"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 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......
....... I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." Romans 7:14–25 (KJV)
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BIBLICAL LIVING 101 - Relationships ( Concept of - Part 3 )
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Last week we saw, through the example of Enoch, that an INDIVIDUAL, PERSONAL relationship between a fallen man and God is not only possible, it is what we were created for, AND it is possible for us sinful human beings to please God, by being obedient to the faith he gives us.
We also saw the apostle Paul give us the key to Christian living in a text from Romans 2:7 (KJV 1900): "To them who by —-patient continuance in well doing—- seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:"
Patient continuance in well doing is Gods preferred means of acquiring glory, honor and immortality! No religious or ego trips or need for vast funds and workers- it's clear as crystal - blossom wherever you are planted! .... it doesn't sound cool and sexy, and glamorous because it's not! It's supposed to be PRACTICAL, EASY TO UNDERSTAND and EASY to do!
Deuteronomy 30:11–14 (KJV 1900): "For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it."
The reason we have difficulty in doing this is related to the relationship we have with the 3 persons of the Trinity and our sinful flesh... ( it's why patience is needed).
God the Father, creates,sustains, redeems, justifies, and glorifies us. Every breath,heartbeat, morsel of food is what we receive at His Hand... and it is His good pleasure to give us His Kingdom!
Luke 12:28–32 (KJV 1900): " If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. "
In Creation, we see all Persons present: The Father, the Spirit hovering over the waters, and the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the world, by whom all things were made.
The work of the Son is given to us both in pictures and in His actual Appearances in the Old Testament...as the crusher of the head of the serpent, Melchizedek, Angel of the Lord, the Ram caught by its horns on Mt. Moriah, Joseph, Joshua, in David and Solomon's writings....in prophecy ... ?.. the Word is full of the Word!
It is explicit in Exodus - 1 Corinthians 10:1–4 (KJV 1900): "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."
The Israelites were warned :Exodus 23:20–21 (KJV 1900): Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, (!) and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
The Apostle goes on to recount, continuing in 1 Corinthians 10, the provocations the people did, and how they fell in the wilderness.
We are more blessed than Israel was - we have Christ Himself, how can we avoid their mistakes? - the apostle then goes on to lay out a "Better Way". Love, is right next to it - in chapter 13! Isn't it amazing? We start an a priori Bible study on relationships and just understanding the concept brings us to the same conclusion!
While we now know what we SHOULD do, the reality is ( this weeks text ) we, like the apostle, are surprised to find one last "Law" in operation. This is the Law of Sin. It seems to use our will to make us do things against our will!!!
The Spirit has been given to us to identify, isolate and deal with this issue, and cut it out with a scalpel. You will see why a scalpel is needed in a moment... but let us talk a little about guilt.
Guilt was a tool that was used to drive us into the arms of God - however - once saved, there is no logical reason for guilt anymore. We are free!!! Yet, after the initial euphoria of salvation has worn off, we find ourselves in an even grimmer reality.
Things that didn't bother us now do. Even though we may hate some of those things ( relationships, habits, addictions ) we find ourselves unable to shake them off, and now (a) we feel guilty (b) that fact is seized upon by the enemy who now taunts us with our failures, seeming... worthlessness and our hypocrisy. The result ? We become obsessed with our faults and fixing ourselves, or are so completely paralyzed with guilt and hopelessness, that we are of no use to anybody!!!..... and that's what the enemy wants.
Here's the KEY : THIS IS THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE. Do not adjust your set just yet! If this is what you are feeling, it's proof that He ( the Holy Spirit ) is WORKING and the opposition is concerned!The work of the Spirit is to CONVICT you NEVER condemn you ! The enemy condemns... but he is shooting blanks, as God knows, and has already forgiven, all our failures in this life!
The Spirit also gives you the wisdom to go to the Word and find weapons like this weeks text - giving you an X Ray into your soul and shining a light on the disease lurking there, so that you can clearly see the real problem (disobeying the law of Love), as opposed to what you ...imagine.. the problem is ... transgressing religious traditions created/set up by men, dealing with character/emotional issues or physical addictions.
Here's one : 1 Corinthians 10:23 (KJV 1900): "ALL things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. "
Ain't that the truth? I can do anything I want, but not everything is good for me. I don't need to be guilty about putting chemicals into my body, I needed His help to recognize that doing so is not in my best interest, and fix it with His help ( & through His PEOPLE ), in His time. The same applies to ....<insert your issue here>.
You can do/overcome ALL THINGS - through - Christ Jesus who strengthens you! Use wisdom, and your short time here, to do things that are for your benefit.... like laying up treasure for yourself in Heaven! ?
Here's another :Leviticus 13:12–14 (KJV 1900): "And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover -all- the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest looketh; Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered —-all his flesh——, he shall pronounce him -clean- that hath the plague: it is all turned white: he is clean(!). But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean(!). "
It's only when ALL your Sin is open and acknowledged as such, to the eye of God that He can pronounce you CLEAN! It's when you are most miserable at your unworthiness that you are the closest to truly grasping the infinite Grace and freedom that is being offered to you.
We have an enemy within us. The Grace of God the Father, the Body and Blood of His Son, and the presence of the Holy Spirit - the Word and S-word(!) are the weapons given to us to judge our thoughts and actions against His Nature, exposing the cancer clearly. Let us not make and break rash vows, but walk patiently and humbly each day, dealing with every day life and situations with character and compassion, courage and gentleness.
The Work of the Spirit gives us the internal guard rails to gently ( and yes, maybe roughly too) to course correct our walk over time - opening our eyes to our issues, bringing the Word to mind to apply in practical decision making, all through the grace of Almighty God who has determined to have us as His own.
Walking with God is not a destination... it is a never ending journey of growth - Baby to adult warrior and beyond!! We are glad that He can use sinful, fallen people, wherever they are,in whatever state of growth they are in, for His purposes — if they are yielded to Him!
Hallelujah!!!!