deceived Paul and brought him back under its control. This is the death Paul is referring to in verses 9-11. In this frame of mind, using law to control the sin nature and not counting yourself to be death to the sin nature but alive unto God, Paul was in a sense, acting as though he was dead to his position in Christ.

"Wherefore, the law is holy and the commandment is holy and right and good. Therefore, did that which is good become death to me? May it never come to be! But the sin nature, in order that sin should be manifested through the good to me, working out death, in order that, the sin nature should become exceedingly sinful through the commandment. For we intuitively know that he law pertains to the spirit, but I pertaining to the flesh; sold under the sin nature. " Romans 7:12-14.

Next we will discuss what happens when we put ourselves back under the sin nature by trying to control it through law.

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 2

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"For when we were in the flesh, the passions belonging to sins, were energized through the law in our members unto the bearing of fruit unto death. But now we have been released from the law, having died in which we were held, so that we serve in newness of spirit, not in oldness of letter." Romans 7:5, 6.

The works of the sin nature, Galatians 5:19-22, were able to use the law for energy to produce fruit unto death. This is what life was like under the law. Remember, the law was not to make man righteous, but rather to show man's sinfulness.

"What will we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never come to be. But I would not have experientially known the sin nature except through the law. For I would not have intuitively known not to covet, except the law says "do not covet." Romans 7:7

The Mosaic Law was not sinful. It did not produce sin in the lives of those under the law; rather ...

"But the sin nature took opportunity through the commandments, working out in me all coveting. For a part from the law the sin nature is dead." Romans 7:8

Our sin nature reacts to law by using it as an opportunity to produce works unto death. This is because the sin nature is energized by the law rather than subdued by it.

"For I was alive once, a part from law. But the commandment came, the sin nature revived, and I died. And I found the commandment, the one unto life, to me unto death. for the sin nature, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it slew me " Romans 7:9-11

Paul is not writing about physical death. He continued to live. Although, it is true that the works of the sin nature end with physical death. Paul is talking about another death here.

Remember, death is separation. What was Paul being separated from by the sin nature reviving?

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law

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The sin nature’s reaction to law is similar to throwing gasoline on a fire and trying to putting a lid on it. A part from law, the sin nature has no power. “but the sting of death is the sin nature and the power of the sin nature is the law” 1 Corinthians 15:56

Paul deals with this situation in the Seventh Chapter of Romans. Paul begins the seventh chapter with an example of how we have died to the Law.

Romans 7:1 "... or are you ignorant, brethren (for I speak to those who experientially know law) that the law rules over the man for as long as he live?"

We all understand law to some degree, even those of use who have never lived under the Mosaic Law. Paul is not specifically writing to Jew who knew the Mosaic Law; rather, he is addressing anyone who knows a quality of law. There are laws within all countries that cannot be broken. Breaking these laws requires the death penalty. These laws rule over man for his entire life.

Romans 7:2, 3 "for a married woman is bond by the law to a husband for life. However, if the husband dies, she is set free from the law of the husband. Therefore, when the husband lives, if she is married to a different man, she is revealed an adulteress. However, if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, if she marries a different man."

Paul uses an example from the Mosaic Law; however, many nations have similar laws, so this can be understood by more than just the Jews. Marriage is suppose to be for life. Although, divorce is allowed, neither partner in a marriage is allowed to marry another person. If relations happen with another, other than the spouse, it is considered adultery, which is punishable by death in some nations.

The law of marriage, rules over the couple until one dies.

Romans 7:4 "Wherefore, my brethren, you also have died to the Law through the body of The Christ, to become unto another of a different kind, to the one having raised him out from among dead men, in order that you should bear fruit to God."

Christians are no longer under the Mosaic Law. In their position in Christ, they have died to the Law. This is in a similar way as a woman is free from the law of marriage when her husband dies.

Understanding How the Sin Nature Works

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The sin nature resides in the flesh and attacks through our soul, 1 Peter 2:11. “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.” The soul is our emotional part and is swayed by the desires of the flesh. Touching, seeing, feeling, tasting, and hearing are all going to affect our emotions. When your mind is framed on who you are in Christ, it is easier to detect when a desire from your soul is being swayed by the sin nature. You do not want to ignore you emotions, but you should not be controlled by your emotions either. Emotions should always be considered second place to your reasoning.

At this time, your spirit is saved and has the ability to receive the things from the Holy Spirit; however, you soul is not saved. 1 Corinthians 2:16 “for who knows the mind of the Lord, the one having been knit together with him? And we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:9 “…receiving the end of our faith; the salvation of our souls.”Because of this, you need to filter your emotions through your mind. The soul is still in a state of being separated from God – remember, death is separation, when Adam died, all three parts were separated from God; body, soul, and spirit. Because the soul is still in a state of death, it can be manipulate by the sin nature. As a matter of fact, it is the only way the sin nature can affect your thinking. Once your thinking has been changed to desire the things of the flesh, you will begin to yield your members to fulfill those desires.
Now that you know how the sin nature works, it may be tempting to react to a thought that comes from the sin nature by putting a law on it. Take for instance, you have a desire to have something that someone else has. Perhaps your neighbors just bought a new boat. They are always getting new and expensive things, things that you have always wanted. This makes you very envious of them. Well, you know from Galatians 5:19-21 that envy is a work of the sin nature. Rather than reframing your mind and yielding to righteousness, the thought comes into our mind is , “A Christian is not suppose to be envious of others.” This thought seems innocent enough, and it is true; however, if you use this thought against the sin nature you are not going to get the reaction you desire. Rather than overcoming the sin nature, you will find out that the sin nature's appetite becomes greater and harder to resist. Why? Because you are putting a law up against the sin nature, rather than living by grace.

The Sin nature

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The sin nature is a result of Adam’ trespass. When Eve took of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the devil had completely deceived her; However, Adam understood what he was doing. 1 Timothy 2:14 “and Adam was not deceived, but the woman thoroughly deceived was in transgression.”

