Tag Archives: Christianity

Philemon 1- No Longer A Slave

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For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. Philemon 1:15-16

The question we love to ask God is why? Why did this happen to me? Why did I have to go through this? As we grow in Christ, we learn that God allows these things to happen, because it makes us stronger in the long run. As the Apostle Paul said “And we know that God works for the good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) This can be difficult for us to grasp or comprehend, however Gods ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8)

The Apostle Paul makes a very divine observation here “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose” Even though at one time Onesimus may have seemed unforgivable or rebellious, God needed him to go through this hard time to lead him to Christ. You can imagine when Onesimus stole from Philemon, who was his boss, his master, he was disgraced, he had to go on the run to hide for his life. 

And it’s interesting to think about, this situation not only changed Onesimus, but it also changed Philemon, and eventually the whole Church community of Colossae. You could imagine, Philemon was probably extremely angry with Onesimus, he probably even wished harm on him, but Paul was reminding him, you are a brother in Christ now. As Paul taught them “Forgive because Christ has forgiven us” (Ephesians 4:32)

Paul reminds them about Onesimus “No longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother” Powerful reminder of the gospel message, Onesimus was no longer a literal and spiritual slave, He was set free by Christ, He is a brother in Christ to the Church community, including Philemon. This is the same for us! We are no longer slaves to sin and the devil, we are now children of God through Jesus Christ ! (Galatians 3:26)

“Especially to me” Paul reveals how him and Onesimus became great friends while in prison united by Christ. And if the Apostle Paul spoke highly of Onesimus then they should receive him in regards to Pauls witness. “And how much more to you” Paul is telling the Church, Onesimus will be of great service to their community, he went from being a despised slave to a beloved brother in Christ! 

How can this happen? As the Apostle Paul states “In The Lord” its all because of Jesus we can be saved, we can be redeemed, we can be Born Again, from a slave to a brother! Amen!

Romans 8- God Be For Us!

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What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Romans 8:31-33

As a Christian, you are in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) There is an ongoing battle for your soul, Satan wants to destroy you (1 Peter 5:8) while Jesus Christ wants to save you (1 Timothy 1:15) The question is what side of the battle are you on? Are you in The Lord’s army? (Joshua 5:13-15) Or are you another casualty of Satan and his dark Kingdom? Make no mistake, you are in the battle whether you realize it or not, there is only One who can save your soul, thats Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:28)

There is good news, this is what the word gospel means, Christ has already defeated Satan, sin, death, and Hell, we have victory in Jesus! (1 Corinthians 15) As the Apostle Paul states to us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (v31) All the demonic forces in the world can’t touch your soul, because you have the Spirit of the Living God inside of You, you are washed and protected by the blood of Christ, you are sanctified by the Holy Spirit , there is no demon that can stand against you! We have Victory in Christ!

That’s what really happened at the cross, while Satan thought he killed the Son of God, the Son of God actually crushed the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15) Satan was defeated at the cross, death was defeated at the cross, sin was paid for at the cross , if God is for us, there is nobody who can stand against us in Jesus name! That is the power of the cross, that is what Jesus accomplished when He said “It Is Finished” (John 19:30)

Then of course on the 3rd day, Sunday morning Christ rose from the dead, this is why the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith! Because Christ Is Risen, we can rise again with him! If you want a sign that death is defeated, Christ Is Risen! If you want assurance of Gods promises, Christ Is Risen! If you want to know why nobody can stand against you, its because Christ Is Risen!

God did not spare His own son, Jesus Christ, God so loved the world, God so loved you, He gave His Only Begotton Son, to die for our sins, to defeat sin, death, and Hell, repent and believe the gospel, repent and give your life to Jesus Christ, because Christ has already given his life for you! 

We are justified by the Father, we are atoned for by the Son, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, All glory to God, Holy, Holy, Holy , Amen!

Romans 8- Will of God

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And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

One thing we have to remember is “God is in complete control” Many people will argue against the existence of God because of the evil in this world, but understand this world is under the curse because of sin (Genesis 3:17) However even though this world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19) God is in control, and “God will work all things for our good” (v28) This is a difficult concept for our minds to comprehend, how can anything good come from this fallen world, but in Christ we have the final victory as Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33)

Let me ask you, are you fulfilling your calling in Christ? As the Apostle Paul reveals here “to them who are called according to His purpose” You might say I don’t see God working in my life or I don’t see spiritual fruit being produced, the question you should be asking yourself are you following Gods will for your life? Or are you trying to enforce your own will on God? As the Apostle James says “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3) You are enforcing your own will instead Gods will for your life, therefor you never grow in The Lord

