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Saturday, January 29, 2022

Israel To Be Restored By God's Grace

 The Gospel of Grace and Israel's Restoration

Book of Romans Chapter 11


There is a simple truth we had better understand and it is, that what we believe determines our ability to see things properly.

When we reject the truth, we will believe a lie and the things that go with that lie!

This is the exact reason the government we have in place today is doing its best to influence our children or indoctrinate our children, at every level of our school systems.

Of course they are denying this just as Iran is denying their attempt to make nuclear weapons, but it is still true.

They are both hoping that enough time will pass that these things will be irreversible!

It is not Nuclear weapons that make great nations or even powerful nations, but only foolish nations!

This same thing happened to the Israel of old!

Another thing we had better be clear on, is that God will never abandon this people!

Though the many things they did were wrong, they did preserve the Word of God down through the many generations.

To this, we as Christians owe a great debt, even though we know that God was behind this important thing to make sure it took place.

*****Rom 11:1  I say then, Hath God cast away his people? "God forbid". For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 

The Word of God does not just stop at the introduction of the Church!

In God's wisdom, He has blinded the eyes of the Israelites until the fulness of the Church comes in.

The Apostle Paul said that jealousy would provoke them to see the Lord in a unique way.

It was the Jews, in the time of the trial of the Lord Jesus Christ who demanded to see the wrath of God.

Mat 27:25  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Mat 27:26  Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.  

God has promised that the Church would not see His wrath.

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 

These Jews, the children of disobedience, and those who have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ during the Church Age, will see the wrath of God, but not the true Church.

1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 

1Th 5:10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 

Rom 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 

The Church will not see the wrath of God!

The Jews begged to see the wrath of God, so in God's wisdom He set aside Israel until the fulness of the Church comes in at the "Rapture", then He will again deal with Israel as He promised Abraham and David, after they witness His wrath which they could have avoided!

God always keeps His promises!

God's covenants are sincere!

Israel was disobedient to God and turned away the hand of a loving God.

Rom 10:21  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. 

They had decided that they did not need to be obedient to the Word of God just as so much of the world has decided today!

Again we should be clear, God has not cast away His people.

Before God removes the blinders from this people, they will see the wrath of God that they had pleaded for at the death of their Deliverer who is the only Deliverer from the wrath of God!

Israel is not saved at this time and to be saved they must come to Jesus and repent.

This does not ever mean there is not a remnant of these Israelites ready to serve the Lord!

There will never be some new way to be reconciled to God, the Father of us all!

Jehovah has blinded the eyes of Israel, but the rest of the world just has no excuse because they have seen the truth of God through eyes that clearly see!

Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

The Apostle Paul was proud of His Jewish heritage, but most proud of his Christian heritage!

We cannot be disobedient to the Word of God and be reconciled to God! 

This is something that we just cannot do and expect the "Grace of God"!

Israel is not a saved people at this time even though God will always have a remnant of the Israelites who love Him!

God's promises are to all people and God will deal with Israel just as His Word has said, and these things are not changeable!

We should clearly understand that God always has a remnant of Jews who love Him and who will serve Him.

The Apostle Paul was part of that remnant in the days of the early Church.

The Apostle Paul could be said to be a true Jew a direct descendant of Abraham through his mother.

In fact, it is the mothers who determine the line of Jews from Abraham just as it was Sarah who determines who is a true Israelite and a descendant of Abraham!

There are many descendants of Abraham who are not part of the family of Israel, such as those from Abraham's second wife Keturah along with the descendants of Ishmael and of Esau.

God will not cast off the descendants of Abraham by his wife Sarah!

Elijah, as powerful a prophet as he was, fell into this trap thinking that God did not have those who love Him at all times.

*****Rom 11:2  God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

Rom 11:3  Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.  

The Book of Hebrews teaches us that without "faith" it is impossible to please God, because we must believe that He is the God of the Bible and the God of all creation.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God "must believe that he is", and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Once you have accepted this in your mind, then why would you ever believe He would not be "all-knowing"?

God saves those He knows!

God does not forget those He knows!

The key here is that God knows!

Remember Jesus said to those who hated Him "that He never knew them".

God only knows those who love Him and are obedient to His Word.

If you understand the Lord Jesus, He does not even know those who do not love Him.

Remember He said, "I never knew you"!

God says you can always tell the ones that He knows by the way they live their lives!

Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 

Mat 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 

Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 

Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

God cannot be fooled, or He could not be God!

Rom 8:29  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. 

Rom 8:30  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. 

It is a fact that only a remnant of Israel will be saved during the Church Age!

It is also a fact that during the time of Elijah and all the other prophets there was only a remnant that genuinely loved God!

But there is always this remnant!

Elijah felt alone for a moment of his life because he did not see any around him that were trying to be obedient to the Word of God.

Elijah allowed the world (wicked Jezebel) to frighten him, and he became afraid to die and we must not ever be afraid to die for our Savior who died for us.

Luk_9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The cross is a symbol of death!

We must never believe we are all alone in serving God! 

We never will be!

It is a fact that most of this world are disobedient and disloyal to our Creator and certainly disloyal to our Deliverer!(they are One and the Same person)

We should also understand that the image of a nation is determined by the lifestyle of the majority who live in that nation, not by that remnant!

As far as the United States goes, our image is not that of a godly nation, but our image is that of Sodom and Gomorrah just like the European Union and just like all nations of the United Nations that have adopted this wicked and immoral stance.

These are not freedoms; they are just sin against a Holy God!

Most of the rest are corrupt and wicked and self-righteous and seeking power they will never have.

There is a remnant today, but there is also the true Church that lives amongst all these wicked nations.

God will never leave Himself without a witness!

God will never leave His people without brothers and sisters going about the work given to us by Jesus Christ!

We must keep that work going until the Lord takes us home!

There will be a remnant of the Jews in place even when the Church has been removed from this world!

*****Rom 11:4  But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

The Apostle Paul knew there was a remnant of Jews in his day, and we had better know there is a remnant of Jews today who serve the Lord according to the "Grace of God".

The Holy Spirit is alive and well, working throughout this world according to the "Grace" God has shown to us.

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

Tit 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. 

Since it is by "Grace", then there is still only the Law of Grace, and not any other law by which we can be saved, no matter where we come from!

*****Rom 11:6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 

Grace is no longer "Grace" if God allowed a remnant according to those old Laws of Moses.

The Old Testament Saints were saved because they had the "faith of Abraham" which gained their righteousness.

What was the "faith of Abraham"? That God would provide Himself to be the Lamb of God, the Messiah!

No one deserves the "Grace" of God, so all who come to the truth of Jesus Christ are eligible to receive God's "Grace"!

We must clearly understand that no one will ever get to Heaven who does not have the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ!

There is no one who will ever work their way into Heaven!