The result was two deaths: Adam died spiritually (his spirit was separated from God and was no longer able to receive the things of the Spirit.) and physically.Physical death came from the sin, just as God said it would. “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you will not eat from it because in the day you eat from it dying you will die,” Genesis 2:17. Spiritual death; however, came from Adam’s trespass.

Romans 5:12-21. “Because of this, just as through one man sin entered the world and through sin came the death, and thus death came unto all men because all have sinned. (for up to the point of the law, sin was in the world. However, sin was not reckoned being without a law.)But death reigned as king from Adam until Moses even upon the ones who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is a type of the one about to come. But, not as the trespass thus is the gracious gift. For since by the one trespass many died, how much more by the grace from God and the gift by grace, the one through the one man Jesus Christ unto the many super abounds. And the gift is not according as through the one who sinned. For on the one hand the judgment out from one unto condemnation, but on the other hand the result of the gracious gift out from many trespasses resulted in righteousness. For since by the trespass of the one, the death reigned as king though the one, how much more the one having been received, the one abounding by the gracious gift and the gift of righteousness, in life reigns as king though the one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, just as through the result of one trespass unto all men unto condemnation, thus also through the result of the righteous act of one, unto all men unto righteousness of life. For just as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted to be sinners, thus also through the obedience of the one, the many were constituted righteous. Now the law came in, in order that the trespass should abound but where the sin nature abounded, grace super abounded, in order that just as the sin nature reigned unto death, thus also the grace should reign through righteousness unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Trespass verse Transgression: Trespass is an offence. We trespass when we determine to do something that is lacking in character, rather than taking the way of escape that God has provided for us. Transgression is a breaking of the Law. Christian’s today cannot transgress because they are not under any law. Romans 4:15 "for the law works wrath. For where there is no law, there is niether transgression."

“What will we say then? Should we remain in the sin nature in order that grace may about?” Roman 6:1

God made Adam in His own image and likeness. When Adam sinned, all humans that were born received his corrupt nature. Genesis 5:1-3 “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:” Adam was created in the likeness; however, Adam’s son was born in his image, the image Adam possessed after the fall. This image was passed on to all men and therefore condemnation was passed unto all men for all are constituted to be in Adam.

When Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead, God took us out of Adam and placed us into Christ. Now, just as God had constituted us to be condemned in Adam, in Christ, God has constituted us to be righteous. However, our sin nature did not dissolve. Rather Christ’s death rendered it ineffective, Romans 6:6 “This we experientially know, that our old man has been crucified, in order that the body of the sin nature should be rendered ineffective, no longer to be slaves to the sin nature,” Within our position in Christ, we have died to the sin nature and are no longer slaves to it.

Since we are no longer in Adam, and therefore no longer slaves to the sin nature, why should we continue to govern our lives according to the desire of the sin nature? Obviously, we should not. So how do we avoid doing the wrong things that we do not want to do so that we can do the righteous things that we want to do?

Although the sin nature has been rendered ineffective, it is only ineffective when we are living from our position in Christ. When our mind is framed on the things above, Colossian 3:1,2, and we are governing the manner of our lives according to the spirit, the sin nature has no power over us, Galatians 5:16 “But I say, govern the manner of your life by the Spirit and you will in no way fulfill the desires of the flesh.”

However, when we are framing our minds on the desires of the flesh and governing our lives in such a way as to fulfill these desires, we become a slave again to the sin nature. Romans 8:5 “for the ones who are according to the flesh frame their minds on the things of the flesh, but the ones who are according to the Spirit frame their minds of the things of the Spirit.”

Romans 6:16 “ Don’t you know that the one you present yourself to, bond slaves unto obedience, salves you are to whom you obey, whether the sin nature unto death, or obedience unto righteousness.”

“What will we say then? Should we remain in the sin nature in order that grace may about?” May it never come to be! How shall we, the ones who are dead to the sin nature, still live by it? Romans 6:2

We are dead to the sin nature in Christ and alive unto God. “ Don’t you know that the ones having been baptized into Christ Jesus , were baptized into his death? Therefore, having been buried together with him through baptism into the death, in order that just as Christ was raised out from among dead men through the glory of the Father, thus also we should govern the manner of our lives in newness of life.” Romans 6:3,4

Overcoming the sin nature begins with lining up your frame of mind with God’s opinion of you. God counts you to be dead to your sin nature and alive to Him in Christ, you need to count this to be true. It is only in this frame of mind that you are going to be able to defend yourself against the sin nature. Why? Because our defense against the sin nature is not to fight it, but rather to redirect our actions to what is righteous.

“This we experientially know, that our old man has been crucified, in order that the body of the sin nature should be rendered ineffective, no longer to be slaves to the sin nature,” Romans 6:6

We are no longer salves to the sin nature because we have died to the sin nature in Christ. Romans 6:7 “for the one having died is set free from the sin nature.”

Not only have we died with Christ, we have also risen with Christ. Romans 6:8 “but since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also be raised with Him.”

Defeating the sin nature starts with knowing you have died with Christ and have been raised to walk in newness of life; Reckon this to be true – take God at His word; then yield your members to righteousness.

Know - Reckon - Yield

Dealing with your Thoughts

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In order to deal with the thoughts that enter our minds, we need to understand what the process is for sin. If a thought is a sin, then once that thought enters our minds we have failed. However, if the thought is not a sin, then we can deal with the thought before it becomes a sin.
In the book of James, James writes about the process we go through to sin. James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

First a desire must come, whether from you are from one of your enemies. This desire comes in the form of a thought. This desire is only tempting if it relates to something you are able to do. If Satan tempted you to turn rocks into bread, the temptation would be ridiculous. Even if you wanted to do it, you could not. Although a thought has come into your mind that suggests doing something that lacks in character – maybe stealing, coveting what others have, being unthankful, etc. – until you make this thought your own you will not be tempted. “But each one is tempted (solicited to do something that lacks in character) when he is drawn away and enticed (baited) with his own lust.”