So what is Gods will for our life? Here is good insight by the Apostle Paul “to be conformed to the image of his Son” The goal in our life should be to be like our Lord Jesus. This is a process call sanctification of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5) you should be growing in The Lord, The Holy Spirit is working on you every day, to be more like Jesus. The carnally minded person says “I don’t want that”, well then your not Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) 

Then the Apostle Paul gives us some great theology here , first God calls, then justifies, then glorifies. You are first called by Christ to be saved (1 Corinthians 1:9) Yes we need to respond to this calling, but God has called you to come home! But of course we are separated from God because of our sin (Isaiah 59:2) This is what Jesus did for us on the cross, he died for our sins and made us justified before our Father (2 Corinthians 5:21) You might say, but I’m still stuck in this sinful body, one day you will be resurrected into a glorified perfect body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) During this process our souls are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and we are sealed for the day of our redemption (Ephesians 1:13)

This is the will for your life, be more like Jesus, how to be more like Christ? Repent and turn to Jesus , Christ will save and transform your life, Amen!

Romans 8- Pray for Us, Holy Spirit!

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Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God Romans 8:26-27

Jesus said “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7) The Holy Spirit was sent to us for our advantage, for many reasons, the Holy Spirit is our Counselor, our Teacher, our Comforter, our Advocate, (John 14:26) But also as we learn from the scriptures today, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what to pray

We have all been there , when our life was in desperation, maybe we were going through a trial or tribulation, and we wanted to cry out to our Heavenly Father, however the pain we were dealing with is so great, we don’t know where to even begin or what to say. As the Apostle Paul teaches us “The Spirit helps us in our weakness/infirminities” This might be why the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter, (John 14:26) You are not alone, you are never alone, because the Spirit of the Living God lives inside of You as a Born Again Believer in Christ

“For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (v26) When we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit will pray for us, the Holy Spirit will intercede to the Father and Son for You. This is how connected you are with God in Christ. So even if you don’t know what to say, get on your knees and allow the Holy Spirit to pray for you. 

As the Apostle Paul also reveals “ He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is” God searches your heart and mind, God already knows what your going to say before you even say it, God knows whats on your heart and mind even if you don’t say it, this is the relationship we have with our Father through Jesus Christ. If the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, the Holy Spirit knows your life, there is nothing that can be hidden from God. If you are suffering, the Holy Spirit knows your suffering, if your rejoicing, the Holy Spirit knows your rejoicing. This is why the Holy Spirit can intercede for you to God.

If you want to connect with God and don’t know what to say, pray and allow the Holy Spirit to intercede for you , as the Apostle Paul says here “because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” The Holy Spirit makes intercession for you according to the will of God. If you reject the Holy Spirit, you are rejecting the will of God. It is to your advantage that Christ has sent you the Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 8- What Is Your Hope?

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For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance Romans 8:22-25

Many non-believers will ask the question “How can there be a God, when there is so much evil in the world”? What most of them don’t understand, by them acknowledging evil exists, they are acknowledging God exists. If God didn’t exist, then there would be no standard of good and evil, how do we define evil without God? If we are just random molecules that have evolved into humans with no purpose or future, what does it matter if there is evil in the world? But as the Apostle Paul reveals under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” (Romans 1:20)

So the whole creation groans and labors until the return of Christ! You hear it everyday, people complaining about the status of the world, the difference is us Christians have hope because of Christ, while the rest of the world has no hope, just misery in the suffering of the fallen world. The Apostle Paul describes our current state like a woman in labor pains, Jesus actually described it this way also “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.” (John 16:21)

The Apostle Paul goes on to describe it “we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” What is the Apostle Paul referring to here? Paul is referencing the final resurrection, when we are raised and given our glorified bodies (2 Corinthians 5:2) There will be no more pain, suffering, or death (Revelation 21:4) For death has been defeated at the cross by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33) So I will ask you, what gives you hope in this fallen world? 

“For we were saved in this hope” (v24) We have hope and victory in Jesus Christ, again I ask what is your hope? Without Christ there is no hope for you in this world, the world will continue to groan in its pain and suffering because of its sin, but Christ has given us victory. As the author of Hebrews states “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

And this should be the motto of the Church “we eagerly await for it with perseverance” (v25) I have good news for you brothers and sisters, Jesus is coming back! Wait for it with perseverance and patience, don’t fall away to the miseries of this world, stay on the narrow path of life! Amen!

Romans 7- Are You Good?