God does not bestow His "Grace" upon anyone because we are deserving of it, because none of us are!

It is Jehovah God who placed the blinders upon the Israelites, and it is only Jehovah God who can remove those blinders!

What is said of Israel?

1) Isa 29:10  For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

Isa 6:9  And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

2) Psa 69:22  Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 

 3) Psa 69:23  Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. 

Psa 69:24  Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.

They were blind to the truth of the Messiah, and they still are!

*****Rom 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 

Rom 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 

Rom 11:9  And David saith, Let their "table" be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 

Rom 11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 

They were blinded.

They were given the Spirit of slumber.

They were given eyes that they should not see.

They were given ears that they should not hear.

That table is their lust for the things of this world rather than the things of God!

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 

Those who reject the truth of God experience judicial blindness and rejection by God!

Those who choose to reject the Lord Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Grace, have chosen for themselves damnation!

God offers His love and salvation freely, but God will not be taken advantage of, and God will not be mocked!

Unbelief only causes more obstinate unbelief!

We had better understand, God will not violate our will nor force His will upon us!

Sin only multiplies as our faith dwindles to nothingness!

Rom 2:5  But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 

Rom 2:6  Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 

What is the whole truth?

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

By rejecting the truth of the Gospel, we have placed ourselves in jeopardy and the penalties of Hell!

The Gospel which should feed and strengthen our souls, will become the means of destruction of the unbeliever!

*****Rom 11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 

Rom 11:12  Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 

What was the "Gospel Message" to these Jews?

Mar 1:14  Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 

Mar 1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 

True repentance must always be directed toward Jehovah God!

True repentance must always be for the remission of sins unto salvation!

These must be the desires of our heart!

Another especially important thing to remember is that God can save anyone, at any time and from any place!

Israel stumbled at the message of Jesus Christ!

Will Israel ever accept the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Is the Spiritual fall of Israel to be forever?

The Holy Spirit says God forbids this to happen. Perish the thought of such a thing!

We should understand that the message of the "Gospel" is for the entire world.

God sent His messengers to Israel first, but God's salvation message is for all people.

The only ones who cannot be saved are those God has turned over to a reprobate mind!

This is a choice they have made, and the Holy Spirit will not strive with those people ever again, because it would not ever change their mind.

It is said that Israel stumbled because there were so many who chose to reject the message of God.

America was once known as a Christian nation because a greater majority of people trusted the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ! 

This is no longer the truth!

America is no longer known as a Christian nation because most Americans have abandoned the truth of Jesus Christ!

America is now the nation of Sodom and Gomorrah, along with the European Union and most of the United Nations.

The rest are power hungry nations who will fail because of their arrogance.

When Israel rejected the Gospel Message, God sent His messengers to all the other nations and one by one each nation either becomes a Christian Nation or they become a nation of reprobates by their own choice!

Act 13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 

Act 13:47  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 

Act 13:48  And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 

The things of this world may have been much better than what we see now, had the Israelites accepted the Word of God as it was given and had been missionaries to the world.

It has now been about two thousand years since Christ returned to Heaven and still the world has not been reached with the Gospel even though there are only a few places left if any now at this time.

We can now also see how our world could be much better had most of the Gentiles have received the truth of the Gospel and believed.

Even though all these things did not take place, God has still worked out all things for the good of those who love Him!

Rom 8:28  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. 

God's plan cannot be overcome in any way form or fashion!

It is because of these two things that we are left with the world we now have, and God will take care of these two problems during the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ.

Even though people will still be left with a choice, with Satan out of the way there will be no temptation and none of his evil works to try to sway people at least for One Thousand years, where then he would be freed to do his evil for a brief period of time.

It is after this that the Israelites and the Church will be united in one mind and one faith to serve the Living God!

God assures the Church of these promises.

God assures the restoration of Israel.

God assures a restored earth back to the original as it was in the early days of Adam and Eve.

It is the Gospel that has impacted the world to the truth, the world is built upon the lust of the flesh, lies, deception, corruption, wickedness, and the love of money.

We should understand that millions have been saved from the wrath of God.

We should understand that millions have been saved from death and Hell.

We should understand that millions now have the promise of eternal life, and many millions are already living that life.

It is by the Gospel that humanity knows about the moral laws.

It is by the Gospel that morality and purity is preached world-wide.

It is only by the Gospel that we can be saved from the wrath of God on the Children of Disobedience.

The children of disobedience are all those who reject the truth of the Word of God!

Once Israel returns to Jehovah this world will see the blessings of God!

2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

2Ch 7:15  Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

The Apostle Paul preached the truth until he was also murdered for preaching the truth to this world!

Rom 11:13  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 

Rom 11:14  If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 

We should have this same love for all the lost and be obedient servants to the Lord Jesus Christ, the God who loves us enough to die for us that we too might be saved!

Amen

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Grace and National Israel

 The Gospel of Grace and National Israel

Book of Romans Chapter 10 verse 1 through 13


Who are the Israelites?

Rom 9:4  Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 

Rom 9:5  Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 

Israel was the nation chosen and adopted as God's people and those to whom Jehovah God first revealed Himself.

Their job was to tell the world about Jehovah God, but they chose to try to keep Him to themselves.

Gen 32:28  And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 

Exo 4:22  And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: 

Exo 4:23  And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. 

They were privileged with the great patriarchal covenants and were given laws that were to teach them the truth and this truth was that no one could keep all those laws. (613 laws not just 10)

We know those Laws were given to teach them about the Messiah.

Gal_3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Gal_3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The Israelites never came to know true "faith" and so never attained to God's "Grace".

When we mention the Jewish Law, most people think of the Ten Commandments but in reality, there were 613 commandments given to the Jewish people and God knew that no one could keep all those commandments all their lives and it only took one failure to be condemned.

They rejoiced in their Levitical Service and had great expectation of the Messiah which they are still looking for now because they rejected the Lord Jesus Christ.

The worship services in the Tabernacle and the Temple were to remind them what was due unto God on one hand and how much was graciously provided by Him on the other hand.

All the Old Testament promises will be filled with promises of the Messiah and the Millennial Kingdom (the one-thousand-year rule of Christ).

The Atonement, the kingdom of Heaven, the reign of Israel upon this earth, but they thought all these things were just for Israel and did not include the Gentiles and they rejected "faith" and decided that righteousness could only come by the keeping of the Law.

Rom 4:13  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 

Rom 4:14  For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 

Rom 4:15  Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 

Their entire system of worship was calculated to reveal the Divine greatness and holiness of Jehovah God and human insignificance and sinfulness.

Instead of becoming a humble nation of servants, they became a nation full of pride and self-righteousness!

When God wanted holiness Israel showed rebellion!

They were looking forward to the important things that are still in their future, because when the time came to move forward, they became legalist and rejected God's Messiah.

