A Collection of Topical Articles

I love to write through chapters of the Bible or spend time on thinking and writing through Biblical topics. Here is that collection, arranged easily to be able to find what you are looking for. Here is the list of things I have written on.

 

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The Spirit Himself Testifies with Our Spirit that we are God's Children—Romans 8:16

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8:16)

Our belonging to the family of God is more than a feeling. God didn't leave confirmation for something this important based on the whims of emotions. If we had to rely on our natural feelings and sentiment to confirm that we belonged to Christ then we would live in constant fear and doubt. We would never be settled into a state of confidence before the Lord.

However, Paul stressed in Romans 8 that everyone who is led by the Spirit of God is a child of God ( Romans 8:14 ). Not only so, but today he reveals that the Holy Spirit is given to us to testify to our hearts this very fact ( Romans 8:16 ). This is amazing! He uses the fullness of the Godhead to show, confirm and preserve our status in his family. We belong to Christ period! It is not up for negation. It is not dependent upon how we feel. It is dependent upon who God is.

Isaiah prophesied that we would be given an everlasting name through Christ Jesus. "to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off" ( Isaiah 56:5 ). This promise was fulfilled through Jesus. The scriptures say that by believing in Jesus through faith we have been born into God's family. "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" ( John 1:12-13 ). Being born of God, means that we have an everlasting name that will never be cut off from Him. We can rest assured in this promise because Jesus sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts to testify with our spirits that we belong to Him.

By belonging to God, we receive all the rights and privileges of being his children. It is so much more than looking forward to our future in heaven. We can enjoy life with Him today. We have been fully equipped for life right now on this earth. He has given us everything we need to live a godly life completely pleasing to him in every way. He has given us the power to live in victory through the rights that come with being of his seed. "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" ( I John 5:4-5 ). He has given us faith to overcome the anything and everything that world throws our way. I John 3 says the reason that Jesus came was to destroy the works of the devil ( I John 3:8 ). Since they are destroyed, he have given us the Holy Spirit to see those works destroyed in our lives as well. God has called us out of the kingdom of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son ( Colossians 1:13 ). He did this because of his great love for us. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" ( I John 3:1 ).

Aren't you glad that your rights as God's child wasn't left to emotions and feelings. He guaranteed it through the Holy Spirit which he sent into your heart to continually confirm that you are His child. He is speaking love over you. He is pouring grace upon you. He has given you world overcoming power to live a life of victory in this present time. May this revelation of your sonship bless you today and change your future ! Amen.

 

Previous: Romans 8:15  Next: Romans 8:17

The Spirit of Sonship To Cry Abba Father—Romans 8:15

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15)

An incredible love exists towards you from the Lord. It is a perfect love. It is a love that casts out all fear. So many times we think we must clean ourselves up and be good enough before we come to the Lord. We look at the state we are in and think that God cannot love us, forgive us or accept us on that basis. But this is not the case. God loved you from the beginning. He sent Jesus into the world to die for you. God has chosen you to be his beloved child. He does not want you to exist in fear but wants you to understand who you are in Christ Jesus and how much you are loved.

Several years ago, a dog wandered into city hall where my mother worked. He was mangee, dirty and scared. They kept him for several days waiting for his owners to show up and claim him. But they never did. This dog had obviously been starved and beaten, he was in poor shape. My mother had compassion on him and loved him right from the start. She started campaigning my dad to come meet him. She wanted him to see this dog because she knew that he would see what she saw. A wonderful kindhearted dog needing a good home beneath the layers of dirt.

Needless to say, they welcomed Buddy into their home with open arms. They feed him, they cleaned him up, they took him to the Vet to get the necessary medicines to take care of the problems associated with neglect and most importantly they loved him. They welcomed him unconditionally into their home. It was nothing that Buddy did or contributed to the family that made them love him. They loved him and accepted him because of who they were not because of who Buddy was.

At first it was slow going. He was a friendly dog and fit nicely into the family. He was gentle with the grandkids and loved the lifestyle he was grafted into. However, in the early years when ever someone would approach him quickly he would cower and whimper in fear. There was no basis for this behavior in his new home, he had never been hit or mistreated. But this fear came from remembering where he had come from. Time and time again he learned of my parents goodness towards him instead of the pain he suffered before them. After a while this memory faded out of existence and the unconditional love he experience became his reality. No longer does Buddy cower and timidly approach those that love him, but he excitedly runs to them with no fear. Buddy experience their love and it changed everything.