When you determine to fulfill the lust, then you have trespassed. “… then when lust has conceived… .” Conception is the same term for when the sperm and the egg come together in a woman and a child begins to grow. Sin has not happened yet; rather, you have determined to fulfill the lust and have therefore chosen to reject the way of escape. However, until the opportunity presents itself, you are not going to be able to fulfill the desire. Notice, it is from this stage that sin is produced. “…then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin…”

Sin is exterior to the body. Once a lust has conceived it will bring forth sin. James used the concept of a woman giving birth to a child to show that sin works in a similar manner. Only once the act begins is sin produced.

●●●
Understanding Matthew 5:27, 28.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, at different times He presented the Jews with the opportunity to accept His kingdom. Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand.” Jesus was the Messiah that God promised to the Jews. He was their King, their redeemer. In Matthew 5, Jesus is giving the rules of His kingdom to the Jews. Notice that Jesus states the present law and then revises it – you have heard it said… but I say… .
Within these new laws, Jesus makes a statement about looking upon a woman that seem to contradict James’ statement of sin being exterior to the body. Matthew 5:27, 28 “You have heard that it was said by them of old, you will not commit adultery. But I say to you that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Context is very important to understanding what a passage of scripture means. In this passage, Jesus is speaking only to the Jews about the rules for His kingdom. In His kingdom, a man that looks upon a woman in a manner to commit adultery with her faces punishment. This would seem that a person could sin in their mind.
In James, sin was exterior, and an offense or trespass was interior. This has not changed. In Matthew 5:29, which gives the penalty, sin is not mentioned; rather it is an offence or trespass. “and if your right eye offends you, pluck it out and cast if from you…”
If anyone in Jesus’ kingdom gets to the point of accepting a desire to commit adultery and determines to do it, they face judgment. This does not say they sinned so why are they to pluck out or cut off the member of their bodies that offend them?
To us this would seem to be to great of a burden, who can control the thoughts in their head? Bad thoughts running through your head are not sins, nor are they trespasses. That does not change in the Millennial kingdom (Christ reign for one thousand years on earth). These people are only liable when they accept a thought that is lacking in character and determine to fulfill it. This may seem difficult to us, and would be about impossible for us today because our heart (out center where our body, soul, and spirit connect and the place where are person and determinate will reside) does not naturally know the law of God. It must be taught to us. We are also not liable now for determine to act lawlessly, rather we are liable only when we perform the act. This is different for those in the Kingdom of the Son.
Jeremiah 31:33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people
All those who live during the Millennial Kingdom will have the law of God written in their hearts. God is going to change their heart so that the affect of the sin nature is countered by the law that is written on their hearts. Unlike us, it will be a rare things for them to determine to do something against the law that is written in their hearts. And in so determining, they will know they are desiring to act lawlessly because it is against what they know they should be doing.
The reason they will remove the body part that they determined to use to commit an act of lawlessness is because in Christ’s Kingdom, justice and judgment will be swift.
Matthew 13:41-42 the Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Christ will not tolerate anything that is offense in His kingdom. Everything that offends will be cast in a furnace of fire. This furnace is the lake of Fire – Matthew 5:29, the body part that offend is cast in gehenna – the lake of fire. The one that determines to commit an act of lawlessness if given a choice. Remove the part that they determined to use for the act or lawlessness, or be cast into the lake of fire with it.
This does not change how a sin comes about. Jesus does not say this person sinned; rather He states they will be held liable for the offence or trespass.
●●●

Every time we determine to do something, we go through the same process. We have a desire, then we determine to fulfill that desire. Now, the opportunity has to come in order for us do the desire that we have determine to do, so we do not always carry out our desires – whether beneficial or lacking in character.

Because the process starts with a desire, in our minds, it is very important to understand how to identify thoughts that are from one of our three enemies. However, if we do not identify a thought and we determine to fulfill that desire, until we actually perform the act we have not sinned. We can take the way of escape at any time, 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it; However, if we catch the thought when it first comes to us and reject it, we will not be consumed by the desire to do something that is lacking in character and offend God.

In order to be able to identify where a desire is coming from we need to understand which enemy is attacking and how each enemy attacks.

Frustration

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Romans 7:15 For that which I am working out, I do not know; for I am not performing what I desire, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

We have everything we need to live a godly life; however, often times we find ourselves doing the things we do not want to do and not doing the things we desire to do. What causes this conflict within a Christian?

Have you ever had a situation where you are praying, worshiping, or reading your bible and inappropriate thoughts keep entering your head? Is God real? Does God hear me? …
The thought life of a Christian is a battleground between doing what is right and doing what is wrong. All of our actions start within our thoughts. In our minds, many different desires come to us every day. We are not going to do all of these desires. Perhaps the desire is out of our reach - going to the moon - or we chose to another desire – rather than having pizza tonight, I will have a salad. Many of these desires are normal every day desires that make it possible for us to make it through the day. After all, how would we determine to get dressed in the morning, go to work, eat lunch, go home or all of the many other things we do throughout the day without desiring to do so? A desire is not always something you enjoy doing. You may not want to get up in the morning to go to work but you know you have to so you determine to do it. You still had to have the though come into your head for you to go to work and determine to do so, otherwise you would have stayed at home today. We must desire something before we do anything.

Because our thought life is so important, our enemies are going to attack us through our thoughts. You see, if one of your enemies can change the way you are thinking, it can cause you to do what it desires rather than what you desire.

There are three enemies that all Christians have: Satan and his demons; the world system; and the sin nature. Each one of these enemies begins by affecting your thinking. Satan may whisper suggestions into your thoughts or change your circumstances to get you to accept his desires as your own, John 8:44. The world system is going to attract you through your eyes and ears to lull you to sleep, 1 John 5:19. And the sin nature is going to attack you through your soul, 1 Peter 2:11. The whole purpose of these attacks is to get you to determine to do your enemies desires rather than God's desires.