All the promises God has made to Israel are to be fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ who was rejected!

The Lord Jesus Christ who is God in the flesh!

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God. 

Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

Joh 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 

Joh 1:5  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 

Israel made some tragic mistakes!

The Apostle Paul understanding all the Old Testament scriptures having been trained under Gamaliel the great Jewish teacher of that day and now a "Born Again" child of God, full of the Holy Spirit clearly saw the failures of Israel and the truth of Jesus Christ.

What was the main problem for the Israelites? They had a zeal for God, but not according to the Scriptures given to them by those Prophets they murdered because they rejected their message.

*****Rom 10:1  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 

Rom 10:2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 

Paul had a burning desire for the salvation of the Israelites. Paul absolutely loved this people!

We have no reason to hate the Jews, the Israelites!

We read earlier of those that God had turned over to reprobate minds, who God knew would never accept the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul knew that the Israelites would never be placed in this group of reprobates.

In fact, we know that God has blinded the eyes of this people and will one day remove those blinders and they will clearly see their mistakes they made concerning the Word of God. 

Rom_11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

This blindness in fact will be removed when the fulness of the heathen (Gentiles) come in. 

This will happen at the "Rapture" of the Church. God does not consider those who have this zeal to be reprobates. 

We know that the first Christians were in fact Jews and many Jews are still saved today.

Keep in mind that not all Israel are Israelites. Many are called Israelis today.

God is speaking to those actual descendants of Abraham through his wife Sarah!

What is the truth of these Israelites? They have a zeal but not according to the knowledge of Jesus Christ!

What is the truth of the Gentile (Heathen) the Church of the last days? We have the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, but we do not have the zeal to serve Him as we should!

Over and over we see the evidence of the Laodicean Church Age, yet the Church denies it.

What did the Lord Jesus say? 

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

We see the modern Church has pushed God away with the modern pastor believing that He knows better than the Word of God that we have been given.

There is no such thing as a new understanding of the Scriptures! God does not change His Word nor His ways!

Mal_3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not;

The modern Church is now trying to establish its own righteousness which has been the same problem for the Israelites all along!

*****Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 

These Jews knew many things about the Messiah, but it was not based on a complete knowledge!

The Church has the complete knowledge, but many today think they know better than God who gave us His complete Word.

There will never be some new "Gospel"!

Israel was ignorant of God's righteousness!

Israel was ignorant of God's method of "Justification"!

Israel was ignorant as to how to be acceptable to God!

This acceptance can only come by the acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for our salvation!

Everyone is born with a sin nature and this sin nature can only be done away with by the Work of Christ that allows us to be "Born Again" a Spiritual Rebirth!

You cannot reject Jesus Christ and then receive this new life!

Jesus Christ is the source of all "Spiritual" gifts, the Holy Spirit is the Administrator of those gifts!

Eph 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and "gave gifts unto men". 

Eph 4:9  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 

Eph 4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, "that he might fill all things".) 

Eph 4:11  And "he gave" some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

Eph 4:12  "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ": 

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

You see the true Church is made up of those who have come in the unity of the "Faith"!

Not the many denominations, and certainly not of those who take the authority of Jesus Christ out of the Church!

If you believe, then you had better believe that when God removes the blindness and restores sight to these Jews, they will all be in unity of "faith".

For Jesus Christ is the end of those old Laws and the key to "Righteousness" to everyone who believes in Him and the work He has done for our salvation!

*****Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law of righteousness to every one that believeth.

We had better understand that once false teaching has taken place it is hard to get people straightened back out!

The Church has been struggling with this for years and the Jews have never overcome this at this time.

Without the Lord Jesus Christ you cannot receive the Holy Spirit!

Without the Holy Spirit you can never have the mind of Christ!

Without the mind of Christ you will still depend on your own self-righteousness which is worth exactly nothing in the eyes of God the Father!

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

What does the Holy Spirit teach us?

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, "whatsoever I have said unto you". 

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the end of the Law.

Mat_5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

These are most important things, yet these things are left out of the teaching of many denominations causing disharmony in the Church.

We had better cling to the basic truths of the Lord Jesus Christ and remember the Holy Trinity of God! 

Not three Gods but One God in three persons, all bound up in the truth of Jehovah God, our Maker!

Moses tried to explain these things to the Jews, but they rejected them.

As much as they claimed Moses, they still rejected the things He taught them of the Messiah!

*****Rom 10:5  For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 

Most everyone who claim the Lord Jesus Christ think that the "Gospel" is some cafeteria plan given to us from God, where we can pick and choose the things to place our faith.

God has no cafeteria plan! 

God has one plan, and it is all bound up in the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Law is simply our teacher to get us "justified" by "faith"!

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 

Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 

Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 

As humans, we have no righteousness of our selves. You can like this or dislike this, but it is still the truth because God said it!

Just as you cannot pick and choose the parts of the Bible you accept and the parts you reject, those Jews could not pick and choose which of those old Laws they would keep, or they would reject.

The difference being there is no "Grace" built into those old Laws.

When we try to reach God by law and works, simply by doing the absolute best we can, we should be able to see there is a terrible flaw in this way of thinking.

No one, but Jesus Christ has ever been able to keep those laws perfectly!

Lev 18:5  Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. 

It is a losing effort every time!

Gal 3:10  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 

Gal 3:11  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 

There are only two ways to become righteous before God:

1) Keeping the Law and being perfect in the keeping of the Law, which no one but Christ was able to do.

2) Trusting in the righteousness in that person, Jesus Christ, who was able to keep all those 613 laws!

We can see that there is only one choice!

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

When this makes sense to you, you will begin to understand the truth of Jesus Christ!

You see everyone is seeking the forgiveness of sin, but this forgiveness comes only by the "Grace" of God, because there is no law that can bring "Grace" except for the law of Christ Jesus the true and only Messiah!

Php_3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Though Paul has been criticized, we must understand that "ALL" Scripture comes to us by the Holy Spirit if that Scripture comes to us from the "Received Text"!

2Ti_3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The name of the writer is unimportant for all those writers were guided by the Holy Spirit of God!

When we doubt the Word of God, we are not doubting the writers, we are doubting a Holy and Righteous God who cannot deceive and who cannot lie!

We must know that there is nothing unholy in the glory of Heaven!

That being true and it is, then it must take a perfect righteousness to be accepted into God's home in Heaven!

Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

This righteousness can come only by faith in the work the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us to receive this acceptable righteousness!

*****Rom 10:6  But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 

Rom 10:7  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

"Saving faith" is that "faith" that concerns itself only about the Lord Jesus Christ!

Unbelief says, "Who shall ascend into Heaven"? Unbelief says, "Who shall descend into the deep"?

Unbelief always has questions!

Faith takes her stand wherever Jesus Christ is located! 

Salvation can come only by the Lord Jesus Christ!