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For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  Romans 7:18-20

Are you a good person? Most people when asked this they will say “Yes”, I do this and that, I’m not as bad as this other person, the majority of people have a false sense of security in their own salvation. And if you ask people, are you going to Heaven? Oh yes, why should God let you into Heaven? Well I’m a good person, I give to charity, I did this and that. God will surely let me , right?

Jesus said “Nobody is “good” except God alone” (Mark 10:18) What does Jesus mean by this? If you look at the Greek word translated as “good” here its “agathos” that word means morally excellent. What Jesus is saying is “Nobody is sinless except God” So let me ask you again, are you a good person? Well maybe? The Apostle Paul said “For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23) All mean all, that mean myself, you, and everyone. There is nobody “good”, there is nobody who is going to make it into Heaven based on their moral character. 

As the Apostle Paul states here “For I know that in me dwells nothing good” That’s a pretty strong statement. But the Apostle Paul understands his sinfulness and need for Christ, do you understand this? Someone recently asked me “Why do so few people actually accept Jesus”? And we can go into a deep theological debate, but to simplify I believe its because most people don’t understand their level of depravity. Most people think of themselves as “good” people who really don’t need a Savior. Just give us the golden ticket to Heaven and we’ll be on our way! But that’s not how this works, Jesus said “You must be Born Again” (John 3:3)

The Apostle Paul said “My flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit” (Galatians 5:17) How many people would be honest enough to admit this? As Paul says here “The good that I will to do, I do not do, but the evil I will not to do, I practice” (v19) This is a shocking statement from the Apostle, right? Imagine if your Pastor was honest enough to tell you this? Are you honest to state this? We must crucify our flesh daily, every minute , every hour, every second (Galatians 5:24)

We hate our sin, but our flesh desires it, this is why we desperately need Jesus Christ, we need Jesus every second, every minute, every hour. As soon as we unyoke from Christ, we are like dogs back to our own vomit (Proverbs 26:11) I reflect upon the woman caught in adultery, (John 8) On here knees about to be executed for her sins, but she cries out to The Lord and clings to Him. You do the same, cling to Jesus for salvation and go and sin no more! (John 8:11) Amen!

Romans 7- Spirit vs Flesh

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Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Romans 7:13-17

Do you love your sin? This may seem like a strange question, but this really shows the heart of the matter so to speak. The Apostle Paul talked about previously how The Law reveals our sin, and reveals our wretched nature in need of a savior. And many people repent of their sins on a daily or maybe a weekly basis, but do they really want turn away from their sin? Or is our repentance just lip service to God? 

The Apostle Paul says “Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10) Do we have sorrow over our sins? When we sin, does it make us sick or do we we just keep sinning and wait for Sunday morning all over again? This is what the Apostle Paul is addressing in our scriptures today, The Law reveals our sinful nature, but our New Nature in Christ mourns over this spiritual depravity

“The Law is Spiritual , but I am Carnal, a slave to sin” Most people probably don’t think of The Law as Spiritual, this is why we hate The Law of God. Think about it, try reading the Ten Commandments to people and see their response, even to self professed “Christians”, people hate The Law because we are carnal and The Law is spiritual. However The Law reveals Gods nature and our depravity, The Law turns us to Christ and not to ourselves for salvation!

The battle with the flesh and spirit are real, this is why we are commanded to “Take up our cross daily” (Luke 9:23) You are still a prisoner in this fallen body, as the Apostle Paul states here “ what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” (v15) Unless I crucify my flesh, I seek the desires of the flesh, unless I walk in the Spirit, I will not produce fruits of The Spirit. Its a daily spiritual battle of the flesh and the spirit!

So back to the original question, do you love your sin or do you hate it? The Apostle Paul describes it here “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” (v17) This is why you will never be able to save yourself, you will never be able to “earn your salvation” it’s only in Christ, by Christ, and through Christ we can be saved! Amen!

Romans 7- The Law

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What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Romans 7:7-12

As Christians, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) So how does The Law factor into our lives? Many Christians would say the Law has been abolished, but The Lord Jesus said “ I have not come to abolish The Law but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17) Infact without The Law there is no Gospel, how do we know we are sinners without The Law? How do we know we need a Savior without The Law? The Law is our tutor/schoolmaster/trainer/guardian that leads us to Christ (Galatians 3:24)

The Apostle Paul begins with the question “Is The Law Sin”? He answers with a big No, The Law is not sin, The Law reveals our sins to us. As Paul says “I would have not known sin, except by The Law” The Law reveals our sinful nature, as a mirror (James 1:23) The Law is Gods Holy Nature and reveals to us how far we have fallen short. As Paul said “ I would have not know covetousness without The Law” How could we possibly have known we were sinners without The Law?