That is why God sent the Holy Spirit into your heart to testify to the fact that He loves you. It has nothing to do with who you are or what you have done. It has everything to do with who He is and what He has done. He loved you. He gave His Son to die for you. He forgave you. He gave you his righteousness. He made you worthy to be a part of His family. The only thing we need to do is respond to this love. Many of us are like Buddy in the early stages, we are wrapped up in our fear remembering where we came from. But Paul said "you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear..." ( Romans 8:15 ). God does not want you to live in fear, shame or remorse. He wants you to get a revelation of this love he extends towards you. If we truly understand this and let the Holy Spirit remind us daily of this very thing then we will experience the confidence that comes with sonship. "...but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father" ( Romans 8:15 ). He longs for you to approach him in confidence. Hebrews tells us the Holy Spirit testifies to us the New Covenant that Jesus brought to us. He assures us that our sins and our lawless acts he remember no more ( Hebrews 10:15-17 ). And if he doesn't remember them, then we shouldn't either.

God Loves you! Today I pray that you understand this love and remove any fear that keeps you from experiencing this love and grace. May you approach God in full confidence and find rest at his feet. Today I am going to leave you with one of my favorite verses, This is what God spoke about you even before you were born.

"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17

 

Previous: Romans 8:14  Next: Romans 8:16

Those Who are Led By the Spirit of God are Sons of God—Romans 8:14

"because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14)

Isn't it amazing to know that you are a child of God? His Spirit inside testifies to this very thing. This truth is easy to take for granted especially if you grew up in a church because we hear this a lot. But stopping to reflect on this incredible reality will open your eyes to profound mysteries reveal in Christ Jesus.

Paul is teaching us to live by the Spirit of God in this entire passage of Romans 8. When we do this we will not gratify the desires of the flesh that we have been freed of. We will experience life and soul peace in the midst of trouble and hardship. This is an incredible lesson to learn, it is key to living free and victorious. However, just as important to understand is the truth found in today's verse. "...those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" ( Romans 8:14 ).

Did you know that being a son or daughter of God makes you a heir in his kingdom? By bearing His spirit and His name we have all the rights and privileges associated with those things. Paul says later on in Romans 8 that we received a spirit of sonship that makes us heirs and co-heirs with Christ ( Romans 8:15, Romans 8:17 ). Ephesians tells us that we are no longer aliens and foreigners to the promises of God, but we are God's people, members of his own household built into a royal temple where God lives by His Spirit ( Ephesians 2:19-22 ). It is amazing to think that since we are his children and his heirs, He will withhold nothing from us. We have receive full the rights of sonship. We are no longer slaves, but God's very own children born out of love. ( Galatians 4:4-7 ).

In Luke's gospel he recorded the genealogy of Jesus in chapter 4. He traces Jesus' line clear back to Adam and in verse 37, he records that Adam was the son of God. Adam was born out of a desire to have a family. God was not lonely, he had all fullness living within himself and yet he desired to create life and mankind. Adam bore the name of God. After the fall, God still desired to have a family and to reconcile to himself all things. This is why he sent Jesus, his son to be the second Adam.

Now fast forward a little bit where Jesus was with John at the river Jordan. John baptized Jesus and look what happened. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" ( Matthew 3:16-17 ).The Holy Spirit descended out of heaven in bodily form and landed on Jesus. But this amazing truth revealed to John two things, first that Jesus was the son of God. Second it revealed to him that God was extremely pleased in Jesus. The Holy Spirit living in Jesus showed both of these awesome truths, God loved him, was pleased with him and brought understanding that Jesus was the Son of God.

Adam was called the son of God and Jesus was called the son of God. Adam brought destruction and Jesus completely reverse everything that resulted in the fall. The Holy Spirit in Jesus was evident that he was the Son of God and that he came bearing of the good news that we can have peace with God. It was the Holy Spirit that revealed these things to the world. Since the Holy Spirit testified these things, we can rest assured that He will also testify the very same things to our spirits. God Loves us, God is please with us, God considers us his child. Jesus reminded the disciples of this very thing over and over while he was with them. "He [Holy Spirit] will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you" ( John 16:14-15 ). He is speaking to us on behalf of God the Father to reassure us of his great love for us.