It takes a real imagination to believe the lies of this world!

It takes a truly lively imagination to believe in evolution!

Faith is done with imaginations and faith is done with dreamers!

Faith deals in reality! 

The Lord Jesus came to this world to pay the sin debt of all peoples and He died to do so!

Faith is the truth! 

The Lord Jesus Christ arose from that death proving He is God!

1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 

1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 

1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

1Co 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Gospel is the truth, so for these reasons, all questions are answered about salvation!

If we look within ourselves, we can know these things are the real truth.

If we look at the world all we see is lies, deception, and wickedness!

The truth of God will satisfy the soul and the Word was indeed made flesh and dwelt among us!

Joh 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 

Joh 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 

Joh 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 

Joh 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

In our search for a place called Heaven, we soon realize that we do not have it in our own power to get there, so we need a Deliverer, in fact a Messiah!

Psa_102:19  For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;

In order for this to be true, then this Deliverer must be able to conquer sin, death, and Hell to remove these things from us.

Psa 139:6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 

Psa 139:7  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 

Psa 139:8  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 

It is only our Heavenly Father who has this knowledge so only He could be this Deliverer, this Messiah!

As long as we depend on our own righteousness we will be lost forever!

Joh 3:13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 

Jesus Christ is that Deliverer who brought the wonderful things of Heaven within reach of those who trust Him!

God has made these promises available to us if we just believe Him!

*****Rom 10:8  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

What is true faith?

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God has placed His Word within our reach! 

It is easy to understand. 

It is to be remembered.

It is to be practiced.

It is the Word of Faith!

Eph 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 

Eph 4:9  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 

Eph 4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

We are not required to find some way to Heaven! 

We do not have to find a way to avoid Hell!

The Lord Jesus Christ has solved this problem that we have all had since our birth!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ only requires "faith" in this reality!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is applied to us, when we confess with our mouths that we believe this truth!

Why? Because of the great love that God loves us!

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We may never understand this, but it does not make it any less true!

The means to get to God's New Heaven is located on the tip of our tongue if in our heart we will believe Him!

We must confess the truth of the Gospel with our mouth, believing He is that Great Deliverer sent down from Heaven to make a way for us to join Him in His home!

Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

Jesus says, do not worry about this I got it all under control. (My words)

God's "justice" was perfectly satisfied with death of His Son!

God was perfectly satisfied with His Son dying for us!

So God raise His Son up from the dead to live forever and those who confess this to live with Him!

Rom 4:25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. 

How could such a plan be conceived and then followed exactly as it was written not be true?

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 

Act 17:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 

God has done these things so we will repent and return to Him, our Creator!

This cannot be done on a whim; it must come from the heart!

*****Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

Salvation is available and that shame comes when we do not give consideration of what a loving God has done for us.

God did not give these precious gifts to just one nation. God's offer is to all the world!

God's message is to all peoples!

There is only one Gospel and there can be only one Gospel!

Whoever believes in the truth of Jesus Christ will be saved!

God has made it just that simple!

The Gospel has made its way around this world, and this could only have happened by the power of God!

There may still be a very few places where Jehovah God is not known, but it can only be a very few and even those places will soon hear the "Gospel" of our Savior and our Deliverer.

The "Gospel of Jesus Christ" is universal!

Isa 45:22  Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

We do not have to be ashamed of our Savior!

When we are covered in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we should have no fear of this world!

We must never be ashamed to confess the Lord Jesus Christ before any man, any woman, or any child!

God's love is never limited to any people!

*****Rom 10:12  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 

The Lord our God treats all humanity the same!

There is no distinction between humans in the eyes of God!

There is only one race, and it is the human race!

Every human being is related to God in the same way because He is our Creator!

God does not show partiality!

We are all His creations.

We all have the sin nature of Adam.

We are all loved by Him.

None of us can be saved, but through the Lord Jesus Christ by the righteousness that is in Him.

God does not save one person one way and another person a separate way.

We must all come to Christ!

No person is favored over another person in being saved or being condemned!

Act 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 

Act 10:35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 

God will respond to all that call upon His name!

Every good thing that comes to this world comes by the hands of our Loving God!

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

This means that terrible things do not come by the hands of God!

The truth being that we must call upon God to receive the riches of His "mercy" and His "grace"!

*****Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

This statement is not in the Bible to be a deception, it is in the Bible because it is the truth!

This same promise goes out to every man, woman, and child upon this earth!

This is a prophecy that is fulfilled from the Old Testament!

Joe 2:32  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. 

It means when we call upon the name of the Lord, then we believe in the righteousness of His Son Jesus!

It means every person with such a belief.

Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

You cannot get around Jesus Christ to make your own way to Heaven!

Jesus Christ is the answer to spending eternity with God our Father!

We must follow in the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

Luk 9:24  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 

Amen

Saturday, January 15, 2022

The Truth of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Gospel of Grace and Security

Chapter 8 Verse 28 through 39


What is the security of the believer?

1) First, we must understand that God the Father is the Author of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 

2Co 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2) It is God who "justifies" each believer by Jesus Christ.

Rom 3:21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 

Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 

Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 

Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

3) This assurance of salvation is the greatest gift that has ever been conceived!

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

The day of Jesus Christ is the day Christ returns to get His Church. He will meet His Church in the clouds.

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 

Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 

Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 

Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one.

Becoming a Christian with eternal security is not a fairy tale!

The death of Jesus Christ was not a game God was playing, but a serious thing He has done for us!

Becoming a Sanctified Christian is a life-long struggle to resist temptations and flee from ungodly activities.

How do I know that I have eternal security? Because my God cannot and does not lie!

Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 

Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 

Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 

Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

When God raised His Son Christ Jesus from His death, He gave us the basis of our "faith" in His truth!

Without this "faith" there is no eternal security for anyone!

1Co 15:12  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 

1Co 15:13  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 

1Co 15:14  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 

1Co 15:15  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 

1Co 15:16  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 

1Co 15:17  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 

1Co 15:18  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 

1Co 15:19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 

1Co 15:20  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 

1Co 15:21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 

Everything that has happened since the time of Creation, are things that have worked for the good of all those who love God.

More about this eternal security in our lesson today.

Remember no one comes to God on their own. No one comes to God without them first being called by God the Holy Spirit.

*****Rom 8:28  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. 

Those who love God and are called by Him will definitely be freed from the bondage of sin, and the corruptions of this life, and will be ushered into glory.

Nothing shall prevent the plan of God from being fulfilled in each believer!

No part of the plan of God will fail!

God works out all the details of salvation for those who love Him!

"All things" goes far beyond just the things of this world!

Remember God has made a New Heaven and a New Jerusalem.

Since this is true, then we have to know that God has it in His power to control all things or to allow all things that have happened in this world and all these things have been for the believer.