Temptation, which is a solicitation to do something that lacks in character, comes from one of our three enemies. Each time we are tempted, we have a choice. Do we accept the desire, which lacks in character, as our own and seek to fulfill it, or do we reject it.

http://groups.google.com/group/vbcoregon

Some of the Benifits

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Placed as a Priest

“But you are a chosen race, a kingly priesthood, a set a part nation, a people unto a possession, in order that you should proclaim the excellencies of the one having called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
“and you yourselves, according as living stones are being build up, a spiritual house into a set a part priesthood, to bring spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Christ Jesus.” 1 Peter 2:5

Placed as a Son

“ having marked off your bounds unto the placement of sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, accord to His good pleasures.” Ephesians 1:5
Galatians 4:1-5 “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the placement of sons.”

Complete in Christ

“ and you are complete in him, which is the head of all principalities and powers.” Colossians 2:10. In Christ, we are complete before God. We do not need to add to our righteousness, purity, godliness, or humility to be acceptable to God. All that Christ has done and who He is, God reckons to us.

The Promise of Rest

Hebrews 4:1-10 “Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has thus said somewhere concerning the seventh day, "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; 5 and again in this passage, "They shall not enter My rest." 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.” This rest is not referring to a Jewish rest, but rather the rest that we find in Christ. A rest from our work to gain salvation. All that we are and will be is reckoned to us in Christ.

Seated in the Heavenlies

“and having been raised together and seated together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:6.

Part of a New Creation

“For you are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has set before hand in order that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“Therefore, sin anyone is in Christ; a new creation. Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“for in Christ Jesus circumcision has not strength, neither un-circumcision but a new creation.” Galatians 6:15

The Righteousness of God

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Philippians 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own out from a quality of Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness out from God on the basis of faith,

Sanctified

1 Corinthians 1:2 to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

Redemption

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

Provided One Spiritual Gift

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Corinthians 12:25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

Romans 12:4-8 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Liberty in Christ

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Galatians 2:4 But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.

Inlawed to Christ

1 Corinthians 9:21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law.

Part of the Building of God

Ephesians 2:21-22 in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Accepted in the beloved

Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Made Near to God

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Dead Together with Christ

Romans 6:1-11 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 ¶ For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.

Raised together with Christ

Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Colossians 3:1-2 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Romans 6:4-11 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 ¶ For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

No Condemnation

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Made one with Christ and with one another

John 17:21-24 hat they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. 22 "And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me. 24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world.
Romans 12:4-5 or just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Corinthians 12:25 hat there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

Made Saints

1 Corinthians 1:2 to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
Philippians 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

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The Better Promises

2007-10-30T05:56:00.000-07:00

“But now we have obtained a different ministry, by as much as He is a mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” Hebrews 8:6

Not only has our position changed, we are under a different covenant that is based upon better promises.

The Holy Spirit: In the upper room, Jesus spoke of a change in the relationship the disciples would have with the Holy Spirit. “the Spirit of truth, which the world is not able to receive, because it does not see Him, nor can it experientially know Him. But you experientially know Him because He remains along side of you and will be in you,” John 14:17. The Holy Spirit would no longer be beside them; rather, He would be in them. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit never indwelt a person. He came upon them and controlled their actions so they could prophesy or rule. Under the New Testament, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and fills him or her up where he or she is lacking in the fruit of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you know that you are the Holy of Holies of God and the Spirit from God dwells in you?” We are the house of God and the Holy Spirit now dwells in us. God the Father also indwells believers because we are His dwelling place. “and what agreement does the Holy of Holies of God have with idols? For you are the Holy of Holies of the living God. Just as God said, I will dwell in them and walk among them and I will be their God and they will be my people.”

The Holy Spirit also assists us in our Christian life by filling us up where we are lacking. Ephesians 5:18 “Stop getting drunk with wine, in which is no savingness ( no saving frame of mind), but be filled up (where you are lacking) by the Spirit.” Rather than controlling our minds as He did under the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit only fills us up where we are lacking concerning the fruit from the Spirit. He only does this when we are framing our minds on the things above.

The Holy Spirit also seals us until we receive our full redemption. “in whom also you, having heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, in whom also having believed you were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13

The promise of the Holy Spirit indwelling us alone makes the content of our salvation completely different from the content of salvation for the Jews and saints of Old. We have the better promises. Not only do we have the better promises, saints of other dispensations will not receive their promises until we receive ours. “And all these, having testified through their faith, did not receive what was promised because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made complete.” Hebrews 11:39, 40

Life is another promise that we have received. “Paul, and apostle of Jesus Christ through the desirous will of God according to the promise of life, the one in Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 1:1. The life that is in Christ Jesus is resurrection life. “Don’t you know that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be rendered ineffective, that henceforth we should not serve the sin nature. 7 For he that is dead is freed from the sin nature. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead died no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto the sin nature once: but in that he lives, he lives unto God. 11 Likewise you reckon also yourselves to be dead indeed unto the sin nature, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:1-11

God counts or puts to our account that we have died to our sin nature because we have died with Christ, and are alive unto God, in Christ, to walk in newness of life. We are not dead. We are alive. We are no longer slaves to our sin nature, which produced the works of the flesh in our lives. Now we are a slave to righteousness. “but thanks to God that you were slaved to the sin nature but you heard and responded out from the heart into that form of doctrine to be learned and practiced which was delivered, and having been made free from the sin nature you were made slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:17, 18.

Resurrection life is eternal life lived out. At salvation, the Holy Spirit regenerated our spirit, Titus 3:5. He joined us to the divine essence, 2 Peter 1:4, and all three member of the Godhead indwelled us, 1 John 4:15. The Holy Spirit also placed us into the body of the Christ, a new creation 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 12:13. We have eternal life because we have the Son of God, 1 John 5:12. We can live out this life because God has put us in a position where He counts us to have already died to our sin nature and to be raised to walk in newness of life before Him. Resurrection life is living according to the fact that you are now alive to God.

