Tag Archives: Romans

Romans 8- The New Exodus

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For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Romans 8:18-21

Another one of the great lies today in Christianity, is the prosperity gospel. This idea that if you give your life to Christ, you will be physically blessed with wealth, health, and happiness. This false teaching has blinded millions of people and has created millions of false converts, that have never truly repented or became Born Again. The reality is when you become a Christian, your life is going to get harder. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and become a target for the demons in this spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) If you don’t believe me, you haven’t been a Christian long enough

Jesus said “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. “ (Matthew 16:24) Did you get that? If you want to be a disciple of Christ, you must carry your cross! This is why “Friends with the world are enemies of God” (James 4:4) If you think becoming a Christian will make you greater in this world, you have no understanding of the world or Christ, this same world killed the Son of God because Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

The Apostle Paul teaches us “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed” Paul is warning us we will suffer in this present world, not be prosperous. Think about the life of the Apostle Paul, he was repeatedly beaten, imprisoned, impoverished, and eventually was beheaded for His faith in Christ. Does that sound like the prosperity gospel of today? Don’t be deceived brothers and sisters, as our Lord said “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) We look forward to Gods Kingdom to come, right now the world is ruled by the evil one (1 John 5:19)

“For creation waits in eager expectation” (v19) What are we waiting for? The Return of our Lord (Matthew 24:36-44), the establishment of Gods Kingdom (Daniel 2:44), the resurrection of our glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) for Satan to be cast in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10), we wait upon The Lord! (Isaiah 40:31) You might ask why? The next verse answers “For creation was subjected to futility or depravity” (v20) The whole world is under the curse of death because of our sin (Galatians 3:10) 

So where is the good news? There is hope in Christ because The Lord defeated sin and death on the cross! Next verse “Creation itself will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption/decay (death) into the glorious liberty of the children of God (v21) This is the New Exodus, we are delivered from the slavery of sin and death by our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Romans 8- Children of God

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Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:12-17

Are you a Child of God? There is a false teaching that is popular today, stating everyone is a Child of God, don’t be deceived brethren, this is not the case. We are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) However we have become enemies of God because of our sin (Romans 5:10) We have been separated from God, because of our sin (Isaiah 59:2) and the only way we can be reconciled back to God is through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)

As the Apostle Paul says here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “if you live after the flesh, you shall die” Unless you are Born Again (John 3:3) you are spiritually dead, you are not a Child of God but an enemy of God. This is why the Son of God became flesh (John 1:14) and died for your sins on the cross, to reconcile you back to our Father in Heaven. Teaching people they are children of God, while still dead in their sins, is a great heresy and it nullifies the cross of Christ!

“But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Jesus said unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3) Through Christ you will live, because Christ already died for you! Without the blood of Christ there is no hope for you, you are an enemy of God who is dead in your sins. But there is “Good News” and that is the gospel message, without understanding the bad news, you can’t understand the good news, that through Christ you can be saved! As Paul states here “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are Children of God”

The Apostle Paul never said everyone is a child of God, Paul said you must be led by the Holy Spirit, you must be washed by the blood of the lamb (Revelation 7:14) “but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (v15) You are no longer enemies of God, but you have been adopted as Gods children, not only that we can call God Abba our Father. Think about how powerful this is, you were an enemy of God and now you can call God your Father. You are a Child of God through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26)

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (v16) The Holy Spirit seals us (Ephesians 1:13) and testifies for us that we are Children of God , heirs with Christ (v17) Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 8- Spirit of God

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But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Romans 8:9-11

What is the difference between a true believer in Christ and a false convert. We see many stories of people “falling away from the faith” , so how does this happen? Well as the Apostle Paul says here “You are not in the flesh, but in The Spirit” So are you Born Again? (John 3:3) This is why Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of God”, this is why the Apostle Pauls said “Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50) unless you are filled and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you are not saved!

The Apostle Paul continues here “If anyone does not have The Spirit of Christ, he is not his” Notice how Paul uses the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Christ interchangeably, because God is Triune, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) Paul will emphasize this more later in the text. But if the Holy Spirit is not in You, then you are not a Child of God! This is the difference between a true believer and a false convert.

Many people think they can be saved by religious practices or be saved by their own good works, however these things will not convert your soul. You need to be Born Again, you need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) You need to be made Alive in Christ and dead in sin (Ephesians 2) Until the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you are just a carnally minded beast, looking to satisfy the flesh and devour anything in your path. You need a spiritual rebirth, flesh and blood will not inherit the Kingdom of God

The Spirit is life because of righteousness, again the Apostle Paul uses Christ and The Spirit interchangeably, unless Christ is in You, there is no life in You. The body is dead because of sin, but the soul is made alive in Christ. This is why salvation is not possible without the Holy Spirit, the body is dead, unless the breath of God breathes upon the dry bones, you will not be raised up! Before Christ you were spiritually dead, without the Holy Spirit you are just dead in the valley (Ezekiel 37)

Now heres another amazing revelation by the Apostle Paul, who raised Jesus from the dead? Well we know the Father raised Christ from the dead (Acts 2:24), Jesus said “He raised himself from the dead” (John 2:19) and Paul reveals The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11) The Triune God raised Christ from the dead, and the same Holy Spirit is living inside of You as a Born Again Christian, Amen!