This is an amazing truth. God loves you so much. Not only did he send Jesus to purchase your freedom and reconcile you to himself, but he also sent you the Holy Spirit to dwell continuously with you showing and revealing to you the love of the Father. That is why Paul, Peter and John wrote so many times that those who have the Spirit of God are children and heirs. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" ( I John 3:1 ).

Today, I pray that you will listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling you. He is expressing the amazing love of God. He is revealing to you your place in God's family. If you feel any condemnation today the John said in I John 3, "This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God" ( I John 3:19-21 ). This is what the Holy Spirit was sent into your heart to reveal to you. You have peace with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ. He loves you, he calls you friend, he considers you his beloved child and he wants you to have confidence before him. May this revelation of love and sonship bless you today. Amen.

 

Previous: Romans 8:13  Next: Romans 8:15

Death vs. Life; Choose Life—Romans 8:13

"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live" (Romans 8:13)

Since we have been freed from the sin nature, Paul is telling us to live accordingly. This is what he is saying in today's verse, if you live by the previous nature you will die. But on the other hand if you live according the Spirit you will experience life right here and now on this earth. He is speaking about living in the natural realm. The death he is talking about is not eternal separation from God, but instead it is the things that become death to us and keep us subservient to them, when we were designed to be completely free.

Galatians 5 gives us a good portrait of these things that he wants us to be free of. "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires" ( Galatians 5:19-23 ). The things that flow out of living contrary to your new nature will produce death in your life, your relationships, your workplace and your home. These things are evident by behavior. If we live like this, then we give ourselves over to be ruled and controlled by these things even though Jesus purchased our freedom from them.

However the contrast to these things exist in our born again spirit, these things are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These things describe Jesus. He has gifted us with these fruits and by allowing these things to operate in our lives, then we will experience true life in our relationships, our workplaces and our homes. This is how we were designed to live. But it takes a choice. You have to decide to live this way, which is contrary to the world around you. These things were provide for you at salvation and you are fully equipped to live this way if you choose to. Paul said, "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" ( Romans 8:6 ).

It is the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of you that equips and enables you to live according to your new nature fashioned after Jesus in true righteousness and holiness ( Ephesians 4:24 ). The problem arises because our minds are so deadened to this amazing truth. The world has deceived us into thinking that this should be a struggle. We are so in tuned with everything around us that this becomes reality to us instead of renewing our mind to this wonderful Word and letting that truth sink into our hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit has given us the power to live fresh and anew everyday and by allowing him control in our lives we will experience these things in our entire existence.

Why did God provide this power and freedom for you? It was a testament to how much he loves you. The Holy Spirit inside of you give evidence that you are a child of God. No longer a slave, but an heir. And as an heir He wants you to have all of the benefits of being his child. He loves you so much that He did everything to reconcile you unto himself. He wants you to experience His love every day of your life. Today, it is my prayer that you understand how free you are in Christ Jesus. May you get a revelation of his love and experience true victory in life living by the Spirit of God. Amen.

 

Previous: Romans 8:12  Next: Romans 8:14

The Love Debt Obligation—Romans 8:12

"Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it" (Romans 8:12)

Did you know that our obligation to the Lord stems out of love. We have a love debt with the Lord because of everything he has done for us. In verse 15 of the very same chapter, Paul tells us that we received 'the Spirit of sonship', not a spirit that makes us slaves again to fear ( Romans 8:15 ). So in today's verse Paul is simply reminding us that we do have an obligation, but it is not an responsibility ground in our previous nature, it is an obligation to our new nature in Christ Jesus.

In our previous study of Romans we learned that we have been completely freed of the sin nature. This freedom exists in our born again spirit. Paul told us that experiencing this freedom in our natural self is a choice. "Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?" ( Romans 6:16 ). Through Christ, we are not obligated to obey the desires of the sin nature, it should have no authority over us.