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Spiritually Minded

2007-10-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

How your mind is framed directly affects your actions. When your mind is framed on the things above – your position and possessions – your actions are going to line up with who you are in Christ. The Holy Spirit will also begin to teach you how to feel at ease in Christ and produce fruit in your life. “and the anointing, which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not have need in order that anyone should teach you concerning all things, and is truth and is not a lie, and just as he taught you, abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27. As we follow the context, John is stating that the Holy Spirit is our true teacher and that He teaches us to feel at ease in Christ. As you frame your mind on who you are in Christ, and line up your opinion of yourself to what God’s opinion of you is, the Holy Spirit will begin to put things together for you. “which things also we speak not by the doctrine of wisdom of man’s words, but we speak in the doctrine from the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual words with spiritual things.” 1 Corinthians 2:13.

What you frame your mind on directly affects what you are able to receive. When you are framing your mind on the things of the Spirit, you are using your new mind, Romans 12:2, and are able to receive the things from the Spirit.

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Carnally Minded

2007-10-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 3:1 “and I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as spiritual, but as carnal, as inarticulate babblers in Christ.”

The Corinthian saints were not growing in their relationship with Christ because they were emanating the flesh, or carnal. There was strife, divisions, and envy among them and they were walking, governing the manner of their lives, according to men, not according to who they were in Christ.

Walking according to the flesh is a problem that all Christians can face many times throughout their lives. As a matter of fact, we tend to frame our minds more of the things of the flesh than the things of the Spirit because prior to salvation, the things of the flesh were the only things we thought. “But the soulish man is not able to receive the things from the Spirit of God, for they are foolish to him and he is not able to experientially know them, because they are spiritually examined,” 1 Corinthians 2:14.

Framing your mind according to the desires of the flesh will produce the works of the flesh in your life. “Now the works of the flesh are manifested, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, religious superstitious awe, enmity, strife, zeal, inner burning angers, rivalries, dissensions, factions, envy, murder, carousing, and things like these…” Galatians 5:21

By producing the works of the flesh in your life, you are acting as though you are still in Adam. Your are not considering who you are in Christ; rather, you are seeking to fulfill the desires of your flesh. When a Christian is producing the works of the flesh, he or she is acting just like an unsaved person.

Someone that is carnal will not grow in his or her Spiritual life. “For the result of the framing of the mind concerning the flesh is death, but the result of the framing of the mind concerning the Spirit is life and peace, because the result of the framing of the mind concerning the flesh is hostility towards God, for it is not subject to the law from God, nor does it have the ability to be subject to the law of God. So the ones being in the flesh are not able to please God.” Romans 8:6-8

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Framing your Mind

2007-10-26T05:37:00.000-07:00

In Colossian 3:1, 2, Paul instructs us to set our reflective thinking, or frame of mind, on things above. “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your reflective thinking on things above, not on the things of the earth.”

Reflective thinking, in Colossians 3, is the type of thinking that we do every day while we go about our daily duties. We frame our minds in different ways depending upon how we perceive ourselves; how you identify who you are in your own mind. Our reflective thinking directly affects how we perceive ourselves. Our reflective thinking needs to be focused on things above so that our frame of mind, how we perceive ourselves, is affect in such a way that it lines up with how God identifies us in His mind.

Remember, old things have passed away, all things are new, 1 Corinthians 5:17. The way we recognize ourselves needs to change to match who we really are now in Christ.

What are the things above? Things are not persons; they are your position and possessions. You do not focus your mind on an imaginary Jesus – you have not seen Jesus so you cannot truly imagine what He looks like. Use your renewed mind, Romans 12:2, and focus on the things that relate to who you are in Christ now.

There are two area in which you can frame your mind: the flesh and the Spirit. Romans 8:4, 5 “The righteousness of the principle of the Spirit is made full in us, the one not governing their manner of life according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit, for the ones walking according to the flesh, set their reflective thinking on the things of the flesh, but the ones walking according to the Spirit, they set their reflective thinking on the things of the Spirit.”

I used the word “principle” rather than “law” because within the English language we have four words to explain one Greek word: laws, regulations, principles, and standards. Each one of these has a distinctly different aspect. There are manmade laws and regulations; however, we also use the word “law” for things that happen because of the nature of something; principles. The laws of nature are those things that happen because it is natural for them to happen. The Greek word is expressing this meaning in Romans 8. Christians are not under any quality of law – rules regulating your life and status before God, Romans 6:14 “for the sin nature will not lord it over you. For you are not under any quality of law, but under grace.”

The law of the Spirit is not referring to a set of regulations for the Christian but rather the natural result that comes from walking by the Spirit. When you frame your mind on who you are in Christ, you are relating to the Spirit. As you begin to feel more and more at ease in your position in Christ, the Holy Spirit will begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life. When you frame your mind on the things of the flesh you are relating to the flesh and naturally produce the works of the flesh.

Framing Your Mind

2007-10-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

2 Peter 3:14-18 Therefore, beloved, looking for these things, spotless and blameless in him, be diligent to be found in peace, 15 and consider the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, experientially knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and experiential knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him is the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Grace does not stop at salvation. Remember, grace is an attitude whereby God gives us benefits without considering merit. Christians share in a quality of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:4; are immersed into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:13; are placed as sons, Ephesians 1:5; are legitimate children of God, 1 John 3:9; are righteous before God, Romans 5:1; just to name a few of these benefit. Now, we are going to look at how to use all of our benefits that God has given us in our daily lives.

Although we do not have our full redemption yet, the body and soul are waiting to be saved until we receive our full redemption, our position has changed. We are no longer in Adam, no longer considered condemned in God’s mind. We are now in Christ, and not only in Christ, but totally complete in Christ, Colossians 2:8-10. Now, in order to benefit from this change, we must alter our frame of mind to match what God thinks about us, because how we frame our minds directly affects our actions.