We may not totally understand these things right now, but when we have that "faith", we can know all these things are true.

Daily, moment by moment, God is arranging all things for the good of the believer and we must understand these things as we see life unfold around us.

Anything that happens in this world happens because God has allowed it to happen!

God is not the cause of terrible things!

We already know that God does not cause terrible things, but He does allow some terrible things to happen and to continue if they serve His purpose.

For all those who do not love God, why then do they expect God to look after them?

They should point the blame at the true cause and in most cases, these causes come from bad government and wicked men influenced by Satan.

These are the ones who live in a fantasy world and not the believer, who know the truth!

God will not force His care upon anyone!

God has a purpose for each and every believer!

God wants the love that freely flows from the heart of each of us who love Him to be seen by the world.

2Th 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 

2Th 2:14  Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

God places His Spirit inside each believer to bring them to holiness!

1Th 4:7  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 

This is that process of "sanctification".

God delivers all those who are positioned in Christ Jesus!

God has His own purpose, which is to deliver each believer, it is His will!

*****Rom 8:29  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.

What is omniscience? We sometimes forget God is intellectually omniscient. 

He knows the ending and the beginning of everything at the same time! 

He knows all those who will accept His gift of salvation and those who will not, yet He offers His free gifts to every living soul.

It is choices God offers after He explains His truth.

Act 15:18  Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

If you understand this verse as it is written, you will see that these who choose the "faith" in the Lord Jesus Christ are those who have been predestined. 

Those seeking to be like Jesus are the ones Born Again into the family of God!

God does not choose some to go Heaven and then the remainder to go to Hell!

God gives this choice to us!

If you end up in Hell it is because of the choices you have made the main choice being to ignore the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Does He know, sure He does!

He also knows if I am able to go to work tomorrow or not or my plans a month away.

God knows the things we go through moment by moment, day by day, year by year.

The Bible is not only a love letter from God, but it is a book that teaches us about the choices we make and if they are good choices or bad choices and what happens when we make bad choices.

We must understand that no matter how much we struggle, no matter how great the opposition we face, no matter how great the suffering, God is going to complete His purpose for each believer, each child of God!

God has ordained that His Son Jesus is to have many adopted brothers and sisters, and this is the method He has chosen.

If you truly the Lord Jesus Christ, then you will be welcomed into the family of God. This is what He has predestined! 

You cannot be rejected for you sins of the past or the sins of the future.

That word "conformed" means to be like Christ. That title Christian means to be like Jesus Christ.

That word "Image" means likeness. We could attempt to work to be more like Jesus, but we do not have the ability to be perfect as He is!

This then is a gift of God when we are glorified!

2Pe 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. 

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 

1Jn 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 

Our Holy God has given each of us that believe Him these assurances that we will one day be alive in the image of His dear Son Jesus the true Messiah!

2Ti 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Since God knows all these things then we can be sure that if you love the Lord Jesus Christ you will be part of this calling.

No one who has put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be left out!

*****Rom 8:30  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. 

Predestination includes individual salvation.

Predestination includes our status as the adopted children of God.

Predestination includes our eventual perfection.

Predestination includes our ultimate glorification.

Predestination secures our eternal inheritance.

Predestination is the will of God for each believer!

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

Predestination is a promise from God for those who have accepted the work of Jesus Christ for their salvation!

It is not a question of if God will do all these things.

It is God's purpose for those who love Him and His Son and who are filled with His Holy Spirit!

This is why it is called the "Grace" of God!

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

God calls us to Christ and when we respond and come to Christ, then we are "justified".

This calling must be answered which this is the time we have a choice. Not everyone answers the call of God!

We know that this is the work of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit knows if He will be accepted or not.

Gen_6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man,

Those who answer God's calling will begin that road called sanctification as a child of God and God in His patience will bring His child through this life pursuing the image of Jesus Christ.

Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 

God will never forget about His adopted children.

*****Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 

Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 

God will never be against those who are His adopted children!

So, when God is for us, it does not really matter who is against us!

The only thing they can do is the thing we want and that is to join our Heavenly Father in His house!

He is expecting us at any time because He lives in eternity!

We cannot make God loves us more and we cannot make God love us any less, because He has that perfect love!

Gal 1:3  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Gal 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 

Gal 1:5  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

Since God gave His Son Jesus for us why would we ever think He will not provide our needs!

He is bound by His own oaths to take care of His adopted children.

This provision includes spiritual, eternal, and material things in this life.

These material things are the necessities of this life that we need to survive, and these things are freely given.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

God has already "justified" each of His adopted children, so He does not hold sin against any of us!

Only God can judge us in this manner!

Heb 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 

No one can separate us from the love of God.

*****Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 

If there were anyone who had the power to condemn us for our sin it would be the Lord Jesus Christ who died for that sin.

Once Christ died for us and rose from that death, He became our Savior and Saviors do not condemn!

Our penalty for all sin we have and will commit in our lifetime has been paid by our Savior!

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Our faith is not just based upon His death.

Our faith is based upon His resurrection.

Our faith is based upon His return to take His church home.

Our faith is based upon His one-thousand-year rule of this earth.

Our faith is based upon His Second Coming.

Our faith is based upon His intercession for us today and every day until He takes us home!

Our old life is passed away and we have begun living our new life once we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, though He is much more than our Savior!

He sits at the right hand of God defending His brothers and sisters.

Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 

Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, "but also in that which is to come": (There is a New World coming and we will still be in the family of God with these promises)

Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 

Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who rules and reigns over all this universe. Some would say cosmos.

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

No one can take His love from us!

No one can make these promises to fail!

*****Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

As Christians God has not raised us to be sheep to be slaughtered, He has made us to be Conquerors of this wicked world!

How can our nation, which was once known as a Christian nation, turn their back on such a loving God?

How can a world headed for destruction turn their back on such a loving God?

How can so-called believers turn their back on God knowing all the promises He has made to us?

The world is in distress, but I am not, and neither are most Christians.

The distresses of this life are readily seen including this Covid plague but as a Christian I am not distressed over it.

The Church realizes we are the enemy of the world because we stand against sin.

To be abused, or mocked, even ridiculed for my beliefs does not harm me.

As we go through these things, we need to remember these words of God the Holy Spirit.

I know persecution is much worse in other places, than it is here in the U.S. but we all must cling to these promises of God.

Remember a great many missionaries depend on the Churches of America for support!

If we do our part, I know the Lord will do His part!

No matter our circumstances or the severity of our situation Christ will carry us through it.

2Ti 4:18  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

These are not just words we read.

These are the promises from a loving God!

Even when we reach that time called "old" Christ Jesus does not forget us.

Isa 46:4  And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. 

*****Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is no power in this universe that can separate us from the love of God!

Death is only our first step to Heaven’s doorway!

If God allows our death to come, then He is ready for us to come home!

Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Nothing in this life can separate us from the love of God.

There is no angel, no power, no heavenly, no spiritual creature, no being from another dimension can keep us from the love of God.

There is nothing that is present and nothing in the future can keep us from the love of God.

There is no height, nor depth, nothing from outer space, or the depths of earth can separate us from the love of God.

Even if there is something that comes about that we cannot know about, even this cannot overcome the love that God has for us and the completion of His will for us.

Jehovah God and His Messiah and His Holy Spirit are all powerful and they all live within me!

1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 

1Jn 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 

Amen

Sunday, January 9, 2022

The Gospel of Grace is God's Law

 The Gospel of Grace and the Law

Book of Romans Chapter 8


What is it to be condemned? It is to be sentenced to punishment. 

To be guilty. 

To be worthless. 

To be wrong according to the truth of the Word of God.

We need to understand the power of the Holy Spirit! There is nothing and no one more powerful than the Holy Spirit(Ghost)!

If we need anything, we need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives!

What does the Holy Spirit accomplish in our lives once we accept the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ?

The Holy Spirit gives us eternal life.

The Holy Spirit leads us to Spiritual things.

The Holy Spirit will live inside each believer forever.

The Holy Spirit is life.

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome sin.

The Holy Spirit connects us to the Heavenly Father.

The Holy Spirit is our adoption agent into the family of God.

The Holy Spirit bears witness to our Heavenly Father of our Spiritual condition.

All these things will unfold as we go through this passage called Chapter Eight.

Chapter 8 of the Book of Romans is one of the greatest chapters for the believer and those who still have doubts in their Spiritual life.

So what is the truth of our deliverance from sin by the Lord Jesus Christ?

*****Rom 8:1  There is therefore now "no condemnation" to them which are "in Christ Jesus", who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

For me to be in Christ then, I must be in all the things Jesus Christ did for me!

The Lord Jesus Christ lived.

The Lord Jesus Christ died.

The Lord Jesus arose from that death.

So I must live, die, and arise to be in Christ!

This is also the meaning of the full immersion Baptism! 

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 

Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 

He was my Substitute for my death.

He is my Mediator while I yet live.

He is my Representative in Heaven until I get there through Him.

My goal is to identify with my Lord Jesus Christ and strive to be more like Him every day! This is the path of Sanctification!

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Propitiation for my sin therefore I never have to die!

When I do all these things I will no longer be "condemned" to die for my sin, for He has already paid that debt I owed!

Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. 

I have been made free from the law of sin and death!

*****Rom 8:2  For "the law of the Spirit of life" in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Have you noticed that there are somethings God knew we would not understand in the Bible, so God explained them for us?

What is the Law of the Spirit? It is life in Christ Jesus!

A life in Christ Jesus is eternal!

There is life in Jesus Christ that goes far beyond these few years we see in this life that is no more than a vapor compared to the life in Jesus Christ!

Jas_4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

This life is in Jesus Christ and in Him alone!

Joh 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. 

Once this temporary body, that can live only a few years has passed to death, then by that death we will pass to life!

Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

This is an amazing promise for each believer!

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 

Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 

This life after death comes only by Jesus Christ!

Joh 20:31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 

This is that law of the Spirit of Life in Jesus Christ!

This life is the result of what our Heavenly Father sent His Son to do for us and why this act of God is called "Grace". 

God's Riches At Christ's Expense!

*****Rom 8:3  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: 

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit gives life by doing what those old Jewish Laws could not do!

The Law could not make anyone righteous, because in our flesh we have no power to keep and obey all those laws, and but one failure brought death!

There are no laws that can be written that would provide the righteousness, required by God to be in His presence!

God credits this righteousness to us:

1) When we believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is our righteousness.

2) When we believe that the lord Jesus Christ is our One and Only Savior! (The One who died for us)

When we believe these things with all our heart, the Holy Spirit fulfills that righteousness within us and it is eternal!

Without these things we cannot be saved from ourselves, and we cannot be saved from this world that lives in hopelessness!

Yes, this world lives in hopelessness!

Everywhere today we hear "trust the science" but science cannot give us what God can give us!

It is the Holy Spirit who brings with Him eternal life in the home of our Savior!

We must forsake our flesh to receive the Holy Spirit!

What are we taught by the Lord Jesus Christ?

1) Jesus condemned sin as being evil! 

All sin is contrary to God and the Word of God!

Sin is unworthy of God and humanity.

2) Jesus Christ made secure the righteousness of all humanity! 

Jesus Christ came as that babe born in Bethlehem in the same flesh as we have.

The same flesh with all its desires, its passions, and its potential for evil, yet He had the power to overcome this flesh and never sinned even one time.

The Lord Jesus Christ became our pattern, our model, of what our Heavenly Father was looking for in humanity!

We now have the power of God to reach the perfection that was in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 

3) The Lord Jesus Christ became our Substitute on Calvary's Cross. 

Our Heavenly Father had to accept the law of sin and death as fulfilled by His Son because God will never go against His Word!

Satan was removed from this picture.

1Pe 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

*****Rom 8:5  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. 

The Holy Spirit who moves into our heart upon that "faith" in the work of Christ, will pull us to do Spiritual things.

What comes from the heart enters our mind and so when our hearts are pure, our mind will think upon pure things.

Pro 23:7  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 

When our thoughts are focused upon the goodness of God, then we are able to do good things and things that are righteous according to the Word of God!

God helps us to have control of our minds!

The Holy Spirit will search out the secret intentions of the heart and He cannot be fooled!

When we can remain under the guidance of a corrupt nature, then we had better take another look at Jesus Christ and be truly saved!

When our minds remain carnal, then the Holy Spirit does not live within our heart!

*****Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 

We should understand that a carnal mind does not just mean a mind on evil and immoral things. 

A carnal mind is a mind that does not place the Lord Jesus Christ first in all our thoughts!

There is a lot to be said about "What Would Jesus Do" WWJD!

The Holy Spirit will always lead us to the thoughts of Jesus Christ!

A carnal mind can focus on moral, upright, and a cultured life, and still reject and neglect the truth of God and the truth of Jesus Christ!

This is called self-righteousness which goes against the truth of God! 

We must live in the "righteousness" of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Eph 4:17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 

Eph 4:18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

We must give our minds over to the control of the Holy Spirit!

It is only the Holy Spirit who can work within us to cause our mind to think upon Spiritual things!

It is only the Holy Spirit who will provide the will to do God's pleasure! A day by day walk with God! This is called Sanctification.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

This is the only way we can focus upon the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ!

If we are not in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, then we cannot please God!

Remember we live and die by obedience to our Holy God!

Being saved is His first priority!

Doing the work of Christ is a close second.

We will live with a lifetime of choices and the Holy Spirit will always choose Christ!

