For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. Romans 7:14 Following Christ is one of the best things a person could ever do. Is it easy? No! Is it hard to live life without him? Yes! The phrase I am of the flesh, sold under sin, points to the spiritual or unspiritual condition of the persons who have not been reborn again in Christ. Paul is explaining the inability of the law to rescue us from sin. Yet, the good news (which is all about our savior and how he saves us) is capable of bringing spiritual salvation and freedom from sin…
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The Law And Sin
What then shall we say? That the law is a sin? By no means! Yes, if it had not been for the law. I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet. Romans 7:7 Please read Romans 7:7-25 for full context! Paul is describing the uselessness of trying to live right and please God in our own strength, without depending on God’s grace, mercy, and strength. Paul understood this from his own personal experience before he was a follower of Christ. He only depended on God’s law to be righteous. We can not…
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Dead To Sin
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11 If you are a true follower of Christ, you are dead to sin. This is a reflection in several areas of your Christian experience. In God’s view, you are dead to sin. According to verses five through 10, God considers us dead to sin with Christ on the cross. Also to be raised up to a new life and his resurrection. When you excepted Christ in your life, you died to sin. You’re spiritually reborn it by the power of the Holy Spirit. As a result, you have been given Christ power…
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God The Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and God the Holy Spirit
according to the foreknowledge of God the father, in the sanctification of the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with His blood: 1 Peter 1:2 Peter made a strong declaration to the people on how God chose us. At one time, it was the Israelites as his chosen people. However, through Christ, all believers are chosen. Jews and Gentiles, all belong to God. Our salvation and security rest in the merciful choice of God. We are chosen to be God’s people according to the foreknowledge of God. Since God is all knowing, he worked His plan to save people spiritually. He would save them through Christ Jesus…
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God Chose You To Be Saved
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Have you ever thought about giving God thanks for choosing you? We ought too!! We should give him thanks because he chose us first. Then through salvation, we have the option to choose him back. We must accept His gift of salvation. although we have an option to refuse it. I don’t recommend that though!! Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians that God chose them from the beginning. Sanctification is the process…
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Choice And Predestination
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who work all things according to the counsel of his will, Ephesians 1:11 The believer’s inheritance consists of the promise of eternal life with God and all the spiritual blessings the heavenly father supplies until then. Predestination means to decide beforehand and applies to God’s purposes. God’s purpose is to offer salvation to every person. He is sovereign, He is in charge. When life seems chaotic, rest in this truth: Jesus is Lord, and God is in control. Paul is not claiming that people have no self – determining the free will. As…
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You Will Receive Power – Part One
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea, Samaria and to the end of the Earth.” Acts 1:8 The main purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to provide power to communicate the message of Jesus to others. The purpose of the baptism is to receive power to deliver the message to those who do not have a personal relationship with God. We can have forgiveness, learn how to follow Jesus, and fulfill His purpose in our lives. The greek word for power is dunamis. It means more than strength or ability;…
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The Power Of The Holy Spirit
Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 When preaching the word, the message is focused on the gospel of God and Christ. The apostles preached in the power of the Holy Spirit. Preaching God’s word in the power of the Holy Spirit is where the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins. The Holy Spirit would shows us how we need God in our lives. That we need God’s forgiveness and new life. When we…
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Why The Law
Why then the law? It was added because o transgressions, until the offspring come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Galatians 3:19 The Hebrew word for law is Torah meaning to teach or direction. The law is referring to the Ten Commandments, the Pentateuch, which is the first five books of the Old Testament, and any commandment of the Old Testament. This verse is also referring to the sacrificial system that was part of God’s Old Testament covenant with Israel given to Moses. Paul states several things concerning the law. It was given because of transgressions. The law defines the offenses…
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Grace and Truth
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. John 1:14 – 18 Grace! A wonderful thing for God to give to us. He keeps giving grace to us over and over. It…