If what Paul says is true, then why, as Christians do we struggle so intensely with this. One of the reasons I believe is because we haven't fully understood everything that the Lord provided for us in our redemption. Maybe we've read these truths but we haven't let them soak into our brains and become foundation. I was praying about this the other morning and I got a picture in my mind of this very thing. I saw a person in heaven, clothed like royalty. And in the same instance I saw this person on earth bound and hog tied to the ground and they were immobile by these bonds. It was the very same person in two different states at the very same time. As Christians, this could be true of us if we don't understand how to live by the spirit. In the spiritual realm we have been blessed with all blessings in Christ. We are sons and daughters of the most high God. We are raised up and seated in the heavily realms with Christ Jesus. And yet on earth, we experience multiply things that hold us in constantly in chains, unable to break free. What is reality? The world would tell you that it is your physical existence. But the Bible tells us that it is your spiritual existence that trumps the natural realm. That is why Jesus provided everything for you in your born again spirit. To experience this freedom, Paul tells in today's passage that our obligation is not to live according to the sinful nature, because we belong to Christ. We are his heirs, his people and his royal priesthood. He gave us the Holy Spirit to testify to this very fact.

It is easy to get wrapped up in the world around us, but we have a choice in how we will respond to all of these things. In my own life, discouragement will keep me passive and ineffective. Things people say to me, even well meaning people, tend to make me immobile. I take their words and ponder them and play on them until they become hindrances to me. To break free of this vicious cycle I have to stop thinking on those things and turn my mind towards heavenly things. Paul said, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" ( Philippians 4:8-9 ). Sometimes it takes a conscious effort to take the focus off the situation or self and turn it where it belongs, on the Lord. Remember, our obligation is not according to the flesh, but to the spirit. Paul said, when you do these things, then you will experience the peace of God. Even if you are experiencing turmoil in your life, you can also experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. It is yours for the taking and it is a natural byproduct of your born again spirit. But it takes effort on your part to experience in your natural state.

The writer of Hebrews gave the most amazing piece of advice concerning this. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" ( Hebrews 12:1-3 ). If you really want to experience the victory in life then start throwing off everything that hinders you. It may be painful at first, but once you realize how fast you can run without all the extra baggage you will be looking for chains to remove. Our obligation isn't to the sinful nature, but it is to Christ. When we focus on him and his example then the perfect goal lays before us. Remember Jesus as your example. If he would have gotten bogged down in the natural realm then he would never had undergone the pain and suffering of the cross. But he could see past that and look forward with joy at what he was going to do. Think about this as you run your race and run in such a way to win! Amen.

 

Previous: Romans 8:11  Next: Romans 8:13

The Same Spirit That Raised Christ From the Dead—Romans 8:11

"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you" (Romans 8:11)

No matter what you are going through in life, you can be confident in the Lord because he has made you sweet and precious promises through his word. As Christians it is important to understand the spiritual truths of God. What he says about you, what he has provided you, how he loves you... so you can understand what is yours by birthright in God's family through Jesus Christ. Did you know that you are so much more than flesh and blood if the Spirit of the God lives inside of you? Your natural existence is secondary to your spiritual existence. Jesus said in John, "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life" ( John 6:63 ).The spirit inside of you is life, understanding how this operates will give you the victory that Christ purchased for you.

The spiritual is far superior is every way. The spiritual side always trumps the natural realm, that is why Jesus provided everything for you in the spiritual realm. He wanted to make sure that His promises were eternal and everlasting. Once they exist in spiritual form, then by release they will overflow into the natural physical realm and you will see results. There is evidence of this truth throughout the entire scriptures, look at creation as an example of this. Jesus spoke the world into existence. The words he spoke were spiritual, they existed before the physical creation came into being and His words formed the world as we know it. In another example, Peter tells us that Jesus was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world ( I Peter 1:20 ). So our salvation and propitiation for sin was secure before the world was ever created, but the physical manifestation of this redemptive act happened when Jesus came into the world and die on the cross for us. The spiritual gives birth to the physical. Understanding this truth and acting accordingly will propel your life into victory.

In today's passage, Paul tells us that you have the very same spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead living inside of you as born again believers. This is an amazing revelation! Ephesians chapter 1 gives us more detail on this truth, "...and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come" ( Ephesians 1:19-21 ). Did you know that the grave could not hold Jesus? The darkness tried to keep hold him, but this power that raised him from the dead was so great that it could do nothing but release him. Up through the heavenly realm Jesus ascended triumphing over every power, authority and dominion that tried to hold him in darkness and was seated as first born from the dead at the right hand of the father in heaven. And you have also been seated in the heavenly realm with Christ Jesus. "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:6 ). Meaning that this has already happened in the spiritual realm, it is a done deal. And if it is done in the spirit then it can be done in the physical because we have learned that the spiritual side always trumps the physical side of things.