Partaking and Sharing

2007-10-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

Partakers in the Divine Nature

When the Holy Spirit joined our spirit to God’s essence, we became partakers of His divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4 “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of a quality of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”

Nature is the combination of the essence and attributes of a person or thing. John 4:24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Attributes are natural abilities that the essence can perform. God’s attributes are: omnipotent, omniscient, holy (set apart), righteous, goodness, love, and truth. We share in a quality of His nature, which is expressed in us by the Holy Spirit when the fruit of the Spirit is produced in us.

Sharing the Mind of Christ

Remember, the spirit relates to our rational part, 1 Corinthians 2:11. The part of us that has the ability to intuitively know things. Due to regeneration, we now have a renewed mind. Romans 12:1-2 “ I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this legal age, but be transformed by the renewedness of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” This renewed mind has the ability to think the thoughts of God. In other words, we now have the ability to receive the things from the Spirit, which we did not have the ability to receive before we were saved. 1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has experientially known the mind of the Lord, the one knit together with him? and we have the mind of Christ.”

A Legitimate Child of God

2007-10-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

The Seed of God within Us – a legitimate child of God

There is a distinct difference in Scripture between a child and a son. Often times due to the miss-translation of the Greek words, the difference between child and son is obscured. When the Holy Spirit immersed us into the Body of Christ, He placed us as sons. Many translations say “adoption of sons”, however, when you are a true child, you cannot be adopted.

1 John 3:9 “ every one born out from God does not habitually sin, because His seed remains in him and he does not have the ability to habitually sin, because he is born out from God.” God’s seed is in everyone that is born out from God. John is speaking to Christians in his letter and directly addresses them in verse seven of this same chapter. My little children… . We have the seed of God within us and are born out from God and are therefore legitimate children of God. We are not adopted; rather, we are placed as sons.

Galatians 4:6 “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"”

Galatians 4:7 “Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Hebrews 2:10 “ For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.”

Romans 8:17 “and since children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”

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Regeneration - the other side of Salvation

2007-10-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

Regeneration

Spirit baptism – being placed into the Body of Christ- is not the only major thing that happens when you are saved. The Holy Spirit also regenerates you. Regeneration happened in your spirit when the Holy Spirit gave you life.

Humans are tri-part creatures. We have a physical body, a soul, and a spirit, 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

The spirit is the part of us that has the ability to understand, 1 Corinthians 2:11 “For what man intuitively knows the things of a man expect the spirit of the man in him?” Intuitive knowledge is the type of knowledge that is referred to as head knowledge.

The soul is our emotional part and the physical body is the part that we use to express the immaterial parts.

Regeneration happens in the spirit. When we expressed faith at Christ through gospel for salvation, the Holy Spirit placed us into the Body of Christ, and regenerated us, Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”

A Christian's spirit is joined with God’s spirit and the Godhead indwells him or her, 1 Corinthians 6:17. “but the one joined with the Lord is one spirit.” We are now the temple of God. “Don’t you know that you are the holy of holies of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16.

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Sonship

2007-10-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

Not only are we placed into the Body of Christ, reckoned to have died with Christ and to have risen with Christ to walk in newness of life unto God, we have within the Body of Christ a position. This position has to do with how God treats us. To understand how this works we need to go back to the Roman era, and look at the position of a child within the family structure. When a male child was born into a Roman family, that child, although he would be the heir of his father’s household, was treated in the same way as a slave, Galatians 4:1 “Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ from a slave, being lord of all…” The father chose the time when the child would become a son. Son in our society refers to a male child. Son in the Romans society referred to the position the child held within the family. As a child, the male child was not treated any differently than the slaves, however, when the father considered it to be the right time he placed his child as a son, which meant he was now over all the household. Only the father himself was above the son, Galatians 4:2 “…but he is under tutors and stewards until the appointed time of the father…”

The Greek word that is often translated “adoption” means “the placement of sons.” It is a combination of two words: "son" and "to place."This word is referring to the position or status of a child within the family.

The Jews, who were under the Mosaic Law, were treated as children. The law controlled every aspect of their life, Galatians 3:23, 24. We, however, are not treated as children because we are placed as son, Ephesians 1:5 “having our bounds marked of unto the placement of sons through Jesus Christ into himself, according to the good pleasures of His desirous will.”

As sons, we are no longer under any quality of law, Romans 8:15 “For you have not received the spirit of bondage again, but you have received the Spirit of son placement, whereby we cry Abba, Father.”

In Christ, whether you are male or female, the Holy Spirit has placed you as a son. Remember, in Christ there is no difference between us. Although we have a position within Christ, we all hold the same status. There is no Male or Female, there is no Jew or Greek, there is no Slave of Free Man, we are all equal in Christ, we are all sons, Galatians 3:28.

You were taken out of Adam and placed into Christ. You now have a position in Christ as a son – a place of privilege where you are not under any quality of law. Now let’s look at the other side, Christ is you.

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Clothed with Christ

2007-10-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

We are now clothed with Christ. God no longer sees you in His mind as one who is condemned in Adam. Now you have put on Christ as an outward garment. “For as many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ as an outward garment” Galatians 3:27. All that Christ is, is now reckoned to you in God’s mind. One day, we will be completely like Christ, “Brethren, now we are the children of God and it has not yet appeared what we shall be. We intuitively know that when He appears we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is,” 1 John 3:2. Our complete redemption is so absolute that God already counts us to have it. When God looks at you, He sees Christ and that is therefore how God thinks about you and in this frame of mine God relates to you. God’s opinion of you is equal to His opinion of Christ because you are in Christ. Now, we need to act in this way. “Be renewed by the Spirit in the workings of your mind, and put on the new man, the one created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:24. Act in accordance to who you really are.

Definitions

The truth – seeing things are they really are.

Holy – separated or set apart.

