(Lesson 2821)(09-14-19) Romans 8:1-8
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
The last sentence of today’s quote sums up how we, the believers, stand before God so long as we occupy this mortal body. Paul said, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Does that mean that it doesn’t matter how we act in our daily lives and in our dealings with one another? NO! It most certainly DOES matter how we act after salvation. Even though the soul of a believer has been eternally saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit “until the day of redemption”, that believer is still bound to the two “great” commandments that were given to us by Jesus Himself. Although the saved are exempted from the spiritual death, they are still subject to be punished for their disobedience when they sit before the judgment seat of Christ; “For we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) ~
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Friday, September 13, 2019
Lesson 2820
(Lesson 2820)(09-13-19) Romans 7:15-25
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Today’s quote demonstrates precisely how we, mankind in the flesh, cannot rise above the sin that is inherent in us through the fall of Adam; However, as spiritual beings, we, the saved, having had that inherent sin washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ (NOT by water), shall remain sinless in the spirit (inner man/woman), having had our eternal souls “sealed” by the Holy Spirit “unto the day of redemption”. (1 John 3:9) “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he CANNOT sin because he is born of God."~
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Today’s quote demonstrates precisely how we, mankind in the flesh, cannot rise above the sin that is inherent in us through the fall of Adam; However, as spiritual beings, we, the saved, having had that inherent sin washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ (NOT by water), shall remain sinless in the spirit (inner man/woman), having had our eternal souls “sealed” by the Holy Spirit “unto the day of redemption”. (1 John 3:9) “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he CANNOT sin because he is born of God."~
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Lesson 2819
(Lesson 2819)(09-12-19) Romans 7:9-14
“For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”
In today’s quote, Paul again explained that, through the laws and commandments that were handed down to the Jews, the inability of mortal mankind (the outer man) to obey ANY rule was exposed.
Does that mean that we should not restrain ourselves to live within the limits of those laws? NO! If we live by the two “great” commandments we will, by default, have obeyed all of those old laws. Jesus said that on those two “great” commandments hang ALL those old laws, plus any laws that were imposed by the prophets of God. Therefore if we obey the latter, we have, in effect, obeyed all.~
“For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”
In today’s quote, Paul again explained that, through the laws and commandments that were handed down to the Jews, the inability of mortal mankind (the outer man) to obey ANY rule was exposed.
Does that mean that we should not restrain ourselves to live within the limits of those laws? NO! If we live by the two “great” commandments we will, by default, have obeyed all of those old laws. Jesus said that on those two “great” commandments hang ALL those old laws, plus any laws that were imposed by the prophets of God. Therefore if we obey the latter, we have, in effect, obeyed all.~
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Lesson 2818
(Lesson 2818)(09-11-19) Romans 7:7-8
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.”
Today’s quote begins a series of lessons relating Paul’s explanation as to why the physical bodies of saved people continue in sin after having their eternal souls saved. Paul, in a passage that will appear later in these lessons, referred to that part of mankind that is eternally saved as “the inner man” as opposed to the outer or physical man/woman.
To me, the lessons that Paul taught in these passages are some of the most comforting that can be found in the entire bible in that they establish an unrefutable basis for the security of the believer. “Once saved, always saved.” What a blessing to know that once we believe we are saved for all of eternity and CANNOT have that salvation taken from us.
In the quote, Paul relates that, as it pertains to anyone other than Adam, there was no sin except that sin which was imputed into all mankind through Adam’s disobedience. That is because there were no commandments to be broken.
As we discussed yesterday, one becomes guilty of sin when that one breaks one of God’s rules; Therefore, where there are no rules there can be no sin; not withstanding, that after the laws and commandments were imposed upon the Jews, all manner of sin was exposed by those laws and commandments.~
NOTE: There is far more to Paul’s lesson than what appears herein. We’ll cover it all in upcoming lessons.
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.”
Today’s quote begins a series of lessons relating Paul’s explanation as to why the physical bodies of saved people continue in sin after having their eternal souls saved. Paul, in a passage that will appear later in these lessons, referred to that part of mankind that is eternally saved as “the inner man” as opposed to the outer or physical man/woman.
To me, the lessons that Paul taught in these passages are some of the most comforting that can be found in the entire bible in that they establish an unrefutable basis for the security of the believer. “Once saved, always saved.” What a blessing to know that once we believe we are saved for all of eternity and CANNOT have that salvation taken from us.
In the quote, Paul relates that, as it pertains to anyone other than Adam, there was no sin except that sin which was imputed into all mankind through Adam’s disobedience. That is because there were no commandments to be broken.