*****Rom 8:9  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. 

Upon accepting the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit immediately moves into each believer.

Some will feel Him just that quick, but most do not, but this does not mean He did not move into each one that now have that faith.

It is by faith that we know this important truth of God!

It is a surety that the Holy Spirit moves in at this point and begins the process of "regeneration", making all things new!

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

We must have faith that this is true, and we must know that He, the Holy Spirit will never leave us from this point forward throughout eternity!

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 

Some people ask, what is the differences between the angels and humanity.

The differences begin with one simple fact, an angel has no spirit so the Holy Spirit cannot live within an angel!

1Pe 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; "which things the angels desire to look into".

The angels can never be the children of God!

So, if Christ comes into the heart and the Holy Spirit comes to live within each believer, our bodies should be dead to sin!

But alive to Christ because of the Holy Spirit!

*****Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 

What is the first benefit we receive by the Holy Spirit? Eternal life!

This old body that ages everyday will continue to age, but the spirit that remains, shall live because of righteousness.

Our spirit will begin that life that is eternal, if we have accepted the work of Jesus Christ for our salvation!

The Spirit of Christ is a life-giving force that cannot be stopped.

We say all the time that time is just going by so fast. 

What we are really saying is, that our body is in a rapid movement toward its death and there is little we can do about it!

We can try with the right diet and proper exercise, but we will not gain very much, at best we may add one or two years!

This does not mean that we should not do healthy things, we should so we can remain in the work of God as long as possible.

We all seem to forget that it is God who decides our death!

1Ti_4:8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

We already know we had no righteousness ourselves so, this righteousness must be the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we had remained dependent upon laws, then we could have kept our righteousness only if we had not broken even one law!

Righteousness is living according to the Word of God as best we can, and God gives us many tools to help us in righteousness and the gift of the Spirit of Jesus is our greatest tool!

When our spirit unites with the Holy Spirit, then our spirit has gained eternal life and not eternal death!

What many do not understand is that the Holy Spirit will also quicken our mortal body!

Though our bodies may die and be buried till it disintegrates, burnt, or destroyed in any form or fashion, God will make those old bodies new on that great day of redemption we call the "Rapture".

Too good to be true? Not at all!

The mortal body will be made alive!

We will be who we were, but in a glorified body.

My name is Bobby and in Heaven I will be Bobby so those that knew me can still know me!

Moses was still Moses and Elijah was still Elijah, and it will be no different for me or any other child of God!

My new glorified body will be given the power and energy of eternal elements!

Eternal molecules, eternal atoms, and eternal whatever else it takes for God to glorify my old body.

1Co 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

1Co 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 

1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 

1Co 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 

1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Rom 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 

*****Rom 8:11  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. 

It is the "resurrection" of the Lord Jesus Christ that gives us these guarantees and they are guarantees!

Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 

When the Lord Jesus Christ came out of that tomb, He proved He is God!

There has never been a power on this earth that can raise someone from being dead. It is a God thing!

It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that proved that He is the Savior of the world!

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

It is the resurrection from the dead that proves that Jesus Christ is the Lord of life!

1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 

1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

There are too many benefits for a life in Christ than just to say I do not believe those things!

It pays for everyone on the face of this "created world" to listen to what God has to say!

Just believing with a pure heart gets these things started by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit!

*****Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 

Rom 8:13  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. 

It is the Holy Spirit who has the power to put evil deeds to death!

It was the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of life who decided on this new ministry of the Holy Spirit!

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

So as Christians we owe no debt to our flesh, we are in debt to the Holy Spirit. Debt meaning obligation.

Our flesh is contaminated with sin!

Our flesh is carnal!

Our flesh causes our death!

Our flesh has a mind that is in enmity with our Holy God!

Our flesh cannot please God!

We owe our flesh nothing! We owe all we are to our Holy God!

We are fools to focus all our lives on the satisfying of our flesh!

Rom 7:18  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. 

Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

It is the Holy Spirit to whom I owe my new life!

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 

It is by the Holy Spirit that we have the power within ourselves to put our flesh to death even while we yet live!

We can deny our flesh!

We can mortify our evil deeds!

The Holy Spirit will never destroy the deeds of sin unless we exercise our will to destroy it ourselves.

Eph 3:14  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Eph 3:15  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 

Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 

Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 

Eph 3:18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 

Eph 3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

When we put the evil deeds of our flesh to death, then and only then can we see life and what true life all is about!

We must understand that this is a constant daily battle for the rest of our earthly days!

We die because of evil, but we live because of the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ!

1Pe 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 

We can be at peace with this world within ourselves, if we follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and be obedient to the Word of God, the Words of Life!

Amen

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Set Apart For God Sanctification

 The Gospel of Grace and Sanctification

Book of Romans Chapter 6


What is sanctification and what does it really mean? 

Sanctification means to be set apart for God's use. 

Sanctification is the act of being made holy.

The Almighty Living God is separate from His creation because He is the Creator!

God has always existed, but this world we see around us is only a few thousand years old. 

Probably at least six thousand years and no more than ten thousand years old. 

Do not fear what the evolutionists say. When they say millions and billions of years, they try to trick us into believing that if enough time passes anything can happen and this is just not the truth!

All miracles come by the hand of Jehovah!

Since God is separate from His creation, then to sanctified is to separate ourselves for the purpose of serving Him.

Sanctification is a lifelong process, at least from the time the Holy Spirit moves into our heart until our death.

Since Jehovah exist in holiness, then all that love Him must come into this same holiness!

Being Christian is being like the Lord Jesus Christ the true Messiah (God With Us)!

This is the act of sanctification being more like Christ every day.

We should be growing in the Lord Jesus Christ every day of our lives, until we are finally sanctified and have reached perfection becoming glorified when we meet Jesus.

We do not need a group to vote to see if we are Saints. We become Saints when the Holy Spirit moves into our heart.

We always ask what is the will of God for our lives? It is the will of God that we be sanctified!

1Th 4:3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 

1Th 4:4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 

2Th 2:14  Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We can only begin our sanctification by receiving the Holy Spirit!

1Pe 1:2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 

If we continue in sin after our salvation, we can never be sanctified, and we should question our salvation. Was it real?

We must consider ourselves dead to sin!

We must consider ourselves alive to Jesus Christ, who had no sin!

*****Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Rom 6:12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 

Rom 6:13  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. 

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

What is the truth of the Christian?

We know we are still sinners only saved by the "Grace" of God!

We are alive today and forever through the Lord Jesus Christ!

We do not allow sin to rule our lives anymore! The Holy Spirit gives us this power!

We do not allow any part of our body from our head to our toes to be used as instrument to commit sin!

We allow the will of God to be our will!

We allow the ways of God to be our ways.

We can do these things because we have the Holy Spirit living within us and all other strength comes by the Lord Jesus Christ.

