Tag Archives: Faith

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 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!

Romans 6- Slave to Sin?

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What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Romans 6:15-19

Since we are now saved by Grace, does that mean we can continue to live in sin? This is the hypothetical question the Apostle Paul poses, of course Paul answers “God forbid” or “Certainly Not”. If we have died with Christ, how can our old selves continue to live in sin? As the Apostle Paul states “you are that one’s slave to whom you obey” So who are you a slave to? Christ or Sin? We can’t be slaves to both, you are either living for Jesus or you are living for this world

This idea, that we can be a “Christian” and continue to live as our old self, is a lie and contradiction. Let me ask you, why are you a Christian? Do you want the golden ticket into Heaven? Or have you been called and sanctified by God? I fear there are many false converts in the world, many who claim to be “Christians” yet have never been Born Again, they never have repented of their sins, they never had a relationship with our Lord. As Jesus said “Depart from me, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23)

As the Apostle Paul states “Thanks be to God, though you used to be slaves to sin” This is past tense, as a Christian you are no longer a slave to sin but free in Christ. So what did Jesus save you from? You might say Hell , and that’s true, but Jesus delivered you from all forms of slavery including your sins. Did Jesus free you from drugs and alcohol? Did Jesus free you from sexual immorality? Or are you still slaves to the same sins when you became saved? As Jesus said “If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed” (John 8:36)

Paul continues , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “Having been set free from sin, you become slaves of righteousness” You have been set free from sin in Christ, so why are you still dead in your sins? This should not be brothers and sisters, if the Son (Jesus) has truly set you free, you are free indeed! You are no longer a slave to any of these sins in Christ. Don’t be like Lots wife, who looked back and was destroyed (Genesis 19:26) You are a New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7) Sin no longer has dominion over you!

“Offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness which leads to holiness” This is the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, working in and through you, to conform you into the image of Christ, to overcome sin and be obedient to The Lord, Amen!

Romans 6- Who Is Your Master?

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Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:12-14

Why do the Liberals hate the Apostle Paul so much? Well because they hate the One True Living God. The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit states “Don’t let sin reign in your mortal body” This statement alone destroys Liberal Christianity, where there is no mention of sin, no mention of repentance, no mention of the cross, no mention of regeneration. As the Apostle Peter states “Abstain from the desires of the flesh” (1 Peter 2:11)

What does the world tell you? What does the fake liberal Christianity of today tell you? You are born this way, keep living the same lifestyle, God wants you this way. These are all lies from Satan himself. As Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) Do you understand as a Christian, you are crucified with Christ? (Galatians 2:20) If you are crucified with Christ, how can your old man continue to reign?

The Apostle Paul continues “Don’t present your members (body) as an instrument of unrighteousness of sin” If you are a Christian, you belong to The Lord, we were bought with a price! (1 Corinthians 6:20) But you believe you can still present your body for sin with the devil, you are deceived! You can’t partake at The Lords table and sit at the table with demons. (1 Corinthians 10:21) You are doubled minded and unstable in all your ways (James 1:8) Either you are Born Again in Christ, or you a spiritually dead (Ephesians 2)

The Carnal Church wants to feed the flesh, but as a Born Again Christian we must crucify the flesh daily (Galatians 5:24) As the Apostle Paul continues here “Present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead” Are you Born Again? Jesus said “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16) A bad tree cannot produce good fruit, a good tree cannot produce bad fruit (Matthew 7)

Sin shall no longer be your Master (v14) Who is your Master? Is Jesus Christ truly your Lord or is sin your Master? Do you identify in Christ or do you identify in your sin? You are not under the law but under grace! Amen!

Romans 6- Raised With Christ

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For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Romans 6:5-7

The Apostle Paul continues to teach us what the “New Life in Christ” looks like for Born Again believers. Remember we are buried in Christ death and raised with Christ to walk in the newness of life. Paul continues “For if we have been planted or united together in the likeness of his death” As Paul also says “I have been crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) When Christ died on the cross for your sins, He took your place, You as a Christian were crucified with Christ. 

As our old self was crucified with Christ, “we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection” Our new self is raised with Christ, we are Born Again in Jesus. As Paul also states “You are a New Creation in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:7) This is what baptism symbolizes, the death of our old self and the resurrection of our new self. We are Born Again in Christ (John 3:3)

So knowing “our old man is crucified with Him (Christ)” this means you are no longer a slave to sin. As Jesus said “If the Son Sets You Free, You are Free Indeed” (John 8:36) We are no longer living in the same sins as a New Creation in Christ, as Paul also states here “we should not serve sin” You are no longer chained to these old sins, you have been set free by The Lord Jesus Christ, you are no longer a slave to sin but to Christ

As The Lord Jesus said “Everyone who sins, is a slave to sin” (John 8:34) The religious leaders told Jesus they were not a slave to anyone, however they were mistaken, everyone is either a slave to sin or a slave to Christ. There is no other option, but in Christ there is freedom and grace. While many feel they are free to live in their sins, its actually destroying their bodies and souls. They are servants of wickedness, liked a dog going back to his vomit (Proverbs 26:11)

For He that is dead is freed from sin (v7) Through the death of your old self, you have been freed in Christ. As the Apostle Paul also says “If we died with Him, We will also live with Him” (2 Timothy 2:11) So I ask you this question, have you been crucified with Christ? Are you still a slave to sin or a servant of Christ? In Jesus we have been set free, raised to walk in the newness of life, be led and filled with the Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 6- Baptized in Christ Part 2

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What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. Romans 6:1-4

Today we are going to continue in Pauls teaching about the meaning of Baptism, if you missed the first part here is the link. Now we are going to dive into why baptism is important and what does it mean for us as Christians. First we went over, baptism is a command by Christ (Matthew 28:19) and Christ was baptized for our example (Matthew 3:13-17) So if Jesus is our Lord (Master) then we are to obey him and get baptized in the Church

So what does Baptism mean? Well lets see what the Apostle Paul teaches us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “Many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death” So first is the acknowledgement that you are a sinner and Christ died for your sins. As the Apostle Peter states “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38) Repentance is a part of baptism. So the symbol of you being lowered into the water, is a symbol of your old self dying and being buried with Christ 

As the Apostle Paul states “having been buried with Him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12) When you are in Christ, your old self died with Christ. Jesus paid it all for your sins on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14) This is a public profession of your faith, that you have died with Christ and are a New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

And then you are raised with Christ, as Paul states “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father” So the symbol of you being raised out of the water during baptism, is symbolic of your new self being raised with Christ from death. As Paul also states “You were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God” (Colossians 2:12)

This is essentially the gospel message being performed , the death, burial , and resurrection of Christ for your salvation. But there is also one last part, as Paul states here “we should also walk in the newness of life” What is this newness of life, its becoming Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) As the Apostle Peter stated “You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) Now some argue when does this happen? This is known as Baptismal Regeneration. 

I’ll just end with the words of the Apostle Paul “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27) Amen!