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The Old and the New

2007-10-18T05:33:00.000-07:00

Now that we are in "The Christ", old things have passed away and all things have become new. 2 Corinthian 5:17 “Since someone is in Christ; a new creation, the old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” What are the old things and how has everything become new? We find the answer to this question in Romans 5:12-21 among other places. Sin came into the world through Adam, which brought with it death. Because all are in Adam, death was passed onto all mankind. This death is referring to physical death. “Because of this, just as through one man the sin entered the world and through the sin, the death, and thus death passed unto all men, on account of all have sinned… .” Unfortunately, physical death is not the only thing that we inherited from Adam. We also inherited spiritual death. Romans 5: 15 “… But not according as the trespass thus also the gracious gift. For since by the one trespass the many died, much more the grace from God and the free gift by grace in the one man Jesus Christ abounded unto the many.” As a result of spiritual death, our nature has been warped. We now possess a nature that seeks to do those things that lack in character rather than what is righteous and good.

Nature

The nature of anything is the essence and attributes of that thing. Essence is the underlying structure or substance. (God is Spirit, John 4:24)
Attributes are the natural abilities of the essence. We have the ability to think, communicate, express emotions, etc.
The combination of the essence and attributes is the nature.

Two Deaths?

In Romans 5:12-21 Paul writes of a death coming from sin and a death coming from trespass. A trespass and a sin are completely different so they could not have brought about the same death. In the book of James, how a sin comes about is stated . This helps to show why sins and trespasses are different. “Let no one say when he is solicited to do something lacking in character (tempted) that he is tempted from God. For God is not tempted with that which lacks in character and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when from his very own desires he is dragged away and lured out. Then the lust conceives and bears sin and sin , when it is complete brings forth death.” James 1:13-15

At this point we need to define what exactly sin is. 1 John 3:4 “all the ones doing the sin also do lawlessness, for the sin is the lawlessness”. Sin is equal to lawlessness. When a person is acting as through God has no standards by which he or she is to live, this is sin. Sin was distinctly spelled out under law; Christians are not under any quality of law. However, this does not mean Christians have no standards. Christians are to live out from their new nature not from their sin nature.It all starts with a temptation, a solicitation to do something that is against your nature or lacks in character. There are three main areas were these temptations come from, which we will study thoroughly later in this study. A desire comes into your mind, whether from you or from one or your enemies. You make this desire your own – it become desirable to you. At this point, no sin and no trespass have happened. You can refuse the desire. It may be desirable; however, you may still determine that it is not something you will do. A trespass happens when you determine to do the desire that lacks in character – lust conceives. Sin has not happened because the act has not been performed. Mark 7:15 “There is nothing from outside of a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 “Flee immorality. Every sin that a man commits is exterior to the body, but fornication is a sin against his very own body.” The determination to fulfill the lust eventually births act, which is sin.

When Adam trespassed, he determined in his mind to eat the fruit handed to him by his wife knowing that he was disobeying God, 1 Timothy 2:14 "and Adam was not deceived, but the woman being thoroughly deceived came to be in transgression." This brought about spiritual separation from God. Physical death, however, did not come until Adam actually ate the fruit, which was his sin.

These deaths brought about condemnation. When The Holy Spirit placed us into The Christ all this changed. Our position in Adam and the condemnation that comes with it is gone. These are the old things that have passed away that Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Unfortunately, physical death and the sin nature were not removed from us when we were taken out of Adam and placed into Christ. They will be when we receive our full redemption. Because they have not been removed at this time, we still physically die and have a nature that tends to do things that lack in character. However, there is hope. Now that we are no longer in Adam, we can live in newness of life unto God, rather than as slaves to the sin nature because we now also possess a new nature.

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What is Death?

2007-10-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

The word death means separation. When a person dies, his or her soul and spirit are separated from their body. Spiritual death is when our spirit is separated from God. This is how all men are born because we inherit this death from Adam. Being spiritually dead makes it impossible for us to receive the things of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 “ But a soulish man does not receive the things from the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him and he does not have the ability to experientially know them.”

Baptism

2007-10-17T05:26:00.000-07:00

Spirit Baptism

Baptism is a very important part of the Christian life. Through Spirit baptism, we are placed into the Body of Christ. In the Body of Christ, we receive certain benefits that directly affect how we live. In this chapter, we are going to look at baptism and the Body of Christ.

What does baptism mean?

The word baptism is not translated in most translations, rather, it is transliterated. Transliteration is the practice of taking a word from one language and substituting its letters with the letters of another language. The Greek word is "baptizo" and the English word baptism is a transliteration not a translation of this Greek word. Baptism is taken from the original word and altered for our language. (Because we do not use ending on our words to express the different cases – in, to, at, etc. – the words are not identical, rather, baptism is altered to a noun form (baptisma) that fits into the English language.) All this is to say that the word baptism in most translations is not actually translated. Therefore, to understand what baptism is, we need to translate it.

Through investigating how the word is used, we can determine the true meaning. The word baptism was used for the dipping of a garment into dyed, or the tip of a sword into a bowl before battle. The word Baptism carries the idea of immersion, not of sprinkling. When John the Baptist was baptizing people in the Jordon River, he was submersing them into the water.
When you were saved, you were immersed (baptized) into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit we all were baptized into one Body, whether Jew or Greek, whether slave or free man, we were all made to drink by one Spirit.” The Holy Spirit places us into the Body of Christ, which is Spirit baptism.

The Body of Christ is a new creation that was made by God on the day of Pentecost – the day the Holy Spirit came to reside upon the earth in believers, Acts 2. Within this new creation, some changes have happened that are important to understand. 2 Corinthian 5:17 “Since someone is in Christ; a new creation, the old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” Many translations have “a new creature”, however, the word here is creation and is translated by many of these same translations as “creation” in all other sections were it is found. We are not a new creature, we are in a new creation. This creation is referred to in Scripture as The Christ. In The Christ, Christ is the Head and we are the Body, Ephesians 1:22, 23.(I am using "The Christ" because in Scripture an article is often before the word Christ, which helps identify a reference to the body of Christ, Christ as the head and the church as the body.)