Paul wrote an encouraging word in today's passage, "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." ( Romans 8:11 ). Paul is stressing the incomparable victory that we have in Jesus. We are alive in every way! If the Spirit of God raised Christ from the dead, then that very same spirit who lives inside of us will also give live to our mortal bodies. It is already done in the spiritual realm and we also experience this in the natural realm because our redemption was so complete and eternal through Christ Jesus. Paul was so convinced and assured of this that he wrote at the end of this chapter that he was convince that nothing was able to separate us from the love that was in Christ Jesus ( Romans 8:37-39 ). Why was he convince? Because he saw what had already been accomplished for us by Jesus. He knew that if it existed in the spiritual realm then it would exist in the natural as well. This is why we were given a new born again spirit at the time we were saved, because this became our guarantee of the sweet and precious promises of God. Jesus wanted to make sure we had everything that was promised and provided for us and that these things would never be taken away from us.

So today, no matter what you are going through in life, you can rest assured by faith that you have victory in Christ. These things have been provided for you. And if they've been provided for you, then they are yours for the taking. Paul said in II Corinthians 4, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal ( II Corinthians 4:16-18 ). This is the key, understanding that the troubles of this world are light and momentary, but by fixing our eyes on what we do not see then we will release this life giving, death raising power that lives on the inside of us. Today, it is my prayer that you understand that the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives inside of you and this spirit has been provide for you to operate in that very same power. Today, I pray that you start focusing on what is eternal and what is yours in Christ Jesus and let it overflow into the natural realm. Amen!

 

Previous: Romans 8:10  Next: Romans 8:12

His Spirit Makes You Alive—Romans 8:10

"But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10)

It is easy to get distracted in life while we wait for the Lords return. We look forward to the day when we will see him face to face. We talk about it at church and among groups of believers excitedly anticipating his return to takes us to heaven. We long for the day when we will be united with him eternally. However, as equally exciting but not as readily talked about is the fact that one-third of our entire existence has already been completely redeemed.

Paul said in today's verse, "But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you]" ( Romans 8:10 Amp ). When we were born again God put his Spirit of righteousness inside us to replace the sin nature or spirit of this world that he took out of us. By giving us this new spirit, he imputed His righteousness to us. This righteousness fulfills the entire law and brought us into relationship with God. While it is true that we were freed from the sin nature at this time, it is also true that eventually our bodies, which haven't been fully redeemed yet will die, be buried and remain in the grave until Jesus returns. This physical death happens to everyone and is a result of the fall of Adam. That is what Paul is saying here, even though your bodies will die, your spirit is alive right here and now!

How can we exist in two states at once? Our body is waiting for full redemption, our spirit has been fully redeemed and our mind or our soulish realm will experience rebirth by living by the spirit and renewing our mind to the word of God. So we exist in this dual state of redemption because the Lord is still offering this amazing gift to others. Peter said, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" ( II Peter 3:9 ). And again, "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation..." ( II Peter 3:15 ). Why is God waiting to physically redeem us? It is because he is not willing that any should perish, he provided this salvation to everyone and is waiting for people to accept and believes this awesome gift. We are of those who are privileged to be able to share this amazing news with the world. That is why we are still here.

We have been given this new spirit to assure eternal redemption. We have been freed from sin, we have been forgiven of our sin, we have been freed from any guilt and shame associated with our sin, but our bodies die because our bodies haven't been fully redeemed yet. We are waiting for this redemption, but while we wait, it is important to understand that full payment has been made for our entire spirit, soul and body. We have the down payment inside us right now. "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory" ( Ephesians 1:13-14 ). This is why we need to be born again. Because we need to have an imperishable spirit that cannot die when our earthly bodies perish. Right now we are waiting on the redemption of our bodies, but our spirit has already been redeemed and completely change. The payment has been made for all of these things even though we haven't seen it in our own bodies yet.