As we discussed yesterday, one becomes guilty of sin when that one breaks one of God’s rules; Therefore, where there are no rules there can be no sin; not withstanding, that after the laws and commandments were imposed upon the Jews, all manner of sin was exposed by those laws and commandments.~
NOTE: There is far more to Paul’s lesson than what appears herein. We’ll cover it all in upcoming lessons.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Lesson 2817
(Lesson 2817)(09-10-19) Romans 7:1-6
“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 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. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
In today’s quote, Paul made it clear that, to those of us whom have believed in Jesus Christ, the penalty for breaking the rules of the law, including the ten commandments, NO LONGER APPLIES. We are under a new law, that is the law of faith. (Romans 3:20-24) “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being JUSTIFIED FREELY by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. ~
“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 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. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
In today’s quote, Paul made it clear that, to those of us whom have believed in Jesus Christ, the penalty for breaking the rules of the law, including the ten commandments, NO LONGER APPLIES. We are under a new law, that is the law of faith. (Romans 3:20-24) “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being JUSTIFIED FREELY by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. ~
Monday, September 9, 2019
Lesson 2816
(Lesson 2816)(09-09-19) Romans 6:8-23
“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.”
Today’s commentary concerns the same quote from which yesterday’s lesson was taken in that it concerns what is, and what is not, sin.
Sadly, the vast majority of today’s so-called Christians, consider sin to be whatever someone else might do that they don’t, or can’t do. They are many of those who fill the same pews every time the church doors open and never appear guilty of the commonly accepted sins like drinking, cursing etc etc. Yet, in their everyday lives and in thier business practices, they take advantage of everyone, including their neighbors at every opportunity. Those are the types Jesus despised the most. Jesus hung out with those common sinners, the ones who had the audacity to stretch the laws to reasonably sustain themselves.
To clarify what is sin in God’s eyes, we must refer to what the bible teaches. We know from Adam’s experience that any direct disobedience to the commandment of God is indeed sin. Adam was given only one commandment and he disobeyed that commandment condemning himself and all mankind to a spiritual death.
Since Jesus lived perfection and died to fulfill all the requirements of the laws that were handed down before His coming, that is for all who believe, we, the saved, are subject to ONLY those commandments that were given us by Jesus Himself. Those commandments are, as was quoted in yesterday’s lesson, are; to love God with all that we are, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If we obey those two “great” commandments, we have, in effect, obeyed ALL the laws that God ever imposed upon the Jews or Gentiles.
So long as we have believed in the life, death, burial, resurrection of Jesus, love God with our entire being and treat our neighbors as we expect to be treated, we are sinless. No matter what else we may do.~
“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.”
Today’s commentary concerns the same quote from which yesterday’s lesson was taken in that it concerns what is, and what is not, sin.
Sadly, the vast majority of today’s so-called Christians, consider sin to be whatever someone else might do that they don’t, or can’t do. They are many of those who fill the same pews every time the church doors open and never appear guilty of the commonly accepted sins like drinking, cursing etc etc. Yet, in their everyday lives and in thier business practices, they take advantage of everyone, including their neighbors at every opportunity. Those are the types Jesus despised the most. Jesus hung out with those common sinners, the ones who had the audacity to stretch the laws to reasonably sustain themselves.
To clarify what is sin in God’s eyes, we must refer to what the bible teaches. We know from Adam’s experience that any direct disobedience to the commandment of God is indeed sin. Adam was given only one commandment and he disobeyed that commandment condemning himself and all mankind to a spiritual death.
Since Jesus lived perfection and died to fulfill all the requirements of the laws that were handed down before His coming, that is for all who believe, we, the saved, are subject to ONLY those commandments that were given us by Jesus Himself. Those commandments are, as was quoted in yesterday’s lesson, are; to love God with all that we are, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If we obey those two “great” commandments, we have, in effect, obeyed ALL the laws that God ever imposed upon the Jews or Gentiles.
So long as we have believed in the life, death, burial, resurrection of Jesus, love God with our entire being and treat our neighbors as we expect to be treated, we are sinless. No matter what else we may do.~
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Lesson 2815
(Lesson 2815)(09-08-19) Romans 6:8-23
“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
In today’s lesson, Paul made it clear that after we have been saved by the amazing grace of God, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and freed from the penalty of sin, we are to live our lives in a manner wholly conducive to the divine will of God. That is, in EVERYTHING we do.~
“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
In today’s lesson, Paul made it clear that after we have been saved by the amazing grace of God, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and freed from the penalty of sin, we are to live our lives in a manner wholly conducive to the divine will of God. That is, in EVERYTHING we do.~
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