Consider when the Rich Young Ruler had an encounter with The Lord (Mark 10:17-22), he asked Jesus “What must I do to inherit eternal life”? This is a good question that everyone should ask and ponder, what must you do to inherit eternal life? But Christs response might have been surprising for some, what did Jesus do? He walked the man through The Law. Why? Because Jesus wanted to reveal to the man his sinful nature in need of a savior. The man still refused to repent and walked away from The Lord and salvation. If you walked many people through The Law, how many do you believe would be honest and admit they are a sinner in need of a Savior? How many would actually repent of their sins and put their faith in Christ for salvation instead of themselves?

As the Apostle Paul continues “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me and it killed me” There are others who think they can “Keep The Law”, they believe they are righteous and holy enough to endure The Law. However they are deceived and ultimately The Law killed them. Why? For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) They tried to remove Jesus and obtain their own righteousness, but they are deceived by their own flesh. Noone is justified before God by The Law (Galatians 3:11) Its actually the opposite we are all condemned by The Law and need a Savior

I will end with the words of Paul “The Law is Holy, righteous, and good” Its not The Law itself that condemns people , its us that condemns ourselves. The Law is Gods nature, it reveals how far away we are from being worthy of Gods prescense. But the sinless lamb of God, took our sins, so we can be declared righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21) Amen!

Romans 7- Freed From The Law

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Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Romans 7:1-4

Jesus said “If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed” (John 8:36) But what has Christ set us free from? Many don’t realize they are held in bondage under the law, there are only 2 options in this life, you are under the law or you are under grace. But the person will say “I don’t believe in God’ and “I don’t believe in the law” Regardless of what you believe, the reality is “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)  You are under the law, and will be judged by the law unless you are reconciled through Jesus Christ

Why do you think Jesus died on that cross? The sinless lamb of God didn’t die for himself, Christ became flesh to die for the sins of the world (John 1:29) Christ became sin, so we can be declared righteous before God the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21) Jesus took your place on that cross, yet most people cure and blaspheme the name of The Lord on a daily basis. As the Apostle Paul states “Do you not know brethren, The Law has dominion over a man as long as he lives”

The Apostle Paul , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, then uses the example of the covenant of marriage with The Law. As long as a husband or wife is alive, they are legally bound under God to their spouse. Remember what Jesus said “Two become one flesh, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:6) Its the same the unsaved person is bound to The Law. The sinner can deny God all they want, but they are bound to The Law, and when they die they will be judged by The Law, which The Law equals death (Romans 8:2)

So here is the good news (the gospel) as the Apostle Paul states “you have become dead to The Law through the body of Christ” When Jesus said on the cross “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) This is the Greek word “Tetelestai” which mean the debt is paid, paid in full, meaning Jesus paid the penalty of your sins on the cross, it is finished, its a done deal. 

Jesus Christ is the only One who can pay that penalty, this is why Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) Repent of your sins, put your faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, be filled with the Holy Spirit,  and you are free indeed! Amen!

Romans 6- Wages of Sin Is Death

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For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:20-23

Why did Jesus die on the cross? At first glance, it doesn’t seem to make sense, the sinless Son of God needs to become flesh and be nailed to a tree. Why would God do this? Well to understand this question, we need to understand our depravity as humans. Jesus willingly became human to be the Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world (John 1:29) Jesus came to save us, because we are unable to save ourselves

As the Apostle Paul states “The wages of sin is death” Go back to the beginning of humanity, Adam and Eve in paradise, God warned them not to partake of the forbidden tree of good and evil, or they will die. (Genesis 2:17) But what was Satan’s response, who has been a liar since the beginning (John 8:44), “You surely won’t die” (Genesis 3:4) The lie that Adam and Eve believed, and is still deceiving the world today. But as God said “The wages of sin is death”

People ask “Why is there so much evil and suffering in the world today”? Well the reason is because of our sin, your sin, my sin, (Romans 5:12) We are living in a fallen world because of the consequences of our sin, not only has sin destroyed our souls but it has destroyed the entire world. “From dust you are, and dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19)

You need to understand the severity of sin and its consequences, the whole world and humanity is under the curse of sin and death. As Jesus said “He who doesn’t believe (In Christ) is condemned already” (John 3:18) Many people like to quote John 3:16, but go a few verses and understand the world needs Jesus, our only hope is in Christ and what He accomplished at the cross

So now that you know the bad news, what is the good news? The rest of the verse “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” In order to understand why Jesus is good news (gospel) we have to understand the bad news. As going back to the garden, God already prepared the way, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed;He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”(Genesis 3:15) 

Jesus said “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15) Christ gave his life for you, will you live for him today? Amen!