It is amazing to know that we currently possess the down payment of our salvation. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" ( I Peter 1:3-5 ). Our born again spirit is where our rebirth took place. In our born again spirit is where we currently possess eternal life. In our born again spirit is where the mind of Christ exists. Everything needed for life on this earth while we wait for the redemption of our bodies is in existence there ( II Peter 3-4 ). Jesus provided it so we would be fully prepared navigate this life.

In yesterday's verse Paul reminded us that we belong to Christ because we bear His spirit. Today we know that although we are waiting for the redemption of our bodies, our salvation is secure in Him through the promised Holy Spirit that we possess. And if we currently possess it, then we can rest assured that he is able to rescue our bodies as well. "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" ( Philippians 3:20-21 ). So we can look forward to that time when we see Jesus face to face and our earthly bodies become like his, but equally as important we must remind ourselves of the sweet and precious promises that we currently posses through Christ Jesus. Today it is my prayer that you take this truth into your workplaces, coffee shops and everywhere that you go to take full advantage of your calling on this earth. Amen!

 

Previous: Romans 8:9  Next: Romans 8:11

You Belong To Christ if You Bear His Spirit—Romans 8:9

"You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" (Romans 8:9)

When a person gets married amazing things happen. Not only do you have a new identity as a married couple, but the wife is now identified by her husbands name. Her maiden name has been exchanged for a new one. With it comes an incredible honor of belonging to another person, of sharing ones life in an intimate way. When this event takes place, vows and rings are exchanges and people gather to witness and give approval. This covenant relationship is marvelous in every way imaginable.

Just like our example of marriage, when we were united to Christ we also underwent an amazing change as the bride of Christ. He gives us his name, his spirit, his righteousness and his unconditional love. In exchange we give up our guilt, our shame, our burden of sin and our old nature bound to the law. It is an amazing transformation. This newness is a sign that we do not belong to the world, but that we belong to Christ.

Paul has just been describing how the carnal mind and the mind controlled by the flesh is opposed to God. It cannot please God in anyway because to please God it takes faith. Faith is a response to God's grace. When we focus on the natural realm or set our minds according to the world's desires then the result will be heartache and death. However if we set our mind upon what the Holy Spirit reveals to us then Paul say in this chapter that we will experience life and peace ( Romans 8:6 ).

By living according to the Spirit, then Paul tells us that the righteous requirements of the law are fully met in us ( Romans 8:4 ). This is because Jesus transferred his righteousness to us when we received this new born again spirit. Today, Paul is reminding us that we are not controlled by the sinful nature that has been put to death, but we are led by the Spirit if God lives in us. This new spirit is the guarantee of our perfect covenant with the Lord. It shows the world that we belong to Christ. It testifies that we are his children. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" ( Romans 8:14 ).

Like our example of marriage, this transformation is incredible. The old is gone and the new has come. Our association is not tied to the old nature of sin, but we are one and the same with Christ. This impact is so profound upon our entire beings that evidence of the Holy Spirit is evidence that we belong to Christ. And if we belong to Christ, then we no longer are controlled by the sinful nature.

Today on this Thanksgiving morning I am thankful for Jesus. I am thankful that he freed me and bestowed upon me the gift of his love and His Holy Spirit to testify that I belong to him. I am thankful that he lives in me to guide and direct my every step. Today may this revelation of how intimately you belong to him bless you and how much this associate effects your entire life. Amen!

 

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The Sinful Nature Cannot Please God—Romans 8:8

"Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God" (Romans 8:8)

My sister commented the other day that she didn't know that we were suppose to have a relationship with the Lord until well into her twenties. This came as quite a shock to her and since then, her life hasn't been the same. This is because, growing up in a mainline denomination we learned rules, regulations and doctrines. We never learned the full extent of God's love towards us. Nor did we learn faith or that God wants a personal intimate relationship with us. Instead, learning rules at a young age only propelled us into the category of those who cannot please God, because when we live a life of works, controlled by the flesh, we will never be acceptable on that basis.

Paul is contrasting the difference between living in the world, bound by the fleshly desires or living according to the Spirit of God, to experience the freedom that was given us in Christ Jesus. If we are living in the flesh catering to the appetites and impulses of our carnal nature we will never satisfy God. While this is true for unbelievers, this is also true for Christians. If we are focused on what we can do for God then our works takes the focus off Jesus and what he did and put the balance upon us. It is impossible to be acceptable this way, because we are living once again according to our previous sin nature, according to the dictates of the flesh instead of living by faith. God wants us to be free of that.