Water Baptism

Water baptism is a representation of your death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. The immersion into water represents your immersion into the Body of Christ. In Christ, God counts you to have died with Christ and to have risen with Christ. You are alive unto God to live a life that is no longer bound by the sin nature but rather is a slave to righteousness, Romans 6:4-11.
What is the purpose of water baptism? Water baptism does not clean away our sin, the blood of Christ does that. Water baptism is for our conscience before God. 1 Peter 3:12 “which now an antitype (a figure) even baptism saves us, not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but an appeal of a good conscience into God, through the resurrection of Christ.” Water baptism saves us from a bad conscience before God.

Feeling At Ease

2007-10-16T05:57:00.000-07:00

In John 15, Jesus speaks about the vine, the vine dresser, and the branches. Jesus is speaking about a new relationship that Christians will have with Him and God the Father. Christ will be in us and we will be in him. “…Abide in me and I in you… .” Our Christian life and relationship with Christ is likened to a vine and its branches. The branches depend upon the vine not only for life, but also for the ability to produce fruit in the same way we depend upon our position in Christ in order to produce the fruit of the Spirit and live out our new life.

John 15 :1, 2, 4 “I am the true vine and my Father is the farmer (Vine dresser). All the branches in me not bearing fruit, He lifts up and all the branches bearing fruit he cleanses in order that it should bear more fruit … abide in me and I in you. Just as the branch does not have the ability to bear fruit from itself except it abide in the vine, in a similar way you are not able to produce fruit expect you abide in me.”

Feeling at ease in the Vine

The word “abide or remain” is one of the Greek words for occupying a space. Abide carries the idea of feeling at ease with where you are located; it is the type of feeling that you have when you are in your own home. You are comfortable with where you are. Abiding in Christ not only has to do with how comfortable you are in your position in Christ, but also with who you are in Christ. As we mature in our Christian lives, we should become more and more familiar and comfortable with who we are in Christ. As we mature and live from our position in Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to produce fruit in our lives. The more comfortable we are in Christ, the more the Holy Spirit will show the life of God through ours.

Learning how to abide starts with learning about what happened at salvation. How did our lives change before God? We need to understand what God’s opinion of us is now in order to feel comfortable with who we are before Him. In salvation, two changes happen simultaneously: our position is changed, and life is given to us. Our position before God is changed through baptism. We are given life through regeneration.

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The Foundation of your Salvation

2007-10-15T05:25:00.000-07:00

What do you base your salvation upon?

A proper and strong foundation is necessary to support what is built upon it. Whether it is an augment or a building, the strength of the foundation determines how well what is built upon it stands up to criticism. The Christian life is no different in this aspect. The foundation for your salvation is what determines the strength of your salvation. What are you basing your salvation upon?

In 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 Paul reminds the believers in Corinth how they were saved. “For I delivered to you first that which I also received, that Christ died on behalf of our sins according to the scripture, and that he was buried, and that he raised on the third day according to the scripture.”

In verse 2 Paul states that this is the gospel through which you are saved. The word “through” has the idea of the agent by which something is done. We are saved by directing the faith that the Holy Spirit gives us, towards Christ, through this Gospel, Philippians 1:29; 1 Corinthians 3:5.

This is a solid foundation because your salvation depends upon what Christ has already done, not upon what you are or will do. Also, because we receive this salvation by faith through grace, it is not based upon works, but rather grace.

I am not using the word forgive here because I want you to understand the distinction between what happened in the Old Testament and what happens in the New Testament with sin. The blood of goats and bulls covered sin, in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, our sins are not covered up, they are sent away.

Grace is God’s attitude by which He provides a benefit without consideration of merit. In other words, you cannot earn grace because it is not given on the bases of your works. As a matter of fact, works and grace do not mix in any way, Romans 11:6.

Jesus had to die because it was His blood that provided a means for sin to be sent away. Hebrews 9:22… without the shedding of blood there is no sending away (of sins). Hebrews 9:28 Christ was delivered once for all concerning the sins of many. Without the shedding of Jesus’ blood for your sins, your sins would not be sent away. Because grace does not overlook sin, or the penalty, Christ’s death made it possible for God to express grace towards us. Grace does not look at the work or value of the one graced, however, that does not imply that grace must be shown to everyone. It would not be a righteous act by God to show you grace by ignoring your sins. The condemnation upon you had to be dealt with before grace could be given.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen, Hebrews 11:1
Faith gives hope substance; hope is based upon a promise, Romans 8:23, 24. Faith is therefore an expression of our trust in a promise that God has given us. Faith is not blind, it gives substance to our hope in a promise from God.
Faith in the blood of Christ is taking God at His word concerning Christ’s blood – that through the sacrifice of Christ, our sins are sent away.

Christ’s death showed that God has been acting righteous towards sin, even when it appeared that He was overlooking sin, Romans 3:25, “Whom God set before, a propitiation (satisfaction) through faith in his blood, into the demonstration of His righteousness because of the passing over of sin previously committed.”

The resurrection is also a very important part of salvation. If you leave out the resurrection, you leave out the proof of our justification. Romans 4:24- 5:1, “but also because of us, those it is about to be imputed to, the one believing on the one having raised Jesus our Lord out from among dead men, who was delivered because of our trespasses and raised because of our justification. Therefore, having been justified by faith we have peace with God… .” Christ was raised because of our justification. The resurrection is proof that we are righteous before God.

Now, as if this is not enough proof already, God provides even stronger proof that our salvation is secure. Our salvation is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13, 14 “In who also, having heard the word of true, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also you believed having been sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of your inheritance, until the full redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.”An earnest is a guarantee that you will receive the entire purchased item. We were purchased by the blood of Christ, Acts 20:28, and given the Holy Spirit as a guarantee to receive our full redemption. The Godhead cannot be divided. God cannot default on our salvation without losing His down payment, which is one of the members of the Godhead. This is the concept that God is expressing here. The foundation of your salvation is so solid that one of the members of the Godhead is the guarantee that you will receive full redemption.

“For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not out from you, it (salvation by grace through faith) is a free gift from God, not out from works, in order that no one should boast,” Ephesians 2:8, 9