Romans 8- Friend or Enemy of God

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That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:4-8

Do you live according to the flesh or do you live according to The Spirit of God? Many people claim to be Christians, but are you really living for Christ? Or do you live for this world and add Christ to your world? The Apostle James said “Whoever wants to be a friend of this world makes themselves a enemy of God” (James 4:4) Why? How is a friend of the world a enemy of God? Because the world is carnally minded, you are living for the flesh and not the Holy Spirit

So what is wrong with living for the flesh? The Apostle Paul tells us “For to be carnally minded is death” Living for the flesh lead to spiritual death of your soul. Consider Adam and Eve, they had immortality living in paradise, but they pursued the lust of the flesh, they disobeyed God , they ignored his warning, and it led to their physical death. As Paul say “But to be spiritually minded is life and peace” Why? Because when your living for the flesh, you are at war with God. 

To be led by the Holy Spirit is life and peace, are you looking for peace in your life? Look to the Prince of Peace, your soul is at war with God. As the Apostle Pau says “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) You can only obtain this peace with Christ, outside of Christ you will never find peace because you are at war with God. Your flesh wants to destroy your soul, your flesh doesn’t want to please God, its self seeking and self destructive!

They that are in the flesh cannot please God (v8) Sin is opposition of God, to continually live in sin, you can never expect to please God. The act of sin is declaring war against God, nothing of sin came from God, but from below , the devil who came to lie, steal, and destroy. If you want to please your Heavenly Father, be led by the Holy Spirit, be obedient to Christ, crucify the flesh and live for Jesus, Amen!

Romans 8- No Condemnation in Christ

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There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Romans 8:1-3

So while in the previous chapter, the Apostle Paul was revealing to us the “bad news”, that we are all wretched sinners that are condemned by The Law. In this chapter, Paul is bringing us the “good news” or the gospel, that we are saved and redeemed through Jesus Christ!

The first verse is a great proclamation, “therefore there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” The first observation of this text is if you compare this scripture in the different English translations, the second part of this verse is missing “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” Now some will make the arguments, this second part didn’t exist in some manuscripts, however I think the second part is important and most likely was there. While there is No condemnation in Christ, this doesn’t mean we can live as a sinner with no consequences. 

Notice the scripture states “In Christ Jesus” do you abide in The Lord? As Jesus said “Abide in Me, and I in You” (John 15:4) If you are abiding in Christ, you are not following the flesh, but the Holy Spirit. Those who say they are in Christ yet follow the flesh are deceived. The flesh and The Spirit are in complete opposition to each other. So we walk not after the flesh, which is carnally minded, but we walk with The Holy Spirit

The Apostle Paul then continues “For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus as made me free from The Law of Sin and Death” Again we seen the contrast, The Law of the Spirit vs The Law of Sin. You can’t be following both, “Nobody can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24) Notice also the Apostle Paul states again “In Christ Jesus” we are made free. Again do you abide in Christ and Christ abides in You. Are you yoked to The Lord? Do you truly love The Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?

So how are we set free? How is there no condemnation in Christ Jesus? The Apostle Paul states “God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh” Jesus Christ became flesh and died in our place on the cross! Christ said on the cross “It Is Finished”, there is no condemnation for those who repent and put their faith in The Lord for salvation, Abide in Christ, and Christ will Abide in You! Amen!

Romans 7- Wretched

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I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:21-25

Many would call the Apostle Paul the greatest evangelist in Church history, afterall he wrote over half of the New Testament, including this epistle, was a highly trained Pharisee before his conversion to Christ, but what did Paul think of himself? O Wretched Man That I am! Paul understood his sinful nature and his need for Christ, even after all the experiences Paul had with the Holy Spirit, miracles and healings, Paul still humbled himself to understand we are all sinners in need of a Savior!

Paul asks a good question here “Who shall deliver/rescue/free me from the body of this death?” No matter how sanctified we become with the Holy Spirit, this body of sin doesn’t want to release us. The Spirit and the Flesh battle daily, our souls want to live for Christ and our flesh wants to be carnally satisfied. When you understand your state of depravity, then you will understand your desperate need for Christ. Until you understand who wretched and spiritually poor you are, you will never know your need for Jesus

But the good news through this is “Christ became our sin so we can be declared righteous before God” (2 Corinthians 5:8) This is a difficult concept to grasp if we are being honest. The Son of God became flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14) and paid the penalty for our sins on the cross (1 John 2:2) Again can we grasp this? We have heard the gospel message a million times, but can we grasp this? Can you understand God became flesh to save you from your body of death?

So lets proclaim and rejoice as the Apostle Paul “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” But until you come to the realization of your wretchedness, you won’t declare victory in Christ. Many still believe they are “good” people, they are deceived, repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15) 

God can use the wretched Paul, who before was persecuting and killings Christians, made him Born Again and used him for Gods glory, The Lord can use the wretched You also, Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift, Victory in Jesus Christ, sanctified in the Holy Spirit, 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!