Hebrews 11:6 says, "...without faith it is impossible to please God..." ( Hebrews 11:6 ). It takes faith to please God and faith is just a natural response to his grace. Through relationship with him, we continually learn who God is in a real way. He shows us marvelous things through his Word. He speaks these truths into our hearts. He brings understanding to our mind. Through understanding this grace he pours out upon us, we naturally response in faith. Relationship and faith is the effortless way to live according to the Spirit.

God is a spirit and we have to interact with him on a spiritual level, that is why he gave us our born again spirit at salvation and that is why he gave us faith. Jesus revealed a marvelous truth in John chapter 4 when he was speaking to the women at the well. "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." ( John 4:23-24 ). He revealed so many things in this passage but the main thing is that he revealed to us that God was a spirit. Up until this time worship was done with types and shadows of what was coming. Now Jesus told the women that the time was now here with they would experience the fullness of worship as God had always designed it to be. God wants to interact with you spirit to spirit because He is spirit. That is why we need to be born again, so we can worship in spirit and truth.

After learning this, we see why Paul says it is impossible for those controlled by the sinful nature to please God. We must approach him and response to him in faith. He has given us a new spirit so that we can access him on a spiritual level. He has also given us the Holy Spirit as our guide in all things to lead us continually into this truth. When we live according to him then our minds are set upon the things He desires and we live the victorious life that was bought and provided free of charge for us. Today, may you worship the Lord in both spirit and truth. May you respond to his grace by faith. May you understand how to please him by living in the spirit. Amen!

 

Previous: Romans 8:7  Next: Romans 8:9

The Carnal Mind is Hostile to God—Romans 8:7

"The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so" (Romans 8:7)

The natural mind cannot receive the things of God. Paul says that the sinful mind or carnal mind is hostile to God. It hates the very things of God and cannot please God because it is impossible to walk according to his ways while following the desires of the flesh. Many Christians try and try but experience constant failure because they are not living by the Holy Spirit as their compass and guide. They are living out of their own efforts rather than living a life of faith.

To have true victory in life we must be in tune with the Holy Spirit that was given to us. His office and function is to instruct, help and comfort us on this earth. But just as important He reveals and reminds us what Jesus told us. It is the most blessed gift along with salvation that we received from God. If we are trying live apart from the provision Christ made for us in sending the Holy Spirit, then we will never know God in the way he desires. Jesus thought that this guide was so important that he said in John, "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you" ( John 16:7 ). So many times we wish that we could have Jesus sitting next to us teaching and instructing us. But Jesus said it was expedient that he return to the Father so that he could send us the Holy Spirit in His place.

While Jesus' time was approaching an end on this earth he began to minister to the disciples about the events that would be coming regarding this death upon the cross. He started comforting them by telling them of the promised Holy Spirit that he would be sending them. Jesus wanted to tell them everything but he knew that their limited understanding of spiritual things hindered them. That is why he told them in John, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come" ( John 16:12-13 ). Jesus knew that they could not bear it in the natural, but after he sent the Holy Spirit, their minds would be opened to the very things of God and He would bring them understanding in a spiritual way. The Holy Spirits job is to teach us all things, even the very deep and intimate things of God. I Corinthians 2:10 says, "...but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God..." ( I Corinthians 2:10 ). That is why Jesus chided his disciples in Luke 24, to stay in Jerusalem until they received this promise, because He knew that it was absolutely necessary for life. The same is true for us today.

Today we learn that the natural mind is hostile to God. We cannot understand the things of God on our own because I Corinthians 2 says, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" ( I Corinthians 2:14 ). We need the Holy Spirit because we have been called into fellowship with God the Father through Christ the Son and it is their desire to show us all things. God has revealed everything to us and withheld nothing from us. We have this knowledge in our born again spirits. "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us" ( I Corinthians 2:12 ). He wants us to know and understand everything. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches and reminds us of these very things. Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" ( John 14:26 ). This is why it is imperative that we walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the Spirit in newness of life.

Today, as you read this wonderful revelation of truth, I pray that your heart is softened and receptive to the Holy Spirits direction in your life. With this change of heart you will experience effortless change by Him. Your mind will naturally align with His direction.... The result, life and soul peace. God bless you!

 

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Juli Camarin

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