We wear the seal of God!

Rom 6:2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 

Rom 6:7  For he that is dead is freed from sin. 

Rom 6:8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 

Rom 6:9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

We are dead to sin, but alive to our Heavenly Father!

We no longer serve the Devil; we are servants to our Holy God!

Sin offends God and in reality, is as a disease that if left untreated, will lead to our eternal death.

Being saved does not destroy this sin nature, but gives us the power to not allow it to rule in our life.

Our bodies are not the source of our sin, but are the instruments used by the Devil to promote his sin.

We cannot allow sin to rule us!

We had no power to do that until the Holy Spirit came to live within us!

We must be constantly on guard against allowing any part of our body to be used for sin, this includes our mind. 

What comes from the heart will enter into the mind so we must keep our hearts pure.

Because of God's "Grace" sin cannot rule us!

If we were under the Law, then we would spend our lifetime struggling to keep that Law which is impossible.

The Law only brings disappointment and discouragement, it can never bring salvation!

When we fail the Law, it brings us shame and we feel unacceptable to God!

We feel unworthy, but remember, we will never be worthy of God's "Grace".

Our Heavenly Father is not this great Judge waiting to pounce all over us when we fail.

Our Heavenly Father is this Merciful God who offers His "Grace" because we have identified ourselves with His Son Jesus!

Our Heavenly Father loves His Son so much, that He accepts all those who love His Son, who is our substitute for the keeping of the Law.

Our Heavenly Father has claimed each and every believer as His own child!

God is a gracious and loving Father who cares for and suffers with His children and provides forgiveness, when His children come to Him and willing to forgive His children when they fail Him.

1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

Since all this is true, the question is often asked; is the child of God allowed to continue in sin?

God is really quick to answer this question.

*****Rom 6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 

As a true child of God, we will never feel comfortable if we deliberately try to hurt or disappoint our Heavenly Father.

So, we must strive to avoid sin!

We should question the salvation of those who remain in sin, but still claim to be a child of God.

Tit_1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

If sin dominates your life and you feel you have no power over that sin, then get back on your knees and ask our Heavenly Father to forgive you by Jesus Christ.

Any power we have is multiplied by the strength of our Lord Jesus!

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

In fact the Lord Jesus says we can do nothing without Him and I believe Him!

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Our Heavenly Father is a loving Father, willing to teach us all these things and will discipline us when we need it.

Heb 12:5  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

God shows His love when He disciplines not His hatred, "He has already judged us and justified us" and this is eternal!

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Our Heavenly Father can easily see if we have become His servants!

*****Rom 6:16  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? 

When we yield to sin, we are on the road to death just as God explained to Adam before Adam became the first human with a sin nature.

Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 

Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 

Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 

Not the death of this flesh which comes to everyone, but a complete separation from a Holy God throughout eternity.

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

It is that "judgment" we had better concentrate on while we are still living!

Our Lord Jesus has made us free from the penalties of sin!

If we yield to the truth of God, He will become a part of us now and remain with us throughout eternity.

Eternity is that place where my Heavenly Father lives and He has allowed me to live with Him!

We had better understand for whom we serve determines our eternal destiny!

1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 

One man wrote: "We must walk as an open confession to the Lord our God"!

God is a forgiving God if we pray to Him with a sincere heart!

*****Rom 6:17  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. 

Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

We should always keep in mind that we have made a choice when we chose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

We chose righteousness! 

We had no righteousness until we chose Jesus!

I was once a servant of sin!

Now that I have chosen the Lord Jesus Christ, I am still a sinner though I try not to be and ask for forgiveness constantly and I walk in His righteousness because I have none myself.

Now I try to obey the Doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the "Gospel" of "justification" and the method of sanctification.

I have been justified in the eyes of our Holy God!

I obey God's commandments!

I believe upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

1Jn 3:23  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 

1Jn 3:24  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 

I am now freed from that sin debt I owed and freed from the consequences of that sin!

I can never be charged with that sin ever again!

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

I now give myself to my Heavenly Father through His Son to do with me as He pleases according to His Word!

*****Rom 6:19  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. 

Rom 6:20  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

Where will righteousness lead us? Righteousness will lead us to holiness.

My members are all the parts of my body that I once gave to sin. 

My eyes, my ears, my mouth, my hands, my feet, my heart, my thoughts, and any other thing that I gave to sin including, lust, fornication, adultery and anything else.

I became a slave to sin, and sin has no ending! Sin multiplies until it has destroyed me!

If I gave so much to sin, then I need to be just as giving to righteousness and the Lord Jesus Christ!

I once served uncleanness willingly, let me now serve righteousness just as willingly.

The power of sin cannot be overcome, but by the Lord Jesus Christ!

God knew all these things and sent His Son Jesus to solve the sin problem for every human being, but it takes "faith" in the work of Christ Jesus to break the power of sin!

Rom 7:5  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 

When we allow "faith" to replace the power of sin and righteousness to work to our sanctification, we will see sanctification work till our holiness.

My goal and our goal must be to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ!

Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 

Rom 13:13  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 

Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 

We must become slaves to righteousness as we were once slaves to sin.

This is what true repentance is all about!

A complete change of direction and a complete change of mind, toward the things of God!

Sin has only one goal and it is the destruction of our soul!

*****Rom 6:21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 

Rom 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 

Once we realize the power that sin held over us, then we will become ashamed that we left our Creator to become a part of that sin!

What gain can we have from sin? There is only one gain from sin, and it is death, so there is no gain from sin!

The fruit of sin is death of the soul!

There can be nothing good come from sin!

It is only by the work of the Lord Jesus Christ that we can be made free from the penalty of sin!

Sin corrupts.

Sin destroys.

Sin dooms all those who seek its fruits because no good thing comes from sin!

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

Notice that word make.

We must be made free and not set free, there is a significant difference

Many a person have been set free from prison only to find their way back into prison.

We are "Born Again" into the family of God and "made" free from sin and the penalty of sin!

These are the precious promises of a Holy God!

2Co 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 

It is from these promises where we have our hope!

Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

The gifts of God bring eternal life!

*****Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Sin deserves death because sin is rebellion against the ways of God who is life.

Life and death are two extreme opposites!

Sin goes against the nature of our Holy God!

God is pure and morally pure in all His ways!

God is holy and full of glory!

God is a God of justice and righteousness!

And most important God is full of love and grace from which comes His mercy!

This death is:

To be cast far away from God.

To have no part of God.

To be banished from God's sight.

To be separated from God's presence forever.

To be condemned and punished for rejecting God's plan of salvation.

Sin will receive these wages of this death, a complete separation from our Holy God!

Jas 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 

Eze 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 

Sin demands the wages of sin.

Righteousness receives the free gifts of God!

Not such a hard choice, but a choice we all must make.

To not choose at all, is still this death!

Amen